Ever have one of those weeks when the unusual things change a ride?
I rode with former BIL to lunch Monday on our 1100R...Helen had the seat in the lower position so I felt like I was on my Honda 350...but I digress
Upon coming back and pulling the clutch in to downshift for a turn off the highway, the lever bottomed out New clutch, cable and such about four years ago so was thinking "Oh Great". Was able to blip throttle and downshift into second for the last mile to house as I was able to turn left off highway with no traffic to stop me.
I got home, rolled her up on a lift and found the adjuster had backed out...luckily NOT falling off costing me some $$...easy fix, but still wondering why after four years it had worked itself loose...oh well...fix and ride on and luckily not when Helen was on it many miles away
Then yesterday, I ran into Austin to pick up some parts 50 miles away on the GSA. Tires about half life but getting a new set for the rally trip sitting on the shop floor. I had the cases off prepping for the pre-rally service which included my tire kit...you can see where this is going... I usually throw it on the bike I am riding...but didn't for some reason this trip.
Was running 70 down the north/south artery when I see a lot of debris in all the lanes and a few cars along the shoulder with flats already and traffic slowing...yeah, I was next. Felt the wiggle in the rear and chuckled as I slowed remembering where my kit was...Dangit!
Was able to exit and pull into a national chain tire store on what was a seriously flat tire to air up to what I was hoping was a small puncture. Was about three miles from dealer. It was a 1/2 gash just off the centerline. One of the older tire guys had one string plug, but no t-handle They were not allowed to plug anything and had to operate the air hose for me as well...liability issues of course.
I know the area as it was near my former office and knew there were no auto parts close...none of the customers had anything as well... the look of puzzlement when asking commercial truck drivers if they had a plug kit was equally amusing. I remembered there is a equipment rental place a few blocks away, so off I trekked to borrow the plug kit I knew they had to have. They did, and lent them to me with amazement that I was going to patch a motorcycle tire. Two of the young guys were sportbike riders and knew no one in town would touch it.
I was able to cram the string into the gash and make my way to the dealer with a slow leak. I bought another Stop-N-Go kit to leave on another bike in the future, which also now comes with a compressor, and after installing two plugs with no leak I took the slower route home stopping every ten miles to be sure. All was well and happily pulled into the house...just later that I had planned.
I will trash that tire now...was going to use it up after the rally. I surely hurt the cords and structure enough that it isn't worth an internal patch.
Anyways...the Boy Scout in me popped myself in the head for NOT being prepared this time...it happens!
Now if I can get the dang airhead's carbs adjusted...I'll go for a ride today as well.
I rode with former BIL to lunch Monday on our 1100R...Helen had the seat in the lower position so I felt like I was on my Honda 350...but I digress
Upon coming back and pulling the clutch in to downshift for a turn off the highway, the lever bottomed out New clutch, cable and such about four years ago so was thinking "Oh Great". Was able to blip throttle and downshift into second for the last mile to house as I was able to turn left off highway with no traffic to stop me.
I got home, rolled her up on a lift and found the adjuster had backed out...luckily NOT falling off costing me some $$...easy fix, but still wondering why after four years it had worked itself loose...oh well...fix and ride on and luckily not when Helen was on it many miles away
Then yesterday, I ran into Austin to pick up some parts 50 miles away on the GSA. Tires about half life but getting a new set for the rally trip sitting on the shop floor. I had the cases off prepping for the pre-rally service which included my tire kit...you can see where this is going... I usually throw it on the bike I am riding...but didn't for some reason this trip.
Was running 70 down the north/south artery when I see a lot of debris in all the lanes and a few cars along the shoulder with flats already and traffic slowing...yeah, I was next. Felt the wiggle in the rear and chuckled as I slowed remembering where my kit was...Dangit!
Was able to exit and pull into a national chain tire store on what was a seriously flat tire to air up to what I was hoping was a small puncture. Was about three miles from dealer. It was a 1/2 gash just off the centerline. One of the older tire guys had one string plug, but no t-handle They were not allowed to plug anything and had to operate the air hose for me as well...liability issues of course.
I know the area as it was near my former office and knew there were no auto parts close...none of the customers had anything as well... the look of puzzlement when asking commercial truck drivers if they had a plug kit was equally amusing. I remembered there is a equipment rental place a few blocks away, so off I trekked to borrow the plug kit I knew they had to have. They did, and lent them to me with amazement that I was going to patch a motorcycle tire. Two of the young guys were sportbike riders and knew no one in town would touch it.
I was able to cram the string into the gash and make my way to the dealer with a slow leak. I bought another Stop-N-Go kit to leave on another bike in the future, which also now comes with a compressor, and after installing two plugs with no leak I took the slower route home stopping every ten miles to be sure. All was well and happily pulled into the house...just later that I had planned.
I will trash that tire now...was going to use it up after the rally. I surely hurt the cords and structure enough that it isn't worth an internal patch.
Anyways...the Boy Scout in me popped myself in the head for NOT being prepared this time...it happens!
Now if I can get the dang airhead's carbs adjusted...I'll go for a ride today as well.