KIC

A couple of weeks ago I ran to the store. I kicked down the kick stand, only to catch the tip with my shoe as I lifted my foot back to balance the bike while tilting the bike over to the non-existing kick stand. It all happened so fast, as I heard the kick stand snap back up, but every other motion was in process. I had to just let the bike slowly tilt to the side down to the chrome bars. Using the technique learn by using your back and walking the bike back up, it was only down for less than 10 seconds. Is there a 10 second rule like the 5-second food hitting the floor rule ?? If not, who do I owe the $10.00 to ???

Paypal sent with a little more for shipping. When did Paypal start charging 1% for "gifts sent" ?

I received a copy of this when I bought a bell for my son's 87. In case anybody was wondering about the story behind it. The Legend of the Guardian Bell Many years ago, on a cold December night, a crusty old biker was returning from a trip to Mexico with his saddlebags filled with toys and other assorted trinkets for the kids at a group home near where he worked. As he rode along that night thinking how lucky he had been in life, having a loving riding partner that understood his need to roam the highways and to his trusty old pan that hadn’t let him down once in the many years they had shared the road together. Well about 40 miles north of the border, in the high desert, lurked a small group of notorious little critters known as road gremlins. You know, the ones who always leave little obstacles like, one shoe, boards, and pieces of old tires on the road, and also dig those dreaded potholes for bikers to run over and crash, thus giving the road gremlins a chance to rejoice over their acts of evil. Well, as the lone wolf of a biker rounded a curve that moonlit night, the gremlins ambushed him, causing him to crash to the asphalt and skid before coming to a stop next to one of his saddlebags that had broken free. As he lay there, unable to move, the road gremlins made their way towards him. Well, this biker, not being one to give up, started throwing things at the gremlins as they approached him. Finally, with nothing else to throw but a bell, he started ringing it in hopes to scare off the dirty little gremlins. About a half a mile away, camped in the desert, were two bikers sitting around the campfire talking about their day’s ride, and the freedom of the wind blowing in their faces as they rode across this vast country. In the stillness of the night air they heard what sounded to them like church bells ringing, and upon investigating, found the old biker lying along the roadside with the gremlins about to get him. Needless to say, being part of the biker brotherhood, they preceded to ward off the gremlins until the last ran off into the night. Being grateful to the two bikers, the old road dog offered to pay them for their help, but as all true bikers do, they refused to accept any type of payment from him. Not being one to let a good deed go unnoticed, the old biker cut two pieces of leather from his saddlebags tassels and tied a bell to each one. He then placed them on each of the biker’s motorcycles, as near to the ground as possible. The tired, old road warrior then told the two travelers that with those bells placed on their bikes, they would be protected from the road gremlins and that if ever in trouble, just ring the bell and a fellow biker will come to their aid. So, whenever you see a biker with a bell, you know that he has been blessed with the most important thing in life—friendship from a fellow biker. The Purpose of the guardian bell Many of us have heard the story about Evil Road Spirits. They are little gremlins that live on your bike. They love to ride, and they’re also responsible for most of your bike’s problems. Sometimes your turn signals refuse to work; your battery goes dead, the clutch needs adjustment, or any of several hundred things that can go wrong. These problems are caused by Evil Road Spirits. Evil Road Spirits can’t live in the presence of the bell, because they get trapped in the hollow of the bell. Among other things, their hearing is supersensitive, so the constant ringing of the bell and the confined space drives them insane. They lose their grip and eventually fall to the roadway. Have you ever wondered how potholes are formed? The bell has served its purpose. If you pick up a guardian bell of your own, the magic will work, but if your bell is given to you, the power is doubled, and you know that somewhere you have a special friend helping to look after you. So, if you have a friend who doesn’t have a bell, why not give them one? It’s a nice feeling for the recipient to know you care. The bell, plus a good preventive maintenance program by the bikes owner, will help eliminate Evil Road Spirits. Polishing the guardian bell It has been a tradition among some of us for a long time to attach a brass bell to our left swing arm, to remember our brothers and sisters who have gone down riding. It’s a small thing, but the reason a brass bell is chosen is that, as we ride, it gets dirty and tarnished. Every time we get down to wash and polish it, we are reminded of friends lost, and our thoughts turn to the meaning of being in the wind. As we ride and hear the bell ring, we know that our brothers and sisters are riding with us, and how easy it would be to join them with a single mistake. And maybe, just maybe, the next time a situation comes up; they will be there to help us...as long as we remember them by polishing the bell.

A miracle...

I agree with most , but not necessarily with everybody, but then again I still have no idea what this thread is about, so I might still change my mind..

Both of mine, the 87 & 89 are at 11 3/8's.

Just remember that the bottom of the Grand Canyon will be hot at that time of the year. I have just poured water over my mesh jacket to work as a evap cooler. But it is a great ride. I might be doing that area in late July. Bill

No problem....as your understudy I try to be there for you during your DQ runs....

Don't worry.... you ride a 2nd Gen so we are all used to the whining...

What is also sad is that you rarely hear of these losses and sacrifices any more. Brian and Ashley were only married a year and a half. My daughter was just talking to Ashley on Thursday and she was telling her that when her enlistment was up at the end of their deployment she was not going to re-enlist and wanted to start a family. He was there for my daughter on their last tour when she hit her IED. Now they took him. He and his wife were just on mid-tour leave together and bought this "project truck" on May 6th to restore when they returned from Afghanistan. So many dreams shattered. Rest in peace Brian. You will be missed.

I like that mod. Good job.

California PGR Riders: A personal friend and Hero.. If you are a Patriot Guard Rider in the Lucerne Valley California area please know that you will most likely have an upcoming Mission for a Sgt Brian Walker, U.S Army MP, Airborne. Brian gave his ultimate sacrifice today for his country. He served with my daughter and her friend Ashley during her last deployment. It was after that deployment that they married and was on his second deployment with his wife Ashley and her sister, all Airborne. It seems it was a family deployment. Sgt. Brian Walker was a great guy, husband and friend to anybody who knew him. They just returned from mid-deployment leave and he was on a mission when his vehicle hit an IED. Sgt Walker; you served our country proudly. You will be missed. RIP my friend. We will keep you and your beautiful Hero wife and family in our prayers.

I agree...it would be a good idea if he took a parts list to the mechanic and had him "ID" the exact bushing he is talking about.

My 89 forks had a "bushing type" end cap that didn't show up on the first parts diagram I had. Look on the right side of the diagram below and see if they are talking about part # 30.62 and I posted a picture of the "cap". Just a thought.

DO NOT READ THE DIRECTIONS !!!:no-no-no: IF ..you do...you will immediately be kicked out of the He-Man Tough Guys Club...and you will have to buy a Moped !

Me too.... I still find places that oil shot to when I removed mine...

Wow..... sounds like you were ready to blow a fuse...... but you didn't have any.....

Good Luck on the job. The first time is intimidating but we are all here to help you through it. Here is the link to my experience: http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=66781&page=9 Bill

If its real... it should have its own zip code.

PM me you address so I can get those carb parts in the mail . I mighty even loan you my new Carbtune to sync them.

I agree ! I got mine in about the same time a couple of weeks ago. I have had items from the east coast take longer !

I would voice your concern with the HR Dept. Then if that doesn't work, a black magic marker will draw a nice mustache and beard over the picture...

I looked at both my 87 and 89 and neither one has any threads available to use if the nut is on the bolt. So..... do you use a longer bolt or a thinner nut ? Inquiring minds want to know...

So...getting back on track.... are these in all bikes or are they an aftermarket type accessory ? Do they actually add anything to the riding comfort of the bike ?