The way some things just happen to happen, you know that there’s only one thing you can do, only one thing you will do.

Usually I ride my bicycle to work, but today, well, maybe today needed to be a motorcycle day?

I woke up with just enough time (even after shaving). Somehow, all the morning’s pre-commute gatherings and doings went a little faster than usual. The weather was cool, but dry, and there would be beautiful morning sun.

And, above all, I really needed it. I needed the chatter of the valves, the growl of the engine (well, maybe not quite a growl, but humor me), the rush of wind.

Soon I was on Sveta, and the green Patrol hit the highway, took me over a rise so I could see the sun rising over the Coburg hills to the east, took me to work with a big ol’ grin on my face.

The day stayed overcast and cool, but I brightened up. All I needed was a motorcycle ride.

I’m a pretty anonymous guy, and I like it that way.

Note that’s despite running 2 blogs (this one and Antsaint), and having a presence on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. It’s nice to just be another face in the crowd.

But, I also love that people recognize Svetlana. I just happen to be the guy who rides her.

I recently rode Sveta down to McMenamins 19th Street for Eugene’s inaugural Beer and Blog event. I had to ride around the block once to find parking, and this took me and Sveta past the pub’s windows. When I walked in a few minutes later, black leather jacket on, helmet in hand, people immediately put two and two together – and then started telling their friends:

“Dude. Dude! You know that green motorcycle with the sidecar?”

“Yeah, I see that thing all the time!”

(Then they’d point to me.) “That’s him!”

And we’d talk motorcycles and websites for a while. When I left later that evening, it was with a big grin on my face. Yes, I definitely like my anonymity, but it’s also fun to be associated with something so distinctive. Svetlana can have the attention. After all, she’s much better-looking.

• Who cares about speed? I’d rather just enjoy the ride
• Even a mechanical dunce like me can keep a Ural maintained and in good running condition
• It’s unique
• My fiancee, our dog and I all can ride comfortably together
• Who says you can’t haul things on a motorcycle? Excuse me while I run to the grocery store and the home improvement store…
• It’s a 2007, but looks like a 1937

Those are a few reasons why I love my 2007 Ural Patrol.

Sunday afternoon at the grocery store. I’d just parked and dismounted, locked my helmet to Sveta’s luggage rack, and was about to walk towards the store when a man walked up to me.

“Mind if I take a picture of it?” he asked, grinning.

“Go right ahead,” I replied, nodding.

“Otherwise, no one’s gonna believe me when I say what was behind me!”

Cameraphone out, he snapped a few pics, smiling and shaking his head. Then we each went our way.

Out for the evening for, at last, a wee ride around town. It’s in the 30s in Eugene this evening, and while that’s nothing compared to temperatures in much of the country, it’s still a bit chilly. Nonetheless, when you’re geared up right, plus doing the body weight shifting required to ride a sidecar rig well, you do stay pretty warm.

Except for my neck.

I’ve got thick gloves, thick socks, overpants, a fleece, a fleece-lined leather jacket, and a full-face helmet. When it comes to cold, my only vulnerable area is under my chin — my throat down to the top of my jacket collar, and the back of my neck right at the bottom of my helmet.

It’d be one thing if these areas were just a little chilly, but in the chill and fast rush of wind, the cold makes them just bloody well hurt. Throb, even, as if under this pressure.

I just relayed my tale of woe to my knitter fiancee, and the word from her needles is she can knit up something to cover that area. Nice.

Beyond that though, a great night’s ride. Sveta started right up — she liked the cold, I’ve decided — and the ride, on a clear pretty night in Eugene, was wonderful.

It’s good to have a sidecar motorcycle.

Shortly before the holidays, something happened in Eugene that hardly ever happens here — it snowed. Good and bloody hard too. And that wasn’t all — the snow stayed. For nearly a week. Suddenly it was like we were in, I dunno, Boston or New Hampshire or something.

And guess what? I didn’t get to ride in it. Not. Bloody. Once.

With the holidays near and us preparing to leave for a big trip to Colorado, plus Jodie transitioning to a new job, I didn’t ride. That week was working, packing, and helping her move stuff to her new violin teaching studio.

All that snow, begging for a Ural. And I didn’t get out in it once.

It was a missed opportunity, and while I’m okay — to a point — with having missed it, well, it’s still a missed opportunity and I’m sorry I missed it.

I’m almost wishing for more snow.

Almost.

You know what I’d like to see?

It’s Thanksgiving in America, and it’d be hilarious to see a sidecar that was decorated as a turkey, complete with drumsticks.

Maybe I ought to do this some year. In the meantime, happy Thanksgiving!

From breaking in your Ural to making sure your have good tire pressure, how can you improve your Ural’s gas mileage?

I have consistantly come up with about 25 miles to the gallon. Confused My 2007 gear up I bought at the end of April has just over 6200 km on it. How are you guys getting 30 mpg? Granted thats only about 20 miles per tank before refueliing but thats a trip to work. I do a mix of highway and city driving and when I am on the interstate I cruise at about 55 to 60 mph. I have color tuned and synced the carbs. I change the oil and have 20w-50 as the manual says. Everything runs smooth though the ride is a little rougher with the new tire but it has almost 2000 km on it. Tire pressure is always checked and kept at 32 front, 40 pusher and 30 on the sidecar. I weigh in at about 225 before armored up. Any hints and tips would be appreciated

Tips include:

• Slow down (overall 40-45mph seems to be a good speed, but of course what you run varies with what road you’re driving on)
• Keep your tires at good pressure (manual recommends 32 psi front, 30 psi hack, 40 psi rear, but many foilheads run 32 psi in the hack wheel)
• Avoiding ethanol-blended gas

Follow the whole discussion: Soviet Steeds - How do you guys and gals get 30 mpg?

Soviet Steeds - Kick starting my Patrol

Mike Shoemake shares his recommended Ural kickstarting procedure:

Bill, I been doing the same thing as you, just trying to teach myself how to do a manual start. I have had the most luck with the following procedure. Hope this helps:

Mike’s Ural Kickstarting Procedure

1. Ignition off
2. Enricheners out
3. Stand with my right foot on left rear footpeg (passenger), this lets me have full range of motion with my left foot thru the entire travel of the kickstarter from top to bottom. Holding onto the passenger seat will keep you steady.
4. Kick engine over twice, do it smartly please
5. Ignition on
6. Left hand on throttle, but just a little, right hand on passenger seat
7. One hard kick and engine has started every time.

I do hope it helps – and I particularly hope it helps me. Other than 2 lucky tries when I first got Svetlana, I’ve been hopeless at kickstarting my Ural Patrol. I’m going to try out Mike’s procedure though, and hopefully will finally get the hang of this.

Follow the whole discussion: Soviet Steeds - Kick starting my Patrol

“WWID”

Definition: What Would Ivan Do?, or, if you’re pondering how to fix, or at least not to break further, something on your Ural rig, then “WWID” is the quintessential, introspective, get-the-creative-juices-flowing question to ask yourself first.

Usage: Okay, I think the cotter pin for the linkage here has broken off, and I’ve got to get it back on. All I have are zip ties and duct tape… WWID?