Anybody Squeeze in a Polar Bear Ride on New Years?

[Tom Clark]

Hi All, This place has been dead for a bit, so I figured I'd lean out tha' window and see how many of you had tha' chance to ride on New Years day?
I started tha' mornin' with a frosty 20 degree jump start of my raggedy ol' wing. It's got a new battery, but when tha' temp drops low, she don't wanna' crank (Had to strap a car battery to my last wing and "jump start" it when I rode it back 'n forth to kollidge) Anyway, tha' critter fired right up and I was on my way. I'm runnin' a 2bbl Holley on a home made intake and every so often, she'll cough back through tha' carburetor when it gets cold outside. She popped a good 'un on tha' way to tha meet up spot and I could immediately notice a change in power. By tha' time I got to tha' starting spot, some 18 miles from my house, I was havin' to really work tha' throttle just to keep her goin. I pulled in, warmed up a bit inside and went back out for a look/see. I discovered that tha' carb base gasket was leaking. My guess is that one of tha' backfires when warmin' up blew out tha' gasket. I enrichened tha' carb to compensate and limped back home. All in all, it was a pretty enough day. When ya' ride a 31 year old bike with car/ truck parts where motorcycle parts use to be, ya' gotta' expect poopoo from time to time.
Tha' rest of tha' group went on to watch some Polar Bear swimmers jump into a local river (THOSE folks are crazy!) Anybody else have a good ride on New Years day?

[dennisleber]

had one planned but some things came up that got in the way, will ride to work the rest of the week however, gonna be in the upper 30s lower 40s and sunny so good to go.

[S.E.R.E.]

I've almost got the motorcycle running again. Sorry for being down and out for so long. I've put 1500.00 into parts so far.
Stu (Christian Motorcycle Assoc Rider) has been doing all the work on it and certainly if you need a great skilled worker
to work on your bike, I highly recommend Stewart.

Here is what I've got done in the last two weeks.

Engine Head Gaskets replaced (2)
New Water pump w/gaskets
New Timing Belts & Covers
New Valve Covers
Fused the wires on the stator
Valves balanced
Carbs balanced
New Spark plugs & Wires
New amber police flashers on Rear
New rear bumper w/lights
New brake like flasher
New Parking lights
New Driving Lights in front
New Air Dam Lights
New Eagle front fender light
New fuse block (aftermarket)
New Battery
New after market exhaust system
Replaced Headers
New fender skirts (front & rear)
New Helmet w/mic system
New adapter for helmet system
New mp3 adapter for sound system
Repaired audio speaker system
New fuse block interrupter
Front forks rebuilt
New Front Fork tubes

Further restoration includes:
New expanded (softer) seats
New Arm Rests for the passenger
New shifter arm (rocker)
New floor boards
Install the tow package and modify to carry 3 flags (3 by 5)


While the bike will externally look the same, it certainly has had a major overhaul. Wiring should be finished on Tuesday I hope and bike up and running again.


Charles Johnson
MSgt USAF Ret.
US Army Sgt 1967-1970 / SEA 1968-1970
USAF MSgt 1971-1988
S.E.R.E. Master Instructor
Patriot Guard & American Legion Rider

[dennisleber]

thats is alot of work should really make ride enjoyable.

[Sweetoldbubba]

I had planned to but other stuff got in the way. If it isn't too bad tomorrow I may take the wing out for a "dust off"

[Tom Clark]

Damn, SERE! Get on with your bad self! =) Bubba, I feel ya', man... Somebody knock down some miles for me until I get off of my butt to fix tha' carb issue. =)

[pdxgoldwing]

it was only in the high 20's here..so leathered up....layered up and did 130 miles......froze my butt off after a while but did it..glad I did...needed to get the personal cobwebs out.