Last Ride Of The Season

I think I had my last ride of the season last Friday. The day started out raining with some patches of fog. Around noon the sun broke out of the clouds and the temperature rose to the middle forties. I don't ride the scoot anymore when the temp goes below 40° or when the first salt is spread out onto the roads. I ride for fun not out of necessity and any temp. below 40° is not fun any more.

I have a feeling I had my last detail job last week so I think it is time to do the last detail for the season on mine. The fuel tank has only about a half a tank of gas. I can't store the bike with only a half a tank of gas, so I thought it would be a good excuse to take it for a ride. I waited for the sun to dry up the streets before I took the scoot to the gas station. I put some fuel stabilizer in the tank before I left so it could get mixed up with the new gas. I rode for around an hour before going home.

Since Friday the weather was below 40° and last night the temp was in the 20° range with some snow showers. So my mind was made up, I'm going to detail the scoot today, Monday, and put it to sleep till spring. I may do some mods. over the winter but all and all I'm going to say good bye, to my old friend, till Spring.

A couple of weeks ago while riding, my new chrome horn cover fell off the bike. After loosing my last horn and cover I wasn't a happy camper. Read Post from, 09/29/2008. I had some two sided tape holding it to the horn. I was going to get some Allen head screws to match the Willie G. Skull medallion screws that I attached to the cover but I had no time. Thinking that the tape would work for now the cover came off anyway, rolled down the road on it's edge and stooped in the middle of the road, face up. I pulled over as fast as I could and ran over to the cover before someone ran it over. I picked it up and looked it over and the whole edge of the cover was nicked up. The chrome was ruined. But I had a stroke of luck. The medallion had not one scratch on it.

When I got home I took a better look at the cover and there was no way I could save the thing. I will have to buy a new chrome cover but I don't want to spend any more money on this horn. I looked at it again and said to myself why not sand out the scratches and paint the cover black. I have some gloss black automotive paint in a spray can on the shelf so I got it out sprayed some on a piece of metal and let it dry. It was a very close match to the black on the bikes frame.

I sanded the scratches out of the cover, taped over the skull medallion and sprayed the cover and let it dry. Boy! It came out perfect. It looked like I purchased it at the dealer. The cover and medallion being chrome, the skull was kind of washed out. (Look at photos from the Post mentioned above). But now with the horn cover black the skull really stands out. I was saved this time.
This could have been a costly mistake.

Check my Post from, 09/29/2008, to see the difference. Chrome versus Black.




Meaning Of The Day: Farkles - (accessories). Things that can be added to your bike that make it more useful, versatile, or attractive. The price of which often exceeds the original purchase price of the bike.

Now You Know, Biker Joe