Dark Day

Its been cold for the desert. More cold than i’m used to, or want.

Not cold enough to ride to vegas to finish my tattoo tho. It was 33 degrees this morning when I left, and thermals and a few extra layers were more than enough. It was nice riding. It was actually perfect. On the road again, heading toward my goal. I found that riding in freezing temperatures, riding was no big deal. In fact, it was pretty damn nice. Its alot better than NOT riding.

then around the border I noticed I had low oil pressure. not long afterward, I noticed I had a problem pulling hills. I looked in my rear view mirror and noticed that I was blowing smoke 2 lanes wide. My heart sunk as I pulled over, just a little past mesquite.

As I pulled over, my bike made a few knock noises but to be honest I don’t know what they are or mean. My mind was in other places. I knew I had a problem and my mind was in other places. This is the first time the street glide has let me down. It’s not a good feeling.

I sat on the side of the freeway for a minute and weighed my situation. I called Robyn and told her to bring my brother Pat’s trailer who luckily left it in front of my house. I noticed a little oil on my floorboard, then looked down at my chaps and noticed it was covered in oil.

I got off the bike, and made the call to robyn, then to SHOTs, who is my good friend and BACA president. I woke him up, but he rushed out to help me out. Thats how Shots is. He is a good, good friend and a great guy. So is my wife. She is not afraid of doing what she has to do.

I sat by the side of the freeway, and realized the street glide was sick.   she only has 40,000 miles but for the first time had let me down.  I contemplated repair, engine swapping and a new bike.   I can’t fail her, I’ve got to get her fixed.  Problem is, I have no money.   I also can’t let that get in my way.   I’m resourceful when I need to be.   this is one of those times.

She’s in a trailer now, and my friend who’s also a certified harley mechanic is out of town till after christmas.   When he gets back, I’ll tow her up to his shop, split her open and see what the damage is.  I’ve got a few ideas, and my worse fear is that the oil pump went out and sucked metal through my engine and my top end is out.   Had a few BACA brothers tell me it could be as simple as the oil pump, but I have my doubts as I was blowing oil out the exhaust as well as the intake.   That to me sounds like bad rings or a bad valve.     I hope i’m wrong, and I got a cheaper education about v twin engines than I’d like to have.

I gotta tell you, I’m really bummed about it.   I’m trying to be optimistic and tell myself that if theres any time to be without a bike, its in the coldest part of the winter.   Right now I don’t have any money, and all I know is, no matter what, I can’t and WONT be without a bike.

My brother Pat immediately told me I could ride his bike,  followed by my brother Mike who said the same thing.  Both are in the garage.   Both are extremely generous gestures by 2 men who love riding and it keeps me in the game for a couple of months until I get the street glide back on track.     I gotta get her back on the road.    Pat, if you’re reading this, thank you for being not only my brother, but my friend.   I’ll whip her into shape and we’ll be cruising some old desolate route 66 road in may for sure.    In the meantime, thanks for letting me ride your bike.    I’ll take care of her like she was my own.

I’m still bummed.