NGC - Am I living right or just lucky?

[ohiorider]

Am I living right or just lucky?

I’d noticed a major fork oil leak on the old GS, so took it out for a run in the Park to see how badly the suspension was affected.  Pretty bad.  The 1991 R100GS came with Marzocchi forks, one side controls compression the other leg controls rebound damping.  Feels like the compression damping is non-existent.

On my way home, I noticed a couple of unusual electrical issues.  For the past couple of days, the red BATT light glowed dully until the engine hit 2000-2500rpm.  When I was almost home, the turn signals quit working.  Within a mile of home, the engine died as I began to pull away from a red light.  No dash lights, not even a click click click from the starter.  Dead in the water.  It’s now nearly 5pm, traffic is building up.  I’m not blocking the turn lane, but I need to get the bike out of the street and into the gas station parking lot.  It’s a hot day, so I toss my jacket into a saddle bag, and set my helmet in the grass, and begin pushing up a slight grade into the gas station.

Then the 'living right or just lucky' part hit.  Guy driving a lovely Orange Dodge Ram 1500 swings into the gas station and volunteers to push the GS into the station.  We chat, he asks if we can get to the battery.  I removed the saddle and toolbox, and he thought his regular jumpers would work.

We turned off the Ram’s engine, hooked up the jumpers, and viola, she started, and continued to run.

He volunteered to follow me, just to make sure I got home.  I did, barely.  Went for second gear to turn into the driveway, engine stopped, so I pulled in the clutch and ‘deadsticked’ up the driveway to the garage door.

We introduced ourselves on a first name basis.  All I know is his name is Carl.

I do know this gentleman displayed a generosity of spirit and willingness to help that turned a problem into an occasion that renewed my faith in my fellow man once again.

Thank you, Carl from Streetsboro, Ohio.

Bob

[Markcarovilli]

Bob - glad you got rescued. 

If Carl is not around next time cal me...

Mark

[LowRyter]

I pulled out of a gas station on my Greenie.  The oil light come on solid.  A fellow in a pick up was behind me when I pulled over.  He had an empty trailer and insisted on taking me home.  I offered to pay him and he wouldn't take it. 

The bike had dropped it's oil filter.  I didn't push my bike a foot and was helped by a Good Samaritan. 

I suppose luck balances out but it's great when it works out. 

And I have to give a shout out to several folks on the board here that have helped me like Chuck, Dusty, Darren and Rudy.

[PJPR01]

Good karma for you as well John...you generously shared your Toy Hauler with me and Dusty at last year's Okie when it was pouring non stop.  That was very kind of you!

[oldbike54]

Good karma for you as well John...you generously shared your Toy Hauler with me and Dusty at last year's Okie when it was pouring non stop.  That was very kind of you!

 Yeah , someone asked how I got everything to Cedar Vale , the answer is in other folk's toy haulers 

 In One Man Caravan , Fulton writes about how helpful and friendly people are towards a solo motorbiker .

 Dusty

[moto-uno]

 I'd love to add my good fortune story . Decades ago when returning from visiting my parents in Stratford , Ont. (I was on my Sportster at the time) . Monday
of a summer long weekend when while riding into Toronto I felt a hesitation and then a definite slowing . Looked down and saw the ignition coil split open
and ooze it's innards ! Nobody even considers stopping on that crazy freeway . We were barely off the bike when a pick up pulls over and pulls out a ramp
and asks us if we need help :) . He then drives for almost 3/4 hour and unloads us at a H-D dealership . Thank him lots and wonder what next on a long weekend ?
Notice a motel across the street and decide to call it a day . As we put our helmets on the seat a car rolls in , it's the store manager and asks what the problem is ?
I show him the coil and he opens the store , gets a new coil from stock and asks me to mail it back later . If that's not enough to put a smile on our faces , he then
offers me a job ! We got back to Ottawa 2 hours later than normal .  Peter

[Guzzistajohn]

I've hauled 3 bikes for broke down dudes over the years. If we could get it in the YOTA, they got a ride. I always carry a ramp and straps. 2 out of three had NO CLUE how to load or strap down a bike.

[Huzo]

The more decent you become, the luckier you get...

[ohiorider]

Bob - glad you got rescued. 

If Carl is not around next time cal me...

Mark

Mark, your name had already come to mind when the Orange Ram 1500 pulled in.  All you guys, you, Tom, Zoom Zoom, Art, and others, have always been there for me.  Brings back memories of when I was stuck in the rehab facility after surgery.  Not a day went by that one or more of you guys didn't stop by to visit. 

Bob

[Roebling3]

My RS125 Aprilia threw its chain one day. There was a rather past due chevy behind me. It followed me into a parking lot. Beautiful summer day. The youngster + GF hoped out, saying; you threw your chain. Well yes! He's already on hands and knees. The former turning that special slippery black color.
We get in his car and zoom off to a place (twisted spoke, charlton, ma). Everyone wants to know what size clip is needed. The youngster speaks up. The harley guy behind the counter says; here you go. Handing me 3! No charge! (I'll not mention past grief, scary as hell, dealt to me by pirates).

We're back to the bike in a blink. "David" is again into his thing. He had proper tools, of course! 5 minutes and I'm good to go. Turns out David rides dirt bikes. His dad HD,s. On Dad's knee? He learned to never pass a stopped mc w/out asking. It was easy to make it all worthwhile. Dinner for 2 @ Mickeys for several weeks or choose to celebrate, with one big night. 

I've enough good luck stories while riding MC's to fill a paperback.  R3~

[JJ]

Good story and nice to hear there is still some "humanity, good will, and compassion" left on our planet!  

We need more  positive and happy ending stories like this these days...

[JohninVT]

Hey Bob, Carl helped you out because you’re a good guy and that’s obvious to anyone who talks to you for more than two minutes.