Riding the map like she's stuck in it Inagural group ride Oyster Run 2002 Good riding good grin Road to the Oyster Run w/ChicPak Biker Fembot Stmble with Derby Woodburn Drags Oregon Hwy 53 RnR Guyemes Is. WA Drag Race Baby Yeah! Race Day Favorite Chopper

A long tale with a blissfull ending
Those who know me and have ridden with me have heard me refer to my 97 Sportster as a lil beotch. I have always said this because just like me, she hates the heat, is crabby and runs super hot and likes to spit a lot. This being my first Harley I have been told many times "get used to it Dear Harley's are like that, they run hot" this combined with being the least comfortable of the family a Sporty, I just accepted it. I had no other comparison so what else was I to do, but I allllllwwwwaaaayyysssss. thought that mine unparticular was hotter than anyone else's and just I just knew "something" can't be right. This Can't be what the norm temperature is, for the love. The summer time spit and cough over the years has led to what I thought were carburetion related issues ( so the bike wizards told me ) I went through more plugs than an a AHDRA racer, there have been constant mystery trips to the mechanic who by the time I got there usually would say "uh.. she seems to run fine to me." I have been re-jetted, dyno tested, been diagnosed with this and that and have filtered about 1000 different opinions of what my problem could possibly be. I have spent more money on my habit than a crack junkie, I have ridden stressed, compressed for whatever could be next, I have argued with boyfriends who also couldn't find anything and probably like earlier mechanics thought I was a hypochondriac. I wasn't far away from thinking I was cursed when after 7yrs ( combined ) all the mini symptoms led me to major repair and the worst few weeks ever. After a major tow home -109 miles to be exact - from what would be my last road trip on my lil beotch ever. I was at a new bike doctor and my little girl underwent valves and heads surgery and she was released with minor complications. Once I pick her up she is acting worse than ever and I only make it a few miles from the shop when I turn around. Many sun drenched hours later, I am officially beyond broke and have a case of heat stroke, But at that point I forgot my worries because my bike was running and it seemed to be over. NOT. Back to the doc I went 2 days later this time I had a fire in my eye that no tiger was going to escape. I came prepared with food, water and aspirin I was not going to leave until my Harley was fixed once and for all. Then I finally met a mechanic from Heaven who in a single stroke thought to check my timing. My plugs were jet black again and I gave him the lowdown. He knows his chit (he has a demeanor that was helpful and understanding- a breathe of fresh air) he has been doing this for over 10 years and is a certified mechanic, ok. He opened up the cover that my timing was in and low and fuking behold not only was the evidence there that no one have ever been in there before him but Harley Davidson had never timed the bike At All. My 1997 1200C from HD was born bad and sent off into the world in-complete. He says to me "has your bike always run really hot and intermittently for you" I of course give my most enthusiastic Yes. After he explained this all to me I was horrified/happy as my mind was racing on all that this explains. After a rather friendly show of expression to my new found God send and another set of plugs (this time with wires too) I hoped on the good foot and set out on my 1st motorcycle ride Ever. I was on a new bike, I could tell the difference immediately I also recently got a new front rim (the stock one -Harley-) was way dented. This combo nearly sent me over the 520 bridge and I was looking through cars and only saw the horizon I was cruising along smiling and in a daze so apparent that when someone honked at me with a thumbs up I was headed for the water. No problem the bike handled like a raped ape. This is an expression that 2 of my good friends used that same night that I thought was super ironic since they don't know each other. I thought before that I absolutely loved to ride and only worked so I could afford the next road trip, this has just advanced to a Red Alert now that I know what it really can be like. The karma is different. I am back (after so much time questioning myself, stressed and frustrated) I am feeling like a million bucks and more than that for a woman to be confirmed officially Not Crazy, well that speaks volumes. I leave for Sturgis in 9 days, it's all over but the beg, borrow and stealing but I can't wait. I plan to send this or a version of to Harley and see if it can at least get it published in the HOG newsletter, maybe there are others out there who just need to check there timing and save some time. Who knows what this could bring but I wanted to share it with my friends first especially those of you who have helped me over the years. Thank You.
~Reborn Saddle Tramp