raWorkshop

Dragging this up again.

I say this with no bias, even though some might think otherwise...

The cheaper belts that we see in this thread don't end up looking as nice as the ones which cost more (which we assume start with a higher quality leather).

Even from my knowledge i would think that all price levels of leathers would start out on an even playing field but from viewing the sixty pages of this thread it seams that is definitely not the case.

The assumption about higher quality leather, stricter quality control on the baths, whatever variables are build into that are probably right. One thing I don't think was mentioned was the finishing on the edges and inside face of the belts. Could better craftsmanship (smoother bevels, more polished back sides, proper sealant on all crafted surfaces) lead to better retention of natural and incidental oils/moisture? Thus a better crafted belt will be able to develop on it's own terms.

This picture barely shows it, but you can see the difference in smoothness on the inside to the outside. I mention the inside of the belt specifically because the rough, unpolished and excess leather really does create a massive surface area. A poor finish might cause loss of oils and maybe more importantly exposure to damaging sweat from the wearer.

Just a thought. I'll post up some pictures of my daily wear belt this afternoon to get some content flowing.

This thread is horrible. Whenever I check it I can't find anything about Roy related news, just page after page of nonsense. It oscillates between self ordained, hideously annoying original fan boys and pathetically uniformed rants about fashion economics.

This thread is really the opposite of what makes Roy's brand so cool, don't tarnish a good thing boys.

how was everyone first time riding some distance?

i'm trying to convince myself to do a chicago to las vegas solo ride in like 2 weeks

Distance isn't bad if there's stuff to see/do (hiking, good roads), but there's not much of that between Chicago and LV unless you route yourself up through the Rockies.

There are the super basics - ear plugs, keep a water bottle on you at all times, eat something every time you stop so your blood sugar doesn't spike out/you get tired or confused, might consider bicycle shorts if you have them? Check oil and tire pressure every other day, consider the last time you had and oil change etc.

Companies like Nelson Rigg sell decent soft luggage. You'll probably want a tank bag and saddle bags at least when you go, leave the rear seat for strapping stuff.

Speaking of luggage and gear, I just bought an Arai Vector, Caribou Cases, a Wolfman tank bag and new Olympia mesh gear. Reviews soon.

hey all, i really appreciate the quick responses. i will definitely be signing up for the MSF beginners course then; sounds like the perfect place to start.

as for bike choice, the cb350 is small, but i'm mostly sticking to local roads, so we'll have to see how well it can meet my needs (and wants). basically whatever i can get a great deal on i will be leaning toward.

thanks again all

MSF is great. CB350 sounds good for what you want to do and they come and go on Craigslist easily enough. Don't put too too much stock about "this bike does this, that bike does that." They're pieces of metal, they do what they're told until the break.

Case in point I just took a clapped out, bleeding to death 1997 GS500E to Nova Scotia and back.

To concede a little, I'm going to buy a V-Strom 650 this week before I move to Texas.

For sale on ADVrider

Ahhhmazing. Looking for a good but much more up to date read in the same vein. Any suggestions?

Next up; Ghost Wars, and Infinite Jest.

Also currently reading Bully for Brontosaurus, a collection of columns by Natural History writer Stephen Gould. Great and mindbending little essays.

Indigo by Jenny Balfor-Paul as well, terrific book about the social, physical and economic history of indigo. The amount of research is just insane.

Shipped them off to Klue about 2 weeks ago.

Service(s): Delivery Confirmation™

Status: Delivered

Your item was delivered at 3:18 PM on June 12, 2010 in WEST HARTFORD, CT 06107.

He said he was going on a trip of some sort, so we should hear soon?

It's a 40+ year old machine. They don't make replacement parts anymore and from all reports even on conventional production lines any "bulldog" machine like the 43200 was a bitch to operate. Good luck.

Cool, I'm contemplating getting a booth and trying to hustle off some vintage sewing machines, but that sounds like a lot of work

Now we head out to the worksite to raise the walls on our newest Habitat for Humanity homeowners house.

This house is a Women Build project so no boys allowed on the worksite. Thankfully me and my dude had other plans like swinging on this righteous ass vine in the back yard.

I want this vine on call 24/7 for emergency prince of persia tactics.

Workwear.

But that’s it from me. These pants are sweet, gonna miss them. Who is up next?

Whacko, here we are again!

Taking care of business. GS500E to the shop like 3 weeks ago, still not back

Watched Stony Brook University play University of Vermont in lacrosse. Stony Brook won big time, which really surprised me.

Went into Brooklyn for the Sunday Brooklyn Flea. Plenty of good stuff to be had here. The location is just beautiful, does anybody know the history? One Hanson.

Then I took the G back to the 1930s. Just kidding, but the New York Transit Museum was kinda neat.

Pickups from the Flea. An Indian indigo dyed napkin/bandana and a book plate from 1890’s about sewing machines.

Detail on the book plate. You can see the original style single thread chain-stitch thread, and how obviously vulnerable it would be to a thread break.

I hate when my thinking gets too contrarian. No for the sake of no. No for the sake of I can make a stupid/cheap dig at whatever I'm thinking about and feign moral or intellectual superiority. Foolish, destructive non-thinking. Chuff chuff chuff.

It really isn't thinking, it's reacting, it's habit. Real thinking involves taking things seriously and taking responsibility, not sifting, labeling and blithely rejection. So maybe my real problem is laziness?

Those are some legit machines but that fabric knife is no joke!

Amazingly crisp. This wasn't you first sewing project was it?

Why you busy bee you. Looks good.

Registered for the MSF in June, any tips/tricks/hints? Also, looks like Sym's US distro might be non-existent in the near future which bodes poorly for the classic 150. Any good ~250cc bikes out there anyone can recommend? Was looking at the Suzuki TU250. Mainly for tooling around town, nothing too extreme.

MSF and motorcycling are like any other physical activity, keep your head up and your nerves calm. If you're looking 5 feet in front of the bike A)it's too late to respond to anything and You'd already have been seeing it seconds ago if you had your head up. The bikes aren't going to do anything crazy but they're usually kinda beat so it's hard to be precise in shifting, especially to neutral.

I'd read David Hugh's Proficient Motorcycling series if you haven't already (anyone reading this that is).

In other news, I'm quitting the internet until this 1972 LeManns is no longer for sale.

Posted on ADVRider

After the class I hit up the thrift near me. Lots of good stuff, too pricey though.

Osh’Kosh, didn’t but it but might if it’s still there next time.

Shooting a video with my friend Julio for his Apple application.

My roommate in a homely little production of The Vagina Monologues

Last Thursday I went on a walking date with a beautiful young lady stopping in from Denver. We walked from 79th St. down to SoHo, it was a beautiful day.

Highline park, which is terrific.


She’s an architect so she was forgiving of my need to geek out when we cruised by Self Edge. The staff were great as always, despite the fact that I can’t buy anything on an AmeriCorps budget.

Not pictured was me picking up my motorcycle in the back lawn today. The rain softened up the mud and it ate shit. But

The

Tour

Continues.

Whiz bang folks! Sorry about the lack of updates. The tour continues.

I was worried as hell that these things wouldn’t fit me but the stretch is just enough that they’re great. A banging slim straight, I normally cuff but the tone on tone cuffs seemed the way to go. The suspenders are stupid fun too.

So here we are on Long Island, New York, working with Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk for the year. I haven’t gotten out to the work site in the stripes because I work in family services. So here’s the side of Habitat you might not have seen if you’ve done a spring break blitz build or what not. First order of business was delivering homeowner applications to be reviewed by the bank.

Long Island is a horrible place to be a cyclist, this blind curve out of the office regularly attracts 50 MPH traffic.

And off they go.

Proper work attire? Word.

I led a resume and interview skills class for the neighborhood where we do most of our building (North Bellport/East Patchogue). It’s pretty severely under-served in terms of jobs, opportunity and access. Spent that day getting flyers out to the community.

But right on the other side of the tracks (literally) from the blighted areas we build in, you’ve got these ultra cushy villages. Tough to see the disparity so close up.

Back in the hood, at the Bellport Hagerman East Patchogue Alliance, where we taught the class. Good people, but again, terribly under-resourced compared to the lily white areas. The class went well, if under attended.

Homeowner education class with the strips and straps. All of our homeowners have to go through Financial Fitness, Home Maintenance, and Home Ownership workshops.

The Stronghold World Tour continues, on tone cuffs and suspenders in full effect. Thanks for the pass along Jimmy!

We'll be out on Long Island, NY for this leg of the tour. There's not much to do out here but I'm an AmeriCorps with Habitat for Humanity so we'll get some houses built before we're done.

Cool digs on the printing, do they need any patching/preemptive repairs? Got a Singer waiting if so.

Just picked up some HELD Score gloves. HELD is an amazing brand, fit and finish are crazy (and by crazy I mean I almost don't feel bad spending $180 on them).

Is this the pattern you used?

http://www.burdafashion.com/en/Patterns/Main_Collection/7733_Pants_trousers/1270778-1128998-1003846-1650999.html

You really don't want to use those patterns, they suck and they're confusing. Thrift some jeans and cut them up, with a seam ripper if you have the patience.

Colors are the result of your eyes interpreting select wavelengths on the visible electro magnetic spectrum. Not some willey niley middle brow philosophy fwd:. Color is mad oat-y, the white balance looks off in the on-the-street shots.

Too much sand here on the roads here in NY, much too terrified to take the bike out. My brand new Olympia AST jacket sits here mocking me in it's glorious hi-viz because I'm scared off my ass of the combo of Long Island drivers and sand.

Zang, out the gate first post nice jeans! First pair? Made other stuff?