[SantaCruzRider]

In Hawaii, where I rode for years, it was the “shaka” (pinky and thumb out) with hand extended out or down. Here in California, it seems to be mostly peace signs.

As long as it’s more than one finger, I’m happy.

[SantaCruzRider]

Not sure what the issue was with drilling, but usual cause of failure is not having the correct drill bit (need one for metal, not wood), starting with a bit too large or otherwise trying to drill on a surface that causes the bit to wander).

I’ve found success with the following method:
1. Go to the local hardware store and buy a screw-extractor. It’s basically a spiral bit that digs deeper as it’s turned counterclockwise.
2. Back at the bike, heat the screw up a little and then spray it with WD40 or some other penetrating oil.
3. Centerpunch a small divot in the center of the screw shaft — this will help provide a start for the drill bit. (You can probably use a thick nail for this.)
4. Start with a very small drill bit made for drilling metal and create a starter hole — (Metal drill bits are meant to cut slowly — so keep your drill on a slow speed. This also helps avoid breaking the bit off in the screw!)
5. Follow with a drill bit that matches the size indicated on the screw-extractor you bought — again, drill slowly.
6. Now insert the extractor and slowly extract the dead screw.

Best of luck

[SantaCruzRider]

Truth is that unless your parents currently allow/encourage such activities as: base jumping, car surfing or hunting while intoxicated – it’s unlikely that you will be able to find anything more statistically dangerous than a 17-year-old street riding. Perhaps competetive cheerleeding has a higher incidence of neck injury, but you’d need to research that.

I know that when I was your age, my parents were accepting of my having a muscle car (which I paid for), rock climbing 200-foot cliffs without adult supervision and surfing alone. But they forbid motorcycling. Part of the problem is that you rarely hear about or see people injured in these other supposedly dangerous activities, but we have all seen accidents involving motorcycle riders — so it hits home.

I’d be willing to bet that if someday you told your parents that you and some friends were going to ride your motorcycles to Seattle and base jump off the Space Needle, the response would be: “Please ride safe, wear your helmet and watch for crazy drivers… and call us when you get there.”

[Author]

Posts