| Author | Message | ||
     Cyclone8u |
Some of the best things in life are the things you didn't see coming, like the phone call from your son saying "Hey dad, I wanted to let you know I enlisted in the Marines." It was ten years ago I rode down to Parris Island to watch him graduate. I lost touch with him after he returned from his tour in Afghanistan - my fault, not his (screwed up family, divorce and generations of men living out the song Cat's in the Cradle). 4 weeks ago I answered the knock at my door to be greeted with a hug from a man I hardly recognized. My son came and found me! We caught up a bit and he gave me the latest news, "Dad, I got my motorcycle license." 2 weeks ago he sent me a Facebook message with a picture of the bike he just picked up, a Hyosung GT250R. Not a super great bike, but for a young man on a tight budget a $500 used bike was just the ticket. He brought it over a few days later and said "Let's go for a ride for father's day." Even now I'm at a loss for words. It's been a long winter and I've been trying to set myself up for a career change so finances are tight. But now I knew I had to rearrange my budget to get the Uly out of storage. I got the storage unit cleaned out enough to get at the bike, got it insured and registered and ordered some parts it will need to keep it on the road. (Thanks St. Paul!) The next news wasn't so great. My son's bike died. One of the cylinders was full of fuel - stuck float. I told him to pull the carbs and bring them over, we'd have them rebuilt and cleaned up in no time. I stripped them down, gave them a soak in the ultrasonic cleaner reassembled and sent him home with a pair of nice clean carbs. He got home and got no love from the little Hyosung. He had fuel and spark but still wouldn't start. He thought it might have jumped timing (apparently a thing on these engines) so he was going to tear it apart and retime it Sunday. As it was a nice day I figured I'd go for a quick ride to blow the cobwebs out of my riding skills. I ended up doing a couple hundred miles, about a quarter of it on dirt...  It was in the low 80's and pretty dusty on these old farm roads. Still snow in the mountains though. But a beautiful day to be in the back country.  | ||
| Court |
You've been blessed. Good on you . . my heart is with you and your son. Happy Father's Day! Tell your son I said Semper Fi. As a person who also made that call to his Dad in 1974 . . . I pretty much think I know your son. Congratulations | ||
| Cyclone8u |
Not a soul around for miles. Just me the Uly and the scenery.  Road to nowhere. AKA, no destination in mind... the best kind of ride!  On my way back, my son sent me another message... more bad news. Both pistons are coming up to TDC at the same time... tough thing to do on a common crank pin 90deg v-twin. He's not phased by this latest setback, an attitude I wish I could develop. He said he's going to tear the engine completely down and see if he can fix it. He is looking forward to the learning experience (hmmm... likes wrenching on bikes, could be a good candidate as a future Buell owner!) That said, looks like the fathers day ride may be in jeopardy. He is going to try and borrow his bosses bike, we'll see how it goes. I told him that if I can put together a good enough month this month, I've been wanting a more off road capable DP bike, so I'm going to try and pick up a used one in July and let him ride it until he gets his squared away. That just means the fathers day ride may happen in July. I guess we'll have a better shot of good weather then I suppose. More to come! | ||
| Cyclone8u |
Court - You've been blessed. Court, thank you once again. I feel like I know you even though we've never met... I guess being around here for 20 something years plus you were one of the guys on here that really cheered on my ride report of my trip to Parris Island makes things stick in my head. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142838/463244.html Thank you and the other Badweb crew who have served. Just an absolute great bunch of people here as always. (Message edited by Cyclone8u on June 10, 2019) | ||
| Cyclone8u |
Here's a couple shots of his tour. Sitting on the hood (he's on the right) of their armored SUV used to transport brass and civilian contractors through the badlands.  Here he is with some Afghanian's that wandered into the middle of nowhere to collect the brass off the ground after one of their training sessions.  I absolutely cannot wait for our first ride together!! There is no prouder and happier dad in the world right now. | ||
| 86129squids |
Great stuff, sir. Good on you and more good on your son in service to the USA. Happy Father's Day indeed! | ||
| Tootal |
Nothing like taking a ride with your dad! Wish I still could! Always loved stopping for a beer after a day in the saddle. It's like a line you cross into manhood! Enjoy your ride, I know your son will! | ||
| Blake |
Awesome. Thanks for sharing. | ||
| Cyclone8u |
So with the weather looking sketchy for Sunday, John came by after work tonight and we went for a nice evening ride. One of the beauties of having moved into the mountains - awesome riding starts about a thousand feet from my driveway. His boss loaned him a Ducati Monster (sounds like a great boss). Here's a shot I took at an abandoned gas station, good thing we weren't in need.  When we got back, I let him take the Uly out for a rip... he came back with a grin on his face - we may have a new Bueller on our hands. Keep our fingers crossed for some decent weather this weekend... |
