| Author | Message | ||
     Pwnzor |
...to far outside the wire, where my white-haired uncle waits... Books are good for cruising, riding at leisurely pace. For more spirited riding, I love nothing more than the roar of the exhaust, rushing wind, and underlying purr of the motor itself. Red Barchetta, indeed. | ||
| Froggy |
John, I know coming up and toting you around is ridiculously inconvenient and out of the way for me, but if needed I'd do it. (And if the timing was right I'd bring a Tres Hombres for you). I'm glad things are working out though anyway. | ||
| 86129squids |
There are several Rush songs that tell you RIGHT away that Neil Peart is a motorhead! Used to ROLL in my long lost, dearly beloved '78 280Z with Rush at a full 11 on the dial! GAWD I need to find another '78 or earlier Z car before I croak. FAVE car EVAAAR. Sorry about the highjack! But seriously John, get a copy of "Snow Crash"... the lead character even rides a futuristic Yamaha for a while! Dang if we can't go on about some sci-fi, no? | ||
| Crusty |
The Nuclear Stress Test Until this week, if somebody had asked me what a Nuclear Stress Test was, I would have thought it had something to do with watching Dr. Strangelove. Now I know that it involves one hour of terror broken down into small segments interspersed with long stretches of waiting, that totals into 8 1/4 hours. The poorly copied sheet of paper the Cardiologist’s office gave to me stated that it would be between 5 to 7 hours long. it gave the basic facts of what the procedure consisted of, so I thought I knew what to expect. Now, a couple of quick highlights. I hate needles. It borders on being a Phobia. That’s where the terror came from. When the tech brought me in to install the IV, he checked veins in both arms and hands before settling for a vein in my right hand for the job. I had to wear that all day. They injected me with radioactive sludge twice during the day, as well as a drug to speed up my heart when the treadmill failed to get my heart beating fast enough. Then they gave me the antidote drug. I had I don’t know how many pictures taken of my heart. I think there were 60 or so taken each time I was in the machine, but I could very easily be mistaken. There were very long waiting spells between each phase of the procedure. I arrived at the hospital early and got my bracelet/ID tag, then I sat in a waiting room for an hour and a half. Then the IV line was installed and I was dosed with the nuclear agent. Then I waited for another hour or so. Then I was brought into the imaging room and pictures were taken of my heart. The machine looked like a cross between an MRI machine and an O-Arm. It wasn’t magnetic. If it was, I would not be typing this. Then, back to the waiting room. Then off to the treadmill. They attached a bag of saline solution to my IV and also gave me another dose of atomic sauce. Then the Instant Rush, then the antidote. Then back to the waiting room. Finally, back to the imaging room for the last set of pics. They removed the IV and I removed the ten stickies that were on my chest (EKG connections), then I went home. I arrived at 7:00 AM and left at 3:15 PM. I had been told to not drink any coffee in the morning, so I had my first cup of the day at 4:00 this afternoon, after I got home. Of course, none of the people giving me the tests would tell me anything. I have to ask my cardiologist. So I don’t know if my heart’s in good shape or bad shape. The way I see it, if it was something bad, they wouldn’t let me walk out on my own. They would have admitted me on the spot. Then again, that might be wishful thinking on my part. Anyhow, I survived the ordeal. I thought about walking out somewhere around the four hour mark, but I decided it was in my best interest to see the whole thing through. I hope the results are in my favor. Tomorrow morning, I have to be at the Welder’s at 9:00 to get the saddlebag mounts sorted. I called the Cobbler and my gloves are done. I’d be excited if I only knew the results of that damned test. Well, keep a Positive attitude and just do the Next Right Thing. Yeah; that’s the ticket. (Message edited by Crusty on May 20, 2016) | ||
| Kmbuell |
Chin up John! I've read your snipers for a long time now. This one hits real close to home. My beautiful, in shape, not overweight wife had a heart attack three weeks ago, followed by double bypass surgery. She eats well, exercises and generally follows the rules. This is tough to watch. She's had a few setbacks. Follow what the doc says, take the meds and keep writing! Lots of us out here pulling for you. On your travels, if you ever get through Winston Salem, we've got a room for you. Take care, you've got more adventures in store! Kevin | ||
| Pwnzor |
Kevin, I'll be saying a prayer for your wife every day. John, same goes for you. You are right, if anything was seriously wrong, they would have admitted you on the spot. You're most likely in good shape. Gretchen works in cardiology, and gives nuclear stress tests all the time. If you want any insight, or if you want another doctor to review your results, just send them to us and we can put some more eyes on it. The doctor who did my heart catheter is something of a genius/prodigy in the field. Let me know, we're here for you. | ||
| Crusty |
The Roadster is ready!  Unless I hear otherwise from my Cardiologist, I'll be on the road in just a few days! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Looking good John. I'm sure you have posted this but... How many miles does the roadster have on the clock? | ||
| Crusty |
Right now, it's showing 47,500 on the odometer. | ||
| Pwnzor |
 | ||
| Pwnzor |
The bike looks fantastic, John. Well played, sir... well played. | ||
| Buellish |
The bag location looks good John. | ||
| 86129squids |
Pretty slick!  | ||
| Crusty |
Thank you, guys! Like Matt, I also love it when a plan comes together. I have a few more changes in mind, but they're either not visible, like suspension upgrades and different handgrips, or not urgent, like the front fender. By the time I get it sorted out to my satisfaction, I'll probably be looking to either rebuild the engine, or replace it with one from eBay. Rebuild; with some Thunderstorm parts. Yeah, I like that idea. | ||
| Buellish |
John,have the bag brackets been powder coated yet? | ||
| Crusty |
No; and they won't be until I get back from the Great Circle Ride. I ran out of time. They'll be all right, though. I'll probably leave them alone until after Labor Day, then get them done along with a few other items. (Message edited by Crusty on May 21, 2016) (Message edited by Crusty on May 21, 2016) | ||
| Greg_e |
Like to see more pictures to see how they did the work. | ||
| Zac4mac |
I'll probably be looking to either rebuild the engine Send us your heads, get a 1250 kit and cams. Put a good 2:1 exhaust and do throttle wheelies all day long. I am very proud of my carving and our total work quality. Heavily massaged T-Storm or Lightning head (not sure from this view, did these several years ago..)    Zack (Message edited by zac4mac on May 22, 2016) | ||
| 86129squids |
 PRETTY! Gots to get me a nice S3T someday, with a stout motor. | ||
| Ourdee |
Zach, What kind of outlay (cash and time) am I looking at to have my T-storm heads carved and 1250 kit installed on my XB? Just dreaming of the future here. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Honestly RD I don't know the prices too well, call Dan. I know we are very competitive and I really undercharge...  I am an Expert on heads, no time for anything else.... I have a great job, the dyno is 15 feet from my bench. Crazy, but if I had known my Firebolt could make 110hp, I might never have gotten an 1125R... | ||
| Ourdee |
110 at the wheel and the SCG would be perfect. | ||
| Crusty |
“Forward; Into The Past!” Busy today. As the jumping off point gets closer, I have to run around like a chicken with its legs cut off. I swept and mopped the kitchen and bathroom floors, did a load of laundry, called my Primary Care Doc, my Cardiologist and my storage garage landlord. I haven’t heard back from the Cardiologist, but I have new scripts for necessary drugs waiting at the pharmacy, and the landlord and I came to an agreement on how I’m going to pay the rent (6 month lease; half this month, the rest next month before July 1st). Went to the Loonie Noonie, then went and bought 20W-50 and a filter for the bike. Massaged the scuffed rear fender with Scratch X, found the source of the oil leak and cured it, and went to REI and bought a couple of stuff sacks. Got home just before dinner time, so I did a blood test for my INR and called the number in to my Primary Care’s PTINR Nurse. Then, I fixed Spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. I just finished eating, so I’ll do the dishes as soon as I finish typing this. Then, I’ll organize my coffee making equipment and put it in one of the stuff sacks. (They’re small stuff sacks). The other stuff sack is for miscellaneous loose items like mosquito repellant, LED flashlights, tissues and so on. Tomorrow night, I’ll start organizing what is going to get packed in which saddle bag, and in what order. I’m heading out this Thursday morning. Just like last year, I’m heading west over the Mohawk and Taconic Trails and I’m going to stop at the Hitching Post Cafe in New Lebanon, NY for lunch. From there, I’m going south and west to Owego, NY for my first night’s camp. From there, I’ll make my way to Springfield, IL to see the Mile on Sunday. OK; time to get off my butt and get some things accomplished. | ||
| Kmbuell |
Bike looks great! Glad the plan worked out. Sounds like you are on your way. Happy rides ! | ||
| 86129squids |
ASS. IN. GEAR.  Roll, my friend. | ||
| Crusty |
Waiting For The Laundry The bike is ready. The tent, sleeping bag and pad are strapped to the luggage rack. The Left saddlebag is packed and on the bike. As soon as the laundry is done, I’ll finish packing the right bag. I’m on the road tomorrow morning. The Cardiologist’s office never called me back, so I’m running on the assumption that my heart must be OK. If there was a problem, I’m pretty sure they would have been on the phone pretty quickly. If that’s a bad assumption, and I die while traveling, then at least I’ll die doing what I love. Last year, when I hit the road, I was planning to go south. On the morning I set out, I went west, instead. I’ve been planning to head west along Route 2, but part of me wants to just do the usual Interstate run to Springfield. I wonder what I’ll decide to do in the morning? The Mile is this weekend. Next week is the Buell/EBR Homecoming. Then I’m off to Iowa and Colorado. From Colorado, It’s Arizona to see the Grand Canyon and visit with Dondi who’ll be house sitting in Flagstaff. After that, it’s on to San Francisco to see Tony (my brother) who I haven’t seen in 12 years or so. And then North into Canada. This is shaping up to be one hell of a Magic Carpet Ride. I am really looking forward to it! Well; the dryer just buzzed. I’ve got to fold some clothes and put them in Ziplock bags. The Adventure Begins! | ||
| Ourdee |
I don't have to be back at work till after HC2016. I better do laundry. | ||
| 86129squids |
Ride safe, John! And for F's sake, where's the popcorn emoticon!?!? | ||
| Pwnzor |
I am literally on the edge of my seat. This is going to be one hell of a ride. | ||
| Buellish |
We'll be watching (pics please),reading and riding along with you John.Ride safe. |
