Well, whatchagonna do? Gordon had expressed serious misgivings and doubts about the 'repairs?' performed on our girl... since nothing he'd replaced or found (actually only suspected possible causes) had appeared defective or showing any evidence of being the source of any problems... Turns out he was right... doggone it all anyhow!
I'd waited until the 11:00am checkout time to leave the motel this morning... because it was 22F with frost on our girl's cover when I first stepped out for my initial check on things... Since we were in no particular hurry, and we had until Thursday evening to make it home before the forecast rain, I chose to take my sweet time, dawdle some, and leisurely make our departure in a warmer part of the day... So far, so good.
Might be wise to delay departure just a bit...
Empty stall.. at last!
Gordon had test rode our girl the day before, and so had I. Neither of us had detected any problems, and the noise I'd heard before along with the vibration I'd felt were completely absent, so... all thumbs-up and Hi-Oh-Silver--Away, we rode southwards towards Florida and away from the shivering zone! She sure felt good, too, and I was basking in the warm glow of that special feeling of satisfaction most of us experience when a vexing issue has been successfully addressed. Then...
As we were cruising through the busiest part of Chattanooga, I noticed that vibration again when decelerating. My imagination? Had the preemptive replacements of rear wheel bearings and U-joint been wishful thinking? Surely it was the road surface causing it this time... Nope, soon enough there was a vibration all the time, accel, decal, cruise, coast... constantly. Dang! Sure hope I can make it out of the worst of the traffic before I have to pull off...
Just as we had run the gauntlet of downtown Chattanooga and were coming out the west side of town on I-24 approaching Nickajack, still in heavy traffic and not completely out of the woods yet, a not-particularly-loud noise was heard. Sounded like something had busted up or given way, and undeniably sounded like something that required immediate attention... I coasted over to the emergency lane to see if anything was leaking fluids or falling off... Nope.
I remounted, started her up again, put her in gear, let out the clutch, and... the engine continued to run, but she did not move... not even budge a silly smidgeon! No more noise, though, and no vibration. Well, shucks... Maybe the clutch?
Heck, I dunno, I ain't no mechanic! The week before I had diagnosed our problem as the universal joint, but, with hindsight, that obviously wasn't the issue... I remembered Gordon and Troutdude chatting on the phone discussing the possibility of the problem actually being the clutch, or... the transmission...?! With no small amount of anxiety, I called Gordon...
My good friend and very recent host was on the lake fishing, and not expecting to return until dark (this was around 2pm.) He told me that HJ had called wanting to see me before I left, so I should call him, as he'd said he wasn't doing anything important that day anyhow...
I called HJ and informed this must be his lucky day, as I had an opportunity for him to see me after all! I went on to explain my circumstance and inquire if he'd be able come get me! What a great guy! He, along with Gordon, had come for us only the week before in Nashville!
He said he would, and his friend Bill was available to come, too, and help with loading, etc. I told him where we were, and that I was going to call a tow service to get us someplace safer, and that I'd let him know where we wound-up. We had a plan... and I had a new challenge...
After I'd called the tow service, and while I was talking to Troutdude, a state trooper pulled up behind me, flashing blue lights and all, and he patiently waited for me to get off the phone... BTW, it was very difficult hearing and being heard because of all the traffic, particularly big trucks whizzing by...
He was just checking to see that I was OK and if he could help... Really nice guy! After I assured him everything was taken care of and explained my plan, he smiled, wished me luck, and drove off... No ticket, license check or anything. WOW! I've heard of riders actually getting a ticket in situations like that in other states!
A short time later, an Emergency Response Team truck pulled in behind us. The very nice lady was just checking to see if I needed anything, or if she could help. WOW! I made a mental note to do all of my breaking down only in Tennessee from now on!!! Ummm, maybe not... I'm sure even Gordon and HJ would eventually get tired of that!
The tow truck arrived even sooner than I had expected, and we loaded her up. I'd told the rep at Rescue Plus to have the tow truck driver take us to Athens, TN, so we'd be closer to HJ and Bill and save them having to drive through Chattanooga in late afternoon traffic... plus safe them 50-60 miles of distance. Worked like a charm! I called HJ and told him where we'd be...
I was sitting at the counter in Shoney's having a well-deserved glass of sweet tea, when HJ and Bill arrived. We loaded our girl and her shell-shocked rider and headed back to Clinton, TN, and the Valk clinic of Lucky-13... again... Man, this is getting old for us, and I'm sure for poor ol' Gordon, too, about having us back again so soon... heck, the joy of seeing me ride away hadn't even worn off yet!!!
Diagnostics will have to wait for Troutdude to arrive next week. In the meantime... well, I guess there are always reruns of the Andy Griffin Show to keep me busy... Nah, lots of stuff I can do... even ride! Yep, HJ has offered me the use of his Valk, if needed... Any wonder why I'm so proud to be a member of this 'family'?!!!
DDT
