doug grosjean Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Man, I kinda hate this time of year… I don’t mind snow, and I don’t mind summer heat, it’s the gray, wet, windy,and cold transition periods that really tick me off. We had great motorcycle riding weather, until the bottom simply fell out of the bank thermometer on Pemberville'smain street, and suddenly we’re right at freezing for a while. Sunday, while it was still just raining and before any snow fell, I posed my 1992 BMW R100gs and snapped off acouple 4x5 shots of it. Both shots essentially the same, but one a small aperture just to give a hint ofbackground (iron truss bridge, some leaves) and to sharpen some of the bits at the rear of the bike (driveshaftand such). Camera: Chicago-built 1920s Burke & James 4x5 press camera. Film: Kodak T-Max 100. Hoping to go riding tomorrow, as we’re supposed to have a high of 45F and dry roads. Crossing my fingers that Ican. The Jeep is nice and warm and cozy (albeit loud flapping fabric), but there’s just something so much morefun about being on the bike, in the scene, feeling the world go by, and most of the temperature changes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug grosjean Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 Was trying to downsize the image w/o a loss of quality, but can't on this computer.... So I'll post w/o it being inline. - Doug<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucecahn Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 The horizontally opposed cylinders on the old BMWs used to keep your feet warm. I haven't ridden one made as recently as 1992. It doesn't have those? That + a handlebar fairing and windshield and the thing was usable all winter, unless it snowed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_gardner4 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Come on Doug, the motorcycle season never ends (though I dont go out in snow or ice). I was out yesterday in wet cold England on my 1973 Norton Commando with my mate on his 1966 Triumph Boniville. We often go out with a camera or two in small back packs. Still havent worked out where to put the tripod though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug grosjean Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 It still does have opposed cylinders, but the pegs are a little further back on this model than on years past. My feet aren't tucked in that close to the cylinders. I have heated grips, and heated vest, and there is *some* heat off the engine... but for me, around here, 32F is pretty close to the limit. Some other bikes I've owned (with more wind protection), I'd go a bit colder. But not this one. Flip side is the bikes that are warm in winter are HOT in summer. This one, with minimal bodywork, is really nice in summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug grosjean Posted November 10, 2008 Author Share Posted November 10, 2008 The tripod, I can help with. I have mine in a soft padded case, and strap it to the luggage rack. I still haven't figured out if I can haul the Cirkut on the bike or not, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabbiinc Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Just add some wheels to it. http://www.prophotolife.com/2008/10/22/just-for-fun-ansel-mt-adams-camera-car/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennis_w3 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Unfortunately, my '56 BSA Road Rocket 650 is too tempermental to fire up in this cold weather here in MN. It also has a manual advance for the magneto, which makes it even more difficult. Definitely a fair weather machine, but OMG, the sound from those pipes! There's NOTHING like an old Brit bike (except for a smooth, quiet, ultra-reliable BMW R). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_the_waste Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Triumph? '66 Triumph no less?? (sniff) Dammit, I miss that bike. I've got goosebumps thinking about the old days. Damned married life, what happened??? Back then, I used to ride all winter except in the heavy snow. I think I feel it in my knees now. I used to grab the exhaust pipes real quickly at traffic lights to get the feeling back. Mine was a 1966 TR6 with the cylinder head of a Bonneville thrown in. Did it look anything like this? Picture was taken back in the good old days with a Diax L-1.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_the_waste Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 I think that was before I installed the grenade launcher switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brucecahn Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Love to hear about those old Triumphs and Nortons (and Vincents). My favorite for the fun of riding was a 1964 Norton Scrambler, bought new in '63.. Why isn't there a classic motorcycle forum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_the_waste Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 That was also before I installed the compressor and air horn. Jeez, I didn't get the long johns out until the temperature dropped below freezing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_the_waste Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Doug, that's a nice machine, with all the modern amenities... like disc brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_the_waste Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 And signal lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce_mattes Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Doug I have had light frostbite on my hands several times, so riding when the temps drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit is painful without proper gloves..I found that the ONLY thing that makes winter riding pleasurable are my Gerbings electric gloves..I tape the thermostat to the side of a water bottle cage that is mounted just inboard of the left controls..When it gets REALLY cold I pull on a pair of lightly insulated GoreTex mitten shells over the gloves which have ShoeGoo spread on the palms & thumb for a sure grip..Have ridden when the wind chill was -30 degrees Fahrenheit without ANY discomfort..YMMV For my feet I wear SmartWool socks inside of a pair of lightly insulated ankle boots..Over the boots I wear a pair of the NEOS (New England Overshoe Company) Adventurer Overboots, which I purchased from Aerostich..They look clunky as can be & I have been made fun of by countless Harley riders..They add, IMO, AT LEAST 20-30 dergees Fahrenheit of additional warmth over riding with your boots exposed to the wind & cold..They are waterproof & seam sealed..I have walked in puddles 10" deep without any moisture penetrating to my boots.. Practicality reigns.. Once your hands & feet are warm, everything else becomes much more manageable..With the Darien jacket & its liner; and the Darien Light pants coupled with the Wind Block fleece pants I have seldom ever been cold..Most times I get cold because of under dressing for that day's anticipated temperatures..Layering long underwear & NOT wearing street clothes over the long underwear is KEY to not constricting one's circulation..Most of my trips & rides are under 1.5-2 hours so my experiences might not work for extended trips.. Bruce.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_moore5 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Yes... getting a bit cold and wet here in Scotland too (well cold anyway... it's been wet all year!). I'm not sure how much more riding I'll get done on my Moto Guzzi this year. Moving from the leather to weatherproof suit when I do go out. Fortunately the rack on mine is exactly the right size to take a nice old solid leather case with a couple of classics in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patrick j dempsey Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Beautiful photo of a beautiful bike Doug. Here's my ride hamming it up with a beautiful girl: <br><br> <img src="http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b15/patrickjdempsey/Jillian/jweb10.jpg"> <br><br> OM1: 24mm f/2.8: Kodak Portra 160NC. 1984 Suzuki FA-50, custom paint. <br><br> I ride this little guy all year. No heated grips or jacket, although I lucked out and just got some very hard to find Orina gloves in my size. When it gets too cold to ride (which is only when there is ice on the road) I walk. When it's too cold to walk I stay at home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CosteaM Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Stunning detail and sharpness to your picture, Doug. You should show up the camera as well some time. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug grosjean Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Rob, thanks for the comments. Neat old Triumph! I got into bikes just after the fall of England's moto industry. Bruce - the ShoGoo tip on the palms is cool. Thanks! Patrick - nice accessory! Nice bike, too. Is MPG in the hundreds of MPG with that? Mihai - the camera isn't much to look at, just sort of a beat-up but functional 4x5 press camera. But I'll post a pic of it one of these days. Or, here's a pic of a very similar model, but mine doesn't have the little tiny viewfinder, or the cable release. Pic below isn't mine by the way, but it sure is nice. It's on Flickr: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/410808925_9fe6a29a94.jpg?v=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_gardner4 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Not really to do with photography but staying with subject, here are 2 of mine. I dont seem to have any of the Triumph. Photo quality bad. I just dont understand resizing.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_gardner4 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Another one<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuck_foreman1 Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Hey I didn't know we had so many motorcyclists among us.. classic bikes ...classic cameras! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_the_waste Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 I think it's got something to do with getting out in the wind... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_the_waste Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 I loved the torque that I'd get out of my 650, but it was nothing compared to my buddy's Norton 850 Commando. He once took me out for a ride on it. Every time he shifted up and opened up, I slid off of the seat, and down the fender to the tail light. He really should have bolted on a sissy bar. Yow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug grosjean Posted November 13, 2008 Author Share Posted November 13, 2008 Jim Gardner - the pics look great to me, esp. the Guzzi. Rob Holz wrote: "I think it's got something to do with getting out in the wind..." That, but lots of other stuff too. I'm more aware on the bike. I see more photo possibilities while riding. I'm more stimulated mentally and physically when riding, so *everything* is a bit more intense, and I'm a bit more sensitive as well. I've just always been comfy with the idea that bikes and cameras go together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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