Not many people out riding anymore

Troll · October 27, 2013, 10:29:20 AM

That kind of component was one of the major inspection parameters in N.Y. Glass, suspension, brakes, exhaust, tires, alignment, lights, all are mission critical. When I was working there, we did these inspections once a year for $5. People couldn't re-register their cars until it was done.

greenbarn · October 27, 2013, 09:35:23 AM

You should be VERY unhappy with that, brother. I have no idea what is on their "check" list, but for $120 they should have CERTAINLY found that ball joint. If I understand you correctly, and the upper ball joint separated, it's not likely it wasn't really loose 2 weeks ago. I suppose, like anything, there's a slim chance that it was just a catastrophic failure (I've seen the ball joint just break off a couple times) but the GREAT majority of them wear out slowly and become loose, when loose enough they can pop out. Whoever is doing your work should be able to tell easily. If it was loose enough to come apart, I'd take the ball joint back to you certified service center and have a conversation. For $120 (that's almost 2 hours labor at our shop) they should have had hands on your car, and should have found that.

CDNRatMan · October 26, 2013, 18:26:26 PM

Troll was checked by a certified service center not 2 weeks ago as my pre winter inspection, and they said it was all ok, $120.00 for the check, so now I am not happy and they are off my list of dealing with after I go and see them once the Jimmy is fixed.

jmbo · October 26, 2013, 18:06:28 PM

Just got a text from my son. Seems their planning what he calls a "Snot Run" Thursday (Halloween) night from Steny's in Milwaukee. Supposed to be in the high 50's during the day but back in the 30's at night. Since it's the last day of the month and my rider's insurance drops down to storage insurance the first day of November looks like this is the last run for the year.

Troll · October 26, 2013, 17:59:18 PM

This is why vehicles need periodic inspection. I was a N.Y. Safety inspector (all dealerships had to have at least 1) before I moved to Wisconsin, where they apparently don't give a damn if your wheels fall off while you are driving...

CDNRatMan · October 26, 2013, 17:20:59 PM

Dude no noises no clunking no warning, went around a corner and wham it stopped, this morning it was acting a bit weird but I attributed to the amount of snow on the roads. But will have it looked at on Monday and fixed so I am ok with that . But I did make it to the Honda dealer and get all my parts for the winter projects ordered.....

greenbarn · October 26, 2013, 17:09:44 PM

You were supposed to have that clunking and tire-wear issue looked at, BEFORE the ball joint separated!

I can help you out, but I hope you have AAA, the tow bill will be a bit steep...

CDNRatMan · October 26, 2013, 17:04:25 PM

may have to get the bike out of the shed because while going around a corner my upper ball joint failed, truck is ok I had a 8 km walk home...lol it was kind of funny, and was thinking darn good thing my cell is at home or I would be calling my good buddy who owns his own fix it place in 0hi0 to come help a buddy.......

Troll · October 26, 2013, 15:53:56 PM

'77 was the last year...403 with a 400 behind it. Almost a 442, but not quite. I've had 2 Rivs before this one...a '64 and a '65. The '64 had a 401 in it, and the '65 had a 425...or at least it did when I bought it, but it was stuck tight, so I popped in a '66 401 out of a Wildcat. My favorite Buick was my '68 GS400 Convertible. I've had a couple of decent Chryslers, too. A '57 300C, a 300K and an L...Had a 65 Imperial Convertible for a while, too. I had a '58 DeSoto Sportsman with a 392. Back then, they were just cars, most of which were bought and sold cheap. I think I paid like $650 for my '66 Corvair Corsa Coupe (for those who don't know Corvair lore...the Corsa had a 164" 140 horse flat 6 with 4 carbs...2 primary and 2 secondary, like a 4 barrel carb, and mine had the 4 speed manual transaxle and air conditioning). NICE CAR...but some idiot in a '63 Lincoln 4 dr convertible t-boned it....

greenbarn · October 26, 2013, 14:25:49 PM

Quote from: CDNRatMan on October 26, 2013, 10:17:12 AM
WOW close call, you have a Ranger too......and bumperettes and a sunroom wow you have it all.......

a Ranger? I'm talking a beater 2WD 4 cyl truck, dude, not a $15,000 Polaris 4x4 UTV... And now it's got antler and/or hoof gouges all down one side, and a broke-off mirror... $:-\$

Quote from: Troll on October 26, 2013, 12:40:31 PM
..I had to drag an empty 4 wheel U-Haul trailer 25 miles with my '77 Olds Holiday back to where I rented it...Ahhh, memories!

Troll, you had a Holiday? and now a Riv. I bet you've had a lot of cool cars over the years. I didn't know they made the Holiday in the 70s. All I've ever seen was the run-of-the-mill 88's around here. I had a 77 Grand Prix that was pretty cool. Had the 2-tone maroon/mauve paint. They don't make 'em with style like they used to....

Troll · October 26, 2013, 12:40:31 PM

I hated to do it, but I know if I put it off too long, I'm going to be in trouble...I got my snowblower serviced and running 100% today...They weather guessers are predicting thunder storms for Halloween! 22 years ago...1991 I was helping my now Wife move into a new apartment on Halloween...It was 40 and raining most of the day, and turned cold and we got 8" of snow...I had to drag an empty 4 wheel U-Haul trailer 25 miles with my '77 Olds Holiday back to where I rented it...Ahhh, memories!

CDNRatMan · October 26, 2013, 10:17:12 AM

WOW close call, you have a Ranger too......and bumperettes and a sunroom wow you have it all.......

Went up the hill today to do a few chores and they had a 2" dump of snow last night and it does not look like it is going to be leaving, down the hill we had really heave rain.....and some flurries so glad I got the oil changed yesterday. Then went to the Honda shop to order my parts for my winter projects......oh boy now to wait for them to come in......

Troll · October 26, 2013, 10:03:25 AM

40s today, windy, cloudy...but tomorrow, almost 60! I have stuff to do around home, so tomorrow, I'm going to get those miles!

DriftinGirl · October 26, 2013, 08:43:05 AM

Whew! That would have hurt if you were on the bike. Glad it wasn't worse.

greenbarn · October 25, 2013, 22:34:14 PM

I ALMOST rode the bike into work after lunch yesterday, b/c it was about 50 and sunny and felt really nice. Of course when I left work it was almost dark, and was more like 40 and felt pretty cold. I was glad, then, I left the bike at home. Then, on the way home I was REALLY glad I left the bike at home. Came up on a fencerow that comes up clear to the road ditch and met up with a deer. It was just dusk, an all I saw was antlers and heard the crash as a big buck crashed into my Ranger. He hit me just behind the front headlight on the pass. side. I saw him thrashing in the middle of the road in my rear-view, but when I turned around and went back, he was already up and out 75 yards in the field looking at me like "what the heck is wrong with you?"

Amazingly, the damage to the truck was minor, besides the passenger mirror broke off, there are only a few gouges down the side of the truck, from antlers or hooves, I presume. All I could find from the mirror was a couple small pieces of plastic laying in the road....

jmbo · October 25, 2013, 21:14:45 PM

Hey, what do you know the weather speculator is speculating that we may have 60 degree weather next week. Even though it might only last for ten minutes a day it's good enough for me. I'm riding 'cause the following week high are supposed to be 30's at best. Vroom Vroom!

CDNRatMan · October 25, 2013, 15:09:19 PM

Well my oil is changed and the bike is ready to be parked for the winter now, and it was cold out today, high of the day will be or supposed to be 31*F so I got everything needed doing done. Front engine guard is off to get it in the door.

Troll · October 25, 2013, 13:52:05 PM

25 deg. this morning, but the wind shifted a bit and it's 51 and sunny (!) right now. Took off this morning, just before noon for a little ride. I now need 179 more miles...might get them this weekend. They are saying 52 on Sunday. Went over to LaCrescent, MN. Up on the ridge next to the river. WINDY up there...but some nice scenery...yes, that's a guy in a sailboat.

49Reo · October 21, 2013, 21:32:32 PM

Got out for an afternoon ride today; it got up to a windy 60F, had to take advantage of it. Glad I got out; usually, I am plowing snow at this time of year. Funny thing happened, though, as I was coming home. About 1/2 mile from the house, there is an "S" bend in the road, with a railroad track dissecting it. As I was coming around the corner to it, I was gearing down, like I've done hundreds of times before: 5th to 4th, with a blip of the throttle, then to 3rd, with same blip of the throttle, then to 2nd, with a blip of the throttle......or so I thought; 3rd to 1st. Let me tell you, it is not a relaxing experience, when leaning in a curve to have your back wheel lock up like that; hit the clutch right away, and pulled out of it. Never had that happen before. Guess I need to pay more attention to the task at hand, inst :Dead of daydreaming....

CDNRatMan · October 21, 2013, 15:27:24 PM

Quote
YOU said that...to let you know when I was going to be in town so you could put the coffee on...I don't know if I'm going to be allowed a test ride, they only have 2 bikes....I'm going to bet..."NO"

are you sure I said that ......mmmmmmm..........well ok I'll let it go this time.....

Boaski hitting a deer on a bike can really ruin your day at work, unless you can BBQ the steaks for the shop.got lots of winterizing done today and it really feels like snow today.

Boaski · October 21, 2013, 15:03:29 PM

I put 5,000 on the Drifter last year. Will be fortunate to hit 3,000 this year. Not as many Sunday afternoon rides this year, usually had an overwhelming desire for a nap I guess.

I was going to ride to work today since it's supposed to turn nasty tonight. I have a 9 mile drive to the shop & I decided not to ride since the corn is starting to come off & the deer have been moving. Glad I chose the truck as I had a small fork horn stand on the edge of the road and weigh his options. I'd rather tag one with the truck than the bike.

Troll · October 21, 2013, 13:14:09 PM

YOU said that...to let you know when I was going to be in town so you could put the coffee on...I don't know if I'm going to be allowed a test ride, they only have 2 bikes....I'm going to bet..."NO"

CDNRatMan · October 21, 2013, 13:05:35 PM

Seem to remember you saying you were riding up here on the Indian to show it to me.......let me look for that post......

forecast right now is calling for rain the next 7 days and no sun anyplace.......we shall see

Troll · October 21, 2013, 12:58:26 PM

Unless it snows tonight (anything is possible this time of year) I'm going to ride to the Indian Dealer and take pictures for you guys. I was going to go today, but the rain/wind, and cold didn't appeal to me for a 300 mile trip to do some site seeing. Tomorrow, they are predicting 45 deg. by afternoon. There is supposed to be a poker run this coming weekend, I might get involved with that, but those aren't my favorite activities... I went out yesterday for a short ride on a newly paved section of "mountain" road that's been closed all Summer...all I need now is 499 more miles!

CDNRatMan · October 21, 2013, 12:58:14 PM

Think I will see what the weekend will bring. Check the long range forecast, I would much rather park a week early and get the stuff done that needs doing, then having it snow and be caught and have things not done.
Want to get out for at least a 10 min ride, add some sea foam to both the tank and oil and then to get things warmed up and moving, then do the last oil and filter change of the summer, then remove the front engine guard, and then park the bike, it cannot get into the living room with the engine guard on.
Then time to commence on my winter projects...........