back in the saddle again

I had a fork seal leaking on the old gal. At 35 years old I guess it was time she started showing her age.
A friend help me refill the forks as a stop gap till I could manage to get new seals. That helped with the 'all over the road' feel in the ride.
My shop called with the seals and I took her over. I was expecting a couple of days at the most to be a "slave to the cage" as a friend put it. He kept saying "embrace the cage"
The next day the shop called and the lady says 'John, do you have another set of forks that would fit your bike?' Now I'm not a expert or anything but this did'nt sound in any way like a good thing. Come to find out the forks had worn in one spot to the point they broke. Yep, wasnt good. I had a set off an XS1100 that were close looking to the same size. I ran them over right fast in a double quick hurry. (We're in kind of an Indian summer feeling kind of weather right now. Perfect riding weather and I got nothing to ride. plus there was this voice running through my head saying 'embrace the cage') Ok, couple of days now and I'll be back on the road I'm thinking when the phone rings..."have you got anymore forks laying around?" The XS forks wont work. Like I said, I aint no expert, but anybody could tell this was just wrong. This weather is not going to last and I'm still walkin and that voice was getting louder.
Finally I broke down and got the forks off my parts bike, and hurried them over.
Looking at the caller ID on my phone I started getting nervous. This last set had worked and I could pick it up anytime.
I caught a ride out to the shop and got the low down on all that was done to the forks and steering neck. My bill ended up costing me a little more due to the extra labor involved.
I fired up and got out on the road. Let me tell you, words cannot describe the difference in the ride. At 85 miles per hour you can let the bars go and she just floats down the road.
The weather is still holding and I'm riding along without even the slightest thought of 'embracing the cage.'

In thinking about it all my friends are the real reason I'm not 'embracing the cage.' I thank you all. (God has blessed me with the greatest friends.)

And a big thank you to my mail order bride for all your help.

catch ya on the road