New Accessories

I've installed some new accessories onto the Awesome Possum, and I'm delighted. I installed the original muffler spark arrester, replacing the loud 'billet' muffler cap that had been installed by the previous owner. This makes the bike sound like it should, and makes it run much better!

I also installed a new rear cargo rack, which comes with an attachment to hold an auxiliary gas tank when needed…

Afternoon Ride to Lick Observatory

Took a little ride for my first real outing on the CRF230L, aka the Awesome Possum, and it was epic. I've been waiting for a part to arrive so that I can get this thing running proper, and now she runs great. I rode from my place near downtown San Jose up to the Lick Observatory and back…what an amazing ride on a beautiful day. Now for some of the evidence, including plenty of bike porn…

Had to stop a lot for deer crossing the road!

Yep…just like that.

A lil' selfie on the way.

Stopping to take in yet another boring, ugly view.

Putting the bike in photos for sense of scale, the way the

old timer explorer photographers did.

I'm halfway to the observatory, which you can make out

way up yonder on that there hill top.

I also had to stop for wild boar in the road!

Spare Fuse on my CRF

I'm trying to figure out how to connect a wire to this spare fuse in the main fuse box on my bike. I need to connect a USB power cable that can be switched off when the ignition is off, and that will charge my smart phone when on. It's probably a straightforward connector, but I can't find an example online of how the connector should look that would work with this box plug. Is it a bullet style connector? Do I just plug in the wire to one side or the other of the blade fuse? Hmm...

Dual Sport Motorcycling Navigation

My dual sport motorcycling lesson for the day: You can turn your smart phone into a super sophisticated navigation device that does not need a cell signal or internet connection to work, plus you can stream your route in real time, change course on the fly, save pics and make notes on points of interest, and many other features. You can make a turn-by-turn route on your computer, then upload it to your phone, and vice versa, or share routes with other people. You can also run the phone off the bike's battery so that you don't have to worry about it running out of juice. Oh, and some of the newer phones are waterproof so you can use them in the rain or if you go through water such as a creek crossing. Expensive, clunky, dedicated GPS devices (like Garmin) are done.

I'm getting my new smart phone this week, and I'll start playing around with the different apps that let you do all of the above. I'll also install the USB charger and phone mount on my bike. Once I get into all of that a bit, I'll report back with pics and details!

My New to Me Honda CRF230L Dual Sport

Well, I decided to sell the '79 Honda dual sport and get a modern one instead. The bike was just too nice to take off road and mess it up. So I just picked up a 2008 CRF230L last week, and have been getting it ready to hit the road and trails.

I got it in really good shape - only 452 miles on the clock. The bike was not assembled from its original crate by the dealer until late 2011, and was bought and titled by the original owner in 2012. They rode it mostly on the street, and dropped it on their first off road outing and decided not to ride it anymore. So now it's mine! It's mostly stock except for the bark buster hand guards, handlebars, and an aftermarket muffler tip.

I am going to replace the muffler tip back to the original stock spark arrester, as I want to see how the bike runs fully stock before I start making exhaust and carb modifications. I know many people make those modifications right away, but I really want to see the difference, and get used to the bike as it is first. Plus, the current muffler tip is a lot louder than I'd prefer.

Today I installed a Flatland skid plate, and just changed the oil and clean/lubed/adjusted the drive chain. Here's the new skid plate installed...

I'm waiting for the stock muffler tip to arrive, and I've also ordered a rear rack and auxiliary attachable gas tank for the rear. She's all set to go, and now I just need to find a day off work so that I can take her out on the trails for the first time!