Hmmm, where to start? LOL
Riding back to Chicago from Dahlonega. Old brake shoe on the road took out me oil filter. No problem at all with this. Just be sure to always carry a Stewart on a Speedmaster with you to run up the road and pick you up a new filter and oil. I have discovered though that as much as it is always good having the Stewart/Speedmaaster combo with you it is sometimes much easier to just throw an oil filter in the bags. Basic tool set helps as well.
Just changed out all my cables from stock Trump to Barnett stainless cables. I was on my way from work to a PGR escort mission when the cable snapped. No biggie as I had just done the swap and felt it might be a good idea to throw the old one in the bags as I had recently been on a long trip. Many guys were amazed that I carried an extra clutch cable. I was more amazed that I was too. Did I mention that I had a basic tool kit with me.
Riding from Pittsburgh to Chicago. Nice, cold rainy day in May. I got 3 blocks from the downtown hotel I was staying in and guess what breaks. Yep, there goes that dang Barnett clutch cable again. No, I didn't have a spare with me this time. Anyhow, push the bike up onto the sidewalk, light a smoke to figure out my next course of action and two most excellent elevator repair guys stop to ask what the problem is. Made some phone calls(no, the local Triumph guy did not have one). Remembered that a Honda cable or something would fit so these two guys hopped in their truck and ran down to the Yamahahahaha and Honda dealers. As I waited for them to return the most help I got from a Pittsburgh cop was him asking if I always road on the sidewalk. Told him my dealio and away he went. I had some other words I would have liked to share with Mr. Arrogant public servant but somehow managed to keep my yap shut. Got me a cable that fit and on my way I go. Was easily replaced with the basic tool kit I carry on the bike in case I haven't mentioned that. Those two guys were awesome. Would not even let me buy them lunch. Gotta love other riders as they understand the spot you may be in.
I found out as well that my bike could go 198 miles from full all the way to empty empty empty. I was in the middle of nowhere on US 30 in the middle of god forsaken Illinois. I knew there just had to be a gas station in the next 20 or 30 miles. Ha! Joke was on me. There wasn't. Push the bike to a farm driveway entrance a 100yds or so up the road. Stop and light a smoke to figure out my next POA. Just finished lighting the smoke when a farmer checking his fields came by in a pick em up truck and gave me the 4 mile ride to the next nearest petrol station. Again, couldn't even buy this guy a coke, cup o' joe or anything. He was just happy to have helped. Wish my bike could have gone 205 miles that day.
So yeah, I need to pay a few forward and have made some of those payments. People are usually good and helpful. If I see a bike on the side of the road, I stop. Last time everyone was alright but as I walked back to my bike I heard one of the guys pointing out that I must have broken down before too cuz I knew to stop. Small tool kit, very basic consumables and you can pretty much not worry about this bike.
It's all part of the adventure. Oh yeah, and never trust Mark's stupid GPS thingy.
