Blu's in the shop

Took my ride into the local shop today for a front end tear down and service- would have done it myself but didn't have the right tools and fiqured the mech could use the money ( he's gotta eat to ya know) :roflmao:anyhow I was readed about slammin the ride for the vertically challenged rider so I pulled the trigger on that and while the mech and I were lookin over the bike I talked myself into a new rear skin to match the E3 on the front.
After 4 or 5 cups of coffee I finally got away from there before my outgoing expenses overcame the national debt but it's going to be worth it next spring when the ridin weather finally returns and I won't have to wait in line for everybody else who waits till the last mintue to get there bike serviced.

I have to keep an eye on my front tire because I am losing air. I also have to replace the front of the wife's bike. That will a fun bill.

WhipLash has an HD Dunlop and the wife has a weird brand on it. Hers holds air but it is weather checked really bad.

I did the upgrades in the same way. I did it now while things were slack and the shop offered winter rates. My bikes are now completely finished and packed away in storage. I just sat down with the assistant manager and found that about 500 dollars in credits had been applied to my account in doing the work and ordering parts now.

As for things like tires, bearings any cosmetic work, it was also a great time to have my mechanic do a more thorough search and find smaller problems that would show up at the worst times next year.

I wish more folks thought this way. Shops wouldn't have to lay-off mechanics in the winter. Speaking from personal experience, it's hard to enjoy the holiday season with no money and bills piling up.

But people wait until the last minute for some reason. I've heard from numerous gunsmiths this time of year who deal with irate hunters who try to drop off a rifle a day before they leave for the hunt. I am doing nothing now but deer and camp knives. Where were these guys a few months ago when we all had the time and needed the work?

I looked at the wife's back tire and that is ok!! Trust me! I am going to wait for a while to do hers cause it is put away for the rest of the year. I will most likely have the tire changed when I bring it in to get the carbs reworked. As for mine, I will do that in the spring.

cowboy - I put a progressive spring kit in the front and a burly setup on the back. As far as I know the rear tire was stock factory and I had about 19000 on it - the front got changed last summer cause the bike was headed to Florida for a Rally. At least I know barring any road hazards I'll be ready to head for Tenn/ NC/ and Florida come spring with no worries. Olan on about 2500 miles in easy stages to get there.

Cowboy, you short like me??? :roflmao::roflmao:

:roflmao::roflmao:

The national debt just got larger, My Mech called and asked me to come to the shop he had found a problem that was not on the menu. The rear swingarm had keyholed to the point that it is in danger of breaking - standard question from me was why? - Didn't have a clue as to why it did this but the mech thinks it's been that way for quite some time due to the amount of wear damage he found. This is a good reason that yer bike should be checked out by a pro once in awhile. Made a believer out of me. Normally I do my own work but in this case I wouldn't have ever noticed it.
Anyway the bottom line is about an bill that will be over 400 bucks more than I planned - so I might have to cut back on some rally going next year until the bank account improves. But ya can't take it with ya can ya?:roflmao:

When I was still modifying Betty I used to keep the parts in the bed of my truck, especially in early spring. Many guys in the club were anxious to complete repairs, and much like you, they were finding "surprises." Lots of those parts were kind of in the multi-fit category.

Do you have a circle of friends who also ride Harleys and are planning some winter mods? I'd get the word out. Many times "the friend of a friend" has the part in his truck.

For example, three years ago I had my original Dyna swingarm and my stock wheel in my truck. I think I had them there for about one month. I had the garage door up one day when the UPS guy came, and he saw my bike. He lamented that his dad had gotten hit in the tail and they were scrounging parts.

You should have seen his face when I popped open my truck's cap...

Another good idea.

One of the best things about Harley riders is that they welcome a chance to get others up and running.