A designer, thinker, tinkerer, and avid motorcyclist. My Portfolio Ask me anythingTumblr (3.0; @fetherston)http://blog.cfetherston.com/<p>Like a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest over here.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/441338260http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/441338260Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:39:00 -0500singlehandedly launching an enterprise level websitefreelance is boomingfixing bikes on the sidekinda fun<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kyrqxbZ4Vh1qz5o8qo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>The latest addition to my cubicle: my beat up, stone-heavy mountain bike. Helps fight desk job stagnation and encourages impromptu rides to the printer. Side note: I’ve been asking to get that wall painted for months.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/426535312http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/426535312Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:51:00 -0500<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kyo8kvDDfz1qz5o8qo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>I sold the <a href="http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/128497305/so-i-got-a-commuter-bike-yeah-its-kinda-slow">Ninja</a>, and in its place I bought this, an ‘07 Suzuki DRZ400SM. It will be used for everyday commuter duty (rode today!) plus the possibility of some racing in a few months. It’s definitely one of the more unique bikes I’ve ever ridden and it echos memories of <a href="http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/117563735/gpoy-8-years-ago-god-damn-i-miss-racing-motocross">my motocross days</a>.</p> <p>Sure, it is by no means fast, the seat may be a step away from perching on a 2 x 4, and short jaunts down the highway are a windy, buzzy endeavor. However, did I mention just how bloody fun it is to ride?</p> <p>Commutes to work are transformed into a trek of obscure law-breaking. Stop signs are turned into nose-wheelie opportunities. Shipping docks are turned into double jumps. Empty parking lots turn into impromptu racetracks. It certainly changes the way you look at the urban landscape.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/422537088http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/422537088Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:22:00 -0500supermotoDRZmotorcycles<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kx54y8CENx1qa4lf5o1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://andrew.tumblr.com/post/365199986/yes-please">andrew</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>YES PLEASE!</p> </blockquote> <p>Love <a href="http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/120082801/it-was-a-good-weekend-mmmm-judging-by-my-zip-tie">mine</a>. If you’d like to know anything about owning one, <a href="http://blog.cfetherston.com/ask">ask</a>.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/422493001http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/422493001Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:51:38 -0500motorcycles<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kym5685Dir1qz7x0uo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://setthemfree.tumblr.com/post/420325603/via-overshadowed">setthemfree</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>(via <a href="http://burstsausages.com/">overshadowed</a>)</p> </blockquote> <p>This RD belongs to the owner of Blacksmith Cycles in Sussex county, about 30 minutes from me. It’s mostly a Harley shop, but they dip into the vintage two stroke scene too. They just started making digital ignition systems for old Yamahas that I may consider at some point.</p> <p>Oh, and that’s an HD front end. Doesn’t it just feel…<i>wrong</i>.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/420345377http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/420345377Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:59:00 -0500motorcycles<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kylx87tL191qz5o8qo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Doing some photo-research for a punk-themed website I’m working on. (via <a href="http://www.sobriquetmagazine.com/mc/2007_09_01_archive.html">sobriquetmagazine.com</a>)</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/419906046http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/419906046Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:21:00 -0500<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kyc2zq7Fsh1qzbqtpo1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a href="http://wireframes.tumblr.com/post/408636755/beer-helps-me-wireframe-via-meggomyeggo">wireframes</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>beer helps me wireframe (via <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/meggomyeggo">meggomyeggo</a>)</p> </blockquote> <p>This is a triad of things that I love. Beer, design and pretzels. Add mustard and my head would likely explode.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/409054490http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/409054490Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:35:30 -0500<img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kyaxepkXij1qz5o8qo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>I got something new the other day. More pics soon!</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/407143126http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/407143126Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:52:00 -0500motorcyclesdude supermoto is going to make me lose my license<img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ky8wnnXfhI1qz5o8qo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><blockquote> <b>Steve Jobs, you used to be cool</b><br/><span>What happened man? You used to ride old BMWs, wear cool boots and change the world with radical concepts of personal computing. Now you drive a convertible Mercedes, have a bizarre fetish for black turtlenecks and milk your company’s just-different-enough image for all its worth. </span> </blockquote> <p><span>Via <a href="http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2010/02/steve-jobs-you-used-to-be-cool.html">Hell for Leather</a>,  <a href="http://jalopnik.com/5475537/decades-before-the-ipad-steve-jobs-rode-a-bmw">Jalopnik</a></span></p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/404899453http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/404899453Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:40:00 -0500motorcyclesapple<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ky1tcxZlkW1qz5o8qo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><blockquote>“The more narrowly and separated the self is defined, the greater the likelihood that the personal influences and social forces acting on us are experienced as external and alien. ” Reestablish communication, talk to the one standing next to you be it at school, in your home or waiting for the bus. Rebuild the human instinct of community.</blockquote> <p><a href="http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/12675215/the-more-narrowly-and-separated-the-self-is">This</a> was one of the first things I posted to tumblr. It’s a poster that I made with paper stencils and spray paint.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/396879452http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/396879452Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:46:09 -0500thththrowback thursday<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxqi3uXarO1qz5o8qo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>There’s a lot of nice things going on here. I love the board track racer influences that come through on that front end and the exposed primary. One minor niggle I would change. The oil tank disguised as a leather pouch is a little kitsch. On a motorcycle that is otherwise very sure of itself, an oil tank should be an oil tank. I can forget about that. It’s black, raw and dirty and I can’t stop staring at it.</p> <p>Thanks for pointing it out, <a href="http://cubicle17.com/">Bill</a>. I’d love to build something like this one day.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/385572735http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/385572735Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:09:30 -0500motorcyclestriumph<p>I love a Piña Colada in the right situation. It was my first alcoholic drink at the tender age of 12 (I had pretty relaxed parents). When I do finally plan a nice trip to some island, surfboard included, a good Colada definitely has a spot next to my beach chair.</p> <p>Getting caught in the rain. Well, on the bike, if I’m geared up, rain on. Slippery roads are great practice for throttle control. Otherwise a drenching rain can be nice on a warm summer day with someone I care about.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/379213683http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/379213683Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:11:11 -0500<p><a href="http://fishert2.tumblr.com/post/378026541/suckness">fishert2</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>for a little over a year now I’ve struggled with finances.</p> <p>…</p> <p>This week I am selling my f4i. it pretty much is killing me to do it, but I need the monthly loan payment I make every month on it. That money is grocery money and gas money.</p> <p>I will have a bike again one day, and I still have my dirtbike, but I will miss going into our garage and seeing my bright yellow f4i. I enjoyed many hours and trips on it, and when it leaves Wednesday I will most likely go inside curl up on the couch and cry…..</p> </blockquote> <p>Don’t get out, downsize. Pick up a cheap bike for less than 2k and ride the wheels off it. Take the Ninja 500R for instance. It gets between 50-60 MPG, liability-only coverage in NJ is about $100, oil changes are <$20, you can get basic maintenance parts at Walmart, tires are cheap, the bike hasn’t changed in 16 years, and it is still ungodly fast with the right rider.</p> <p>I loved mine when I had it, too bad I got bitten by the supermoto bug.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/378082188http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/378082188Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:39:55 -0500<p>That depends on a number of things. Most imprtantly, what year/make/model is the bike and what does the manufacturer recommend for this service interval? Other factors are important also, like how far you’re riding from and what the maintenance history of the bike has been.</p> <p>So, let’s assume you’re riding a universal Japanese 4 cylinder with typical upkeep and you’re traveling from California (3k miles). I would absolutely check that the tires, chain/sprockets, control cables and brakes are in good condition and change the oil. That covers the major components that could fail and leave you stranded.</p> <p>Also, depending on model, you are likely coming close to a valve adjustment. For a typical Japanese 4 cylinder, I would check the service manual for the manufacturer’s valve adjustment interval and only allow a 6k mile buffer for that spec. Your model is imperative here. If you ride a Ducati 748, your maintenance must be much more regimented than if you ride a Honda F4i.</p> <p>Other than that, ride carefully, make a list of your manufacturer’s dealers along your trip and have a great ride!</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/377276684http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/377276684Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:55:09 -0500<a href="http://blog.cfetherston.com/ask">Ask me anything</a>: <p>Moto-talk, design-speak, hate-laments. Anything goes, fire away.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/372378194http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/372378194Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:28:21 -0500bandwagonbored at work<img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxc1reTOHU1qz5o8qo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Palm ratchet. Very old, still works, feels great in the hand.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/370953421http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/370953421Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:50:02 -0500tools<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxbt4x6sVZ1qz5o8qo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Found in a pile of grease underneath 4 dozen sockets. Love that little Kendall logo.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/370753333http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/370753333Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:43:45 -0500toolsmyphoto<img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxbq3ltvU81qz5o8qo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Coolest inch pound torque wrench ever! I’ll use you on clutch springs for many years to come.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/370682592http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/370682592Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:38:00 -0500toolsmyphoto<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxbo6prKa51qz5o8qo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><i>Build for a metric future.</i></p> <p>Cool type, cool chart. Reminded me of the conversion charts a lot of designers tape to their monitors.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/370637707http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/370637707Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:56:00 -0500myphototools<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kxblxd7Uz01qz5o8qo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>I picked up this lovely Craftsman box for my garage off Craigslist for next to nothing. It’s at least 50 years old, covered in grease and chock-full of miscellaneous Craftsman and Snap-On tools. I’ll be posting some of the lovely vintage treasures I find in here as I parse through it all.</p>http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/370585396http://blog.cfetherston.com/post/370585396Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:08:01 -0500tools