Snippets

[Crusty]

One Of Those Nights


I’m having one of those nights. I woke up at 3:00 AM and the Committee in my head immediately convened. So I got up and played a couple of games on the laptop. Then I started looking at motorcycle parts.

There aren’t many parts to look for to finish up the Gentleman’s Express. I pretty much know what parts I need and how much they’re going to cost. But I still have the 78 Sportster down in the basement and it needs quite a bit. I had thought that the parts it needs are going to be a lot more expensive than the prices I’ve found. So far, I’ve spent the last hour looking at all kinds of things.

I was wondering if I’ve started looking at the 78 because it’s winter. I spent a good bit of time playing with it last winter after I got back from Australia. Then I found the 16 Roadster and began building the Express, and the 78 got put on the back burner.

I could get sucked into building the 78. It needs a lot. A couple of items it needs are Swap Meet items. The right exhaust bracket for the chrome salami exhaust. The parts for the front of the seat so it mounts on the frame properly. I need to find a Superglide tank. It needs a generator and a clutch kit and cables; throttle, clutch, rear brake and Speedometer. I don’t know what else. I guess that once I get my plastic paid down, I’ll be able to start back in on playing with it.

Part of me is saying that I could just buy some of the cheaper items. Twenty bucks for a cable or other cheap items. I know where that leads, though. If I do that, the payments on the plastic will get smaller and I’ll become obsessed with building the bike. Like I became obsessed with building the Gentleman’s Express.

When I bought the 16, I told myself that I was just buying the bike. I wasn’t going to make any changes until both the plastic and furnace were paid off. That didn’t even last a day, once I flew to Wichita and started riding it home. I didn’t even get out of Kansas before I ordered brake and clutch levers and new hand grips. The ride home convinced me that I had to change the handlebars, and I was off and running. A sizable amount of debt later, the Gentleman’s Express is a reality. But the debt is still there and it’s a lot bigger than it was last year at this time.

If I start buying “Cheap” parts for the 78, a year from now, I’ll still be in debt. I want to get it paid off and the only way to do that is to not buy unnecessary things; like parts to restore a 43 year old motorcycle.

Maybe once I get the debt cut in half of what it currently is, I’ll be able to start buying little items for the 78. But that’s going to be several months. And it feels like an alcoholic saying, "Well; if I can go six months without a drink, then I should be able to handle only having one or two!"

In the meantime, it’s winter. I have things to do for both the Roadster and the Express. I guess I’ll concentrate on that. There’s a beautiful new Alto Carbonite clutch kit still sitting on the dining room table. maybe it’s time to put that in the express.

But not at 5:00 AM.

[sprink]

Originally Posted by Crusty

One Of Those Nights


I’m having one of those nights. I woke up at 3:00 AM and the Committee in my head immediately convened. So I got up ..................

................. maybe it’s time to put that in the express.

But not at 5:00 AM.

No time like the present!

I have lots of things to do on both bikes and have most of the parts, but the cold has deprived me of all motivation.

You have been most productive!

[sportsterpaul]

Two lines of thought John, 1-Git-r-done, 2-why do today what you can put off for tomorrow. Me, I’d probably ride somewhere, but that’s me. Do what you gotta do!

[Crusty]

Short Strokes


It’s a grey winter day. The temp is right around the freezing mark. The highs are supposed to be in the mid 30s and the lows are supposed to be in the low 20s right through the 10 day forecast with show showers off and on almost every day.

It snowed during the night. Not enough to count; just a dusting. It’s supposed to do it again this afternoon and again overnight. It’s not super cold, nor is the snow going to accumulate, but along with the leaden skies it makes for a bleak winter.

I doubt I’ll be going anywhere outside the house beyond the mailbox today.

***

When I was at the supermarket yesterday, I bought some “salad bowl” containers. I had measured the OD of the clutch plates and I measured the diameter of the containers. The clutch kit would fit in one, so I bought them. There were on sale - a package of 3 for $2.99. My Carbonite clutch plates have been sitting in one of them covered with Formula + for about 20 hours. I’ve been debating with myself if I should change out the clutch on the Express today. I probably won’t be taking it out for a few days, so I have plenty of time to do the job.Then again, if I do change it out, the bike will sit for a while before I get a chance to see if I like the new clutch. I also wonder if the oil will penetrate the clutch fibers as thoroughly in the colder temps. Maybe it would be smarter to let the plates sit for another day or so. I don’t think sitting in oil for a longer time will hurt anything, so I’m leaning toward letting them sit. I’m also thinking that I might just bring the bowl (it is covered) upstairs into the heated house until it’s time to start the job.

***

AFT finally released its schedule for 2021. The DuQuoin Mile is back once again. I checked with Gargle and it’s 325 miles to the track. DuQuoin is one of the prettiest tracks I’ve been to and it matches Springfield for the quality of racing. I have a pretty good idea where I’m going to be on July 17. I hope tickets go on sale soon. I have my tickets for Springfield. I’ll have a ticket for DuQuoin as soon as they go on sale.

***

I guess I had better start replacing my tired out camping gear soon. REI has a 3 1/2” self inflating pad on sale in their closeout section. I should probably get that first. When I get my tax refund, I’ll get the new tent. I plan to get an exact replacement for my current tent. I’m really surprised that such a great tent sells for so cheap. $249.00 for a brand new tent is one hell of a deal. The USMC was instrumental in the design of this tent and it shows in both its durability and design. I got my present tent (a birthday present from David) in August of 2015 as a surplus tent and it has been a case of instant love and appreciation. I lived in this tent for a while and even though it is now wearing out, it has been more than good to me.

***

I just had a magnificent BLT for brunch. I’ve figured out the formula (recipe?) to make a truly incredible sandwich. Since I’m feeling generous, I’ll share it with you.

Toast a Kroger Private Selection Brioche roll (If you can find a Martin's Potato Bread Roll; even better!)

Take three slices of Wright’s thick sliced bacon and cut them in half so that you have six 5” or so pieces and fry them over low to medium heat

Spread Hellman’s Mayonnaise on both toasted roll halves

(This is the hard part) Find a good tomato and slice it into pieces that will just cover one side of the roll.

Get a head of iceberg lettuce and rip some pieces that will cover the diameter of the roll

When the bacon is cooked, and has sat on paper towels to absorb the excess grease, put two slices of bacon on the bottom of the roll.

Next, put the tomato on top of the bacon

Then put two more slices of bacon.

Then the lettuce.

Then the last two pieces of bacon

Then the top half of the roll.

Pour yourself a good cup of coffee and enjoy a bit of Nirvana.

Have a Nice Day!

[sportsterpaul]

Damn John, I just ate, read this and am now hungry again!