Sad tribute to American education. Three well educated, men of
distinguished demeanor, parked in front of a no parking sign at
Rider’s Warehouse. Their 3rd grade teacher would not be proud of
them. |
Some of us park appropriately, although Jim seems to be missing a
wheel. |
Why is this man looking at the man kneeling next to his rig? Kevin
isn’t here, is he? |
Aha, a jack, that explains it. Kevin is here, in spirit. |
And above the common and greasy handed masses the queen of the lemon
meringue takes her leisure |
What? Something else broken. Tisk, tisk. The man simply has no will
power. Buy, buy, buy. |
A SKUNK occurrence occurred yesterday and
today. (June 27-28, 2007)
Jim, Wayne and Gust attended an exchange of monies at Aerostich,
traveling via Jerry's of County Highway A.
The day began, out of bed and on the road to Perkins in Rice Lake
where Dimly Lit was met for breakfast. Following breakfast, with a
farewell wave in Kevin's general direction and leaving my hat at
Perkins, we proceeded northward, Dimly leading so as to show off his
new GPS. It worked and found north, as did my compass, and only
provided misdirection several times (my compass remained steady).
After an hour or so on the road, under a blue sky and warm, not hot,
sun, my engine stopped and when downshifting the shift lever fell
off the pivot. And so it goes. Turns out I ran out of gas. Out of
gas at 72 miles when I used to go 100 before hitting reserve. Well
what has changed? Have removed big flat windscreens from tub and
tug. Smaller lower screen on tub and (supposedly) streamlined
fairing on tug last several fills of 10% alcohol and, of course the
infernal rear auto tyre which 'tis about an inch less in diameter
and Dimly had been pushing MPH as lead. which is about 500 more rpm
than I usually run (62-77, the Virago "sweet spot").
Transferred fuel from cell, avoided alcohol and reduced speed the
rest of the trip to eliminate (some) variables. Found mpg increased
a bit but still less than Pre fairing and smaller tyre. May have to
make a choice between better handling of auto tire with poorer mpg
or return to bike tyre. Of course could also try with fairing off
but methinks it 'tis the tyre.
Shift lever lost a bolt so it just came loose. Was held in place as
long as foot on floor board, but had been riding (as result of sore
knee) with leg/foot up on hiway peg. Quick fix with roadside debris.
(Reminder: replace small roll of 'lectric fence wire in tool kit and
add some bubble gum to kit) and on to Jerry's.
Said hello to dogs and Judy (not in that order) and shortly we all
left for Riders Warehouse. Given DL's new status as a member of the
"Wing Tribe" the mandatory stop ad DQ was made.
$pent money at $titch: bought waterproof tank bag, waterproof saddle
bags, waterproof handle bar switch, waterproof/sealed relays, boot
repair/waterproofing. I do learn, usually quite slowly but do, upon
occasion, learn.
Back to Jerry's where he put his weapons of mass destruction skills
to good use on my rig and wired an ammeter for me. He must have done
it right as no mushroom shaped cloud appeared when started the bike.
Hopefully this plus the new heavy duty stator will help reduce the
likelihood of going through 2 stator in 6 months again. Of course
there tis always the Ural for winter driving ;-).
Since Kevin was not in attendance, Wayne decided to take his bike
apart.
An excellent dinner with home made lemon meringue pie (Thanks again
Judy), Jim Left and a pleasant evenings patio discussion with no
insects. Wayne and I shared a room (he snores) and he had to get on
the road early for a 6 hour trip (did I say he has a new GPS) for a
meeting. I turned over and slept until a more civilized hour.
Up, coffee with Jerry and Judy and on the road again. About a half
hour out met a bear which was going to stop and offer a Slim Jim to
whilst warning him about playing in traffic he he galumphed on
across the median of 53, much to the discomfort of a semi driver who
braked rather hard. An hour or so later, a bit after returning to
claim the misplaced hat of yesterday, and quite close to the First
Annual SKUNK Rally and Typhoon watch site, a couple of deer
exhibited their usual indecisiveness about crossing the road, so I
had to slow sharply all the while making frantic motions to the
traffic behind and before me. No one needs to be rear ended or
swerved into because of deer.
And so to home, unpacking sending "Occurrence" pictures to Sheldon
and thoughts of Kevin.
Gust, who wonders when Kevin will be home so he can deliver stuff. |
For sale, proceeds go to help feed the dogs |
