Whatever label applies to you, rider, biker, motorcyclist, builder, mechanic, restorer or racer, it certainly doesn’t define who you are, it’s really a part time label. You have other interests, sometimes related to motorcycles, other times, not even close. It would be interesting to our readers to know how far afield you go, interesting to me, too, since covering those topics in greater detail might be useful for everyone and fun, too.
The particular choice of topics here obviously reflects a lot of what I find interesting. There’s more than a little coverage of engines of various sorts because any engine type, if sized right, can be used in a motorcycle and I have a hunch a lot of you find engines fascinating no matter what their application. From your basic single to the R-4360, there’s a lot to choose from.
Some of you ride, that’s your involvement, not fixing, repairing, modifying, restoring or anything technical, you just ride. You might ride to relax, ride for touring cross country, ride to test your skills on the track or off road, so the question of what you do when you’re not riding is a lot harder to answer.
Motor vehicles in general, with any number of wheels, might be your focus, even those with wings. Maybe you’re a pilot. If you’re technical and can’t find something interesting at Oshkosh, you’re not paying attention.
When the bike is parked, you might be in your workshop tinkering with an electrical or electronic project, while some get a little lost as soon as the topic turns to volts and amps, others dive right in. Knowledge of circuits is more than a little helpful these days when working on your bike and if your interests lie there you might restore old tube radios to relax or build something on the Arduino platform.
If someone mentions a 1911, do you picture an old Harley or do you think about spending time on the range with other shooters? There’s a lot of satisfaction to be had, reloading your ammo, resizing the brass, casting bullets (old wheel weights work great!), experimenting with different loads to see how they perform. That workbench can be a reloading bench, too. Caring for old pistols and keeping them in perfect order after a day at the range is another great use of bench time. There seems to be a lot of crossover between the rider and shooter groups. The boys from Magpul are an obvious example.
So what do you do? When the bike is sitting and you’re busy doing something else, what are you doing? Inquiring minds want to know.
Susokary says
In my case, I spend a lot of my leisure time surfing on the web, reading blogs like yours, and thinking about what motorcycle i would build if i would have time and money…
;]
Greetings from France.
Hank says
While I am for the most part a rider, I try really hard to be a builder and tinkerer. I have immense respect for those who can fix and maintain entirely on their own with only the internet and a manual to guide them.
That said, when I’m not fooling around with motorcycles, I just like working with my hands and making stuff. At work I take on every non-marketing related project I can get my hands on (as a marketer, marketing gets pretty dry after a while). I also enjoy painting of any variety- oil, acrylic, aerosol. Painting is just as effective at expressing yourself and despite what everyone thinks, you don’t have to be a great painter to love the art.
Carlo says
I work in the IT field for general funding but when I got time I build guitar/bass amplifiers.
Even if we’re not talking bikes, I feel a DEEP connection with the kneeslider as per your attitude towards diy, building stuff and making something impressive and useful with your hands, on the other side of the spectrum compared to big industries that focus more on revenues than real product quality.
[btw, the other man I run my amp company with has just finished coding a VST that models one of our guitar preamps, we’re also thinking of doing an Arduino porting of that]
Friarjohn says
I build web sites on the side. With what little time is left after that I tend to play video games. I used to go shooting fairly regularly but haven’t in years.
Mark L. says
I am the engineering manager for a company that manufactures ultra-reliable artificial heart valve and stent testing machines.
In my spare time I do engineering work for Roehr Motorcycles, and I am a few days away from completing the complete restoration of my 89 Lotus Esprit SE. debut on July 24th.
I build Lamborghini and Ferrari V-12 engines on the side, and I have designed a stand-alone engine management system for V-12 engines, which I will use on a Lamborghini Diablo VT that I am twin turbocharging. I hope to have that finished before I go to the Indy MotoGP races with Walter and his brother Harold from Roehr Motorcycles, which is our annual get-together and fun bash.
I am working on the scope of work for my next project, which is a supercharged Jaguar V12 with a 6 speed Getrag transaxle.
I am also contemplating a motorcycle project for next spring……
Mark L.
Ed says
Well I work on computers for uncle sam so basically I try to get as far away from a computer screen as possible and it falls into a couple categories.
-1986 K5 Blazer on 1-ton axles and 37″s (the never ending project)
-Skeet and Wobble trap
-Movies
-Audio car/home/experimental. Sound is a an amazing thing. Usually fixing early 70s audio equipment as it seemed to be the best before they decided putting a 1 inch driver in every speaker and saying it has 100watts RMS was a valid spec.
NextVoiceUHear says
1953: Rode various bikes for 57 years: http://www.dansher.com/mywheels.htm
2009: Broke leg: http://www.dansher.com/YS2009/YS2009.html#_BIO
2010: Running for Public office: http://www.daniel4clerk.com/
Life is good.
kneeslider says
@Ed: “early 70s audio equipment ”
I have a Pioneer SX727 with a flaky channel that I need to fix. It’s an old friend that will have a place of honor in the garage.
For those of you above with computer backgrounds or related work, I, too, spend a LOT of time on those, I need to diversify in my off hours. It will be interesting to see if that sort of work or hobby is big with readers here.
@Mark L. “Jaguar V12”
Had one in an old E type some years back, nice engine, great sound, ran hot, though, in the confines of the bonnet.
The Ogre says
Interesting topic.
I’m mostly a rider, though I do all the minor maintenance on my bikes, and did help (mostly doing donkeywork) with the resto-mod of my R75/6.
I’m an artist – mostly doing ink drawing and painting, these days, though I am starting to get back into both silversmithing and various types of glass-craft. I also do a lot of photography. I’m a recreational shooter; handguns only at present, though I’m looking for deals on a skeet shotgun. I spend a fair amount of time being a science-fiction geek, attending and helping to run local conventions.
And of course, I indulge in lots of computer-geekery, both for my day job and as a hobby.
dan says
Do full time day care house duties and look for my chance to get back into bikes. I like the reliability of newer bikes, but old school gets my blood pumping the most! An old Laverda, Moto Guzzi or Kawi would fit the bill just fine! My last project was restoring my former (sold for appliances) 53 Chevy pickup! Kudo’s to the talent rich pool of readers! And of coarse the main dude!
Emmet says
Engineering student, working two engineering internships this summer in order to afford a term overseas in Prague. Whatever disposable income I get goes towards groceries and motorcycle parts for my 1979 suzuki GS750 I’m restoring. It’s been almost three years now and it’s almost done, going to be a resto-mod. Speaking of disposable income, I have a NOS 1980 suzuki gs1000e blue tank for sale lol, shoot me an email (sorry for the advert, I’m a poor college student!)
Jay Allen says
I tinker with electronics mixed with my music hobby. I play at church 50 weeks a year, so there’s always a les paul or strat close by. Currently developing a 48V tube stomp box for distortion. I’d tinker on the bike more, but H-D apparently stands for Hi Dollar too
Bart says
My “hobby” buisness is running track days; I’m done w/road racing. I tell you why you are slow, what to do about it, you thank me for it! Is huge fun. Suppose that don’t count as bike ain’t parked much for this.
Skeet shooting w/ 20 ga, or 28 ga when I can see straight enuff!
Fix things “mexican way” at my winter place in Mexico.
Rowing. Advocate for old guys who need help with stuff.
For gas money, I help the military destroy chemical WMDs with equipment I design & build.
Al says
I’m not riding because I’m waiting for the arrival of custom brake lines to go with my upgraded brakes. And then I have to re-jet the carbs to go with the new exhaust system. And all of this is way late in the season because I was broke most of the winter. And the guy painting my tins was backlogged.
pabsyboots says
wow what an interesting bunch !! awesome question for me spare time is a mid engine (turbo bus) car in SW i plan to get it built but well see 400hp 1200lbs… going to the range and firing my gun my brother recenctly bought me and lots of fit stuff gym/krav/sparring
balanced ? sureeeee…
Oldyeller8 says
I am a motorcycle instructor – I ride bikes, I help people who want to learn to ride, I try to teach them about being a motorcyclist (not just a person on a bike) and I even show them basic maintenance (Although I am not a mechanic).
I did club race in my early years and I believe (at least I hope) that I have gone beyond the segregated biased bike attitude that so many of us have had at one time or another (ie: “if it ain’t a sport bike it’s crap” or visa versa)
But I sometimes take riding too seriously in the attitude dept. I believe in motorcyclists responsibilities, not rights!!! (I wear everything all the time, even in 30c degree heat – 90F for you south of the 49th). I am involved semi-politically and where I reside there is much talk and pressure to put restrictions on new riders (Not that this is a bad thing) but the gov’t never seems to get it right cause, let’s face it, most of them don’t ride and don’t get it.
But I was an artist before that for many years and I love cooking – So I end up doing BBQ fund raisers for motorcycle events. I try to match up my loves. Recently took a micro-beer tour on bikes in Oregon – beautiful.
Oldyeller8 says
and, oh yeah!, I did motorcycle art – go figure!!!
http://andart.4t.com/
Chris says
upland birdhunting and birddog training my overly energentic English Setter (takes up most of my free time)…sporting clay shooting, camping, flyfishing, fly-tying, backpacking, mtn biking, skiing, snowshoeing, icefishing, and last but not least…drinking beer. Someone tried to get me into seabass flyfishing this year and I had to say no to another hobby….there’s just not enough time in the day. Now if I only didn’t have to work to support my addictive hobbies.
Blaine Newell says
Hi there. I own 7 motorcycles, A sport touring Bandit, a sidecar rig, an old 1979 Bonneville, a couple of dual sports, and a small XR100 for training. I own 3 ATV’s. I have 54 acres of wooded land, that is full of trails for ATV’s and dirt bikes. So, when not riding, I’m clearing trails, and working on bikes. I also like target shooting. Mostly handguns. I have a small range right behind my garage. I also do reloading for my pistols.
Magnahack says
I am a piping designer, have been for 35 years. My son and I completely restored a ’74 Yamaha RD350A a couple of years ago. I do all the maintenance on my ’85 FJ 1100, and the maintenance and customizing of my ’98 Magna….I made it a fun and sporty bobber.
The rest of my free time is taken up with family, home maintenance, video games, and the search for my favorite beer. I am also a big movie fan. From the old silents to the new 3D animated wonders.
shawn says
I’m building an old h2 w/ gsxr suspension. I’m also a full time engineering student, currently riding an old gs1100. I like to spend time at the shooting range, but it’s been a while.
FREEMAN says
I’m an aircraft manufacturing mechanic. I work on 787’s.
When not at work or riding, I’m usually working in my brother’s shop on various projects, or keeping up my transportation at home. Either than that, I’ll usually just spend time with family and friends. My hobby is working for free.
PeteP says
I am recovering from a total knee replacement two months ago. I’m another Gov’t IT guy, and they let me work from home.
I have many 2 wheeled projects in the garage that get attention when I’m not working. The latest are refinishing the bodywork on my GS1000S and installing a WR426 transmission in my YZ250.
When that’s not going on, I design, build and fly model airplanes. Recently I have been distracted by the plethora of Almost Ready to Fly stuff from China, and I’m designing a DH Hornet for electric power.
Leston says
When not fixing my bike(1975 cb750F), i’ll be riding it, when im not riding it im either at work, in class(full time engineering student), or at the gym. Other than that i day dream about having the money to get my dads projects, ’42 HD WLA & 53 HD Hummer back running, hang with my girlfriend, and do regular DIY projects at home.
Ride on
rohorn says
Reasons to live besides motorcycle riding:
Family – Wife and our 10 kids – yeah, you read that right.
Motorcycle racing – building a twins racer from scratch – NOT a bolt together bitsa.
Microcontrollers – just soldered up a boArduino the other night – NOT saying why.
Bicycling – design, build, and ride my own recumbents – “normal” bikes are too slow & boring for me.
Work – so I can have all the above
Ex-interests:
High end audio headphones – highly expensive time sucking adiction.
Flying – a private ticket ain’t cheap – no money left for other interests.
Shooting – Class III Mac10 & supressor – $11.00/sec to operate – too much fun, but a liability that attracts more “friends” than I needed.
Cars – too much money, too much space, too few thrills.
Peter says
Hi, interesting topic… Besides riding, I am learning myself different manufacturing techniques in metal and plastic. While learning, I am filling my own home workshop with all the tools required. Also, I try to learn to program microcontrollers (manipulating turn signals…) and the electronics around it.
Ultimate goal is to build my own radial engine motorcycle from scratch… Unfortunately I am not so fast in manufacturing. I think of new projects about every day en therefore end up doing a lot of projects at the same time.
Nicolas says
Why do you really want to know … to fine tune the ads, target the right commercials for the website ? (no problem with that, specifically if it helps you to keep this excellent site running)
besides riding … well, keeping my rigs in shape for riding (1973 XS650 bobber, 1974 kawa 2 stroke dirtbike), building my own dream bike (thumper powerplant, CB frame, GSXR/R1 suspensions), rebuilding an old Maxim, too … keeping the rider in shape at the gym, taking care of the old dawg, finalizing a divorce, and of course all the other stuff that breaks and fails around the house and consistently makes the disposable income not-so-disposable anymore … and checking the Kneeslider once a day.
todd says
Fun bunch. I’m a Sr. Mechanical Engineer building mobile command centers and military tactical vehicles. I also have an open-ended gig on the side as Lead Mechanical Engineer with an electric car start-up. I put myself through college by restoring and maintaining old VW’s and motorcycles for people with more money than time or skills. I enjoy fixing anything that’s broke and taking apart anything that isn’t. In my spare time I’m a genuine family man. Motorcycles are a daily thing for me as I can’t seem to get enough.
-todd
Tom says
Currently not riding due to a broken collarbone. But on those OTHER occasions when I’m not riding, I do a couple of things. Like painting (on a canvas, not a wall) work on restoring my ’64 Falcon, mess with computers in general. Occasionally put together random projects, like making battery powered water pumps, making golf ball cannons, and other miscellanea. Occasional bit of target shooting and general interest in all things mechanical/chemical.biological, as long as it’s elegant.
John John says
I’m a former green beret, I used to catch bears with my bare hands, and lived out in the woods with no exterior support. I ran for Senate, I currently own 34 italian bikes, I have 7 wives, and now I’m busy developping a hypersonic plane to take passengers in the outerspace. I’ve installed a gatling gun from a A-10 on my Bentley, too.
FREEMAN says
@ John John: hah! I was waiting for a post like that.
kneeslider says
@John John and @FREEMAN, yes, and now that we have one we can get back to the original intent of the post.
kneeslider says
@Nicolas:”Why do you really want to know”
Because if you know who your readers are and what they enjoy doing you find out if you’re missing a topic many might like or benefit from and I think many of you might enjoy knowing what other kinds of folks are stopping by.
As expected, there are some shooters here, I haven’t done much recently but I used to do a little, as well as reloading. Spent a few years jumping out of airplanes but that eats up a lot of weekend time and after a while it gets boring, I never felt the urge to get into canopy relative work or BASE jumping, so I moved on to other things. Lots of cars and bikes over the years, just the Moto Guzzi Centauro, at the moment. Right now, with the new house, I am setting up the garage workshop, which is why I was digging around and wrote the post earlier, I found that one while I was looking for ideas for my own shop. I plan to include a nice work area for electronics since I’ve done a lot of that over the years, ever since the Army a LONG time ago.
Jerry says
With a Goldwing + Sidecar as my only Motor vehicle I do my share of maintance on it.
Then there are the Cattle Dogs that ride in the Sidecar that need tending to.
Bicycles and Computers with some home repair take up the rest of my spare retirement time 😉
woolyhead says
Retired and having a great time……deep in a gs1000 3 wheeler at the moment (air cooled)…….and about 999 seemingly very important projects………….
Hammerspur says
Motorcycles – Been riding since before I had a driver’s license, over 40 years… cafe’, sport bikes, cruisers, customizing, parts fabrication, welding, light machine work, electrical mods.
Shooting – Range, casual clay shooting, hunting, some reloading, some gunsmithing incl. mods and alterations on most all firarms, pistols, revolvers, shotguns, rifles… strongest interest area: single shot cartridge rifles and muzzleloaders.
DOGS – Gotta’ mention dogs! Have 3 right now, love ’em to death!
Many all day walks in the woods with the ‘pack’ usually in the Winter after hunting season is over.
Professional – “You mean, like a ‘job’?!”… Mental Health Worker
Oldtimer says
I thought you’d never ask!!
Don’t worry, I’ll just give an outline. Went through 16 years of extreme fatigue, chest pain, etc. 10 stress tests along with dozens of other tests. “Your fine, can’t find anything wrong, heart is strong as a horse.” I was thinking about shooting a handgun,,,,,not at the range.
One Quintuple bypass later, (after literally passing out from pain) and I feel GREAT.
Dr. said, “Sorry dude, you don’t present like 98% of the population.” Guess I’m not a hypochondirac after all.
I ride as much as I can on my 06 T100
I am restoring a 65 Olds Delta 88, 2dr hardtop. Ugly as hell, but all original with a factory Muncie 4 speed. Yes they did! 66 was the last year for manual trans in the big cruisers.
Almost done with a 75 Hercules/Sachs Wankel 250cc rotary. Only 1800 made.
Picked up a running 83 Shadow 750 for a ridiculously small amount of cash. (I know, they are worth little or nothing! Thats what I gave so…..I’m OK!!)
Just bought a 88 Virago 250 V twin that had been sitting for years. It’s running now, like a top, thanks for asking! 2 of my daughters have decided that they want to learn to ride, so now they just need to sign up for the beginners course offered at a local dealer. After they move on to bigger bikes the Virago motor is slated to go into a little custom Mustang Motorcycle. Look them up, they are neat as hell.
Mostly I am thankful to be alive, I think about that every day. As for the “lost” years….so what? I am so happy to be able to be happy again, and to have enough energy to pursue the things I love that I really don’t dwell on it.
My goal now is to quit work somehow..(I simply don’t have time for it anymore!), watch every sunrise, and every sunset, and I’ll figure out “something” to do in between!!!
T-Ray says
Been a semi-successful jazz/classical clarinetist for 10 years. Just this year I figured it was time to get a real job so started a law degree. Ride a 5 yr old Z750 with some mods. It’s cheap, reliable and to me astonishingly fast. I check in here because I’m obsessed with shape of the future but also because there’s always something interesting in the reader posts. Greetings from Oz to all. Good job, kneeslider.
Dave 59 says
When I’m not riding . . . by profession I am an architect. Most of my riding is my commute. In between that and the occasional weekend bike blitz through the Pennsylvania heartland I am designing an affordable-sustainable kit house, like the old Sears homes of pre-WW2. I see motorcycles as rolling sculpture. The look and feel is as much of the attraction as actually riding.
jeff from va says
Blue collar member of the judiciary. ( yes, we do nights & holidays)
Have owned sixteen machines ( No Harleys) Just sold a real finicky but awesome M900. The seventeenth & final will probably be my 4th KLR. Own too many Pythons & Winchester levers and they all get shot. While I can barely balance my check ledger I absorb everything possible related to quantum physics and cosmology…big proponent of string theory & mutiverse. Try to keep the machine greased by running several miles weekly and lifting. No vanity or OCD…that left a few years & surgeries
ago.
Thanks for asking, Paul.
Mule says
I was riding and racing bicycles for several years and working at a boring aerospace job. The bicycling is such a difficult sport to compete at and is a serious time vampire! But it sure keeps you healthy. Pretty much that is. Except for the plate and screws in my shoulder, the broken ribs and 2 concussions, I feel great. Problem was, I wasn’t getting the motorcycles built that needed buildin’ fast enough. So I took a couple weeks off last Labor day. I think I’ve ridden the bicycle twice since. I’ve raced every form of motorcycle racing there is but settled in on flattrack. Did that for quite a while, then sold all my bikes, but I’m getting one ready for the fall season. We race year round in Southern California. Spent 30 years surfing, but the beach population has taken a lot of the fun out of that. News flash: Flattrack is more fun and faster than surfing, but it feels kinda the same.
I’m a huge dog lover too. We’ve had 5 Bull Terriers. The last one is now 15! I don’t like computers much as they eat huge amounts of time that could be spent outside. I prefer to read hot rod magazines or watch old cowboy shows on the Western channel. I don’t own any guns. I always listen to Blues on XM radio in the garage and wish I could play guitar. But then there’s probaly guitar palyers that wish they were building motorcycles.
Boog says
I could tell you, but I would have to kill you…
Nah, professional musician nearing retirement. I teach (elementary kids), play in jazz and rock bands. I play trumpet professionally and guitar semi-professionally…
I love anything radio…licensed Amateur radio operator and CB nut and was full time in the telecom (building and testing ISP equipment) business as a tech for a few years between teaching gigs. I spend a lot of time fooling with my communications gear and talking to my buds around the world and the southeast.
I love shooting, reloading, and bullet casting although I don’t do as much as I did years ago. I collect guitars and trumpets. I collect old CB rigs, especially handhelds. I have two fine cats, Missy and Bubba, and my wife of 40 years (guess I will keep her, and the cats).
Oh, I have been riding since I was 14 and my current bike is a 2002 Honda 919. Another obsession is my 1984 Dodge D150 pickup with the amazing slant-6! That motor is about as tough as they come, almost as tough as a Honda…into it will go a 440 wedge one of these days…
On my bucket list is making a moonshine still and operating it…
Scotduke says
When I’m not riding my Ducati I might be writing in my own time and am currently editing my grandfather’s WWI diary with a view to its publication. A lot of the time I play sports with my sons, football mostly (what you guys in the US call soccer) as well as basketball and cricket. And I’m also to be found at the local BMX track a lot as I race in the local series. On top of all that I’m going to start rebuilding a Morini shortly, an early 80s K2 model with the running gear coming from one guy I know in the Morini Club and the engine from his brother.
PeteP says
OK, forgot to mention the guns. I have an AK, a beretta 9mm, and a Remington 12 guage pump. I don’t really spend too much time with them, but they are there.
Also working on a private ticket (pilot’s license). Been doing that for 25 years……….
kneeslider says
@PeteP: “Also working on a private ticket (pilot’s license). Been doing that for 25 years……….”
You should be just about ready to solo 🙂
zyxw says
Sailing. No guns.
Swagger says
Prototype machinist and custom fabricator…for pretty much whatever anyone will pay for these days.
matt g says
Cool thread and people on this forum.
I’m a computer graphics artist and manage an art team making fantasy video games.
I have many hobbies and which I’m terrible:) biking, hockey (winger and sometimes goalie), stratagy games. I’m collaborating on a graphic novel. I just bought a wr250- my wife wants me to get rid of theVFR but our garage still has tons of room and my daughter thinks it’s cool. I love to read.
I have a bunch of long guns including an M-14 but my favorite is still my 10-22. To my mind it’s the bang stick version of the WR; fun, capable of precision but without a lot of expectations of “manly displays”.
Lastile says
Been riding for about three years now. Wish I’d started earlier. Guns had been my first passion, but had to let it gather dust for awhile as I went to school to school, major to major.
Now as a RT I got money for both and then some. I try to ride as much as I can and have even joined the two activities – riding to the range. Although I find it quite hard, as I usually take lots of gear and firearms. A backpack can only hold so much!
I really enjoy wrenching with my mechanical marvels. Heck even cleaning them is a pleasure! Fuel injector will work wonders on carbon crud on valves as well as barrels!
F. Ed Knutson says
I do try to ride every single day! I am a radio announcer, and when not riding, I have fun doing voice-overs. Besides that I am an actor, and usually always doing some theater, or video shoots. I just wanna be a character actor for movies and get paid for it! Then I can maybe have several bikes, one for each character!
I used to be an aircraft mech in manufacturing for Huge Aircrash errrr, Hughes Aircraft Company, then for Northrop on the B-2 flying wing bomber, and then on the MD-11 which replaced the DC-10 at Douglas Aircraft. I often have yearnings to do stuff with my Victory Vision that I remember doing on aircraft. I’ve named my Victory Vision “Pegasus”, and I’d like to make it really fly!
Sanders says
I make custom furniture when not I’m not tinkering with the bikes.
Mule says
*Sanders, Out of wood or metals?
Bjorn says
I’m a father of three school and pre-school kids; a black hole for time.
Former motorcycle mechanic, sewing machine mechanic, bicycle courier, lithographic printer (newspaper), profile cutter & fitter.
Now a born again university student, I’m doing my degree in Adventure Ecotourism, with a view to running my own business specialising in back country mountain bike tours. My course involves lots of camps and field trips. I commute to uni through the windies on my GSXR 750M (the only ride time I can afford right now).
I love the simplicity of motor cycles which makes it easy for me to maintain them for the joy and cost savings of it (both darling wife and I are studying).
I love being able to fix my own equipment and to that end I have a good basic workshop.
My great passion is cycling and I love to spend time out on the mountain bike searching for that perfect, fast line. It’s a similar thing on the motorcycle, except the cops look askance at the search.
As part of my degree we do lots of skills based learning and at 40 I’ve discovered rock climbing. I try to get out and climb with my uni mates when I can.
I’m looking forward to a future where money and time allow me to ressurect my SL 500 Pantah and maybe do a few other projects that are rattling around in my skull.
My down time is spent reading fiction or web surfing and like many other Australians, I don’t sleep in July because of the Tour De France.
Chris R says
Since riding season takes up majority of my free time, when it is not riding season, I have to fill it with multiple activities. Such as Ham Radio (let my fingers do the talking at 30 wpm), machine custom motorcycle parts for friends and family (best way to mix business with pleasure). To sooth the inner beast, take the hand guns to the indoor range and blast off a couple hundred rounds. But the number one non riding activity(and favorite) is Songwriting and playing my guitars (Plural as in 4 of them). I believe an idle mind breeds contempt.
Duncan Moore says
I’m in the unusual position that I’m rarely away from bikes due to the fact I’m the editor on a motorcycle trade magazine. Even when not at work I’m still on the job producing work on bikes and cars as a freelance (including contributions to this site). As part of the freelance life I also try my hand at photography.
Away from all things powered, wheels are still involved thanks to mountain bikes. I began my time as a journo working on a cycling magazine and prior to that I worked in the cycle trade. A few years ago I had a small business importing handmde bicycle frames from the US to Europe so I doubt if I’ll ever really get away from bikes…
If any one is interested in my written and photographic work you can take a look at http://www.duncanmoore.myzen.co.uk
damien says
My bike is a 2004 Triumph Thruxton and I love it. I can change the oil and other minor stuff, but that’s about it.
When I’m not out riding I take pictures (weddings, and seniors mostly). damiengaudet.com
I also play guitar and love music.
Not into guns like alot of the folks here though! Great site.
Ry_Trapp0 says
Currently going to school to get my A&P certificate(work on aircraft), and as such can’t afford to dive into my interests at the moment. Plans are to fuel my passion for all the mechanical and adrenaline pumping as soon as I get my cert and a full time position.
On the automotive side it’s road racing, drag racing, mile competitions(Texas Mile for example), speed comps(Bonneville), road rallies(Silver State Classic), hill climbs(Pikes Peak), etc.
Motorcycles, it’s much of the same, albeit not too interested in the drag racing. One(of my many) life dreams is to build 2 reverse trikes, one tilting like a ‘cycle, and one non-tilting with a driving position(like a car) as opposed to a riding position.
Love off-roading too, plan to get a Jeep Cherokee XJ ASAP, slap a long arm kit on it, minimum 1 ton axles for reliability and so I can move up to some 39″ tires, etc. Also want to build a long travel Ford Ranger(mid-90s TTB front suspension) pre-runner, though that can wait since we don’t really have much in the way of sand dunes in Ohio. Some time down the road, would like to build an ultra light turbo 4 cylinder mid/rear engine tube buggy.
Mechanical stuff aside, I want to get my sky diving cert, try some paragliding, do some white water rafting, things of that nature. I love weight lifting, though I haven’t been in it for a few years and really need to get back in to it. Love guns as well, though much closer to hobbyist than enthusiast. I’m really passionate about music, am currently an aspiring drummer, and plan to learn guitar and relearn violin. My biggest dream is to make a living writing and recording all of my own music(think Trent Reznor, Devin Townsend, Billy Corgan, Travis Meeks, etc.).
Lots of plans, and expensive ones at that, but I’m going to do everything I can to achieve each one of them before I die. Oh yeah, and fit a wife and kids in there too, lol.
Joe Cobler says
I’ve been skateboarding for about 14 years and actually decided to take up an interest in bikes because it utilizes a familiar sense of physics and ultimately a similar rush that has been mentally and physically challenging! I love motorcycles! If its not skateboarding or motorcycles I am workin on furthering my education.