Checked the oil – good – and aired up the tires.
As of her PT appointment yesterday, my wife is cleared to drive. She still has to wear the boot for walking & general protection, but she can switch to a shoe for driving. We’ll go to the high school’s big parking lot on Sunday so she can practice a bit. I’m sure she’ll be fine. Now we have to get new tires on her car and get it inspected, then she’s all set. Met Kermit for lunch in Ashland. He’s still not allowed to ride after his shoulder surgery. I know he hates not riding, especially since he’s decided to retire.
The ride wasn’t long, but I’m staying off the freeways, so everything takes more time and more planning. I was out about five hours, but we’re in spring pollen season, so the bike was covered in a layer of that yellow shit after just a couple hours of being parked at the track.
We went to the flat track races there in Ashland. Watched practice sessions, qualifying and a few races before I had to leave. I neglected to bring a clear face shield for my helmet. Bad choice. Kermit said the racing got better after I left.
The bike is running GREAT since the upgrades we made to the ignition system. Really great. Sounds weird though—I can hear the thing on the end of the crankshaft whirring! (or at least I think I can) The bike is STILL a giant pain in the ass to start though, so obviously we didn’t fix that problem. I suggested a thorough carb clean to George; he countered with a full rebuild. Said it’s likely the O-rings, diaphragm, etc. are tired and worn out. Jets probably dirty too, and I guess it could probably use new gaskets and floats. About $300 for all the parts from EME—more money!
To get the bike to start, I have to have it on full choke, then goose the throttle (not too much) when it starts to catch. As soon as it barely starts to idle, I have to back off the choke to half, but use the throttle to keep the idle steady. Since the choke affects the air flow, I think George may be right about the rubber bits being bad (or worn at least) in the carbs.
After a giant rainstorm Sunday night into Monday morning, it’s cooled back down to the upper 40s and lower 50s. Good riding weather! Now that she can drive to work, it feels like my year of riding the Airhead can really get started. That sounds like I’ve been waiting—I haven’t, it’s just one of those things you do after 30 years of marriage. It’s not like spending 30 minutes in the car with her twice a day is torture; we listen to Were You Raised By Wolves and chat about Chad and Lisa and it’s been great having her home more and spending more time with her. I’m just ready to ride at will without having to plan, arrange for rides, etc. I’m sure she understands—I’ve been talking her ear off about this bike since November, after all!
AN ASIDE
Written while reading The Revenge of Analog, by David Sax (I liked this book so much I bought a copy so I could write in it instead of the one I checked out from the library!)
Is the current crop of high-tech motorcycles just another entry in throwaway consumer culture? Will a 2025 R 1300 GS or KTM 1290 or Harley-Davidson Ultra Glide still be viable to ride in 2075? The R 90/6 probably will be. It’s like a roach—impossible to kill as song as somebody somewhere still makes ball bearings and oil seals. But the computers powering a 2025 Indian cruiser will one day be obsolete, all the programmers will die and thus their useful life will have tome to an ignominious end. Mechanically viable but unable to function because nobody can crack the proprietary code on a 50- or 75-year-old ECU that manages fuel dispersion, airflow, traction control and antilock brakes.
A vintage bike is a social tool. You will require help at some point, and most likely you’ll be able to find someone to offer assistance.
END OF ASIDE