CSC Blog

I read an interesting comment or two on Facebook a few days ago from Buzz Kanter, the guy who publishes American Iron magazine. The gist of the Buzz (pardon the pun) was that motorcycle periodicals are fast disappearing (or decreasing their publishing frequency so much that they may as well disappear), but American Iron was still printing 13 copies a year (they publish every 4 weeks).

Buzz also commented on press releases, noting that he receives more than a few from folks who don’t advertise with his magazine.  A press release is when people like us send a note to the publishing world about something significant we are doing, like a new model release, a trip through Baja for our customers, and things like that.  We do it all the time at CSC.

My inference from Mr. Kanter’s comments was that folks who send out press releases would get more editorial coverage if they advertised.  That was actually refreshing to read, as I always suspected it to be the case.  Pre-Buzz, every magazine I ever talked to (when they were hitting us up for advertising dollars) told me there was absolutely no link between their editorial and advertising functions.  Yeah, right (methinks the lady doth protest too much, as the saying goes).  I never believed any of it.  Our experience has been pretty good in the press release department, though.  We’ve received a lot of editorial coverage based on our press releases, but there are a few magazines and newspapers that just won’t print anything we send to them.  Win some, lose some, I guess.  Anyway, I’m getting a bit off topic.  The fact that this Buzz guy was being honest about things caught my attention and made me a lot more interested in his magazine.

Until yesterday, I had never read a copy of American Iron, and I am most definitely not a Harley guy (which is what I assumed the magazine was all about). I used to be a Harley guy, but that was 20 years ago and 800-lb motorcycles are no longer in the cards for me. Maybe a Buell someday if I can find a clean used one. Or a vintage Harley if I could find one at a price that wouldn’t break the bank (nobody’s ever made a bike more beautiful than a 1965 Electra-Glide, with the possible exception of the 1965 Triumph Bonneville).

Anyway, to get back to the main point of this piece, I had jury duty yesterday, and I thought I might make the time pass a little more quickly if I had something good to read. So I picked up a copy of American Iron on the way to the courthouse, and I have to tell you, I was impressed.  American Iron (Issue 360) is a 100-page magazine counting the inside covers, and that’s something you don’t see too often. Yeah, there were a lot of advertisements, but that’s okay because it’s mostly what magazines live on (or so I’ve been told), and I like studying the ads in magazines as much as I like reading the stories. The stories, though, were what made American Iron a worthwhile purchase for me. There were six feature articles (mostly on custom bikes, and you can bet the new CSC San Gabriel motorcycles are going to be extensively customized when they start arriving), another six  “how to” articles, a few product reviews, a vintage motorcycle story, and (best of all) a feature on Frank Fritz (the guy on American Pickers).  I love that show and I feel like I know Frank (even though we’ve never met). He’s a motorcycle guy, and that’s what the American Iron article covered. I enjoyed every word. The bottom line for me? Even though I’m not a Harley guy, American Iron was a good read.  The writing and the photography are superb, the stories are well-edited, and it just felt good to hold a real magazine in my hands.

Buzz had an editorial in the magazine about his background in publishing, and the way the winds are blowing in the publishing world. On that second topic, it’s not good. I grew up reading car and motorcycle magazines.  Somehow, the wheels came off the wagon with the advent of the Internet, mindless error-ridden blogs and Internet videos (yeah, I know), iPhones, YouTube, Facebook, and the rest of the so-called social media platforms.  That social media madness is a form of addiction, and it’s not good.  Like everybody else, we use Facebook and we boost our posts on it, but if it was up to me and if it was possible, I would uninvent Facebook.

As I sat there in the jury assembly room yesterday along with several hundred other people, I looked around. Fully three-fourths of the folks in that room were glued to their smart phones, mindlessly mesmerized by videos, tweets, Facebook posts, and other bits of nothingness on those little screens. I was the only person in the room reading something printed on paper. It was weird. It could have been a scene in a science fiction movie (you know, evil people controlling the world through little computers you get the people to be controlled to pay for themselves, or something along those lines).  I don’t think this is a good thing, folks.  Nope, I like reading, and I like reading things printed on paper.

Back to the main point of this blog:  I enjoyed reading my first issue of American Iron, so much so that I bought a subscription. It’s inexpensive ($24.97 for 13 issues). You might consider doing the same and if you want to do so, here’s the link for an American Iron subscription.  It’s better than vegging out on your iPhone.  Trust me on this.

This could be the perfect ride on a new TT250….California’s awesome Highways 25 and 198.   I wrote about these very same roads in my Pinnacles National Park piece for Motorcycle Classics magazine.   This morning’s e-mail had another great Motorcycle Classics story about three people riding their vintage dirt bikes on these roads (that story is here), and then participating in a vintage motocross race at their destination.  It’s an awesome read.

You might want to think about doing this great ride on a CSC TT250 or RX3; I know I am.  If you’re interested in an overnighter to take in the best of California’s San Benito County, let me know at info@CSCMotorcycles.com, and we’ll throw it in the hopper for consideration after the Baja ride.

Oh, one more thing…did you know the new dash for the 2018 CSC TT250 includes a digital speedometer and a tach (all at no price increase)?

The TT250s are here, they’re here in all three colors (black, white, and that stunning copper), and they’re ready to ride.  $2,195 for a brand new motorcycle.  Give us a call at 909 445 0900, and put yourself in a story like the one above.

We’re just now reassembling a new San Gabriel with our latest color…it’s a real cool matt blue and the colors really work on the Café Racer…

The Café Racers will be here late spring/early summer.  Keep an eye on the blog for more info on this exciting new motorcycle!

For those real-world adventure riders who are riding Baja with us next month, we’re leaving from the CSC plant at 8:00 a.m. sharp on 10 March, and we’ll be returning to the US on 17 March.   You’ll need to be at the CSC plant for a mandatory pre-ride safety briefing on 9 March.   The briefing and a dinner will be 5:00 p.m. on the 9th.   See you then!

I promised to make a recommendation about cameras for our upcoming Baja adventure, so here we go. I guess I should start by saying the best camera to use is the one you feel comfortable with. Some folks are seriously into photography (I’m one of them). Photo geeks like me go all out with our digital cameras, extra lenses, flash gear, and more. I’ve got all the bells and whistles and photography doo-dads, but I don’t bring all that stuff with me on these trips. As I said in an earlier blog, the trick is to travel light.

The assumption here is that you’re going to want to capture some of Baja’s incredible scenery and good times. A cell phone camera might be good enough for that. If you want more, you might want a point-and-shoot camera (the kind that slips into your pocket). I’m not an expert on those, so I won’t give any guidance other to say you should make sure you know how to operate your camera before the Baja trip.

If you want more from a camera, you might consider a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera. I use a Nikon D3300, Nikon’s entry-level DSLR (they are up to the D3400 now). Don’t let that entry-level descriptor fool you, though. These cameras have impressive capabilities. You can pick them up at Costco for under $500, which is an exceptional deal. I’m familiar with Nikon equipment, but any of the modern DSLRs are equally as good (Canon, Pentax, etc.). I have a 64 GB card in my camera and I’ve never been able to fill it (I download the day’s photos to my laptop every night). Although I own several lenses, the 18-55 lens that comes with the Nikon may be the only one I’m bringing. I carry a battery charger and an extra battery with me, and I keep it all in a small Tamrac camera case.

My camera bag, which fits nicely in the RX3’s top case. I took this photo with my cell phone, which delivers just so-so image quality.

A spare battery, the D3300 Nikon with its 18-55 lens, and the battery charger (it all fits into the Tamrac case). This is a great DSLR camera with more capability than most folks will ever need.

Regarding video, your cell phone may be good enough (good buddy Joe Gresh does amazing things with a cell phone video camera). My D3300 Nikon has video capability and I use it when I’m not on the bike. When I’m on the bike, I use my Go Pro and a helmet mount. I operate the Go Pro remotely with my phone because it’s impossible to tell if the camera is on or off when it’s on my helmet. Using my cell phone mandates a Ram mount and that’s one more thing you’ll need to add to your bike. We sell the Ram mounts, so give us a call if you need one.

Folks, that’s about it. Shoot me an email if you have specific photo questions and I’ll do my best to answer them. We’re going to see amazing sights in Baja and you’ll regret not having a camera if you don’t bring one. Hey, you may even want to write a book about this trip!

I promised a blog on the paperwork you’ll need to be legal in Baja, and this is it:

• You’ll need Mexican insurance for your RX3. We use BajaBound insurance exclusively. They have the RX3 in their data and getting insurance is easy to do online. Here’s the link: www.BajaBound.com If you get stopped in Mexico and you can’t show proof of Mexican insurance, you’ll be spending a lot more time in Mexico than will the rest of us. Your regular motorcycle insurance won’t cover you in Mexico. You’ll need to print a copy of your policy (which you can do online after you purchase it from BajaBound) and take it with you. And just in case you were wondering, we don’t have any kind of a business relationship with BajaBound. We just think they’re good folks and they are the only company we use.
• You’ll need your US passport. You should carry that with you at all times.
• You’ll need a Mexican tourist visa. We’ll stop for that as soon as we cross the border.  I think it was $30 last year.

A few more words on expected norms in Baja…

• We’re guests down there. It’s no secret that the relationship between the US and Mexico has deteriorated in recent months. That should not affect us. I’ve been following what’s going on in Baja and it’s all good.
• The pace of life in Mexico tends to be slower than what you are probably used to in the US. The service is slower. Just relax and roll with it. If you act like a horse’s rear end things could (pardon the pun) go south quickly. Be nice.
• If you enjoy a drink or two, save it for the evening after the bikes have been put away. We don’t want anyone drinking (even a single beer) at lunch or at any time if we have more riding in front of us on that day.
• We will go through many military checkpoints. Don’t photograph anything when we do so.  I’m not kidding about this.
• At the checkpoints, it’s likely we’ll be searched. Again, just roll with it. Don’t be aggressive or attempt to explain your rights to the young, heavily-armed, and bored soldiers who are manning these checkpoints. They will be interested in your motorcycle and they are only doing their jobs. Just roll with it. Be nice.
• We may be stopped on the way into Mexico as soon as we cross the border. That’s something the Mexican government started doing intermittently a couple of years ago. Don’t photograph or video anything, and don’t be cute trying to sneak a photo or video. Again, just be nice and we’ll all be okay.
• I’ve never had anything stolen in Baja, but I’ve never left things laying around, either. I always keep my wallet on me and I don’t leave anything on my bike (like a cell phone, a GPS, a Go Pro, a helmet, or a camera).

That’s about it as far as guidance goes. I’ve always found the Mexican people in Baja to be extremely polite and very welcoming. We’re going to have a good time, folks.

One question I hear a lot from folks who ride Baja with me is: What should I bring? There are several sets of answers to that question. I’ll do my best to address all of them in a series of blogs, with each one addressing each of the following topics:

• Spare parts.
• Personal clothing and riding gear as outlined in the blog below.
• Camera(s).
• Tools.
• Bike preparation.
• Legal stuff (insurance, passports, etc.).

This blog will address spare parts and maintenance items. Here’s what I recommend you bring with you:

• Spare tubes, a tire repair kit, and a tire pump. This is always a good idea and we sell all of these things. I carry the electric pump that runs off the RX3’s battery.
• An extra spark plug. I’ve never needed one, but I’ve always carried one.
• A throttle cable and a clutch cable. I once read that it makes sense on an adventure ride to bring these with you, and I’ve done so ever since on all of my motorcycle rides. I’ve never needed to replace either cable (knock wood), but if and when I do, I’m ready. You can route the spare cables alongside the existing cables so that you know where they are and they are ready to go when (and if) you need them.
• Oil. My RX3 doesn’t use much oil, but it does use some. I’m bringing a quart with me to replenish the little bit it does use. Hey, we’ll be covering about 2000 miles.
• An extra headlight and tail light bulb. On our first Baja ride we had a few people lose their headlight and tail light bulbs. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, you’ll be glad you have spare bulbs with you.
• Lucas fuel treatment. Sometimes the fuel in Mexico has a little water in it. This stuff works wonders. Bring a small bottle with you just in case.
• A spare countershaft sprocket. I’ve never personally experienced this problem, but on our first Baja run with the RX3 my good buddy Justin lost his. It’s happened to two other people (worldwide) that I know about. Like I said, I’ve never needed one, but I’ll always carry one.
• A collection of small bolts and nuts. It’s a motorcycle ride, folks, and it’s a long one. Things shake off. If you want, we’ll make up a fastener care package and price it for you. Better to not need it and have it than it would be to need it and not have it.

More good news, and this is only for the fortunate few riding Baja with us this year. Steve is going to knock 20% off the price of any of the items listed above if you buy them for the Baja trip. Order the above items now and we’ll have them ready for you when you arrive. If you don’t order them now, we may be temporarily sold out when you arrive.

Oh, and that dirt road in the photo above? Don’t worry about that. Nearly all of our riding will be on asphalt, and the little bit we do off road will be optional. That particular road is the route to the cave paintings, and like I said, that’s only if you’re up for it.

That’s it for now. If you think I’ve missed anything, shoot me an email and let me know!

Wow, another Baja prep blog, and this one is on clothing and other personal stuff.  I always post this before we go, and we’re hitting the road on 10 March at 8:00 a.m. from the CSC plant.

My first bit of advice is to pack light. Folks who have never been on a big ride tend to bring way too much stuff with them, with the result being an overloaded bike and their always taking too long to get ready in the morning. Bring what you feel is necessary, but understand that we’re leaving at our scheduled departure time each morning.  If you’re not ready, you’ll have to rejoin the group later that evening at our next destination. (I know that sounds cold hearted, but it’s the only thing I’ve found that works to get everybody moving on time.)

With the above in mind, here’s what I bring on these trips:

• Tools. I bring enough tools to maintain my bike. I don’t bring a complete tool kit and I don’t bring enough stuff to rebuild the engine.  Don’t plan on borrowing tools; do plan on bringing only what you need.
• Toilet paper. Yep, I bring a roll. You just never know.
• Immodium. I always have it; I’ve never needed it. It’s an approach that’s worked well for me for the last 25 years.
• GPS and phone.  I don’t bring a GPS. I do bring a cell phone, but I don’t use it while I am in Baja. There’s only one way down and it’s hard to get lost in Baja once we’re past Ensenada. The only reason I mention this is that I’ve seen guys get absorbed in using their cell phones and their GPS on these rides. Leave them home, folks. You won’t need them in Mexico.
• Spares. Please see a blog I’ll post later on this. I keep a few spare parts with me. I’ve never needed anything beyond the chain lube and a little oil, but I like having them.
• Helmet. Yep, absolutely. You can ride without a helmet in Mexico, but you can’t do so with us.
• Gloves. You’ll need these. I bring an extreme cold weather pair and a regular leather pair. You don’t want to ride without gloves.
• Boots. I wear Haix boots. Boots are important and you should wear a good pair.
• Motorcycle jacket and motorcycle pants. Absolutely. I never leave home on two wheels without them. You’ll want the jacket to have a liner. It can get cold down there. If your jacket and pants are not waterproof, you’ll want to bring rain gear, too.   We sell all that stuff at CSC and I did a blog about it not too long ago.  Wear good gear, folks.  It’s cheap insurance.
• Sweatshirt. I bring one in case it gets really cold.
• Jeans. I bring one extra pair and I usually never need them. By the time the ride is over, the jeans I wear can walk home by themselves.
• Underwear. I’ll bring two pair. I wash one pair each night and alternate them.
• Socks. Same deal; I bring two pair and that’s enough.
• Papers. I carry my Mexican insurance papers and my bike papers in the top case. I keep my passport and my wallet on my person.  You’ll need Mexican insurance; your regular insurance is no good in Mexico. If you get stopped and you don’t have insurance, maybe we’ll stop and visit you on next year’s ride.
• Camera gear. I’ll bring a Go Pro and my D3300 Nikon DSLR with the 18-55 kit lens (along with a spare battery and a charger). This gear is good enough for the CSC blog and for magazine work, and it’s for sure good enough for our ride. You don’t want to bring a camera store’s worth of inventory with you. Bring just enough to capture the ride. I’ve found that you can do world class videos or you can have a motorcycle ride, but you can’t do both. We have a lot of miles to cover. I’ll do my best to get you to the best spots for the best photo ops, but we are not going to modify the ride to optimize the videography, and we are not going to delay the ride or redo portions of it to get another take. One last thought on this: Safety will always take priority. Don’t ride dangerously close to others to get a better shot or a better video.
• Toiletries. I have a small pouch that holds toothpaste, a toothbrush, the pills the docs tell me I need to take now that I’m a geezer, and one or two other small items.
• Laptop computer. I have a small laptop, its power supply, and a mouse. These things have traveled all over the world with me. Many of the places we’ll stay at night have wireless service (it’s not lightning fast, but it gets the job done).

On these trips, I carry all of the above in the three stock luggage cases on my RX3 (and I have the stock plastic ones, not the larger Tourfella aluminum bags). I don’t have any extra bags or other stuff strapped to my bike. This approach makes it a lot easier if I need to leave the bike (there are no bags bungied in place to fall off or tempt thieves).

It was a brutally cold (for So Cal, that is) Sunday morning this week, but that didn’t stop several of us from getting out and firing up the lever guns this weekend.  I had my Marlin Guide Gun (the one you see in the photo above), my RX3 buddy Duane was out there with his 30 30, and there were several others with lever guns and milsurp rifles.   I had a new load I worked up with a box of old 300 gr Hornady jacketed bullets earlier in the week…

…and that load was the cat’s meow.   I shot the first group through a cold and oily barrel, and each group after that just kept getting tighter and tighter…

But that wasn’t the load I shot on Sunday…nope, on Sunday I used my favored 400-grain cast bullets and they did just fine.  We shot Zombie targets, and it was grand fun (and fun to photograph, too).

The 45 70 is an interesting round.  It first came on the scene in 1873, shooting a big old .45 caliber 500-grain bullet in the Trapdoor Springfield rifle (the original name, the 45 70 500, came from the fact that it fired a .45 caliber 5o0-grain bullet loaded over 70 grains of black powder).   The soldiers back in the day complained about the 45 70’s massive recoil, so the Ordnance dudes dropped the bullet weight to 405 grains (and it’s still a bruiser).  But they sure are fun to shoot.

My friends and I (including some of you RX3 and TT250 riders) get out to the range for our informal fun times roughly once a month, and then we have a great lunch after sending a few rounds downrange.  If you want to come out and join us, let us know!