Hey Gang!!!

What can I say? I have been hella busy these past few weeks. I haven't shown Russian Iron much love either. Seems the more I am on my Ural the less time I have for everything else … and this isn't necessarily a bad thing. I need to catch up on my reading!

I can't rave enough about how much I LOVE my Sahara!! I just took it in for it's 2,500 km service (not bad for 2 months of ownership) and it got a clean bill of health for more km to be added! *thumbs up* I also got my kick starter repaired (seems it threw a spring). Irbit MotorWorks of America, Inc. in Redmond, Washington is one outstand place. Everybody who works there is just amazing. NOW … if I can just get my speedometer light to corporate. The faster I go the dimmer it gets. Once I hit 60 … NO LIGHT. Anybody else have this issue?

I have been out and about on the freeways more and more as time goes on. I try to take my rig to work at least twice a week (no matter what the weather is like). I love my heated gear, I have finally found a pair of waterproof boots that I don't hate, got hooked up w/an iPod Shuffle and now I'm looking into a GPS. Life is grand! Any crappy day I come across is easily erased once I suit up and head out on my Ural. I am starting to find that the more I drive my Ural … the better it operates. Have I mentioned how much I love this rig? I had a guy yesterday tell me that the looks of the Ural didn't impress him any. I was taken aback. AND HE OWNED ONE! WTF, over?! When I even THINK "sidecar" this is the ONLY rig I can picture. I cannot imagine myself owning or operating any other!! I even had a buy out offer from a guy in a parking lot. *laugh* I gave him some brochures and told him where he can get his one he can call his own.

My buddy Barry got himself a new job so my Uraling partner has vanished for the time being. I can't even get two wheelers to join me in a jaunt around town. It's always too cold / too wet / too gray / too early / too late / etc. I DID however get my husband to ride hack w/me! He's been out three times already … and the 1st ride only took 1.5 months to happen!!!!! *laugh* I've had countless hack monkeys and an ever growing list for future rides. One of my pals and I are planning a summer road trip as well. We plan to do at least an over nighter.

Last night I went to Southsound BMW in Fife, Washington to check out the Red October that they just got in. It's a beauty!! VERY SHINY and VERY RED!! I have a few snap shots that I will post when I get home. The red and black go grand together!! If I didn't already have my Sahara … *wink* I do love the Gear-Up models the best though. They plan on getting two of them in and another Patrol (they sold their 1st one before it even went out in the show room).

Saturday I plan on swinging by the sidecar class that Evergreen Safety Council is holding this weekend. I want to show them how far I have come w/my sidecar adventuring. I have been chatting w/a few of the guys I took the class with and they think we should all sign up for the advance class this fall. I'm all for it! I still haven't figure out how to fly the car in a straight line (I can do GREAT circles but I just can't travel in a strait line yet).

I drove in again today. I am an awful clock watcher when I Ural in because I can't wait to get out on the road!!

Hope you all are doing well & swell!! I just wanted to check in and give you all a shout! We are leaving for Ireland in 14 days so I best go buy a bigger suitcase so I can take my Sahara with me.

Cheers!
TRACER

Good to hear from you Tracy,
I have been wondering how you have been. Yes, I have exactly the same speedo light dimming as you. At idle it seems fine, but the faster I go the dimmer it gets ????? Seems strange. I am at 9,000 klicks now (2,000 since I have owned it) and am starting to whittle through the 10,000 km maintaince checklist. Dont forget to get a hold of me for any weekend Ural excursions. I ride my two wheels during the week, so I am always looking to use the Ural on weekends. Have fun in Ireland!!!!
Mark

MARK! Good to hear from you!! When I get back from Ireland let's plan a weekend Ural day!! I have been getting out almost every weekend but it's just local adventures (Puyallup / Renton / Kent / WHOOPIE!). I'd like to see some other sights for a change.

My next goal is to work off that maintaince checklist ... I'd love to be able to take care of some Ural issues myself. SOON!

SUCK that your speed-o-meter does the same thing. I have bright lights up until 45 (maybe) and then it starts so flicker. Soon ... no light what-so-ever. Odd. I had IMWA check it out yesterday but the problem wasn't fixed. Maybe we're traveling FASTER than the speed of light? *laugh*

I will get a hold of you once we return from our holiday!! I'm really looking FWD: to it. I surprised my husband w/ticket to Ireland 6 months ago for his birthday (February 9th). I can't believe it's almost time to go!!

Laters!

Good to hear back from ya Tracer, ...I'd pretty well figgered you were out doin' knees in the breeze...good to hear alls well. Posted pics in my albums of me in the USN and my H-D days...see what I looked like in the day. BTW....your "steadily-depressing-low down-mind messing" speedo's gettin' dimmer blues is likely a "Gremlin" you can live with...mines a taillight that chooses when it'll stay lit. I can live with a "gremlin" like this as it keeps the bigger ones at bay

Tracer,
Glad that you are enjoying your new machine!!! Great photo!!

Surely riding is the BEST excuse not to be on the forum....

Pat in NH

Hey Kraut!!

I checked out your pictures!! VERY NICE INDEED! The USN ones impressed me the most. *thumbs up* The H-D Stash was OUTSTANDING, too!!

Today my speed-o-meter did great at an idol!! No lights at all until I hit 60 … then it started to waggle. Gremlins for sure.

*wave* Hi Pat!!

It seems that any spare time I have or I create … I'm off on my Ural!! I'm also too busy taking pictures of everybody else vs. myself. I still need to post the Red October ones I got from the BMW shop. I've just been too busy Uraling! HAHA! I can't wait to run errands today because I drove it into work again today. 1st stop; Army / Navy Surplus Store! I'm sure there is something in there that I don't need!! *laugh*

SO ... I have a birthday coming up. Now w/the Ural I have an ever growing list of *wants*. My husband is going to get me a GPS for my rig!! Wah-Hoo!! He's looking at this one;

http://www.motorcyclegps.us/13-319607011-B..._Navigator.html

What do you all think? It's either Ural items or earrings. I'm leaning more towards Ural items!

I'm fresh outa gift ideas...maybe a Machine Gun mount for the hack? I'd avoid wearing Urals as earrings, they'll likely stretch your earlobes so much they'll tangle in the spokes or drive shaft....

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! Well, a MATCHING pair of Urals would be VERY LOVERLY!!! I don't think Mr. Frank will buy off on that though. *laugh* I need the machine gun mount sooner or later myself, too!!

Late Entry; He got me that GPS!!! It should be here but the 1st parts of next week! HOT DAMN!! Anybody have any luck finding a good place to mount these?

Hay Tracy,

Haven't vanished, just readjusting. Back to a 50-60 hour work week, after 8 months of working 1 or 2 days a week.

Sounds like your light bulbs need some checking at the connections. Check their grounds. Also get some Di-electric grease and lightly apply on the bulb sockets and connections. Great to hear that you are enjoying your rig. Practice, practice, and practice. Have fun!!! P.S. come on over to Sovietsteeds.com Another good place to share and get info.... Peace....

Have fun in Ireland!

Where are you heading???

I might be able to make a recommendation or three....

Dub

Wah-Hoo! BARRY!! *big smile* I know you're still there but I also know you need to wait for the dust to settle. Work my man! Work! You will get re-adjusted soon. MISS YOU!

Thanks Marty! I will check the grease, too. I plan on ripping off the front end ... soon. Maybe tomorrow. Depends on how wild of a hair I get. I'm getting ready to head out on the Ural for the day. 1st stop; stoppin' by the sidecar class!! I think I'll bring donuts. More practice if anything! I want to spend some time trying to go in a straight line flyin' the car today, too! I have an account on sovietsteeds.com ... and I've only posted ... once. I need to stop by again!!

Hi Tracer,
I mounted my GPS right on the center part of the handlebar with a RAM mount. Sort of a ball and socket thing that clamps around the bar. It works great and is right in front of you so easy to see.

Some but not all the rigs have primary ground for the "dash" lamps goin through the speedo cable..... If the fitting is a bit loose you lose yer ground a bit. If the bulbs are secure along with the terminals on the sockets and yer cable is tight, ya might try a small gauge ground from the dash panel to the top engine mount bolts under the tank .....

just a thunk

kermitski
of the desert

Hey Dub! I missed this post! I will send you an e-mail ...