docc

My young son home schools sixth grade . Looking over my shoulder just now he exclaims, "Chiropractic? I thought they just talked about motorcycles?" "No, son", says I, " These are an exceptional and intelligent group apt to discuss all sorts of the world's mysteries." Looking at the poll I had to explain what "witch doctors" are and why anyone would say that's what I do. Simpler were the massage therapists as we know several personally, refer to others and have even employed a few. Massage employs various techniques to purge the musculature of knots, cords, tightness and chemical accumulations. They do not ( should not) diagnose ( determine what is wrong) or manipulate the joints. Within the clinical community their scope places them under doctor's orders just as nurses function. Otherwise you can go get a massage anytime just like you can get your hair cut. Often in the same place. As always there are some really talented and skilled Massage Therapists. And there are some incompetants, perverts and charlitans. Chiropractors and Medical Doctors are autonomous. Chiropractic is not massage. If the Chiropractor is doing nothing but rubbing , he's not doing Chiropractic. Chiropractic was defined ('discovered') in Iowa USA 1895. Various techniques have evolved to find and release fixations of the joints, especially in the spine. Trauma, posture and degeneration can all lead to the loss of motion of joints. The joint may 'pop' or 'crack' when mobilized but not necessarily so. The profound effect of the 'adjustment' as this is often called is upon the function of the nerve. Nerves are reflex organs. As the nerves emanate from the spine to control all function in the body, it may be impinged or irritated by a dysfunctional joint. The resulting nerve reflexes cause pain, muscle spasms and inflammation. Left to its own this "subluxation complex" will continue to affect nerve function both downstream ( pain down the leg or arm, changes in organ function) and upstream ( fatigue, irritabilty, sleep disturbance and such). A joint fixation is like that lower shock link with no grease in it. It's tight, restricted and, if you don't do something about it, It's going to tear up. The nerve irritation is more like your wiring harness impinged at the steering head. Trouble starts showing up downstream where it may seem unrelated to the point of impingement ( headlight dim, fingers numb, intermittent starting,digestive problems). Claims that Chiropractic can affect disease process doesn't seem that pagan when you under stand the effect is mediated by the nervous system. Like the electrical system on the Guzzi, when all the connections are good and well grounded and no circuits are overloaded the whole bike runs better. When the nerves of the body are free to function without impingement by the joints, the whole person functions better and healing is enhanced. As in electrical problems the biggest trouble is getting the smoke back in the wires. If you wait that long, you don't need dielectric grease. You need a fire extinguisher. If your apppendix ruptures, go to the Emergency Room.

You gotta love a bunch of guys that get over busted shock links so quick and go back to pints and riding. . . . but not at the same time. . .

Last I heard you were headed to the garage to look at your shock link. Now I boot up and see this? I thought you found bad news and couldn't take it anymore . . .

Oh jeez . . . this is a hard debate to keep concise. Maybe even civil. How about some ground rules? First, Chiropractic is not a religion. But it involves beliefs. Your beliefs about what healing is may be different than you doctor's beliefs. Second, are Chiropractors doctors? True, this can depand on your opinion of what a 'doctor' is or should do. My degree that reads "Doctor of Chiropractic" is from an accredited college and took six years to get. I'm also board certifeid both nationally and by the state. My "scope of practice" both allows and requires that I examine, diagnose, order the proper tests, treat and refer if necessary. (Neither massage therapists, physical therapists or nurses have this scope.) It is notable that scope and licensure differ by state. In Tennessee , as in many states, I am a licensed Physician. In the State of Washington the scope is very limtied. Adjustment of the spine only - no extremities ( I treat all the joints of the body)- no nutrition-no therapy. Next door in Oregon they deliver babies and do minor surgery. Yet, Chiropractors are not Medical Doctors. If you are looking for drugs and surgery you should seek an MD or Osteopath. If your condition warrants drugs or surgery your Chiropractor should have the clinical skills to refer you appropriately. I coordinate referals to all specialties as well as order MRI and CT scan from the local hospital. I operate my own licensed and regulated x-ray facility and employ licensed technitions and assistants. If your doctor doesn't have time to listen to you, doesn't have trained and attentive staff and efficiently coordinate tests and referals then he's not a very professional doctor no matter what his credentials. It is hard to find a good doctor, Chiropractor or otherwise. Look how hard it is to find a good Guzzi mechanic. The way care is paid for often has interfered with good and appropriate care. It has created a sea of appointment mills. This is so from dentistry to pediatrics. ( Probably not Veterinary Medicine as these are some of the most intelligent and sincere doctors in the world). Finally, for now, a docotr's practice can be defined by the patients who present to him. I have patients with back and neck pain. Others whose condition has progressed to nerve involvement. Others who want medical alternatives. Others yet who require surgical interventions or strict encouragement to see their medical physician. Unfortunately, I know other docors who give evryone the same thing. Chiropractors who give the same adjustment to everyone evry time. Medical Doctors who prescribe the same narrow range of drugs. Caveat Emptor.

Chatting with a friend he asked if I'd seen the bike being made in the Isle of Man. ( I haven't) We went on to debate whether the Isle is 'England ' or "Northern Ireland.' Sure it's UK and I'm sure folks there would tell you they are "Manx", but what's the real deal?

I'm sure we could all squeeze in an extra 30 to stay at your place. You don't mind if Scott brings his 'friend' from Athens?

As testimony to the bravado of riding motorcycles, it is notable that we all have well developed beliefs and even sets of rules for being noticed by other road users. Like: * You're invisible, not invincible. * People pull out in front of trains with MARS lights and horns blaring. At marked crossings with flashing lights. Routinely. * Drivers don't hear sirens, loud pipes or, often, the person talking next to them. They have their mind on other things. Fiamms help but mostly for dogs. * Most crashes happen in intersections. Here, graphic patterns will tend to break up your silhouette into the urban background. Presenting the shape of a man with an attached head may be one way to keep it that way. * I 've ridden many miles behind bikes with headlaight modulators. Drivers do seem to get out of the way thinking these are emergency vehicles. Also, it has been common for these riders to be required to explain to Law Enforcement, with documentation, the Federal Statute allowing them to operate the modulator. * Certainly, we are most correct to accept the true measure of risk and our limits including those limits of the traffic. Still, Pete seems fussier than usual. I think we should take up a collection and send him a dram.

You gotta love a guy who's first ride after a lay-up is to wheelstand his Firebolt!! Welcome back to the saddle !

Get some 'heat shrink tubing' from an electronics supply. Cut to length to cover the connector, ( apply silicone dielectric grease to the connector), slide it over the wire, hook it up and heat shrink the tubing to a tight fit . They make little air heat guns for this but I use a butane lighter.

For those of you who would consider a weekend n The Tenni Sea mountains look ahead to July 21-23. We're gathering at the Best Western in Sweetwater, TN. Easy access from I75 betwen Chatanooga and Knoxville, good access to the mountains and they cater to motorcyclists ( better rate, clean up towels for the bike at check in and so forth.) They DO NOT provide drunken redneck foxes. You'll either have to stay down in Athens at the Super8 or BYO.

Oh, also: Acerbis - uh-CHER-bis? uh-SHARE-bus? I realize this enlightenment may be rather superfluous here in Lower Middle Muletown, or what BFG liked calling the Tenni Sea. Not long ago I was parked in front of theHarley dealer ( picking up some lenses for the Sport) when an unsuspescting lass asked "Who makes that?" " MOH-ta' GOOT-zie", I sez in my best Italian lilt. The Asian looking chick rolls her eyes and disappears into the boutique. I was hoping she'd ask if my leathers were real DIE-neet-zee and would I mind if she copped a feel. Alas, I was dreaming. This is Tenni Sea.

It looks pretty but I'd like to have heard a response to your question about the mounting for the backrest. Also must we drill out own holes for the mounting bolts??

I don't see a crack on mine, but . . . is there a 'bushing ' of sorts within the eye? Mine has a significant space between the bush and the eye. It is only apparent at the aft and must measure ten or fifteen thousandths of an inch. Too much? WTF?

It was , once again, one of my Maneating Honda XRs that I washed the front out on a muddy downhill and WHUP-SLAM onto the right leg. They say riding dirt will make you a better street rider. I'm coming around more to your advice, "Hurts when you do that?. . . . Don't do that." Givi? I'm thinking 'ZHEE-vee.' And what about: Stucchi - STEW-chee? or STEW-kee? Marchesini - MARCH-es-EEN-ee? MAR-shes'nee? It's nightfall here now. By breakfast our Euro-brethren will have enlightened us with a language lesson. But not before the Aussies have their way with it. God, I love this stuff.

I just got some new dirt bike boots from Gaerne. (Having dropped the bike on my leg again yesterday I'd say they work pretty well.) Telling a friend about the boots we could not agree on how to say 'Gaerne.' It occurs to me that we here in the US are not very colorful in our flare for pronouncing much of the gear we wear. So I figured I'd come to the Fountainhead and get the real skinny on some of these mysteries:Help me out here: Gaerne - gar-NAY? gern as in 'earn?' Diadora - dee-uh-DOR-uh? dee-ADD'ruh? Dainese - DANE-eze? DIE-uh-neet-see? Guzzi - GOOT-zee? GOO-zee?

We did have to restrain Bill Hagan to preserve our proper image. After a few grappa he was trying to convince us 'Ballabio' is Italian for 'burnout.' Maybe the signs are wallpaper at the Garage Majalo?

I've not seen many bottles of Scotch like that. Mine are always more bottle than Scotch. I lift my glass to your celebration! It is "Groundhog Day" here in the US ( I think in Canada too?). The lore goes that the fat furry bugger will come out of his hole, seeing his shadow means 6 more weeks of winter. They never say what if he sees no shadow but I'm pretty sure that, too, means 6 more weeks of winter.

I think this girl was everybody's ex. When we agreed to hole up at the Super8 in Athens, TN, no one knew party animals from miles around congregated there on weekends. The spectacle made us seem so staid and proper.

John, glad you found an accomplice to asauge the Commando Blues! What year is the Sport? Yourt signature says "2000 V11 Sport." The later "Cafe Sport" has the longer frame , bigger rear wheel and frame mounted instruments and headlight. Does yours have clip-ons or handlebar?

Greg, these are the 2003 and newer black faced clocks? Who makes them?

I got this 1200 degree stuff for a future project to add another petcock on the tank right with an inline regulator to scavenge the trapped gallon. The line shown is 7/16 " ID but I don't recall the sizes of the various lines on the V!!.

Well, it's not actually on the bike. I've never had any of the heat soak/ vapor lock issues. I did move my pump forward a bit and shortened the incomiong low pressure line to route it away from the cylinder fins and covered it in zinc coated copper braid. That line from the petcock is a large line. Seems like I used 3/4" metal braid on it.

Treachery is the norm in the Appalachians. We're just tryin' to keep pace with the Scots and Irish. Sure , we won the War but just can't quit the fight. Look for a V11 gathering inthe TN-NC mountains in late July. Two years ago there were four of us ( not counting the foxy redneck girl hauled off in the patrol car, er, but that's another story . . . ).

Silicone impregnated fiberglass sleeving, 5/8", available at: R&R Wireloom Go to "misc" and " 1200 degree sleeving"

The Hawker came today. About a week and 1/2 the price of Guzzi or the local auto supply's AGM replacement. Some amazements: The Sport idles 2-300 rpm higher. It runs stronger and the typical 4000-5000 flatness is much improved. I was starting to think it was time for a good synch and tune as this will generally clear the flat spot. I was amazed how the new battery improved the throttle response especially in that vulnerable 4000 rpm range. I'm curious if the fuel economy may improve as the Sport's been returning in the 33.5 mpg range. Not unusual for the colder temps but I'm curious if the new battery may change things. When the original went flat the bike ran so rich as to make the eyes water. It runs so much cleaner and stronger now I'm hopeful the fuel economy may also be better. I'll know in a week or so . . .