It's become apparent to me…
…That the only way I am going to be able to get out on the road with the Black Beast is to a) Get someone out with me riding their own bike, and b) Get those goddamned handlebars changed. They are WAAAAY too long, and low speed turns when I’m not using push steering, finds me turning the bars right into the mirrors or the windshield. I can’t ride like that!! (hehe, Sandi)
So, the question is, which comes first? I rode her (it’s definitely a ‘she’, trust me) around the underground garage this morning, and realized that I wasn’t going to get out on the road with these issues — I know I’m being a big baby about it, but she is afterall, the bike I went down on. I want to feel safe and secure when I play in traffic. I thought I’d be able to get out onto the road today, but then I backed off when I remembered that there is a steep hill in the parkade I’d have to do a hill-start at in order to open the gate. Might I remind you that this was my other little issue last weekend?
ARGH. Why can’t I have more confidence than this? I so desperately want to get out and ride, but, I’m scared. I know it would be MUCH easier if someone was there with me the first time. I would have called you, J, but I know you just rode 6000 km… And probably the last thing you want to do is babysit me.
UPDATE: Jeremy was thoughtful enough to offer to take me out Tuesday evening for a ride, and then J called (after reading this — Thanks J!) and said he would happily go out tonight to give me a bit of practice today. YAY! A little support from fellow riders is all I need to get my confidence up on my bike. Thanks both of you!!
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my speedo cable popped out a few weeks ago. Very annoying, especially since it popped out at the top, so I had a long cable that wanted to drag on the ground.
Surprisingly annoying to fix. It was just a matter of having to screw the cable back in, but we had to take off the front fairing to do so. Taking off the front fairing is a huge pain in the behind. Meh!
I can imagine! — My bike mechanic can fix this one, because it hasn’t worked since I picked it up. I don’t think he checked the bike too well, honestly.
Fast blinking turn signal is a) a burnt out bulb, or b) a bad fuse.
Fuel may be bad due to sitting for a while
Dials not working is probably a cable that wasn’t attached – not good though
I’ll go riding with you anytime! Gimme a call sometime, we’ll find some nice quiet roads to zip around on.
Fer sure, Donna! As soon as I get back from Vegas, we need to get out!
Thanks again J for tonight! I had a really great time… (at least until the stupid bike started acting funny)
So, here’s my laundry list of things that aren’t right on my bike!! (Holy… Sheesh)
* Handlebar way too long
* Tires not balanced (or not properly)
* Speedometer / Odometer / Trip not working
* Right turn light blinks fast (sometimes??)
* Battery is hosed
* The bike started sputtering near the end of about 2 hours on the road today — Not good! (Yes, I had fuel, but it was acting like I didn’t)
* Clutch lever is WAY too short
* Part of my dash wasn’t put back in
That’s a lot to fix! Good grief.