I just bought a motorcycle on e-bay. It's in Ohio. Daddy and I are driving out next weekend to pick it up, assuming I can make arrangements with the seller to that effect.
Um, Bob, can I borrow your trailer? If you could bring it when you come up tomorrow, that would be really keen. Otherwise we can use Dad's, but it's open, which makes me a bit nervous...
[ March 26, 2005, 08:47 PM: Message edited by: ElJay ]
Posted by punwit (Member # 6388) on :
Cool! I'm envisioning you shuttling BobNDana Con attendees to and fro on your new toy with a maniacal gleam in your eye. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Probably not. It could still be pretty cold, and as a new rider I'm not going to take passengers for awhile. Plus I think the purple of my dress would clash with the purple of the bike. Nice mental image, though.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Excellent!
I'm so glad you got the bike you want.
We're working out logistics for driving the trailer & accoutrements up there. We think we have a plan to make it in time for the play, etc.
Of course, we are waiting for M&P to make it back from their trip to finalize det ails (note: the devil is in the details.
- Bob
[ March 19, 2005, 10:26 AM: Message edited by: Bob_Scopatz ]
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Linky, please? We wanna see a picture!!!!!
Yay, Eljay and motorcycle heaven!!! Yay!!!!! Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Bob, if you don't have time to stop by Mom & Dad's on the way up we could meet you somewhere and switch the trailer over, or I could borrow on of the parent's vehicles since you wouldn't all fit in my truck, and you could pull in here, leave your car and the trailer, and take the other vehicle to the show, then switch back afterwards.
Thank you very much for doing this.
I'm excited.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
ElJay, check your mail.
[ March 19, 2005, 11:10 AM: Message edited by: Noemon ]
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Checked and back at'cha!
Posted by Myr (Member # 5956) on :
What a hot bike!
Posted by Eruve Nandiriel (Member # 5677) on :
Ooooh...it's shiny!
Nice bike. Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Awesome.
ElJay, you so have to come visit. I found the perfect tight brown-eyelet Jennifer Tilly sundress to wear while drinking mint juleps on my back porch. You have to help me break it in this summer.
Yay! ElJay has hot wheels!
(And I'm going to steal her away for a mint julep. )
[ April 02, 2005, 10:52 AM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
That may work. Trailer is hitched, motorcycle tie downs and front wheel chock are loaded. Extra long cable and heavy-duty lock are packed and ready (just in case you wish to stop on the way home, you can chain the trailer to your wrist.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I've never had a mint julep. But summery dresses and strappy sandals don't take up much space, so I'm sure I can put them in my saddlebags and be properly attired for an afternoon on the back porch.
Mint juleps are gin, not rum, right? I'm allergic to rum. No pina coladas for me.
Thanks again, Bob. Just let me know what time you'll be coming through, and I'll make sure the car and keys are here waiting for you. Or Dad said he could meet you at Fleet Farm and switch... anything for a trip to Fleet Farm. I'm suprised he didn't suggest Cabella's. Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Oooh! Drat! No Fleet Farm. I'm coming early and dropping dog & trailer at the folks.
One day, I will visit Fleet Farm.
As Gahd is mah whit-ness.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I think a mint julep is bourbon or whiskey.
(I was at the kentucky derby museum this week )
Posted by Grisha (Member # 6871) on :
quote: I was at the kentucky derby museum this week
I can walk there from my sister's house, you should have told me, I'd have stopped in and said hi. Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
2 cups granulated sugar 2 cups water (branch water is ideal) Fresh Mint Crushed Ice Kentucky Bourbon (2 ounces per serving)
-or-
# Fill a tall glass or silver tumbler with crushed ice. # Put 2 sprigs of fresh mint in another glass. # Add 1/4 oz. of water. # Add 1 tsp. Sugar. # Muddle ingredients well. # Add 3 oz. of Bourbon. # Stir gently, but thoroughly. # Strain into glass with crushed ice. # Garnish with fresh sprigs of mint.
-Trevor
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
quote: I'd have stopped in and said hi.
For some reason, I thought you were going to be in Bloomington that day, and well you never say hi to me hehe, next time I will.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Eljay, nice bike!
Posted by SteveRogers (Member # 7130) on :
That is cool, ElJay. Enjoy your new ride.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Congrats, ElJay. Enjoy, and stay safe!
Posted by aspectre (Member # 2222) on :
No no no no...not the bike. A picture of you in leathers Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Ooooh, bourbon. I can do bourbon. When I'm not going to be riding soon, of course.
I don't have leathers yet. And picturs of me and the bike together will probably wait until summer, for now I'm pretty much going to be bringing it home and sticking it in my friend's garage who has a nice, open spot to store it until riding weather.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Cashier's check for the deposit obtained and express mailed.
Directions Mapquested and printed.
Trailer delivered and waiting, and tow vehicle lights fixed.
Trip themesong: Motobike by The Olympic Hopefuls.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Rock on, girlfriend. Rock on.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
ElJay, I showed your dad the various straps, etc. I forgot to tell him that when you do the straps, you want someone sitting ON the bike. You'll want to compress the shocks and cinch the straps as you do so. But I think he's done this before...
Everything you need is in the cardboard box inside the trailer. 4 blue straps with rubber-coated hooks on both ends and cinch-things in the middle and the handle-bar harness.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Yup, get Mr. Traffic Saftey, for all your hauling needs....
AJ
Posted by Leonide (Member # 4157) on :
*is beyond jealous*
Strider's motorcycle is kaput....and I'm dying to ride on one again.
it looks fantastic!
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I'm chicken. Seriously chicken. Fahim has a motorbike, and I get on it as rarely as possible, and certainly never drive it. Yeesh!
Edit to add: Last time Fahim got his motorbike serviced, they found a termite nest under the seat.
[ March 22, 2005, 02:55 AM: Message edited by: quidscribis ]
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Note: Check bike for termite infestations before handing over the second check.
Thanks quids!
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
You're coming to Columbus?! Let's do lunch or something!
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
We're coming in late Friday and leaving early Saturday morning, so lunch is probably out. Perhaps a late dinner or a drink Friday night, though? I'd love to see you again!
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
That'll work, too. I emailed you once, but I'll send you my cell # now.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Cool. I'm assuming you sent to my hotmail account, since that's the one I post here. I can't check it from work, so I'll answer you when I get home tonight. *bounce* A motorcycle, and I get to see Hatrackers! Bonus. Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
Woohoo! I know there are others here, but I don't know them. And I don't have the internet at home, but I'll look for your response tomorrow.
*happy dance*
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Nifty... I'll change the thread title, so if others want to join us they can.
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
Sweet. I've been wanting to inflict myself on some local Hatrackers. Posted by msquared (Member # 4484) on :
I am in Dayton Ohio, which is west of Columbus. I do not know what route you will be taking but I would be willing to meet if you want. Contact me at the e-mail on my profile.
msquared
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I think our travel-time is pretty well booked... it's 12 hours each way, and we don't want to stop at a hotel for a second night, so Friday evening in Columbus is my only real opportunity. Maybe next time through. Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
Oh, criminy. I lost track of what day it was, I thought it was Thursday today.
[ March 23, 2005, 03:14 AM: Message edited by: Intelligence3 ]
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
*bump*
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
*grumble* Insurance is stupid. I called the company that insures my truck. Their motorcycle quote was huge. I called another company, to get a quote on both the truck and bike. Their truck quote was $96 more a year, but the bike quote was $87 less a year. I really was planning on only having one insurance company either way, but that price point makes it awfully close to worth the hassle of having two.
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
What companies?
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Try geico?
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Geico's who I have now, cheap on the truck but pricy on the bike. Progressive's the other one.
Progressive actually gave me an even lower quote on the bike, because they said I didn't really need as high of coverages as Geico was trying to sell me, but I listed the higher quote for apples-to-apples comparison purposes.
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
Have you tried State Farm? I've always been happy with them, and they usually discount when you have multiple policies.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Hmmmm. I'll try them next.
I actually have my homeowner's insurance with someone else, too. They have good homeowner's rates but are just ridiculous for vehicles in my part of town. But I haven't gotten a new quote from them for awhile, so maybe I'll give them a call, too. (Used to be MSI, now Country. They have the advantage of I'd call an actual agent here in town that I've met in person.)
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Cashier's check for balance of bike aquired.
Audiobooks downloaded and on iPod.
AC adaptor for iPod procured.
All necessary phone numbers written down.
Packed.
Insurance not finalized, but decided on, will finalize tomorrow via cell phone from the road.
What am I missing? Too late now! See y'all late Saturday.
I BOUGHT A BIKE! WOO! Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
They're on their way . . . Cheerios in hand. And all kinds of other snacks on board - as well as an ipod full of appropriate traveling music, downloaded books and NPR programming. eljay is hyped - make that super-hyped. vpwilli will be a calming influence I'm sure. *snicker*
[ March 25, 2005, 07:28 AM: Message edited by: KrabbyPatty ]
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
Woohoo! *starts countdown*
Posted by Dead_Horse (Member # 3027) on :
Aughh! I saw this too late!
Congratz on the new bike, and have a safe trip.
Rain (2 hours east of Columbus in the middle of nowhere)
Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
8:40 a.m. - crossed border into Wisconsin. eljay driving; vpwilli grasping panic bar; trailer pushing vehicle along nicely.
11:11 a.m. - in Madison. eljay is driving; vpwilli has finally released the grip on the panic bar long enough to wave at Sara, Tom and Christy. Trailer is still keeping up.
It's hard to get any work done here, with all the various phone calls I've been getting this morning! Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
Well shoot, Liza...I think I'm gonna be in Columbus on Monday. So close.
If you feel the urge to stop by Cincinnati, though...
Or I'll just see you next week. Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
The 2:00 p.m. update from eljay: We're circling Chicago. It's raining. We have our frozen water bottles setting on the dash to thaw them (thanks, Mom!). We waved to Vana and Lime in Rockford and AJ, Xnera and Goody in Chicago. When we get to Indiana, we're just gonna every 10 minutes 'cause we can't keep up with y'all who live there. Whoever's driving that white trailer is still tailgating us.
Oh - and we hate the Illinois tollroads. Just because there's a trailer trailing us, we have to pay MORE than twice the fare.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
3 pm: ElJay and vpwilli both deny responsibility for failing to check their planned route for road construction. And they hate Chicago.
The trailer is still following.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
I would say "Godspeed" except that, really, you're much better off doing the speed limit. Chicago has the toughest traffic courts in the country, by the way.
Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
6:00 p.m. (7:00 eastern): Approaching Indianapolis - progress was very slow in Chicago area. Official record: this is the farthest vpwilli has ever driven without stopping at a Dairy Queen. His consolation - using eljay's credit card at the gas pump.
Edit: dkw was right - DQ stops are common on most of our trips - but not this one - so far!
[ March 25, 2005, 10:52 PM: Message edited by: KrabbyPatty ]
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
10:15 eastern:
They've reached the outskirts of Columbus and can see the lights of downtown; are heading for a hotel near the airport. That is fairly close to the Yamaha V-Star they'll be picking up in the morning.
At 9:20, eljay waved to msquared as they passed through Dayton.
Reflections on travel: Indianapolis is better to drive through than Chicago. Ohio handles road construction much better than Illinois.
Note to Bob_Scopatz: "I think the trailer is gaining on us."
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
I think that was supposed to be the furthest Dad has ever driven without stopping at a Dairy Queen.
Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
Morning update - message from eljay:
I got a bike! I got a bike!! I got a bike!!! And it's gorgeous, fabulous, beautiful and fits me perfectly! I love it. Dad says it's OK. It's shiny - there's not a scratch on it. And Bob's trailer is very nice.
We've planned the route home - it does NOT include Chicago.
[ March 27, 2005, 03:36 PM: Message edited by: KrabbyPatty ]
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Shucks, I'm getting all green with envy over here. Not about the bike - those, I'm chicken of - but of the fun! And road trips! And being able to actually go more than 50 km an hour (Or, um, 30 mph for you Yanks.)
And Dairy Queen. And blessed coolness. And . . . I dunno. That's all I can think of right now.
Hope you're having fun, Eljay and all the rest of you. Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
1:30 update from eljay:
Toured Data Center and got a late start. We're 10 miles into Indiana and still no D.Q. stop. Not only is the trailer still following us, but there's a pretty sweet bike in it.
ETA Home: midnight
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
I don't blame you for avoiding Chicago on the way back. I'd have counseled against driving through Chicago on the way out if I'd known. Our lovely governor just recently jacked up all tolls for cash paying drivers state-wide, and it's really creating a lot of complaints. A trucker friend even told me that his company is boycotting Illinois entirely.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
Posted by TMedina (Member # 6649) on :
Good job Eljay!
And we expect to see a picture in riding leathers.
Although I'm not sure where you'll find anything in the bike's size, but good luck.
-Trevor
Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
A call - earlier than expected. vpwilli and eljay are discussing the name for the process by which something is turned from a solid to a liquid by vibration without changing its temperature - as in tapping your malt against the countertop to liquify it (this is a McDonald's malt btw, they still have not achieved DQ).
They were crossing the Little Vermillion River at 7:23 p.m. - they think they're about an hour from Wisconsin.
Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
Liquefaction. And the temperature never changes while a phase transition is going on. The only difference here is that you are adding energy to your material by mechanical means instead of heat flow.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
Ding ding ding ding! KoM wins.
Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
D'oh! That sounds way too easy. And not at all technical. Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
Liquefaction is distinct from liquification. To effect the phase change you have to add energy to the system; typically this energy is added as heat (say, on a stove or in a microwave), but while the phase change is occuring the temperature of the substance does not change because the energy input is all going into changing the phase. This is, obviously, still true if the energy input is mechanical (shaking, stirring) in nature, as KoM said. In fact, I basically just repeated what he said in a much less concise fashion. If you want a jargon-laden explanation I can start talking about enthalpy... Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
Oops! Thanks, Twinky, for the clarification. I obviously misread liquefaction as liquification. I really should have noticed that, considering all the proof-reading I do in my day job. Enthalpy is not a word I see in that job, either . . .
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
KP, since I'm not going to be awake when the road warriors arrive home, please just give them a big thumbs-up sign from me for a job well done. I'm glad the trailer worked out and I really am glad that ElJay is so pleased with her purchase.
I think I'll paint a giant face on the front of the trailer so it can stare at us when we drive around.
Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
ElJay says , King of Men and Twinky!
And they're in Wisconsin, but are thinking they may stop somewhere rather than finish the trip tonight.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
Enthalpy is basically heat energy. For the purposes of phase changes and chemical reactions, the net heat change from the start of the process to the end is called delta H (H is the symbol for enthalpy).
Water, for example, has a standard heat of fusion of 334 joules per gram. This means that to thaw one gram of ice at 0°C you need to add 334 J of energy to it (in this case, by banging your malt on the countertop).
The heat energy change in a chemical reaction is denoted the same way. Most hydrocarbons, for instance, have a known standard heat of combustion (combustion being a reaction between a hydrocarbon and oxygen that produces carbon dioxide and water when it goes to completion), which enables you to calculate how much energy you get as heat when you burn a certain quantity of a given hydrocarbon.
Er. Not that you had any interest in any of that. Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
KP, remind them that they have the giant cable of death and the lock of permanence in the trailer and can attach same to any suitable object within 50 feet or so of the trailer to make it feel safer to go to sleep tonight.
Just remind them not to drive off with the trailer thus locked to something else, or it'll cause a loud bang, much rending of metal, and no-one will be very pleased.
I highly recommend sleeping if they are fatigued...rather than trying to push on through.
Safety first!!!
Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
Twinky, thanks for the explanation of enthalpy. It's a cool word . . . perhaps I'll try to work it into conversation. My other favorite word to work into conversation is conspicuity.
Bob, I reminded them about the cable and lock. They are stopping this side of Madison and driving home in the morning.
Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
ElJay called from Wabasha, MN, and requested popovers for 9:15 a.m. They were watching icebreakers on Lake Pepin . . . and eagles. Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Now tell us how thixotropy hinders drinking a milkshake without a straw. Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
"I think that was supposed to be the furthest Dad has ever driven without stopping at a Dairy Queen."
Must be a Midwest thing. Here, we go from Dunkin Donuts to Dunkin Donuts. Routes are planned this way.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
We are at Mom & Dad's. The popovers were delicious.
After I KP gets a look at the bike and we rest a bit, we'll head off for the final 18 miles or so home... Thanks everyone, for your well wishes and information-providing.
(I love my bike.)
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
Dagonee -
Have you checked out this site re: thixotropy ?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
You've lost that excuse. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Good point, rivka. However, my bike will not be in Iowa. It will not even be on property that is in anyway associated with me. So I'm not going to worry too much. Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
quote:And they're in Wisconsin, but are thinking they may stop somewhere rather than finish the trip tonight.
Aaaaauuuggggghh!
We were out of town, and you could have had the whole townhouse apartment to yourself. And played with the guys! And the Floppy family!
Rats! Curses! Fie on bad timings. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
*laugh* Thanks for the thought, CT, but really, we pulled in to the hotel, passed out, woke up at 3:51 (unintentionally) bickered for a few minutes and were on the freeway before 4:30. So our surroundings didn't matter too much.
We certainly would have played with the guys, however.
[ March 28, 2005, 07:02 AM: Message edited by: ElJay ]
Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
*sniff* ElJay, you didn't mention how cool I am.
Just kidding. I'm glad the bike is as sweet as you hoped, and I'm glad you made it home in one piece.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I figured everybody already knows you're way-cool.
I kinda regret that we didn't play Air Pirates, though. We should've tried it. Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :
Next time. Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Aw, geez, I've had those kind of motel sleepovers before, too. Glad you made it back okay.
And you are close enough for visiting, so I cannot be too crushed.
![[The Wave]](graemlins/thewave.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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![[Evil]](graemlins/evil.gif)
ails (note: the devil is in the details.![[Party]](graemlins/party.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
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No pina coladas for me. ![[Wave]](graemlins/wave.gif)
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hehe, next time I will.
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
you in leathers ![[Dont Know]](graemlins/dontknow.gif)
And I don't have the internet at home, but I'll look for your response tomorrow. ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
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I really should have noticed that, considering all the proof-reading I do in my day job. Enthalpy is not a word I see in that job, either . . .
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, King of Men and Twinky! ![[Mad]](mad.gif)