Fly, uhhh maybe, and Ride!

[FJRfarrier]

What a great report!! I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.

Glad the problem was isolated and eliminated. Happy riding!

 

[FJRBandit]

Was just thinking about that place you where you were asked, "Do ju have meembersheep?" Ha. That was funny. Congrats on getting home safely, and thanks for taking all the time to do the ride report. Took a while to read, but it was certainly worth it.
Gary

darksider #44

Thanks Gary, I appreciate your kind words. As for the length, I was torn as to whether to go into the detail I did, as I view these reports as being lighthearted and people aren't sitting down expecting to read a novel. When reading these ride reports I think most people just want to see the smiles and miles, and maybe a little bit of the back story on occasion. I often find myself editing out a lot of blah, blah, blah. But in this case, as for both my experience in Dodge City and the homeward bound stretch, I felt it important to try and take the reader there in time and to make an effort to convey the emotions I was going through. In order to do that it took descriptive words, lots of adjectives and adverbs, and I had to be very detailed. Plus, I wanted to try and convey my interaction with others along the way, thus the dialogue between myself and others had to be included in order try to keep the reader interested. All that, like this "explanation" tended to pile up the words. Thanks for taking the time to read it. I don't expect most people to do that. But it was part of the bigger story of the fly and ride itself, and I felt it needed to be told to fully convey my experience.

Enjoyed reading your story, thanks for sharing it. Never heard of an oil filter taking a hit before, but can sure see how that is possible given its location on the FJR. Have to say that it was the w123 in the driveway that first got my attention.

JC - Thank you also for your comments.

I have never heard of the oil filter taking a hit before either. Of all the miles that people have ridden on the FJR, myself with over 100K on my own FJR, and not a single instance reported here on this forum that I know of. I haven't done a site search to confirm that, but one would think that, as you noted, the given location of the oil filter it is quite exposed. The odd thing is that it's dented on the back side of the filter and that's about the point where my toes would be rested when on the left peg. The bike has highway pegs that are in an awkward spot for me so I may have kicked the filter when raising my foot to the highway peg at some point. Also, my foot could have been on the highway peg and not on the driver peg at the time it took the hit, who knows. But there's no dounbt, something impacted the oil filter, caused the dent and the resulting leak.

BTW - what is the w123?

__________

To all - Thank you to everyone who has "endured" the length of this report. As I explained to Gary above, it's generally not my style to go on and on in these ride reports. As always, I'll do my best in future reports to keep the verbiage to a minimum, unless the story requires a lengthier dialogue.

Next up will be my report on the El Durango Cinco ride from back in May that I mentioned at the top of this report. It has the potential to be very lengthy as well, but you have my assurances that it will be heavy on pics and light"er" on commentary.

 

[eflyguy]

BTW - what is the w123?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W123

 

[TomInPA]

Good story, and another potential use for the JB weld Steel Stik.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I read every word...and each word added a lot. Thanks for taking the time to share. The best reports reel you in, and this one sure did.

Do not change your RR style. You're a great writer.

 

[gixxerjasen]

WTF dude? No Walmart nearby? Even a Fram would get you home safer than that duct tape job. Kudos on finding the issue and getting it home though.

 

[gixxerjasen]

Might I also point out that you literally fukked yourself over, on the packing thread, when you said "I'm psyched and can't wait for the adventure!" I've bolded your mistake in that quote, because you got exactly what you asked for.

 

[FJRBandit]

BTW - what is the w123?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W123

Ah yes... thanks for the reminder. My dad had the 300D and loved that car! BTW - that's picture is not from my driveway, that's actually the seller's car.

Good story, and another potential use for the JB weld Steel Stik.

Great idea! That's something I don't have in my emergency kit, but need to. As this was a fly-n-ride, I didn't have my emergency kit with me anyway. But that will certainly be added to my kit!

I read every word...and each word added a lot. Thanks for taking the time to share. The best reports reel you in, and this one sure did.
Do not change your RR style. You're a great writer.

Thanks Wheatie! I certainly can't see myself changing my writing style but just wanted to express that unless it's necessary for the story, most of my reports won't be so long on dialogue.


As a side note, I don't see myself as a great writer at all. But it is sorta what I do for a living so it comes generally easy for me. Actually, I flunked high school English in my senior year and had to go to summer school just to graduate.

English grammar wasn't something I paid a lot of attention to, I liked girls and partying a little more...

So my foundation in English grammar usage is extremely lacking. I usually just write from the heart and thank goodness for word processing, I'm constantly shifting sentences around inside paragraphs.

WTF dude? No Walmart nearby? Even a Fram would get you home safer than that duct tape job. Kudos on finding the issue and getting it home though.

I wasn't aware that Wally World carried compatible filters for the FJR. Thanks for the heads up! The reason I turned to Advanced Auto was that I have purchased FJR filters from them before and knew they stocked them. Once the duct tape showed that it wasn't doing to work (at least impede the flow and slow it down), I turned to the next step, which probably should have been my first step once the problem was discovered. As the great football coach, Pat Dye once said, hindsight is always 50/50.

As for the adventure - yep, I certainly got that didn't I? Even with all of the adventure, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again tomorrow. If I could find a way to make a living doing that, even if it required a pay cut, I'd sign up today!

 

[user 59539]

Turk! Glad you made it home okay. I started to worry. My goodness what an adventure. And great job documenting it all. I really enjoyed reading it today.

Wow, so dented oil filter in the rear? Could one of those rabbits kamikazed into you as you passed? Unbelievable. I'm sure you know this now, especially since unpacking the bike, but there was 3 new oil filters in the top box. lol. Hope that didn't add any insult to injury....

It was great meeting you and I cant thank you enough for making this work. It was a pleasure doing business with you and your buddy, and I'm glad the issue turned out to be only the filter. I look forward to hearing more of your ride reports with your bud. I miss the bike as much as my son.

Side story for those reading. Im getting ready to retire from the Military after 20 years of service. Whooo Hooo. Cant wait only 6 months left. The retirement plan is to not work hard and bike travel with the family. The gift to myself is a new bike and navigating the USA. My son just turned 6 and I'm getting him into the sport. I purchased a full BMW motorcycle suit for him with all the impact pads and heavy duty material just like the big boys wear. Also got him a proper fitting DOT/SNELL helmet and have been slowly introducing him to riding. This was only his 3rd ride with me and by far the longest. It was a 150mile trip from home to DIA where I met Turk. I packed up the bike that morning and once all was set, I turned around to tell my boy it was time to hop on and he was gone! WTF??? Where did he go? So I go inside the house and he in in the restroom wiping tears away. When I ask him what's up, He said he was sad that I was giving the bike away and really, really, really.....didn't want me to. I was crushed....

As if it wasn't already hard enough parting with the beast. So after calming him down and telling him I'm getting a new bike that HE can help me pick out, all was cool, and we hit the rode taking the back route to the Airport. BEAUTIFUL morning ride.

All is good to go, and we arrive, meet with Turk at the baggage claim who my son identified immediately due to the fact that he had his helmet in hand. We lay everything out, go over the details as my wife and daughter are standing by, and what do I see? Yes, my son wiping away tears again this time in moms lap. Holy cow. This kid has the passion.

I cant wait to go bike shopping.... Unfortunately, I'm going to have to wait till next spring as I plan on acquiring a new house and job in Florida before I get new wheels. Its gonna be a hard few months...

I have one more bucket list ride that I wanted to do here in Colorado before leaving. I plan on renting an adventure bike and riding with a long time war buddy that retired here. Gonna hit the Million Dollar Highway and some New Mexico over a week this early fall. Story to follow.....

I hope we get to meet again through travels my friend. It was a pleasure.

 

[gixxerjasen]

By the way, read every word. Well, except that one word.

Yea, I tend to buy my filters from Wally World because it's 3 miles from my house versus the 15 miles to the nearest motorcycle dealer and 20 to the Yamaha dealer. I buy the Bosch ones that are almost the same price as the Yamaha ones, but I wouldn't hesitate to use the Fram in a pinch on the road.

This used to be a good list, sure wish someone would update it.

https://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/FilterXRef.html

Google search of "Motorcycle Oil Filter Cross Reference" should turn it up as the first result. Good info to have if you are on the road. Walmart carries the Bosch 3323 Heavy Duty which is the 3.5" filter and still has the inside pointed the right direction.

Walmart can save yer ass on the road. Mainly because they are everywhere, open 7 days a week with good hours, sometimes 24 hours. On our trip to NC recently, the wife's car had a flat on the highway. I told her "While I'm changing it, find a Discount Tire." She came back with "No Discount Tire anywhere nearby." I said "Find a Walmart!" She came back with "20 miles ahead just off the highway." Done. 98F freaking tire change with the spare under the luggage was NOT fun.

 

[user 59539]

Oh, and yes. That's my 240D. I'm restoring it. Dad had one when I was growing up (Same year, color and model) and saw this one on a late night surfing craigslist after a weird dream with dad in it.... I went to see it that same day 4 hours away and bought it on the spot. I'm the second owner and the original owner garaged it always. GREAT vehicle. ULTRA SLOW, but that's what the bike is for....

 

[gixxerjasen]

I'm sure you know this now, especially since unpacking the bike, but there was 3 new oil filters in the top box. lol. Hope that didn't add any insult to injury....

Oh damn.

 

[FJRBandit]

I'm sure you know this now, especially since unpacking the bike, but there was 3 new oil filters in the top box. lol. Hope that didn't add any insult to injury....

Oh yes, I found them! Actually there were four filters in there. I fell out on the floor laughing my ass off! I immediately remembered you pointing out that they were in there. LOL I told you that you would have to make me a list of all the things we discussed that day. I'm getting old....

It was great meeting you and I cant thank you enough for making this work. It was a pleasure doing business with you and your buddy, and I'm glad the issue turned out to be only the filter. I look forward to hearing more of your ride reports with your bud. I miss the bike as much as my son.

Likewise my friend! If you lived closer the two of you could come over and borrow any of my bikes anytime!

Im getting ready to retire from the Military after 20 years of service. Whooo Hooo. Cant wait only 6 months left.

Congrats! and THANK YOU for your service to our country!

I have one more bucket list ride that I wanted to do here in Colorado before leaving. I plan on renting an adventure bike and riding with a long time war buddy that retired here. Gonna hit the Million Dollar Highway and some New Mexico over a week this early fall. Story to follow.....

DO IT, do it, do it!!! NM 126, just outside of Cuba (northwest of Albuquerque) was my favorite road when we were out there this past May. We rode up about 15 miles and had to turn around due to time constraints. I don't think it's paved all the way through, but if you are on adventure bikes that'll just make it that much better!

I hope we get to meet again through travels my friend. It was a pleasure.

Indeed sir, we will!

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Bandit, some stories can be told with a lot of pics and a few smiles and fewer words. Other stories require more. More words, more work, more emotion. We all have our own style of expressing ourselves on this forum and it is okay for us to vary that depending on the story and the mood.

I enjoyed all of this report and I appreciated you taking the time to do this.

I am disappointed that there were no pics of the young senorita tending the bar but I find it a bit creepy to take pics in those situations myself.

I am torn between laughter and misery at the thought of those brand new oil filters being right there in the top box the entire time.

Good Stuff.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Great RR and story 'Bandit...don't change a thing for future ones!

First time I ever recall for a dented and leaking oil filter. Guess that validates my OCD of carrying a spare on longer trips or when riding across BFE!

--G

 

[hppants]

Another adventure laden with sights, smells, sounds, miles, smiles, food porn, a little unpredicted twist thrown in just for good measure, and a safe arrival to your waiting sweetie. I'd say you had a great trip!

As for your writing style, by all means, make no apologies, sir. This group is a bunch or riders. We are not bikers and we are not posers. We don't stand next to the bike on Wednesday nights belching about how "WE RIDE!!!". We just throw a leg over, pull the clutch, and ride. We commute to our jobs in the rain. We ride 300 miles for a good piece of pie. We ride cross country by ourselves. We ride 1000 miles in a day for a piece of paper. 100,000 miles is not a worn out motorcycle - it's a rite of passage and a celebration by all rights and privileges thereof. That's just how we roll.

So for us, the ride report is coveted on a higher standard. Of course we know that you like the bike, it runs great, it's hot, bla bla bla.... It's also nice to know where you went, what roads you took, and even what you ate. But what we REALLY want to know is: How did the ride made you feel? What were you thinking? How were your senses engaged? What was your adventure? What challenges, fears, and trials did you overcome? Who did you meet and what stories did they tell you?

Pictures are always cool, but getting to that standard takes words. So ride on and write on, sir!

Stay thirsty, my friends.....

 

[Cav47]

^^^^ ditto

 

[garyahouse]

To all - Thank you to everyone who has "endured" the length of this report. As I explained to Gary above, it's generally not my style to go on and on in these ride reports. As always, I'll do my best in future reports to keep the verbiage to a minimum, unless the story requires a lengthier dialogue.

No, no, no, no. Do not even consider this. I've talked to a number of forum members through the years, and they would certainly agree that many of us don't have the skill with words that you do. So the "norm" is to keep it short and sweet. However, that's simply because it's still better to be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt, as the old saying goes. "If ya can't say it right, please keep it short" may be great advice for those who can't write well, but this would be one dull planet if nobody put their words to paper. Pictures are easy to get right, so that's what we post. However, do not put a bushel over that light of yours. Each of us brings something to this forum, and many of us bring something unique that very few possess. Our diversity gives these pages their color. And once in a while, somebody comes to this table with something to say and the ability to say it well. Those who don't care to dissect all the verbiage can simply skip it, look at the pictures, and move on. This forum is like a smorgasboard of information: there's something for everybody from the picky eaters who detest extra details to those with insatiable appetites who digest every word.

Therefore:

Say on, my friend.

Put all the color and emotion and related details that you can muster into what you write. I promise you, your fans will outnumber your detractors. A couple years back I wrote a ride report on this forum that totaled over 20,000 words. Not once did anyone request that I "keep the verbiage to a minimum" as you put it. CLICKY

Gary

darksider #44

 

[FJRBandit]

Those are some very nice compliments, especially coming from some of the writers I enjoy reading the most on this forum! Thanks guys, you inspire me to write and ride more, and also say more when I do.

Gary - I recall reading your 50CC report back during it's "production and release". I fell off the trail though in mid stream as my father passed away in late July that year. Needless to say, that became a very emotional and busy time in my life. I appreciate you throwing the link back out there for me and reminding me of the report. As I stayed up late last night reading every word and all of the comments I recalled RFH's offer to take your place on the Deal's Gap trip with your daughter. I remembered chuckling then, just as I did again last night. But that was about the point where it had all come to an end for me. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the remainder and am proud of your accomplishment sir! That was an epic trip, one in which I dream of doing some day. Actually, I have always planned to do mine with almost the same route and solo as well. Up to Springfield, catch Route 66 and ride to the Pacific over a 10 day period or so. Then, head to San Diego, and bust it back east. You may have just moved that one up a bit on my priority list!

 

[GPRIDER]

Great write up Turk. Don't know if I could do something like that now. Getting too old for those long days in the saddle in 100+ degree heat. Glad you made it home safe.

GP