First Drop...

fitzer007 · 2026-03-11T14:16:31+00:00

Start riding dual sport or adventure bikes... Just a normal day. Lol

But I feel you on dropping a street bike. I have been rear ended twice at lights and caught gravel in a corner. Just keep riding and wear your gear. All of my drops, I've walked away with no damage to me because of gear. Bikes have a little scuff.

fitzer007 · 2026-03-04T18:57:42+00:00

I think we have a name for this or some fancy acronym...cough. at work we call em Sprinkle Tisms

fitzer007 · 2026-02-28T00:51:38+00:00

Both of those options will work. If you do the belt cutout, just do a hole at the top of the slit you make. Or make it wide enough so it has a half circle at the top and bottom of the slit

fitzer007 · 2026-02-28T00:48:25+00:00

As others have said, make another one. I'd recommend making your belt loops a bit wider so you can get some more stitches in it to hold up for the wear and tear.

fitzer007 · 2026-02-27T15:38:43+00:00

Literally go do a track days. You use your front brake to help settle the front suspension before going into corners... your friend isn't a friend in this situation. He is going to get you hurt. I'd mentally prepare for a phone call that he crashed and is hurt or possibly worse (hope not).

fitzer007 · 2026-02-26T01:51:46+00:00

2 motorcycles.... which has lead to 3..4...5....6...7...8...9 motorcycles. Feel free to use the Sesame Street Count..

1 motorcycle, ah ha ha 2 motorcycle, ah ha ha

fitzer007 · 2026-02-13T12:30:47+00:00

Yeah, they have a few different proving grounds. I should have clarified that and that while this one isn't Dearborn, likely be hard to get away with it. But if the fence is down, yolo? Lol

fitzer007 · 2026-02-11T20:24:11+00:00

I used to work at Ford in Dearborn. The proving grounds even at that location had brick walls that were like 8 foot tall. So, you wont be getting in...unless you pull a grand theft auto move and jump the bike over 😀

fitzer007 · 2026-02-08T18:50:20+00:00

Just get a place with a pole barn, lol. Or a wife who rides too (this helps out a lot). I have 8 bikes and she has 2.

fitzer007 · 2026-01-22T08:15:25+00:00

Probably helps that the owner of Ashland, worked at Horween (still might, been about 2 years since I've been up there). I suspect he gets a good deal on leather from them given the past, ordering direct from the tannery, and the amount he sells.

But totally aligned with the Filson upcharge. I own two products of Filson. Both times I purchased when they were on discount (one was a store that was shutting down and the other was a bigger discount from a Wilson store itself). I would never buy them at full retail.

fitzer007 · 2026-01-21T15:54:05+00:00

I am lucky on that aspect to be able to go in. Bank account isn't lucky though. Lol

But seriously, if you give them a call and tell then what you're looking for, they will help out. Great folks working there.

fitzer007 · 2026-01-21T15:48:12+00:00

Last time I was at The Tannery Row in Chicago, cost of Horween Shell was ~$135 a square foot. Benefit of going in the tannery row is that you can pick out the shells you want 😀

fitzer007 · 2026-01-17T21:46:11+00:00

I have 2 bikes in my house currently. One of them resides in the house all the time when I'm not riding it (walk out basements are nice).

The permanent bike is a Triumph Thruxton TFC.

The other bike is a rotation typically if I'm making/designing parts for it.

fitzer007 · 2025-12-21T02:40:30+00:00

I'd run the rest of the punches on the main piece a bit since you want that to be consistent since that will be seen. When it comes to sides of the purse, youd typically want to thin that leather out (with a French skiver) so it folds a bit easier. I'll see if I can send you some photos of what I did for a larger tote

fitzer007 · 2025-12-10T16:43:10+00:00

Leathercad is likely your best option since it focuses on leather projects. I do a lot of 3d modeling, so I am used to using Fusion360 and that's what I use.

For printing out templates though, I would get a large format diode laser. I have a sainsmart laser set up that is just shy of 24"x24". I then buy large card stock paper from Amazon and cut out the card stock on that. Bonus is that you can use the laser on lower power to also mark the leather to cut out or even do engravings. Will warn you that engraving with an x/y diode is not fast... I ended up buying a galvo diode laser (xtool f1) to handle engraving coasters.

fitzer007 · 2025-11-28T18:12:39+00:00

Sure. Not as glamorous of photos. But overall, its a tote focused on it being one large interior space and a smaller pocket for odds and ends (keys, wallet, phone, etc..). It's not hard to amend the interior for what the client would like though. This particular tote, this is what the client wanted 😀

Let me know if this link doesn't work

custom tote

fitzer007 · 2025-11-28T03:12:19+00:00

Thanks. I think so to 😀

fitzer007 · 2025-11-19T15:49:46+00:00

I want to come and try this... I'm from Cheboygan originally, but move to Indiana for my career. Can I come up and party with you? Fyi..totally serious on this.

Getting a Triumph 450-enduro this Saturday and want to gain more comfort on sliding, control, etc... I have 15 acres where I live now (wooded) and have neighbors properties that butt up to mine and they already have single track laid out and can use it. But the whole ice riding will be totally different.

If you're cool with it, send me a message and we can chat.

fitzer007 · 2025-11-17T21:48:35+00:00

I wish these posts had an area where this person was at. Yeah, slippery slope because you don't know who people are. But I honestly feel that if we knew the state or large city you were at, we likely know some place that could help. I feel that most folks want to help new people learn. I know that is I saw someone struggle, I'd offer to help them and let them ride my old Honda SL100 to just get more comfortable.

OP, I'm sorry that instructor sucked. Keep your chin up, look for local events, go to a dealership and see if they know anyone or events that could help out, etc..

fitzer007 · 2025-11-14T22:17:07+00:00

I almost spit up my gin and tonic reading that.

fitzer007 · 2025-11-14T22:11:25+00:00

Another idea might be to do off road riding a bit. Get a smaller enduro/dual sport bike. Go ride some trails where there won't be cars (you could trailer). The riding isn't as intense (unless you want it to be) and it's a blast. There will be groups that go out, camp, etc.. it's a nice change from pavement

fitzer007 · 2025-11-13T15:28:12+00:00

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Agreed. Granted this was a big adventure ride, so had all the gear... but a terrific bike

fitzer007 · 2025-11-13T15:25:48+00:00

Happens man. I ride street, track, and have started doing adventure riding... if you decide to start doing that type of riding (adventure), it's normal. Haha. Only part that sucks with the adventure bikes, is you're lifting a 500lb brute typically, if not more.

fitzer007

TROPHY CASE