365 Group (f)
This past week work has been a real issue. Employee problems and all that goes with a forced change of personnel.
I was looking foreword to taking the weekend and maybe making a lazy trip down home and visiting with the folks and unwinding. Of course it didn't happen. Work followed me home.
I did manage to get a few things done in the way of parts for the old Yamaha. I'm tired of battling the Gremlins in the Carbs and since I cant find anyone to rebuild them for me or order the rebuild kits, I'm trying to order another set. I figure it wouldn't hurt to have a back up set in case this comes up again.
I spent most of yesterday, Saturday, on line with a place in Canada that sells kits and parts for these old bikes. Maybe they'll find something for me?
Around 11 am I jumped on the bike and decided to head out to a local BBQ place for some chow. It was close and is always good. The ride down was nice. Not too much traffic and air had a definite cool to it. One of those rides that you can just get lost in.
The BBQ place was jumpin when I pulled in. Place was packed! Seems that every one had the same idea for lunch. I managed to get to the counter and get a beer and waited. Finally a table opened up and I jumped it before they even got it cleaned off. I eat here a lot and the girls working there are always tickled with me. They cleaned the table and brought my order and another beer. All was good. I visited some with the manager as I ate. She said the place had been a zoo all morning long.
Walking out to the bike I had a couple on a Newer Gold wing pull up and ask if the place was any good. I told them I couldn't recommend it high enough, to ask for the manager and give her my name. That seemed to tickle them and they waited till I pulled out and took my space.
Pulling out on the four lane Traffic was bumper to bumper. A guy in an old pickup motioned me in otherwise I probably would still be setting there waiting. Funny how this end of town sometimes goes berserk.
Waiting at the light I looked around for the sport bike crew that blasted me about this same place a while back. I had been told that they prowled this end of town quite a bit. Not that I have anything against sport bikes. These guys are just down right nuts. No sport bikes and the light changed and I eased back toward the house. Again the traffic was light and everything just kind of clicked. Made me wish I could have gotten away like I had originally planned.
Tooling into town I was flagged down by one of the locals. He was wondering if I'd be interested in a motorcycle he had. A 1978 KZ 650. Said it needed some cosmetic work, side covers and seat and a few other things. Not really interested as money is tight right now, I asked him how much. When he said nothing I had to ask him again. Zero dollars. I had to ask, why are you giving it away? He said he thought I might could use it for parts. He didn't know anyone else that was into old bikes like it. Seems he works detailing houses for a local contractor. In one of the houses was the motorcycle. They told him to haul it to the dump. He said he wouldn't have a title for it. No problem. We'll just get the local police to look it over, run the VIN and if it's not stolen I'll do the lost title thing with the DMV. So now I have a new bobber project. Price was right. So right that I'll probably buy him a case of whatever he drinks. The good Lord always seems to keep life interesting for me as I go along.
Now I'm waiting on the police to get to it and back to hunting parts and, looking at Cats ride sitting in the drive. Wonder if she'd ever miss those little old side covers?
Catch ya on the road
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
8/21/09 Best laid plans...
365 Group (f)
I'm doing my part to bring the country out of this economic slump. I've bought so much carburetor cleaner lately that it has to have had a stimulating effect on things.
Today I decided to take the day off and make an all out effort at getting the Yamaha back on the road. I got a quazi early start at things. The pups were all worried that something was up, like a Vet visit, since I didn't go in to work. Once their fears were put to rest and they came out from under whatever piece of furniture they were hiding under they pitched in and helped me like they normally do.
Finally the sun came out and the dampness of the morning dried off. I made a little adjustment to the carbs on my old double barrel and fired up to a smooth low rumble. Man that's the way to start the morning. Glaspaks off an old truck help. I was even nice and didn't let my neighbors enjoy the sound of my bouncing down my driveway.
Pulling out on the street I headed into town to do my part to shore up the economy.
Man! It was such a nice morning. Temperature was just right and bright and clear. I was starting to have second thoughts about today and just riding off into the sunrise. I was late enough that there wasn't any morning traffic and I was able to really twist it up. The short ride into town was a blast. I got all my running around done and was heading back toward the highway when I was accosted by a bunch of sport bikes. You always hear how they sound like a heard of bee's... this was no exception. I heard a high pitched buzz and there they were screaming around all of us on both sides. They timed it just right and made the light. I don't think they even slowed. On a fairly busy city street the blew past me and the four wheeler traffic at what I guessed to be about a 100. Enough to spook ya on a lazy morning.
The ride back to the shop was a nice one. Still no real traffic. Again I had that ride off and forget feeling creep in. Such a nice day.
Pulling up to the shop I was suddenly hit with a big case of the lazy hinie. Just had a total lack of energy. I tinkered with the carbs a little and made a few notes on what I needed and spent the rest of my time visiting. It was a good day for visiting.
Since I didn't have the drive to really do anything I headed back to the house to work on some of my other projects.
Funny, I had made big plans, even to the point of taking a day off work, to get the bike back on the road. Guess it's just not it's time?
I managed to do about 150 miles and even got some of the smaller projects finished. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day as far as the old Yamaha. If not, well There is a lot to be said for visiting.
Hope to catch ya on the road
I'm doing my part to bring the country out of this economic slump. I've bought so much carburetor cleaner lately that it has to have had a stimulating effect on things.
Today I decided to take the day off and make an all out effort at getting the Yamaha back on the road. I got a quazi early start at things. The pups were all worried that something was up, like a Vet visit, since I didn't go in to work. Once their fears were put to rest and they came out from under whatever piece of furniture they were hiding under they pitched in and helped me like they normally do.
Finally the sun came out and the dampness of the morning dried off. I made a little adjustment to the carbs on my old double barrel and fired up to a smooth low rumble. Man that's the way to start the morning. Glaspaks off an old truck help. I was even nice and didn't let my neighbors enjoy the sound of my bouncing down my driveway.
Pulling out on the street I headed into town to do my part to shore up the economy.
Man! It was such a nice morning. Temperature was just right and bright and clear. I was starting to have second thoughts about today and just riding off into the sunrise. I was late enough that there wasn't any morning traffic and I was able to really twist it up. The short ride into town was a blast. I got all my running around done and was heading back toward the highway when I was accosted by a bunch of sport bikes. You always hear how they sound like a heard of bee's... this was no exception. I heard a high pitched buzz and there they were screaming around all of us on both sides. They timed it just right and made the light. I don't think they even slowed. On a fairly busy city street the blew past me and the four wheeler traffic at what I guessed to be about a 100. Enough to spook ya on a lazy morning.
The ride back to the shop was a nice one. Still no real traffic. Again I had that ride off and forget feeling creep in. Such a nice day.
Pulling up to the shop I was suddenly hit with a big case of the lazy hinie. Just had a total lack of energy. I tinkered with the carbs a little and made a few notes on what I needed and spent the rest of my time visiting. It was a good day for visiting.
Since I didn't have the drive to really do anything I headed back to the house to work on some of my other projects.
Funny, I had made big plans, even to the point of taking a day off work, to get the bike back on the road. Guess it's just not it's time?
I managed to do about 150 miles and even got some of the smaller projects finished. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day as far as the old Yamaha. If not, well There is a lot to be said for visiting.
Hope to catch ya on the road
Thursday, August 20, 2009
8/20/09 I got lucky, it was just another day in paradise
365 Group (f)
This morning the storm really hit. It had sort of been making little jabs here and there for most of the week. I woke about five a m or so to a real light show and lots of loud thunder. Looking at the weather map showed a big storm all across my part of the state. Should prove to be interesting as my car is back in the shop with an oil leak.
Doing all my morning running around, shower, coffee and all, it came to me, I left the bag with my rain gear hanging on the sissy bar. OUTSIDE...in the rain. Not good. Thinking about it I tried to get my pups to mount a daring mission and rescue my rain gear. For some reason they weren't too quick to pick up on this plan.
I finally couldn't put it off any longer and headed out to the bike. The rain had become light and my rain gear bag hadn't soaked up so it was all good. I ran back in and "laddie dahed" the pups. Putting on the gear I noticed they still didn't seem real interested. Radar did show a little interest as I was leaving. He raised his head and looked at me like he was glad all the commotion was over and he could get back to nap time.
Pulling out on to the street you could see the high water marks all along the ditches. It had really been a big rain. At the highway traffic was light and I opened up a little to shake the water off the bike. Seems it always runs a little better when it's good and damp. As I was hitting the end of town, at the cafe, I noticed all the regular "blowflies" were in place at the picnic tables. I get a big kick out of being their topic of conversation each morning.
I ran on up to highway speed and into Fayetteville, missing any real rain. Stopping at the bank I grabbed some gas money and hit back out into the heavy early traffic. Guess the rain had slowed every ones leaving time from home. It was bumper to bumper. That old pinball feeling was creeping back in as I inched along. Finally, after two closer than I like calls traffic started to ease a bit. It got down right livable as I hit the area between the cities. All along my ride in town I noticed where several wrecks had happened. Must have been a harder rain than I first thought.
I pulled into work and noticed that none of the "Bad Assed" bikers had ridden theirs in.
Guess that's a good thing? Shortly after I got in it started to pour. Hard rain for over an hour.
By lunch time the storm had moved on a little and the Sun was working it's way out. According to the weather map this afternoons ride should be a good one. Who knows, I may take the long way around again? Might even see another rider? Didn't see any on my way in.
Hope to catch ya on the road
This morning the storm really hit. It had sort of been making little jabs here and there for most of the week. I woke about five a m or so to a real light show and lots of loud thunder. Looking at the weather map showed a big storm all across my part of the state. Should prove to be interesting as my car is back in the shop with an oil leak.
Doing all my morning running around, shower, coffee and all, it came to me, I left the bag with my rain gear hanging on the sissy bar. OUTSIDE...in the rain. Not good. Thinking about it I tried to get my pups to mount a daring mission and rescue my rain gear. For some reason they weren't too quick to pick up on this plan.
I finally couldn't put it off any longer and headed out to the bike. The rain had become light and my rain gear bag hadn't soaked up so it was all good. I ran back in and "laddie dahed" the pups. Putting on the gear I noticed they still didn't seem real interested. Radar did show a little interest as I was leaving. He raised his head and looked at me like he was glad all the commotion was over and he could get back to nap time.
Pulling out on to the street you could see the high water marks all along the ditches. It had really been a big rain. At the highway traffic was light and I opened up a little to shake the water off the bike. Seems it always runs a little better when it's good and damp. As I was hitting the end of town, at the cafe, I noticed all the regular "blowflies" were in place at the picnic tables. I get a big kick out of being their topic of conversation each morning.
I ran on up to highway speed and into Fayetteville, missing any real rain. Stopping at the bank I grabbed some gas money and hit back out into the heavy early traffic. Guess the rain had slowed every ones leaving time from home. It was bumper to bumper. That old pinball feeling was creeping back in as I inched along. Finally, after two closer than I like calls traffic started to ease a bit. It got down right livable as I hit the area between the cities. All along my ride in town I noticed where several wrecks had happened. Must have been a harder rain than I first thought.
I pulled into work and noticed that none of the "Bad Assed" bikers had ridden theirs in.
Guess that's a good thing? Shortly after I got in it started to pour. Hard rain for over an hour.
By lunch time the storm had moved on a little and the Sun was working it's way out. According to the weather map this afternoons ride should be a good one. Who knows, I may take the long way around again? Might even see another rider? Didn't see any on my way in.
Hope to catch ya on the road
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
8/18/09 A good, slow, easy day.
365 Group (f)
These last few days have been more Bikin than Ridin, but, to quote a friend, "it's all good".
For the last couple of weeks I have been working on getting my Yamaha back on the road. I had high hopes in having this old bike back on the road fairly quickly but that hope has sort of fallen by the way side with a Gremlin living in the Carburetors. That and chasing down parts here and there with no real luck.
What riding I have been getting to do has been just locally, dodging the rain that seems to have made a come back.
This morning the rain woke me from a real nice deep sleep. From the sound of it coming down I figured I'd have at the very least a soggy ride into work. However, when I got out to pack up the bike, it looked more like a real heavy dew than rain.
Firing up I looked around for the newest addition to my "tribe", Radar. As of late he'd been splitting his time between being, almost too comfortable looking beside a big rock in the yard and roaming the country side. This morning he was roaming. I sat out a few crunchies for him and headed down the drive.
Out on the street and no traffic I opened the bike up. Having several errands to run before checking on work is always a good way to start the day. If I time it right all the places I need to stop at will have just opened and I'll not have to wait around.
My timing was good except for one small business. I was still ahead so it wasn't all that bad. While I sat on my bike in the parking lot waiting for them to open I heard the unmistakable sound of a Harley chugging my way. Looking out at the street I saw an old fire truck red Shovel head lumber into the parking lot. As it pulled up beside me I noticed that it had been well taken care of but not polished as most of the Harley's around my area are. The rider turned out to be the "lady of the shop" and the person I was looking for. I introduced myself and told her what I needed. We tended to do more bike talk than business. She was a real rider at heart. Her shovel belonged to her late husband. After he died she sold her bike and started riding his to kind of keep him around. Made sense to me. We chatted until I was dangerously close on time. In parting she asked if I went to either of the bike nights in the area. I explained that they had gotten sort of stale to me and told her of how my bunch used to pick a different place to eat and ride there once a week. She seemed to like the idea and I left promising to let her know when we started doing it again. Nice lady.
Pulling out in a gap in morning rush traffic I got up to speed and made work with about ten minutes to spare. Due to the early morning rains only two of us had ridden in. Through out the day you could see that a lot of em had wished they'd bit the bullet and rode. It turned out to be a great day. Work drug by as it usually does. Pulling out I fell in a line of quick moving traffic and was forced by my turn off. I decided to just go with the flow and we made all the lights all the way out of town.
As I left Springdale traffic thinned out and it was fun to jam down 412. I was having such a good ride that I took the long way and added 37 miles to my daily commute.
Pulling into the house Radar was back beside his rock. As I pulled past him he looked up like he was going to "bust a move". I guess he thought it over and decided to just settle back down. After my own heart.
It was an average day, by some standards not much of a day. But...the weather was great, the bike ran smoothly and I was riding it. I had a good ride. By my calculations it was a keeper
Hope to catch ya on the road
These last few days have been more Bikin than Ridin, but, to quote a friend, "it's all good".
For the last couple of weeks I have been working on getting my Yamaha back on the road. I had high hopes in having this old bike back on the road fairly quickly but that hope has sort of fallen by the way side with a Gremlin living in the Carburetors. That and chasing down parts here and there with no real luck.
What riding I have been getting to do has been just locally, dodging the rain that seems to have made a come back.
This morning the rain woke me from a real nice deep sleep. From the sound of it coming down I figured I'd have at the very least a soggy ride into work. However, when I got out to pack up the bike, it looked more like a real heavy dew than rain.
Firing up I looked around for the newest addition to my "tribe", Radar. As of late he'd been splitting his time between being, almost too comfortable looking beside a big rock in the yard and roaming the country side. This morning he was roaming. I sat out a few crunchies for him and headed down the drive.
Out on the street and no traffic I opened the bike up. Having several errands to run before checking on work is always a good way to start the day. If I time it right all the places I need to stop at will have just opened and I'll not have to wait around.
My timing was good except for one small business. I was still ahead so it wasn't all that bad. While I sat on my bike in the parking lot waiting for them to open I heard the unmistakable sound of a Harley chugging my way. Looking out at the street I saw an old fire truck red Shovel head lumber into the parking lot. As it pulled up beside me I noticed that it had been well taken care of but not polished as most of the Harley's around my area are. The rider turned out to be the "lady of the shop" and the person I was looking for. I introduced myself and told her what I needed. We tended to do more bike talk than business. She was a real rider at heart. Her shovel belonged to her late husband. After he died she sold her bike and started riding his to kind of keep him around. Made sense to me. We chatted until I was dangerously close on time. In parting she asked if I went to either of the bike nights in the area. I explained that they had gotten sort of stale to me and told her of how my bunch used to pick a different place to eat and ride there once a week. She seemed to like the idea and I left promising to let her know when we started doing it again. Nice lady.
Pulling out in a gap in morning rush traffic I got up to speed and made work with about ten minutes to spare. Due to the early morning rains only two of us had ridden in. Through out the day you could see that a lot of em had wished they'd bit the bullet and rode. It turned out to be a great day. Work drug by as it usually does. Pulling out I fell in a line of quick moving traffic and was forced by my turn off. I decided to just go with the flow and we made all the lights all the way out of town.
As I left Springdale traffic thinned out and it was fun to jam down 412. I was having such a good ride that I took the long way and added 37 miles to my daily commute.
Pulling into the house Radar was back beside his rock. As I pulled past him he looked up like he was going to "bust a move". I guess he thought it over and decided to just settle back down. After my own heart.
It was an average day, by some standards not much of a day. But...the weather was great, the bike ran smoothly and I was riding it. I had a good ride. By my calculations it was a keeper
Hope to catch ya on the road
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
8/10/09 We are back to rain again
365 Group (f)
Today was a slow day at work. Pay roll was really the only real reason to go in. I ended up killing the whole day with little odds and ends.
Finally it was time to leave and I jumped out into light traffic. I ran the side streets to the Parkway and ambled towards Fayetteville. I needed to pick up some flea stuff for my "hounds" and pay a couple of bills.
On my way to the bank I noticed that behind me was really a large black storm. Lightening strikes were everywhere. Ahead of me looked kind of dark. Thinking that I just might make it without getting wet I felt the first rain drops. That's what I get for thinking. I pulled into a white oak station and struggle into my rain gear. Pulling back out it still was only a drop or two here and there. Sliding in to the ATM I get money for the pups and hear some major thunder. This might get damp. I run up to the closest grocery store and head in. I was only in there about five minutes. Grab the flea stuff and a money order. Coming back out it was raining so hard I couldn't see across the parking lot. Since I already had my gear on I stepped out into parking lot and splashed to the bike. I guess it was really ready to go. Started at about a fourth of the way through the first kick. This made me feel good about it all.
I headed out of the lot to the highway and noticed a guy on a Suzuki coming out of a liquor store parking lot. Shorts and a tee shirt. Man he looked drowned.
We ran along together for a little while, until I got up to highway speed. I noticed him backing off more and more till he was just creeping along. Guess the rain was too much.
I ran the next 10 or so miles to the house without any trouble.
The storm really hit after I got inside. Man! It was a mess. Lasted most of the night.
Good rain gear is a must in Northern Arkansas.
Catch ya on the road
Today was a slow day at work. Pay roll was really the only real reason to go in. I ended up killing the whole day with little odds and ends.
Finally it was time to leave and I jumped out into light traffic. I ran the side streets to the Parkway and ambled towards Fayetteville. I needed to pick up some flea stuff for my "hounds" and pay a couple of bills.
On my way to the bank I noticed that behind me was really a large black storm. Lightening strikes were everywhere. Ahead of me looked kind of dark. Thinking that I just might make it without getting wet I felt the first rain drops. That's what I get for thinking. I pulled into a white oak station and struggle into my rain gear. Pulling back out it still was only a drop or two here and there. Sliding in to the ATM I get money for the pups and hear some major thunder. This might get damp. I run up to the closest grocery store and head in. I was only in there about five minutes. Grab the flea stuff and a money order. Coming back out it was raining so hard I couldn't see across the parking lot. Since I already had my gear on I stepped out into parking lot and splashed to the bike. I guess it was really ready to go. Started at about a fourth of the way through the first kick. This made me feel good about it all.
I headed out of the lot to the highway and noticed a guy on a Suzuki coming out of a liquor store parking lot. Shorts and a tee shirt. Man he looked drowned.
We ran along together for a little while, until I got up to highway speed. I noticed him backing off more and more till he was just creeping along. Guess the rain was too much.
I ran the next 10 or so miles to the house without any trouble.
The storm really hit after I got inside. Man! It was a mess. Lasted most of the night.
Good rain gear is a must in Northern Arkansas.
Catch ya on the road
Friday, August 7, 2009
8/7/2009 old bikes, hound dogs & radar love
365 Group (f)
I ride older, some would say worn out, bikes. They are mostly products of the late sixties to the early 80's. The stuff that I grew up with. Also, I was trained as a mechanic for the big four Japanese bikes. So I can work on them if I need to. Where I live there isn't anyone around at the shop level that seems to be able to do even the most minor thing to a bike that is any older than five or six years. "Cant get parts for those old bikes". Anyway, That's partly the why I do the older bikes.
My current favorite ride is a 1977 Kawasaki kz750 twin that I have "hacksawed" into a"real motorcycle". Due to it's age I have the opportunity to work on it quite often. I enjoy it, riding it or replacing the wiring that has worn through after only thirty two years. One thing about getting to work on it. It gives me an excuse for a ride. "Shake down". Gotta see if it's fixed.
With all that in mind let me tell you about Radar. Radar is an old hound dog. Mixed bred to the point he was just a hound. Tired looking and old when I first met him.
I was doing a "shakedown" ride after some late night work on my carburetors. I had decided to run over to my brothers place and pester him (drink his beer and let him feed me) for a while all under the guise of road testing my repairs. About half way over to my brothers place there is a brake check pull off that is real handy when one has had too many cups of coffee and is riding a twin from the seventies. I usually stop there either going or coming. As I pull in I notice an old dog laying beside the pavement. My first thought was it was road kill. I park and get off and notice that he's alive. Cool! There are a few houses in the distant area so I figure he's just taking a break.
While I was walking around a bit and attending to the coffee overload I notice the old dog sniffing around the bike. Finally he gets all sniffed out and lays down beside it. Looking him over close, I see he's a stray. You could tell that someone had taken good care of him until just recently. He was friendly enough and I figure probably,due to his age, someone hauled him out here in the middle of nowhere and dumped him. I looked through my bag and found a bottle of water and my travel cup. I filled the cup and set it back a ways from the road.
As I pulled out I felt a little sad for the old dog.
My visit with my brother went well and I killed most of the day with him and his family. On my way back to the house I kept thinking about the old dog at the pull off and wondered if he had been run over yet.
I had a great ride through the hills and my late night work on the carbs was holding up nicely. I was planning on a lazy ride, going all the way around Highway 16 back home. That was my plan. I remembered it as I dropped off the mountain on Highway 21. Oh well, this way I'll know if the old dog is still alive.
Pulling up to the pull off I see a mini van and a family but no old hound. Relieved in a way that he wasn't splattered all over the road I start to pull back out when I hear a real loud NO!! Looking over at the mini van I see both the parents shaking their heads in that way that only parents can. That way that lets you know that you've about got on the last and only good nerve they had left. I kind made a nosy circle back by the van to see what all the shouting was about. The two kids, a boy and a girl, maybe five or 6 years old, had found the old hound and had put him in the van and were wanting to take him home. The parents were having none of it. As I slowly rolled by the old dog jumped out of the van and came over to me. I stopped and before I knew it had his front paws in my lap as if to say HELP!!!!!!
Normally, I'm not a push over in cases like this, but for some reason this situation got to me. I talked with the parents and found out that they were going right by the turnoff I take back to the town I live in. I made a deal with them to haul the dog to where I turn off and I would take it off their hands. This seemed like it would keep the kids happy and I'd know the dog wasn't run over. (for some reason the thought of him being run over had been on my mind all day)
I pulled out ahead of them and let the hammer down so I could get there and be parked and have a plan all thought out by the time they got there. They were going to have to help me lose my mind once we got there.
Pulling over at the intersection I set the kickstand and waited. Half way hoping that the parents had changed their minds and were going to let the kids keep him.
They hadn't and pulled in beside me. Now my intent was to try and haul him the 10 miles to my place and load him into the truck and haul him over to a friend of mines place. She has a large farm and no matter how silly, loves me to death.
The dad said now what? I explained that I need him to lift the hound up and set him in my lap. Seeing a "your nuts" expression cross his face he lifted the dog up and on to my lap. While all this was going on I could hear their radio in the van playing Radar Love by Golden Earring. An old classic. Just like the dog.
The hound squirmed around and finally got situated. His butt on the tank and his head and front paws over my left shoulder. Kind of funny. He acted like he had done this before. Real relaxed, a natural born rider.
We took off. With "radar love" running through my head and the hound hugging me, I thought this has got to be one of the dumbest things I've done on a bike in a while. I wasn't even drunk. Nothing to blame it on. Still it was pretty cool. So cool in fact, I made a couple of passes through my small home town.
I pulled into my parking space at the house and the old dog jumped off and waited for me. I got off and started towards the house for the truck keys, he fell in beside me.
Grabbing the keys I called Sandy and told her I was bringing her a surprise and would be there in about half an hour.
My little Republican guard had done the mandatory "whoopin and hollerin" when I came in with a strange "new" dog. By the way it sounded you'd have thought their world had come to a violent end. All of a sudden it was quiet. Too quiet to be good. I ran out side and stood on the porch in shock. My little Republicans were all laying beside the old hound in the sunshine. All had a silly contented look on their faces.
I called Sandy back and told her I would be a little later than I first said. I had to come up with a name for a dog. She told me I was nuts and hung up. I'm going to have to take her to dinner and explain all this.
Thinking about it, that song was still running through my head, I decided I could name him Earring or Radar. Everyone seemed to agree that he was a Radar sort of feller. So we, my little Republicans and I offically named him Radar E.
I don't know who dumped Radar on the highway. People like that are one of the lowest forms of life I can think of. But I guess I owe them a thanks. I got a real buddy now. One that's always ready to go for a ride.
I'm hoping to spruce up and DE flea and get a few pictures of my new bud that I can add to this later.
Catch ya on the road
I ride older, some would say worn out, bikes. They are mostly products of the late sixties to the early 80's. The stuff that I grew up with. Also, I was trained as a mechanic for the big four Japanese bikes. So I can work on them if I need to. Where I live there isn't anyone around at the shop level that seems to be able to do even the most minor thing to a bike that is any older than five or six years. "Cant get parts for those old bikes". Anyway, That's partly the why I do the older bikes.
My current favorite ride is a 1977 Kawasaki kz750 twin that I have "hacksawed" into a"real motorcycle". Due to it's age I have the opportunity to work on it quite often. I enjoy it, riding it or replacing the wiring that has worn through after only thirty two years. One thing about getting to work on it. It gives me an excuse for a ride. "Shake down". Gotta see if it's fixed.
With all that in mind let me tell you about Radar. Radar is an old hound dog. Mixed bred to the point he was just a hound. Tired looking and old when I first met him.
I was doing a "shakedown" ride after some late night work on my carburetors. I had decided to run over to my brothers place and pester him (drink his beer and let him feed me) for a while all under the guise of road testing my repairs. About half way over to my brothers place there is a brake check pull off that is real handy when one has had too many cups of coffee and is riding a twin from the seventies. I usually stop there either going or coming. As I pull in I notice an old dog laying beside the pavement. My first thought was it was road kill. I park and get off and notice that he's alive. Cool! There are a few houses in the distant area so I figure he's just taking a break.
While I was walking around a bit and attending to the coffee overload I notice the old dog sniffing around the bike. Finally he gets all sniffed out and lays down beside it. Looking him over close, I see he's a stray. You could tell that someone had taken good care of him until just recently. He was friendly enough and I figure probably,due to his age, someone hauled him out here in the middle of nowhere and dumped him. I looked through my bag and found a bottle of water and my travel cup. I filled the cup and set it back a ways from the road.
As I pulled out I felt a little sad for the old dog.
My visit with my brother went well and I killed most of the day with him and his family. On my way back to the house I kept thinking about the old dog at the pull off and wondered if he had been run over yet.
I had a great ride through the hills and my late night work on the carbs was holding up nicely. I was planning on a lazy ride, going all the way around Highway 16 back home. That was my plan. I remembered it as I dropped off the mountain on Highway 21. Oh well, this way I'll know if the old dog is still alive.
Pulling up to the pull off I see a mini van and a family but no old hound. Relieved in a way that he wasn't splattered all over the road I start to pull back out when I hear a real loud NO!! Looking over at the mini van I see both the parents shaking their heads in that way that only parents can. That way that lets you know that you've about got on the last and only good nerve they had left. I kind made a nosy circle back by the van to see what all the shouting was about. The two kids, a boy and a girl, maybe five or 6 years old, had found the old hound and had put him in the van and were wanting to take him home. The parents were having none of it. As I slowly rolled by the old dog jumped out of the van and came over to me. I stopped and before I knew it had his front paws in my lap as if to say HELP!!!!!!
Normally, I'm not a push over in cases like this, but for some reason this situation got to me. I talked with the parents and found out that they were going right by the turnoff I take back to the town I live in. I made a deal with them to haul the dog to where I turn off and I would take it off their hands. This seemed like it would keep the kids happy and I'd know the dog wasn't run over. (for some reason the thought of him being run over had been on my mind all day)
I pulled out ahead of them and let the hammer down so I could get there and be parked and have a plan all thought out by the time they got there. They were going to have to help me lose my mind once we got there.
Pulling over at the intersection I set the kickstand and waited. Half way hoping that the parents had changed their minds and were going to let the kids keep him.
They hadn't and pulled in beside me. Now my intent was to try and haul him the 10 miles to my place and load him into the truck and haul him over to a friend of mines place. She has a large farm and no matter how silly, loves me to death.
The dad said now what? I explained that I need him to lift the hound up and set him in my lap. Seeing a "your nuts" expression cross his face he lifted the dog up and on to my lap. While all this was going on I could hear their radio in the van playing Radar Love by Golden Earring. An old classic. Just like the dog.
The hound squirmed around and finally got situated. His butt on the tank and his head and front paws over my left shoulder. Kind of funny. He acted like he had done this before. Real relaxed, a natural born rider.
We took off. With "radar love" running through my head and the hound hugging me, I thought this has got to be one of the dumbest things I've done on a bike in a while. I wasn't even drunk. Nothing to blame it on. Still it was pretty cool. So cool in fact, I made a couple of passes through my small home town.
I pulled into my parking space at the house and the old dog jumped off and waited for me. I got off and started towards the house for the truck keys, he fell in beside me.
Grabbing the keys I called Sandy and told her I was bringing her a surprise and would be there in about half an hour.
My little Republican guard had done the mandatory "whoopin and hollerin" when I came in with a strange "new" dog. By the way it sounded you'd have thought their world had come to a violent end. All of a sudden it was quiet. Too quiet to be good. I ran out side and stood on the porch in shock. My little Republicans were all laying beside the old hound in the sunshine. All had a silly contented look on their faces.
I called Sandy back and told her I would be a little later than I first said. I had to come up with a name for a dog. She told me I was nuts and hung up. I'm going to have to take her to dinner and explain all this.
Thinking about it, that song was still running through my head, I decided I could name him Earring or Radar. Everyone seemed to agree that he was a Radar sort of feller. So we, my little Republicans and I offically named him Radar E.
I don't know who dumped Radar on the highway. People like that are one of the lowest forms of life I can think of. But I guess I owe them a thanks. I got a real buddy now. One that's always ready to go for a ride.
I'm hoping to spruce up and DE flea and get a few pictures of my new bud that I can add to this later.
Catch ya on the road
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
8/5/09 Ironhead Sportster
This morning I was talking with a friend of mine about his newly arrived daughter, My Goddaughter if you will, and how he really should have named her after either of my bikes, "Miss Tilley" Or "Clemontine" or both "Tilley - Clemontine". For some reason he wasn't to quick to pick up on this deal. As I was explaining to him all the how comes and why fores we got off on bikes and riding here and there.
Anyway, as we were talking he told me that he wanted to sell his Sportster to try and offset some expenses. I guess having a God Daughter that I can spoil is costly these days? This about floored me! This old sporty is his pride and joy as far as his bikes go.
SOOOOO.....If anyone out there would be interested? 1972 Ironhead runs and looks great. Needs some minor TLC (according to the owner) He has just reuped the License and Insurance for this year. Clear title.
Drop me a note and I'll put you in touch.
Catch ya on the road
Anyway, as we were talking he told me that he wanted to sell his Sportster to try and offset some expenses. I guess having a God Daughter that I can spoil is costly these days? This about floored me! This old sporty is his pride and joy as far as his bikes go.
SOOOOO.....If anyone out there would be interested? 1972 Ironhead runs and looks great. Needs some minor TLC (according to the owner) He has just reuped the License and Insurance for this year. Clear title.
Drop me a note and I'll put you in touch.
Catch ya on the road
Monday, August 3, 2009
End of July 09
365 Group (f)
These last few days, the end of July have been on and off weather wise. Rain storms that have generally gotten in the way of riding much.
I have managed to spend quite a bit of time in the shop with my old Yamaha. I'm hoping to get it back on the road in the next couple of weeks. After sitting for nearly two years there are lots of little things that have cropped up. Fork seals, carbs, tires, etc. Just a real going over more than anything. With the help of a close friend I'm just taking it slowly, one thing at a time. Going over every---thing.
I have managed to get in around 350 miles over the weekend. Mostly local running around for parts and so forth. It has been a fun weekend, even with the rain.
I'm hoping that this coming weekend I can get out and meet up with some friends over in the Harrison area for a ride down south. Maybe spend a night or two at the park in Dardanelle and ride the area with them?
Catch ya on the road
These last few days, the end of July have been on and off weather wise. Rain storms that have generally gotten in the way of riding much.
I have managed to spend quite a bit of time in the shop with my old Yamaha. I'm hoping to get it back on the road in the next couple of weeks. After sitting for nearly two years there are lots of little things that have cropped up. Fork seals, carbs, tires, etc. Just a real going over more than anything. With the help of a close friend I'm just taking it slowly, one thing at a time. Going over every---thing.
I have managed to get in around 350 miles over the weekend. Mostly local running around for parts and so forth. It has been a fun weekend, even with the rain.
I'm hoping that this coming weekend I can get out and meet up with some friends over in the Harrison area for a ride down south. Maybe spend a night or two at the park in Dardanelle and ride the area with them?
Catch ya on the road
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