Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: rodekyll on June 10, 2016, 03:34:57 AM
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As some of you know, I am barging my trike from Sitka to Seattle in order to join up with the folks at the National rally. It leaves in a few hours. I've just finished packing it. Even with the extra space I had to leave my cold weather gear home. As I write this I'm having some angst about that, but the armored and insulated textile top and bottom equal the bulk of all the other clothing I want to bring. So something had to give . . .
. . . In the future I'll be able to cut back a lot on the misc. luggage, but since this is the shakedown cruise I need to have more tools and equipment on hand than I normally carry.
. . . in the last few minutes I've broken a weld on the power seat fulcrum bar. Crap. I can block it in the optimum positon, but I don't have time to go over all the welds. If that one is bad the other three are too. The seat is still adjustable, but it's no longer rock solid. I hate it when that happens.
. . . T minus 12 hours now, almost exactly. I've finished packing and stowing. A light rain is falling. We're strapped in and ready for launch.
Here's what it looked like just before I loaded it. It was too dark when I finished to take another pic. It's green.
(http://thumb.ibb.co/hUaTTv/barge_ready_1_dumb.jpg) (http://ibb.co/hUaTTv)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/mTZcMF/barge_ready_2_dumb.jpg) (http://ibb.co/mTZcMF)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/dODF8v/barge_ready_3_dumb.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dODF8v)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/cby41F/barge_ready_5_dumb.jpg) (http://ibb.co/cby41F)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/d9Lv8v/barge_ready_6_dumb.jpg) (http://ibb.co/d9Lv8v)
I'll have a post-loaded pic or two in the morning.
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Looks great, good luck on the trip.
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That rig will certainly get a lot of attention at John Day! Looks good!
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Good luck, and don't forget your glasses. :bike-037:
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Thanks, Mike. That's the same bike under all that crap.
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Happy trails Dude!
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Impressive. Such a well executed project. Safe travels.
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Very cool!
JB
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Roll The Dice - be safe, travel well.
Maurie.
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Looks great...might be time to warn the inhabitants of the lower 48 :thumb:
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killer of roads,
Travel well, ride safe, have fun! Dang beauty of a bike! Love the green and red.
Let me be one of the first Chee-chakos to welcome you to "outside". Remember, if you cut ALASKA into three pieces, texas would be the fourth largest state.....
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That is one awesome monster of a trike. Love it!
-AJ
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Well done. Looks like a fun and very functional ride. The icing on the cake too, is that anyone would recognize you on the road (that know what your bike looks like of course)
Safe travels!
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James in Seattle, here.
Neighbor down the street is a partner in a welding shop & is a motorcycle rider. Could probably lean on him for a weld if you want.
You have my phone number.
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See you soon Dave, I am a man of leisure again so I will be around when you get here.
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Awesome! Look forward to seeing you in John Day
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I LIKE it! :bow:
Consider a couple John Deere decals now. :boozing:
I'm very keen on a road report once you get some miles in. Dang, another reason I'm regretting not being able to attend the rally.
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A very cool rig and safe travels to Oregon! :cool:
I wish I was going, but I started a new full-time job 4-11-16...so I am slaving away!
Be to sure to introduce yourself and say HELLO to Jim "Jimbo" McDermott (- AZ MGONC Rep) and Andy"Tempe Farkle Labs" Barrett (Stelvio) who will be riding to the rally from Arizona! :thumb: :cool:
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Hey, I recognize that fairing style !
That is rocking awesome - the tires look appropriate for Alaska, but will you grow weary of them on our tame highways?
How is road and wind noise? I'm assuming you're an earplugs rider as I am - I never used to be, but now that I am I'm always appalled when I hear real world sounds on the exceptions rides.
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Hope all goes well for you, Rk. Hope to meet you at the National. :boozing:
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Here's hoping your chariot serves you well. Have an epic trip..... :bow: :thumb:
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Looking very good. See you in John Day. Look for the skinny dude with the plastic pocket protector shining his bike.
Tex
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Hey, I recognize that fairing style !
That is rocking awesome - the tires look appropriate for Alaska, but will you grow weary of them on our tame highways?
How is road and wind noise? I'm assuming you're an earplugs rider as I am - I never used to be, but now that I am I'm always appalled when I hear real world sounds on the exceptions rides.
That fairing will be replaced by a frame mounted unit as soon as I get around to designing one. I put this one on just because I needed something up front.
I don't know about the tires or wind noise yet since I haven't had the trike on the open road. I'll be discovering all that as I go along. :)
James in Seattle, here.
Neighbor down the street is a partner in a welding shop & is a motorcycle rider. Could probably lean on him for a weld if you want.
You have my phone number.
Hi, James! I might take you up on that. I just don'thave the time. I know what broke it -- I reversed two wires on the motors and got them fighting each other. So it was partly my welding and partly my wiring that got me there.
Headed to the barge now.
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Looking very good. See you in John Day. Look for the skinny dude with the plastic pocket protector shining his bike.
Tex
Are you bringing a stranger ? :laugh: More like look for the old hippie whose bike has never seen water except for when it's raining :shocked: Next year you are gonna have to mount a side car to haul my narrow butt in :rolleyes: Wait , hmm , doubtful the organizers would let us in as a pair :grin:
Good luck David , keep us apprised .
Dusty
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Awesome looking rig Dave!!! Looking forward to catching up. Have a great trip down to the Rally. :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
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Congratulations on a very interesting and nice-looking project. I hope it goes as well as it looks. Happy trails.
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Looking fantastic! I really like what you've done there. Hope you have a great trip!
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Impressive bit of machinery you have given birth to there RK. The 1st time on the open road? That's one hell of a shake down cruise. I hope it all works out and you can send most of your tools home before too many miles have passed. I hope it goes well for you.
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Yes, the first open road trials. Yes, I'm nervous. :drool: <---- bad case of nerves
They called me back to the warehouse to look at a fluid leak. :shocked:
It was a little ATF burped out of the overflow. Considering the choices, I was relieved. It's I na container now and out of reach. The homestead looks lonely without it overfilling the Quonset hut. I'm elated that the project is at this point, but at the same time -- after three years of immersion in it -- I'm going to have a hard time figuring out what to do with myself.
(http://thumb.ibb.co/dZH8Tv/barge_ready_10_dumb.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dZH8Tv)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/jz8tva/barge_ready_9_dumb.jpg) (http://ibb.co/jz8tva)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/kuvv8v/barge_ready_11_dumb.jpg) (http://ibb.co/kuvv8v)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/kvgDva/barge_ready_8_dumb.jpg) (http://ibb.co/kvgDva)
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Best wishes for a good, long trip!🏍
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You deserve a magazine feature story for that masterpiece, sir! Kudos! :bow:
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Looking great RK, best of wishes on your trip!
-Ulrik
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Ditto the Happy Trails, rodekyll :grin: :thumb:
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Great job RK. The rider position looks more comfortable than my Grand Marquis. I would love to get your opinion of a comparison between a standard big tired trike and your narrower design. Yours certainly looks better.Good luck.I know how worrysome those maiden voyages can be.
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Well, Dave;
Wish I could see that musheen in person at John Day but. You know enough folks in the N/W you ought to have a good trip, even if it's a little bit of an adventure!
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Gearman -- I've never seen a big wheeled trike up close and personal. The distance I did see them at made me know I didn't want to go there with this design, and aside from general theory, I didn't do much looking at other people's ideas -- I had my own. So I have no way to compare it to a real land yacht. Maybe some trike driver along the way will test ride it for me and tell you all how it compares.
Sourdough -- The trike is mobile. I hope mobile enough to make it to the Midwest. So I might be dropping in on your local events. Who's to say?
In celebration of getting the trike out of reach, I slept in today without feeling guilty. Not that I haven't slept in while it was being built, but when it was here I felt guilty about it.
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That is the coolest thing I've seen in a long while. Thanks for building it and thanks for sharing. :-)
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I guess about the best thing I can say about it is that it looks like a factory, Guzzi Servi-car. A very professional looking finished product - something to be hugely proud of.
Todd.
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Your machine looks just right! Well done, looking forward to seeing it in person
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I guess about the best thing I can say about it is that it looks like a factory, Guzzi Servi-car. A very professional looking finished product - something to be hugely proud of.
Todd.
Well, that's about the best thing a person could say about it. Thanks. I tried to make it look like I planned it that way. If you look at it from all the angles and decide that it was a unified concept, then I was successful. :azn:
Your machine looks just right! Well done, looking forward to seeing it in person
Just bring that alternator cover. I've already packed the JB Weld. I'm dying to install it. I'm thinking it will be a heck of a conversation starter at gas stops. :evil:
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(http://thumb.ibb.co/dZH8Tv/barge_ready_10_dumb.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dZH8Tv)
That is the coolest thing EVER!!!! Cannot wait to see it in person.
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Where is rifle scabbard? :boozing:
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That is the coolest thing EVER!!!! Cannot wait to see it in person.
Thanks, Dee -- it's headed your way!
Where is rifle scabbard? :boozing:
You think you're being funny. It's a 4" x 2' schedule 40 tube mounted almost vertically behind my left leg in the space between the seat and the left side fuel tank. It also is good for a pick and shovel or fishing pole. Someone said it would be good for a patio umbrella too, but I don't see that.
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Someone said it would be good for a patio umbrella too, but I don't see that.
Tooling at slow speeds through the sunny campground, you'll need to keep your delicate skin away from those harmful rays. :grin:
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Somehow "Two Mules for Sister Sarah" springs to mind. :laugh:
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Ride safe and all the best on your shake down trip.
May you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed following your project from it's inception. :thumb:
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Thanks muzz, you've been supportive since the inception. I appreciate that. :)
My flight to Seattle is booked. I touch down to meet the trike Tues/21st @ 1:25P.
Anyone want to meet the flight and drive me to the warehouse on E. Marginal Way? You'll be the first to get a look at it. :angel:
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Gearman -- I've never seen a big wheeled trike up close and personal. The distance I did see them at made me know I didn't want to go there with this design, and aside from general theory, I didn't do much looking at other people's ideas -- I had my own. So I have no way to compare it to a real land yacht. Maybe some trike driver along the way will test ride it for me and tell you all how it compares.
Sourdough -- The trike is mobile. I hope mobile enough to make it to the Midwest. So I might be dropping in on your local events. Who's to say?
In celebration of getting the trike out of reach, I slept in today without feeling guilty. Not that I haven't slept in while it was being built, but when it was here I felt guilty about it.
Thanks RK. As we get older a sleek trike like yours appeals to people like me.Looking forward to your ride reports.
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Wonderful! I just have 2 questions - Does it have a reverse and will it do a wheelie? (just concerned about your exhaust tips here :evil:)
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Gearman -- I became convinced that my theory for the transmission would work based on your project. So if mine doesn't work out, I'm blaming it on you.
SO THERE!
RT-- Yes, it will go backwards at at least 43 miles an hour for probably about 300 miles. Paced by a city cop driving almost alongside as I made like a pinball between lightposts on the PBY taxiway. Any more is scary. on account of the steering is mighty twitchy in backwards. It's impossible to control faster than about 10mph. :shocked:
It will not pull a wheelie even with forklift assistance. :cry: We tried to stage a pic with the front end in the air and couldn't figure out how to hide the props. I wanted it to look like the Wyoming cowboy logo with me standing up in the saddle, fanning the side cover with a helmet. It was a waste of a couple sunny hours and I was very disappointed.
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Found some new pullover waterproof bib overalls at the marine supply store, where I do most of my m/c clothing shopping. Grunden. On sale for $63 out the door. I got them big to go over boots in a hurry. They had some super nice lined ones for $100, but alas, no bib. I decided this time around I was going with a ridiculously high waist. These do it.
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:gotpics:
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There are a bunch of pics on the first page, John. . . . or do you mean the rain gear? It's camo colored, so it's impossible to photograph.
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Great choice for paint color.
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Being new to this group I had not seen this trick before today.......mind is blown away.
What a fantastic job.
I went to roadkyll's posts looking for photos of the build and found over 500 pages....lol
Is there a post of the build up of this machine?
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Here is wishing you luck with your T!
Your about to prove me wrong about the concerns I had with you torque converter!
Tailwinds
mike
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There are a bunch of pics on the first page, John. . . . or do you mean the rain gear? It's camo colored, so it's impossible to photograph.
I did mean the rain gear, yes.
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Probably the best floorboards ever...Great job!
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Here is wishing you luck with your T!
Your about to prove me wrong about the concerns I had with you torque converter!
Tailwinds
mike
Or I will prove you right. If you are right, this is going to be one of the more spectacular failures in maybe the entire history of Alaska home-built-trike-based spectacular failures. If I pull up to the gate without anything dragging or on fire, it will be epic in a personal-best sort of way. But with either outcome I'm Shirley. Gonna prove something.
Probably the best floorboards ever...Great job!
FB's still need carpeting. Right now they're faced with the plastic bumper tops from a Ford Pickup. I'm trying to find some sort of good adhesive instead of these stupid screws and finishing washers. I'm bringing carpet along to finish it up. Someone will have a good idea for gluing it on.
Lots of tools and 'stuff' on this trip for those little undone tasks, but they give me something to do in the evening when I'm bored.
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Or I will prove you right. If you are right, this is going to be one of the more spectacular failures in maybe the entire history of Alaska home-built-trike-based spectacular failures.
I suspect that the data base, especially Guzzi based ones may be pretty small. :grin:
:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: Waiting......... Either way, I really hope that your efforts prove successful. :thumb:
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Can't wait to see it at JD, I predict the wind noise will be very low, I had that faring on my EV it was very quiet.
Superb job.
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Damn, I'm on the wrong side of the country again. I'd love to see that rig in the flesh, awesome job on it RK.
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Being new to this group I had not seen this trick before today.......mind is blown away.
What a fantastic job.
I went to roadkyll's posts looking for photos of the build and found over 500 pages....lol
Is there a post of the build up of this machine?
To answer your question, this has been a multi-year project, with many posts along the way. Here is a pretty random sampling, in no particular order, found by entering "trike project" in the search box in the upper right corner. And this is probably not even close to everything.
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=59331.0
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=61318.0
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=62224.0
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=73820.0
http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=77263.0
Howard
PS, this site could REALLY use some kind of an index, or maybe I'm just not going about it the right way.
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Sorry about not answering that, papa. There have been many threads about the build itself as well as many discussions about principles, theory, and a lot of problemsolving. As Howard points out, it was a three + year project, with maybe a year of talking about it before actually taking it on. I would not be surprised if there were over 50 total discussion about some aspect of it. But there is no single topic heading for it.
Roy -- That fairing has been on the 2-wheel version of that rig since about 2008. For a light duty, handlebar mounted fairing/windscreen it's average. I drilled this one for the aux light wiring, added a layer of mat and stiffened it, before painting it to match the rest of the rig. These light handlebar fairings are kind of floppy things and I hated the silly metal rods used to fix this one in place. So I changed the way it mounts, too. It now flutters less at speed and is quickly adjustable for height and rake.
And folks further east -- I've got some weeks and a little money, and this is my countdown to launching my new life as a homeless person. So it seems to be my manifest destiny to roam the steppes and wastelands of America, having adventures, doing good deeds, and drinking local microbrews. I could be seen anywhere within 300 miles of the last gas stop. So keep an eye open. I might camp out in a time zone near you. :)
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I bought a jack for the trip. All this talk about flat tires . . . Since I want my gear to work for other people's emergencies (I don't plan any) I thought a jack suitable for assisting a car or recovery might be fun. So I went with an inflatable air bag jack. This deflates to the size of an inner tube and inflates enough to tip a cow. It weights about a pound and is a rubberized vinyl like an inflatable boat, only more supple. It will fit anywhere you can stow a vintage Mae West and lifts two tons. The intended inflator is the exhaust pipe. I have an on-board air compressor, so I might not have to pump it full of NOx and HC's to make it work.
With this I should be able to raise any or all of the trike, get your bike back on its wheels, or extract a Volvo from a ditch. In the off chance I come across a sunken cruse ship weighing less than a couple tons, I could stuff it underneath and raise it. Should be fun if needed and not in the way the rest of the time.
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Hmm , so with some careful planning , a bit of patience , and a good dark night , we could jack up the Batfish from her dry dock and put her back in the river . Anyone here know how to drive a WW 2 vintage diesel sub ? :laugh: Dang , we could sneak up on those pesky Texans and give 'em a good shock :evil:
Dusty
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Was that "Operation Petticoat" where the US sub fired torpedoes up the beach and got a shore gun or tank? If you got that sub pointed the right direction it could work . . .
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Thank you for the replies......
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RK, I don't seem to see actually when the trike will arrive in Seattle. Touch down is when?
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It's a solstice thing, Muzz. The trike hits the dock Monday next. It should be at the warehouse for pickup Tuesday, 21th (that's how the okies write it -- look it up). My flight lands 1:30P Tuesday. My sister meets me at the airport with stuff I've stashed at her house for the trip and we caravan to Vashon Island (in Puget Sound between Seattle and Tacoma, WA) for the night. While at my friend's house there we swap out my master cylinder, bleed the brakes, smoke pot, and eat halibut and caesar salad. In between all that I'll try to put a couple hundred miles on the trike with the new brakes and see if I can make anything fall off.
Assuming I can't find a reason not to, I'll depart Vashon sometime Wed and plan to be on-site late Wed night or before noon on Thurs. Anyone headed toward the rally from the greater NW WA area that wants to escort me south is welcome to come along. It's been said often that I need constant supervision, so you'd be doing a civic service by joining the run.
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Now THAT is a plan.
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. . . and as the countdown continues, a guy is setting up to inspect my property in the next few days for potential purchase. Another baby step toward losing everything. I can't stop this crash, but I can influence the landing. :undecided:
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Scabard: Yup, I was half trying to be funny and half suspected you hand done did it. :grin:
Don't poo-poo the large umbrella. That would be uber cool at low speeds around the campground or town. :boozing:
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There are just too many long things that travel well in a vertical tube. That's how we carry fishing poles and nets on the boats, guns on 4-wheelers, and of course hockey sticks on bicycles. If I didn't have one people would wonder what's wrong with me.
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It's getting real. Just went to the city and pulled the plug on my business of 30 years. Paid the last taxes. Sent out the last billing. Shut it down. When I get on the airplane tomorrow there's little reason to return except to have a garage sale and grab the other bike. I really have nothing else now. Nowhere to be, no one to answer to, and owing nobody anything.
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I wish you nothing but the very best rodekyll. I hope you can find a "safe harbour".
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I wish you nothing but the very best rodekyll. I hope you can find a "safe harbour".
:1:
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Hey there RK,
First off, Congrats on being able to do what a lot of people only dream of!! Hope you have a grand adventure and if you're near Lake Powell AZ the beer here is always cold. :boozing:
Nowhere to be, no one to answer to, and owing nobody anything. :bike-037: Sounds alittle like Bronson :evil:
Paul B :boozing:
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Either Bronsan or what the dictionary says about a total loser. I guess we'll see which soon . . .
"Freedom's just another word for . . . "
Taking one last look around before locking it down. I've launched. I wonder when I'll be back -- and why.
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:1:
That is one nice looking machine. My hats off to you and your skills. I think you need a rifle scabbard on there too. Hope you have a great trip.
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Either Bronsan or what the dictionary says about a total loser. I guess we'll see which soon . . .
"Freedom's just another word for . . . "
Taking one last look around before locking it down. I've launched. I wonder when I'll be back -- and why.
OK Rodekyll it's Huzo. Just want to add my sincere good wishes for your massive undertaking and taking control of your destiny, it must have taken massive guts to do this with the vultures that sit on the fringe waiting for you to falter so they can say where you went wrong... To sell your business and apparently committing the way you have is like performing without a net and it seems like you have a good bunch of mates ( buddies) that would help you if needed. I haven't followed this thread properly but if I'm on the money good on you. We've had the odd scrape but your forthright nature will stand you in good stead. Well done mate, if I can call you that.... Seriously. Huzo.
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Wishing you the very best RK as you step into the great unknown. AND, may your machine never falter. :thumb: