6/11/02, Tuesday

10:58PM

Yeah! Shes DONE!!! Rich leaves out at 10am from Atlanta to NJ (750 miles) on his new 200 mile so far 900 engine. Just finished a 150 tonight and last night did a 45 then torqued the head. Bike is sweet now except bad jetting in hitachi when mated to his MAC header and stock airbox w/ Uni filter. Hes a good kid, and he learned ALOT! He'll be there at Finger lakes.

Robert P. Reil

Indeed I am back, Neptune made it all the way to NYC without a hitch (and the carbeuration even improved some). I think I'll get some early sleep tonight, and try to get the whole story done tomorrow. I have much info to relate, fun stories to tell, and lots of people to thank. For those reading the digests, I apologize in advance for the length. :)

"Good kid"... how cute. :) You shoulda seen Rob laugh when I got carded for beer.

-Rich

6/12/02 Wednesday

5:08 PM

NEPTUNE, UNDONE ( EPISODE ONE)

OK, time for my full report. This is RIDICULOUSLY long, so if you're reading the digest, I am truly sorry for taking up so much space. I do think it's all relevant, though.

Storytime:

I left for Georgia a little over two weeks ago, with the intention of riding down to my parents' house for a night and then continuing on to Rob Reil's House O' Carbs for a generous offer to assist me in rebuilding my top end and steering head, stopping a pesky oil leak and removing what Rob called "guided missile syndrome." After dinner with the folks in NJ (100 miles or so from where I live) and a night's sleep in my old creaky bed, I packed up and headed out.

I got two miles away.

I noticed my speed dropping, and questioned the grip of my new and barely tested cruise control (mental state: "hey now")... but I soon noticed that the throttle wasn't responding either (mental state: "what the hell? I just got gas"). I then heard Neptune's top end begin to make a horrible, miserable sound, kind of like an outboard motor trying to chop up a tree (mental state: "oh my god"). It only lasted for two or three seconds, but it was getting louder by the instant, and it was obvious the engine was somehow eating itself (mental state: "OH HOLY S***, NO"). Just at the end of this three seconds, I found the common sense to pull in the clutch. A split-second after grabbed the lever, I heard/felt a thunderous "CRACK" followed by nothing but the whoosh of my tires on the road.

I pulled over and just sat there for a second, possibly praying for just one more year with the bike, possibly offering my soul for sale if praying didn't work. I hit the kicker, which hit me right back. There was a steady stream of smoke coming from beneath the starter cover.

I was forced to realize, in one evil minute, that:

a) I wasn't going to get to enjoy riding down to Georgia,

b) I wasn't going to get the experience of being mentored in top end repair and steering maintenance, and most importantly,

c) I would never, ever be able to ride my beloved motorcycle again.

I didn't know a whole lot about what had happened to my engine, but I knew it would be a case-splitting affair that would have cost much more than I am capable of producing. My father was in the area, and stopped by to help find someone who would tow a bike on a Sunday. We found a real helpful old dude named "Babe," complete with a toothpick in his teeth and way too much pomade in his hair. We got a cheapo flatbed tow and a little cheering up from a guy who'd seen it all before... not that I was in any mood to be cheered up. We left the bike in my mechanic's garage, assumingly for the last time.

After letting Rob know I wouldn't be able to make the trip, I began to wonder what I was going to do. Losing that bike was clearly not an option. I've ranted on this list enough for you all to know how much this bike means to me. So, I began to look for a replacement motor.

I checked salvage yards all over the world, Ebay, classifieds, I even called that shady OldKawMan to see what he had. After calling him and hearing him tell me he had a 78 SE motor in great condition with 13k on it, I decided to get a second opinion. So, I called up Rob again. He convinced me not to deal with OldKawMan (I had my reservations about him anyway... I was a little put off by the pictures of his daughter/wife on his business's site, and even more so by the fact that he has a whole section for them). After he told me about his misdealings with him, he asked me, "Why are you looking for a new motor?" After repeating my story about how mine was deceased (deseized?), he thought for a minute and said, "find a way to get it down here. I have a bunch of motors here, and we'll put a good one together for you." I told him I was broke, to which he replied, "I know. We'll have you do some chores around here. Just come on down here and have a good time, and you'll leave with a new engine." To that, I said "You know, I oughta call you more often."

At this point I need to stress my appreciation for my parents, specifically their ability to come to the rescue when their kid needs a little help. They have supported me through thick and thin when I've been in trouble (which happens when you're suddenly unemployed). This unprecedented support is most evident when dealing with this bike. They somehow understand that even though I bought the thing for $600, it's almost as old as I am, and there are many other (better?) bikes to choose from, I cannot survive without it. So much of my energy and attention has been thrown into that bike... and they realize that losing it would ruin a decent-sized chunk of my life. To that end, my father sprung for the trip.

The next day I called Rob and said, "I'm in a cheap, shaky, decrepit old Toyota V6 U-Haul with a broken Neptune. I'm on I-95, I just got into Pennsylvania. See you in 14 hours."

(I had to admit that I called from a handheld cell phone while driving a four-wheeled vehicle. It's been weighing heavily on my heart. I SWEAR there was no one else on the road at the time. I was just too wired to stop. I'll never be that guy again)

EPISODE TWO

5:24pm

I did the entire drive from NJ to Atlanta in one shot, and slept a couple hours in the cab of the truck so as not to disturb the Reil household at an ungodly hour of the morning. After calling to get the last mile's worth of directions, I pulled in and we unloaded my broken machine.

For the next two and a half weeks, I felt truly blessed. I got to enjoy the company of some wonderful people, I was treated to lots of wonderful food and conversation, and I spent about 76 hours a day tearing the bike apart with Rob.

They had set me up in the guest room, with an ultra-comfy bed and access to years and years of back issues of Rider and Motorcyclist. Rob's wife, Joy, cooked me three fantastic square meals a day, and even did some laundry for me. I wish I could cook something other than Velveeta Shells and Cheese, so I could effectively repay her for keeping me nourished. Anyone who knows me knows that giving me food is a great way to gain my trust. I'm not too far removed from your average domesticated house pet in that regard. Feed me and I'm all yours.

Seven-year-old Josh drew me pictures the whole time I was there, and even let me beat him at a few video games. It turns out we enjoy some of the same cartoons, and it's always nice to see young'uns with an appreciation for oldschool Warner Bros. cartoons. I also got to help teach him how to ride a bicycle (which he has to do before he can ride a motorcycle, right?). Having this little dude around was heaven... well, maybe except when he was running around the garage like a Tazmanian Devil, having swigged enough Mountain Dew to drown a small army. "Josh, don't touch. Please leave that alone. I don't know when it'll be done, Josh. Please don't touch that. No, I STILL don't know, Josh. Please let me work a little here, Josh, I'm very busy. Please don't touch that. JOSH, DON'T TOUCH THAT!!" All in all, Robert and Joy are extremely lucky to have Josh. He is completely priceless.

I think this "episode" had to be written to point out some amazing people, the kind of folks that this sorry planet is lacking. Here's everything they knew about me:

a) I am nearly broke.

b) I love my motorcycle.

With those two facts, they decided to allow me to live in their home for two and a half weeks, eating their food, sleeping under their roof, and gaining a huge amount of motorcycle know-how. Previous to that, I had shared two meals and one bike ride with them. What would possess people to be that nice to someone they hardly know? I've labored over that question since I jumped in that U-haul, and I still haven't come up with the perfect answer... They didn't do it for reputation, they didn't have any kind of motive, and they certainly weren't in it for money. They are just THAT NICE. Rob and Joy take "southern hospitality" to a whole new level. I am forever grateful for their kindness and generosity. They stepped up to the plate and, without hesitation, offered up more help than I could ever imagined receiving.

We shared many a wonderful and stimulating conversation over food and work (and the occasional bottle of wine at the end of the day). We all instantly became good friends, and my time in Georgia felt more like a vacation than a project.

We spoke for a while about the best possible definition of "integrity." My definition, by the way, seems to fit Rob pretty well. I got a chance to peruse his portfolio while I was there... and to look at all of his qualifications, you would think he invented the entire science of robotics. His grasp of logic furthers my theory that he could be a multimillionaire if he wanted to. The thing is, he doesn't want to. He's happy when he's working on carbs, on his own time, as his own boss.

That's all well and good... He knows how to live and live well, and to be true to his own nature. That in and of itself is admirable... but how does the random kindness fit into that? What in the name of all that's holy would drive someone to donate nearly an entire motor's worth of good parts to someone else's bike? He gave me the LAST 900 KIT ON EARTH, just so I wouldn't have to drop down to a 750. Well, I paid him for that one, but just allowing it to leave his garage was saintly enough. :) He donated loads of valuable time, rare parts, infinite patience, and sage advice to someone... Not because he was getting anything out of it, just because he thought it was "the right thing to do."

Same goes for Joy... Without a second thought, she took care of my room and board such that I felt like I was staying in a hotel. It was sometimes difficult getting her to let me at least do the dishes!! She is just like Rob, willing to help out whenever she can, however she can. This is very rare nowadays. I'm so glad the two of them found each other.

We settled on a good definition of integrity: "doing the right thing, even when you know noone else will know anything about it." The reason I'm writing all this is because people SHOULD know about it, if at all possible. This kind of generosity shouldn't go unmentioned. Rob and Joy didn't do it for the kudos, but they deserves them anyway.

I'm going to try to pay them back as best I can, with whatever tools I have available to me. I'm glad I at least got to buy them dinner once or twice while I was there, but this isn't the kind of thing you reimburse with money anyway. I've already offered to treat them like kings should they desire to visit NY again... but I know Rob wants nothing to do with this city, so I'll have to think of something else. :)

Next episode contains the fun stuff. I promise.

EPISODE THREE

5:32PM

Rob's shop is a kind of paradise. At least five times a day, I would ask "how are we supposed to get that out of there?" and Rob would be right there, handing me some ingeniously self-designed tool that was absolutely perfect for doing whatever I needed to do. He has just about everything you could possibly want/need to work on a motorcycle, short of a socket long enough to take off that frickin' clutch boss nut. :) I spent about 12 hours a day in that garage, absorbing new material with Rob's help. He was there working on carbs at the same time he was helping me take my bike apart, and whenever I needed a little help he'd be very quick to come to the rescue.

By the way, we found out how the engine died pretty quick after we split the cases. The #2 connecting rod spun a bearing, and the rod became mangled and misshapen, punching a hole through the crankcase beneath the starter cover. Yes, I kept both the rod and the bearing. :)

I think this is all best described with a bunch of lists. Off we go.

Here's the work we did:

---------------------------------

-Replaced trashed 850 crank with 750 crank (thereby requiring 750 primary chain/clutch basket)

-Replaced all other worn engine parts from spare motors as neccessary

-Applied Marine-Tex to cover hole in crankcase

-Replaced worn clutch plates with Barnett racing clutch that just happened to be sitting around

-Exchanged cylinders and head with known good spares from Rob's other engines

-Had cylinders bored/honed for 900 kit

-Cleaned every single part we removed in a mineral spirits parts cleaner.

-Replaced steering head bearings (this one was a LOT more work than we bargained for... there was a gas welder involved)

-Cleaned every little nut and bolt on a wire wheel

-Repacked swingarm bearings

aightened every bent piece of metal on the bike (sissy bar, headlight ears, etc.)

-Painted almost EVERYTHING (triple clamps, frame, engine, swingarm, you name it

-Had shift fork, 2nd and 5th gears machined to spec

-Rebuilt starter ("Oh, by the way Rich, I rebuilt your starter." Jeeeeez)

-Removed ALL backyard wiring from myself and P.O., and replaced it with professional/permanent connections

-Replaced alternator field coil

-Replaced all shady nut/bolt connections with sturdy nuts/bolts

-Replaced one cam

-Replaced shims/buckets ("DAMN, we need one more 280")

-Checked valve shim clearance against 750 manual, then did it again with 850 manual (doh!)

-Rebuilt petcocks

-Bled/rebuilt front/rear calipers

-Re-routed wiring harness and all cables

-Replaced broken tail light bulb

-FIXED SECOND GEAR.

Second gear deserves its own little section here. When we split the cases, we saw a broken layshaft bolt (the bolt behind the clutch assembly that holds the layshaft in place), meaning the shaft was being held in place by a) the shift forks, b) the countershaft, c) the bearing on the other side, and d) happy thoughts. We looked up the part number for that bolt, and discovered that Yamaha had since revised it to a harder grade. Thanks a bunch, Yammie. :) We replaced it with the new, harder bolt. We also replaced the gears themselves, which had moderate wear on them. Rob had some pretty good looking gears from another case he had already split.

Also in question was the shift fork that seats into 2nd gear, as it seemed extremely worn down (but not bent). We took it to a welder, and had them tig weld little chunks of metal onto the ends of the fork, which Rob then ground down to spec. After that, it fit into the gear like a glove.

When it came time for an initial shakedown voyage around the block, second gear still leapt out of place. We pulled the motor and removed the sidecovers/clutch, and noticed that the nice new layshaft bolt was loose. We put locktite and a lock washer on it to ensure it wouldn't move again, and put it all back together again. No good. It felt like the gear was grabbing, but it couldn't hold up under hard throttle. To add insult to injury, I also couldn't downshift. :)

We called Wolf, who had had some 2nd gear trouble. He sent us pictures of a problem we didn't even think to consider... a worn shift drum. Sure enough, the photos showed a marked wear area in the fork guide, right where 2nd gear sits. Now we knew where to look.

We really didn't feel like splitting the cases again, so we got inventive. This is where we have something valuable to share with the list.

Here's how to get the layshaft out WITHOUT CASE SPLITTING: We took off the oil pan, sidecovers and clutch, and countershaft bearing cover. Once the clutch is out, loosen the layshaft bolt again. From under the oil pan, we removed the e-clip holding the lower shift fork shaft in place, and pushed it through (towards the right) until the shift fork came out. The layshaft is now held in place by 5th and 2nd gear. 5th can be removed very easily via the countershaft bearing cover, which has been documented on the triple site. Without the shift fork in place, though, second gear will come out the same way! Once 5th and 2nd gears are off the layshaft, a quick wiggle will get the whole shaft out of the case. Tadaaa! Disclaimer: I do NOT know if this works on 750s (see below)

Anyway... We didn't even have to take the whole shaft out. The shift drum wasn't the problem, it looked fine... But when I pulled the newer (replaced) 5th and 2nd gears out, I saw that they had already chewed themselves up. I figure this is because the layshaft bolt wasn't tight the second time around. It really doesn't take much effort to screw up those gears!! We had some more tig welding done on the 2nd gear dogs, and took 5th gear to a machine shop to get the engagement housings perfect. The freshly repaired shift fork had also worn down a little bit, but not too bad, so we reused it. After assembly, it was PERFECT. I now have a perfectly functioning 2nd gear that's even stronger than the original, because of that hardened bolt. You better believe I'll baby that gear.

One other thing we noticed... The layout of the shaft is different on the 850. The "shim/circlip" fix that is documented on the web page is only for 750s, as the 850 simply has the 2nd and 5th gears right next to each other. Looks like Yamaha got a little smarter there. That means, those of us with no 2nd gear on the 850s shouldn't even bother with the quick fix, as you won't find a shim to move... but at least we didn't have to split cases again.

While working, topics of discussion included, but were not limited to:

-What makes a good bike

-What makes a good wife

-I do believe we've missed beer thirty by at least five minutes

-The zen of working in a garage all day

-Can they ship overnight?

-Really, really awful puns

-I am the luckiest little bastard on this planet

-What the proper technique is, and what actually works

-id-10T errors

-Accepting and appreciating the basic human need for tangibility

-Business opportunities

-If one bearing is in California, and one is in Wisconsin, will they get here at the same time via UPS red?

-Interpreting seven-year-olds

-I can't believe that part was just sitting there on the shelf

-God, that food was great

-Josh, DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING! Please put that down! Gently!!

-Thinking outside of the box (Rob's favorite expression, AFAIK)

-The pros and cons of being an @$$hole

-I CANNOT BELIEVE that part was just sitting on that shelf. GOD put that there.

-Good driving music (you should see Rob dance to techno, it's a sight to behold)

Sound like fun? It was. This was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I am no longer afraid of taking things apart. Before this trip, I had never even pulled the carbs myself... Now I know how to diagnose and repair almost anything (although I still didn't take the carbs apart myself, I left that to the master).

EPISODE FOUR

6:31PM

Ask Rob how much I freaked out the first time that engine roared to life. Apart from a valve rattle, it sounds FANTASTIC. Meaty, majestic, and MEAN.

Rob and I took a little maiden voyage to Hard Rock Cafe in Atlanta, where they asked us to park inside... how's that for biker-friendly? I didn't, seeing as I was leaking oil (we had to take off/reapply gaskets so many times, I'm really not surprised. New ones are on the way). On the way I noticed the throttle a little hesitant at low revs, and Rob told me that's the nature of the Hitachi's. They are jetted for the stock exhaust (my carbs, by the way, are now BEAUTIFUL. They are midnight black with shiny chrome covers, matching the black/chrome of the rest of the bike. Y'all are going to go nuts giving Rob business when you see pics).

After a 150 mile run out in the country, we were pretty satisfied that the bike would make it. Rob, Josh and I got some late-night chinese food and high-tailed it back for one more peaceful night's sleep before heading out.

Joy snapped a couple of pictures, which I'm sure you'll all see sooner or later. Definitely the cleanest state the bike has ever been in... I had no idea how much of my bike wasn't actually black... :)

I headed out of GA at about 11am, much later than I was hoping (I tried once more, in vain, to fix that oil leak). I rode a straight 600 miles, finishing up my by-the-book break-in. I stopped in a shady little motel in Virginia that turned out to be part motel, part whorehouse. I couldn't have stayed at a worse place. I got one terrifying $20 offer from some white trash creature that looked like she was worth about $3.50, and who was later screaming at her shirtless, shoeless boyfriend, keeping everyone else up (her boyfriend was later arrested, so I got a little sleep). Needless to say, I was outside watching my bike for a good couple hours before I turned in.

The next day I finished up my ride without incident. My oil leak was ever-present, causing me to lose a half-quart every gas stop (about 100 miles). I arrived in NY 15 minutes late for my 6pm class. Overall, it was probably the most satisfying ride I've ever taken. I was riding a motorcycle that was just in a million pieces, by my own doing. With a lot of help, I had just taken it apart, fixed broken parts, and put it all back together, creating something even better than it was before. I now have a more powerful, more reliable, HAND-BUILT motorcycle with KNOWN GOOD parts. We gave that bike a refurbished soul I also now have the knowledge I need to keep it running for a long time to come, thanks again to Rob.

The Thank You Section:

----------------------------------

First and foremost, thanks to Robert P. Reil of motorcyclecarbs.com, who decided to help out someone in need, and went far beyond the call of duty. When it became obvious that the job would take longer than expected, he stepped right up to the plate.He went out of his way to donate parts, experience, time, and tutelage, when he could have been using his time to do any number of other things. Please see episode two for details.

Thanks to Joy and Josh, who provided me with food, comfort, and great company throughout the whole experience. Their hospitality is second to none, and I look forward to repaying their kindness somehow.

Thanks to Wolf, who was on the spot to provide detailed phone advice when we needed it.

Thanks to my parents, for supporting me with transportation and parts needs. They didn't need to help me, but they did. I will always respect them for humoring my obsession with a beat-up old motorcycle.

Thanks to the dude in the room below mine in Virginia, who called the cops on that drunken hick so I could get some sleep.

Thanks to Waffle House, for providing Rob, Joy, Josh and I with some high-quality grease-related nourishment that you just can't get up north.

And, finally, thanks to all of you listers. Without all the input I've gotten here, my glorious, reinvigorated beast of a motorcycle would have been in a scrapyard years ago.

That oughta do it, I guess. I hope I didn't leave anything out. Rob? :)

-Rich

EPILOGUE

6:41PM

So, Neptune now has a 900 kit and a working second gear, along with numerous other amenities that make it feel like a brand new bike. It's absolutely amazing.

There are, however, two issues that remain (apart from that 1/2 quart per 100 mile oil leak and having the wrong exhaust installed for the Hitachis).

1. The primary chain we put in is from a 750, and seems to skip a tooth under hard acceleration, especially at low rpms. It also makes a loud clack whenever I blip the throttle quickly at idle. Does anyone have a line on a good (newish) 750 primary chain, or know where I can get a new one at a ridiculously low price? :) I know Pat Sills was working on a primary chain tensioner... Pat, got any more of those? :)

2. There is a PHANTOM RATTLE coming from right around intake valve #3. Rob and I had the valve cover off 18 times trying to figure out what it was. The cam journals/bearings look fine, the buckets are all rotating smoothly, the cam chain is nice and tense, the valve shims are in spec, the springs are in good shape, it has great compression (210 PSI!!!!)... everything seems to check out. Nothing is rattling against the case (crashbar, etc). It REALLY sounds like it's coming from intake 3, but putting a stethoscope up to the valve/head area doesn't reveal a thing. Putting the scope on the cylinder area sounds very clean, too. Does anyone have any idea as to what it could be? Rob and I thought it might be the shady primary chain echoing up through the oil valley, but this sounds a little farfetched. It really sounds like something is loose under the valve cover... but NOTHING IS.

The rattle doesn't seem to affect performance at all, but it just doesn't sound good. Rob and I were confident when I left that it would be all right, since we checked it out backwards and forwards, but I am looking for ideas to increase my peace of mind.

RESPONSES

6/12/02

8:04PM

I have been reading this story with utter fascination. I must say that my experience with other triplers on the West Coast has been along similar lines. I doubt you could find two nicer people than Calvin and Cathy, as generous and good hearted as can be, and everyone else I have come to know with the triple group has been a great person to hang with.

It's always nice to read something that reaffirms my conviction that there *are* good people out there. Thanks to Rob/Joy/Josh for their hospitality to Rich, and to Rich for taking the time to write this out.

Giulio

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Giulio M. Ongaro (213) 740-3214

Associate Professor FAX:(213) 740-3217

Music History and Literature

School of Music

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA 90089-0851

"Filosofi, scritori, naviganti, pescaori,

a Venessia fasemo i gran signori."

Pitura Freska

6/12/02

11:36PM

So, not everyone is like Noo Yawkers? Ok...Some of the rest of the US is still closer to Mayberry RFD. Rob *does* seem to be a nice guy, though. Did he mention that he once had the right socket for the clutch basket nut, and one of our listers is now hoarding it? I guess some of the rest of the country *ISN'T* like Mayberry RFD after all!

Pat S

CBMMA #17

6/12/02

11:57

This story should go up on the triples site.... It highlights several of the reasons we all still are on the list Bob Ryan, think we can get it put on there?

Dave Muir

6/13/02

3:24AM

Your story is touching and reveals that there still are good people out there you have been very fortunate to find Rob and Joy and those on the list are fortunate that you shared you story. I have saved it and with your permission would like to use it in a book that I am putting together with other stories from triplers. Only a couple of others have answered but am hoping that some of the listers will come up with some good stories on why they ride triples, and other anecdotal stories.

What you have experienced the Marines call camaraderie or esprite de corps. You can't explain it but it is what makes us (Marines) the largest fraternity in the world.

You received a gift from Rob and Joy and their parents would/should be very proud of them. People like that do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do and not because it is expected or safe. My hat is off to them and to you if you can return one tenth of the kindness they bestowed on you.

Jim Smith

6/13/02

9:08AM

Wasn't there a movie out not long ago called, "Pay it Forward" that had a story line something along those lines (I didn't see it), "...if you can return one tenth of the kindness they bestowed on you."

That may be the way Rich can "repay" Rob & Family - by helping someone else out when in need - just as Rob did for him.

Rich's story was a good one. And I too, was glad to hear there are folks like Rob & Joy still walking among us....not merely existing in long-past stories & tales of yesterday. It warms us all and causes us to be better people to & for each other....

Ryan Wilke (XS-750-SE)

Stanton, Michigan

6/13/02

10:09AM

You better watch it, Rob, or you're going to have a line of refugees going out the door and around the block. And i'll be on eof them. I must say that this has been one of the more uplifting threads, giving hope to a mechanical ignoramous like myself. Rich, you must be living right.

Andy Vaughan

6/13/02

10:30AM

LOL. Andy. I have threatened Joy that I should post that I am all out of spare 850 parts. Lucky for Rich I have a 750D, 750E, 750F, 850G, a spare 850G motor, a spare 750SF motor w/o 2nd gear, and again a spare clutch for a 750. Rich was just at the right place at the right time. My only running bike is the 850G and i love that bike. It is solid and I trust it. Sure it needs Seargent to do the seat, a set of progressive front springs, the fox rear shock rebuilt, and a new left side cover but those are things I can live with.

The 750F was restored and blew up as most of you know in Durango Colorado last year. I will be using the SF motor for parts to get it back together and use Rich's traded in 850 top end that I swapped for my blown then repaired 900 cylinders. This will get that one on the road. By the way it will be for sale. I dont need so many triples. I need dirt bikes and safety gear for Joy and Josh, and a street bike for Joy. Shes a midlength legged 5'4 so the triple is just too tall for her. We are thinking 2 Shadow 700's to make one.

The 750E is a mess and was left outside for 10 years in the weeds. But it only had 10k on it. The 750D is a parts donor for the E and I have a full set of cosmetics to bring it back to life. It too will be for sale.

The 750D by the time the E, and F are done and gone will be just a hulk of a frame and 2 wheels with some rediculously pitted fork tubes. The tank has seen rain with no cap for years. Its garbage.

With all of this when rich called and said his bike was dead and the crank was locked up I did a quick mental inventory and saw that all I had to fix his was spare parts anyhow and that there would be enough parts no matter what happened to build a motor from scratch if we had to so I just couldn't bare to see a guy dead on the road. His only transportation, a carreer change, unemployed, etc. I have been there and someone was always there to help out. Plus Joy and I liked Rich when we met him in NYC. So we were looking forward to his arrival here anyhow. Plus he WAS going to clean carb bodies on the wire wheel for us for days on end. (he never did but that's ok, hes going to do graphics work in Photoshop for motorcyclecarbs.com). Well... It was just the right thing to do. As to lost days of work? We were slow when he got here and slow the whole time. i only had one job. I told Rich that not to worry cause when he leaves I will get slammed with work. Guess what? Im slammed with work now. Gee... I think someone above is again proving that he will be there when needed and is always looking out for me. Rich was a pleasure to have here and is welcome at any time.

Andy: As to inviting more refugees.. I would love to open a tutorial school on motorcycle mechanics, zen, karma fundamentals, relationship theories etc. But I can't afford it. Not that it cost me much cause Rich paid for all the parts and bought a few meals. But down time could be a problem but again I would always be open to fostering a wayward classic owner with the inclination to learn and patience to put up with an @$$hole like me <wink>. It is not about money. But some trade is always acceptable. Like cleaning carbs?? Got lots of aluminum bodies laying around here <hehehe>.

Rob,

I am glad that you helped Rich with his bike looking forward to meeting him at the Finger Lakes ride. I have enjoyed reading the story from him and it just goes to prove to me and everyone else that you are really a pussycat when it comes to your attitude! No matter how hard you try now we will all know that you have really got a heart of gold! I hope that there are more people like you that I get the opportunity to meet in the world. I know they are hard to find at times but they are out there!

I have a set of carbs that are gonna be heading your way sometime in the near future that I got with my 79 750. They are in pieces and I do not really think that I can work any kind of magick to put them back together so I am going to be donating them to you. I will be getting another set of carbs for the bike soon as I can.

John Rider