Thanks - !!

I put a new front tire on my 97 Valk today, 25000 miles on the old one.. Had my 'Carl Kulow" Maintainance book and my Honda Service Manual right next to me. Took the front tire/wheel off, checked the brakes and bearings - all OK. Took the wheel and new tire to the a tire dealer just down the rode and 15 minutes later he had the old tire off and the new tire on ready to go. Got back home and put the front wheel with new tire back on - took about 15 minutes.

Then I thought about a few things that had just happened. I have owend my valk for six years this summer and I have never had the need to bring it in for service or routine maintainance to the local Honda dealer. When I first bought the Valk I immediately bought an official Honda Service manual, parts manual and downloaded "Carl Kulow's" maintainance book and put it in a three ring binder. I was ready to go. I have had some motorcycle maintainance experience in the past (five different bikes) so I wasn't afraid to repair/maintain what I could. With the help of these three books, Shop Talk, and the friendly folks on the Valk boards all maintainance has been done in my garage and not in the shop.

Thanks to everyone over the years and keep jumping in when you can to help somebody out.

Jerry