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BANNING, CA - DECEMBER 8:  An emissions-produc...
Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The stories surrounding oil and gas as energy are on the rise. Right now all of America is captivated by the events of the gulf coast as a well spews hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil in the ocean each day. Just this week there was an Alaskan pipeline that was shut down to fix a leak. The most recent event happened close to home. On May 28th around 10:30, a tanker truck exploded traveling east on the 91 freeway as a result of a traffic collision. The driver of the big rig was try to avoid another collision when the weight transfer incurred from a sudden lane change sent the truck out of control. Running across the freeway the tuck sideswiped a Honda forcing it over the center divider which collided with two other cars. The tanker then fell on its side igniting its payload. Fortunately there were no fatalities in the accident.

Traffic was congested all over the south-land as people tried various alternate routes since the 91 freeway was closed in both directions. Even side streets were considerably crowded as motorists on overcrowded freeways had nowhere to go other than spilling onto local streets. What made traffic worse was the memorial day weekend motorists. The 91 freeway was closed from shortly after the crash until around 3 when westbound traffic was allowed to pass and a few eastbound lanes were opened around 7 as the additional lanes had to be repaired from the fierce blaze. Firefighters let all of the 8,800 gallons of fuel in the tank burn which took five hours as flames shot 100 feet in the air.

These recent incidents beg the question of whether or not current methods of energy are safe and whether alternate forms of energy are any safer. With thousands of animals and plants being killed by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill it may be time to consider whether, as a society, we are being good stewards with the natural resources we have been given and how our use of them is harming the environment around us. Is it acceptable to engage in an activity like offshore drilling which has resulted in the deaths of many animals considering the different spills over the year. More importantly the spills seem to get bigger as the years pass. Why with our increase of technology, are we not able to better contain spills therefore not doing as much harm to the environment? Or first of all, why are spills even occurring with our increases in technology? It is easy not to be immediately concerned about the livelihood of creatures in the ocean but more importantly are we putting people lives in danger by the energies we are transporting whether flammable or bio-hazardous? These are just a few things that responsible and environmentally conscious Americans should consider.

87 Red Honda Elite 250 Scooter 13K W.Shield/Trunk Good

On Wednesday February 13th, 2008, in eBay, Web, by Michael Watson
0

This 1987 Honda CH250 motor scooter offers economical transportation in a beautiful, convenient, easy-to-ride, low mileage vehicle. In the nearly 13,000 actual miles on the odometer, this scooter has averaged over 60 miles per gallon. The powerful 250 cc engine provides plenty of acceleration for riding in traffic. Operating the CH250 is extremely easy because of the automatic transmission that works without a clutch control. Give it the gas and it goes. Let up on the gas and it slows. Stop with the hand brake control and/or foot brake pedal. The scooter is a beautiful red. It polishes to a rich luster with shiny chrome, although the years have yielded some marring of the finish, chrome and trim (see photos). At night, the scooter is well lighted and visible.

The long padded seat can be raised for access to the fuel tank and two helmet hangers and is locked with the ignition key. The seat is shaped to accommodate a passenger who is also provided with fold-down foot rests and a padded backrest mounted on the trunk. The trunk is mounted on the chrome rear rack. Its main body opens with a latching lock. A second trunk entry is provided by a locked lid that uses the same trunk key. A vertical compartment is provided on the steering column for maps and tools and is locked using the ignition key. The 12 volt battery is accessible from the center of the floor and a trickle charger connection has been added. The trickle charger is included with the scooter although it is not mounted on the scooter.

The windshield fairing is clear and provides wind protection for the operator’s hands. The lighted instrument package contains the speedometer, odometer, trip odometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, oil change indicator, clock and clock controls. The clock battery needs to be replaced which requires some disassembly. The right handlebar provides the throttle, hand brake, emergency engine cutoff, and starter. The left handlebar provides the turn signal, hi/lo beam, and horn. When the ignition switch is off, the horn button turns on a convenience light for the ignition switch.

For parking, a side stand and a center stand are available. The foot pedal brake and steering can be locked for protection using a lever on the steering column.

svgallery=2008_01_08_Scooter_13k

87 Red Honda Elite 250 Scooter 7K W.Shield/Trunk Good

On Wednesday February 13th, 2008, in eBay, Web, by Michael Watson
0

This 1987 Honda CH250 motor scooter offers economical transportation in a beautiful, convenient, easy-to-ride, low mileage vehicle. In the nearly 7000 actual miles on the odometer, this scooter has averaged over 60 miles per gallon. The powerful 250 cc engine provides plenty of acceleration for riding in traffic. Operating the CH250 is extremely easy because of the automatic transmission that works without a clutch control. Give it the gas and it goes. Let up on the gas and it slows. Stop with the hand brake control and/or foot brake pedal. The scooter is a beautiful red. It polishes to a rich luster with shiny chrome, although the years have yielded some marring of the finish, chrome and trim. At night, the scooter is well lighted and visible.

The long padded seat can be raised for access to the fuel tank and two helmet hangers and is locked with the ignition key. The seat is shaped to accommodate a passenger who is also provided with fold-down foot rests and a padded backrest mounted on the trunk. The trunk is mounted on the chrome rear rack. Its main body opens with a latching lock. A second trunk entry is provided by a locked lid that uses the same trunk key. A vertical compartment is provided on the steering column for maps and tools and is locked using the ignition key. The 12 volt battery is accessible from the center of the floor and a trickle charger connection has been added. The trickle charger is included with the scooter although it is not mounted on the scooter.

The windshield is large and clear. The lighted instrument package contains the speedometer, odometer, trip odometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge, oil change indicator, clock and clock controls. The right handlebar provides the throttle, hand brake, emergency engine cutoff, and starter. The left handlebar provides the turn signal, hi/lo beam, and horn. When the ignition switch is off, the horn button turns on a convenience light for the ignition switch.

For parking, a side stand and a center stand are available. The foot pedal brake and steering can be locked for protection using a lever on the steering column.

svgallery=2008_01_08_Scooter_7k

94 Beautiful Green Goldwing 1500 SE 23K Runs Great

On Saturday February 2nd, 2008, in eBay, Web, by Michael Watson
0

This 1994 Honda Gold Wing SE motorcycle is a beautiful, low-mileage, top-of-the-line touring bike. With less than 23,000 actual miles on the odometer, this 1500 cc, 6-cylinder, luxury machine is in excellent condition and runs great with recently cleaned carburetors. The two-tone green exterior of the motorcycle glistens and polishes to a bright luster. The chrome sparkles and the bike still draws compliments from passing motorists and pedestrians.

The standard features of the SE are impressive and include cruise control, electric reverse, adjustable air suspension, fresh and warmed air ventilation, passenger intercom, CB radio, 25-watt am/fm/tape stereo, front and rear stereo speakers, lighted trunk, luggage inner bags for the trunk and side saddles, and more. The original tool kit and owners manual are secured in the left side saddle.

Added enhancements include floorboard shifter and brake, passenger communication control module, rear seat arm rests, smoke colored wind wings, cornering lights option switch, trunk side light strips, extra marker lights (fairing, trunk and tail), trunk rack and lower spoiler, lighted trunk mirror, freeway footrests, custom exhaust deflectors, battery trickle charger and a full rain cover.

Additional standard features of the 1994 SE include on-board air compressor for rear suspension and outlet, handlebar controls for stereo and CB, self-cancelling turn signals, direct driveshaft, headlight beam adjustment, folding antennas, seat cover for parking built into the rear seat backrest, windshield height quick-adjust, adjustable passenger floorboards, carpeted trunk and side saddles, and two helmet locks under the trunk.

While the Lexan windshield is clear, a non-obstructive crack extends downward from each side of the windshield ventilator. Two paint scrapes, one on each saddlebag, are the most significant mars on the finish. A small screw cover on the right side is missing. Also missing is a small trim strip on each side of the faring hidden by the wind wings. The grill behind the front wheel is cracked.

Three color matched Arai helmets with headsets come with the motorcycle, an XXL, a medium and a small. The XXL helmet needs a new pad in the top. The microphone attachment is broken on the medium and small helmets.

This is available on eBay: Item number: 260208891367

Pictures:

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