Screwed

Ok, I have been slacking a bit on this project, but what the hell, it’s springtime, and I have the big scooter to ride, and surely you understand the need to test ride to make sure she’s up to par. I guy has to play with is toys, ya know? That’s how I got myself screwed anyway, on an ‘exercise the bike’ ride ….

See, I just had to pop off the side cases on the motor to get the engine cleaned of all the darn grime, and yes the JIS* screws probably hadn’t been opened in decades. Even with soaking in PBlaster the impact screwdriver wasn’t getting the job done so out comes the hammer and chisel, and off they come. I wanted Frankenbolts anyway, the cool, allen heads. Onto the trusty interwebs and there they are, and cheap too, on to ‘checkout’ and gasp !! The damned shipping is twice the cost of the bolts. It’s like Ebay, buy cheap stuff and pay a damned arm & leg to get it shipped into the woods here.

Have no fear, for decades one of my favorite places is Shamrock Bolt & Screw up in Springfield, MO and I have an excuse for a ride. I ride up visit some friends, etc. and take out for Shamrock. The counter lizard returns with a bag and happily says I’m SOL on the 15 or so of the longer bolts … sorry. Off to Fastenal and I get the same smiley shizz from the owner, nice guy, but his comment is ‘damn, them thangs is long’.

So, my only choice is my first choice, back to the interwebs to order 1/2 as many bolts as before and I still get to pay the same $12.50 for shipping. At least they’ll get here next week. Till then, I’ll start soaking the inside of the gas tank today and it will ready for the shiny finish outside soon.

I did pick up the leather needles and thread for the sewing machine so the new seat cover can commence. The wiring loom is installed and awaits the motor to do the electrical testing. I’ll be firing up this puppy pretty darn soon.

*JIS Japanese Industry Standard

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