I’m getting a newer Mac computer so I can get running with Sketchup CAD on it, which I’m glad to see is no longer a Google product. I’ve been putting off getting into Sketchup for years. The fact that I thought it was still associated with Google was a factor in putting off getting into it more recently, since Google had become so terrible with its censorship starting during Trump’s administration.
I’ve been using much older OS X operating systems for many years now since I own a lot of expensive software for those systems that still works great, and also some crucial software that I absolutely depend on no longer even exists for the newer Mac operating systems, so really the newer Mac systems are almost useless to me. But it will be good to have a newer Mac OS around for various reasons anyway such as using Sketchup, and being able to watch streaming videos on Amazon once again or whatever, etc. I was planning to make a newer Mac OS system as a Hackintosh before I came to Florida, but I don’t have my previous equipment with me now.
I wish that I would have started my motorcycle box project by designing it in CAD, but whatever, I’ll be putting it into that now. I can see all sorts of potential alternative uses for it as well such as being a durable shelter, and I can create and refine all of those concepts in CAD and present them here without needing to go through the effort of actually building the variations. I think it is great that it can fulfill multiple purposes, such as normally being used as a motorcycle shed but then also being able to be used as a shelter, for example.
Since the current design is only about four feet wide it should fit between the wheel wells of most trucks, but I’m sure it could also go on top of the wheel wells if the truck is smaller or if the shed is larger, as long as it is secured properly.
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I’ve fallen out of my more regimented eating schedule lately, but it will be easy to get back into that.
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When I’m out riding my motorcycle I’m always thinking about how much I love it. I’ve been having a few issues now and then, such as when I start at traffic stops I find that it can be easy for the motorcycle to be in the wrong gear. What is strange is often when I make an extra effort for it to be in the proper gear is when I find that it ends up not being that way, which causes a lurching or delayed start which is embarrassing. In fact often when I think “this would be an embarrassing place to have a delayed start” is when it actually happens due to my trying to over-compensate. I think I should bring it to a shop for the gears to be looked at and calibrated.
Another problem that I sometimes have is with the turn signals, where it is easy to accidentally leave them on because I’m focused on looking out to navigate traffic when turning from starting at a traffic stop. The indicator light is tiny and out of view when it is blinking, so really it almost may as well not even exist. At night I don’t have that problem because I can easily see the actual front turn signals blinking. I bought some indicator lights that will be apparent to me during the day, so I won’t have that problem once I install them.
Florida is a great place to have a motorcycle. I’m surprised that they aren’t even more popular. It is very inexpensive to have a motorcycle, where the motorcycle, the gas for it, and the insurance are all very affordable.
The Honda Rebel that I have is a great smallish-size, which is no problem for me even though I’m tall. Its top speed is in the 70’s and it revs rather high at that speed; however since the engine is of a simple and durable type it is said to be safe for the engine to ride that way for extended periods of time. I really like the way that it looks, but I wish that its front tire was the same size as the rear one.
The only place that I don’t like riding my motorcycle is on the interstate, which is uncomfortable to do with my bike. I’ve tried doing that for short distances as an experiment and I disliked it every time. Since my bike only goes in the 70’s you can imagine the problems that can occur when traffic is going in the 80’s. Also the pavement on the interstate often has potholes and other issues such as debris scattered on it and weird grooves cut into it. The bike is great on smaller highways though, and such highways almost always run parallel to the interstates anyway.
I really like the helmet that I have since it gives a 100% unobstructed view, as if I’m not even wearing a helmet at all. It is rather loud with the wind noise though, so I’m looking into how to reduce that. A few people have commented that its retro-style makes it look like an Evel Knievel helmet, which it does, although I wasn’t thinking that when I bought it. I prefer that style to newer ones that look like a Star Wars Stormtrooper helmet or an “Ant-Man and the Wasp”-type helmet that has a lot of curves and angles and other visual noise on it.
I would never want to ride without a helmet. Things have hit and deflected off of its visor many times so far, such as large insects and gravel from cars and trucks ahead that would have been a problem otherwise. Also when it starts to rain the drops feel like needles or even bullets on my skin, which would be very painful on my head and face. The helmet allows me to wear whatever glasses that I want underneath its visor, such as sunglasses. I purchased a tinted visor for it but I returned that since I have the most options with it being clear.