Blood, sweat, tears & beers . . .

What??? No Video!!!:chopper: Enjoy it Jbob...You worked hard to get to here!!

Can't wait to see the pix of you riding. Rode almost 4 hours today. Had in mind a loop through SC and back up, but ran into rain, turned, found a way across the mtn to about 20 miles below Lake Lure, then back up to Asheville. Spent over 3 1/2 hours and was only 120 miles. Lots of twisties and back roads. Bunch of fun, I love Hwy 74 from Lake Lure to Asheville...smiles...

So, did you ride today??? :worthless:

Yup, I got a short ride in yesterday late afternoon! Rode to a little burg called Oak City and got some gas. Had a hard time starting it back up, so I waited a little while and tried again and it started right up. Must have flooded it. Noticed no observable oil leaks! Just a very little oil residue around the head bolt - not enough to worry about. Motor ran good; no popping, no misfiring. Rear brake was a little too spongy, though.

Mac got in a couple of pics before I left town, but because she was unfamiliar with the camera, some of them were no good. I'll post the best ones.

So, I got home about an hour later and tried to ride over a tree root to get to my shop ramp and got stuck. We managed to get it free and I played hell lining the bike up with the ramp because the ground is so soft. Started it up and shot up the ramp a little too fast and hit one of the doors on the way in and spilled the bike on the floor, on it's left side. Holy s**t, Batman! Bent the tail light and shorted out the circuit. Have to run new wiring to tail light, but everything else seems okay. Just needed to straighten out the mirror. I managed to get the beast upright by grabbing the bars and pulling it up. It was almost too easy. I wasn't hurt - I jumped off as it went down. That was a baaad moment, boys!

Pretty exciting afternoon, eh? I stayed in the shop and checked things out until it got dark. I went to the house and made some supper and laid my weary bones down, fell asleep and didn't wake up till a few minutes ago. Today, I'm just going to recheck all the bolts and nuts, etc., and finish the new wiring and readjust the shifter lever. I am going to have to figure out some other way to get the bike in the shop - the ramp is too hazardous going out and coming in.

:chopper::cheers: Great Pics!! It's great to see the beast on the road...Congratulations joshbob!!!!....
So tell us ,was the maiden voyage worth every frustrating moment you put into it??

Man, I'll bet that first ride felt almost as good as when Mack the Wife said YES to your proposal.

Good reminder for all of us. perseverance and a little help from friends can accomplish anything!

Way to go JoshBob!!!!!!! give us an update on the next ride and don't leave out any details :chopper:

Oh yeah boys, t'was grinnin' every mile even when my eyes teared up (from the wind)! and yup, it was worth every drop of blood, sweat & beers!

Cowboy, I'm going to have to make the ramp longer and wider and lower the tree root till it's level with the ground. The tree is mostly dead anyway . . . . see pic. Tree root is at the bottom and check out the skid marks on the door where the footpeg and grip rubbed it. Both doors were open when I rode in.

Yea haw, The Beast From The East is a live... congratulations JoshBob, I saw that grin also. I am really happy for you.
Even indoor outdoor carpet is better than raw wood. Something rubber or rubberized would be better.
Hope ya don't mind I saved the Pictures on my computer.

Good job Josh! Bet it feels wonderful. :cheers:

Good for you bud!!! I bet you are one happy dude! Lota pride in all you have done, real good stuff. Now, get in some seat time, we got the "Wheels Through Time" waiting on us!

Way to go Joshbob. I know you had a hard time with your bike but I am sure you are really proud now. It was worth it. That is a really nice bike. Hope you enjoy it.

Thanks boys. It's still sinking in . . . couldn't have done it without help & encouragement from my friends on Bike Talk! Just got back from town with the 14 ga. stranded wire I need to rewire the tail light. (It takes time to do even the littlest things around here). Also blew the 15 amp fuse when the wire shorted against the frame. I had run the wires inside the frame. This time I'll run the wires inside some shrink wrap and run them outside the frame with plastic ties. Another advantage is that I'll have room now for a solo saddle bag. Lick's makes a nice one for under $200.

I have saved up $1000 to get the tranny for my truck. Otherwise it would have went for a Lick's saddle bag, a pair of WileyX prescription goggles & skull cap helmet (flat black, of course), and a few other odds 'n' ends bike related. But one must count one's blessings - at least I have the dough to pay for the rebuilt tranny so Mac can have the truck to get to work.

I hope all of you will have a great new year with many miles in the saddle!

YEEEHAAAWWWW!!!

:cheers: Congrats JBob!!!!!! I'll bet when you were riding you forgot all the heartaches, hassles, and head-cramps of the past year.

I raise a glass to the "Flying Pig", may she live long and ride well:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers: Oh Hell, now I'm too drunk to ride!! ha-ha

Ok, so good weather coming up for you for the weekend...YOU RIDING?