bye bye my love

[LeatherneckPA]

Friday night, on my way home from work, my truck threw a rod. What a racket that makes!! Long story short. I had to sacrifice a motorcycle to get a loan from the credit union for another truck. Bye bye Harley.

On a happier note, I did manage to get in an extra 50 miles on her before I traded her in. I had been riding down the Susquehanna Valley, and while the roads were not completely dry they were not frozen either. The thermometer on the bike read a chilly 37º, and since it had started out to be a 7 mile ride to the dealer I wasn't wearing my electrics. Well, the dealer is closed on Mondays. (What in the world is up with that?) So I called the place that I wanted to buy the truck from and he said he'd take the bike in trade. I went for my little "farewell tour" and then rode over the mountain to trade it in. The mountain top was shrouded in fog, but that's no big deal. Then I got up there and noticed all of the trees were encased in ice. My last two miles on the Harley left pucker marks in the leather saddle.

 

[Sarah in SC]

Aw, I'm so sorry you had to trade the Harley! I've heard that is a really really big deal, but don't worry, you'll be able to get another one when you retire!

I have a fun thrown rod story--I was 17, driving my beloved 1985 Chevy Blazer, towing a two horse trailer with a spooky three year old in there, down the interstate at about 65. Well, it turns out that trouble I'd had back in town with the engine cutting off at lights had to do with a bad oil pump (never knew it as the pressure gauge showed good). Anyway, when the last of the oil ran out, it threw a rod through the oil pan, and the 5 gallons I'd dutifully filled it with before the trip was spread all over the front of the trailer and any car within a 1/2 mile. And then of course, I lost all power steering and braking, making for a helluva trip to the side of the road. Horse was fine, fortunately, just real annoyed when we had to wait forever for another truck to hook up to the trailer.

I cried over that Blazer when I called Dad, I just kept saying the Blazer died, the Blazer died. He thought the horse was dead! Whoops. I still miss that Blazer. But at least I didn't have to trade in the horse to get my new 1988 GMC Jimmy! Put 359,000 miles on that sucker!

Sorry for your loss--but at least you'll be safer now--never did like the idea of those two wheelers anyway!

 

[LeatherneckPA]

LOL, Sarah, you're a sweetheart. I will miss my Harley, but it's not like I won't be riding still. I also own a 2006 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 that I use to referee professional bicycle races. It's a dual sport bike that Cindy and I have taken to FL and back twice already. She actually likes the suspension on the Vee better than the one on the Harley.

 

[citrine]

I'm sorry about the Harley.....why not the Suzuki?

 

[LeatherneckPA]

citrine, one of my "play money" past times is to referee professional bicycle races. When I was just marshaling (escorting) the races the Harley was fine because I kept the racers in my rear view mirror and I knew when to accelerate hard to stay out of their way. But as a referee I am often riding right alongside the leaders or main body (peloton). The Harley could not accelerate or handle quickly enough to stay out of their way in that case. Racers do NOT appreciate having to worry about where your motorcycle is while they are trying to fight for a lead.

And then there are all the "logical" reasons; the VEE gets better mileage, uses regular gas instead of premium, more space in the luggage for touring, handles "gee, I wonder where that goes" type roads(?) better, and was generally ridden 4x's as much this season.

Oh, and the other BIG reason? Cindy likes the suspension on the VEE better.

 

[Dawg52]

Sorry for your loss.

 

[calmloki]

...

Oh, and the other BIG reason? Cindy likes the suspension on the VEE better.

Wise man. If Momma ain't happy....

 

[cantlogin]

I do sympathize with you LeatherneckPA. Some bikes are more loveable than others and each has a its’ own personality. If I were forced into the same choice I’d pick the V-Strom too. An open mind has to conclude that it is a better bike.