Daytona Part 1

 It's been a long winter.  Not particularly snowy here in Cincinnati, but
cold. So when the snow came it seemed to hang around forever.  Then it
melted, but the roads remained wet, and salty.  The bike, which I normally
ride at least occasionally in winter, was stuck in the garage.  The weather
got grayer, as did my mood.




By mid-February, I needed to get away.  Ann and I had some discussions about
taking a winter vacation, but didn't get anything sorted.  Then it came to
me - Daytona.  Bike week. The Compound. Ann and I discussed going together,
maybe for a few days, Wednesday through Sunday.  It seemed like a good idea.




But then we looked at the calendar, and realized that it was my daughter,
Terri's, spring break.  So there was no way we could both go.  Ann, however,
was fine with me taking a solo trip.  I decided to go for it.




The problem with going to Daytona from Cinci at this time of year is the
weather.  Cincinnati is normally over the worst of it, but the ride down can
be unpredictable.  Worse, if the weather changes while south, one may have
to deal with several inches of snow climbing from Knoxville over Jellico
mountain and into Tennessee, leaving the choice of either staying in FL, or
a detour to the west via Alabama and Nashville - which still would leave a
lot of Kentucky which, though lower elevation, could still be snow covered.




So, I made 2 plans.  One, if the weather for the outward and return journeys
looked good, was to take the HD bagger.   Plan B was to load the Sportster
into the truck, and drive down. Why not the bagger?  That's easy - I don't
have the cajones to drive it up the ramp!




So, the plan was to go Wednesday and comeback on Sunday, giving me 3 days
down there.  Then I thought I don't want to tire myself out riding down, so
I booked Tuesday off work as well.




Then I looked at the calendar and realized that didn't make much sense.
After all, if I took Monday off as well, I would get two extra days there
for one vacation day.  Ann agreed.  So a Sunday AM departure was set.




Weather.com was checked regularly in the 10 days leading up to departure.
At first it looked good - 50 degrees or warmer all the way down. Then the
weather guesses for Sunday changed, instead of 58 degrees, all of a sudden
the forecast was 38 degrees.  And snow showers.  Maybe it will be the truck
after all.  Then Ann asked what Saturday looked like.  "50's" say I.  "Why
don't you go Saturday?"  Sold.




The Sporty was ready to go but the bagger needed service, at 9683 miles on
the odo.   So I set to it, changed engine oil and filter and the primary
oil. Then I checked the drive belt.  Slack.  So off to the dealer to get a
tension checking tool, as I couldn't find the one I used to own.  The axle
nut, of course, is behind the muffler.  So, off with the right bag, off with
the muffler. Hmm.  I should have bought the axle nut tool so I didn't have
to do that.  Put the big adjustable wrench on the nut and heave.  Not going
anywhere. Measure the span on the wrench - 1 7/8".  Off to Sears.




30 minutes and $30 later (had to buy a 3/4 inch and a 1/2 inch adapter), I'm
back in the garage.  It doesn't fit.  Quick search on the web tells me it's
actually 36mm.  Seems the HD has mixed fasteners, standard and metric.  Just
like having mixed standard and Whitworth on my old Triumphs. Back to Sears
and return with a 36mm socket and a $20 refund.   Adjusted the belt, went to
bed.




Friday morning comes, and I look at the weather.  100% chance of rain
tomorrow.  All the way.  My wet gear isn't up to that, so I head to Dick's
Sporting Goods and but a $60 set of Frogg Toggs.   Work over, I start
packing the bike and Ann heads for the Airport to pick up Terri.  While she
was on her way, someone decided to take a walk on I-75.  They didn't make it
and the Interstate is closed.   At 1:30 am they arrive home.  I say Hi to
Terri, and arrange to eat breakfast with her in the morning.  She's not
impressed with an 8:00 time; we arrange 10:15.




Along comes Saturday morning.  It's 50 degrees and raining heavily.  Load up
is completed; I have 3/4 of a tank of gas.  I don the Gerbing (unplugged),
my waterproof cop boots, my Alpinestars "Drystar" waterproof gloves and my
comfortable 30-year old MQP 2 piece leather suit.  On top of it go the Frogg
Toggs.  The pants have a button-down flap that allows access to the pants
pocket below.  As I watch the rain bounce off the driveway, I have my
doubts.




Next stop - Waffle House!  Country ham, eggs, hash browns, toast and coffee
with the 3 ladies in my life.  Hard to beat.   Once eaten - ride time!
Clothe up, and a couple minutes later I'm on I-75.

Did I mention it was raining?



Bob

Asshole #37




To be continued.

 "The Original RMH Redbeard" <just.ask.me> wrote

What's this, ya mean that Emeritus fuck is an impostor?!?  Figures.


This is sounding familair... substitute N. VA & WV for TN & KY.


Ya need some of those triple ramps so you have a place to put your feet down
on the way up or down. Still kinda disconcerting on a high 4x4. When ya get
a round tuit don't let the front fender get close to the front of the bed.
When you compress the suspension the front fender will hang on the bed. A
hunk of 4x4 plus an inch shim works good under the frame crossbrace so you
don't have to totally compress the suspension to get it down tight.


Weather guessers were sucking as bad 2 days in advance as they were at 10.


That option looked pretty inviting for the last coupla hundred miles today.


I know a guy that has some bootlegs, works good. What a coinkydink, you know
him too  <g>


I've got two of those sockets, never used 'em. The axle nut tool on one end
and a 36mm box end on the other work betterer. Those 36mm sockets are used
for axle nuts on VWs and some other imports. Import suppliers have 'em
cheaper than anyone else.


Gag. I ended up at those joints a few times this trip. Maybe you've got a
good one down your way. All the ones I've frequented were quite ungood.


Hopefully it was an enjoyably cold, miserable rain. (are there any other
kind?)

112

 
You forgot the Original #37 too.


Everywhere...


I felt like that too... but about 2 weeks earlier.


This from a guy who doesn't know what the slower end of a speedometer looks
like.
Yes, Redbeard, there are *other* speeds.


TL is right... two of them flat spanners in the tool kit is the way to go.


People can be so.... incosiderate.


Whew... I thought it was going to be 'gay appearal'.


Hey, my jammies have that flap!
Oh, wait,,,, maybe we're talking something else.

I bet you looked,,,, mahvalus.

Then what?

ASSHOLE#104 Len

 On Mon, 14 Mar 2011 22:15:40 -0400, "The Original RMH Redbeard"
<just.ask.me> wrote:


Hey, I remember snow!  Don't think I'd like it any better than when I
left WI!


Ah Witworth...Remember them on my BSA's.  Every time I removed a
Witworth nut I took it over to the wet grinder and made an ASE(sp) out
of it.  Wrenches worked fine after that!


Thanks Bob

danl BS#280

 On Mar 14, 9:15 pm, "The Original RMH Redbeard" <just.ask.me> wrote:

[. . .]  

[. . .]

Hi Bob.
Glad I'm not the only one who's gone through this.
Multiple trips for tools or fasteners can sure drag out
a wrenching session.  It's not exactly a glamorous
part of the experience, but it is a character
builder, for sure.

Trip reports are cool.

later,
#34