10/10/14

  I had a temporary need a while back to carry some little odds and ends on a sort of  daily basis. While roaming around the Farm / Ranch supply I found these. As I looked at them it prompted a buddy to blurt out at the top of his lungs... "YES FRIENDS, FOR 15 DOLLARS AND CHANGE YOU TOO CAN JOIN THE BAGGER NATION."

Which prompted me to say, "can you loan me twenty, I'm a little short?"  You see how it all worked out.

  catch ya on the road
 

10/9/14

  Gun running through the hills of Northwest Arkansas....

 

catch ya on the road

11/2/2014   PROJECT UPDATE

 Before I retired I picked up an 85 Yamaha 750 Virago from one of the guys I worked with. He had bought it out from under me around fifteen years ago from another coworker. Over the years I had given him a bunch of good natured teasing about it because I never saw him ride it nor did he ever talk about it. I just figured he wrecked it and let it go at that. He would say it was still around and that he "needed" to get it going.
 One day out of the wild blue he showed and said that if I wanted the bike to come get it. He'd just give it to me to get it out of his way. A buddy offered his trailer and we went to see if it was worth hauling off. Once we got there I was shocked to see that it was in REALLY GREAT shape. From what I could get out of him it had sat most of the time he had it with the carburetors off, He had taken them off to rebuild them and couldn't get them to go back on. Over the years he had hinted how hard they were to get on but never really came out and said anything.
   

     We loaded the old bike and headed to the house where we dumped it off at the Cline Motor works R & D   shop and promptly got busy doing other things.
    A few days ago I was at the shop poking around and looked it over. I had managed to get the carbs back on and was wondering about if it would even fire. I rigged up a gas feed from a milk bottle to feed it and put a battery on it, hit the starter and it fired! Fired up and ran after 13-15 years sitting in an open air shed with the carburetors off. I was impressed. It didn't sound rough it sounded pretty good, smooth except for the hollow pipes the original owner had cobbled up. I was impressed.

There wasn't to much left to do other than the clean up. Seems that sitting for so long a lot of grass and leaves had piled up on the exhaust pipes. They burned off and it looked like for a little bit that I was burning the shop down. Smoke was everywhere. (lol.... had the neighbors looking and wondering. )
  The only other problem that I found was a couple of small holes in the gas tank. A dab of JB Weld and we're almost in business. Got lots of clean up to do and an inspection of the wiring harness to make sure. Should all be "Peaches & Cream" in a couple of weeks.

catch ya on the road

9/24--27/2014


 The annual Bikes, Blues and BBQ Motorcycle rally was this week. I spent the week seeing it from all sides since it is in my back yard, so to speak and I finally had the time off to go and spend some time.
 The bikes began building up on Wednesday on the main drag, Dickson Street, around the local bars and night clubs. Not too much through the day as the town doesn't really gear up till the end of the week. From all that I heard the local campgrounds and motels were filled by the first day.
  It was really hard to gauge the amount of people that were showing up this year, there wasn't a lot of bike traffic on area roads compared to previous years.   This years rally was spread over a large area to relieve congestion and I"m sure the attendance numbers that are reported will be bigger than years past.
  I had the new "boss" wandering around with me after she was done with work each day.

That was a lot of fun. This was the first rally she has been to and says she had a blast.
 (maybe I can talk her in to going again?)

  The rally sponsors a beer garden with live music and it stayed packed to standing room only after the sun went down.

The vendors were out in force and you could find barbeque just about everywhere. Some of it was actually pretty good.
 As the week progressed the bikes piled in and it took on the air of an actual bike rally.

This years rally was a lot of fun and it had a little something for everyone that showed up. (even us old guys.)

         

  Some of the sights were easy on the eyes  while others, not so much... lol.

Better than all that, the best part of Bikes, Blues & BBQ is the area roads. Lots of twisty mountain roads with some really great scenery, all in a real laid back part of the world.

 Looking forward to next year.

  catch ya on the road

9/15/14

 Today was a good day for bikin...not necessarily for ridin as it started out raining.

  The new old girlfriend had some last minute work to catch up for her business so I spent the morning taking stock of what I needed to repair/replace on my two main rides. My seat cover repair from back at the start of spring had finally let go. A longer throttle cable was needed for the Schwinn high rise handle bars. Finding a seat wasn't a problem as Ebay is littered with them. All I had to do was wade through nine thousand pages of seats... I use the Bates solo style and it only took a few minutes to see that they had gone up in price.
  The gal friend came back to the office about the same time I found the seat and agreed that they were high. I put my seat search on hold and we headed out to the tourist town of Eureka Springs. Not a bad little place, loaded with junk and gift shops. Plus a bunch of good places to eat,
  Last trip we hit the down town part of things so this time we decided to look around along the highway. Surprisingly I found a couple of small mom -n- pop type motorcycle shops. The first one catered to the bikers that were passing through and really didn't have anything for older bikes. The second however was a dream. They had most of the old bikes I had had and lusted after in my youth. Bridgestone's, Honda's, AMF Harleys....They were all there. All appeared to be 100 percent. I spent several minutes drinking it in and showing the different ones to the gal friend and explaining a misguided youth on two wheels.
  Once I finally made it inside I found all kinds of parts that I could use. One of those places your always looking for. As I ambled around looking at everything the gal friend found me a seat. Just like I had set up to order from Ebay. All told it actually came in cheaper. Yep! Miss Tilley is sporting a new seat.

  Have plans to run back over later in the week as they also make cables to length.
  We found a decent restaurant and had an early dinner. On the way home we discussed something....I'm sure we did. Anyway, she said she had a good time looking through junk shops and chasing bike parts. (Think I may have a keeper here?)
  Like I said today was a good 'bikin' day.

  catch ya on the road      

9/4/14

 Retirement finally got here with all the fanfare you'd expect. Friday August 31, was my last official day. I was about as ready to go as a person can get.
  These last few days I have been making an effort to settle in to doing nothing. So far it's working. I am back to doing some riding again and that always feels good.
  Yesterday I took a trip to get out of the house and just ride. I headed east away from the town traffic and got on the new highway. Once there I could open up and let the old bike run a bit. It was good to just sit and listen to the engine hum. About thirty five miles in I got off the highway and started through the mountains. It was a good morning for riding, the Sun was out and the air was cool.  As I got into the mountains I noticed a wobble and quickly wrote it off as the rough, cracked road I was on. It was noticeable though and stayed with me after I got off the rough roads. After about seventy miles I decided I needed to check it further . I made a detour to my bothers place and his shop. At a small crossroad on the way to my brothers a group of seven bikes blew passed me. They were heading my way and really hauling it. I pulled in behind them and followed a pretty fair speed. I wasnt sure with each curve if  "Clemontine" would hold together. I grew up on these roads and the curves. They aren't really for the faint of heart rider. Watching the group ahead of me I was impressed. They were either very accomplished or very lucky. At a small hilltop gas station, a wide spot between two good curves literally on a hilltop I got to get a good look at the riders I had been following. As I rounded the curve they were stopped dead in both lanes. I was moving along pretty go so when I started gearing down and they heard and saw me coming up on them, they all literally jumped off their bikes and pushed them out of the road. I kid and talk a lot about posers, those however were the first actual ones I've ever seen. They were the real deal.
 I made it on to my brothers shop and we looked over the bike from front steering bearing to tail light without finding anything. That left rider error. Satisfied I visited some then headed back to the house. Still thinking about the way the bike was riding I stopped off and rechecked my tire pressure. At about twenty five miles, as I was going down the mountain, it started again and seemed to get worse the farther I went. I limped it along through the valley and finally it got so bad I pulled over to 'FIND' the problem. Sure enough I found it. Back tire was flat. Now here I am about forty miles from home, in a valley with zero cell service. I was pretty much stuck with one option and I sure didnt like that plan. Walking hasnt appealed to me in years. I finally decided that a plan B was needed and figured out I needed to flag some one down and ask them to call my brother. Several cars and even a few bikes passed by but none even slowed down a couple even sped up as they passed. Finally a Forest ranger stopped and agreed to make a call for me when he got back into a service area. Soon after a guy driving a tractor stopped and promised he call for me as well. I could hear the Calvary coming. All would be good. My brother showed up ready to change the tire along side the road. Turns out it was a leaking valve core. All tightened up and aired up and back on the road in only three hours.
 I rolled into the house fed the pups, said howdy to my bird Woodrow and checked on everything then headed out to dinner. I got back in a couple of hours later to find my bird had died. That was kind of a shock. Just two hours before he was singing and dancing like he always did. That hurts! He was my buddy. He was with me through all the cancer crap and everything I got into. He was the perfect partner. I dont know but I think he was 15 years old. I not sure how you translate that to horse-dog years but everone says that was old for him. Guess his heart gave out? I'm really going to miss him.
  So the day wasnt the greatest. Hopefully tomorrow will be better and I can get in some miles without problems or folks dying.

 catch ya on the road   

8/23/20014

 Today begins the count down in earnest. Five working days left. Retirement from a career that has made it thirty seven years.   Doubt it will matter to anyone in a hundred years.

 This last couple of months have been busy with a little bit of everything getting ready for my upcoming becoming a bum.
 I have finally came to terms with the fact that I only ride. Sold my "hoover-round!" A neighborhood kid needed a first car. So I fixed him up. Really miss that little car.  Now all I have left is an worn out old motorcycle or seven. Any way the new employer/business partner seems to think it's OK.

 I have been herding Clemontine up and down the road since her return from Texas. I have about got all the little issues worked out making her as dependable as when I first bought her seventeen years ago. Like the other gal in my life "miss tilley", it's a work in progress. 
 I'm planning to get back into traveling around the country and dabbling in photography. Don't that sound "special?" 
 Now that you have all the news you just cant live without..... don't you just feel better?

 Hope to catch ya on the road

7/19/2014

Today's ride started out to be a good one. The weather was perfect for putting on the miles.  Moderate temperatures always help.

  I have been working out all the little kinks in Clementine since I got her back from Texas. Today was going to be a major test run of about three hundred miles. Things didn't go my way so my test run was only to work. But what a ride it was....  The biggest starter issue seems to be all worked out and it's more or less leaving me with a feeling of "yeah it's going to work when I want to go." 

 The speedo and all the other little gremlins seem to finally be holding together. So a couple of oil weep issues and we'll totally be in business.

  Maybe a ride tomorrow will work out? 

  Catch ya on the road

So far the summer has been really good.

 The weather has been just about perfect for riding.
 Mostly my rides have all been local but fun just the same. As I have said before there is a lot to be said for riding to do your grocery shopping or buying a new weed whacker. The list of errands to run is endless and the roads here are just the right mix of hills and curves.
  Also, I've been spending quite a bit of time working closely with the new boss on new projects and am actually getting a few things done. I'm even considering a new ride. Maybe something large and obnoxious. .. like a Goldwing bobber?
  My kickstart training class is in full swing. Most don't get it but I'm trying to keep an almost lost art alive. It's a simple program. You come by my house in the morning before I go to work and kick on Miss Tilley until she fires up. I come out and pat you on the back and let you know what a wonderful job you've done. This class is especially effective for me in the winter. So if you think you'd like to learn an almost art, we still have openings. .. operator's are standing by to take your call.
 Tomorrow is going be a productive day.  Heading out to get the doctoring process restarted and take a few pictures along the way. It's supposed to be a grand day with the promise of sunny miles.

 Catch ya on the road

7/5/14

After spending a few weeks on rearranging things at the house and getting Clementine back home I'm about ready to get back to riding around as per usual.
 I just got word that my boss crashed her bike. Apparently a car pulled out in front of her. She's OK and now fully understands the term "road rash."
All in all, I think it's going to be a great summer


Catch ya on the road

April 21, 2014

     My brother-in-law called and said he was riding up from Fort Worth to visit mom.  He has a newer Harley-Bago that he was itching to get out and ride.  Sounded good to me and I arranged to take the coming Friday off to go down and visit.

     My ride over was a good one.  The temps are getting warmer and it went quick.  I pulled in and parked next to Harley's offering to the world of motorcycling and got in a few jabs at my brother-in-law about how his Winnebago was missing most of it's wheels.  We visited for a while and decided to make a run through the hills.  We managed about a hundred miles in really great weather.  The traffic was light and the roads were fun.  I headed back to the house and a really good ride.  It was just a great day for getting out and putting on the miles.

     On Saturday I spent the day working on a couple of project bikes.  I actually made some progress on one of them.  The other not so much.  I'll have to get it to the shop where they have more specialized tools.  I made arrangements for the shop and call Saturday a day.

    Sunday I gave mom a call to check on her and see how she was holding up under a house full of visitors.  I also wanted to find out when my brother-in-law Ray was heading back.  Mom said she was doing pretty good but Ray was going to be staying for a while.  Ray got on the phone and explained that he'd went out riding and managed to roll his Ultra Classic.  Nine broken ribs.  One broken ankle and several staples in his head.  Apparently Ray forgot that the curves here are a tad bit different than what he was used to in Texas.  The next morning I saddled up and headed down to moms to check on everybody in person.  This just seemed a little wild to me for some reason.  I had a good run through the hills and even managed to stop and visit with my Norton riding Doctor. 

     I pulled into moms drive and saw quite a sight.  On one hand a regular sight in this area....Harley on a trailer.  On the other hand I can't remember ever seeing one of Rays bikes on a trailer.  Or all torn up either.  From the looks of things most of the damage was cosmetic.  I looked it all over and there didn't seem to be any damage to the bike itself.  From the looks of everything the crash bars and saddle bags took the most of the wreck.  From what I could find out from a couple of shops in the area and different people, probably around $10,000 in cosmetic damage and shop time.  I didn't get to see Ray as they had taken him back to the hospital for further checking.  I visited with mom and then headed back to the house.

  

     This early spring in the hills makes for some great riding.  People come from all walks of life to vacation and ride through our mountains.  They create memories that last a life time on a motorcycle....Just like my luck as hell brother-in-law Ray.

remember the next ride is just a kick or two away....

April 7, 2014

     I walked out this morning to light rain.

     It was supposed to be rainy off and on all day today.  The temperature was about as good as it gets.  Somewhere in the middle 40's early and in the middle 60's later in the day.  The bike didn't give me too much trouble and before I knew it I was bouncing along like normal.

     The trouble with days like this isn't the bike and all that "two wheels vs four wheels" junk you always hear debated.  It's the people with the four wheels and their lack of general intelligence.  They tend to drive like they do everyday and that causes issues for people like me that don't drive at all.

    This morning I was lucky as I hit one of those spots in traffic where there wasn't anyone on the road but me for the first four miles or so.  I had a local that knows me pull up behind me as I came up on my turn off the highway.  Coming up on my turn off I looked back and saw their signal light come on.  I made my turn and they honked and went straight.

     I dodged the rain along my route to work and really enjoyed the ride.  The best part was just feeling of riding a good ride.  Cool, damp and the bike purring with no hiccups.

     I got a few looks from folks safely tucked in the cars at traffic lights.  Always do when it's the least bit cool or damp.  At one light a lady in a car beside me made gestures like it was cold.  I looked  at her, grinned and patted my back seat.  She cracked a large smile and shook her head no.  I could see in her eyes, she did think about it for a brief second.

     Riding in this area is a lot of fun.  You can manage to ride most of the year if you really want to.  There is a down side to it though.  Seems that there always is.  A man that worked at the sister operation to the one I work at hit a gravel patch on a curve and flipped his bike.  He was 56 and really enjoyed riding.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

     My ride back home was just as good.  Dodged rain and just enjoyed it.  I hope that tomorrow is as good.

catch ya on the road

April 6, 2014

     Sitting here in the nerve center of Fort Awesome wondering if the weather is ever going to get warm enough to rip around the country without a jacket.

     Today is overcast and much cooler than yesterday was.  I managed to get a few things done to my bikes yesterday.  I got a makeshift cover done for the seat and started on trimming down signal light stems to replace the missing front ones.  That in its self has turned out to be more of a job than I first thought.  My tubing cutter doesn't go deep enough so those smooth cuts I had envisioned will just have to end up a little ragged.  I have maybe located all the things I need to put the magic push button back into play.  If the weather had held I could have run through it and maybe been leading the life of luxury with a shiny hardware store push button.  Ahhhh well, the next ride is just a kick or two away.

     As soon as the weather gets steady I have a couple of projects bikes to get stared on.  One in particular is a special project, an 85 Yamaha Virago 700, as I had waited 15 years to get it.  Now that I have another special reason in a daughter to fix it up for.  She's even said she wanted to help with it. Can't beat that now can ya?

     Today hasn't been a total loss.  There are parts to hunt and a few miles to get in here and there.  Who knows I may even get lucky and find everything on my list.  That would be nice, just put it all together and let her start riding.

catch ya on the road

April 5, 2014

     My solo seat on my daily beater has started to show it's age badly.  After looking around locally for a replacement without any luck I started thinking of a temporary cover till I could come up with one.

     Since the seat is always exposed to the weather I don't really put a lot of expense into it.  This last one was only $9.99 and shipping from E-bay.  Anyway looking around I found an old canvas money bag from a vending company.  The seat appeared to be about the same size as the bag.  I pulled the bag on the old seat and it made a tight fit.  A few zip ties took out the slack and I had a pretty decent looking seat again.  Looking around again I found a new can of scotch guard stuff.  Three treatments of the stuff made for a nice water repellent solo seat again.  The best part of the whole thing is the seat rides like it always did.

  Since I already had everything it really didn't cost me anything so the price was right.  The down time was about an hour and since I'm riding it full time while Clementine is vacationing in sunny south central Texas, that was pretty alright too.  My pups came by and sniffed the whole process and not one of them acted like it was a fire plug (I took that to as a good sign) so I'm happy with the whole thing.

catch ya on the road

April 4, 2014

Sitting here with Woodrow listening to Jeff Healey's Roadhouse Blues (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acD6Yy_FeDk) and reflecting on my Texas trip.  I had a blast!

     I had around 700 miles in the wind, cold and rain at 70 mph.  It was one of my better rides.  Clementine ran great (even with an oil leak) for a stock 32 year old motorcycle that some misguided folks mistakenly call a rat bike and made it a good trip.  281 through Texas was fun and nothing like I remembered the area from the early eighties.  Divided highway, 70-75 mph speed limits, 40 to 60 miles between towns and hardly any traffic.  It was good.

     The best part was in Blanco, TX.  The current girlfriend met me there and I met a beautiful redhead there that I fell in love with on sight.  It really worked out.  They both took me home with them and that's where I met the gorgeous blond where again I fell in love on sight.  As it worked out I spent the weekend with a trio of "hotties" and had a blast (I know, I'm a lucky hound dog)

My pit crew

     Since Clem had a pretty good old oil leak going and the parts I needed to fix it was back at my house it was decided that I would leave it with the girls and fly back.

     Yep, I had a good trip.  No major breakdowns or crashes.  Just an overloaded worn out yamahopper, the road and a great time.  So good in fact I'm already scheming to head back down (got to go get Clem "snicker...snicker")

catch ya on the road

March 28, 2014

Miss Clementine and I are gone to Texas with the Armadillo......

 catch ya on the road

March 22, 2014

  This morning was cool and all sun shiny... the perfect combination for a ride.

  I fired up the bike and let it warm up good then headed down to top off the tank.  While I was getting gas I made contact with one of my doctors and found that he would be in his office this morning.  He had contacted me earlier in the week needing some parts for his bike.  Seems that a dog got in his way and caused a crash.  After gas and grabbing a big biscuit and thermos full of coffee I got on the road.  The ride was good.  All the little pesky gremlins must have slept in?  That or I finally got them all worked out.

  Traffic was light for a Saturday morning and I enjoyed it.  I made good time over to Hwy 412 then really made good time over to the Doc's office.  This stretch of 412 is almost completed.  Divided highway and new (smooth) made for a more comfortable little ride.  So, with the sun trying to warm things up and humming JJ Cales 'call me the breeze' I motored along.  yeah!!

  Doc was with a patient when I got there so I poured a cup of coffee and started on the Bacon biscuit and waited.  I was just getting to my second cup when he popped out with a grin on his face.  We chatted a bit about the road and bikes and my next appointment then it was time to get back on the road again.

  I headed over the mountain toward moms.  As I started up the hill out of town I fell in behind a couple on a Road King.  They had been in town while I was visiting with Steve and were making all kinds of noise, rapping their pipes and blaring a stereo.  When he saw I was behind them he punched it and took off.  OK, I need to see if my repairs would hold so I followed suit and for the next seventeen miles I pushed them, Hard!  I don't think it was what they were expecting.  At about 70 mph through the mountains you could tell that my repairs were good and that the Harley pilot was really having second thoughts about showing his ass. (body language speaks volumes)  Since they were two up I backed off of them as we got into the tight curves.

  We came to a little intersection and I had a good laugh as they went right and I went left.

  The rest of the ride over to moms was just plain old fashioned fun as I was literally hammer down.  The bike ran great.  No sign of a Gremlin today.

  My visit with mom was too short as always but as always was good.

  My trip back was a slower pace.  The wind was stiff and starting to get cool.  I made good time with only one issue.  A guy in an SUV turned left in front of me.  The bastard saw me.  He stopped and turned on his signal light.  I had a funny feeling and started slowing down.  I guess I started slowing at just the right time as I barely missed him.

  Back on 412 I stopped at Marble for some dinner.  While I was there I made contact with a friend that was ahead of me on his deuce.  He was in the next little town at Wal-Mart.  Seems he didn't dress warm enough and had to buy a jacket.  We made plans to meet up at a little gas station after my dinner and his shopping trip.

  Looking at the dark clouds in the sky after I had eaten, I realized that the weather man missed it again.  The rain that was supposed to come in late this evening was going to be here any minute.  I didn't have any real desire to do thirty five miles wet and cold.  I got back on the road and really let the hammer down.  I made a quick trip over to meet my buddy.  As I came up on the little gas station we were to meet at he was sitting in the drive.  I didn't slow down as I came by.  I pointed toward the sky and he pulled in behind me.  We roared up the road and actually beat the major part of the rain.  Just got a few hard hitting sprinkles.  We were lucky.  We slid under the awning at the gas station at home just as the heavy stuff started.  Just as we were joking about our luck a rider came in behind up.  He was soaked.  Yes, we were really lucky....this time.

  After a quick call to mom to let her know I made it alive and a nice chat with my gal in Texas I slipped out in the rain to the house.

  Remember kiddies....GOD loves me!  Watch out for SUV's.  Weathermen never get it right if your on a bike & I had fun!

catch ya on the road

March 21, 2014

  Today was one of the best riding days we've had in a while.

  I made it out and eventually up to the shop to work on a few little issues before the trip to Texas at the end of the month.  My speedometer has been giving me more trouble than I feel I need.  With my friend Luther overseeing my effort I think I may have gotten it worked out.

  I made it back to the house just in time to feed the pups....anyway that's how they explained it to me.  After taking care of all the bosses I decided to give another look at a set of throw over saddle bags that I have been kicking around for years.  I normally don't care for bags.  I tend to travel lighter than most and bags just always seem to get in my way.  Anyway....I spent most of the evening "semi permanently" rigging these things on my ride.  I got em on but they just don't do anything for me.  I'll probably give them a try, worse case I'll leave them beside the road in Texas.

  After spending most of the day working on little issues I figured it was time to get out and run the roads a bit.  I pulled out and headed for a short ride to a coffee shop.  The air was cool and it was just nice to be tooling around.  I made it to the cafe and the rain started.  I had a snack and coffee and when I was ready to leave, the rain stopped.  (It's all in the timing.)  My ride back to the house was as good as the ride out.

  Sitting here listening to the Blues & Rockabilly with a good cup of coffee, discussing today with Woodrow my Cockatiel, we've decided that today was a keeper.

  Tomorrow is going to be a ride to check on mom.  Deliver some parts, shake down all the recent repairs and generally burn up the road.....

catch ya on the road

Gremlins and Speed Demons

March 18, 2014

  The joys of an older bike are never ending. It's one of life's perks.

  This morning I made an earlier appearance than normal at work. I actually got there before daylight. There was reason for this burst of energy on my part. A good clear night and a bike that need to be ridden after dark to make sure all the electrical gremlins had been chased away.

  I managed to pull out a quarter to five and made it all the way to the local cafe/coffee shop. (about a half mile) I picked up some breakfast for later then out into the remains of the night. The bike ran good and I managed to turn a thirteen mile commute into a 56 mile ride. All was good going. The lights were working like new from the factory and I was feeling pretty good about everything that had been giving me problems. Funny how great feelings can turn lousy in the blink of an eye...

  I cut across from the two lane I was on to a divided highway to make some time to work. I wound the bike up as I normally do and after a couple of miles I noticed that I was running over a hundred and cars and trucks were passing me like I was still at the house. My LSI (lickity split indicator) gremlin had returned. I have been fighting this issue for sometime. The gears in either the clock or the hub have enough wear to cause this little headache. So with a squalling noise coming from the clock and no way of knowing how fast I was actually going I pondered what to do. Limp it back to the house and ride something else to work or head to work? It's on 28 more miles and I always liked running a hundred miles per everywhere I go. The rest of the ride was just capitol. I might need to do this more often.

  Well, now I have another little project to attend to. Maybe next time I'll get lucky and catch this little gremlin rascal and strangle it? But for now, it's running like it should. The weather is just about perfect and I'm pretty much happy camper.

catch ya on the road...I'll be the one running over a hundred

March 10 - A National Holiday

March 10, 2014 Today is a national holiday and I had to work! I was not amused. But sheite happens. As there are only three actual Holidays (other than Christmas, Easter & Thanksgiving) that I observe. March 10...May 10 & November 10 I try to keep each one with some serious revelry and much pomp and circumstance. If your not acquainted with those dates I truly feel for you as your upbringing has been highly neglected. The weather was at least fit for riding. 40 degrees in the morning. The moisture in the air was the perfect amount to make the old bike run like a top. One of the perks of an older carburetor system. I had a great ride everywhere I went and even work wasn't to bad. All told, the day ended as good as any in false spring conditions. 169 miles back to my house. My old bike running good. No pain to speak of. I believe it was a keeper. catch ya on the road

Life just keeps getting better

365 Group (By Gods grace I'm still a member) Well it has been a "year or two" since I last pounded the keyboard into submission....Several things have happened during this time. I guess the biggest thing is the term "remission" suddenly surfaced. (suspiciously at the same time as my money ran out)I have managed to make it all along on two wheels for the most part. Those times when that wasn't possible I was truly blessed with the greatest of friends that hauled my worthless butt around. I cannot thank them enough. I have been tearing around on my old '77' mostly. This old gal, "Miss Tilley" has kept going when all others have let me down. I cant say enough about the toughness of a 1977 KZ 750 B model. (Like an old Timex)I have literally been everywhere I have wanted or needed to go on this bike. A couple of months ago I was lucky and found a starter for my other gal and have been able to give Tilly a rest... :-) I was doing good this new year until mid January or so. The snow and Ice set in and it hasn't good for two wheels. But I'm still slugging along. Riding on the days I can and scheming on the days I can't. Some thirty years ago, I was happy go lucky, I was in college and riding around the country on an old worn out Honda. I had a great riding partner, a girl I met in college, and was having a grand old time. As things go they tend to change and we drifted apart. Now fast froward to a couple of weeks before Christmas of 2013 and a weird set of circumstances. I got a message from my old riding partner. We made contact and spent an evening catching up. It turned out to be one of my best Christmases ever in that she drove up from the "one star" state Christmas day to spend the holidays with me and my tribe of vermin. Now It's looking even better as she sits at my desk playing games on my old PC. We are still doing a lot of catching up as well as planning for the coming summer. A couple of weeks ago I received a promotion. No pay increase or key to the executive washroom or anything like that. Seems that I have been promoted to 'Dad' by a feisty young redhead.(the older daughter of my old/new girlfriend) The only job description I have for this new position is I'm suppose to hand out lots of hugs. I think I can probably handle this new job so my commute to work will have me on the road to Texas in the spring. In thinking back, this is one of the best jobs I've had. The weather has broken and I am getting to some upgrades and repairs to my bike finally. An LSI (lickety split indicator)figures greatly in things as I would prefer to not get a speeding ticket. Here in NW Arkansas it isn't hard to get one even with all the bells & whistles working correctly but I try and hedge things when I can. Lots of little things need attention to keep a great ride going So in nuts domicile.... that's been me since my last post. oh yeah... Hi Podlolly! catch ya on the road.