Janel & Gary's Photos, Music, and News...: Trunk

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Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Trunk

Progress on the backrest / trunk today...

This part has been ordered, less the luggage top rack as I have other plans as to what I want to do there..

This trunk is large enough to lock away two full face helmets. Nice for those times when you don't wish to lug it around with you.

The Photo on the right shows the backrest...

well... actually part of it as there is a second cushioned part which continues the padding right down to the seat.

Should be a comfortable perch to view the passing scenery.

Still looking for the proper base to mount this to the bike with. I may end up fabricating the part myself...

Ordered this in white in hope it will make painting it easy...

Lighting will be added to this as well.. probably LED type.. An interior light, additional brake lighting, and running light as well.. A simple common trailer connector should cover the wiring needs and allow for quick disconnecting to remove the trunk when it isn't needed.

The tail and brake lights will be necessary as the original lamp probably will not be visible when a car is close behind such as when in heavy city traffic.

Figuring out the paint scheme so the bike looks correct with or without this trunk is a whole other issue. Maybe when it is mounted and I can step back and look at it all together a plan will become obvious.

I think there will be quite a gap between the tail light and the bottom of the trunk, which will need to be mounted rather high for the back rest to be proper. I'm thinking a round soft pack to contain ether a therma-rest or a three person tent may live there nicely. With that bulk packed there, there will be no shortage of storage space to carry everything else. I will keep my eyes open for a nylon bag of the proper size and color, once I determine exactly what size that might be. Once that is figured out, a strip of reflective tape material will be sewn lengthwise to it. That will enhance visibility from behind at night and play down the hight of the whole machine when viewed from the rear.

Some bikes (like Honda Goldwings) look large enough to remind you of an aircraft carrier when you look at them.. I don't like that look.. so where I can I will do what I can to play down the hight and make the bike appear longer. To that end, the paint layout of the fairing is requiring some thought.. need to play down the hight and accent the width.

I'm sure there is a formula worked out by artists to achieve the proper balance of all this visual deception, but unfortunately I never studied art.. I just know what I like when I see it.

Any suggestions are welcome....

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The Rat Cat Story - by Janel

Rat cat came to us in a strange way. I was looking out at the greening of sping taking place when I heard a strange sound under the shrubs. I walked around to the front of the bushes and there underneath was what looked like an injured rat or squirrel. Upon further investigation it turned out to be a 5 month old kitten with an abscess so large that he looked like Quasimodo. He was so sick that he allowed me to pick him up and wrap him in a towel. I immediately took him to the vet where he stayed for a couple of days. Apparently he was bit by either another cat or rodent - therefore his name is rat cat. He has been a member of our family for 9 years. He is really a character and very loyal to me. He actually sleeps on my pillow every night and is very aware of any little hurts that we may have. He lays his body on the injured place and seems to think he is healing you. he is a joy and tribulation all in one.

Alexander's History.... Gary

Alexander came into this world, as do many kitties - homeless, very small and not so sure to survive. Cowering in a small and cold steel cage in a bleak shelter, he pulled at my heart strings and I happily added him to my life. He started out tiny, so I thought he needed a big name, thus Alexander the Great. He has since grown to meet his name. He is a big lug but very sweet and affectionate. He can meow up a storm when he wants his chow, which is so often he's on a diet now.

He is an American Short hair tabby cat who has many cute tricks....

He rubs noses and taps on my shoulder when he wants my attention and at meal times'

One cute gesture he taught himself was giving a high five. That was his first trick and it still cracks me up after 10 years.

At night he waits for me to pull back the covers and say, "let's settle in", and thats just what he does. He snuggles into his spot by my side and there he sleeps comfy and cozy all night.

He is a great cat, that Alexander... Whoops.. have to go, Alex is calling me for chow. Time to go , dont want to keep the big guy waiting.

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