| Author | Message | ||
     Dr_greg |
So after roughly two months of work on the Uly --- spark plug rethreading, oil leak, engine rotating, engine rerotating, etc. --- it was time for the shakedown cruise. For my route I selected one of my favorites. Roughly 540 miles: From Albuquerque down I-25 to Truth or Consequences, west on NM 152 across the Black Range to Silver City (great twisty road!), north on NM 180, 12, 32, 36, 117 to I-40 just east of Grants, NM, then east back to Albuquerque. Great ride in the cool weather months. Due to more than a few Pale Ales the night before, I was leaving about 8:45, an hour later than I would've really liked. Actually, that would guarantee me a chance to try out the PIAAs. Here's a picture starting out by my garage; lighting is not good, but oh well...  First stop is Socorro, NM, for fuel.  Oil hose holding just fine! Whew.  Lots of open country along I-25 between Socorro and T or C. Uly running flawlessly; humming along like the bike I absolutely LOVE.  Another pic of the wide-open NM country, looking southwest. Beautiful day!  A pic from the cockpit, cruising at a sedate 72. 64 miles to the fun stuff --- life doesn't get any better than this!  Stopped for gas in T or C; back to I-25 for 12 miles and then off on 152.  Due to my late start, I didn't really stop on the way up to Emory Pass. It's a second gear road; variable road surface --- perfect for the Uly. I did take a couple pics at the top of Emory Pass (It's about 8,400 feet).  This is looking east and is as clear as I've ever seen it.  Here's a shot of 152 winding up between Hillsboro and Emory Pass.  Lunch stop at BK. Silver City to the North. Temp was 66. Absolutely gorgeous day.   The Whopper, Jr. meal was great. Next, up the west side of New Mexico --- stay tuned for more. Oh, yeah... no oil leaks, Uly running perfectly. It's been a long time --- sure feels good! | ||
| Rubberdown |
Well Done! I hope you have many more miles of sunshine and tailwinds! | ||
| Sleez |
good to hear Doc, job well done!! | ||
| Road_thing |
Nice work, Doc! Glad you got it sorted out. rt | ||
| Ourdee |
Post took long enough, thought we had lost you to an oil slick/BMW. Nice pics. Always like good news. | ||
| Dr_greg |
I meant to put these links at the top of my ride report, since maybe there's someone on the planet who hasn't been following this debacle... 1. Original spark plug thread repair here. 2. Subsequent work here. Only then can you appreciate my combined senses of anticipation, joy, relief, etc. More ride report and pics soon. --Doc | ||
| Sekalilgai |
Congrats doc! | ||
| Armymedic |
Glad you made it through this mess. Your trip reports on your Uly experience boosted my confidence in buying a Uly. Your experience fixing this makes me feel better about my choice. I love my Uly! Congrats! | ||
| Miamiuly |
I like the special inlay in your drive way for the sidestand. Devotion. | ||
| Seanp |
Great pics, and it's good to see it's working for you again! Did you know you have a headlight out?  | ||
| Hooper |
Jealous is not a strong enough word. | ||
| Thunderbox |
Hey Doc are you in love with the girl again? Sounds like it to me. Enjoy | ||
| Rotorhead |
I figured you would need some "alone" time with the Uly, but I would have loved to join you this weekend!! Great roads!! Next time your out for that ride or any other along the AZ NM boarder let me know I'll be happy to join you. The secret ingredient to working on bikes, You have to show the bike some love. I think yours heard about the BMW thing, have the pictures proving it, and got pissed. It's good that you and your bike are back on speaking terms again. | ||
| 4_pete_sake |
DOC --- man thanks for posting finally... I was getting sick of rushing home to see if a post from you was up with a update.... the drama has kept me on the edge of my chair for weeks now.. I even talked my dad into viewing some as he is a engineer... he was inspired to say the least... Great work, love the end result and the pic's now, and all along... I certainly raise my pint to you... Congrats !!! Cheers -pete | ||
| Dr_greg |
I like the special inlay in your drive way for the sidestand. So do I...got that idea from a friend. Nice you noticed. Your trip reports on your Uly experience boosted my confidence in buying a Uly. Hey, that's great to hear! The Uly doesn't agree with some folks (that's OK) but, those with whom it does agree (e.g. us) quickly become ardent devotees.  Hey Doc are you in love with the girl again? You betcha! More than ever, in fact. Kinda like a separation (or a disagreement) from/with a girl you're courting seems to reinforce the relationship once things are smoothed over. However, I firmly believe Ulysses would be ashamed (or worse) to be referred to in the feminine  ; thus mine is a "he."  Next time your out for that ride or any other along the AZ NM boarder let me know I'll be happy to join you. I'll do that; it would be fun! I've a pic coming up of the hwy 78 turnoff to Mule Creek. That---and the subsequent AZ 191---are legendary roads. Next spring for sure.  DOC --- man thanks for posting finally... I was getting sick of rushing home to see if a post from you was up with a update.... the drama has kept me on the edge of my chair for weeks now.. I even talked my dad into viewing some as he is a engineer... he was inspired to say the least... Wow, very cool! We crusty old engineers are a dying breed, I'm afraid...however I do my best to inspire a new crop every semester.  (Well, maybe not quite that harshly) I certainly raise my pint to you... Hmm...(Dr. Greg checks time on his iPhone: 1619 MST); time for that pint pretty soon, in fact!  | ||
| Atoms |
Nice! Thanks for sharing the story and pics doc! 2. I need to live somewhere other than Chicago. I'm still riding my bicycle (of course) but the streets here are not conducive to motorbiking these days. In previous winters the city has kept even the side-streets pretty clear, but this year they claim to not have the funds for more than minimal snow removal on arterials. wah! | ||
| Ulykan |
Hey Doc, I've read every post on this thread and followed you every step of the way. Thanks for the documentary/story, I particularly enjoyed the storybook ending.  | ||
| Florida_lime |
Glad to see all of your efforts have shown such positive results ! My idea of a shakedown run would not have been 500 miles, however ! | ||
| Maximum |
Great news Dr_greg! I remember last winter when I had back-to-back failures that left me stranded in the cold (Voltage Regulator followed by the infamous "77" connector), I first experienced frustration...then after a couple weeks of not riding I began to experience Uly withdraw symptoms (grumpiness)...then finally within the first mile of being back on the bike I fell in love with my Uly again! I can't imagine what two months would do to me (emotionally). | ||
| Xbimmer |
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| Dr_greg |
Leaving Silver City on NM 180 northbound, one passes through the tiny villages of Cliff and Buckhorn and scenery like this:  Here's the junction of NM 78 westbound into AZ (photo looking west). Amazing descent, then hooks up with legendary AZ 191; this road (used to be AZ 666, the "Devil's Highway) is ridden to Alpine, AZ, connects back to NM 180, and makes this a 700+ mile ride (I've done it). Not today, though...I rode on straight north, bound for Reserve, NM.  Here's the picnic area overlooking the Gila Nat'l. Forest.  See? Told ya so.  Had to take a photo of Ulysses ar the picnic area...he's lookin' (and runnin') GOOD.  I cannot overemphasize what a beautiful day this was, even for the sunny southwest. A winter storm has since moved in; now it's cloudy and rainy. But, on this day, was Dr. Greg having fun?  YOU BET!! The ascent and descent of Saliz Pass (6,400 feet) between Alma, NM (great DS Uly-able road starts there and heads east through the Gila Nat'l. Forest) and Reserve is highly entertaining (70-75 mph corners). Once in Reserve, one could drop by Uncle Bill's Bar...  Wouldn't want to be there Saturday night if you're a tree-hugger...Reserve is county seat of Catron County, the sparsest-populated county in a sparsely-populated state. They've been re-introducing the Mexican Gray Wolf into this area; the local ranchers aren't happy. Been some ugly incidents. Dr. Greg would love to retire to Catron County. Continuing north from Reserve, I get behind this guy...hey, move over!  Nothin' that a little TORQUE can't handle...I just passed the junction where the road from AZ 191 rejoins. Now on NM 12. Here's the store at Apache Creek; turn north here onto NM 32 towards Quemado, NM.  About 20 miles south of Quemado the road climbs through the Gallo Mts. over 8,000 and the temp really drops (it's also getting late in the day). I always stop at a rest area at the top to don warmer gear.    That sweater makes all the difference... CRISIS: I had just the rest stop when my "Check Engine Light" came on! That's NEVER happened before. Pull over, shut off w/kill switch as usual, wait a tad then restart, Everything fine! Resume riding. Dang, I'm gonna stop for fuel in Quemado; better find a pay phone (no cell service until I-40, about 80 miles) and call Mrs. Greg. So I did. Gettin' dark, as you can see. Camera setting wrong for dim light; sorry.  Had to leave a message, but I told her if she didn't hear from me in an hour (1800) then grab one of my kids, throw the ramp in the truck (yes, the '68 GMC) and come lookin' for me on NM 117 or 36. I saddled up and turned north on NM 36, which led to the junction of NM 117, and then through El Malpais Nat'l. Monument (gorgeous country, BTW, NM is full of it). But I had misjudged! It was longer than I thought to I-40, and I certainly wouldn't make it by 1800. Oh, at the fuel stop the CEL was fine; still off. Even though Mrs. Greg would understand, giddap Uly! I bumped it up to about 75 mph instead of my normal 70. It was going to be a beautiful night...  Hey, my PIAA's! Switch 'em on, and wow, I CAN SEE!! What a huge difference. I felt much more at ease... I rode largely north on NM 117 through the night and into the badlands. CEL still off. I was looking forward to joining I-40 (too dark for scenery now), calling Mrs. Greg, then the final hour home, then hop in the spa (after 540 miles it's the best), and finally watch the USC-UCLA football game (I'm an SC alum) with a pale ale or three. My eyes just caught the lights of the Ranger Station to the right...nine miles to I-40. ACKKKK, standing DIRECTLY 20 FEET in front of me, frozen in the PIAAs, and---at that instant--- VERY MUCH ALIVE, was this:  At 110 feet per second I had exactly 180 milliseconds to think about things... NOTE: I am OK! The bike can probably be fixed. I have a broken left collarbone and wrist. Gear saved me. Front of Uly blown away. Deer guts EVERYWHERE!!  Fellas, it was like an EXPLOSION!! Much more tomorrow, I'm gonna have another beer... | ||
| Florida_lime |
 And things were going so well. Good news is you are (reasonably) OK. Have another couple of beers.  | ||
| Maximum |
Wow!! If you really wanted to take the bike apart and work on it some more...all you had to do park it in the garage and take it apart for the fun on it. You certainly didn't have to crash the Uly and hurt yourself! Glad you are not hurt any worse...heal fast! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Sonofabitch! Dude, I'm sorry. Did you kick a puppy or stomp a kitten or something? Glad you are mostly ok. Heal quick. | ||
| Ourdee |
Did the oil lines hold up through the crash?  Man, I knew I felt something ominous. Dirty rotten, I should have prayed harder. Will pray for a speedy recovery. Glad to hear your alive. | ||
| Armymedic |
Nnnnnnnoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!! Glad you weren't hurt any worse. Speedy recovery to you. Look forward to a thread on this next fix, with pics.  | ||
| Sleez |
OMG!!!! this is so crushing!!! i am so sorry Doc. damn!!!!! | ||
| Skinstains |
I too feel terrible for you. get well soon. | ||
| Dbird29 |
Son of a bitch! That is just bad luck, glad you are OK. | ||
| Froggy |
Doc, look at the bright side of this, perfect excuse to put on the 1125R or CR fairing! Or whatever one you want. I will have a Lightning front end for sale really soon if you want to go that route |
