Oregon & Washington & Dr. Rich

[Old Michael]

Gonna keep the narrative VERY brief. (Do I hear applause?)

A few weeks back, I made an appointment to have my suspension "fixed" at GPSuspension near Portland.

I'd considered many options, but finally decided to just spend the friggin' money and have it done well

by folks that do nothing else.

And, since I'd be fearfully venturing into the-land-of-way-too-much-precipitation, I figured I'd just go all out,

and continue on up to Whidbey Island in Washington, and visit my recently retired & relocated friend

- the inimitable Dr. Rich.

Oh, and there's a lot of nice country, great roads, and OF COURSE - the PNW FJR "crew" is up there too.

Yes, it's uncomfortably close to Campbell River, but ya gotta take some chances in life.

Let's go!

Sunday morning. Right after mass.

My amazing blue traveling machine, ready to depart.

Heading north outta town.

U2's Where the Streets Have No Name (at high volume) is a perfect trip starter, don't you think?

...reach out, and touch the flame...

The first hours of a multi-day, multi-state trip always have me almost giddy.

Even at my age.

Good morning, Sacramento River. See you next week.

Almost there. Not really.

Yes, I-5 can be a bit tedious, but I wanted to get straight up to Portland.

My appointment was for Monday morning.

Smile inducer.

Approaching Roseburg, I phoned ShinyPartsUp, to maybe arrange a meet and greet, but he pretended he wasn't

home. Sobbing softly, alone inside my helmet, I pressed on.

So, by late afternoon, I was pulling into Salem - Oregon's capitol.

A hop, skip, and jump from Oregon City, where I'd be seeing the GPSuspension boys in the a.m.

Salem. From the Arabic - Salam, or the Hebrew - Shalom. Peace, either way.

Into a sleazy modest motel, right near downtown.

Strolled out for a sandwich and a couple of beers for the room.

Found a really great beer store, with an amazing selection.

What a dilemma!

Took me 20 minutes to make my selection.

Did I mention that it was hot? In the 90's- which I understand is pretty extreme for Portland. I think.

So, a refreshing, summertime brew seemed in order.

Finally went with something familiar. Viva la .....

Geez, this is sort of a lame ride report, huh? Slab and beer.

Hopefully, day 2 and forward will be better.

 

[Tom Edison]

Can't get enough of the PNW I see. You could test that new suspension out at Mt. Baker. I'm always ready for that ride. :yahoo:

 

[beemerdons]

Thank You, Old Michael; keep it coming!

 

[Bugnatr]

Sure could have used that in college

 

[tmc]

So beer overload sent you running back to Corona?

I guess that's kind of like being in a candy store, not being able to make a decision, so ya say f it, and get a Hershey bar cuz you already know it's gonna be decent.

Me? I might have passed out from excitement upon finding that COLD beer selection. I'd likely have gone to the one adjacent to the Panty Peeler - Kodiak Brown be good! :drinks:

Love the PNW. I need to go back and spend another week up there. Simply fantastic scenery and roads.

 

[Big-D]

WOW, love that beer selection. Decisions... decisions!

 

[Hudson]

Keep it coming, OM.

My favorite trip starter song: Tom Petty's Time to Move On

"It's time to move on, time to get going.

What lies ahead, I have no way of knowing.

But under my feet, baby, grass is growing.

It's time to move on, it's time to get going."

 

[user 6393]

Yes, it's uncomfortably close to Campbell River, but ya gotta take some chances in life.

It's ok to admit Michael, you are among friends....

You are drawn...........moth..........flame

You know it

:angel:

 

[Old Michael]

You could test that new suspension out at Mt. Baker.

I did, Tom. And only missed one corner. Day 3.

Sure could have used that in college

Bug, we need only our personal charm.

So beer overload sent you running back to Corona?...

Exactly, tmc. And you've gotta figure some of that stuff's been on the shelf a looooooong time,

and may have demons swimming around in it.

...My favorite trip starter song: Tom Petty's Time to Move On

Well, Hud Man, that's a bit before my time.

Plus, he ain't Irish.

 

[Old Michael]

You are drawn...........moth..........flame

And in the morning, there's that pile of dead moths, near the light.

 

[user 6393]

You are drawn...........moth..........flame

And in the morning, there's that pile of dead moths, near the light.

ya, but they all have HUGE fricking smiles on their lil dead moth faces

 

[Old Michael]

Monday morning, before leaving Salem, I ran down the street to get a shot of the capitol building.

Not a traditional "dome" dome, but sorta neat.

Then, up the road.

Arrived early....and waited.

Ben and Dave arrived, had me pull my bike in - and though both obviously hung over - got right to work.

I'm kidding. .....it wasn't obvious.

Ben yanked my forks off, and muttered in disgust as he poured out the thick, lumpy, neglected goo.

I hung my head in shame.

My bushings, he told me, were shot. The teflon coating was worn clean off in some places. Probably because I ride

so fast and smooth. ...Or something.

As Ben explained what he was doing (and I pretended to comprehend), I snapped a few more pictures of the nifty

setup they had.

"Can we play Battleship on this?"

Oh, baby. And the color matches my n-, ...my bike.

Dave (on the left), and Ben. Yes, Dave occasionally gets his hands dirty.

As others have testified, these guys have a very special operation going here. They not only allow you to wander around

and bug them while they're working, but they'll patiently explain everything they're doing. Everything.

As promised, they had me wrapped up by just after 1400 hrs.

I loaded my gear back onto my bike.

We all hugged, and Ben put his hand on my shoulder,

looked me in the eye, and said something I'll never forget -

"Michael, get the HELL out of here, ...but first, gimme back those tools you snuck into your tankbag!"



Dave kindly gave me directions for getting out in the direction I was heading, and I was back on the road.

Holy cow! Fresh PR2's, new suspenders, and open road ahead. I was one happy dork!

Went west on 26 to Buxton, and then north on 47. (I'd heard it was a great motorcycle road.)

Lots of green stuff up here.

Through some small towns.

Stopped in Clatskanie for gas and water, and parked by this logging truck to get one of those

"contrast" shots.

The truck's owner saw me, and came over. We ended up talking for 20 minutes - about riding motorcycles.

He'd owned a VStrom, spent 3 weeks riding it through Mexico, and was considering buying a new Concours.

Good meeting you, Kelly. (Is he "gesturing" to me?)

Out of Clatskanie, it was highway 30 west to beautiful Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia.

On the way.

I'd reserved a "Kamping Kabin" at the KOA near Astoria.

Checked in, unloaded my stuff, and went out to look around the area

before the sun went down.

Darn. Gotta run back out and do some work. More in a bit.

 

[tmc]

kOOL!

Loving the "matching" blue on the shock. Definitely impressive looking.

Patiently waiting for more.....

 

[Bugnatr]

That fork bushing is Gen ll problem as they showed me yours or some other Gen II set that were toast. My 04 at 65K were good as Gold when I was up there a week after you.

Guess Reno John was right about 04"s being the best!

Great report- keep the pics coming!

 

[beemerdons]

You are drawn...........moth..........flame

And in the morning, there's that pile of dead moths, near the light.

ya, but they all have HUGE fricking smiles on their lil dead moth faces

Well, luckily for you Miss barb, you did not phrase it in this manner: "You are drawn..........Guinness............Bushmill's..."

Then you would have wound up with a pile of wasted and worthless Irishmen on your floor, with vacant looks on their Mick faces!!!

 

[MEM]

Finally went with something familiar. Viva la .....

Geez, this is sort of a lame ride report, huh? Slab and beer.

Hopefully, day 2 and forward will be better.

Nice

Glad to see you peel back your panties the comforter. Those things are disgusting !!!

 

[Tom Edison]

You could test that new suspension out at Mt. Baker.

I did, Tom. And only missed one corner. Day 3.

Oh, I thought you were on your way again! Must be that Californy space time continum warp speed thing. Any ways it's agreat report so far (finally) quality photo's also. Come on back fer a visit anytime, yer allowed. :blink: :yahoo:

 

[Old Michael]

Then you would have wound up with a pile of ... Irishmen on your floor....

She can only dream, beemer D.

Glad to see you peel back ... the comforter. Those things are disgusting !!!

Oh, I didn't peel it back, Mary Ellen.

I shouted at it, and it crawled off the bed.

 

[exskibum]

Enjoying it so far and looking forward to more, but with a kinda deja vu. :huh:

That shot of Willamette Falls must have been about a mile away from where we were staying at Judy's sister's house up on the hill in West Linn.

And the inside of GP Suspension and all the goodies there was another really familiar sight.

But good as those ride starter songs are that you guys posted, you need to be corrected. The [SIZE=12pt]BEST[/SIZE] long ride, right out of the blocks song is "Wasn't Born to Follow" by the Byrds. C'mon -- tell me that "Easy Rider" wasn't THE seminal cherry poppin'1 "MC on the open road" fantasy that we have all been playing out over the subsequent years.

1[SIZE=8pt]Yes, I realize that the preceding 3 words strung together are likely to get you in more hot water with the vixen from the north. Just roll wit' ithttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prwyXU7luS4&feature=related,2 ye ol' moth.[/SIZE] :lol:

2BTW, just who was that BABE actress Dennis Hopper was cavorting with in that footnote clip?? :dribble: :dribble: :dribble: