SD Stinger - 1993 Schwinn Hurricane.
As some of you may know, I put it together a few months ago, and it's been my only mode of transportation since. I did a lot of research before I jumped in with both feet, although it was more directed on which kind of motor would work for me. I know now that I should have bought a Dax, but my Stinger is holding up quite well in all respects.
I had a bit of a time tuning it in, as chainsaws did not prove a good frame of reference. I've had some trouble with exhaust gaskets as well, and may end up making a copper one by hand, once I get home to my files. Otherwise, Tanglebones is running great!
For everyone's frame of reference, I live 15 miles from the nearest town (Snowflake, AZ) and about 50 from where I work (Heber,AZ). Because I only work a few days a week, I stay with some family of mine in Heber, and I typically pull my little trailer, loaded with either, my gear or needed supplies for my tiny Hardscrabble Ranch.
Downsizing from a full sized truck has been interesting, to say the least. This time last year, I was driving a 1986 Ford F250 with an International Harvester 6.9 liter Indirect injection (IDI) Diesel engine. The truck was my baby, given to me by a friend who has almost nothing, at a time when I had nothing. I worked on that truck til it ran better than it ever had, then I commenced to working it to death. Old Diesel gave up the ghost last January. He was a good old pickemup truck, may he rest in scrap.
I spent the next six months hitchhiking (pronounced: walking) pulling a hand truck, loaded with either my gear or needed supplies for...well I think you get the point.
I bought a mountain bike and a trailer. After 400 miles in two weeks, and a week's recovery, I looked into a motor kit. I had never ridden a bike long distance at all, and quickly realized the significance of living in rural northeastern Arizona. I realized while walking, that I really did live in the middle of nowhere. Luckily, rural communities like the Podunk town here I grew up in, stick together, and I got plenty of rides between my house and town. The long stretch between Snowflake and Heber/Overgaard, proved a long, lonely walk sometimes. The mountain bike made it all one long lonely ride, climbing over 1000' in elevation in 50 miles. Steep country, although I had never thought of it as such. I was taught otherwise.
If anyone had told me last year that I'd end up on a motorbike, I'd have laughed them into the next county. Now, I feel like an idiot, for all the money I've spent on vehicles over the years. I've made it through the busiest part of my year on Tanglebones and I simply cannot believe it.
As I cruise down the shoulder of the highway, the neighbors that used to stop, honk and cheer. It has been an amazing experience, one I would never have had otherwise. I've also discovered the spirit of comradarie (hope I spelled that right) between riders. I had thought fellow motorcyclists where freindly, but apparently, motorbikers don't have a problem giving way spare parts. Despite all my belief to the contrary, my motorbike has proven itself as a viable means of transportation.
Thank you everyone for all your help, and for reading all that.
-Kaveman Chris Allen, the Mogollon Monster.
As some of you may know, I put it together a few months ago, and it's been my only mode of transportation since. I did a lot of research before I jumped in with both feet, although it was more directed on which kind of motor would work for me. I know now that I should have bought a Dax, but my Stinger is holding up quite well in all respects.
I had a bit of a time tuning it in, as chainsaws did not prove a good frame of reference. I've had some trouble with exhaust gaskets as well, and may end up making a copper one by hand, once I get home to my files. Otherwise, Tanglebones is running great!
For everyone's frame of reference, I live 15 miles from the nearest town (Snowflake, AZ) and about 50 from where I work (Heber,AZ). Because I only work a few days a week, I stay with some family of mine in Heber, and I typically pull my little trailer, loaded with either, my gear or needed supplies for my tiny Hardscrabble Ranch.
Downsizing from a full sized truck has been interesting, to say the least. This time last year, I was driving a 1986 Ford F250 with an International Harvester 6.9 liter Indirect injection (IDI) Diesel engine. The truck was my baby, given to me by a friend who has almost nothing, at a time when I had nothing. I worked on that truck til it ran better than it ever had, then I commenced to working it to death. Old Diesel gave up the ghost last January. He was a good old pickemup truck, may he rest in scrap.
I spent the next six months hitchhiking (pronounced: walking) pulling a hand truck, loaded with either my gear or needed supplies for...well I think you get the point.
I bought a mountain bike and a trailer. After 400 miles in two weeks, and a week's recovery, I looked into a motor kit. I had never ridden a bike long distance at all, and quickly realized the significance of living in rural northeastern Arizona. I realized while walking, that I really did live in the middle of nowhere. Luckily, rural communities like the Podunk town here I grew up in, stick together, and I got plenty of rides between my house and town. The long stretch between Snowflake and Heber/Overgaard, proved a long, lonely walk sometimes. The mountain bike made it all one long lonely ride, climbing over 1000' in elevation in 50 miles. Steep country, although I had never thought of it as such. I was taught otherwise.
If anyone had told me last year that I'd end up on a motorbike, I'd have laughed them into the next county. Now, I feel like an idiot, for all the money I've spent on vehicles over the years. I've made it through the busiest part of my year on Tanglebones and I simply cannot believe it.
As I cruise down the shoulder of the highway, the neighbors that used to stop, honk and cheer. It has been an amazing experience, one I would never have had otherwise. I've also discovered the spirit of comradarie (hope I spelled that right) between riders. I had thought fellow motorcyclists where freindly, but apparently, motorbikers don't have a problem giving way spare parts. Despite all my belief to the contrary, my motorbike has proven itself as a viable means of transportation.
Thank you everyone for all your help, and for reading all that.
-Kaveman Chris Allen, the Mogollon Monster.