The XS650 Lives Up To It's Reputation

Yes, I know... XS650s are an electrical mess. Well, Bessie (remember I named her after a stubborn cow that she is) has lived up to the reputation of her comrades. While I was home in Florida I bought her a new electrical harness and man I was excited to see that sitting there waiting for me when I got home to Dallas. I just knew that it would solve all of my problems... HA! I did make pretty good progress, but with a few wires that was questionable and a melted mess I had run into a wall. I have never been one to toot my own horn or think that I am a great motorcycle mechanic... I'm still a beginner at a lot of the mechanical and electrical aspects, so like Regis Philbin asks: "Would you like to phone a friend?" "YES!" Being very lucky for this assistance Bessie has had some life sparked back into her.

Original Harness 

 New Harness

Now I'll say that I started to get pretty negative about ever getting this bike running again, especially since December has not been a good month (see previous blog post). However, with this help I was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This brings me to think about people who don't ask for help. I mean, wouldn't you feel like an idiot if you completely messed up something and then had someone help you? I'm a fan of listening to my conscience and by doing so I was handsomely rewarded with a running bike and learning more about working on bikes. I really think that people need to spend more time thinking about their actions on a regular basis and no that is not just the behavioral therapist in me... it's clearly supported on a daily basis by the idiotic things that people do. 

Better than working outside in the cold

So with a bike that is no longer sitting in my living room, I decided that I would give it some exercise. I didn't want to venture off into traffic or too far from the apartment in case something happen... guess it was my gut instinct. With a few sweet words, Bessie rolled on. I kept her in second gear for most of the time, which I feel is pretty good for not running since July. Her electrical cut out while I was cruising along around 15 mph or so, so I let her roll and I slowed her down. After putting the bike back in neutral and letting it sit for a min while I went to get more gas and throw the battery on the charger just in case she was feeling a little drained. Well, I came back and she started right up... HAPPY DANCE! I rode her around and around the apartment complex doing as I did before and as I was turning around... BAM! electrical cuts off again except this time in mid turn. This sucked for two reasons 1) I broke my clutch lever and mirror and 2) I have never dropped a bike in all my years of riding. I quickly picked her up (surprised that I did since it was on a incline and weighs almost 500 lbs) and parked her in a parking space. Me and my bruised ego went back to the apartment to drink some water and clear my head. Bessie went from stubborn cow to one that was uncooperative and pissed off like she was going to the meat market. After my little break I went out to her and convinced her that neutral was a good place to be instead of second gear... this required a swift kick, but she got the point. No leaks or damage beside what I have already mentioned and now the power is flickering. As I hang my head in shame and walk the bike back to the carport I think about the millions of other bikes that I could buy at this moment, but no... I love this bike way too much. I cruised up to Bates to get a new clutch and brake lever (yes, I'm a girl and wanted them to match) along with a new mirror.

After a proper charge and me popping a few Advil from Bessie's narcoleptic episode which resulted in me kissing pavement, I through the battery back in. She is running again, but now some of the instruments are not lighting up... they were yesterday even after everything. I replaced what I needed to cosmetically and will wait another time to figure out what is happening with her. I'm taking the day off from dealing with her electrical attitude problem.

                     Silver clutch and brake levers are now black which was actually on the original bike.

Rockabettie

It's Been a While...

This past month has certainly not been one for the record books. My father fell into a coma after a massive brain hemorrhage on the 28th of November which meant I had to hop onto an airplane pretty quickly. After all of the great news we have received in weeks prior of my father's cancer pretty much disappearing, we never expected this to happen. With my father being on blood thinners surgery was not an option and as he slipped further and further into the coma it quickly became apparent that he was only going to be with us for a short time. Thanks for one of my great friends from Denver, I was quickly placed onto a plane to Orlando. I bounced around Texas on transfers, but as soon as I landed in Orlando I quickly ran to the car rental counter. "No, I don't want your insurance or GPS. Yes, I know there are tolls... I grew up here. No, I don't want your insurance. Yes, I have a 1/2 million dollar policy. Give me the damn keys!" I hopped in the little rental car and made record time to Ormond Beach. I quickly turned that Kia Soul into a race car... just don't tell my mom.  I was only able to spend a few short hours with my dad and it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Knowing that you have control over someone's life (literally) is horrifying. I kissed my dad goodbye and walked with my mom while the nurses began the process of shutting down his machines. The next half hour we were entertained by my nephew (who is 15 months) while all along we knew what was happening a matter of feet away. As I was on the phone with my dad's long time dispatcher (my dad was a trucker for 30 years) the nurse walked up to me. We walked into the waiting area where she told us the details. He went peacefully and fast, which is all we had hoped for.

My Parents

I decided to spend the next week and a half with my family. My brother-in-law was cruising back to port (he is in the Navy and had been away for a while) and jumped in the car so he could drive down to be with us. My nephew was very entertaining and was probably the best distraction to have at that time. We made all of the arrangements that we needed too fairly quickly and helped my mom with some things that she needed to have done around the house. Though the week passed fairly quickly, we found out that my father was being honored by his company of 19 years by having his truck number retired. For those who don't know, this is something that doesn't happen and with Heartland Express my father would be the first. My father's dispatcher and boss headed down to New Smyrna to present us with this wonderful plaque which is now hanging for my mom to see everyday. Like I told Dan (my dad's boss), we are probably doing a little better than some other people that have lost their parents because of our dad drove for so long. My sister, mom, and I say it's like he is on the road again. I'm sure that my dad is sitting in that big rig in the sky watching over us everyday and I know when this motorcycle is running again he will be there right along side me.

Rockabettie