Parte 1: Restauracion de la 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD

Han pasado 7 años y muchas cosas han sucedido desde la ultima vez que escribi some el tema de restaurar una 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD clasica que compre en el 2019.

Esta semana pasada, finalmente transferi el titulo de la moto a mi nombre. Si todo sale bien, y no hay problemas con los documentos, en un par de semanas tendre el titulo nuevo en el correo. 

Esta vez, para no interrumpir el proceso de la restauracion, voy a tratar poco a poco ir mencionando el progreso de lo que he estado haciendo con la motora. Por ahora, los planes son de preparar la moto cosa que cuando la envie a Puerto Rico, se haga mas facil de trabajar en ella. 

A la semana de comprarla, tuve la dichosa suerte de encontrar en Marketplace de Facebook un Kerker 4-1 en excelente condicion, y practicamente casi regalado en Inglaterra. 

Esta tarde empeze a desarmar los carburadores, y ya mas o menos se las piezas que voy a necesitar para ponerla en optimas condiciones. Tan pronto la motora este en Puerto Rico, pienso inspeccionar y reconstruir el motor cosa de que quede nueva otra vez. Para ser una motora que ha estado guardada en un garaje por los ultimos 15 años, la moto se ve en muy buenas condiciones. Como dice el refran, "Roma no se construyo en un dia."

When The Past Meets The Present

The future is an unknown, but a somewhat predictable unknown. To look to the future, we must first look back upon the past. That is where the seeds of the future were planted. - Albert Einstein

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 and the Platypod Ultra

For the first time in a long time, yesterday I visited the garage storage unit where I keep my motorcycle to tryout a few GoPro mounts to see how each performs. This is also the first time that I have used the Platypod tripod in three different situations within a week. It performed flawlessly at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, at Elfreth's Alley last Wednesday, and at the garage storage unit yesterday afternoon.

The Platypod Ultra tripod is lightweight, compact and incredibly versatile. It is one of the best accessories additions to my camera gear. The phrase "never leave home without it applies here". It appears that the Telesin Windshield mount is the GoPro mount I am most eager to put to use. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of video footage it produces. 

This long weekend, the first Monday of September, serves as the unofficial end of summer. There are still plenty of riding opportunities near Philadelphia before winter arrives. I am looking forward to it. 

Elfreth's Alley and the Platypod

Elfreth's Alley is a National historic landmark street in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia, dating back to 1703. 

Yesterday morning I decided to visit Old City trying to capture a couple of pictures using the Platypod Ultra. It is one very crowded and busy street that attract lots of tourists. The historic landmark is labeled the “nation's oldest residential street". 

I knew the alley would be empty if I showed up very early in the morning. In less the 20 minutes I was able to take some pictures without any interruption. I went out for breakfast afterwards; and made it to my apartment before 8:30am. Mission accomplished! 

What A Difference A Hat Makes

One thing about digital photography that always amazes me, is how easily you can edit a photo taken several years ago, if there is something in it that you don't like. You can make some minor adjustments, edit the colors, add some new elements to it, and voila, it looks like a brand-new picture. 

Let me explain what I mean. This self-portrait picture was taken in 2018 after I attended an all-white theme birthday party in the Bronx, as you can see in the pic at the end of this blog post. I kept the image literally hidden in a flash drive. There was something about the white beret I chose to wear that night that I didn't like. The all-white suit was fine, but the white beret looked awful to me. In my opinion, the white beret hat ruined the picture.

Last night, as I was browsing at some of my old pictures, I decided to bring this seven-year-old image back to life. And if possible, maybe try to improve and restore it. 

I began by replacing the white beret with a Panama dress hat. I quickly realized that by just replacing the beret hat, the image became aesthetically pleasing. A simple hat replacement served as a fashion accessory that matched my personality. It is amazing what a difference a hat makes. 

The final touch was my decision to replace the jacket color. I admit that that's not my area of expertise, so I found a person online that does photo editing for a living, and he added a light blue color to the jacket for me. So, all it took to improve this old picture, was to replace the hat and add a different color to the jacket. 

I am extremely happy with the final result.

My Favorite Photo Shoot Location

For over ten years I lived in Brooklyn, New York. Twenty years after I moved out of Brooklyn and relocated to Pennsylvania, was the first time I visited the Brooklyn Bridge/DUMBO area. It also happens to be almost around the same time I purchased my first digital DSLR.

There is no coincidence that getting into photography, and visiting the Brooklyn Pier area had something to do with the other. I have visited the area dozens of times since then, always chasing the perfect postcard picture. 

The Brooklyn Pier area is my favorite photo shoot location, especially during sunset. I find the views of downtown Manhattan from Brooklyn to be iconic and truly breathtaking, particularly from DUMBO and the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. The Manhattan skyline view at night, is one of the best I have seen of all the cities I have visited. 

The other day I was thinking that it's been a year or two since my last visit to Brooklyn Bridge Park. It is time to start planning another photo shoot trip.

La Violencia Nos Roba la Juventud Puertorriqueña

¿Hasta donde va a llegar la criminalidad en Puerto Rico? Hay demasiada  violencia y criminalidad; es como si vivieramos en el tiempo de los vaqueros en el oeste salvaje. Hoy en dia muchos jovenes andan armados hasta los dientes.

Yaxier Medina Nieves, de 18 años, en posesion de un arma de fuego sin licencia, fue arrestado ayer por el asesinato de un veterano en Aguada. Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera, de 17 años fue arrestada ayer junto a su madre, acusada de asesinar con un arma blanca a otra joven adolescente de 16 años.

La violencia nos roba la juventud puertorriqueña, y lo triste es que no hay una estrategia de prevencion concertada. ¿Que nos pasa Puerto Rico?

Celebrate World Photography Day - August 19th

Today is a day to celebrate World Photography Day. It's a day for photographers, both professional and amateur, to share their work and passion with the world.

Siblings Throwback

Siblings Throwback 

When We Were Kids, And Life Was Simpler

El Baul De Los Recuerdos

Cuando Eramos Niños Y La Vida Era Mas Simple

Anecdotas De Mi Infancia : Rafael "El Jibarito" Hernandez Marin

Hoy, en uno de mis chinchorros favoritos en Filadelfia, ordene de almuerzo un plato de carne guisada con arroz blanco y habichuelas. De musica de fondo se escuchaba la cancion Lamento Borincano, escrita por Rafael Hernandez.

La cancion me transporto a el año 1965, cuando yo estudiaba 4to o 5to grado en la Escuela Franklin Delano Roosevelt en Mayaguez. Recuerdo que un dia, la maestra inicio la clase hablandonos brevemente de un ilustre compositor puertorriqueño llamado Rafael Hernandez Marin. A los 9 años, que era lo que yo podria tener en aquel momento, no tenia la mas minima idea de quien era Rafael Hernandez.

Despues de hablarnos sobre Rafael Hernandez, la maestra nos dijo que el ilustre compositor se encontraba enfermo en el hospital. Sin dar muchos detalles sobre su condicion, nos dijo que a ella le gustaria que nosotros le escribieramos una carta con palabras de aliento para desearle una pronta mejoria.

Que yo recuerde, fue la primera, y la ultima vez, que uno de mis maestros mostro empatia y compasion de tal manera en el salon de clase; y compartio ese sentimiento con nosotros los estudiantes. Ese dia tuvo un impacto positivo en mi. Y a pesar que han pasado 60 años, todavia esa anecdota esta conmigo.

Throwback Thursday - El Baul de los Recuerdos

El Baul de los Recuerdos!

Aqui comparto una foto de mi amada mami (QEPD), cuando todavia era una adolescente. Mami esta de pie en el centro vestida de azul claro. 

Throwback Thursday!

Photo of my late mother, during her teenage years. Mom is the teen standing in the middle, wearing the light blue dress. 

A Beautiful Encapsulation Of My Childhood

I was looking through my late mother's old photo albums at my sister's house, and found a treasure trove of old family pictures that I have never seen before. Almost immediately, to preserve the memories, I began to digitize some of the old photos for restoration.

If there was a picture that would bring back great memories and encapsulate the essence of my childhood, it would be this image. 

This picture is the epitome of my childhood growing up as a kid, when everything was seemingly perfect. In my opinion, and in my personal experience, the late 1950's was the greatest time to be a kid.

I was around 4 years old when this picture was taken. This photo evokes in me a sense of calm and feelings of nostalgia; and transports me back to the best, simple carefree days of my life.

Which is why I love photography so much, old family photos in particular. The power of photographs lies in their ability to transport us back in time, evoking memories and emotions that might have otherwise faded.

Que Viva La Corrupcion

La injusticia que ocurrio hoy en el tribunal de Mayaguez es un clasico ejemplo por el cual la corrupcion en Puerto Rico no se acabara nunca. La exdirectora de finanzas del municipio de Mayaguez, Yahaira M. Valentín Andrade, hoy fue sentenciada a cumplir tres años en probatoria y  pagar una multa de $600 trapos de dolares por malversacion de fondos.

Valentín Andrade aceptó culpabilidad de desviar $9.8 millones destinados al Centro de Trauma de Mayagüez. Mientras tanto, nunca se pudo verificar el paradero de $600,000 dolares transferidos a un banco de España, y 71 otras transferencias, por $380,000 a otros destinos.

Tres años de probatoria y  pagar una multa de $600 trapos de dolares. La culpa la tiene el masoquista pueblo de Puerto Rico, que año tras año continuan dandole el voto a los mismos partidos corruptos que nos han llevado a la quiebra. Los rojos y los azules son lo mismo, de un pajaro las dos alas. Que viva la corrupcion; el crimen si paga.

Stay Busy

During last Saturday Health Center anniversary celebration, on three separate occasions ex-co-workers suggested to me to stay busy during my retirement. I replied with a little humor, "if I wanted to stay busy, I will still be working at the health center".

El sabado en una actividad social que fui invitado, tres diferentes ex-companeros de trabajo al enterarse que me habia retirado, me recomendaron que me mantuviera ocupado. De broma les conteste que "si yo quisiera mantenerme ocupado, todavia estaria trabajando en la clinica".

Mas Vale Prevenir Que Tener Que Lamentar (Blurry Pictures)

Anoche cometi el error de pedirle a una persona que tomara fotos de grupo en una actividad que me invitaron en el Museo de Arte en Filadelfia. Casi todas las fotos de grupo que tomo la persona quedaron inservibles. Trate de arreglar algunas fotos, pero es impossible. Perdi una gran oportunidad de utilizar el Platypod en esta ocasion.  

El Museo de Arte en Filadelfia es uno muy interesante, pero prefiero no ir porque prohiben usar el tripode para estabilizar la camara. En el pasado me ha pasado este problema en otros eventos o actividades. Bueno que me pase por no aprender la leccion; mas vale prevenir que tener que lamentar.

Taking A Gamble With A GoPro

After procrastinating for months, I finally decided to bite the bullet, and ordered a used GoPro Hero9 Black on Ebay. The pictures that were included with the ad shows a camera in what appears to be pristine condition. I realize I may regret this purchase, especially after reading so many complaints about the newer cameras. And it doesn't help that my old trusty GoPro Hero4 Silver has been reliable throughout the years. But, sometimes in life I guess we have to take a gamble.

The reason for this sudden decision is twofold:

1) My old trusty GoPro Hero4 Silver does not have Linear Mode, Horizon Leveling or Hypersmooth 3.0 stabilization, which I would like to have for my motorcycle rides. It cannot capture RAW images either.

2) The price was dirt cheap.

The GoPro Hero9 Black camera comes with a charger, two batteries, a SanDisk Extreme 256GB memory card, a case, and several mounts. For now, I am not interested using the MediaMod, since I prefer to use a Zoom recorder with an external microphone. This has been my preferred method to record sound for years.

I plan to use "this new-to-me" camera primarily for some of my basic hobbies like, motorcycle rides, kayaking and snorkeling. Nothing fancy.

Once I put this camera to the test, I'll hope to write an updated review. Never say never, but for now I am not interested in the Insta360 or the DJI Osmo. At least not yet.

GoPro Clickbait Nonsense

Just spent over 12 minutes watching a useless "clickbait" video about GoPro major fatal flaw. The video start by mentioning that since the very beginning, there is a flaw in every single GoPro camera ever made. 

To put this blog post in context, for the last several weeks I've been seriously considering upgrading my Gopro and getting a GoPro Hero13; the one with all the new bells and whistles. Which is why I decided to watch this video. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with my GoPro Hero4 Silver. It works flawlessly during snorkeling, kayaking and motorsports.

The fatal flaw is not even mentioned until the last few seconds of the video that I just watched. It took him 12 minutes to get to the point. During the first 2 seconds, he could've just said that the fatal flaw about GoPro is the overheating and be done with it. Not to mention, the video also included a sponsored ad about some product unrelated to GoPro. 

I guess this is the new norm. Content creators with professional looking videos, and lots of ads and blah content. All fluff, no real answer to their own question.

Photo Dump - May 2025

This Photo Dump is a random collection of photos shared on some of my other social media accounts, without a specific narrative or story connecting them. They are shared in no particular order. 

Kayakeando en el Rio de Guajataca en Puerto Rico

Hace un par de dias encontre unas cuantas tarjetas de memoria de mi camara GoPro en un bolso, con fotos de cuando fui a kayakear a el Rio Guajataca en Quebradillas, Puerto Rico. 

Desde que descubri el deporte del kayak, trato de practicarlo en aguas tranquilas ya que todavia no soy muy diestro en este pasatiempo. Lo mas que me gusta de kayakear es el explorar la naturaleza, a la misma vez que es un pasatiempo bastante relajante y me ayuda a reducir el estres. 

Hace unos meses conoci un aficionado a las motos Triumph en el taller de motoras de un amigo en Cabo Rojo. Cual fue mi sorpresa cuando me entere que Gary tiene mucha experiencia con kayaks, ya que ha participado profesionalmente en el deporte en Puerto Rico y lo practica a menudo para mantenerse en forma. Las veces que he abordado el tema de los kayaks con el, me ha proporcionado consejos utiles que estoy seguro en algun momento utilizare.