I had met up with F6Banger yesterday down at his place in Albuquerque and we changed out my OEM valve stems for the patchboys.
The one on the rear of my standard had been bad for some time now limping along with the piece of popsicle stick wedged in between the stem and plastic clip holder. Good thing too since the sticked-stem just broke right out.
We ended up doing both front and rear since the tire removing, bead breaking hats were on.
This a.m. I get a call from F6Banger to meet up in the Jemez Mountains to test the old girl out. She ran fine coming back from his place yesterday but... just because there were no leftover parts you can still never be too sure.
That and of course she's been feeling neglected ever since the IS came to live with us.
For me Los Ojos Bar & Grill in Jemez Springs it's only about 38 miles one way, for the Albuquerque'ns coming in the back way it's about 70.
Nice cruise heading into the mountains from my place, still snow scattered about, none on the highway.
Watch it on the turns though, the sand
IS present with spots of melting snow coming across the road.
Valle Caldera straight ahead
There she is. This was a sad sight after last July's fire. It looks like she's coming back nicely.
Time-wise I wasn't doing too bad, not running too much more than about 10-15 minutes later than expected. I had already sent Chuck a message to let them know of my late arrival. Of course this is when you catch the 30 mph vehicles in a 45, when actually intended for at least another 10-15 above the posted...
As I'm breezing through, after passing the Sunday drivers, its all falling into place, sun feels good, I'm taking a nice curve, and an oncoming SUV feels that they need part of my lane. A slight change to my previously negotiated turn and, I'm back in the zone.
Met up with F6Banger and meet Fred in Jemez Springs, had a decent lunch at Los Ojos B&G, we discussed some future and past rides and headed back via my route.
Fred takes the lead on his Goldwing, I'm sandwiched on my standard, and Chuck takes the rear on his IS.
No snow coming up their way...
A shot of Chuck, giving me what I'm sure is the internationally understood sign for...
"You're #1"... 
Fred feeding me his dust...
A quick stop off at my place for a slice of home made chocolate cream pie and they were one their way down the hill. About 90 miles or so to Albuquerque this route and they'll be home.
The weather is and was great today. When I left out, just after 11am, maybe low 50's, in Jemez possibly 60's.
For me the round trip ride ran a grand total of about 80 miles.
