Transitions

 
<snip>

Yeah, you're probably right, Don.  Riding is still a bit spotty at
this time of year, so maybe I'm just keeping myself preoccupied.  That
and the fact that I switched to using Google Groups (not good for
filtering).

Over the course of the winter I've got all 3 bikes in terrific shape
for this summer.  In fact, if the winter hadn't dragged out as long as
it did, I wouldn't have been finished in time!

The garage (because I can smoke there) has become my man den over the
last few years - especially during winter refresh-the-bikes time.
With one distinction:  Gladys is always hanging out there with me.
That doesn't fit the definition, does it?

About once a week we spend an evening there (often until 1 AM), taking
a few beers along and turning on the forced-air kerosene heater
periodically to keep the temperatures bare... er, bearable.  ;)  Once
we've had enough of working on the bikes, we kick back with the
beers.

The combination is actually quite a nice way to spend an evening.  I
used to think I talked too much about bikes but, when we spend
evenings together like that, bikes are pretty much all she wants to
talk about!  (can a guy ask for a more perfect spouse than that?)

I've been riding the Road Glide (mainly to work) for a couple of weeks
now and the squeak it had for the last 2 or 3 years appears to be gone
as a result of my replacing the front belt pulley.  That's going to
increase my enjoyment of the bike a lot.  Before that, I had to resort
to wearing ear plugs on long trips because it was getting so loud/
annoying.

At least when that pulley did finally fail, it failed in town and not
out in the boonies on some long trip (for which that bike is now
mainly dedicated).

This summer, as the first full season with your Road King, should be a
good one for you, I'll bet.  There's intangibles about Harleys that
just make them a joy to ride.  I hope the bike suits you well.  With
the new job I'm going to have more vacation days, so it should be more
likely we run into each other somewhere along the way.

And remember:  Shifting into 5th gear at about 90 - 100 km/hr is the
relaxed way Harleys are meant to be ridden.  Don't be afraid to get
out of 4rth gear!  <g>

 On Sat, 18 Apr 2009 07:46:01 -0700 (PDT), "Road Glidin' Don"


I have the Venture listed in Kijiji right now. Last weekend I spent
some time cleaning it up, changing the fluids and generally giving it
the spring once over. Of course after that I had to take it out for a
shake down cruise. We are in good shape for riding down here right
now. By the time I got to Cochrane I am thinking I don't want to sell
it. So I cruised around the Cochrane, Morely, Springbank loop and then
came home. I didn't take the gear off though, I just switch keys and
took the RK out for an even longer ride. You speak of the intangibles,
aside from being lighter there is really very little the Harley does
better than the Venture in terms of comfort, power, handling, braking,
etc. except I just enjoy riding it more. I wish I knew why.

Good to hear you have more vacation days. I am sure you will put them
to good use.

I am also sure our paths will cross at some point this year.

I don't know about this one. I am sure my Road King is geared exactly
the same as every other Road King, but it performs quite well in
fourth gear at 90 to 100 KPH. The motor is just purring in that range
and the bike feels tight and responsive. Unless I am going downhill,
fifth at 90 KPH, the motor is definitely lugging. It just doesn't feel
right.
--
Don

The NART Pilgrimage 2009
http://www.actualriders.ca/nartPilgrimage.htm

2004 Road King
2000 Yamaha Venture MM Edition

 
Quite understandable.  It seems to me that if a guy has 2 bikes, they
should be strong in different aspects (like one for touring and
another, lighter one for booting around town).

It's nice to have a second bike if one ends up needing work too.
Maybe you should take the money you get from the Venture and convert
it into something sporty?


Seems you're having slightly better weather than up here, in Edmonton.


Yep.  A reaction may not always be rational, but it is what it is.


True, 90 kph is a bit on the low side for 5th.

 On Sat, 18 Apr 2009 09:33:29 -0700 (PDT), "Road Glidin' Don"


Sometime before winter I need to buy another car or small truck. I
will use some of the Venture money towards a new vehicle and the rest
will just go into my traveling fund.

The Road King works for me while on the road and around town.
--
Don

The NART Pilgrimage 2009
http://www.actualriders.ca/nartPilgrimage.htm

2004 Road King
2000 Yamaha Venture MM Edition

 

Trouble is that the little inadequate keeps morphing.

--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F SH50 Triumph Street Cripple
If you don't know what you're doing, don't do it. Workshop manual?
Buy one instead of asking where the free PDFs are
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com