Happy BDay D!

Thank you to all who made Dahila's "15th" birthday a real surprise. It has been 21 years since she had a surprise, and then she didn't have a Harley Pinata!

It was so much fun, and I appreciate all who took time to make this day special.

Gracias.

Lynchburg Daycation

We took the bike out for a DayCation and wound up crossing the Lynchburg Ferry for the very first time since I have been living in Houston (1975). Nice long 45 minute wait for a 2 minute boat ride.

East Texas Ride over Lake Houston

Joey and I took a Friday morning scoot out to East Texas and stopped on the Atascosita Causeway for a quick pic. It feels good to spend some time with the boys again... each one is so different! As we say in Spanish, "Cada cabeza es otro mundo!" [Each mind is a different world.]

{and it fits in that helmet!}

Kickin Back

Spent some time with Dolly today on the road, and took a breather at Taco Cabana... she caught me relaxing.

Calm before the storm. This is just a few miles short of the 500 mile break in on the new motor. With all the rain coming in with Hurricane Dolly, I gotta come up with other ways to keep myself busy during these few days of my summer break.

The Big Bore is now P.I.F.

Just a little short of selling the bike to get it out of the shop, it was a good feeling to pay the bill today and have the little orange repair tag ripped off today.

The 500 miles to break in the engine is next.  I have not had the experience of seating an engine for several years. My last overhauls were my first automobiles in the early and mid 70's when I wasn't apprehensive of taking an engine apart.  When I saw this V-Twin on the bench, I was struck with the modular design that Harley Davidson has in this new balanced Evolution engine. I have a learning curve to get this type of repair procedure figured out.

Gulp... Maybe Friday

The Majestic 100 year Anniversary Edition Fat Boy is looking lean and not so mean today.  The Limited Power Train warranty is covering the repair for the damaged bearings that were found in the case.  This balanced engine was sweet to ride and nice and quiet until the Father's Day weekend.  The metal-on-metal roar got definitely worse, and upon having the oil changed, the fine people at Mancuso Central dove into the bowels of my ailing 88 c.i.  One of the first comments was to 'please consider upgrading to a bigger bore engine upon completing the repair.'  I have been on pins and needles until today when I became aware that the 'Limited Power Train Warranty' covered 12 months or 12,000 miles.  Since they began to tear the motor apart, they had not been able to find the origin of metal shavings in the main case... until today.  It was definitely the bearings for those shafts that facilitate the fine balanced EVO88B.  THAT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY!  Otherwise I would have been responsible for the EXTENSIVE work being done.  

The next 48 hours will tell the tale of a successful rebuild to the status of a BigBoreBadBoy!  I will wind up with a lot less 'out-of-pocket' than normal, since they already have the case cracked open.  The pause is what is most disconcerting.  I have grown accustomed to spending much of my daily commute in the grip of the Houston Traffic and in the trust of my God - I miss that from my 2-wheeled view. 

So, I wait - maybe, Friday. 

Look Deep Inside Yourself - don't be skerd!

Look Deep Inside Yourself
Originally uploaded by rmaxtorres.

FatBoy Saga Continues: The Mancuso mechanics have been looking for the source of a bad sound... no luck so far. The next step is to crack the case open for a deeper look.... nice!  Only concern is how deep I will have to dig to get it outta hock.

Deeper Chrome

                            

This v-rod has some killer detail: custom paint, chrome and ostrich leather - Deep Paint!

Behind the chrome:

I hope I don't have to see this sight too often!  At least not for a while.  I have always enjoyed doing mechanical work, and I have been fairly successful over the last 40 years or so since my dad first asked me to hand him a 'crescent wrench.'  That was a true learning experience.  Not many 12 year old kids know what a crescent wrench is, and I was definitely in that majority. 

My days of tinkering in my 'non-American' brand name motorcycles has expanded into the HD world now.  That hefty V-Twin looked intimidating, but give me a little time to build up my tool box again - and we'll be back into it.  I just have to hold my breath for that phone call from Mancuso's. . .  then I will drain the rest of the bank for that next ransom payment. [click on picture for higher resolution]

Outreach Saturday in Houston

Wildflower Blues (and Reds)

My travels to and from San Antonio are always pleasantly colored by God's floral variety (which TXDOT appreciates). I hope you enjoy these photos. Excuse the chrome and American Iron. :)

Toys for Tots Run

We had a great time on Saturday with the USMC Toys for Tots Run from League City, TX to Pasadena Fairgrounds.  Over 1000 scooters rallied for this cause.  Gulf Coast loves to bike!!

Check the pix: http://motorcycle.meetup.com/10/photos/260901/2755676/