Subject: Clearing My Mind......
Author: Keith Ruff
Date: Jul 8, 2002, 5:52 AM
Post ID: 1710563272
Sorry for the 1st 2 blank posts, fat fingers this morning, must have hit
the enter key 2 times rather than the shift key.
What a great morning here in NJ. Hopped on the loop to come to work
this a.m., sun was shining, temp was in the 70's somewhere, nice cool
breeze on the ride in, just the right temp.
Patience has started the old hesitation during starting again, I wonder
why that has come back, perhaps the timing slipped a bit? Before and
during the beginning of the ride, I started pondering all of the things
I have been through thus far with this old goose and what other things
may still need to be addressed (i.e., soft forks, start hesitation
again, perhaps she needs some new wires/points/timing adjust, and that
darn oil/trans fluid leak/weep that shouldn't be there!), and wishing a
great loop mechanic (i.e., a Mark Ethridge, Dave Otis, etc...) was in
the area to teach me how to do some of these repairs and to check out
Patience to make sure she is running/handling right. Started thinking,
"Maybe I should sell her and buy a newer Guzzi or BMW that has no
problems, is more reliable, and hastle free". No sooner out of my mind
and Patience starts running like a top, boy does she love this cooler
air (hates it when it is hot out, likes to stall and sputter when
stopped at a light when it is hot out). I'm now ripping through the
gears winding her out so much my feet are vibrating off the floorboards,
cool! Patience was just sucking it up, pulling like a freight train,
handling was even good, though she still seems to bob up and down a bit
too much on those front forks (perhaps that is normal for a loop,
something for me to get used to). Now I'm thinking perhaps she doesn't
need those new wires and points, and the timing must be ok since she is
ripping through the gears without hesitation. Now I'm also thinking,
"This bike has so much damn character and soul it's sickening! There
are no bikes out there that look like this, she attracts so much
attention, she sounds awesome, and she's running great for a 31 year old
lady. I can't sell her, she is ir-replaceable! I'll just have to fix
her on my own and mess things up until I learn how to do it right, or
get myself to a rally where the experts are and have them check her all
out and learn as they do the work."
Amazing what a nice ride will do for the mind and spirit....
Keith Ruff
71 Police Ambassador - NJ