Or was it a good one? Hmmm.
One of the last nice looking days in the forecast today, thought I'd take a short ride. Decided on the Bullet, and as always I fired her up in the shed as I roll my bikes backwards down a fairly steep ramp, and I wouldn't get them back up if one sputters out. I also let them warm up awhile for the same reason. Well, about three or four minutes into that process she started acting like she was running out of gas and died soon afterward. Great, here we go again. No vent line kinks, good gas, new petcock, redid Dan-Marc on a downhill slope. I'd had this exact same issue at the beginning of the summer, but after many long hours in the shed it is apparently back. WTF, she's been running good all summer? Grrr.
OK, not gonna let it ruin my day. I fired Ruby up, and ventured out for a nice ride. Upper 50s, I like that. Trees are mostly without leaves and brown. I don't like that. Still a nice short ride and knocked out a few errands too. Back at my ramp I stopped on the plywood in front, left her running in neutral and opened up the garage door. Got back on, pulled my kickstand back with my foot and proceeded up the ramp -- and she died. Grabbed a handful of clutch just in time, rolled down the ramp backwards and saw the culprit thankfully before it lodged into the ramp and pole vaulted the bike. The danged kickstand was hanging.
Couple scary seconds later, I got her under control and put the stand full forward until it stopped. Went inside and was lucky enough to find a small section of pliable wire, and was able to get the old girl back into the 12 x 20. Found the spring and the pin with a
sheared off bolt still inside it lying on the plywood.
How the hell will I get that fixed??? Really disheartening, and two issues I dread looking in to.
Two issues that probably won't get much attention until next spring. Cheryl is scheduled for a total hip replacement November 8th, and I am going to do my best to help her through the healing and recovery process in any way I can.
Back to my question. Was it a lousy day, or a good one? Well, the Bullet didn't leave me stranded roadside somewhere. Ruby got me back home before her kickstand bolt snapped off. I got in a decent ride, and didn't crash or hit a deer. I arrived home safely, and didn't drop Ruby on the ramp. It was an okay day, I s'pose.
