Yesterday I went to Chattanooga to see the 83 year old family Matriarch. It
was 29 degrees when my Dad and I left Nashville in a car; I simply could not convince
him to ride 2up on the new bike.
As usual, I throughly enjoyed visiting with “Reecie” (the Matriarch) and we spent
most our time talking about travels of past (she just returned from Florida and is leaving
again next week) and future. The latter included what we are calling her “Highway One
Spring Fling” (we're definitely related, huh?). She and three of her 80 year old+
buddies are going to fly to Portland, OR and drive all of Hwy 1/Pacific Coast Hwy down to
San Diego in late April. She and I had completed most of their planning during my
various visits with her last fall, but after she heard about and saw the photos of my
recent Xmas/New Year's ride to
CA-Hwy 1 and the Hearst Castle, she decided that the Highway One Spring Fling should
now include a tour there as well. I'm trying to arrange my schedule to meet them
there for the day so that I can assist with their ambulating around the grounds. Anyway,
the Matriarch, as I've experienced most “mature” travelers shall we say, prefers the use of
paper maps - very outdated paper maps - to use as her primary planning tool.
As usual, we had maps spread out everywhere while my laptop and computerized trip
planning tools were only consulted as a dire backup. Thankfully, we were able get
the Fling revised and situated and she should be all set to go. Since I didn't have
the FJR I couldn't take a photo of her beside (or on) it so I'll put a recent photo of her
with the V-Strom so our family and her friends can continue to rag her and say her picture
is all over the internet:
During the visit my Dad and I recounted our weekend in Ontario, CA at the USA Four Corners
Tour banquet and made sure to tell her about the 87 year old finisher. It seemed to
inspire and challenge her, which was good to hear.
Back to Nashville where today the focus is on the new FJR. Let me preface this
by saying I enjoy the process of setting a bike up for distance riding about as much as I
enjoy dental work... the end results are great and function is always improved but the
process of getting to that point just plains sucks.
I'm a rider, not a mechanic. If I had to choose between a day of dental work and
a day of doing electrical work on a motorcycle I'd just have to flip a coin. I don't mind
general maintenance/repairs, but adding equipment, especially of the electrical variety, is
just one of those things, like dental work, I'd rather not do. Thankfully, I have a good
friend (Scott) who happens to live in Nashville and who happens to be an electrical wizard. Am
I lucky or what??! (No, you can not have his name or address).
(Webmaster Note: Here ya go: N36.07446 W86.54416 
)
The wizard had devised a plan for our farkling and submitted this to me upon my arrival,
which I promptly responded to by suggesting we go to the Waffle House where I'd feel more at home:
In preparation for our grand electrical farkling shindig, I shipped several items to Scott's
that I wanted to put on the FJR before I headed back to Phoenix. If you are not familiar
with the term “farkle” then I'd recommend glancing at:
THIS so you can impress your Happy
Hour crew, your boss, or maybe even yourself. Over the years and miles I've ridden a
motorcycle, I have developed a fierce preference for 3 certain farkles: Headlight modulator,
upgraded horn, and modulating LED brake lights.
It is unimportant to me if other riders utilize these products. Motorcycling, much
like life, is purely subjective and everyone is entitled to their own beliefs about what
constitutes safety, necessity, or beauty. I always find it interesting that people will
argue just about every aspect of motorcycling as if all riders have the same needs, experiences,
etc. 
These very people discount others opinions despite the fact that no two riders are alike
any more than all rides are alike... another exact parallel to life. A rider who tours,
say, 50k miles annually may have different needs than someone who commutes 25k a year;
consequently, their decisions and individual perspectives on what is “best” or “necessary” may
vary as well. Unfortunately, in the motorcycle community at large I think such differences
are often times not taken into consideration and an “I'm right-you're wrong” attitude is
rampant. 
Just go to any internet motorcycle forum and you'll find charged debates on equipment, parts,
gear, etc. Honestly, I find it sad. Make your own decisions and who cares what someone
else is choosing to do so long as it doesn't affect you. Personally, I call it respect...
which also happens to be a significant part of my approach to life. Hmmm, maybe I should write
something like “Farkles and the Art of Philosophy”. Back to the farkles themselves, specifically
my Big Three... I have not yet decided which model headlight modulator I will put on the FJR so I
did not ship one to Scott's. As for the horn, I was told that my ever-loving Stebel air horn
would present a challenge to install on the FJR and so I've elected to wait until I get back to
Phoenix and have Jim (my head-master-mechanic-extraordinare) tackle this project that apparently
needs creative fabrication (Jim's specialty, thankfully).
Regarding the LED brake lights (Hyperlites, Scott and I got them installed rather effortlessly
I must admit. I am a HUGE fan of creating triangulation of lights for greater conspicuity. (Ever
noticed the light pattern of an oncoming train? That's triangulation). I select the mounting
location of the Hyperlites as well as the front auxiliary headlights for this very reason. If you
ever ride with someone who has a front or rear triangle of lights then you'll understand why there is
a difference not just in adding auxiliary lights but in the placement of such lights. Here is an
example on one of my other bikes for illustration:
Took a few pics during our endeavors in case I ever need reminding how much I dislike electrical projects:
... and here is the completed install with the photo showing the running lights only (which are at
40% reduced intensity from when brakes are applied...yes, bright stuff!).
For more information on these lights, click: THIS
Scott and I were also able to install a power block (Blue Seas), as well as
wiring for my GPS, heated gear, radar detector, and the
Moto Lights, which are the same
fork-mounted auxiliary lights seen in the sunset photo above:
These were the essentials that I prefer to complete before I start accumulating
any miles. The only items still on what I think here in the South is called
the “G-E-D List” or “Git 'Er Done List” is the horn and headlight modulator. I
am so glad this is all done so I can now just GO RIDE!!
Hope to start the trek back to Phoenix by early next week (2/19) with at least stops
in Mobile (AL), Pass Christian (MS), and Houston (TX) to see friends.
AGirl
