SeaCat
Hey, my Halo is smoking
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2003
- Posts
- 15,378
So this morning I wander out to the bike with tools in hand. The sun is not yet peeking over the horizon when I fire up the bike. I need to let it idle for a bit to get the engine warm and the oil up around the Pistons. I head back inside and grab my mug of coffee.
Back out at the bike I stand there sipping my coffee as the engine warms. It takes a bit. When it's finally warm I shut it down and get to work.
I pull the plugs and toss them. I have a new set already gapped. I pull the Compression Tester out and set it up. First I check the outside cylinders as they are the easiest ones to get to. I screw the hose into place and kick the engine over a few times. I check the gauge with a flashlight and write down the results. On to the other side and I check that cylinder.
I change gears and screw the hose into number 2 cylinder. It took some odd contortions and some nasty language but I got it in place. (Hint to self. Next time remove the tank.) I check this one, write down the results and go to the last cylinder. By this time I have blisters on my hands and the language is rather tasteless as I get the hose into place and do the test.
I don't even have to look at the numbers I have written down to know that all is well. I replace the old plugs with the new ones and put the wires in place. Once again I fire up the bike and let it run for a bit before shutting it down. AS I moved around picking up my tools and listening to the quiet rumble of the bike and enjoying the feel of the cool air on my skin I started getting an idea. That idea quickly changed into a desire, a need. I shut down the bike and head inside.
I drop the tools in the kitchen and head for the bedroom as I tell my wife the bike passed the test with flying colors. She doesn't need to hear anything more, she knows how I've been feeling. I grab my jeans and a shirt and pull them on. Boots in hand I head out to the living room to find her standing there holding my jacket and helmet. Smiling I grab them while kissing her and telling her I won't be gone long, I just want a short run to clear the pipes. She doesn't ask to go along, she knows I need this bit of "Me" time.
I back the bike out, pull on my gear and fire up the bike. I don't need to warm it up and I shift it into gear and off I go. I'm not planning on going far, Just a couple of miles up the coast then back down to our place. I plan on hitting a gas station along the way and topping off the tank.
The ride up and back are done in darkness and light traffic. It's cool enough out that I'm getting condensation on my windshield and helmet visor. The sky is lightening up to the east as I pull into the gas station and fill the tank. I'm already thinking as I pay. Moving the bike away from the island I sit in the dark and call the wife. I tell her that the bike is running fine and I'm thinking of going for a bit longer run. I can hear the slight sigh in her voice as she tells me to be careful and have fun.
God how I love that woman.
I pull on my helmet and glasses before firing up the bike. Off I go again. Before leaving the parking lot I turn on the GPS and expand it's view a bit. I run west away from the sun and start catching back roads. Two lane roads leading into the dark. The occasional car is avoided as are the suicidal animals. The bike is taking the curves without complaint as I feel the heat rising from the engine. Now it feels good but later it will get nasty.
I head west and north as the roads take me. At every intersection I mentaly flip a coin and choose which way to go. Rarely do I look at the glow of the GPS. The sun is rising as is the temperature. It's going to be another hot one here in Southern Florida but for now I don't care. When it gets light enough I pull over long enough to change glasses and grab a bottle of water from the box and drop it into a pocket. I'm cruising along at between 35 and 40 MPH and loving the pace. I'm seeing farms and ranches. Hell I'm smelling them as well and it doesn't bother me in the least, it brings back memories.
All too soon I have a choice to make. I make it and bank right on a slightly larger road. This one is heading east towards the coast and has a speed limit of 50. I roll on the throttle and ride. The road is shit, it's rough and lined. Pot holes and trash. I can see bullet holes in the occasion road sign and just have to smile as I concentrate on my riding.
Reaching the coast I stop at a light and drain the water bottle. The sun is blasting down on me now and I feel it in my denims and leather. I catch a southbound road and crank it up to 60. I reach forward with my feet, drop the pegs and settle in for a cruise. This is a slice of heaven even though I'm getting hot. I have the wind at my back which doesn't help me in the least. I'm loving life now, the bike is running great and I'm just cruising without a care.
A couple hours and 100 miles after I pulled out I pull into the same gas station. The clerk sees me out at the island refilling the tank and asks if I had been riding the entire time. I finish filling the tank and walk in with him while admitting that I had been. I can hear him muttering under his breath about crazy assed biker riding in the heat as he rung up the gas and a botle of water.
I'm smiling to myself as I drain the bottle, toss it in the trash and climb back in the saddle for the short ride home. BY the time I park the bike I'm soaked and sweating freely. I shut down the bike, plug in the battery tender, pat her on the tank and head inside.
I make it inside and start skinning down. My denim jacket is no longer that light blue of a well worn jean jacket. It's now dark blue and heavy. My leather vest is wet on the outside and looking kind of droopy. My helmet and the Do-Rag I wear under it are soaked. They go over an A/C Vent. Jeans and Shirt are dropped in the bathroom and I glance in the mirror. I'm soaked and my hair is a mess. I haven't shaved or showered and I look it. My hair is a tangled mess but it was well worth it. I'm smiling.
When I stepped out of the shower my wife hands me a cup of coffee and informs me she wants to go riding tomorrow morning. Somehow I don't see that as being a problem.
Cat
Back out at the bike I stand there sipping my coffee as the engine warms. It takes a bit. When it's finally warm I shut it down and get to work.
I pull the plugs and toss them. I have a new set already gapped. I pull the Compression Tester out and set it up. First I check the outside cylinders as they are the easiest ones to get to. I screw the hose into place and kick the engine over a few times. I check the gauge with a flashlight and write down the results. On to the other side and I check that cylinder.
I change gears and screw the hose into number 2 cylinder. It took some odd contortions and some nasty language but I got it in place. (Hint to self. Next time remove the tank.) I check this one, write down the results and go to the last cylinder. By this time I have blisters on my hands and the language is rather tasteless as I get the hose into place and do the test.
I don't even have to look at the numbers I have written down to know that all is well. I replace the old plugs with the new ones and put the wires in place. Once again I fire up the bike and let it run for a bit before shutting it down. AS I moved around picking up my tools and listening to the quiet rumble of the bike and enjoying the feel of the cool air on my skin I started getting an idea. That idea quickly changed into a desire, a need. I shut down the bike and head inside.
I drop the tools in the kitchen and head for the bedroom as I tell my wife the bike passed the test with flying colors. She doesn't need to hear anything more, she knows how I've been feeling. I grab my jeans and a shirt and pull them on. Boots in hand I head out to the living room to find her standing there holding my jacket and helmet. Smiling I grab them while kissing her and telling her I won't be gone long, I just want a short run to clear the pipes. She doesn't ask to go along, she knows I need this bit of "Me" time.
I back the bike out, pull on my gear and fire up the bike. I don't need to warm it up and I shift it into gear and off I go. I'm not planning on going far, Just a couple of miles up the coast then back down to our place. I plan on hitting a gas station along the way and topping off the tank.
The ride up and back are done in darkness and light traffic. It's cool enough out that I'm getting condensation on my windshield and helmet visor. The sky is lightening up to the east as I pull into the gas station and fill the tank. I'm already thinking as I pay. Moving the bike away from the island I sit in the dark and call the wife. I tell her that the bike is running fine and I'm thinking of going for a bit longer run. I can hear the slight sigh in her voice as she tells me to be careful and have fun.
God how I love that woman.
I pull on my helmet and glasses before firing up the bike. Off I go again. Before leaving the parking lot I turn on the GPS and expand it's view a bit. I run west away from the sun and start catching back roads. Two lane roads leading into the dark. The occasional car is avoided as are the suicidal animals. The bike is taking the curves without complaint as I feel the heat rising from the engine. Now it feels good but later it will get nasty.
I head west and north as the roads take me. At every intersection I mentaly flip a coin and choose which way to go. Rarely do I look at the glow of the GPS. The sun is rising as is the temperature. It's going to be another hot one here in Southern Florida but for now I don't care. When it gets light enough I pull over long enough to change glasses and grab a bottle of water from the box and drop it into a pocket. I'm cruising along at between 35 and 40 MPH and loving the pace. I'm seeing farms and ranches. Hell I'm smelling them as well and it doesn't bother me in the least, it brings back memories.
All too soon I have a choice to make. I make it and bank right on a slightly larger road. This one is heading east towards the coast and has a speed limit of 50. I roll on the throttle and ride. The road is shit, it's rough and lined. Pot holes and trash. I can see bullet holes in the occasion road sign and just have to smile as I concentrate on my riding.
Reaching the coast I stop at a light and drain the water bottle. The sun is blasting down on me now and I feel it in my denims and leather. I catch a southbound road and crank it up to 60. I reach forward with my feet, drop the pegs and settle in for a cruise. This is a slice of heaven even though I'm getting hot. I have the wind at my back which doesn't help me in the least. I'm loving life now, the bike is running great and I'm just cruising without a care.
A couple hours and 100 miles after I pulled out I pull into the same gas station. The clerk sees me out at the island refilling the tank and asks if I had been riding the entire time. I finish filling the tank and walk in with him while admitting that I had been. I can hear him muttering under his breath about crazy assed biker riding in the heat as he rung up the gas and a botle of water.
I'm smiling to myself as I drain the bottle, toss it in the trash and climb back in the saddle for the short ride home. BY the time I park the bike I'm soaked and sweating freely. I shut down the bike, plug in the battery tender, pat her on the tank and head inside.
I make it inside and start skinning down. My denim jacket is no longer that light blue of a well worn jean jacket. It's now dark blue and heavy. My leather vest is wet on the outside and looking kind of droopy. My helmet and the Do-Rag I wear under it are soaked. They go over an A/C Vent. Jeans and Shirt are dropped in the bathroom and I glance in the mirror. I'm soaked and my hair is a mess. I haven't shaved or showered and I look it. My hair is a tangled mess but it was well worth it. I'm smiling.
When I stepped out of the shower my wife hands me a cup of coffee and informs me she wants to go riding tomorrow morning. Somehow I don't see that as being a problem.
Cat
