My name is Chris. I am a moto-journalist who loves motorsports; from drag racing, riding enduros, hot-rodding my '73 Dodge Challenger and '69 AMX to dirt-roading Baja bugs. My passion is riding and building vintage Harleys. I host Throwback Thursdays at the local drive-In and donate my time to many causes. My purpose on this Earth is to make a difference in the lives of others as ACTION is what makes the presence of GOD felt in this world!
AMAZING Cheap Life
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Spectro Performance Oils has great products
I run Spectro Motor Guard high performance oil in my 1973 Rallye Challenger, which is my daily driver and newest thing I own. Spectro truly is the best oil on planet Earth!
I also use Spectro in all of my old Harleys.
1973 flat black Rallye Challenger |
1973 Rallye Challenger uses Spectro Motor Guard oil |
Chris Gibbany's 1973 flat black Rallye Challenger |
I also use Spectro in all of my old Harleys.
Spectro heavy duty motorcycle oil in my '39 Knuckle |
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Viking Bags Dirtman Enduro Saddlebags and Tank Bag
I have to admit, I have NEVER run bags on any enduro I have ever owned. When I received these, I figured I would try them out and then take them off. Boy was I wrong! My husband owns a matching pair of 1993 Yamaha TW200 enduros. We decided to put the saddlebags on the one he rides and the tank bag on the one I ride, mainly so that when I did the review, you could tell that the bags didn't hurt the appearance much. Please note, we have been riding the bikes since last Fall so that I could test the bags and give an honest review.
First off, the bags are VERY easy to install and they stay in place. They have lots of straps that should be long enough to fit just about any dirt bike or enduro. The bags are made from tough Cordura, which is weather resistant but is not rainproof (I know as I washed the bikes yesterday WITH the bags on). They did dry out quickly though.
The saddlebags are soft sided and can be cinched up closer to the bike if you so desire. We have found that neither bag interferes at ALL with ridability or maneuverability. In fact you would never even know they were there, except of course, you are staring at the tank bag.
The saddlebags measure 15 1/2 by 3 1/2 by 9 1/2. The bags are NOT expandable BUT the straps can be used to make the bags bigger to hold more or cinched up if you are carrying less. The straps do have plastic buckles and then double heavy duty metal YKK zippers, which is really nice.
The bags have one large main compartment and then a much smaller zippered pocket on the outside which is easier to get to. As you can see, I was able to get my entire hand in there and then some. So the pocket, although by appearance looks super small, can fit quite a bit. The bags are rated to hold 515.5 cubic inches each so you have 1031 cubic inches of total storage. The bags have lots of plastic hooks so that you can attach other things if you so desire. The bags also contain reflective strips for some added safety in case you are out at night.
When we go out we usually carry a couple 20 oz waters, several snacks, 5-10 Arkansas Motorcycling Guides to hand out when we stop and eat, an extra pair of gloves for the both of us, as well as pens, a notebook, etc in one of the saddle bags. The other one we usually leave empty as when we get too hot we can shed clothes and put them away. The last time we went out, I had to put a hoodie, a long sleeved thermal shirt, a thin long sleeved jacket, and Gabe's jacket liner in there. And we STILL had room to spare.
You can purchase the saddlebags here or on Amazon here.
The tank bag is also made of Cordura. It measures 11 1/2 by 10 1/2 by 2. It is rated to hold 262.5 cubic inches and has fabric flaps to protect your paint from the attachment points. It is also easy to install and when you need to get gas, you just quickly release the two plastic connectors on the front then just lift the bag up. When you are finished, then reattach the connectors.
The tank bag also has heavy duty metal YKK zippers and the main compartment has double zippers, which is very nice. I use this bag for one and only one purpose- to carry my DSLR camera in. Since I am a moto-journalist I wanted to try a tank bag as a way to carry my Canon T6i with 18-135 lens and battery grip. It fits perfectly, with the lens attached so that I can unzip the bag, using the double zippers that I have brought together, take the lens cap off and start shooting immediately. I did however, have to permanently lift up the flap to make it easier to get into for my camera, which can be seen in the photos.
The tank bag also has a clear pouch on top that you can put a map or phone, etc in and it has a clear mesh zippered pocket under the clear top. The bag also has a quick access, very small zippered mesh pocket on the outside which I usually carry a Chap-stick in.
Like I said, we had never used saddlebags on an enduro before but now we can't imagine riding one without them! They offer so many possibilities we LOVE them!!!!
You can purchase the tank bag here or on Amazon here
TW200's with Viking Cycles Dirtman Enduro saddlebags and tank bag |
First off, the bags are VERY easy to install and they stay in place. They have lots of straps that should be long enough to fit just about any dirt bike or enduro. The bags are made from tough Cordura, which is weather resistant but is not rainproof (I know as I washed the bikes yesterday WITH the bags on). They did dry out quickly though.
Viking Cycles Dirtman Enduro saddlebags |
The saddlebags are soft sided and can be cinched up closer to the bike if you so desire. We have found that neither bag interferes at ALL with ridability or maneuverability. In fact you would never even know they were there, except of course, you are staring at the tank bag.
Viking Cycles Dirtman Enduro saddlebags |
The saddlebags measure 15 1/2 by 3 1/2 by 9 1/2. The bags are NOT expandable BUT the straps can be used to make the bags bigger to hold more or cinched up if you are carrying less. The straps do have plastic buckles and then double heavy duty metal YKK zippers, which is really nice.
Viking Cycles Dirtman Enduro saddlebags |
The bags have one large main compartment and then a much smaller zippered pocket on the outside which is easier to get to. As you can see, I was able to get my entire hand in there and then some. So the pocket, although by appearance looks super small, can fit quite a bit. The bags are rated to hold 515.5 cubic inches each so you have 1031 cubic inches of total storage. The bags have lots of plastic hooks so that you can attach other things if you so desire. The bags also contain reflective strips for some added safety in case you are out at night.
Viking Cycles Dirtman Enduro saddlebags |
When we go out we usually carry a couple 20 oz waters, several snacks, 5-10 Arkansas Motorcycling Guides to hand out when we stop and eat, an extra pair of gloves for the both of us, as well as pens, a notebook, etc in one of the saddle bags. The other one we usually leave empty as when we get too hot we can shed clothes and put them away. The last time we went out, I had to put a hoodie, a long sleeved thermal shirt, a thin long sleeved jacket, and Gabe's jacket liner in there. And we STILL had room to spare.
You can purchase the saddlebags here or on Amazon here.
Viking Cycles Dirtman Enduro saddlebags |
Viking Cycles Dirtman Enduro saddlebags |
Viking Cycles Dirtman Enduro saddlebags |
The tank bag is also made of Cordura. It measures 11 1/2 by 10 1/2 by 2. It is rated to hold 262.5 cubic inches and has fabric flaps to protect your paint from the attachment points. It is also easy to install and when you need to get gas, you just quickly release the two plastic connectors on the front then just lift the bag up. When you are finished, then reattach the connectors.
Viking Cycles Dirtman Enduro tank bag |
Viking Cycles Dirtman Enduro tank bag |
Viking Cycles Dirtman Enduro tank bag |
The tank bag also has heavy duty metal YKK zippers and the main compartment has double zippers, which is very nice. I use this bag for one and only one purpose- to carry my DSLR camera in. Since I am a moto-journalist I wanted to try a tank bag as a way to carry my Canon T6i with 18-135 lens and battery grip. It fits perfectly, with the lens attached so that I can unzip the bag, using the double zippers that I have brought together, take the lens cap off and start shooting immediately. I did however, have to permanently lift up the flap to make it easier to get into for my camera, which can be seen in the photos.
Viking Cycles Dirtman Enduro tank bag revised to hold Canon DSLR with 18-135 lens |
Viking Cycles Dirtman Enduro tank bag revised to hold Canon DSLR with 18-135 lens |
The tank bag also has a clear pouch on top that you can put a map or phone, etc in and it has a clear mesh zippered pocket under the clear top. The bag also has a quick access, very small zippered mesh pocket on the outside which I usually carry a Chap-stick in.
Viking Cycles Dirtman Enduro tank bag |
Like I said, we had never used saddlebags on an enduro before but now we can't imagine riding one without them! They offer so many possibilities we LOVE them!!!!
Viking Cycles Dirtman Enduro tank bag revised to hold Canon DSLR with 18-135 lens |
Monday, April 16, 2018
Baker Drivetrain- one of my sponsors of my '37 Knucklehead "Redemption" build
I LOVE Baker Drivetrain and I run their N-1 shift drum in all of my other bikes. When Baker stepped up to sponsor me by donating an N-1 to my "Redemption" build, I was over the moon!! They make the absolute BEST drive-train components out there. Now that my husband has rode my Panhead with the N-1 he has got to have one for his flathead!!!
When you want neutral on the bottom (or on the top), the N-1 is what you need!
Check 'em out here
Baker Drivetrain sponsor of "Redemption" with the Baker N-1 shift drum |
Baker Drivetrain sponsor of "Redemption" |
Spectro Oils- one of my sponsors of my '37 Knucklehead "Redemption" build
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)