| Author | Message | ||
     Crusty |
I Visited Poughkeepsie I didn’t, really; I just passed through it. But I thought it would make a good title for a Snippet. Anyhow; I’m in a Super 8 in Clearfield, PA. It was a tough ride, today. It rained, drizzled, misted and fogged; it even was sunny for a few minutes. The temperature varied considerably from warm to bone chilling cold. Even so, I was giving serious thought to putting in maybe another 100 miles until the wind kicked up. That was the capper. It was blowing me all over my lane and with the heavy truck traffic, I decided to put up for the night. I really don’t want to get run over by an 18 wheeler. Once I stopped, I discovered that I was a lot more tired than I thought. I also discovered that I lost the little plastic sleeves that hold my driver’s license, registration, Insurance card, Medicare and supplement cards and the photos of my daughter. That really bums me out. It must have fallen out of my wallet when I was getting gas. Tomorrow’s supposed to be below freezing all day, so it’s going to be another tough stretch. I’ve got about 400 miles to go until I’m home. I think I’ll be stopping more often than I did today. I really don’t like the ergonomics of the Custom. After about 150 miles, the forward pegs had my bad ankle screaming. I had my foot on the passenger peg a good bit of the time, but I will be very happy when I put mid controls on the bike. I’m also not real happy with the handlebars. Fortunately, I have a set of bars and risers at the house that will make things much more comfortable. I thought the seat was going to be worse than it is, but it isn’t as bad as I expected. It still isn’t nearly as comfortable as a Sundowner or a Mustang Vintage Wide, but it’s not nearly as painful as the stock seat on the 16 Roadster was when I rode it home from Wichita. I’m getting about 45 MPG. That means that I should be able to go 200 miles between fill ups. I won’t, though. I stopped and got gas at 100 miles a couple of times and when I was sure the bike was able, I went 150 miles and didn’t hit Reserve. I think that’s a good distance between gas stops. I’ll probably be stopping sooner to warm up though, tomorrow. As soon as I was in the room here, I took a hot shower. Nothing gets the chill out of my bones faster. There’s a golden Starches next door, so that’s where I got dinner. I’ll be in bed soon; I’m very tired. I’m not happy with Gas prices. I paid $4.23/Gal at one stop. Yes, I know; Melia’s paying $2.00/Liter in Australia. I’m too tired to go on a rant, but I’m still not happy. That’s about it for tonight. I need rest. | ||
| Ourdee |
I talked to Crusty and he was 200 miles from home. Ankle hurts from the forward controls. Boots still wet from the rain yesterday. Mcdongles is treating him well. He is stopping to warm up every 75 miles today. Rode through a snow sqaw earlier today. Johny Law is out heavy today on his route. He should be home and in the shower soon. | ||
| Crusty |
Quickly I’m back home in Cheviot. Today’s ride was an ass kicker; I’m completely drained. I’ll write more tomorrow, if I have time. | ||
| 86129squids |
RD for recon! Thanks man. Rest well, John, recoup, and holler when you can!! Need more popcorn. Microwave chicharrones would do though. | ||
| Crusty |
Snow, Snow, Beautiful Snow It snowed while I was sleeping. Everything except the streets is covered with white. The streets are glossy black. They must have sprayed them with brine. That means that the bike will be really filthy if I take it out. It’s already covered with road phlegm, the salt will just add to that. Before I get caught in a rant, let me backtrack. I left the motel yesterday morning at 7:00 AM. It was something like 24º F (-4.4º C) and even though I was wearing my electric jacket, the rest of my body was feeling the cold. I usually like to put in at least 50 miles before stopping for breakfast, but when I saw the Macca’s sign at 42 miles, I pulled in. There was a group of seniors having coffee and they said that i had to be tough to be out on a motorcycle in those temperatures. I told them that I should be committed. They said that at least I was honest. I had my breakfast (a sausage McMuffin, senior coffee and a Holiday Pie) and decided that I was going to be stopping a bout twice as much as usual to keep warm. When I first pulled up on the bike, I saw what looked like a snowflake in the air. As I ate, I saw a few more. Well; it wasn’t the first time I’d ridden in snow, and it was only some very occasional flurries. When I got back out on the road, the occasional flurries became more frequent, becoming a pretty strong, wind driven snowfall. The snow was being blown around by passing semis like dust clouds and the temperature dropped a bit. The good news was that it was cold enough that the snow didn’t stick to the road. After a few miles, I rode out of the squall. I just resigned myself to just trying to make about 75 miles before stopping again, which I did. I made it to a Drunkin’ Donuts and went in, had a coffee and warmed up. On the first leg, my hands were painfully cold. On the second leg, my hands weren’t so bad, but my feet were hurting. They alternated with each stop until my body compromised and let them both hurt at a barely tolerable level. Two States were practicing heavy Revenue Enhancement on the trip. In the 75 miles I rode through New York, I saw over a dozen cars pulled over. In Northeast Ohio, they were going for trucks. I didn’t count how many, but there were plenty. Since I had lost my license, registration and insurance paperwork, I was keeping close to, or even slower than the speed limit. The sub freezing temperatures made slower speeds a bit more desirable. I was doing a balancing act between wanting to get home ASAP and wanting to not be so freakin’ cold. I got home right around 4:00 PM and I immediately peeled off all my gear and took a hot shower. Even though I’d had the electric jacket on full, my body was hypothermic. I took as hot a shower as I could, and even put a stopper in the drain and let the tub fill up. Still I was shivering. I put on my warmest socks, sweat pants and a fleece pullover and ate a hot meal. All that helped and I finally warmed up. I was exhausted and I went to sleep early. Today, I need to start replacing all my ID. I called Humana last night and I have a new card coming. I need to call Medicare and get a new card sent, I have to call my Insurance Co and have them send me a new card and I also have to insure the ’06. Then, I have to go to the BMV and get copies of my License, registration for the ’16 and register the ’06. That will empty my bank account. (I hope they accept the stated price of the ’06 and not do like Taxachusetts does and hit me with sales tax on their assigned value) You want to hear something screwy? This weekend, it’s supposed to warm up to 60º F (15.5º C) and it’s supposed to rain. That will wash the salt off the streets. I’ll take it! | ||
| Zac4mac |
Sounds like you have as unsettled weather as I do here. Sunday got up to 65 at 3:30 and by 4:30 it was 21F. Still no snow here yet. Last snow was in April, breaking all the records for latest snow. At least I’m able to keep riding more this time of year more than usual. Stay warm and safe. Z | ||
| Crusty |
When I lived in Colorado Springs, back in 1975, I saw the weather go from blue sky and 70 degrees to a hellacious blizzard in 45 minutes. I've never been anywhere where the weather changed faster and more extreme in such a short time. | ||
| 1313 |
Don't like the weather here, Mack? Meh, wait 5 minutes, it will change! ^Said about everyplace I've ever been! Albeit NOT at the extremes mentioned above. 2 days ago it was upper 70's here, today it couldn't even get to the mid 50's... | ||
| Cupcake_mike |
Its been 30 (and windy as hell), all week here. Friday evening (1730) when I head to work its supposed to be 70, when I leave at 0700, it'll be 30. I don't mind riding home in sub freezing temps, even though I have a 55 mile commute, there is whiskey and a shower waiting for me once I get home. | ||
| Crusty |
Mulling Over Plans Today is trash day and I just went through the garage to put my trash out. As I came back in, I stopped and looked at the bikes. First the new ’06 Custom, then the Express. The 06 needs several changes. Handlebars and risers, Mid controls, mufflers, Rear Turn Signal relocation, a luggage rack and a seat (But I already have a seat for it) and a Tachometer I’m sure there will be other changes, as well. The Express hurts to look at. Yes; it needs to have its engine torn down completely and the crankshaft assembly sent to Dark Horse Crank Works to be properly refurbished; but it was my vision of what a Sport Tourer could be. When it’s done, however, it will be a much better version of that vision. The only beetles in the pudding are the number of dollars it will take to achieve everything. I am severely lacking in funds. Yesterday, the BMV took close to $300.00 for sales tax and title & licensing fees. That emptied my checking account. The Express is going to be on Hold until I get my Income Tax refund. I’ll be able to buy a luggage rack when I get my next check. I bought a set of saddlebag (brackets? supports? the bent rods that keep the bags away from the rear wheel) before I left Massachusetts; so I’ll be able to put my old set of soft bags on it. That way, I’ll be able to use the bike for grocery shopping and other errands. I also have a line on stock mufflers and a set of mid controls. I really am fortunate in my friends. It’s all going to come together. It will just take a bit of time. I had some really good luck, yesterday. I got my documents back. My License, registration, Medicare cards, etc. They were in an envelope in the mail. There was a note that said, “I found these on the floor of Hudson News at Logan Airport. Have a Merry Christmas!” The note was unsigned and there was no return address on the envelope. I had started the process of getting replacements, but the two photos of my daughter Megan are irreplaceable. I’ve had huge amounts of Luck, lately; both bad and good. it feels like my Guardian Angel and my personal demons are fighting it out and I’m the beneficiary/victim of the battle. Today, the weather is supposed to get up to 50º F (10º C) I’ll hopefully be able to clean the 06. It’s covered with road phlegm and really needs a bath. I also need to bring it by the BMV so they can check the VIN and give me a license plate. I just looked at the thermometer. It’s right at the freezing mark. I think I’ll wait a little bit longer before heading out. | ||
| Crusty |
On A Warm Friday The temperature is supposed to get up into the 60s today (that’s 15º + for you Celsius folks), which is nice. However, there are strong storms accompanying it. The good news is that it should be only cloudy during the daylight hours. The bad news is that the Severe Weather is supposed to hit a little after midnight. There’s nothing like the possibility of a tornado to really make your sleep patterns interesting. I rode through some unseasonably warm rain on Monday. The good news was that I had prepared for it. I had bought a set of Frogg Toggs at Wally World on Sunday. They didn’t have any that were big enough to go over my riding gear, so I wore them under my outer layer. They kept me dry, even though my jacket and pants were saturated and weighed about 20 pounds more than when I put them on when I took them off at the motel. Once the sun comes up, I’m going to take the ’06 to the quarter car wash. It’s filthy and really needs a good bath. The good news is that it’s covered with chrome and chrome is easy to clean. The bad news is that in spite of that fact, I don’t really like chrome. Oh well; it does look a whole lot nicer when it’s clean. I’m having a lot of trouble bonding with the Custom. It runs well enough; but there are so many things that I want to change, it’s almost overwhelming. I even hate the gas cap. It’s a huge disc that’s very hard to hold and turn, and the “Decorative Gas Tank Trim” doesn’t leave enough room for your fingers to fit. I’m seriously tempted to pull that piece of trim off and just put a regular gas cap on it. I think the tank would look a sh*tload better without that useless and ugly crap. I almost bought a luggage rack on fleaBay last night; but my inner cheapskate prevailed. My credit card balance is already too high. Other things I looked at, but didn’t buy were a Speedometer mount from an 883 Low (so I can change the bars), and a Screamin’ Chicken air cleaner. The bike has an Arlen Ness Big Sucker Air cleaner on it. My opinion is that the Big Sucker was the clown who paid that much for such a piece of crap. (But it’s Shiny crap!) I guess the battle in my head is that if I spend the money to make the Cussed’em (Hey! That’s its name!) more functional, I won’t have it to spend on parts to fix the Express. The Gentleman’s Express will be back up and running better than ever; I just have to be patient and accumulate a bit of cash. In the meantime, I can make the Cussed’em a lot more practical without spending too much money. I took the Cussed’em to the BMV yesterday so that they could inspect the VIN. Everything was copacetic, so I get my title on Tuesday. Then I can get the plate for only 50 or 60 bucks; the lady wasn’t sure of the rates for motorcycles. I really am glad this is a four week month; otherwise, I’d be eating hot dogs for Christmas Dinner (but I’ve got a lot of Kayem Natural Casing Franks, and that wouldn’t be a bad thing). I get my SS deposit on Monday, the 20th. Anyhow; it’s getting light out and the temp is 48º. I think I’ll take the Cussed’em to the quarter car wash. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Fun Fact: Poughkeepsie has a beautiful Police K9 named Kiah. She's a pitbull, one of the first of her kind to serve as a K9 Officer. | ||
| Crusty |
On Your Marks… I’m pretty sure that I’m going to keep the Cussed’em. That means I need to set it up properly for my style of riding. I can’t just keep using it the way it is. Hell; I’m still having trouble finding the footpegs without having to look down. and it’s a pain in the butt getting my foot under the shifter to upshift. Fortunately, I know someone who has a set of mid controls who want’s to trade. It’s time to start making modificarions. I went web surfing last night and found a reference from 2008 to the “Dental floss and WD-40 method”. A few posts later, he reported success. I have both, so I guess it’s time to start making changes. I really dislike that silly, useless and non-functional strip down the center of the gas tank. While I’m at it, I’ll change the seat. The Saddlebag guards are scheduled for delivery this coming Tuesday (Um; yeowh - in my best Blind Melon Chitlin’ voice) by Fed Ex. Next, on the cheap mods list will be the handlebars. I have a set of bars and risers; what I need is a speedometer housing. The present housing is part of the top bar clamp. I’ll have to look at it closely to see if maybe I can make it work. Ooh; I just got an idea… Then there's the luggage rack. That will be a cheap and functional addition. After that, it’ll be the air cleaner. I want to put a Screaming’ Chicken replacement on with a K&N air filter. There are a number of cheap mods that are easy to overlook. I’m going to replace the headlight with a Chineseum LED unit. I’m going to put a Fender Extender on the front fender and I’ll replace the tail light with another Chineseum LED piece. Each of those will cost around $30.00. Cheap; especially considering how much they actually do improve the bike. A bigger expense will be putting a tach on it. I have a 19 inch spoke front wheel from the Roadster. While I prefer a cast wheel, a spoke wheel will work until I can afford a replacement. I’m going to wait until the front tire is worn down enough to need replacement before I change wheels. I’m also going to keep my eye out for a right lower fork leg with caliper mounting bosses. Eventually, this bike will have dual front discs. When I think about it, I see the Cussed’em as a chromed version of my Roadster. It already has a lot of chrome, so I won’t need to do much; just buy chrome replacement parts instead of the black items I’ve been getting for the Express; like a gas cap from Lowbrow Customs to replace that stupid POS from the Factory. I guess all the above just proves that Change is Inevitable. At least when it comes to my motorcycles. | ||
| Crusty |
People Sandra  Luca  Guy  Ma Zel  Jimmy  Kathryn and Ernie checking out the Cussed'em  Eating GREAT pizza at Caserta Pizzaria  Pizza worth riding to Providence for  | ||
| 86129squids |
GREAT pics, buddy! It's always a treat to read a Snippet... but being able to see some of these cool peeps is like buttercream icing before the cherry on top. Picture Snippets rule!  | ||
| Crusty |
Sometimes… Sometimes I feel like, “my cheese done slid off my Cracker”. I spent almost all of yesterday afternoon rearranging my basement so that there’s room for a workbench. I saw an ad on Craigslist where a guy is selling workbench legs made from 2” angle iron. They have provisions for two shelves as well as the table top. Each end is actually both legs per side and he’s asking $15.00 each, or 2 for $25.00. They’re unpainted, but they look pretty decent. I can get a sheet of 3/4” plywood for $39.00 from Home Teapot and have them cut it right down the middle and have a nice workbench after I paint the legs and varnish the plywood. I don’t think he's going to sell out before I get my next SS deposit; people are blowing all their disposable cash on Christmas stuff. Me; I’m blowing all my dough on motorcycles. I mean; Something really special is about to happen to me. I won’t say what because the people involved deserve all the credit and I’ll wait until they say something on the Forum: but it’s very reminiscent of the Crusty Relay and it’s a big part of why I was working in the basement, yesterday. Plus; I’ve started modifying the Cussed’em. Hell; I still don’t have the Cussed’em registered. That happens tomorrow, when the Title comes back to the BMV and it’ll just about empty my checking account, I think. Yet, in spite of knowing this, I want to charge ahead. I want to pull the engine out of the Express and I want to make numerous changes to the Cussed’em. My Bundled Insurance is going up per month and I have an additional loan payment to make for the Cussed’em and I’m blithely saying, “Damn the torpedos; Full Speed ahead!”. I know that I can do this, though. I’ve worked out a budget that’s realistic; now, all I have to do is stick to it. But I’m giddy with excitement. The misfortune of having a bad crankshaft is compensated by the amazing things that have happened as a direct result. I’ve got the Cussed’em, I’ve had a friend who is a very skilled and meticulous machinist offer to help me repair the engine of the Express. I’ve had friends offer to travel hundreds of miles to help build a workbench; another friend is giving me mid controls and stock mufflers; yet another friend wants to send me an LED headlight, and there’s a group who are working to help me. The list goes on. I seem to have attracted a lot of great people who want to help me. I’m both amazed and grateful. I have no idea how I’ll ever pay everyone back, but I really feel Blessed. Thank you all, and may your Christmas be as wonderful to you as mine is being to me. | ||
| Crusty |
Merry Christmas “Masshole” Paul, Greg and Brian pulled up yesterday afternoon in Greg’s F-150 to build me a workbench. We all went to Home Teapot and got a sheet of plywood and some 2x4s, then came back and began sawing and glueing and screwing. They worked until it was time to eat and we all retired to the dining room and enjoyed a pleasant leisurely meal with plenty of conversation. While I washed the dishes, they finished the bench. It was done and we all sat and ate dessert and shot the bull until almost Midnight. We were all up this morning before sunrise and there was more conversation that lasted all morning until they left at almost noon; first to drop Brian off at his house in Prospect, then to head back into the frigid hinterland of Michigan. I really can’t describe just how great it is to have friends like that and how much I enjoy just sitting and swapping stories. One additional highlight was an e-mail from the USPS saying that my packages were delivered to my front porch at 7:34 AM. When I brought them in, they were the mid mount controls and stock mufflers for the Cussed’em from Joe and an air cleaner from fleaBay. The arrival of those items gave us all lots more to talk about. After the bench builders left, I went downstairs and moved some things around. I laid out the items I’d gotten and decided that I’d wait to put the controls and mufflers on the bike until I had the proper exhaust gaskets which I’ll go get tomorrow. I would have gone today, but it had started raining. Anyhow; I saw no reason why I shouldn’t put the air cleaner on, so I did. Step by step, the bike is being transformed. While I was rummaging through my parts stash, I looked at my collection of wheels. I’m pretty sure I have a matched set of cast wheels that will go right on the Cussed’em. Of course, I’ll have to get new tires, but there’s a 19” front wheel, and I think it’s the right one. The matching rear wheel would go right with it. I just want to check to see if the axles on both the 05 and 06 models are the same part #. Ronnie’s Parts Finder is being really weird so I can’t look them up, right now. So I’m already starting to use the bench. I’m storing my Sawzall, my cordless impact driver and a couple of other things on the shelf, and I put my Kennedy tool box up on the right rear corner. I played with the bike for a little while, then came back upstairs. When dinner time rolled around, there was a knock on my front door. There was a woman standing on my porch with a bag in her hand and she asked if I was John, AKA Crusty. I told her that I was and she said, “Merry Christmas from a Secret Santa!” She handed me a bag and told me that I was really going to like what was inside. I asked if she was from Velvet Smoke and she said she was, and she hoped I’d have a very Merry Christmas. I thanked her and wished her a Merry Christmas, as well and went back inside, where I checked out more food than I could eat in three meals. There was a note on the bag that said, "Merry Christmas "Masshole" - Secret Santa. I’m not sure who the “Secret Santa” is, but he (or she) knows my tastes. There was both Brisket and Burnt Ends, BBQ Baked Beans, Texas Toast, Mac & Cheese, and something called a Frito Pie. I ate the Brisket and Burnt Ends and half of the beans, and I’m painfully stuffed. I’ll try the Frito Pie and the Mac & Cheese tomorrow. I really am overwhelmed by all the help and gifts I’ve received lately. I had three friends here building me a work bench, received hundreds of dollars worth of parts for free and gotten enough food to feed several people in the past 30 hours, and that only scratches the surface. There’s more going on that’s to my benefit. And it’s all because the crankshaft in the Express took a dump. I really am amazed and I feel very unworthy. But the people doing it all feel joy by helping me. As RD said, If I refuse it, I’m denying them a Blessing. And people with hearts like that deserve all the blessings they can get. I’m overwhelmingly happy. I hope you and yours all have as much joy as you can get this Christmas! (Message edited by Crusty on December 16, 2021) | ||
| Crusty |
Photos The Bench Builders: Brian, Greg and Paul:  The Bench:  The parts that arrived this AM:  The Cussed'em:  | ||
| Crusty |
For Every Action… …There is an equal and opposite reaction. Not only does that apply in Physics, but I’m starting to think it also applies in luck. I mean, Just when the last major modification was done to finish my concept of a Gentleman’s Express, the engine took a dump. Then; because of that disaster, I’m getting all kinds of good things happening. But not everything is sweetness and light. The other night, while the bench builders were here, Greg and I were out on the front porch and my Christmas lights started blinking erratically. I hope I don’t need to replace them all, but I probably will need to. Then, yesterday afternoon, the garage door opener took a dive. I got up on the step ladder and checked it out and it needs some plastic gears replaced. So today, I’m going to take the unit down and my new workbench will get some use actually for fixing something. The good news is that I went online and I was able to order the parts to fix it. I also still need to replace the forward controls and loud-ass mufflers with the mid controls and stock mufflers. My gas cap from Lowbrow came in last night, and it now resides on the gas tank. The balance of good vs bad is still heavily in my favor and I hope it stays that way. It’s looking like if I juggle my finances a bit, I may have enough to send the crank to Dark Horse next month. That’s not definite; I don’t know how much my Property Tax is going to go up and I don’t know what other rabbits will get pulled out of the hat to keep me off balance. I sure hope it does happen, though. In the meantime, I guess I ought to get off my fat ass and do something. The bike, Opener and Christmas lights aren’t going to magically fix themselves. | ||
| Crusty |
Duck Soup One of the all time great movies (to my way of thinking) is the Marx Brothers Duck Soup. There’s a scene where Groucho is calling for help over the radio and a distant voice replies, “Help is on the way!”; followed by scenes of assorted large groups charging forward. That’s how it feels, this morning. The Express died and I’ve received an amazing number of responses to help me either get it fixed, or to help make the Cussed’em more my style. Yesterday, while it was raining out, I removed the loud mufflers and forward controls and put the stock mufflers and mid-controls on. I didn’t go out in the rain, but I did start the bike with the garage door open and it’s nice and quiet. I sat on it and it feels right with the mids. I’ll take it out today and see if I like it as much on the road. A little while ago, I got an e-mail from yet another friend who has parts that will help me change the bars. I already have a set of bars and risers; my problem was that the speedometer mount for the custom wouldn’t do the trick. He has a speedometer mount like the one I put on the Express, and he’s sending it to me. I’ll have the right (for me) bars on my bike in a week or two. The Cussed’em is rapidly becoming a duplicate of the Roadster! That’s good; because the Roadster was the template that the Gentleman’s Express was built from. I ordered the luggage rack that mounts to the sissy bar. In less than a month, the Cussed’em will have gone from a low mileage pimp bike to a comfortable mile eater. There are things I’d like to do that cost a lot of money, like a digital speedo/tach, lower right fork leg and brake caliper, and decent hard bags, but they’ll just have to wait until the Gentleman’s Express is back up and running. That’s the focus point. The Cussed’em is becoming a really good bike, but the Express is my dream. Eventually, the Express will be back up and running better than ever and the Cussed’em will be completely transformed. I guess it’ll be like having your cake and eating it too.. And it will be because I’ve been blessed with knowing some of the kindest and most helpful folks anywhere. | ||
| Crusty |
A Snippet For Wednesday Morning I took the Cussed’em out on Monday and it’s a lot quieter with the stock mufflers. It seems to be running better, as well. The mufflers that were on it were “see-through” pieces; both loud and degrading performance. I like the mid pegs & controls a lot better than the forwards. The rack for the sissy bar arrived yesterday morning and I put it on. It was not the rack I ordered, but rather than go through the hassle and expense of exchanging it, I’m just going to use it. Besides, it does look good on the bike and it will work as good as the other rack. I have good wheels for the Cussed’em. When the tires that are on it wear down, I’ll buy tires for the wheels in my stash and then I’ll have a 19” on the front. I’ll also have a spoked cast rear wheel, instead of that solid disc wheel. I had forgotten all about those wheels. I think they’re the ones RDs neighbor was going to throw out because he’d sold the bike they came on. RD grabbed them and gave them to me. When I was in the parts cubby hole, I saw them. They look to be in really good shape. I should probably change the bearings in them; if for no other reason than it would give me peace of mind. The way the tires that are on the bike are wearing, though, I won’t be changing wheels soon. That makes my wallet a bit happier. The Weather Forecast for Christmas is for a high temp of 66º F (19º C). However, it’s supposed to shower during the afternoon hours. Maybe I’ll go for a ride in the morning, then come home and fix dinner. I’d ride somewhere and get breakfast, but I doubt anyplace would be open, except Denny’s. I saved some Benton’s bacon for breakfast on Christmas, and that beats Denny’s hands down. I guess I could eat breakfast first, then go for a ride. I have one amazing Christmas gift that I haven’t written about for a couple of reasons. I don’t want to upstage the people involved plus I’m plagued by the old adage, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch”. I’ve told my friends about it (Yeah, I know; you all are my friends), and everyone thinks it’s extraordinary, but I think the people involved should be the ones to break the ice. There are some details I don’t have, as well. On the “hatching chickens” side, it was supposed to happen before Christmas, then it got pushed back until January 8, or maybe the 20th. I’m not criticizing or complaining. I was a Red Sox fan until the 1986 World Series when the Sox had the Series won, then threw it away. I always try to leave room for Defeat being snatched from the jaws of Victory. I’m really looking forward to getting it; and I hope I haven’t jinxed it by stating that. The workbench that Paul, Greg and Brian built is being used. The garage door opener is in pieces on it waiting for parts to arrive. They’re scheduled for delivery on Friday, but after last year, I’ll believe it when they are actually here. If they arrive on schedule, then I’ll have a working opener for Christmas. That will be a nice present for myself! | ||
| Crusty |
On Boxing Day, 2021 It started last week when the garage door wouldn’t open. I could hear the motor running, but the door wasn’t moving up. So I investigated and found that a plastic gear had lost all its teeth. So I took the opener”Head” down and disassembled it. Then, I went online and found parts to fix it and ordered them. A few days later, when I unlocked the front door to get in, the doorknob and lock came apart in my hands. After looking online, I found that Home Teapot had a door set on sale for ten bucks, so I went and bought one. Unfortunately, the deadbolt assembly wouldn’t fit in the door, so now, I have a “Stainless” finish doorknob and a polished brass finish deadbolt and I have to use two keys to get in, instead of just the one. I can live with that. The parts for the Garage Door Opener came in on Friday afternoon and I put them in, but I still couldn’t get the unit to work properly. I was tired and I decided to just bag it until the next day which happened to be Christmas. In the meantime, my subconscious mind was chewing over why the opener wouldn’t work. There were two separate reasons. The first was that the “Don’t Squash a Kid” sensor thingies weren’t connected to the head. The second was the cable/chain drive had slipped off a pulley and the cable was bound up. Once I took care of those two problems, the opener started working beautifully. Ever since the Express died, I’ve been feeling mechanically inept. Getting the door opener working helped relieve that feeling. The rest of Christmas Day went well. I had a breakfast BLT made with some of the Benton’s bacon and it was very good. My dinner was Broiled Rib Eye Steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, Flaky Biscuits, Asparagus and Cranberry Sauce.I waited a couple of hours, then had Cheesecake with fresh Kenya AA coffee. I was up at 1:00 AM and rode the Cussed’em to an AA Alcathon and spent some time there, then came back home, arriving a bit before 4:00 AM. It was a beautiful ride. The temperature was in the high 40s and traffic was almost nonexistent. Most of the houses had their Christmas lights on and I enjoyed the sight. There was a kid at the Alcathon who has an 883, and we discussed Sportsters for a bit before I left for home. I arrived home and the garage door opened smoothly for me. I had put a load of clothes in the washer before I left, so I put them in the drier, then went upstairs and slept for a few hours. I haven’t been out on a bike in the wee hours for a long time and it really felt wonderful. And even though I didn’t see a dozen cars on the road on a 20 minute ride, one of them ran a red light. Yep; this is Cincinnati. Now, I’m planning my ride for today. It’s supposed to be sunny, with temps up in the mid-50s (13º C) and I’d like to get a good ride in while I can. Weather Underground is saying that it’s supposed to hit 71º F (21º C) tomorrow, but with thunderstorms. Next week, they’re showing showers all day long for New Year’s Day. Well; it won’t be my first wet New Year’s Day ride IF the forecast is correct. After that, the temps are supposed to plummet to below average. | ||
| Crusty |
An Idle Mind… Back when I was but a mere prat in St. Joseph’s Grammar School, Sister Margaret Henry used to tell us that, “An Idle Mind is the Devil’s Workshop”. She loved to give us about 4 hours of homework every night to keep Beelzebub at bay. Or somethin’. As a ten year old, I thought it was because she was a sadistic, mentally deranged individual. Come to think of it; I still think that. Anyhow; today, it rained, so I was housebound for the day. I went down to the garage and started looking at the Cussed’em with the thought of changing the handlebars. That’s where the Idle Mind comes into it. I can’t change the bars out yet; I need a couple of parts that I don’t have, so I can relocate the speedometer. But I could look everything over and see just what I will need, when I get those parts. While I was looking over the handlebars and speedometer, I also started looking at the headlight. I like the “Eyebrow” headlight mount and the Cussed’em has a headlight that’s mounted to the lower triple tree. It wouldn’t take much to put an eyebrow mount on it, however. I have an eyebrow; I’d just have to get the right headlight bucket and I’d be all set. So after I had all the speedo and handlebar parts back as they should be (for now), I came upstairs and started looking online. First, I went to Ronnie’s Parts Finder and got the part number for the correct speedometer base plate. Then, I decided to call and talk to a real person. There was one part that had me worried. It’s an indicator lamp housing that holds all the idiot lights and it isn’t available any more. So I talked with a very nice person who informed me that they did have that part in stock. So I bought it. I didn’t even ask the price. I spent more than I should, but I didn’t even think about the price. Three weeks from now, when I’m broke and hoping to just get by until my next SS deposit, I’ll be swearing at myself for blowing the money, but I’ll have the good bars on the bike. That’s the first part of the Devil’s Workshop. The second part, I managed to stop before I let it bite me. I went surfing on fleaBay, looking at headlights. I found the usual parts that some meatball wants the price of a new part for an old, beat up piece of scrap, but I also came across one that was exactly what I want at a reasonable price. I was seriously considering clicking on the “Buy It Now” button, but somehow, sanity prevailed and I didn’t buy it. Maybe next month… At an rate; I should have the bars I like with the proper risers and a speedometer housing from a 2019 Iron on the Cussed’em in a week or so. If I could afford it, I’d buy a digital speedo/tach similar to the one on the Express. It was considerably easier to say no to to that. It would cost almost my entire food budget for the month. I think I’ll buy a ticket for the Mega Millions. I realize that it’s a voluntary tax on stupidity, but the Goddess of Good Luck might just throw me a bone. It’d be nice to be able to afford to make all these changes without having to squeeze my nickels ‘till the buffalo shits and the Indian begs for mercy. Hey; ya never know… | ||
| Crusty |
Rambles I bought a Banquet Sweet & Sour chicken dinner yesterday. It was on sale, and I decided that I really shouldn’t eat BLTs for breakfast (brunch?) every day. I just ate it a few minutes ago and it sucked every bit as much as I thought it would. But it cost less than half the price of a good BLT, so I got my money’s worth; if not my taste buds worth. The unexpected bonus was the plastic tray the meal (?) came in it’s rectangular and will make a good holder for nuts, bolts and small parts when I’m working on something. the size and shape is much better than the trays I’ve been using. Now, all I have to do is find similar Banquet lunches that might be more palatable. It’s 14º F (-10º C) outside. I don’t think I’ll go out for a little while. It’s supposed to make it all the way up to the Freezing mark today (32º F; 0º C). Tomorrow, it’s supposed to be Much Warmer. We’ll see. I mailed a part to a friend in Saint Louis. He’s going to remove a broken bolt for me. I mailed it out Priority Mail on Saturday. I always like to keep track of packages, so I watched it go from Cheviot to Cincinnati to Indianapolis to (Huh?) Grand Rapids Michigan. It left Grand Rapids last night, but I have no idea if it’s headed in the right direction. It’ll probably turn up in Skagway, Alaska, next. It could be worse; I bought a used DVD of the classic western, Stagecoach and it was shipped by UPS. It left Grove City, Ohio on the 7th and hasn’t been heard from since. People bitch about the USPS (and so do I), but I’ve had much worse experiences with both Fed Ex and UPS. Fed Ex delivered an airline ticket to me on a Monday morning two hours after the flight left Logan Airport. The package was marked with a bright yellow tape that said, SATURDAY DELIVERY in bold black lettering. UPS accepted my Ulysses Exhaust and my payment when I sent it to Jet Hot to be coated. Once it was 1000 miles away, they contacted me and told me it wouldn’t be delivered unless I ponied up more money. Those are the two most blatant examples, but there are more. Several more. I can’t complain about DHL, but that’s because I’ve only had them deliver to me a couple of times. I’m sure that if I give them a chance, they’ll screw the pooch just as badly. I was seriously considering getting an Equity Loan on the house to pay off the Express and the plastic and using the rest to rebuild the engine on the Express. Then I looked at interest rates on Equity Loans and I realized that I’m better off not doing that. I have the Cussed’em and I can ride that until I have enough saved up to go through the engine on the Express. I figure that if I’m going to go that deep into the engine, I might as well spend the money on all first class components. My goal is to make the bike as reliable as possible. Having the Crank refurbished by Dark Horse is a good start, but the right pistons, valves and other parts are important, too. I don’t have enough saved up at present, but I can save up enough in a bit of time. I’m also unsure about my ability to do the job. However, I rebuilt my Moto Guzzi engine in my spare bedroom after it died and it ran just fine until it was stolen. I don’t consider myself to be a really good mechanic (I’ve seen some great mechanics and watched them work), but I’m a competent technician and I can read and follow the directions in the Service Manual. And if I have to purchase Special Tools, it’ll still be cheaper than Shop Labor Rates. After writing that, I feel a good bit better about my skill level. Now I'm pretty sure I can do the job. After all; nobody was as good at what I did at a few places I worked and I built some pretty complex machinery. As I said; I may not be the best, but I'm definitely good enough. Anyhow; that’s where I’m at this morning. | ||
| Ourdee |
Nice to hear you got your mind into gear. There is greatness within your cranium. There are plenty of talented people that have your back if needed. "No can't, just do or don't." I was wondering what the interest rates were. | ||
| Crusty |
Good Things My brother gave me a street sign (sorta - it’s 5” tall and 30” wide) for Christmas that says Steel Horse Dr. I think I’ll put it on the garage door to replace the 3 Stooges sign that’s been there and has faded to almost blankness. It’s a rectangular sign (like a parking sign) that says, “Knucklehead Garage - We’re not happy ’till you’re not happy”. It’s cold out, but It would give me something to do and I’ll feel like I accomplished something today; besides cleaning the oven. Cleaning the oven doesn’t count; all I had to do was hit the Clean button and select 3 hours. The stove did all the rest. Switching the signs will be a good thing for me. I hit the plastic piece for the Indicator lights with red, green & blue Sharpies. It worked, so now that’s one thing less that I have to worry about. That’s a good thing. I got a call from Greg on Friday afternoon. He got the broken bolt out of the footpeg mount. It gave him a tough time and it took a couple of hours, but he prevailed. He was going to put it in the mail yesterday. Unless it takes a side trip through Grand Rapids, Michigan like it did on its way to Greg, I should have it on Tuesday, or maybe Wednesday. That’s another good thing. And I got a text from Matthew. He’ll be delivering the lift this coming Saturday! That will be not just a good thing, but a Really Good Thing. Once I have it set up, I’ll be able to start pulling the engine on the Express. Now; I have to tell the story of the lift. Mike in Dahlonega called me up after the engine in the express died. He told me that his good friend Joe had a lift he wanted to get rid of because he didn’t have room for it. Joe reads my Snippets and he decided to give the lift to me. That way I could work on the Express a lot easier. Mike took it upon himself to organize getting the lift from Florida to Cheviot. I’m unsure of the details, but he managed to get it to Atlanta where Matthew works. Matthew makes runs on a semi-regular basis to Chicago in a pretty big van and there was room in the van for the lift. Cincinnati is on the way from Atlanta to Chicago, so he’s going to bring it to me. It’s another Badweb Relay for my benefit! I really am amazed and I feel humbled. I get so much help from other people, that I have trouble comprehending why. R.D. told me that to deny that help is to deprive the people involved the Blessing they get by helping me. I know that I enjoy helping others so that makes sense, but it really is hard for me to accept help. That’s something I’m working on. I really do appreciate all the help I’ve gotten. The Bench Builders from the XL forum (Brian, Paul & Greg), Joe, who sent me mid footpegs and stock mufflers for the Cussed’em (as well as fabricating a front fender bracket and my Saddlebag mounts and the windshield brackets), Roy, who sent me Speedometer parts & offered more and now, Joe, Mike and Matthew and anybody else who was involved with the Lift Relay. That isn’t even a partial list of the folks who’ve helped me. Greg, R.D., David, Dondi, Ernie, Kathryn, Guido, Guy and Sandra (& Jimmy!) at the shop and that’s just in the past couple of months.The list gets really long if I go back even more. I’m a very lucky guy to have people like this in my life. I hope they all feel as blessed as I do! | ||
| 86129squids |
Yep! Very good Snip there, obviously there will be much more great content to share in your future ones!  | ||
| Buellish |
It all started when Joe called me and asked if I thought John would want his lift.I said I would imagine so but I'll call him and find out. Joe drove the lift in the back of his truck from Ormond Beach Florida to Dahlonega and then the next day we took it down to Matthew's warehouse in Norcross for storage until he had a scheduled trip to Chicago. It's Crusty Relay part II!There are two hero's in this and that's Joe and Matthew, Joe for his generous gift and Matthew for donating the transportation to get it to John. | ||
| Sprink |
This is just wonderful. | ||
| Crusty |
Matthew:  The Lift in the basement with the Express on it:    I'll write more tomorrow. |
