Tue 27 May 2008
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Memorial weekend was as full as I could ask. I went into the weekend with a list of about five things I wanted to get done. By noon Friday I was already behind. I started out adding a center stand to the bike so I can jack it up and change tires or work on the drive train while on the road. Well, the skid plate was too long to work with the center stand so I had to take it off and cut it down and then grind the edges so it won’t cut me when I fall. I also remade the tool kit on the front of the bike. I kept the 3″ PVC, but used compression caps instead of the screw-in end caps. The screw-in caps were hard to open and would vibrate off. I also used some all-thread to make a better mount than the hose clamps. I’m really happy with the results, but it took me all day.
Saturday I wewnt to Hendersonville to pick up some rail road ties I bought on Craigs List and then met Gabe and family for lunch and a little White Squirrel Fest. We had some great BBQ and the kids jumped around in the jumpy-tent. I had to leave a little early though. I had more work to do on the bike.
My nephews fourth birthday was Sunday in ATL and the only way I would go was if I could take Deseo, but the back tire was bald. With the new center stand I could change it myself and put on some 80/20 road tires I had. I jacked the bike up when I got home and commenced with the changing. This turned out be more of a challenge than I bargained for. After some serious wrestling I finally got the new tire mounted on the rim and then tried to get the wheel back on the bike. It wasn’t going back on! Covered in dirt and grease, I gave up at 10 pm, showered and went to Burger Meisters for a late supper. I sat at the bar and met Griff and Elizabeth from England and Ireland respectively. Really enjoyed meeting them and we had a good bit in common, but I lost Giffs email – so I’ll just have to wait till our paths cross again.
Sunday I was back working on the bike by 8 am and after taking the wheel off three more times and doing everything I could think of twice, I noticed that one of the break pads wasn’t aligned just right. That was it! I can’t tell you how excited I was. Almost 8 hours and I figured it out on my own. Very gratifying. I had the front tire changed out in 15 minutes and was on the road to ATL by 1.
Debbie threw a great party for Aiden with a yard full the cutest kids from 7 years old down to newly arrived. She had a slip-and-slide, a pool with a kid kayak, squirt guns - A perfect summer birthday. I got home about 11:30 that night and was totally spent.
Monday was all about relaxing – and cleaning the truck. I didn’t want to drive far, or put in a whole lot of effort, so I headed up to Skinny Dip falls. This place was really amazing. MM 417 on the parkway. I’d suggest it to anyone wanting a great place to jump into a cold creek. I had a little nap on a rock and then stacked some stones (the ones in the photo).
Great weekend.