It's been a long time once again!

Hi All,
I have taken a long absence with the great changes taking place. However I just realised I didn't post any pictures of MY motorcycle. That's right, MY motorcycle. I purchased a used V-Star 1100 classic cruiser with all the extras I wanted.
Enjoy!!

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Colby Butler aka Kingkole02

Well it's been a while

Well it has been a while since I wrote my last entry here.

As some of you may already know I purchased a used motorcycle which required a pretty good amount of work to get it street ready.

I purchased a 2002 V-Star 1100. This machine had been neglected by it's previous owner.
After I got it back home I spent about the next three weeks working it over and getting it fixed up. Previous owner had run this machine without an air cleaner filter so the carb was very gummed up with stuff and the air box was even worse. I had to do an oil change, rear drive fluid exchange, balance the carburetor, and adjust the values. Spent another few days cleaning it up around the outside and the normal TLC to get her shinny again.

As some my know these machines require you to take down the right side floor board, and remove the front exhaust to be able to access the oil filter. So 500 miles after I put fresh oil in the machine I had to do the whole thing again getting that filter out of there. The filter almost looked original it was so black and filled with old oil. Additionally the previous owner probably never changed out the exhaust grommets and those were severally burnt. I had to wait a week to get the parts in to finish my second oil change with filter.

About a week later, I had to replace the carburetor after taking a long trip about 120 miles. I noticed the motorcycle was running a little different coming back and I decided to check into it and sure enough needed to be balanced.
All the secondary maintenance help was provided by my GF who worked over the machine with me.

So all in all I got a great deal on a used machine that seems to run in almost perfect order now after I almost completely re-worked the stock motor.
Some of the photos in the slide show represent small trips around the local area I took after doing much of the maintenance items.

I have since joined ABATE of FLORIDA and really enjoy meeting new motorcyclists.
Hope to write more later.

More Photos from my trips click Here!

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Colby Butler aka Kingkole02

The Motorcyclist in all of us

Memorial weekend was a fun filled weekend packed with lots of motorcycle related shows and events such motorcyclist can only truly enjoy. The weather was great for most of the weekend and the atmosphere played a very good role in everything which was going on.

I managed to get myself over the our local Harley Davidson Dealership for a special event the dealer was hosting which involved a live band, some interesting dancing contest and a stunt show using Harley and Buell motorcycles.

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Colby Butler aka Kingkole02

The Pursuit of Happiness

I believe after learning to ride motorcycles that if everyone would go out and buy one, we would be happier both at work and driving on the roads around the cities.
There is absolutely no stress when you ride for pleasure, unless some person in a car in a hurry decides to cut you off.
If everyone rode motorcycle, like many do in Europe, the crash ratings would go down by a huge margin.

So my pursuit starts now, I am trying to find a way to raise the funds I need to be able to get a motorcycle. Thinking about selling my car, however the problem with this is that during rainy season you need a car to drive. Also any trip longer then a few hundred miles is better in a 4 wheeled vehicle.
Giving my options and experience that I now have, I have decided that I may re-think what I was looking to invest in. A touring motorcycle may be best for me as I sometimes have to carry books and go some shopping where the bags would come in handy.

Each person needs to really give a thought to the usage concerns and reason for buying a motorcycle before they invest some cash into something they may find they no longer can use in a few months. The whole idea of investing in a motorcycle is to save on gas and cost associated with motor vehicles. Insurance is nearly half to a third of what a car costs, gas in about a fifth of the cost, and general maintenance is cheaper by a small percentage as well.

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Colby Butler aka Kingkole02

Arcadia Florida, an Old Florida Town

Our first stop along the way was Fort Ogden and little town just south of Arcadia and Nocatee. We made a short stop at this old country store which had been closed down. I was told that this place was a landmark at one time so it made for a perfect photo.

The old train rail system was still usage across from the general store from the looks of the picture however as you can see the rail cars had been sitting there for some time based on the tagging on the side of on of them.

Next we found our way north to Arcadia where my riding mentor lived before he went off to the military back when he was 18. Nestled in a little town called Arcadia we found ourselves on the main downtown street by the "Old Tree of Knowledge" a 100 year old tree which has rumours that old men used to sit around this tree play checkers and often talk to each other. It is a known landmark to many in Arcadia and it sits across from the Arcadia old posting train house (which shows the build date at the top) which was actually younger then the old oak tree.

After leaving this area we went up the street to a small family owned diner called the "Wheeler's Cafe" (believe the names was didn't catch a photo of it), as we talked to several other motorcyclists on many touring Euro motorcycles, American Cruisers and Euro cruisers outside the diner, we decided this was the place to eat. Upon leaving this restaurant we noticed a sign near where we had parked that read "Car show 1-4 PM, Downtown street to be closed" how cool is that we ended up coming up to Arcadia at the right time as we were just finishing lunch at 12:30.

So to stay in the area, James took me to some old area parks which had some military memorabilia located within them (see the jet pictured below). We also walked on the original state road 17 while across the street from this park below. The old single lane bridge had been decommissioned at it was found un-structurally sound for a motor vehicles to cross over it, however people can still walk on it and I believe bicyclist can ride over it as well.


Once we returned back near Wheeler's Cafe, we found that more cars had show up, all 7 to 8 of them. While this may not have been a good turn out to me, I think the city was happy to see some business to the local establishments on a Sunday afternoon.
While we were walking around the cars I found a building which read "Arcadia Opera House Museum" and about 35 stairs going straight up. I couldn't help but wonder what all the stairs lead to so I journeyed up them. To our surprise we found the old 1906 Opera and stage house in Arcadia which was upstairs above all the local businesses ranging the whole 2 blocks, in other words the place was huge!
The Opera house museum was very interesting with the costumes and stage props used back when the plays and operas took place. Many of the items pre-date the 1900's and many of them were still usable! To bad I didn't think to take pictures as I was in owe of everything. The building and the items inside are older then everyone I know in my family and that is impressive to me.

So much walking today my back actually hurt and that is uncommon for me.
Today marked the ending of my learning period with James and I am now considered a riding buddy/partner and no longer a student of his. Although I like that feeling, I know there are many things which I still need to learn which will come with experience. I also know that there will be times when we venture to areas which I do not know so I will have to follow his lead once again. I have come to enjoy Jame's company as a rider and as a friend.

Ultimately this all comes down to wanting to purchase the motorcycle which I am riding of theirs. I have come accustom to riding this motorcycle and I like the way it feels to me. I know in the future I will probably be riding something larger as I have ambitions to make riding a part of my life now and look forward to longer trips and weekends. This is something that I can do on the weekends to enjoy my life again and get to see much of the unappreciated areas of Florida. In my short 7 weeks of riding I have seen so much of Florida already and I have lived here for 21 years.

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Colby Butler aka Kingkole02

Cape Coral Bike Night April 09

These events are great. They bring out people, motorcycles, fun, live music, foods, and lots of excitement. Best of all the bike nights are FREE! This was the second Cape Coral Bike Night of this season with an even better turnout then the first one this year. It had to be the weather outside, it was gorgeous.

Not only some awesome bikes but some pretty nice looking ladies also were on site for photos. The bikini girls from a local bikini store where out in full attire ready to take donations for their charity for exchange of a nice looking lady by your side for a photo.

The whole event lasted up until around 10:30 PM on Saturday.

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Colby Butler aka Kingkole02

Easter Bunny Run

I got a chance this year to participate in a local charity toy run for our local Children's hospital this year. If you have ever participated in a group ride, then this is one of the largest one's in our area. With a turn out of over 700 bikes (according to the HOG chapter registration results) we made our ride memorial for the children.

A 21 mile police escorted event took us to our location. Imagine that, all the cagers must have been pissed we tied up traffic for up to 30 minutes. Get a motorcycle and figure it out for yourself.

For those who have never ridden a motorcycle, they just can not understand the concept of how much we all enjoy riding. Riding is not just about going places and seeing the country or the fresh air and seasonal smells, it is much more then than that. This event made the children at the Children's hospital so happy that I brought many riders feel the joy of happiness.

We filled the toy bucket to the brim and overflowed it onto the floor with gifts for the childern. Next year I plan to ride this trip again with many more gifts. I had no idea what to except from it all during this trip.

Just look at how happy this child is to have gifts and visitors to come see them. Something like this is pricelist to them and to us to have shared some of our day with them.

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Colby Butler aka Kingkole02

Sebring and Avon Park Ride

It is Sunday 4/12/09 and we have a trip planned to Lake Placid Florida.
I was debuting my summer gear for this trip to see just how I would feel traveling at 55 mph to 60 mph in what I decided to by.

My summer gear consists of:
Kevlar mesh (dragginjeans.com) shirt
Cordura Mesh w/ CE approved padded vest
Half Helmet
Face bandanna to protect from bugs
Baggy Red Route (cyclegear.com) riding jeans w/ Kevlar and armour
Gloves and Boots

As we head out on the open highways we cross many beautiful open fields and cow pastures. There is nothing like the smell of spring on a motorcycle as the flowers are blooming. The air was rather cool in the mourning and I actually found myself cold as some points when the breeze kicked up. That Kevlar shirt is very cool and comfortable what a difference over my heavier jacket.

As we get to Lake Placid we find the restaurant which we would like to have lunch at is not open on Sundays. So we decided to make our way north to find something along the way. We come across the Sebring Diner.

This little place was nice. What resembled a Mels Classic Diner was the Sebring Diner. Very good choice of food and menu items and great prices for our lunch.

After heading out of there we decide to head on north into Avon Park, a place I have heard about but never been. It is a small city compared to the area I come from. I know a few people who live there but I don't know exact locations.


On the ride back we ended up stopping at the Sebring mall and played some games at the arcade to kill some time and have some fun.


To our surprise after we left there a piano, yes a piano was in the back of a truck and the top rip off as we were going 55 mph about 3 cars in front of us. Luckly we saw what was coming and avoided a problem. (see piano below for the top piece)


Total our trip took us about 190 miles to and from. It was a great ride!


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Colby Butler aka Kingkole02

Port Charlotte and Englewood Beach

My Aunt and Uncle were in town this weekend so I wanted to ride with James to

my house to show them what I have been learning and doing on the weekends. My Uncles birthday was that following Monday so he got to ride on the back of Jame's motorcycle as a passenger, whether he really enjoyed it or not.

This would be my last ride before my weekend vacation up north to see some relatives so James had planned a longer trip then our previous few trips. We totalled about 150 miles on this trip and covered some familiar and some new areas along the way.

Through just past the Port Charlotte airport we got buzzed by a Blue Angels Jet as it made it's way back to the air field for the air show taking place that weekend. Riding past the airport we saw one of the stunt planes doing its tricks.

We ended up eating at a local biker bar for lunch, it was crowded with riders from all over the area. It was a great meal and interesting to see all the riders out today. From there we headed out towards Englewood beach our final destination of the day. The Englewood beach is actually a pretty nice place to ride to for a day trip or picnic, I will definitely have to remember that place in the future.

It all turned out to be a very good day to ride. We saw some stunt planes and Blue Angels jets, spring breakers enjoy their picnics down by the beach, part of a baseball game as we got stuck in the traffic trying to park in the stadium, and some fantastic weather all day.

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Colby Butler aka Kingkole02

Ride to Fisherman's Village part 2

Today we have planned another ride to Fisherman's Village except this time my riding partner and mentor brought his wife along for the ride. She had mentioned how she loves to ride, but never get time off of work to ride. She obviously likes to be passenger more as I am riding her bike to learn.

After saturday's downtown Fort Myers bike night we were looking for a nice ride together again. It is always fun to have company for the ride. You get to meet more people and talk about more things.

It was a much better day then our last trip out this way and the weather was far better. Still a bit windy but for the most it was calm and nice.

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Colby Butler aka Kingkole02