Featured Everything Old Is New Again! A Road Trip To The Past

Discussion in 'Other Bikes' started by Sandi T, Sep 1, 2024.

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  1. joe mc donald

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    @Sandi T Yes it is a great smile. Nice to hear from you. Fat Boy yes yes if only for me but i can dream. I love them.
     
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  2. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!
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    Here's the latest update on Steve's "new" Fat Boy. It is currently in the garage of our non-dealership mechanic who is trying to figure out why it won't run well. Steve and I went to pick it up at our mechanic's place and it cut out after about three blocks. So back it went to the garage. Now Steve and mechanic are at work trying things one by one to get to the bottom of the issues. Neither is worried about figuring it out--it just means Steve's not able to get out for a ride at this point.

    For those of you who know bikes as well as what makes an old bike run, here's the scoop so far. The first thing M (shorthand for our mechanic) suspected and replaced was the ignition coil. After doing that he rode it and all seemed well...until it wasn't. So next up he had Steve order a carburetor rebuild kit (it's a Mikuni) and also a crankshaft position sensor. Steve brought those over to M yesterday and dropped them off. M has a full-time mechanic job and also works side jobs so this is one of those side jobs. Hopefully they'll get it figured out soon.

    In the meantime we're working on motorcycle storage at the Sandi / Steve house. That's another whole deal. :eek: We have a two-car garage that currently houses my Mustang and our four motorcycles. Three of those motorcycles are mine and one is Steve's. Well, now there are five bikes and truly only room for four--indoors. Initially Steve planned to store his Fat Boy on a foundation slab that is under our kitchen window. That area, though, is pretty small and he had to build a ramp in order to even get a bike up onto that surface. Well, long story---and MUCH discussion!--it will be my Triumph Speed Triple RS that gets to be the outdoor bike. Though I'm not thrilled with that (who would be?), it's truly only fair that his bike is inside since he already has to park his pickup truck outside in the driveway and he only has one bike in the garage. So now we're figuring out how to make the storage work in a way that I am able to navigate the getting in and getting out of the motorcycle when I want to ride it. o_O We shall see.

    More updates to come! Photos, too....

    P.S. At one point during some somewhat heated discussions, I actually contemplated selling my Speed Triple. But then I thought, "To heck with that! I love riding that bike!" So THAT's not happening. ;):blush:
     
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  3. Martine

    Martine Senior Member

    Dec 2, 2020
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    @Sandi T That is super exciting for Steve to have a beloved piece of his past to have fun with again, even if not the exact original. I can understand his desire to go back. We also recently made room for a "new" bike because it is a reminder of the first Triumph I sat on that made me want a Triumph to begin with. We acquired a 1995 Triumph Thunderbird thinking it likely needed a simple fix; but handsome husband is working through much of the same issues as Steve and your mechanic since HH discovered it wasn't the simple fix after all.

    And we're well acquainted with garage room issues so I applaud you and Steve for working through the issue with many discussions, even if heated at times. We (okay, actually HH) do a lot of jockeying of the bikes sometimes to either get to the ones we need for the day or to make room to work on them. For us, it's the lawn tractor that long ago got booted because of room issues. And with the addition of the Thunderbird (which we are going to "share"), HH finally said we may have hit our limit on bikes (12, if you include the basket case Bultaco) due to room constraints.

    You already fully understand the perils of giving up a bike you love...lots of stories on the forum about "the one that got away"...so I think you are wise to work a compromise to keep the bike(s) you love riding. And I hope you have worked out getting in and out with whichever bike you want to access. Looking forward to your updates on this story, including pics.
     
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  4. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!
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    Today's update:

    Steve finally rode his Fat Boy home from the mechanics house! He said it felt and performed great and he's very happy that it's now in our garage. Speaking of which, the other part of today was spent prepping the yard so that I'm able to get my Speed Triple (eventually) in and out of the back yard independently...since that is its new home. o_O:worried: But...that's how much I love my hubby.:heart: Plus, as I mentioned previously, it's only fair that we each have two bikes in the garage. And his truck--as always--parked in the driveway since there's no room due to other vehicles. And since it won't fit anyway! Some photos from today...


    Riding home from M's house.
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    Note that this is my Speed Triple's last day in his coveted garage space. ;)
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    The Fat Boy in his new home meeting his new buddies!
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    Here's Speedy, all by his lonesome. I'm waiting on a big-arse lock and have put out the requisite contraptions we here in the desert need to ward off packrats. I'll get more photos tomorrow of the ramp up to this little foundation slab (on which NONE of our other bikes would fit including the Fat Boy) and the route I'll be taking through the backyard gate and the front yard to get Speedy out to the driveway. If nothing else, it'll be a great workout! :p:joy: That's the kitchen window so I'll be reassured that my bike is still there every time I get a drink or do dishes. ;)

    IMG_3538.jpeg
     
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  5. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    @Sandi T: Congratulations that you "solved" your bike issues. I had lots of fun reading your developments.;)
     
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  6. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
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    Congratulations to Steve for getting his bike home. I hope you both relive some found memories of your early relationship on this bike.
     
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  7. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
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    Glad he's final got it home, what was the problem in the end Sandi?
     
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  8. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!
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    #28 Sandi T, Sep 23, 2024
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2024
    Thanks,@Helmut Visor. We're both very glad the Fat Boy is home at last. Especially Steve! Evidently there were several issues with the bike, all of which are now resolved. Those things included sand in the fuel line; the carb needed some TLC; and a new crankshaft position sensor was in order.

    Today Steve rode the Fat Boy about 40 miles to breakfast and home and the bike rode smooth as silk! They--Steve and the Fat Boy--are happy campers. :) The bike got a good wash and wax once back home, too.

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  9. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!
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    Thanks, @Wessa! We definitely will relive some fond memories. But...I was thinking we'd ride two up on some of the routes we did when we were first dating. Imagine my surprise (and a little disappointment) when I learned that he removed the passenger pegs. But, hey, we were riding that bike (which now seems quite small, relatively speaking) together when we were 15 years younger! ;):joy:
     
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  10. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!
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    Hi @Martine! How cool that you added a Triumph Thunderbird to your (large!) stable of bikes because of the sentimental value of it. I think that's wonderful and now understand that even more than I did before Steve bought Fat Boy #2. I hope that HH is able to get everything dialed in so that you can enjoy that bike fully!

    Wow, I'm not sure we'd ever be able to iron out storage issues with not five but A DOZEN bikes! :eek: Actually, we'd have to keep some in the living room and the kitchen and the bedroom to even start to store that many bikes! Which is probably a very good thing. ;):joy: I agree with you about the perils of giving up a bike that you love. I watched Steve go through that for years. And as far as my Speed Triple goes, even though I know that life would be much easier and simpler if I sold it, I know in my heart and gut that I would REALLY regret that decision. Simpler isn't always better! I do think I'll get used to moving the bike in and out of the back yard fairly quickly and might even become more confident with bike handling in the process. We shall see. :) :heart:
     
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  11. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!
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    Thanks, @Markus. I'm glad you're enjoying the saga of the bike that was...and now is again! :grinning:
     
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  12. Pegscraper

    Pegscraper Elite Member

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    Oh dear, poor little Speedy will be thinking,"I must have upset my Mum, what have I done wrong?:sob:"

    Hah, just kidding Sandi!:p This way you get to keep your bike and matrimonial bliss so sounds like a good deal to me!:)
    Good to see Steve has got his favourite new toy sorted.
     
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  13. RevPaul

    RevPaul Senior Member

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    Really glad to see and hear that Fat Boy 2 is safely home at last and all is well. The smile on Steve's face says it all. I have to say whilst not really a Harley fan Steve's Fat Boy is on my dream garage list.

    Here's to good rides remembered and many new rides created and fondly remembered:cool:.
     
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  14. RevPaul

    RevPaul Senior Member

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    #34 RevPaul, Sep 23, 2024
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2024
    Really impressed that you have worked out a compromise that gets Fat Boy 2 safely in the garage and I don't wish to reignite heated debates or claim to understand the limitations of your property.

    But in our house the car would have been the sacrificial lamb and found itself out on the drive. Don't get me wrong I love my cars and look after them really well. But Speedy is a motorbike and a trusty Triumph to boot!.

    Also moving the car out would mean room for at least one more bike;).
     
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  15. Martine

    Martine Senior Member

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    So glad Steve is now able to fully enjoy his Fat Boy #2...fun! Even though you won't be riding two-up on those old dating routes, you can still ride them for nostalgia's sake and enjoy your progression to your bikes.

    Our big surge in bikes came when we added off-road riding and pulled in two of our kids, so that was a whole new load of bikes to go around!o_O So as long as you and Steve don't decide to add the off-road route you should be safe from needing to store bikes in the living room, kitchen or bedroom!

    I'm betting you'll quickly get used to maneuvering your bike in and out of its new storage and gain confidence. When we lived in NM for a stint and had far fewer bikes and no garage, HH stored his then brand-new HD in a portable bike garage. That was too many years ago for me to remember much about that contraption but it pleased him at the time to house it that way (especially since there was no way it was coming in the house;)).
     
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  16. joe mc donald

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    @RevPaul Glad you said that. Here Tracy's car goes no where near the garage. I love her so very much but there are limits.
     
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  17. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!
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    Yes, those thoughts about Speedy's thoughts have definitely crossed my mind, @Pegscraper! :worried::sob: I try not to anthropomorphize my motorcycles but I'm having a hard time seeing Speedy back there with a cover over him and all by himself looking sad and lonely. :confused: I wonder if the other bikes in our family are wondering what happened to their buddy? And might they be "banished", too? Well, perhaps it'll make them behave themselves just in case... :joy:

    But all in all, it had to be done and all will be ok. Yes, I get to keep my bike AND make Steve and Mr. Fat Boy happy. That bike is most definitely his new favorite (er, favourite) new toy! :):heart_eyes:
     
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  18. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!
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    Well, I have to admit that my car being "the sacrificial lamb" has crossed my mind as a possibility, @RevPaul. But it truly would have been a sacrifice as I'd rather sell it than have it sitting out in the drive day and night. My car is right up there next to my motorcycles as my mechanical loves. Prior to this car I might well have parked any of my other cars outdoors. Yes, even in 115ºF summer heat! But not this one! Not sure if you've ever seen a photo of it on the forum here. It's a 2019 Mustang Bullitt. And with 6 speed standard transmission. ;):grinning: My favorite car ever! I plan to drive it 'til the wheels fall off...either the cars or mine.

    BTW, moving the car out of the garage would mean room for not one but THREE more bikes! Hmmmmm. Maybe I need to rethink the car thing. :joy:

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  19. joe mc donald

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    @Sandi T Boy that is one sexy car. It oozes class. Can't you have a car port. Better kick one of the neighbours out of their garage. But you are a real star as is Steve
     
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  20. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!
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    @Martine, riding our old two-up dating routes with Steve on Fat Boy #2 and me on one of my bikes is a great idea. Most things in life don't really have to be all or nothing, do they? :heart:

    Ahh, it now makes sense why you'd have to many bikes--kids and off-road riding. I think we are safe, although to have three more garage spaces could still be a bit "dangerous" in terms of motorbike accumulation goes. :joy: I do think you're right about getting used to maneuvering my bike but at this point I'm feeling a bit nervous. Even though that bike is my lightest bike, it's still 500+ pounds and taller than my other two bikes. Thanks for the vote of confidence, though. Steve agrees with you that I'll have it down in no time--and NOT the bike down but the maneuvering.

    I think Steve actually looked at the storage contraption that HH might have used for his Harley. Was it made by a company called Car Capsule? Here's a link to what he was looking at. https://carcapsule.com/9-outdoor-bike-showcase/ What we quickly realized, however, is that not only did we not really have space for his bike but we REALLY don't have space for this "shed"! :eek::joy: Steve has a friend who actually has one of these and loves it. I'd love to see a photo of it inflated with the bike in it and where he actually sets it up.
     
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