looks like I'll be wrenching on friday...

then working at the yard sale during the Morton Loggers Jubilee on saturday...hopefully will have the bike up in a few days...I am taking this as a sign that things are looking up...

I also had a job interview yesterday, so keeping my fingers crossed.


See ya on the road sometime...

Tranny Issues

After going over the manuals, and talking to a few different wrenches I know, it seems I do need to pull the gearset out to make room to remove the sifter arm that the shift pawl is connected to.  That way I can replace the two springs I am having issues with.  So I am going to have to pull the drive pulley, and yes I need to remove the top tranny cover...(it is only on there to keep dust and bugs out) that way I can slip the shifter arm into the tranny without hitting the gears on the countershaft. 
I am just hoping I dont need to buy any bearings or bushings that I cant afford to get her back up and running.  Between working on Gypsy, looking for work, and trying to appeal my unemployment denial in Superior Court, I have been busier than a one legged ass kicker.  I am hoping to get something together before I lose the house completely...I just got notice last week I am in default on the mortgage.  So I wouldnt doubt if bankruptcy inst in the future.

See Ya on the road...

Wont Be Long Now I Don't Think

Well, I pulled the primary and oil tank from the bike, and then popped off the cover on the top of the tranny.  It seems the shifter pawl spring, the bigger of the two, was broken.  I am trying to fix it without having to pull the entire gearset.  But I am having my doubts as to whether or not I'll be able to do it.  So I may end up having to sell some shit to come up with the cash for any seals and what not I might need.  Because cash is at a premium at the moment.
As most of you know, I havent been working since the end of November.  The wifes disability check has kept the lights and water, and phone bill paid, and that's about it.  Because I am still wrangling with unemployment over whether or not I was fired, I am not getting any unemployment money.  This past weekend, we got a letter from the mortgage company saying we were in default on the mortgage.  I was actually expecting it several months ago.
So basically, I am losing my home, and trying not to lose the bike.  So it is a good bet I may not be on here too much longer, unless something happens.  I desperately need to get back to work, and get somethings taken care of.
But, since I cant save the house, I am focussing on what I hopefully CAN do.  So I am working on the bike, and hoping I can keep it running so I have transportation back and forth to work when I find a job.  Because there just arent any around here.
I can see it wont be too long before shit hits the fan, and the world changes drastically.  I figure by then the wife will no longer live on "Da Nile".  She keeps talking about having get togethers over the holidays, and what not...and she is the one who knows what bills are paid and what aren't.  So I know it is just a front.
Anyway, going to get back out of here for now.  I'll keep you posted as to what is going on, when I know more.

See ya on the road sometime...

A Ride To The "Dry Side"

Since my bike developed issues just two days before we were suppose to go on a week long ride to the "Dry Side" of Washington state, I had to borrow a Brothers bike.  It turned out the bars would work loose as I rode fighting the crosswinds, and by the second night it was straining my arthritic shoulder.  We finally put some cork between the bars and clamps to replace the other material we
had been using, and the bars didn't move nearly as much.  But the damage was done, and while fighting 50mph+ crosswinds it tore the muscles in my shoulder and I couldnt ride any farther.  The bike made it home, and so did I.  All in all, it was still a good ride, but next time I will take MY BIKE, not one I'm not used to riding...especially a solid wheeled, loose handlebarred bike in high crosswinds.  LOL

Anyway, here is a vid of the trip, and it was, as you can see a good ride.

Oh, and I think I have the issues with Gypsy figured out.  As soon as the parts come in, I will be replacing the shifter pawl springs.  I'll keep everyone posted on how it turns out.

See ya on the road sometime.

2 Days Before A Week Long Run, And...

A few of us made about a 200 mile round trip down to Love's Leathers in Ridgefield, Wa.  They had a nice band on a wonderful day...but on the way home...my clutch went out. 

After a 120 mile run home (without being able to shift below 4th gear) we trailered it to a Brothers shop and put it on the lift.

The clutch plates were toast, and it turns out the compensating sprocket needed to be replaced.   Just what I needed to have happen before I go with some friends on a 4 or 5 day ride through eastern Washington state.  So what was I going to do?  No ride, and no cash to get her fixed...Thank God for Brothers.  My Brother Dave loaned me his Fat Boy for the few days of the ride.

Thanks Dave...I hope you understand how much it means to me.

See ya on the road sometime.

4th Annual Dan George Memorial Run

On Sunday morning, the sun came up and brought everyone out on a warm clear day to ride in memory of a friend I had known since Jr High. 

Dan George was a good friend, and rider.  One of those guys that it always seemed to make your day a little better just to have him say "Hi".  Danny died suddenly only a month before he was to be married to his High School sweetheart, and three months after being elected Mayor of the City of Morton.  Dan was the kind of guy that always seemed to heve a mischievious twinkle in his eye.  But I think the happiest I ever saw Dan, was when he was riding, or even talking about riding, his bike.  I find it hard to believe it is just over 4 yrs since he died suddenly at the age of 48.

As we gathered on sunday morning to ride in Danny's memory, Moe & Petra began playing Kid Rocks "Born Free" on their bikes stereo, until the ride leader Dave was ready to get things rolling.  After that, at each stop we made, Moe would play the song again to let everyone know we were getting ready to fire up and get rolling.  The words fit Danny, and fit why we were all there.  So I didn't think twice about using it in the video. 

The clips in the video are from Moe & Petra's camera, and from my own.  The still pics, are from Dave's, Moe & Petra's, and mine. 

I couldn't have asked for a better day to remember Danny.  Dave & Kayla led the ride for most of it, because they both carried some of Danny's ashes with them on their bikes all the time.  We had 21 bikes show up for the ride which took nearly four hours of riding time to complete as we looped around Mt Rainier in Washington state.  We had a smoke break in Graham, lunch at the Yella Beak in Enumclaw, and then rode up over Cayuse Pass (a bit above 5,000 ft) before dropping down into Packwood to hit the Blue Spruce for cold beverages.  From that point, everyone split off, and we all enjoyed a nice relaxing ride home.

I hope you enjoy the vid, and as always, I am looking forward to next years ride.

See you on the road sometime.

I finished the new exhaust on the bike

Pulled the pipes after a 35 mile run...they were just a bit warm

I got tired of dragging my fishtails everytime I went into a hard tight right turn.  Especially after I ground off about 1/2 inch of one fishtail, and then had a big chuck fall off from metal fatigue.  So over a couple of saturdays we dialed in a new exhaust system from old pipes, and tried it out.  The first time I didnt even make it out of the driveway before I started dragging...back to the drawing boards.

good idea....bad execution

So we cut of the turn-outs and called it a day...It was time to ride.




fisrt attempt...it worked....sort of



But after a week or so, I realized I was STILL dragging the one pipe in tight corners.  Another afternoon in the shop, and a new design for the pipes came about.  This time, the pipes are just above the bottom of the frame, and run around the front of the tranny/kicker and side by side.

No dragging pipes now.  A few days later, I finished the job by spraying high temp black paint.  It looks, and works much better now.  I need to do a little cleaning to just get things to look a bit better.  With the fresh paint on the pipes, it shows off the road grime on the frame.  I am not a big one for shiney chrome and clean paint...I would rather ride than wash and polish.

pipes are done...and they work

High Temp Black....looks and work great

Speaking of which, I need to go get the bike ready for a Memorial Ride for an old friend and fellow rider who died of a stroke at the age of 48.  Making a 4 hour run circling Mt Rainier on sunday...will post pics when I get them.

Catch you all on the road.