After four years and two months of not being able to ride a motorcycle (sorry, but sidecars don't count), today I leaned into a corner and counter-steered once again.
It was only a 15 minute ride, around the Lake Minnetonka area; a few things need to be completed yet. Whatever. You can imagine the thrill - and the worry. Funny, but the hardest part was the fargin' stoopid BMW turn signals from that era (the bike is a K75C). Once I got past that...I'll post some pictures when possible.
Lately, I'd been questioning my thinking about Butt Lite IIIII; why did I enter? Now, I'm thinking about auxiliary fuel, extra lights, heck, maybe even doing pretty well. Heady stuff.
That is great Bart. You always seem to have an issue with the BMW turn signals. I remember when you rode that RT to Missery you were bitching about the turn signals all day. Seriously that is kick ass news.
A sincere thanks to all of you. Not sure it's really progress (I'm not improving), but it definitely is more fun. There's a reason we ride these things while we still can. Not like I'd forgotten why, it just took this long to find a way to make it so.
To celebrate, I'm inventing more horribly difficult bonuses for the rally. Seems fitting - my gain is your loss.
Of all the things that are good to hear - someone riding a motorcycle once again after a long absence seems - is near the top of my list. Congratulations.
This is great news. As we have talked before, it is surprising what you can do when you keep trying. I look forward to seeing you at the MN1k. Bring on the abuse although I have proven that I do not need any help abusing myself.
I am overjoyed! Way cool!! I will never forget the look on your face at the 2002 (I think) MN1k. The one that started and finished at the German place. The look in your eyes while looking at the sidecar rigs made me evaluate why I ride. I knew then that I would see you riding with a hack. Your continuing to ride with the sidecar has been truly inspirational to me. Any time that one of my minor aches and pains crops up, I think about what it took/takes for you to ride. I am truly happy for you. See you in August. Bet you whip my ass!
Bart. I don't know if you remember me, but we have ridden together on one of the BMWMOCM Saturday rides, and have had dinner together at the BMWMOCM rally a couple of years ago... (You, me, and John C.)
This is great news! I look forward to trying to keep up with you in the near future!
Bart,
Thanks for the great news! It really made my day.
As for the funky turn signals, well, BMW still uses that style to this date. Welcome to the 21st century.
I hope to see you at the Hiawatha Rally this weekend.
-K
No one I know never ever minding missing a third wheel. Saw two Leos yesterday toddling through Loring Park on Segways? Even they had a third wheel... So Zen. I have a uni I can loan when you are ready for the next "there is no spoon" level!
Terrific news, Bart. Looking forward to seeing you at the MN1K. Now that we know you have ridden two wheels to all the bonuses (you did, did'nt you?) the rally looks even better.
I kid, but seriously, I'd love to see some photos of the new two wheeled bike. Bart.
P)lans for sellign the hack, or keep it around also for pick-up truck use?
I'll never sell the hack, if for no other reason than the engine itself. Owned it since new and it has never let me down in 147,000 miles of abuse. (The gearbox is a separate issue). The K bike will not be nearly as useful for gravel roads (read, bonus hunting), and camping will be much easier with the hack.
I will post photos when I get the bike back by mid-week; it's at the shop having some final mods done. Will do so promptly when it arrives in my garage.
One thing I'll need to get used to is revving the Brick over 4K rpm. With the sidecar and my fat ass to haul, the poor old R100 sits at 3750 rpm all the time, and almost never goes beyond that. On my first ride on the K, I found myself looking for two more gears than the five it has. Hope that counterbalancer works as well as advertised. My Triumph triple was smooth as glass up to 70 mph; after that, not so much.
