Rusty "WoodButcher" Myers, Austin, TX

[WoodButcher]

At the Austin bike night I got to talking with some of the folks and realized that I needed to share a little info about myself. First is my username. I used to do a lot of general woodworking and just got in the habit of using that name on forums as a joke and a reference to my skills. I've gotten much better, but using the same name every where is memory saver.

The next thing you all may wonder is why a guy with a DRZ400s keeps posting and reading here. Well, it is street legal and I do get out on the road, but I tend to avoid traffic and high speeds because I have the sprockets set up for more dirt riding. Plus I've only been riding for a year and a half. Here's my main ride:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/woodbutcher/PB260027s.jpg

Well, after riding it around on the county roads north of Austin last year I realized that it was a lot of fun getting out and exploring. My wife is fine with my dirt biking (and the kids riding with me), but she is only tolerant of my street riding. So getting a street bike past her was going to be tough. Then lady luck looked my way and a friend gave me his old bike. The downside was that it had been sitting under a tarp for almost 7 years and hadn't been fired up in at least 2. I had been looking for a mechanical project for a while and that seemed to be the ticket. A project and a street bike. So here is is when I got it home and hosed off. One picture with the huge top case on and one without. I suspect I will go without most of the time.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/woodbutcher/gl1000/P4010002s.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/woodbutcher/gl1000/P4010004s.jpg

It is a 1976 GL1000. That was the second year that Honda made the GoldWing. Imagine it without the fairing and the luggage and that's what they looked like then. About the size of a small crusier these days. Anyway, this picture is for David "Whoa"

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/woodbutcher/gl1000/P3090002s.jpg

And here are the front calipers as of last night, and you can see the carbs at the end of the bench.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v227/woodbutcher/gl1000/P3090004s.jpg

I can't seem to find a picture of me by the bike. Guess I need to learn to share the camera. Thanks for looking,

[whoa]

That 400 will be fine anywhere around Austin. So whenever you feel like mixing it up you'll do fine. Let me know if you want to hit the countryside sometime. I'm making big loops on the county roads surrounding Austin and still have a lot to see.

That wing looks great. Can't believe you are as close to being on the road as you are. Still think you should strip it since you are up and spray the frame and body. Since you have a great ride already, why not drag it out a bit?

Looks good man.
David

[Squeaky]

Wow, a project you seek, and a project you shall have!
Thanks for sharing your story. If you want to talk paint for that beast, let me know.

[TexasTri]

WB,
That is quite a project you have going there. If I can lend a hand with anything please let me know. I am not offering wonderful mechanical skills, but sometimes you just need a third, or fourth hand to put something together.

I'd really like to see how it turns out.

[WoodButcher]

WB,
That is quite a project you have going there. If I can lend a hand with anything please let me know. I am not offering wonderful mechanical skills, but sometimes you just need a third, or fourth hand to put something together.

I'd really like to see how it turns out.

Thanks for the offer and I'll keep that in mind. I got the rear caliper apart last night and it is in good shape so I thought I'd start putting all the calipers back together and on the bike. Guess who forgot to get new pads? Oh well, they should show up early next week.

[Greeves TFS]

I think you choice is a fine one. I want a DRZ400 in the worst way. I had a DR350 back in early 90's and found it ok but wide and heavy. The new 400's are a couple of inches higher and seems narrower. When I was growing up we would take our enduro's put fat tires on them and go street riding. Lean angle is a far as you dare. I figure I could go a max of 200 miles without being too sore. Sargeant has a new seat that allows dirt riding (close to the tank) and street riding (farther back). When I can, this is my next ride. Do you find yourself putting your foot down in the some turns?

[Doc]

I had a mate back home in Oz who had a '76 wing .... he removed a bunch of stuff to make it lighter, braced the frame for more rigidity, whacked on some 4 -> 2 pipes (nice magaphones in fact) and tuned it a little, we used to call it the frieght train because it pulled like a locomotive on steroids.

I really liked that bike, made a very nice gruff sound too.

[WoodButcher]

I think you choice is a fine one. I want a DRZ400 in the worst way. I had a DR350 back in early 90's and found it ok but wide and heavy. The new 400's are a couple of inches higher and seems narrower. When I was growing up we would take our enduro's put fat tires on them and go street riding. Lean angle is a far as you dare. I figure I could go a max of 200 miles without being too sore. Sargeant has a new seat that allows dirt riding (close to the tank) and street riding (farther back). When I can, this is my next ride. Do you find yourself putting your foot down in the some turns?

On the dirt I try to avoid putting my foot down. I do swing it out by the front wheel to help with weighting, which is a typical motocrosser technique. If that foot touches, too bad things happen. It does the exact opposite of putting the weight on the inside front and also your foot could catch which is hard on the knee.

Funny thing though, I find myself swinging that leg out on tight street turns (u-turns really) instead of counterbalancing.

[Greeves TFS]

I remember me and my buddies putting our feet down on some tight street corners on our enduros. More of a outrigger. I find myself more rolling the bike under me instead of too much countersteering. I was taught to sit on the side of the seat and load the pegs when making my turns with shoulders level and head up. I got this tip about ten years ago from Chris Carr, the late Will Davis, and Nicky Hayden. Old flatrack style that was brought to fame by Kenny Roberts. Not to hi-jack just remembering.

[Ice Man]

Woodbutcher

I live in NW Austin (183 @620). Where north of Austin did you ride?

Ice Man

[WoodButcher]

Woodbutcher

I live in NW Austin (183 @620). Where north of Austin did you ride?

Ice Man

I'm north of the Parmer and 620 intersection (Brushy Creek area). For street rides I head out Parmer to where it ends and wander some of the county roads. Or I head west on Brushy Creek road and hit Lime Creek, 1431 and some of the side roads in that area.

For dual sport I do some of the same, but if I see a construction area with no workers then I'm a happy guy. Best done on Sundays I've found. Also, west of Parmer on Avery Ranch Road you can get in the area that TXdot still owns for the 183a expansion and such. Lots of trees and old dirt roads still.

For pure dirt, the Austin dirt bike club (AMSA) has a club lease that I ride, or Cross Creek out past Elgin. Or occasionally Crooked Creek NE of Waco.

My street rides don't involve long, straight, high speed roads. The DRZ's seat doesn't lend itself to sitting too long. Plus I have it geared down for the dirt.

I plan to extend my riding sphere when I get the Wing running.

[whoa]

Also, west of Parmer on Avery Ranch Road you can get in the area that TXdot still owns for the 183a expansion and such. Lots of trees and old dirt roads still.

Alright, I'm not far from Avery Ranch so I'll check that out. I do a lot of bicycling in the area your talking about. So I've been hitting the county roads on the Tiger around Seward Junction, Bertram etc.

You guys been riding along all the highway construction? I got into it between Manor and Hutto and MAN was it muddy. I was able to get through but was worried about having to call for a pull.

Ice Man, I'm at 183 and Spicewood Springs Rd. But I'm not taking the Tiger off in the dirt just yet. Let me know if you are riding something milder.

[Greeves TFS]

Do they still ride in the city park? I know I have ridden trials there (out near the beltway). As I grow older street names slip me. I do want to start riding off road again. Have you ever riden in Sam Houston National Forest? I haven't riden there in years but I know a lot of the trails we rode in the 70's have been shut down. How does the DR work in tight wood sections? My choice has been narrowed down to DR due to price and a great aftermarket. Just want other opinions.

[WoodButcher]

Okay, multiple responses here.

Whoa - I'd be happy to show you my hidden area behind Avery Ranch. Pick a time. I'll try to slip over at lunch today to see how soft it is. We don't want to take your bike back there after a rain though. It should be firmer now. Katie has softball practice at 5:30 today, so this afternoon/evening is out. Don't know what your lunch schedule is like for tomorrow, or after work if we can beat the rain.

Ted, the DRZ is a bit heavy for a pure dirt bike, and I have the S model which is heavier than the E. Mainly because the subframe is beefier so you can add a rack or carry a passenger. I ride in some tight woods stuff just fine now, but would be faster on a smaller bike. This one is a good all around bike though.

Oh yeah, yes they still ride at the Emma Long motorcycle trail. It is off City park road (near 2222 and 360). It's free, but it is fairly techincal. If I had a lighter bike I would try it. Maybe I'll take my son's crf230 down there some time. Lots of ledges from what I understand. The upside is that it is free.