.. into the city zone ..
(I can hear the rumble now)
Lets Ride!
This, (such as it is), is the very first attempt to upload a video in my life, so don't laugh too hard at the results please! The short flick shows the new paint on the Magna and the throaty rumble of the Vance and Hines Pipes through a four cylinder motor. Listen with quality ear phones for the awsome result! Man I love this bike!
Today was a Saturday, the first day off from a horrible week of work where I was in pain, (agony), virtually every day because of my rapidly deteriorating spine. To make a long story short, it's a b!tch getting older, and I feel every one of my years now.
Since tomorrow is a major poker run benefiting the breast cancer awareness folks, I decided to take a somewhat short ride to see how I would hold up in the saddle. (I'm pleased to say I was okay, but not that's not what this post is for.)
The afternoon was absolutely stunning with bright sunshine, warm "fallish" weather, and the Magna performed only the way a great bike can perform ... flawlessly! It's hard to believe that this bike could be considered an "antique" being almost 15 years old, as it's still as powerful as the day it rolled off the line.
Now, I truly love the way a V Twin sounds rumbling down the road, but there's no comparison to the Magna with those four cylinders crackling through those four Vance & Hines pipes! It truly sounds like a big block V-8, especially when you ease off the throttle and let the motor's compression rumble and crackle through the pipes slowing you down for the next sop light. It was truly a glorious ride and a great day to be alive!
This is my Magna's new color ... though of course this is still a work in progress. The stock OEM paint job was rusted out badly and because I had to strip the paint down to the metal anyway, I decided to "go nuts" and totally change the color. Bright metal flake orange! It truly catches the eye when I rumble down the street on a sunny day!
Hey, Who's got the best sounding loud rumble pipes out there?
I don't want to buy a pair and not like them, so I'm taking a survey.
My brother & his family were visiting CA the week of my birthday, early in July. We had a great time including a day trip to Yosemite. On our way back to the Coast we stopped by Corbin's factory in Holister, CA. I wanted to show my guests his collection of vintage bikes. What a surprise, when we got there the bikes were gone! He had auctioned most of them off at the, "Legends of the Motorcycle" last year.
We were disapointed but when Mike Corbin joined us on the showroom floor we were treated to some interesting conversation. My brother wanted his picture taken with Mike & he graciously agreed. I got to speaking with him about the saddle bags he had designed for the Warrior, for which there was a display set-up with the bags installed on a rear end mock-up of the Warrior. As I was telling him how much I liked the looks & function of the bags he declared that he'd make me a deal on them. I asked him how much he replied, "$1K". These bags retailed for $1699.00, way over my head for that little bit of added conveinence. However, $1000.00 didn't seem too bad. Well I not only purchased the bags, but he threw in the seat that was on the display, a Stinger saddle, and he also threw in the "inner fender" which I would use to install the bags. My first accessory I purchased for my Warrior was in fact a Corbin Rumble Seat. I had an earlier issue with the seat which Corbin fixed without hesitation.
The bags are not painted Titaninum, but black, but they still look totally like they belong to the bike. They are huge compared to my "X-large" Carolina leather bags, which I've had on Easy brackets on my ride for over 2 years. These Corbin babies swallow up a heavy leather jacket, or a couple of grocery bags easily. I have over 75K miles on my Warrior, and plan on another 75K. I am sure these bags will make thet added mileage quite pleasant.
Corbin's "Rumble Seat" saddle. Hard as a rock right now, but I'm working on breaking it in.
Installed the Khromewerks mufflers and turn down pipes today. Installlation was pretty easy and it took less than an hour. Started up the bike and............WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! What a world of difference!! The bike has a smooth low rumble at idle and sounds sweet. My girlfriend and I took it for a short ride and it was really really hard not to get on the throttle hard, but of course I did. I can still hear the Yamaha whine that some of these engines are noted for, but it's a lot less noticeable. The sound at mid to high RPM reminds me of a 1970 Mustang Mach 1 with a 351 Cleveland that I used to own. This was an excellent add to the bike. Next week my driver's backrest should arrive and then we will be ready for our first long (600 mile) trip.

First I just want to say thanks for the input on my plugged issue. Next I am thinking about new exaust for my bike. Hence the question do I spend big money on a complete system, or are slip-ons a better bang for the buck? Building ponies is'nt a big issue, and I don't want to shake the walls of my suburbonite neighbors at 7 am. I do want a respectable rumble when I roll up interstate 70 throught the STL. This is a daily rider, weather and tooling permited. I like Vance & Hines and not opposed to HD Screamin Eagles. Thanks for reading & I'm looking forward to your responce.
Kyle Bradshaw (aka: manybikes) of Cruiser Customizing here to discuss Motorcycle Audio Options with you! In this discussion, I would like to talk about fairings, handlebar mounted speakers, in helmet speakers, and audio mounting devices. Watch the Motorcycle Audio Video to hear the whole scoop! What are your basic audio options? Thanks for taking a read through this weeks Cruiser Customizing Tip of the Week. Take Care, Kyle Bradshaw
Kyle Bradshaw (aka: manybikes) of Cruiser Customizing discusses Motorcycle Audio Options such as fairings, handlebar mounted speakers, in helmet speakers, and audio mounting devices. Read the Motorcycle Audio Story to see the parts discussed in the video along with links to their product pages.
Thanks for watching this weeks Cruiser Customizing Tip of the Week.
Take Care,
Kyle Bradshaw
Hope U all had a safe and happy "Memorial Day" I spent this past holiday weekend at inlaws "grilling" burgers and dogs and listening to "Indy 500". Toward the end of the afternoon as the Mrs & I were ready to leave, two of my brother in-laws decided they were going on a little "road trip" w/wives & asked if the mrs & I were going. Thinking they were just joking I said sure, swing by my place on your way & we'll go. Well, 2 hours later I'm sitting on the front porch and up the road I hear the "loud" rumble of cycles coming. To my surprice it's my 2 crazy brothers and their "better halves". It was such a site! One was dressed like "Dudly" (complete with leather cap) from the movie "Road Hogs" the other had Harley chaps, Harley jacket, and HD "dew rag" on his head. Ya Ready? where's your ol' lady? they asked. Well give us a minute; and we'll change. I opened the garage door and wheeled out my "pride and joy"(1100 Honda Spirit) started her up and off we went. Oh, forgot to mention my wifes brothers both ride Harley Davidson "Road-Kings". They decided on taking us to a new gambling Casino about 80 miles south-east of our home. Not to far a ride, and its "Interstate" most of the way. A "piece of cake" I thought, till we got about 1/2 way there. Then the ol"Indy 500" blood kicked in & the "Green flag" was dropped, and the race was on.
Hey, I'm game,( forgot wife is on back) even if I am on a Honda, and heck they've done pretty good at the "500" the last few years. Well Honda lived up to their "name & reputation" didn't have any trouble keeping up! My brother told me later HD,s usually cruise best around 100mph.
Hell, I didn't believe him, so he showed me the same on the way home. Just want to let all U "Harley" owners out there, we Honda riders are not a force to be taken to lightly! Only wish I could of done as good at the casino and when I got home! It's now Tuesday and am still applying ointment to the "claw marks" on my sides where my wife decided to place her hands(w/those lovely "long" fingernails) during my little race! LONG LIVE HONDA!!!!