Aging Is... Inconvenient...

[DDT (12)]

 
Aging is also not for the faint of heart! Hard for ourselves in that new little aches and pains start to appear while older ones tend to continue to hang around, our appearance deteriorates, our memories fade, our vision blurs, doctor visits become increasingly necessary, and... parts start to breakdown... I'm now resigned to dealing with all of those things... but that's not all...
 
Mechanical beings also have age-related issues... Our girl, for example, continues to grow ever longer in the tooth, so to speak, so she and I have yet another thing in common... Aside from the usual parts failures and routine stuff, there are the little insidious ones that sneak-up on us and annoy us to distraction... Those, too, increasingly require professional attention, as well.
 
We were gliding along on an otherwise magnificent day… when I did my routine gauge check… Dang! No RPMs! We were moving right along, though, and her engine was humming like always, so… must be the tach itself… Other than not knowing just how many we were turning at the time, I could think of no reason that might be a big deal, so I didn’t let it concern me or disturb my otherwise fabulous ‘zone’ experience currently underway. Nope, just another one of those little things bound to crop up as a result of continuing to have birthdays and anniversaries…
 
I pulled in for a break a day or two later, and it occurred to me the headlight was not shinning… no reflection from the glass window directly in front of us! I switched off the key, then turned it back on… Nope, definitely not working! Dang… here we go again… I wondered and worried a bit about that the remainder of the day… Would I soon have to listen to 'the lecture’ from some over-zealous peach-fuzz LEO out protecting and serving? Would I have to pay a fine…? Would we be grounded until that could be fixed?
 
We made it to our home for the evening without having to face the long arm of the law… We were in Arizona at the time, and there was a long way to ride and several states to ride through to get to Troutdude’s Valkyrie temple and scene of mechanical marvels, so… I decided it was time to take the initiative and see if I possibly could tackle this little problem myself…
 
I immediately decided it was most likely not the bulb itself… Darksider had just installed one of those gee-whiz magical lanterns in her bucket the summer before at IZ in Taos… Those are supposed to last forever, more or less, and I had the utmost confidence in that… I set-up my nap chair, laid out the tools I had available, and prepared to dig into the bucket to see if maybe a connector had fried… I’d already checked and replaced the fuses… Then, my phone rang…
 
Now that is truly amazing… Troutdude has called me a couple of times over the years just to check on us, and we’d coincidentally happened to be in a jackpot… When I noticed it was he who was causing my phone to resonate, I greeted him with, “Don’t worry, I’m not going to sell her!” Not a salutation he likes to hear, apparently… I explained matters to him, and… like several times before, he talked me though possible problems…
 
Since she is easily in the ranks of vintage class; and, since her rider has a reputation for not always keeping her sparkling clean… Dennis speculated it was probably just a switch corrosion thing. Good, I really didn’t want to go probing around in her bucket anyway! My lack of expertise would probably cause more problems than I could ever fix… I bought some non-conductive contact cleaner and liberally sprayed the dimmer switch … It worked… but only for a while…
 
I decided to roll the dice and see if we could actually make it all the way to Dennis’ den of happy outcomes, where I’m scheduled to drop by to get a rear tire replacement anyway… Only a thousand more miles or so to sneak through without getting stopped by… some eager-beaver looking to impress his/her boss and rack-up brownie points… I have my fingers crossed…
 
DDT

[The emperor has no clothes]

Arizona ?  and you didn't come see Brenda and I ?  actually, thinking about it, I'm kind of relieved. Working on Ali, after all the good work Mitcho, Troutdude, and other superb mechanics have done would be a lot of pressure. It's bad enough when I screw up something on my bike, the shame of messing up Ali would be hard to live with. Not to mention that anymore I'm beat from slinging meat to the zombie hordes who are panic buying for the pandemic.


I do wish you'd have been able to make it this far before the electrical gremlins set in.  Take care my friend. And be careful, they are saying the pandemic is picking up in Louisiana. (Say hello to Dennis and Sheila for me) 

[Rams]

Bruce,
Yes, getting old sucks.   While I am completely confident Troutdude can and will fix up ALI, if there is anything I can assist with, please do not hesitate to call me.

Rams

[DDT (12)]

Arizona ?  and you didn't come see Brenda and I ?  actually, thinking about it, I'm kind of relieved. Working on Ali, after all the good work Mitcho, Troutdude, and other superb mechanics have done would be a lot of pressure. It's bad enough when I screw up something on my bike, the shame of messing up Ali would be hard to live with. Not to mention that anymore I'm beat from slinging meat to the zombie hordes who are panic buying for the pandemic.


I do wish you'd have been able to make it this far before the electrical gremlins set in.  Take care my friend. And be careful, they are saying the pandemic is picking up in Louisiana. (Say hello to Dennis and Sheila for me) 

Rob,

I never intended to venture that far west... However, I wound up spending a couple of nights wandering around dodging rain, snow, and whatever... Sort of an ad hoc ride that simply developed and led us as far as Payson... before we made the turn and began our return...

I hate to impose on anybody, especially friends, but a few are just so willing... and oh so good! I hadn't considered burdening you with any of that... I realize anybody working in food service must be very busy nowadays!

Anyway, it wasn't just the electrical boo-boos and weather controlling my routes... my rear tire was also approaching time for replacement... I was trying to use-up the miles on it without taking any unnecessary risks... Then, Troutdude, who was to remedy all ailments, fell into a painful episode of... something orthopedically related, so my stop in LA has been postponed... In the meantime...

That twice-daily soaking of contact cleaner and vigorous workout of the dimmer switch throughout the day has proven productive! Just as we were approaching Houston it started to work again... Heck, the tach even started working, too, but I've done nothing at all to cause that!

I'm closing in on home now, and... I sure ain't wanting this to be our last trek!!! I am, though, mighty glad we were able to get out and stretch our limbs before... everything started closing down... Two more nights on the road, then we'll be home again... Hope somebody left the light on for us!

DDT

Bruce,
Yes, getting old sucks.   While I am completely confident Troutdude can and will fix up ALI, if there is anything I can assist with, please do not hesitate to call me.

Rams

Ron,

I sincerely appreciate that offer, my friend! As mentioned above, the lights and tach have started working again. With some motel closings and restaurants closing except for carryout, it's starting to seem rather risky to be out here any more from a logistics point of view... Of course, there are always the risks associated with that pesky virus, too... I'm just hoping to make it back home and still healthy in a couple more days... So far, so good!

DDT

[t-man403]

A corroded switch....hmmm.

That leads me to wonder if that is the case, that the lighter electrical load due to the L.E.D. headlight could cause that problem??? I know there is much time on the switch but it is rated for a regular bulb. This happens on fireplaces (gas) where by the wall switch fails due to them being rated for 120V and the power supplied to them from the gas valve is milli-volts so they oxidize causing the fireplace not to work after a few seasons.

I'd be curious what Josh and Dennis think of my theory but will have to see what Dennis finds first.

Happy trails Bruce!!!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Arizona ?  and you didn't come see Brenda and I ?  actually, thinking about it, I'm kind of relieved. Working on Ali, after all the good work Mitcho, Troutdude, and other superb mechanics have done would be a lot of pressure. It's bad enough when I screw up something on my bike, the shame of messing up Ali would be hard to live with. Not to mention that anymore I'm beat from slinging meat to the zombie hordes who are panic buying for the pandemic.


I do wish you'd have been able to make it this far before the electrical gremlins set in.  Take care my friend. And be careful, they are saying the pandemic is picking up in Louisiana. (Say hello to Dennis and Sheila for me) 

Rob,



I hate to impose on anybody, especially friends, but a few are just so willing... and oh so good! I hadn't considered burdening you with any of that... I realize anybody working in food service must be very busy

DDT

Bruce, just know in the future. A visit from you would NEVER be considered a burden. If you don't mind sleeping in a pink room decorated for a 8 year old girl, you are welcome anytime. 

[hubcapsc]

Hi Bruce...

Back in September I traced a problem that caused my tachometer, tail light (not brake light)
and neutral light to quit working back to "something on the circuit with this green wire"...

I finally found that at sometime in the (long) past, I had mashed these wires in the
windshield bracket...



When the wires finally wore bare, the fuse blew... contact cleaner wouldn't fix that, of course,
but perhaps you might check your tail light and neutral light next time your tachometer
goes out...

-Mike

[DDT (12)]

Terry,

It's all magic, as far as I know... Yes, it will be interesting to learn their thoughts! Funny how things evolve and the 'law of unintended consequences' can come into play. Oh well, she and I have been test cases for a lot of things, nothing new with that... Thanks for your thoughts... hope things are well in Calgary!!!

DDT



Rob,

I do appreciate that... Nope, pink doesn't bother me... Still, I was a little disappointed we couldn't hook up... again! We may have to return to Anchor Harbor for that, huh...?

DDT



Mike,

No telling what all has gone on with the wiring in our girl! It occurred to me too that something like that might also be going on, but hey... This was to be a fret-free ride, so as long as things work, we ride on. When Dennis is well again, we'll investigate, and I'm certain he will get to the bottom of this little irritant... He or I will let you know what we (he!) finds...

DDT

[shortleg]

Yes old age can be inconvenient, was supposed to have a hip replaced
But that got canceled.
  We used to have to do something to hurt ourselves, but now you can go to sleep
And some how hurt yourself while you sleep.
   What the hell!.
But I have to tell you every morning even before I get out
Of bed I say thanks for my blessings.
  I can still move my bike around walk 3 miles and know friends
That are not as blessed as I.
     And on that note I will go change the oil in 2 cars and my bike.

[..]

A bright LED flashlight positioned carefully could substitute for a daytime running light.

Get some extra spots fitted on a separate switch and they can be your back up forward light. I've used mine for that once.

[Valkorado]

Bruce, the way you're always glowing when you ride, I'd have figured you could light up a road on the darkest of nights!  

Ah, the Mills Brothers.  I can remember this from one of the 8 tracks my folks had.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dpqfvFd1M0

Carry on, glow worm!

[Jess from VA]

It's more than just inconvenient when you can no longer trust a fart.  

Or when you spent your whole life sleeping on your right side, but now that shoulder insists you sleep on your left side.

Or when you spend time every day wandering around looking for your bifocals.

Or when you have more hair growing out of your nose and ears and neck, than on your head.

Or discovering you have accumulated 27 belts in your life, but only 4 of them fit anymore.

Or when the tinnitus gets so loud you go to sleep thinking you are riding on a train.  

But all of this and more beats having to go back to working a regular job for a living.    

[DDT (12)]

Shortleg,

"But I have to tell you every morning even before I get out
Of bed I say thanks for my blessings.
  I can still move my bike around walk 3 miles and know friends
That are not as blessed as I."

Yeah, I'm the same way! There are many inconveniences, irritations, and bothers that come with the passage of decades, but they do beat the alternative!!! I'm quite happy just to still be here and doing what we do. Hope your oil changes go well... I tried to do one on our girl several days ago, but I couldn't get the filter off! Some gorilla (most likely yours truly) must have experienced a burst of energy or something when installing the last one... Oh well... at least we were out and... you know...

DDT



Paul,

Good suggestions! I have ruled out trying to use a candle, though, but pretty much any other idea is worth considering!!! I'm back in Florida again, and I should be home in a few more hours... No idea when we might get back out, but... at least for now, the odds favor us skating by...

DDT



Seth,

Glow worm, huh...? Not sure the ever-vigilant LEOs would accept that as 'street-legal'... However, it may come to having to resort to some excuse like that in a crunch... Thanks for the thought... And, thanks for your always positive and encouraging replies! You, like all who share their thoughts, feelings, and insights on here, make a big difference for so many of us... we appreciate you all!!!

DDT



Jess,

As usual, you have vividly yet succinctly captured a glimpse of some of the realities of our common fate! I always enjoy reading your comments... You do have interesting things to share, but you also have a special and very entertaining way of expressing your thoughts, too... Well, that's all for now... gotta go trim my nose & ear hair to finish getting ready for the ride today...

DDT

[Jersey mike]

It's more than just inconvenient when you can no longer trust a fart.  

Or when you spent your whole life sleeping on your right side, but now that shoulder insists you sleep on your left side.

Or when you spend time every day wandering around looking for your bifocals.

Or when you have more hair growing out of your nose and ears and neck, than on your head.

Or discovering you have accumulated 27 belts in your life, but only 4 of them fit anymore.

Or when the tinnitus gets so loud you go to sleep thinking you are riding on a train.  

But all of this and more beats having to go back to working a regular job for a living.    

Wednesday morning while sitting on the bed putting on my socks I pulled the muscles in my low back. By Thursday night I couldn’t get out of the shower. Back spasms lasted for 3 hours and came in waves. It didn’t matter if I was breathing deep or just trying to put on underwear. Even the slightest of movement was terrible. If the windows were open I’m sure one of the neighbors would have called the cops from the loud cursing and howling of intense pain. Later I managed to make it to the living room and made the mistake of falling asleep on the floor but it took me almost 2 hours to,be able to make it to my feet. The miniature TENS Unit we have did make a difference. Today things have quieted down, more time on heating pad, more time on TENS unit and a 40 minute soak in Epsoms salt.

Use caution when putting on your socks and slippers.

[Jess from VA]

Mike I had that exact same thing happen to me some 10 years ago (or so).

It wasn't putting my socks on, and I do regular work inside and outside, and ten years' heavy lifting and very hard work in the mills in my youth, but there was no particular incident associated with my spasm onset.  I had had an intermittent low back problem for some years, always related to lifting or work, and occasionally related to stupid bending and twisting movements (like putting sox on), and I'd be sore for a few days, but nothing like this. I'd been Xrayed and dx'ed with bulging but not herniated discs, some years earlier.

I quickly developed severe low back muscle spasm that was excruciatingly painful (similar to electrocution, without the death), and I could not find any good position to stay in to make it stop.  The best I could do was sit in a straight backed chair and not move.  But whatever I did only provided temporary relief.  I had to keep moving around and changing position, which always set it off again.  Hot shower/heating pad/Icy Hot also only provided very limited relief.  Any movement like getting up to go to the bathroom or getting something to eat, or just shifting in my chair set it off again.

It hit when I had no sox on, and I couldn't put any on for nearly five days.  Sometimes I moved around and up the stairs on all fours.  I'd get in bed on my back and lie flat and try to sleep, but would wake up in pain from the inevitable rolling around.  It lasted for about 5 straight days.  I should have gone to a doctor, but I don't go to doctors, and I could not drive safely, and lived alone, so I just lived with it.

It slowly disappeared and has never happened again.  I still get a sore back from time to time, but after that incident I resolved to never do real heavy lifting ever again (and I haven't).  I have discovered if I get sore, the only thing that helps me recover is to go for a (careful) walk; the slow steady bending of the low spine left and right with footsteps exercises the sore muscles, and probably helps things get back into alignment.  A couple times I just walked circles around my backyard. Walking hurts, but it helps get better.

Even though it has never happened again (and I have not even had a badly sore back now for years because I am always careful), what developed some months after that incident was a small parathesia/tingling in my right low shin (which I am certain is neurologicaly related to low back nerve impingement).  That continues to come and go (like from sitting too long), but never gets worse.

[Valkorado]

It's more than just inconvenient when you can no longer trust a fart.  

Or when you spent your whole life sleeping on your right side, but now that shoulder insists you sleep on your left side.

Or when you spend time every day wandering around looking for your bifocals.

Or when you have more hair growing out of your nose and ears and neck, than on your head.

Or discovering you have accumulated 27 belts in your life, but only 4 of them fit anymore.

Or when the tinnitus gets so loud you go to sleep thinking you are riding on a train.  

But all of this and more beats having to go back to working a regular job for a living.    

Wednesday morning while sitting on the bed putting on my socks I pulled the muscles in my low back. By Thursday night I couldn’t get out of the shower. Back spasms lasted for 3 hours and came in waves. It didn’t matter if I was breathing deep or just trying to put on underwear. Even the slightest of movement was terrible. If the windows were open I’m sure one of the neighbors would have called the cops from the loud cursing and howling of intense pain. Later I managed to make it to the living room and made the mistake of falling asleep on the floor but it took me almost 2 hours to,be able to make it to my feet. The miniature TENS Unit we have did make a difference. Today things have quieted down, more time on heating pad, more time on TENS unit and a 40 minute soak in Epsoms salt.

Use caution when putting on your socks and slippers.

I've gotta get one of those TENS.  I have back problems and Misfit recommended them highly.   Until then, it's my tennis ball contraption.  I tape two together.  Since my problem is right along the lower spine/tailbone area I lie back on that sucker for awhile, "indented" part on my spine, and I'm usually mo betta.  Gotta make another for saddlebag purposes.

[Jersey mike]

Mike I had that exact same thing happen to me some 10 years ago (or so).

It wasn't putting my socks on, and I do regular work inside and outside, and ten years' heavy lifting and very hard work in the mills in my youth, but there was no particular incident associated with my spasm onset.  I had had an intermittent low back problem for some years, always related to lifting or work, and occasionally related to stupid bending and twisting movements (like putting sox on), and I'd be sore for a few days, but nothing like this. I'd been Xrayed and dx'ed with bulging but not herniated discs, some years earlier.

I quickly developed severe low back muscle spasm that was excruciatingly painful (similar to electrocution, without the death), and I could not find any good position to stay in to make it stop.  The best I could do was sit in a straight backed chair and not move.  But whatever I did only provided temporary relief.  I had to keep moving around and changing position, which always set it off again.  Hot shower/heating pad/Icy Hot also only provided very limited relief.  Any movement like getting up to go to the bathroom or getting something to eat, or just shifting in my chair set it off again.

It hit when I had no sox on, and I couldn't put any on for nearly five days.  Sometimes I moved around and up the stairs on all fours.  I'd get in bed on my back and lie flat and try to sleep, but would wake up in pain from the inevitable rolling around.  It lasted for about 5 straight days.  I should have gone to a doctor, but I don't go to doctors, and I could not drive safely, and lived alone, so I just lived with it.

It slowly disappeared and has never happened again.  I still get a sore back from time to time, but after that incident I resolved to never do real heavy lifting ever again (and I haven't).  I have discovered if I get sore, the only thing that helps me recover is to go for a (careful) walk; the slow steady bending of the low spine left and right with footsteps exercises the sore muscles, and probably helps things get back into alignment.  A couple times I just walked circles around my backyard. Walking hurts, but it helps get better.

Even though it has never happened again (and I have not even had a badly sore back now for years because I am always careful), what developed some months after that incident was a small parathesia/tingling in my right low shin (which I am certain is neurologicaly related to low back nerve impingement).  That continues to come and go (like from sitting too long), but never gets worse.

Jess, you mentioned electrocution and you couldn’t be more spot on. Muscles constricting and relaxing over and over, tighter and tighter each time and never releasing to a fully relaxed state. It was agonizing and as I said it came in waves...every 45 seconds or so for hours with or without even the slightest movement including breathing and trying to laugh it off was even worse. I too have bad discs in my low back (and in my neck) from years of abuse and a few motor vehicle accidents, 3 of which were on bikes. This wasn’t the first time I’ve had spasms but it was the worst. Being up and walking around helps but can be exhausting when the back is not cooperating 100%, but it’s necessary to keep things loose.

In addition to the heat, TENS unit and walking I take Magnesium pills which my chiropractor said helps muscles relax, it’s the main ingredient in the back medication called Dones and it seems to help some and I take Naproxen(Aleve)...3 pills instead of 2. 4 pills is prescription strength. It’s amazing how all the muscles in the back/torso and body are entwined together.

[Jersey mike]

It's more than just inconvenient when you can no longer trust a fart.  

Or when you spent your whole life sleeping on your right side, but now that shoulder insists you sleep on your left side.

Or when you spend time every day wandering around looking for your bifocals.

Or when you have more hair growing out of your nose and ears and neck, than on your head.

Or discovering you have accumulated 27 belts in your life, but only 4 of them fit anymore.

Or when the tinnitus gets so loud you go to sleep thinking you are riding on a train.  

But all of this and more beats having to go back to working a regular job for a living.    

Wednesday morning while sitting on the bed putting on my socks I pulled the muscles in my low back. By Thursday night I couldn’t get out of the shower. Back spasms lasted for 3 hours and came in waves. It didn’t matter if I was breathing deep or just trying to put on underwear. Even the slightest of movement was terrible. If the windows were open I’m sure one of the neighbors would have called the cops from the loud cursing and howling of intense pain. Later I managed to make it to the living room and made the mistake of falling asleep on the floor but it took me almost 2 hours to,be able to make it to my feet. The miniature TENS Unit we have did make a difference. Today things have quieted down, more time on heating pad, more time on TENS unit and a 40 minute soak in Epsoms salt.

Use caution when putting on your socks and slippers.

I've gotta get one of those TENS.  I have back problems and Misfit recommended them highly.   Until then, it's my tennis ball contraption.  I tape two together.  Since my problem is right along the lower spine/tailbone area I lie back on that sucker for awhile, "indented" part on my spine, and I'm usually mo betta.  Gotta make another for saddlebag purposes.

We’ve been using units from Omron for quite some time and they are pretty durable.  Right now I’m using the Omron PM400. It works nicely. It delivers good juice to the pads with variable settings/levels of intensity.

Here’s a link:  https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/omron-pocket-pain-pro-tens-unit-(pm400),-powerful-drug-free-pain-relief/ID=300397327-product

The batteries last fairly long using 2 AAA depending on how high you need the power. The pads have good grip to them on skin without a lot of hair in the way and if you rinse them off when they get lint and some grime on them (LET THEM AIR DRY) continue to adhere well. What I like best about this unit is that it’s round, about the diameter of a average coffee mug and fits into my shirt pocket or pocket of my sweatpants.

[..]

Whenever I tweak my back I wear my lifting belt under my clothing.

The rear pad really helps with pain relief.



On the other side of the belt from the SHIEK label there's a pad about 1/2 an inch thick and 3 or 4 inches square. Fits snugly into the small of my back.

[Jersey mike]

Whenever I tweak my back I wear my lifting belt under my clothing.

The rear pad really helps with pain relief.



On the other side of the belt from the SHIEK label there's a pad about 1/2 an inch thick and 3 or 4 inches square. Fits snugly into the small of my back.

I’ve been wearing a back brace for quite a few years now especially when I’m working. I’ve worn it white riding and it helps with posture and supports my midsection bit gets very uncomfortable after a few hours. It’s too uncomfortable to just wear around the house, to sit or lay down.

[Jess from VA]

I have several of those back braces, from soft to hard, and used to always wear one or the other for any outside work (even riding when sore).  They provide heat, and a constant physical reminder and guide to keeping good posture, and limit your ability to do the quick bending/stooping/twisting movements that will fok you up.  I haven't worn one at all in five years or so, due to exercising care in the type and amount of work I do.  Of course I cannot say (medically) I have healed or got better, but I think I have actually, at least for a 67yo. 

I had three 8' sections of my 7' tall pressure treat fence blow over from a freak wind a few years ago (snapped off some 4 X 4 posts) (a real heavy bastard).  In the old days, I would have just got under it and heaved it back up.  Instead I spent a lot of time thinking about it and used levers and ropes, but still had to do a bit of heaving.  Any hard work, you must think before you work.  A good man knows his limitations.

The thing that will still get me is the simple act of quickly bending/twisting down to pick something up.  It's hard to remember that I must turn around and face the work, and bend my knees (still have good knees) and go down to the work.

I'm back to magnesium myself, also for the heart. 

[Jersey mike]

I have several of those back braces, from soft to hard, and used to always wear one or the other for any outside work (even riding when sore).  They provide heat, and a constant physical reminder and guide to keeping good posture, and limit your ability to do the quick bending/stooping/twisting movements that will fok you up.  I haven't worn one at all in five years or so, due to exercising care in the type and amount of work I do.  Of course I cannot say (medically) I have healed or got better, but I think I have actually, at least for a 67yo. 

I had three 8' sections of my 7' tall pressure treat fence blow over from a freak wind a few years ago (snapped off some 4 X 4 posts) (a real heavy bastard).  In the old days, I would have just got under it and heaved it back up.  Instead I spent a lot of time thinking about it and used levers and ropes, but still had to do a bit of heaving.  Any hard work, you must think before you work.  A good man knows his limitations.

The thing that will still get me is the simple act of quickly bending/twisting down to pick something up.  It's hard to remember that I must turn around and face the work, and bend my knees (still have good knees) and go down to the work.

I'm back to magnesium myself, also for the heart. 

I didn’t know magnesium was good for the heart.

[Jess from VA]

I didn’t know magnesium was good for the heart.

What is Magnesium good for?
Cardiovascular health. One of magnesium's most important jobs is to regulate muscle function throughout the body—and that includes the heart muscle. In the body, magnesium helps the heart maintain a healthy rhythm. It also helps regulate blood pressure and the production of cholesterol.  Nov 20, 2017

[DarkSideR]

A corroded switch....hmmm.

That leads me to wonder if that is the case, that the lighter electrical load due to the L.E.D. headlight could cause that problem??? I know there is much time on the switch but it is rated for a regular bulb. This happens on fireplaces (gas) where by the wall switch fails due to them being rated for 120V and the power supplied to them from the gas valve is milli-volts so they oxidize causing the fireplace not to work after a few seasons.

I'd be curious what Josh and Dennis think of my theory but will have to see what Dennis finds first.

Happy trails Bruce!!!

I have been running LED headlights for 4 years now. No switch issues have found me. Bruce has only been running an LED for 9 months so I don't think it's the headlight causing the switch corrosion. Probably the same thing that plagues our starter switches.

[DDT (12)]

Probably the same thing that plagues our starter switches.



Josh,

That was my thought, too... especially after the liberal doses of contact cleaner were applied combined with vigorous work-outs of the switch seemed to produce positive results... I have no idea really, as I'm no techie at all... but... I was intrigued by Terry's line of thinking, and I have been looking forward to hearing the thoughts of others... folks just like you.

It will soon enough become moot, though... Once Troutdude gets his hands on her... and after he works his magic... all will be well, and then our girl and her tech-less, feckless rider will once again return to doing what they do! Assuming, of course, the Corona-virus hasn't taken us back to the Dark Ages by then...

DDT

[..]

I didn’t know magnesium was good for the heart.

What is Magnesium good for?
Cardiovascular health. One of magnesium's most important jobs is to regulate muscle function throughout the body—and that includes the heart muscle. In the body, magnesium helps the heart maintain a healthy rhythm. It also helps regulate blood pressure and the production of cholesterol.  Nov 20, 2017

And repelling kidney stones. Oss mentioned it to me and so far (touch wood) a third has not pained me.

BUT not so good if kidney function isn't top notch.

[Jess from VA]

I didn’t know magnesium was good for the heart.

What is Magnesium good for?
Cardiovascular health. One of magnesium's most important jobs is to regulate muscle function throughout the body—and that includes the heart muscle. In the body, magnesium helps the heart maintain a healthy rhythm. It also helps regulate blood pressure and the production of cholesterol.  Nov 20, 2017

And repelling kidney stones. Oss mentioned it to me and so far (touch wood) a third has not pained me.

BUT not so good if kidney function isn't top notch.

Adjust dose/Mg according to tolerance (and take with food).

In my experience, magnesium is as easy on the stomach/GI/after-burp as any supplement or vitamin you might take.

But 500's are too much for me (burp), so I'm cutting a big bottle of them in half, daily.  

Magnesium helps with kidney stones by dissolving/absorbing/passing calcium, which make up about 90% of all kidney stones.  The other 10% are from uric acid, and I don't know if it helps with those.  

I had one about 15ys ago, and so far so good.  There's a pretty high percentage of repeat stones, but after 15yrs with no repeat, I take it more for the heart.... but if it helps prevent another stone I can live with that.  

Kidney stones are one of the nastiest little tricks of nature in the human body.  They don't kill you, but they can be close enough to death to give you a nice dry run at it.  (And when my time is up I'm really hoping it doesn't take like 15 hours) 

Imagine if we could bio-weapon kidney stones.  Non-lethal..... but war over.      

[Oss]

Jess, There is a magnesium powder called Natural Calm that I take every morning It comes in several flavors

I put maybe a 1/2 teaspoon in a few ounces of water from the insta-hot into the blender shake it then
 add to it a zucchini, some cherry or grape tomatoes, a handfull of some kale, strawberries, blueberries and some pinapple  maybe half a banana (I put the other half in a zip lock in the freezer) or black or raspberries if we have any and blend on high with 16 oz of water.

That powers me thru lunchtime or longer   It is a lot to drink but I am never in a rush in the morning

In this house all the produce is organic for 30 yrs. We either grow it or get locally at farmers markets or local supermarket

Bonnie also made me a marshmallow tea once years ago when I thought I had a stone and it passed quickly   Good to have an herbalist in the house. YMMV

[t-man403]

A corroded switch....hmmm.

That leads me to wonder if that is the case, that the lighter electrical load due to the L.E.D. headlight could cause that problem??? I know there is much time on the switch but it is rated for a regular bulb. This happens on fireplaces (gas) where by the wall switch fails due to them being rated for 120V and the power supplied to them from the gas valve is milli-volts so they oxidize causing the fireplace not to work after a few seasons.

I'd be curious what Josh and Dennis think of my theory but will have to see what Dennis finds first.

Happy trails Bruce!!!

I have been running LED headlights for 4 years now. No switch issues have found me. Bruce has only been running an LED for 9 months so I don't think it's the headlight causing the switch corrosion. Probably the same thing that plagues our starter switches.

Thanks for getting in on this Josh! 
I'm glad to hear your report as I do have your bracket but have yet to buy a headlight for it. Speaking of starter switches mine is in serious need of help. 

[trout dude]

T-man you have  Deep cleaned ALI once and washed her a few times after Bruce has ridden her it’s not The Headlight  hint hint    Hope all is well with y’all and we will get that Dirty Switch Change out for him soon lol

[t-man403]

  hint hint 

Yeah I get it!! 

Maybe with all the time I have now I'll take a chance at cleaning my starter switch.

All is good here and we hope the same there!