2014 was a great year for me, both personally and professionally. My return to motorcycling has been so much more than I expected. I continued losing wight, a total of 25 lbs for the year. I completed my Bachelor degree. And just a couple weeks before the end of the year, I received a significant promotion at work. I completed a couple other projects around my home, such as tilling and replanting my backyard lawn.

As for riding, I originally set a goal of 2500-3000 miles. With riding in cooler weather, I was able to push it to 4759 miles! I was hoping to eek out 4800, but the last few days of December temps were teens and 20s.

First day as a proud owner of my 2013 SE 14R!

Just some pics from rides throughout the year...

When temps started to fall, upper 50s seemed like it was freezing. But I got used to it, even with my mesh gear! This is from a cold morning in late October at work. I've ridden a few times in the 30s and several times in the 40s.

Chili September day at the local AFB... (A10 upper, F16 middle, F4 lower)

I'd decided the time to put her up for Winter was here in November. Here some pics from the time I was performing surgery on her. I ended up having to get her back together as a few warm days were forecast, and I got some bonus mileage!
My chosen exhaust, Yosh R-77 4-2-1 SS/CF

LOL when people tell me about Kaw's "fit and finish". If you never took off stock 14 or 14R mufflers you never saw this!

Before looking into it, I figured spark plugs were accessed through the top of the frame... that's a 1/4" drive ratchet in there for perspective.

4000 miles on the stock AF. Thought it looked a bit dirty for 4k. Hard to believe ~11k is the recommended service interval.

IME this is when the bike's bodywork is most vulnerable.

And finally after all the work was done she's all back together again. No broken or extra parts!

I completed my Bachelor degree.

I received a significant promotion at work.

No offense to the sea creatures

Hahahah
ahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahhahahhahahahahhahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahhahahahahahahhahahahahahhah

* Last updated by: Wolfman on 1/1/2015 @ 1:50 PM *

All kidding aside. Good for you Vic!

I'm just like you, wolfy... Goofing on the members.

That filter looks almost new to me. A year of ram air bug guts and rain will look much worse.

That filter looks almost new to me. A year of ram air bug guts and rain will look much worse.

Yeah, I've seen much worse. No biggy, changing filter once a year won't break the bank.

Hub/Wolfman

You guys forgot to ask me why so negative?

Thanks for sharing Vic. Life is good aye. Looks like you and the bike lost about the same amount of weight. Good job.

Howdie Vic,
Now everything you posted is mad respectable. Good for you. It's nice to see some folks enjoyed 2014. May you continue strive for good things.

Been here for a while. Hub's sense of humor is appreciated over time. He's not a malicious guy, just a bit of a clown at times. We both are. Don't let the odd swipe at you keep you down. Hubssy is a cool cat. Remember your new here, so before you form negative opinions remember we are just a bunch of fool hardy guys. You've taken swipes at me too, it's all good brother. In the end we all love the same bike and site. We have a lot in common. Keep posting good news items. Anytime a member achieves something positive I like reading about it.

* Last updated by: Wolfman on 1/1/2015 @ 6:23 PM *

I want to impale a thought here. That's the second time I laughed with a Wolfy Winger in the last 24 hours.
Vic, with a degree a promotion, a fresh 14, you've got nothing to be negative about in your world. Now, don't get upset, but did you remove a painted screw with that hose fitting sitting there with an o-ring looks like it fits in a housing?

I think we are doing the same operations? I need to check my air filter, move that hose you removed in another approach, don't take offense. It was just the approach. So I'm going to change plugs, check compression while the plugs are out. I have video coming just for you. I think you're in it in fact. You're the grumpy old guy and Cody is the shop supervisor. You know who that cocksucking,dickhead,dill doughing it out as a one take and take it or leave it is, right?

* Last updated by: Hub on 1/1/2015 @ 7:43 PM *

I like you too Hubsy. Always have, always will!
So Vic, all good?!+@*?

It's been a couple months now since I did this. IIRC the valve had painted screws holding retaining clips. I think the screws just needed loosened and not removed. I don't recall for certain.

I like this A/C procedure for a Harley much better;)

(assist pls)"www.youtube.com/embed/MKzKTIEjbO8"(guess you can copyandpaste)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/2/2015 @ 10:54 AM *

Nothing more satisfying than keeping your machine maintained and running well yourself. Haven't had a bike in a shop for over 40 years. Had to learn some things the hard way, but those lessons are never forgotten. I rue the day some electronic shit goes on the fritz. So far, so good. Great pics, Vic.

* Last updated by: alg8er on 1/3/2015 @ 1:15 AM *

Nothing more satisfying than keeping your machine maintained and running well yourself. Haven't had a bike in a shop for over 40 years. Had to learn some things the hard way, but those lessons are never forgotten. I rue the day some electronic shit goes on the fritz. So far, so good. Great pics, Vic.

IME no one will care for my stuff as much as I will. There will be things I'll take mine to the shop for while it's under warranty but maintenance, I know when I do it actually gets done and done correctly. I also flushed the coolant system. Not sure I'd ever trust a shop to actually perform bolt tightening inspection.

I'm debating doing my own tire changes. Doesn't look too difficult and there's a lot of different methods.

Enjoyed the pics ... thanks!

Congratulations on the great year you have had. I recently bought a 2014 zx14 abs and are very happy. Only problem I bought it late December so only 45 miles riding with the weather change. Really like the black SE 2013 model you chose and thank god you changed the exhaust. Very nice photos also. Once I am done modding very soon will be updating some photos also.

Just a thought and some advice on weight loss. As males we need to focus are majority of workout on weight training. Riding a stepper, running or treadmill is fine but trust me you will see massive changes in shape and strength through weight training and some diet adjustment. The Testosterone surge (natural reaction) the body produces by weight training alone melts fat away. I lost 60 lbs but doubled my strength in 10 months. Just something to consider because as men we should be training as men in the weight room first cardio second. I am not saying always go heavy either. Also weight loss as a pound number is not as important as the resulting way you feel and look. Thats what makes weight training great. Let the women worry about their damn "weight". If you don't agree fine, but don't knock it til you tried it for a few months.

Just a thought and some advice on weight loss. As males we need to focus are majority of workout on weight training. Riding a stepper, running or treadmill is fine but trust me you will see massive changes in shape and strength through weight training and some diet adjustment. The Testosterone surge (natural reaction) the body produces by weight training alone melts fat away. I lost 60 lbs but doubled my strength in 10 months. Just something to consider because as men we should be training as men in the weight room first cardio second. I am not saying always go heavy either. Also weight loss as a pound number is not as important as the resulting way you feel and look. Thats what makes weight training great. Let the women worry about their damn "weight". If you don't agree fine, but don't knock it til you tried it for a few months.

Thanks for the tips. I'm definitely aware of some of the weight loss benefits of strength training.

The last time I lost weight, probably around 10 years ago now, it was mostly through strength training. And I was strong, basically was 190 lbs of muscle. The problem and Achilles heel of strength training is eventually everyone gives up. I got tired of two things, being sore frequently and working out 3 hours a day. The main issue was I had to eat more to maintain my weight. At a point I was literally losing 1 lb a day. So, with getting tired of it all and increased eating eventually I ballooned up to the fattest I'd ever been.

In the last 2 years I've lost a total of 65 lbs (40 over the course of 2012, 25 in 2013). Most of it has been through changing diet, eating what are truly sensible and balanced meals. Part of my goals was when I hit 230 was to begin a light workout routine, and that I have done. I'm not interested in strength training any longer, but am more interested in toning and revitalizing existing muscle. Most of my goals are health based, but I do like the idea of being physically fit in the event of having a motorcycle accident would give me the best odds of avoiding injury and recovery.

Great! Good for you Vic. Weight train if you can. If you can't I think the main thing is just keep as active as you can. I'm no expert but for me, being naturally slighter of build, aerobic exercise and avoiding fat is what always got rid of my gut. Also I find NOT eating meat (OH GOD I LOVE RED MEAT) keeps me from bloating up and that can easily be half of my gut right there. It feels pretty good to not have the extra inch of gas in me. It builds faster than I can fart it out. I still have to have one serving of beef at least every other day.

Good for you. You're looking great!

Thanks alg8er;)* Last updated by: alg8er on 1/3/2015 @ 1:15 AM *

Great lookin bike, Vic. I enjoyed reading your yir

Great! Good for you Vic. Weight train if you can. If you can't I think the main thing is just keep as active as you can. I'm no expert but for me, being naturally slighter of build, aerobic exercise and avoiding fat is what always got rid of my gut. Also I find NOT eating meat (OH GOD I LOVE RED MEAT) keeps me from bloating up and that can easily be half of my gut right there. It feels pretty good to not have the extra inch of gas in me. It builds faster than I can fart it out. I still have to have one serving of beef at least every other day.

Good for you. You're looking great!

Thanks for the kind words and advice. Indeed, being more generally active makes a big difference. I'm somewhere around 35 lbs lighter now than in that pic (I was 244 at the beginning of the year, and put back on a little to mid 250s through spring).

For most of my life I ate fatty foods and sweets. Lots of meats, cheese, eggs, breads. burritos, pizza, deserts. Now I really do eat balanced, servings of fresh vegetables, breads, meats. Deserts can still punish me a little, I have hard time pushing that plate away! LOL @ farting. Most people experience more farts with heavy vegetable diets because it tends to ferment (I think..something like this). I'd put myself in this pool for sure!!

Great lookin bike, Vic. I enjoyed reading your yir

Thanks zman! They all are. What's funny is when I first got it seemed like I (had) got more compliments on my VF1000F. But not any more...people are always like "nice bike" even driving by or turning corners yelling out their window!

Vic said..."If you never took off stock 14 or 14R mufflers you never saw this!"...(see pic above)...you know Vic...that clamp there slides back and off the inlet there...you don't try to pound that midpipe into submission to get it to remove.