Serk and Serk Jr's Inzane Trip Update

[Serk]

Glad to hear you 2 made it home safe and sound! With Dad's wallet a little flatter.

If I remember back to the start, he's the first to go out of country?

Is he the first to fly?

A LOT flatter, and that isn't even considering what it'll take to fix the bike.

Of all 4 Jr. is the first to leave the USA, and the last to fly in an airplane, although all 4 got to fly in helicopters in January of 2020...

[cookiedough]

Glad to hear you 2 made it home safe and sound! With Dad's wallet a little flatter.

If I remember back to the start, he's the first to go out of country?

Is he the first to fly?

A LOT flatter, and that isn't even considering what it'll take to fix the bike.

Of all 4 Jr. is the first to leave the USA, and the last to fly in an airplane, although all 4 got to fly in helicopters in January of 2020...

I hear yah, on the flatter wallet.  between my 4 days in hospital and kids hernia surgery deductible and same kids 4 wisdom teeth pulled I will be 6K and more poorer as well the past 2 months.  Things happen in 3's they say?  Hopefully NOT any 4's to go around anytime soon. 

[Farside]

  Serk it was nice catching up on one of the nights out in the courtyard.  Then seeing Jr. in the pool with some of his new friends shooting thru the water tunnel priceless. Great that you were able to make the trip even though of the unforseen bike trouble. Pretty cool talking w/ Kalli too. Her future new role sounds right for her. I wish her well. I hope you guys flight home was uneventful. Until next time. 

[Pappy!]

Was a pleasure seeing you again and meeting mini-Serk as well. What a great non-stop grin he has!!
I felt your pain on clutch issues by the way........ Mine being self induced by going to a full synthetic oil that was recommended by my local motorcycle dealer. Started slipping badly in heavy traffic in Oklahoma city, OK. Found a Honda shop open 1.4miles away with a grumpy service manager that said he was closing. Talked him into changing my oil and filter for me though so he came through. Clutch gradually got better in around a hundred miles or so but started slipping/chattering again around 75 miles from Billings. From the sound and feel of it I thought my splines were giving up. Throttled back to 55 and made it the rest of the way.
Next day tore the rear end out of it and found the splines to be perfect as was the U-joint. Bellows was replaced with new as a fellow Valk owner said he had a new one! Thanks so much!
Daniel was doing a seminar while I worked and when done he pitched in and we got it done pretty easily.
Thank you, Daniel.
We changed oil/filter again as the general consensus was that the clutch was slipping and chattering.
The second oil change was "the ticket" so to speak. Did not run hard for a couple thousand miles but when I got closer to home I started letting the dragon loose and it held fine.
Anyway enough of that. Was a pleasure to share some time with you out in the Courtyard and hope to see you at the next one.

[Serk]

Thanks to Disco for doing some legwork (Ya'll really don't understand my phobia about talking on the phone) the MC Shipping company still hasn't told _ME_ anything, but Disco worked a contact at the hotel and got them to call HIM when the bike was picked up.

Which it was this morning.

And he had the forethought to get the hotel to scan the Bill of Lading and send that to me as well.

So I've got that. And it's a mainstream shipping company (CRST) and I've figured out how to use their tracking system too, so should be able to monitor the bike's progress towards home.....

But at least she's on her way. Finally...

BIG shout out to Disco for leg work and also a HUGE shoutout to the IZ GZ hotel Billings Hotel and Convention Center, they went well above and beyond making sure the bike was in a safe space, never pressured me about needing to get it out of their parking lot, just wanted to make sure I was taken care of..... Major customer service brownie points in my book!

[old2soon]

Thanks to Disco for doing some legwork (Ya'll really don't understand my phobia about talking on the phone) the MC Shipping company still hasn't told _ME_ anything, but Disco worked a contact at the hotel and got them to call HIM when the bike was picked up.

Which it was this morning.

And he had the forethought to get the hotel to scan the Bill of Lading and send that to me as well.

So I've got that. And it's a mainstream shipping company (CRST) and I've figured out how to use their tracking system too, so should be able to monitor the bike's progress towards home.....

But at least she's on her way. Finally...

BIG shout out to Disco for leg work and also a HUGE shoutout to the IZ GZ hotel Billings Hotel and Convention Center, they went well above and beyond making sure the bike was in a safe space, never pressured me about needing to get it out of their parking lot, just wanted to make sure I was taken care of..... Major customer service brownie points in my book!

       As a former Over The Road Driver some of us made fun of other company names. Some can be used in mixed company some can't. CRST-certified real slow trucks. RIDE SAFE.

[Serk]

In one of the greatest cases of "Left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing" the shipping company for the bike says "Booked" still on their tracking page; I e-mail'ed 'em this morning and they said they'd look into it and try to figure out where my bike is.

And then the spousal unit just got a phone call saying the bike will be delivered tomorrow, where exactly would we like it dropped off, etc...

So we'll see...

[Jess from VA]

And they say there are no miracles.   

[Serk]

And they say there are no miracles.   

Fate isn't quite done with me yet it seems...

When this is all done I fully expect some guy to jump out and yell "Surprise! You're on Candid Camera!"

Spousal unit just got a call from the shipping company (The actual one here in Dallas). The lift gate on the truck is stuck in such a way that they can't open the doors, with the 'Wing inside.... Par for the course in this adventure...

Said they think they can fix it tonight and hopefully deliver the bike tomorrow.....

Someday I'll look back on this and laugh. The spousal unit is already laughing her butt off over the whole thing...

[..]

And they say there are no miracles.   

Fate isn't quite done with me yet it seems...

When this is all done I fully expect some guy to jump out and yell "Surprise! You're on Candid Camera!"

Spousal unit just got a call from the shipping company (The actual one here in Dallas). The lift gate on the truck is stuck in such a way that they can't open the doors, with the 'Wing inside.... Par for the course in this adventure...

Said they think they can fix it tonight and hopefully deliver the bike tomorrow.....

Someday I'll look back on this and laugh. The spousal unit is already laughing her butt off over the whole thing...

 

[Jess from VA]

And they say there are no miracles.   

Fate isn't quite done with me yet it seems...

When this is all done I fully expect some guy to jump out and yell "Surprise! You're on Candid Camera!"

Spousal unit just got a call from the shipping company (The actual one here in Dallas). The lift gate on the truck is stuck in such a way that they can't open the doors, with the 'Wing inside.... Par for the course in this adventure...

Said they think they can fix it tonight and hopefully deliver the bike tomorrow.....

Someday I'll look back on this and laugh. The spousal unit is already laughing her butt off over the whole thing...

This story gets more and more like a Three Stooges movie.   

[..]

I wonder how many times "the liftgate is stuck" has been used in the past? 

[carolinarider09]

I wonder how many times "the liftgate is stuck" has been used in the past? 

I was sort of thinking the same thing.   But.....  we will never ever know the real story.

[Avanti]

I wonder how many times "the liftgate is stuck" has been used in the past? 

I was sort of thinking the same thing.   But.....  we will never ever know the real story.

I wonder how many days the liftgate will be stuck.

[Serk]

I wonder how many times "the liftgate is stuck" has been used in the past? 

I was sort of thinking the same thing.   But.....  we will never ever know the real story.

I wonder how many days the liftgate will be stuck.

They seemed rather confident they'd be able to get the bike to me tomorrow, but yeah.... At this point a wormhole in the space/time continuum could open up and my bike but yellow and working from an alternative dimension could pop out and I'd just be "Oh. Okay. So this is happening now."

[Rams]

I'm just glad it's in Texas close to you.   Get her fixed and let her rip!!

Rams

[cookiedough]

shoulda kept the black I/S Valkyrie instead of this newer Goldwing stuff.....

[Serk]

shoulda kept the black I/S Valkyrie instead of this newer Goldwing stuff.....

Yeah, the thought crossed my mind. The irony that I rode the 'Wing to Inzane instead of my Valkyrie since I wanted to make sure I made the ride on a newer more reliable bike.....




Okay this is hilarious.... I asked the spousal unit "Do you think we should call the shipping company and see if they're coming today?" and THAT SECOND her phone rang with them saying the'll be here in 45 minutes.....

I'll still believe it when I see it, but.....

[Serk]

Two shortish dudes had to back it up in the truck onto the lift gate and maneuver it back and forth to fit lengthwise on the lift gate. Insurance blah blah they couldn't let me just hop in and do it. The bike is set up for a taller person, they were struggling.

I was just waiting for it to fall off the lift gate as the icing on the cake, but.....

She's home and in the garage. Rode around to the back; now to get her to the shop and find out WTH is actually going on, but at least this stage of the drama has drawn to a conclusion!

[carolinarider09]

 

[Sweet Cheeks]

Yay!!

[Valkorado]

Yep he's kinda tip-toeing it there, probably would have been a helpless feeling just watching the process.   

[f6gal]

Yeah, the thought crossed my mind. The irony that I rode the 'Wing to Inzane instead of my Valkyrie since I wanted to make sure I made the ride on a newer more reliable bike.....

So, this is likely all Karma from the Valkyrie Gods. 

[Serk]

Of course after riding 30+ miles in 103 degree temps I get to the shop, and it absolutely refuses to make the noise for them...

But, the pulsing of the clutch lever in neutral when you first grab it is still happening so they believe me that something ain't right.... So now we'll see what we shall see...

[carolinarider09]

It will be an interesting "saga".

[turtle254]

Two shortish dudes had to back it up in the truck onto the lift gate and maneuver it back and forth to fit lengthwise on the lift gate. Insurance blah blah they couldn't let me just hop in and do it. The bike is set up for a taller person, they were struggling.

I was just waiting for it to fall off the lift gate as the icing on the cake, but.....

She's home and in the garage. Rode around to the back; now to get her to the shop and find out WTH is actually going on, but at least this stage of the drama has drawn to a conclusion!

Update on clutch?

Update on clutch?

[Serk]

Update on clutch?

Par for the course on this saga, the previously very responsive and good quality/low cost bike shop has started ghosting me and not replying to my e-mails....

I was tempted to just ride the Valk up there yesterday and see what's up but 105 degrees talked me outta it....

[cookiedough]

hang in there cannot get much worse, right?   

something about riding a goldwing to a Valk outing surely upset the Gods in Valhalla.....

[f6john]

Update on clutch?

Par for the course on this saga, the previously very responsive and good quality/low cost bike shop has started ghosting me and not replying to my e-mails....

I was tempted to just ride the Valk up there yesterday and see what's up but 105 degrees talked me outta it....

I was going to ask about an update too, but now I have visions of a bare frame sitting on a lift with parts on every bench and every square inch of previously vacant floor space. Or maybe, they are out on a test ride right now!

[Serk]

Well, I got curious enough I finally picked up the phone and called..... (Sacre bleu!)

Said they hadn't torn into it yet, but had been researching and poking/prodding at the bike. Will try to get it up on the lift tomorrow(TM) and verify, but he's pretty sure one of the ears off the clutch basket broke off?

So he'll open it up and see if that's the case, then make sure he finds the broken off ear if so and we'll go from there....

So that's all the update that's up to date...

[..]

Well, I got curious enough I finally picked up the phone and called..... (Sacre bleu!)

Said they hadn't torn into it yet, but had been researching and poking/prodding at the bike. Will try to get it up on the lift tomorrow(TM) and verify, but he's pretty sure one of the ears off the clutch basket broke off?

So he'll open it up and see if that's the case, then make sure he finds the broken off ear if so and we'll go from there....

So that's all the update that's up to date...

You need to go see it when stripped down.

[Serk]

Well, I got curious enough I finally picked up the phone and called..... (Sacre bleu!)

Said they hadn't torn into it yet, but had been researching and poking/prodding at the bike. Will try to get it up on the lift tomorrow(TM) and verify, but he's pretty sure one of the ears off the clutch basket broke off?

So he'll open it up and see if that's the case, then make sure he finds the broken off ear if so and we'll go from there....

So that's all the update that's up to date...

You need to go see it when stripped down.

I should, but the place is ~30 miles away, and tough to get out there other than to drop off/pick up the bike..... Murphy being the optimist he is I'm sure the bike'll be fixed and ready for pickup next week, since I'm oncall for work next week and mostly tied to the house.

Called the place just a few minutes ago, he said it's definitely a broken ear off the clutch basket, he's working up an estimate for me and will call me back later today.....

[Serk]

Estimate of $2,318 parts and labor... Ouch, but meh... Gave 'em the go-ahead to start ordering stuff. Also asked they take some pics and e-mail 'em to me but we'll see, I'll just be glad to get the bike back and hopefully functional and reliable as a Honda should be!

[f6john]

I know you are confident that they can do the repairs but if Goldwings aren’t they mainstay, I would get in contact with some of the gurus over on the gl1800 riders board and see if there are other items that need to be checked/ serviced while the bike is disassembled.

[carolinarider09]

I know you are confident that they can do the repairs but if Goldwings aren’t they mainstay, I would get in contact with some of the gurus over on the gl1800 riders board and see if there are other items that need to be checked/ serviced while the bike is disassembled.

 

[Serk]

Yup, chatted a bit, they said they'll keep their eyes out for anything while in there.

Not a Goldwing only place by any stretch, but mine also wasn't the only Goldwing there. They specialize in metric in general, heavy on zip-splats, but plenty of other stuff. Just chatting the guy was familiar with the peculiarities of a Valkyrie and her carbs and rear end, so that's also bonus points.

They said the parts they ordered have finally shipped, tracking number says they'll be delivered Tuesday August 9th. If so, should have the Goldwing back by late next week/next weekend....

....it sure is nice to have a spare bike! Although, with the current heat I've only ridden it a few times, but nice to have that option...

[cookiedough]

wow,  is that common on a goldwing?  how many miles on it?

[Serk]

wow,  is that common on a goldwing?  how many miles on it?

60k, and I've only found one or two other instances of anything similar to that ever happening on a GL1800...

Lucky me, eh?

[Serk]

Well crud...

That wasn't it...

But I have more respect for the shop, not less... They called me and said they'd replaced all the things, but it was still happening... They put most of my origial parts back in (Which once they actually dug in turned out to be fine) and will either return the replacement parts or eat the cost/use 'em later. After spending a LOT of time digging around, they'd only charge me $400 for labor.

Said they'd be willing to go deeper, but suspect it'd take a full engine tear down, and wanted me to make sure I wanted to go that far, since cost at that point would be rivaling a replacement bike...

Yeah, not happy I was spending anything and riding a still not right bike home, but respect 'em more for saying "You might wanna stop here."

So the bike's back home. Interesting observation, the sounds seem to decrease greatly as the bike warms up, but the shaky clutch handle on disengaging in neutral (And ONLY in neutral) remain.

I'll sit on it a bit, try to get some video of the sounds and post on some Goldwing places for insight, need to figure out if it should be fixed, or if it's time to cut bait... Never have been good at making that call...

[carolinarider09]

Just a thought

There are a couple of guys on this Goldwing Forum

GoldwingrGreg and Fred H; who seem to know what is what.  Fred H produced a series of videos (DVDs) on Goldwing maintenance which I have and are good references. 

https://www.gl1800riders.com