| Author | Message | ||
     86129squids |
Hey, John. Love you man. I'll see you down the road, soon. | ||
| Crusty |
In The Land Of Bizarro Yesterday, I had a particularly bad migraine. It was the kind that would alternately have me wired and unable to lay still, or I was nearly comatose and totally exhausted and in either state, my head felt like it was being crushed by an overweight garbage truck. To put it bluntly, it sucked. However, during one of the restless spells, I went down to the garage and put the new black nickel turn signals on the Gentleman’s Express. When I bought them, I thought I was getting gloss black turn signals. I missed the word nickel in the description. After debating with myself for a few days, I decided they would look better than the chrome signals. I didn’t realize that it was going to be as involved as it was. I had to remove the seat, luggage rack and fuel tank, plus a couple of covers to get at the connector. I just moved slowly and somewhat methodically and I was successful. It took me well over an hour, but I got the job done and done right. The jury is still out on whether I’ll keep the black nickel or replace them with gloss black painted signals, but I like them better than the stock chrome pieces. Because of the migraine and all the sleep I got during the day, I was wide awake at 2:20 AM. The headache had eased considerably and I drank a bottle of water to cut my thirst. The rain had stopped and we now had some strong gusty winds. I was awake until 4:00 AM, then I went back to sleep. I had managed to get derailed from my original train of thought, however. Now that it’s after 9:00 in the morning, I still feel like writing about bizarre things like why do tastes change? I was thinking about that quite a bit while I had the migraine. My mind goes off in some really, um, irregular directions when I get one. It started when I tried to drink a cup of coffee and it tasted like crap. That’s a taste that comes and goes with me, but I mostly love coffee. When I was a kid, I hated the taste of coffee, but as I got older, I began to like it. For years, I would only drink it with cream and sugar. In my 20s, I was happy with Instant coffee, but then I went to Nairobi and fell in love with Kenya coffee. I flat loved Kenya coffee and that’s all I would buy if it was available. However, after my heart surgery, I lost my taste for coffee for a while. It came back, but it isn’t like it was. I still enjoy it, but not with the old intensity. When I was little, I hated the taste of peas (canned). I don’t know exactly when or why, but then I no longer disliked them and for a while, I even loved them. That’s another taste that’s dimmed. In the 70s, I didn’t like cheesecake at all. In the 80s, however, I flat loved it enough that I would buy a slice every night on my way to work (I was on the Graveyard Shift). Once again, I still like it, but only occasionally and not that strongly. There are many more examples. And then there are the items I used to love, but now dislike. Why don’t I like those BBQ chips (brand name withheld) that I used to love? How about those burgers (again, name withheld) that I once couldn’t get enough of, but now turn me right off? Taste can be a funny thing. In 1983, I was eating a roast beef sandwich when a bee landed on it. When I took my next bite, it stung me on the tongue. I instantly lost my taste for roast beef for over a year. It didn’t matter that I knew it wasn’t the sandwich, my enjoyment was gone. I really disliked Roast Beef for a long time. I suppose that if I was starving, my taste preferences would change drastically, but I hope I never find out. I think I’ll have some oatmeal for breakfast. I haven’t burned out on that, yet. I probably will, though. | ||
| Crusty |
Some Good News My day is off to a good start! Dear John Jackson, Your Leatherman is in good hands! Our warranty experts have received your item(s) and are in the process of inspecting and repairing your Leatherman product(s). To ensure it meets our factory standards, please allow 5-7 days for this process. Once we’re confident your tool(s) will perform, we’ll notify you and ship them back home. Happy fixing! The Leatherman Warranty Team My Leatherman is being refurbed and I have a new belt pouch on the way to put it in. Now, all I need to do is get a new flip phone. That will be soon; my present phone is acting up. Not only that, but the last half of the 10 day forecast is for high temps in the 70s. Boy, is life getting Good or what! | ||
| Crusty |
What Were They Thinking? In 2018, I went to Daytona for Bike Week. While there, I took a new Roadster out for a Demo ride. Twice; once on Thursday and once on Friday. At that time I had something like 90K on my 05 Roadster and the better suspension and brakes got my attention. I decided that I’d get one and transform it into my idea of a good Sport-Tourer. Because of things like a new Furnace, Air Conditioner, Water Heater and a copper water line to replace the lead pipe into my house, I had to wait until 2020, but I finally bought a low mileage 2016 Roadster a year ago. The thought that has run through my mind since I got the bike was Why? Why would the MoFoCo put good suspension and brakes on a Sportster, then set the rest of the bike up so that the people who would appreciate such items would hate riding that bike? And why would they use one off items that made improving the bike so much work? The stock ergonomics suck. Riding that bike home from Wichita, Kansas was painful. My wrists hurt. My hands hurt. My butt definitely hurt. It was 800 miles of increasing pain. When my friend RD sat on the bike he hated it and that was while it was parked. So I started changing things. It cost me close to $500.00 just to change the handlebars. I had to replace the clutch and throttle cables and also replace the brake lines. The front end is unique to the Roadster. None of Harley’s other male slider (upside down) forks have the same fender mounting setup. And the stock fenders are a joke. I was caught in rush hour traffic in a thunderstorm and at 15 MPH the water from my front tire was shooting straight up in front of my headlight. It looked like one of those fireworks Fountains that shoots luminous sparks straight up. The rear fender was even worse. it was a guaranteed “skunk stripe’ down the back of my jacket and it deposited a lot of sand and road phlegm on the back of my helmet. When I took the bike to Georgia last fall, I discovered that the glare from the lens of the speedometer was bad enough that I couldn’t see how fast I was going through most of the daylight hours. In all, I’ve had to change the fenders, gas tank, handlebars, seat and speedometer mount to make the bike rideable for any real length of time. I’m especially fortunate that I know a bodyman (Gravydog) who has remarkable skills and he fabricated a front fender mount for me because he enjoyed the challenge. I have a friend who also rides a Sportster and he has commented repeatedly that almost everything I’ve tried to do to improve the bike has been a struggle. To build the Gentleman’s Express, I’ve had to research parts from many different years of Sportsters. The bike has stock parts from ’05, ’10, ’12, ’15 and ’19 models and the front fender came from either a V-Rod or an XR 1200 (it’s the same part#). H-D made the new Roadster from 2016 through 2020, but the support for it is abysmal. It almost seems like they want to discourage people from liking the bike. Why? Do they think that if some sucker buys one, it’ll encourage him (or her) to hurry up and trade it in for a Bulgemobile Glide? Sportsters sell in numbers that make every other manufacturer jealous, yet it seems like the morons in charge think it’s a waste; that people really want to get a Garbage Wagon, replete with a bun warmer seat, 500 watt stereo and a 18” LED screen so that they can check their texts while perambulating between home and the local watering hole. (If they want to actually go someplace, they should get an Official Licensed Hog Hauler so they can ride in comfort). There’s a lot more I can rant about, but I think I’ve made my point. I sure am glad that there’s such a great supply of aftermarket items. Just for shits and giggles; you can buy an Offishul Daymaker headlight for $409.00 from a stealership. You can buy the same LED headlight from fleaBay for $29.00 with free shipping. The headlight from fleaBay costs less than the sales tax alone on the headlight from the MoFoCo. And I can’t see any difference worth mentioning. There are several other similar accessories and price differences. I really like Sportsters. But sometimes I really wonder if the Board of Directors in Milwaukee may have been infected with the virus that causes rectal occulitis. It really seems like it. | ||
| Crusty |
Camping Mark (Wolfridgeriders) and I are trying to get as many people as possible to come to a Meet&Eat Meat event at the Lake Hope Lodge. I guess their BBQ is supposed to be really good. Good BBQ and Motorcycles are one of those combinations that are made for each other. Kind of like good sausage and pancakes with real maple syrup, or a BLT. Looking at that, it almost seems like I’m endorsing eating motorcycles. Don’t try to eat your bike. It won’t taste nearly as good as BBQ Ribs. Anyhow; I was thinking of maybe riding out a day early and camping in the State Park. I went online and discovered that the park does have a campground and showers, so my interest was piqued. However, I couldn’t find any rates for camping, so I called the reservation phone number. After a five minute conversation with a computer, I was connected to a human who had trouble finding the rates, as well; but she eventually found that a Tent site without electric was $22.00/night. That isn’t as bad as some State Parks, but it isn’t cheap, either. When I was on the road, I remember pulling into a State Park and seeing a rate of $28.00 and a large handwritten notice that if you tried to camp for free, you’d be arrested and prosecuted. The Office wasn’t even occupied, so I couldn’t even get change. I got ticked off enough that I just turned around and left. Five miles later, I found a commercial campground that only charged me $10.00 and, unlike most State Parks, had free showers. That had me wondering when things changed. Years ago, State Parks were a lot cheaper than commercial campgrounds, and were nicer, as well. I remember staying in a KOA in the early 80s where my tent site was right beside a Rudabego with its generator running all night long. A couple of years later, a few of us stayed in a State Park and it was free. Then again; I remember when National Parks were free. I remember going to Yellowstone in 1979 and seeing Old Faithful when it would erupt every 58 minutes, like clockwork. Me and David Kaelin, rolled into a campground in the park that was full, so we threw our sleeping bags on the ground by the entrance and slept there for free. When I went through Yellowstone a few years ago, it cost me $28.00 for a tent site and that was after the Senior card discount. I was lucky that I got that card in 2015; a few years later, they jacked the price up from the $10.00 it cost me to $80.00. I guess some Guvmint beancounter realized that there’s money to be made from all the old farts who would like to see some of the beautiful wonders of this country. I get into National Parks for free for life, unless I lose the card. then I’m screwed. Anyhow; to get back to the Lake Hope State Park and the Meet&Eat Meat, I guess I’ll just make it a day trip for a meal and good company. Ride out in the morning, eat and shoot the bull for a couple of hours, then ride home. I’ll be in Suches for the May Merry Marvel Marching Motorcycles in a couple of weeks at Two Wheels of Suches. Tent camping is $15.00/night and there are really good showers that don’t require quarters to get clean. It’s situated in the middle of some fantastic roads and there are always tons of motorcycles to look at and motorcyclists to converse with. After that, a State Park really looks lame. | ||
| Crusty |
My Motorcycle There’s a thread on the XL Forum titled, Do People Notice Your Bike? I look at it and see all sorts of variations of Sportsters. I also see a lot of threads that claim to not wanting extra attention. I can understand that. But it does kinda build my ego when people go out of their way to stare at the Gentleman’s Express. I put a lot of thought and effort into setting the Express up the way I think it should look (and feel) and it validates my tastes when people stop and stare. Yesterday, Ernie and I went out for an easy ride on backroads to get a cup of coffee at a Drunkin’s a couple of towns away. Ernie has an ’05 883 that’s in mint condition with just a couple of minor modifications to make it comfortable for him (Nobody leaves a Sportster bone stock). I’ve been looking forward to riding with Ernie on his Sportster for a while now; since he got the bike after I'd moved to Cheviot. It was a nice relaxing ride on secondary roads, terminating at a coffee (?) shop. When we pulled in to the parking lot, a guy came over and stared at the bike while walking all around it. He asked a few questions about it and informed us that he also rides a Sportster. He really liked the bike a lot. I was out running around after that. I went to the Noonie, but it wasn’t there any more. It was another victim of Covid, I found out. I hit a quarter car wash and got a lot of the road phlegm off the bike, rode past my old apartment in Fitchburg and my old house in Leominster. The house next door to it is for sale. I wonder how much they’re asking? I went to my old barbershop in Sterling; but Betty, who cut my hair is 80% retired. She only works on Thursdays. Her son, Dereck is running the place, now. So he cut my hair and trimmed the beard. And his price is ridiculously low. He charged me the Senior rate, which is $10.00 and didn’t charge any extra for trimming my beard. I gave him a 20 and told him to keep the change. I also told him I would be back in a couple of weeks to see his mom. Betty was my barber for years. Then I went by Market Basket to get some items for dinner; Kayem Natural Casing Beef & Pork Frankfurters, Martin’s Potato Rolls and a couple of other things. As I was leaving the parking lot, an older gentleman stopped me and was quizzing me about the Express. He was really taken by it. You know; most of the changes I made to the stock Roadster were using stock Sportster parts from other models. Yes; the bags and front fender bracket are custom, but almost anybody could make a similar bike. I’m not any kind of Customizing Wizard. I’m fortunate that I know Joe and he was the one who did the modifications so that I could put a real front fender on the bike. And he came up with a simpler and just plain better idea for supporting and bracing the saddlebag mounting brackets. I guess the point I’m trying to make is that the morons at the MoFoCo are missing the boat (yeah; I know. They’re good at that.) When an old, fat fart has people coming up to look at his bike frequently, then maybe the geniuses in Styling should come up with something similar. Forget the cutesy “Mini-Footboards”, build a classically styled bike with good suspension, better brakes and full fenders and the larger gas tank. And put some functional hard bags on it. If they build it around the new “Revolution X” engine, it will sell. And make it as easily modifiable as a Sportster should be, so that others can build their idea of what a Gentleman’s Express should be. | ||
| 86129squids |
 Crunchy, your ride abides gracefully. Everything I could see on it was very well set up. Farkled nicely. | ||
| Crusty |
Double Trouble I’ve been hit with a double whammy. I have Both Bacterial Pneumonia and Covid. I was admitted to the Hospital on Saturday. Each day, I expect to go home and I’m told maybe tomorrow. And now, they won’t even say that. I cannot adequately describe just how bad I feel. The hospital will not allow any visitors. That’s understandable. My mind isn’t working very well. All I can do right now is lay here in bed. When I feel better, I’ll write more. Covid really sucks. Get the shots. | ||
| Aesquire |
Hang in there! Ask for treatment options. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Get well John. Prayers up. Z | ||
| Ourdee |
I've been talking to him everyday. He was slowly going down hill before the weekend. His Brother-n-law put him in the hospital. They have decided that he has covid and bacterial pneumonia and have been treating him for both. One of the steroids they gave him raised his blood sugar to over 200. He rejected insulin and today his sugar is back down. They keep checking it prior to every meal. He has been started on an experimental rhumatoid medicine and is feeling much better. He says the better feeling is in waves. I told him that sounds like meds. He is bored out of his skull. Hopefully he will escape by next weekend. Says the hospital food is good, but he is still not liking coffee. Keeps talking about getting burnt ends at Velvet Smoke after he gets out of the hospital. Again; He says he is feeling better today. | ||
| Tootal |
Thanks RD. | ||
| Kmbuell |
RD, thanks for the update and looking after John. Prayers Sent, Crusty! Kick the covid! | ||
| Buellish |
I'm thinking about you John,get better soon! | ||
| Chauly |
Just went through the COVID thing myself, 10 days of a head cold and done! Pfizer VAX, and I suppose now I've had my "Third Shot"? Hang in there, Crusty! Us Yankees are tough to do in... | ||
| Ourdee |
He is still not comfortable typing on the laptop. Sleeping near 18 hours a day. On oxygen, and an IV with pills on the side. He admitted to maybe feeling a little better today. | ||
| Crusty |
A Short Update I just talked with the doctor and she says That I’ll probably be here for another week. Oh Joy. I’m very weak and I need more oxygen than even yesterday. I’ve been dosed with more different drugs, steroids, anti-virals and antibiotics than I can count. I trust that they know what they’re doing. This disease sucks. | ||
| 86129squids |
John!!! DAMMIT man! Heck, I just had an outdoor wedding, with about 40ish people. Worried "sick" about it all, cannot not be. And now, DAMMIT man... all my prayers and mojo, flying on a strong wind, to you. At this writing it is either Tennessee or Kentucky who have the highest per-capita COVID infections. PLEASE be careful, friends. We must. I actually JUST logged in to catch up. Mostly ALL good stuff on my side, for a much-needed change BTW. John, if I can help in any way... I actually wanted to let everyone here know that J & P Cycles is opening in Pigeon Forge TN on Thursday... ! I do have one of your nice, KEWL J & P stickers in the trunk of the PC. Pics to come! Hank in there Crunchy!!!!!!!!!!  | ||
| 86129squids |
Hey! The Snippets can't all be yours, man. Allow me one... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I got married this past Saturday. Still can't fathom it all, but... hey. Marcia said yes. My dear sister officiated, as she has done before, and on Tuesday-yesterday, she took the papers to Nashville to be officially certified, sanctified, chicken-fried and bona-fide. Those papers will arrive Wednesday, today, around 10ish, for us to drop off at the local grand poohbah's office. YAY!!!!!!!!!! I only could have done it with the help and example of my great friends. You all. Youn's. Now, the work begins. I'm so flummoxed and flabbergasted by it all, I can only say... I dunno. I'll figure it out and go at it. I have gained my prize, and you all helped me get here. John, you also. Thanks, my dear friend. | ||
| 86129squids |
OK. Good info, that I must share. My stepfather, Dow, 87 years old, just beat pneumonia, at home. He also has COPD. He is the single most determined man[edit} I have ever known, except my own dad, Sakie. He has only worked one job his entire life, for what ended up being AT&T, South Central Bell, or whatever. He made it to my wedding, where I was wed to Marcia, underneath the pin oak I had planted in memory of my mother, Shirley. If Dow can do it... Crusticle, you shall too. (Message edited by 86129squids on September 08, 2021) | ||
| Ourdee |
Crusty said he is feeling a little bit better today compared to yesterday. One doctor is guessing release in about a week. While the breathing specialist is giving him a two week window. He was not as labored in talking today as he has been. I try to break off the conversation before he is worn back out. I hope I'm getting the timing right. Ivermectin is in the mix and a breathing therapist is working with him. Oxygen is still being administered. Most of his nurses, specialists, and doctors are getting good grades. He likes the food service there. Not a word out of him about Velvet Smoke's burnt ends today. | ||
| Aesquire |
Good news all around! Catching your breath may be difficult and you have to pause your motion and consider your next move with help and communication of your difficulties. That's for Squids.  congrats! Try to follow the guidance in your therapy from others, and be mindful you aren't alone and you can lean on friends. That's for Crusty. hang in there! Oh, wait, did I get that reversed??? Maybe.  | ||
| 86129squids |
Hunnhh?? Ow. Ok then. Thanks, Patrick, you're a pretty fart smeller... and, you're smarter than you look. RD, thanks for the recon. Let's get the old man out of Groundhog Day, whaddya say? I can help with bird flu. | ||
| Crusty |
A Short Bit As of right now, they’ll probably keep me here until next week. My release depends on how my oxygen consumption goes. I’m in that stage where I feel fine for a while, but then I get exhausted and fall asleep without warning. I’m still very weak. My blood oxygen drops 10% when I go to the bathroom and it takes a good 5 minutes for it to come back. The hospital food is surprisingly good; it’s the best hospital food I’ve had yet. I’m really looking forward to getting home. It’ll probably take me a few days to get my lawn mowed, but that’s OK. I have the new tires waiting to go on the Express, but that probably won’t happen for a few weeks. I doubt I’ll be doing any long rides for a good while, so there’s no rush. I’m still craving a dinner of burnt ends & BBQ Baked Beans from Velvet Smoke. I also am craving ribs from Jim’s, but I don’t think I’ll have any before spring. I can’t see me doing that long of a ride until I’m very recovered. I’m about worn out; I’ll try to write more later. | ||
| Kmbuell |
Great to hear from you. Hang in there! This stuff isn't easy to shake. I'm sure there will be BBQ for you soon. | ||
| 86129squids |
Just came home with this. For free. Taste Of Blount, showed up JUST before they shut down. Brisket... LOCAL. They didn't win, but they should have. And... Full Service BBQ... pork sliders, LOCAL. PLUS dessert. Cheesecake, cinnamon rolls. From another company. They walked up to me and gave it to me.  (Message edited by 86129squids on September 09, 2021) | ||
| 86129squids |
And...  | ||
| 86129squids |
On the way back from J & P Cycles, Pigeon Forge.  | ||
| Crusty |
Friday, 09/10/2021 I feel about the same today. My O2 is about the same as yesterday. It’s going to be a long, slow recovery. I feel fine, as long as I stay in bed or keep my activity low, but just walking to the bathroom causes my O2 to drop noticeably. I’d dearly love to be back home, but that won’t happen for a while. One good note is that I don’t have to have an escort to go to the bathroom. Unless they have an IV plugged into me; then I need help with the IV stand, O2 hose and the wiring for the monitors. A nurse just came in and she says I’m doing better. My O2 use is down from 13 to 11 and my lungs sound better. I like that. One of the IV drugs I get is steroids and it makes my Blood Sugar skyrocket up to around 200. Then they want to give me insulin to counteract that. If they leave me alone for the night, it’s back to around 100 by morning. We have a discussion about this every night. So far, my opinion is still on top. I hope I get out of here soon. I want to sleep in my own little house. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Hang in there John! You'll get past this and next month... hopefully this will just be a bad memory |
