Figure another week or two, at least, until I can have my bike put back together.
I feel bad for complaining, because after all, this was a self-imposed, good cause project on my bike, but I've been riding for nearly half a decade nearly every day, and this must be the longest I've been off my bike (winters including!). I've highsided off a motorcycle in one day, and literally back on two wheels the next day to have lunch with a riding friend. It's killing me that I can't ride, and it's killing me that I'm complaining I can't ride.
I know, I know, woe is me. But riding's been such an integral part of my daily life, it can't be helped but feel the absence of it now.
Man. Heaven forbid I name my first-born "Yamaha" or "R1."
I think I'll pull the silver tongue out and see if I can get a loaner bike from someone.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
TAAF Bike. Final Draft
This should be what the bike will look like after the decals and the paint's done, sans one more sponsor that's to be determined since I did this draft.
Hopefully it'll all be ready and back on the bike before the US Round of MotoGP in Laguna Seca on the 25th of this month!
Hopefully it'll all be ready and back on the bike before the US Round of MotoGP in Laguna Seca on the 25th of this month!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Progress
I can't believe that I've already dropped off my R1's fairings to the painter yesterday, when it was only about a week ago that I thought of my project.
I thought that it would take me awhile to gather up the funds needed from myself and my direct family, but between a generous sponsorship from another riding friend, and a custom painter with a heart of gold, my week-old idea is merely another week or so from becoming a reality!
I thought that it would take me awhile to gather up the funds needed from myself and my direct family, but between a generous sponsorship from another riding friend, and a custom painter with a heart of gold, my week-old idea is merely another week or so from becoming a reality!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Sevens
They really are fortuitous. :)
Three years ago, on 07/2007, I must happen to simply have a few dollars at my disposal, and decided to buy some Series EE Bonds for myself. They went from my safe deposit box since, and into my dresser these days. I just remembered them last night, and today, on 07/07, I've decided to use them towards my project bike for TAAF and my brother. And in the spirit of honoring my brother, I think I'll include his sons' names on the bike as well.
I don't know what I was saving these bonds for this whole time, but I know this cause is as great as any. :)
Three years ago, on 07/2007, I must happen to simply have a few dollars at my disposal, and decided to buy some Series EE Bonds for myself. They went from my safe deposit box since, and into my dresser these days. I just remembered them last night, and today, on 07/07, I've decided to use them towards my project bike for TAAF and my brother. And in the spirit of honoring my brother, I think I'll include his sons' names on the bike as well.
I don't know what I was saving these bonds for this whole time, but I know this cause is as great as any. :)
Saturday, July 3, 2010
TAAF. My Brother. My Bike.
The Aneurysm and AVM Foudnation (TAAF) is a nonprofit organization created as support network, and proponents of improved medical care for those affected by aneurysm and other vascular malformations of the brain.
My brother to my right, circa 2006.
In 2006, my older brother JayDee suffered from brain hemorrhage whilst having lunch. He simply passed out, and the only warning signs he reported prior to the incident were common headaches. He was rushed to the nearby hospital where the doctors worked hours to clear his brain tissues of the blood that spread. They were successful in preventing a fatality, but the hemorrhage left my brother in near paralysis and virtually bed-ridden ever since. His hemorrhage stemmed from being afflicted with Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), a fact we didn't know until it was too late. His recovery and rehabilitation is at a very slow rate, but my family and I continue to hope for the best as his primary caregiver at our home.
What does this have to do with my bike?
Motorcycling has been my long-time passion; I am on the bike virtually every time that I'm not asleep. I ride it to work daily, I ride recreationally during the weekends, I hang out at the popular local motorsport spots, I volunteer in group rides, I do a number of trackdays per year, etc. So in wanting to do something for TAAF in my own unique way and simultaneously honor my brother, I thought, wouldn't it be a more effective and lasting effort to create awareness for the foundation if I used my bike as a moving billboard? I mean let's face it, even a common sportsbike that's parked turns more heads than your common car.
This would be my idea of a gift that keeps on giving. :)
The TAAF Bike.
But of course a matching suit.
It's a complete package! :)
I had already passed on this idea to the foundation, hoping that I would be able to use their logo and name. Admittedly, I was a bit worried that they may be apprehensive to allow association with sport motorcycling, given the common stigma sport riders have. To my surprise, the response I received from the foundation's executive director was one of equal enthusiasm and excitement to my own!
I know this is a permanent change, much like a tattoo, and I know that with the foundation having approved of my idea, I have practically volunteered myself to be a full-time ambassador of the cause whenever I'm on the bike, which means I have to be more cognizant of my actions while riding (*cough*wheelies!*cough*).
But I want to do this, at the very least to honor my brother.
Little known fact is four years ago before I started riding, I didn't see myself as a sport rider. I initially thought of myself a cruiser rider. Matter of fact, the first bike I threw a leg over when I was shopping for a bike was a Harley Davidson Sportster. I went home with the pamphlet and everything! It was my brother who simply told me, "Get a sportsbike. You'll like it more." By the time that week was over, he was in the hospital after his hemorrhage.
Of course I then followed his advice.
Four years later, nearly a dozen sportbikes owned, countless trackdays and miles as a sport rider, and he was right. I am the rider that I am now because of him. So strictly as a rider, it's time I do something for him. Motorcycling has been an individual passion for me that only indulged myself.
Now I have a chance to put this passion into greater use. And of more important personal note, I have a chance to truly honor my brother, who in his own serendipitous way, started me down the path that led me to this.
I also think that it would be of greater effect if I can do this as a community effort, as a show of solidarity for my cause, the foundation and their cause, and ultimately for my brother and his plight. As much as I am used to doing things on my own, relinquishing this passion of mine to a higher calling would be better achieved if I open it to those who support my cause in one way or another.
Here's to seeing this idea come to fruition and life, one that I believe deserves to, more than anything else I've ever conjured. :)
My brother to my right, circa 2006.
In 2006, my older brother JayDee suffered from brain hemorrhage whilst having lunch. He simply passed out, and the only warning signs he reported prior to the incident were common headaches. He was rushed to the nearby hospital where the doctors worked hours to clear his brain tissues of the blood that spread. They were successful in preventing a fatality, but the hemorrhage left my brother in near paralysis and virtually bed-ridden ever since. His hemorrhage stemmed from being afflicted with Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), a fact we didn't know until it was too late. His recovery and rehabilitation is at a very slow rate, but my family and I continue to hope for the best as his primary caregiver at our home.
What does this have to do with my bike?
Motorcycling has been my long-time passion; I am on the bike virtually every time that I'm not asleep. I ride it to work daily, I ride recreationally during the weekends, I hang out at the popular local motorsport spots, I volunteer in group rides, I do a number of trackdays per year, etc. So in wanting to do something for TAAF in my own unique way and simultaneously honor my brother, I thought, wouldn't it be a more effective and lasting effort to create awareness for the foundation if I used my bike as a moving billboard? I mean let's face it, even a common sportsbike that's parked turns more heads than your common car.
This would be my idea of a gift that keeps on giving. :)
The TAAF Bike.
But of course a matching suit.
It's a complete package! :)
I had already passed on this idea to the foundation, hoping that I would be able to use their logo and name. Admittedly, I was a bit worried that they may be apprehensive to allow association with sport motorcycling, given the common stigma sport riders have. To my surprise, the response I received from the foundation's executive director was one of equal enthusiasm and excitement to my own!
I know this is a permanent change, much like a tattoo, and I know that with the foundation having approved of my idea, I have practically volunteered myself to be a full-time ambassador of the cause whenever I'm on the bike, which means I have to be more cognizant of my actions while riding (*cough*wheelies!*cough*).
But I want to do this, at the very least to honor my brother.
Little known fact is four years ago before I started riding, I didn't see myself as a sport rider. I initially thought of myself a cruiser rider. Matter of fact, the first bike I threw a leg over when I was shopping for a bike was a Harley Davidson Sportster. I went home with the pamphlet and everything! It was my brother who simply told me, "Get a sportsbike. You'll like it more." By the time that week was over, he was in the hospital after his hemorrhage.
Of course I then followed his advice.
Four years later, nearly a dozen sportbikes owned, countless trackdays and miles as a sport rider, and he was right. I am the rider that I am now because of him. So strictly as a rider, it's time I do something for him. Motorcycling has been an individual passion for me that only indulged myself.
Now I have a chance to put this passion into greater use. And of more important personal note, I have a chance to truly honor my brother, who in his own serendipitous way, started me down the path that led me to this.
I also think that it would be of greater effect if I can do this as a community effort, as a show of solidarity for my cause, the foundation and their cause, and ultimately for my brother and his plight. As much as I am used to doing things on my own, relinquishing this passion of mine to a higher calling would be better achieved if I open it to those who support my cause in one way or another.
Here's to seeing this idea come to fruition and life, one that I believe deserves to, more than anything else I've ever conjured. :)
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