uncledj

Yeah...moving forward, I think I WILL disconnect the battery in the Winter. Would still like to know what's draining it.

I'm heading out on a trip with friends up to the cabin, and going over the bike, I decided to put a new battery in it. Haven't ridden for a month or so and the battery was dead. Charged it up, then went for a 1/2 hour ride to get it charged up; put the bike back in the shed and 2 days later it's weak. Down to 9.7 volts. So I replaced it. It was a year old AGM, NOT on a tender, and I've now replaced it with a lead-acid. I've had this bike since 2012 and I think there was only one year that I didn't feel the need to replace the battery. I've done the basic checks, making sure any accessories are disconnected when she's sitting, but the problem persists. Is there a common issue that would cause the slow drain that's killing these batteries? Not a major issue, but I"d like to get it resolved. Now that I've put a lead-acid battery in it I'll leave it on a tender again, but it's aggravating when you turn the key and nothing happens.

Congratulations. Wishing you good health and prosperity throughout this next chapter in your life.

Yep, we use it in the HVAC trade. We use it to pressurize for leak checks because it's clean and DRY. We also use it as a purge gas when brazing. As I think of it, .....if you use it to purge while making a brazed joint, it keeps the inside of the pipe clean and shiny. Without it there's HEAVY oxidation created while brazing. That makes me think that, if used to inflate tires it would keep the rim and potentially the tire itself from the effects of oxidation as well. Just spitballin' here.

I believe the nitrogen doesn't increase or decrease pressure as much as air. Just so happens that I always have some nitrogen around for work, so I do at least fill the motorcycle tires with nitro....it's free, and quicker than a compressor.

Little Charlie is healing up nicely. As it stands, Lisa and I ARE planning on attending. We've a cabin at KOA Ashville East, arriving the 17th. Unless something else bad happens.....We'll be there. Poor little fella still has the cone on his melon and is still largely penned to keep from too much stress on that tiny leg, but he's not in pain and is ready to run....He should be allowed out of the pen in a few weeks. (I think he should be let out now...but gotta listen to the doggy doc)

Ditto on Spragues , Kinzua train bridge is an impressive sight, PA Grand Canyon is cool....I'd recommend doing the Penns Cave boat tour if you're over that a way and it's close to Beaver Stadium if you're a football fan...Penn State Museum in the stadium....Hyner State Park has an overlook that's pretty cool....Neat ride up the mountain to the overlook...There's a place on RT 6 near Titioute called "Simpler Times Museum"...With a sign that reads "Open by chance or appointment"....The old guy that own / runs it lives on site....if he's still with us....Lots of oil well drilling equipment, old tractor trailers....cars...gas pumps....a real mish mash of stuff, but pretty cool....Haven't been there in a few years but it was quite a site. Route 6 runs across the top of the state and offers some nice riding. Have fun.

Grieve for the world, not for him. He's in a better place than this crazy ball of dirt.

You can also raise the back end about an inch, which shifts the weight to the front a bit. I did it years ago and did notice a handling difference. These bikes take a bit of practice for low speed turns and such, but with a bit of thought and practice, they're pretty easily tamed.

I'm about an hour North of Columbus, OH....If that helps

We're hopin'. He got surgery this morning....2 plates and 5 screws....with a 6 pound dog those pieces must be tiny. Anyhoo, they called and said he did very well and we can pick him up tomorrow. Big money for this stuff though...got almost as much tied up in his busted wing as I paid for my 06 Venture. They now say 5 weeks in a pen and inactive and he should be good as new.

Just lettin' everyone know....Ashville may be up in the air for us right now. We have 2 Pomeranian pups in our lives now. We've had them since early April, and took them to W Kentucky with us in May without issue. We were at a friends farm with them in Western PA for the 4th weekend and one of them suffered a badly broken arm. We had a baby gate keeping them towards the back of the motorhome, and I heard a cry and went to check and "Charlie" was on the other side of the gate with his front leg bent at a 90. I think he climbed or jumped over the gate and got his tiny leg caught on something. He's getting surgery this morning,....getting a tiny plate screwed to that tiny leg bone, but he's going to need to be kept in a small pen....kept from activity for at least 6 weeks. I don't know how this will affect our Ashville plans yet. Already had to cancel July Myrtle Beach trip. Will keep everyone informed.

Yup...My first street legal bike was a 74 Honda XL350, rode it from Y-Town to Hillsville PA to hill-climb, then back home. Got a bit more beat up each time, but I don't remember it ever NOT getting me home...even with a rear flat, I still (almost) made the 20 mile trip home. Was getting close and the car in front of me braked hard....so did I....Tire separated from rim and I went down...fairly soft drop, but had to wait for my buddy to bring a truck to get the last few miles. That was a great bike, even though hill climbing generally beats the crap out of a bike, it always started and ran.

Whether it's a car, boat, lawnmower or motorcycle, working on it yourself brings you much closer to that machine. It's what builds the understanding and "love" of that machine. When you work on it yourself, you take a greater pride in it....you much better understand what's making it "tick" and how this machine is propelling you down the road at 70mph and how / why it stops when you brake. That's part of the work / understanding / love / and joy of riding that would be lost with any machine that needs a higher level of service tools. I'll bet the mechanics who would perform such service would lack much of the understanding of what makes it tick....just do what the 'puter tells them..... LOVE of your bike is a lot like the love of your wife...Takes work, and the understanding gained by the personal interaction and frustration, anger, joy and success of every aspect of those interactions.

Watching a parent age and need help with the simple necessities of life is a very difficult thing that many of us go through. I'm sure your mom knows how much you love her and your video affirms it. I've a pretty good idea of what you're going through, and know that I mean it when I say "Thoughts and prayers are with you all". Take Care, my friend.

I'm with ya....old eyes and big hands make motorcycle work difficult....

I'm soooo Jelly !!! Congratulations!!! I'm very happy for you !!! I've still 5 or 6 years to go but it seems quite far off. Wishing you all the best in this, next, stage of you life.

A few pics....

That first time that I get to ride every year feels GREAT.....Makes me remember why I enjoy riding. Just wish I had more time to ride whenever I want.

Lisa, myself and the babies got home about 5, safe and sound. Thanks Ron for setting this up, had a great time and would like to do it again next year. I've a few pics and will post when I get a minute. Great to see everyone and catch up. Thanks again

Getting ready to head out. See ya this afternoon.

Will be there Friday...not sure what time.....don't know if I'll be able to do the Hannigan tour or not.

Sorry to hear that. You're in the same place we'll all be eventually. I'm just hoping that when I have time to ride as much as I'd like, (retirement) that I'll still be able to do it. Wife and I have been talking about a Can-Am....Might eventually pull the trigger on that.... Best wishes for a positive outcome for you and the wife. Hope to see ya at a rally sometime.

Haven't been to a lot..maybe a half dozen, but I kinda like the WNY Rally...Lotsa good folks, campfire, band, and that uh...wonderful...hooch that Starfan brings from across the pond. Love Dons' MD, cause it's close and gives an opportunity for some wrenchin' and socializin'... I'll be retiring in 5 or 6 years and hope to be able to attend more frequently then.

I thought YOU WERE the Hoodlum.....