Weekend solo run - Wine Country

Weekend solo run - Wine Country, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

Finally have a day off to spend some quality time with my new (to-me) baby. I took a longer route east toward the wine country near Napa area. I passed Lake Berryessa to Middletown, and loop back through, Calistoga, St Helena, and Lake Hennessey. Not exactly a long ride but enjoy it a lot. Hope you like the pict as much as I do!

Quick backyard ride

Quick backyard ride, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

The weather was just beautiful!

Group pict before goodbye

Group pict before goodbye, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

It's time for group picture - it's time to said good-bye too. Hopefully the new owner will enjoy the Classic as much as I do! You will be missed!

HID Conversion

New look!

Stock look

Weather boot and wire installation 

Add hold on headlight cover

Drill bits kit from Amazon

Original Package

HID Conversion , a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

After experiencing riding in dark for the first time on Tricolore, I realize that the stock lights are really unless. It's time to convert it into HID lights - let alone the legal things; it's really a lot brighter! it's a 5000K 35watt system. The installation was easy - took me less than 2 hrs to get it done; but I actually spent more time looking for space for the ballasts than the actual light installation! So far I don't see any negetive impact on the bike... review will come soon. Stay tune!

Ducati meet at Hot Italian, Emeryville - 8/15

Hot Italian Meet 8/15, a photo by hotmilkgreentea on Flickr.

That's me arriving! Went from work directly with my 'commuter suit' - I love the Dainese suit BTW. It was warm, light, ton of vents, and water proof. The meet was a huge success. Close to 20 bikes showed up on a weekday - it's really something. Meet new Ducati owners and old friends - that's priceless. Thanks again Tony to take all these nice picts!

Arai Fiction & Dainese Torque Out Pro Air

Arai Fiction, originally uploaded by Speedy Chung.

Yip - it's time to add gear. Scored the Aria at MotoGP. I love the design of Fiction since I first saw it on Bike few months back. Finally scored a nice one in MotoGP Laguna Seca. The fitment, design, and air flow is THE BEST I EVER HAVE - yes, it's better than Shoei X-12 - and it's much lighter!
After almost 2yrs of usage, it's about time to retired Puma 1000 V3 boots. It's one of the best in the market - tons of protection, and it's just look great. My pair was crash-proofed too! I walk away in one piece in my last accident. But it's on the heavy side - and it's falling apart now. It's time for a new pair of boots. After a long search and with some help by Mike from D-Stone in San Francisco, I picked up this pair of Torque Out Pro Air at their Bi-Annual Sales event. Thank you Mike for the good boots and great price!

First photo shoot around my backyard

Solo backyard run, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

This is my first solo shooting with the new girl - and she is beautiful. It was late Sunday afternoon and I was riding round the hills near my house. Enough BS - here is the eye candy...

DMV registration & California Emission Standard

Emission Sticker, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr.

As you may already know, the new-to-me Tricolore came with current Washington State registration. According to California law, all out-of-State vehicles, imported or not, 2 wheels or 4, are all required to register with California within 10 day after enter the Golden State. In order to register, the vehicle has to reach 50 States certificated emission standard, or it needs to have 7500 miles or more. California has it's own emission standard that on one has - even the gas selling in the Golden State is different. I know the fact that all imported Ducati since 1992 were all 50 states certificated - and it's printed on a sticker. So... where is hell is the sticker?

After looking all over the bike with panels down; still no luck to locate the sticker. So I decided to dive in - take the tank out and search. Man, I just got the bike less than 24hrs ago and I already taking it apart with no menu - I guess I must be crazy. Thanks to 1098 nice design, removing the tank is A LOT easier than I expected - it's easier than my Classic, F1098s - even Monster!!! All the connection point were at the back - fuel lines, tank breather hose, over-flow hose, & power connector of fuel pump were al at one spot. It took me less than 10mins to pop the tank - it's amazing!

So finally I found it - the sticker is located at the under side of the tank near the front. But how the hell I can show it to the DMV inspector? It took me 30mins just taking it apart in my garage - it will be very hard to do the same at DMV parking lot. Soooo.... I removed the sticker. Put it on the side of the air box, and all I need to do on site is to remove 2 bolts on the side panel - it's easy and quick!

On the following day at DMV, all my hard work paid off - the registration process was smooth and easy. I had title, bill of sale, and check in hand. The inspector verified VIN number on frame, engine number, and of cause, the emission sticker. Walked away with new license plate and sticker in 2 hrs - believe me, it's consider quick in California DMV! So she is officially a Cal girl now! Yeah!

She's home!

She's home!, a photo by Speedy Chung on Flickr. After months of searching and lobbing, I finally location my ideal 2007 1098s Tricolore up in Seattle - tons of upgrades with only 2300 miles. This is my very first time to deal with and buying a non-local bike - it's really quite a lot of information to digest - loan, title transfer, bike inspection, shipping, arrival inspection, DMV... you name it. But all these waiting and study paid off - she is one beautiful girl! Can't wait to bring her out. First thing first - I need to register her as Californian bike...