Blatherings From The Editor

Repairs

(January 2006) 

Just about everyone has had to get their ride repaired at some point in time.  Some little “thingy” decides to give up the ghost and you either have to repair it or replace it, depending on just what the thingy is/was.  Sometimes even the smallest thingy can sideline the whole bike.

     For example, we had a gas line quick disconnect break a month or six back.  Gas spewed all over our boots and pants.  With the possibility of a fire we decided to park and wait for a tow.  Small, unobtrusive part, but when it broke the whole bike came to a stand still. 

     We had a faulty wire connector cause the rear light fuse to repeatedly blow a few miles back.  Riding around without rear lights and no break light is a safety hazard that needed to be fixed.  Even worse, our intercom system is on that same circuit and we couldn’t communicate.  Now that needed immediate attention.  Traced it down to a bad crimp connector and easily fixed it beside the road.

     Then there are the failures that cause big trouble and need big repairs.  Coming back from Death Valley cylinder number four decided to break a ring and score the cylinder wall.  Compression went down and oil usage went up…way up.  To repair this breakage would require the engine to be removed from the bike and a new short block to be installed.  That was more than I wanted to do.  We replaced the bike.  First new BMW motorcycle we have had.

     Well now it has come time to repair the rider.  Ever here the story about the mechanic that was working on a heart surgeon’s bike and asked the question, “We both work on the heart and we both replace valves.  Why do you make so much more money than I do?”  The surgeon replied, “Try doing it with the engine running!”

     Next week I’m going to have a repair job done on my right shoulder.  Seems I have a spur in my shoulder that is pinching the cartilage that holds everything together.  With the help of an orthopedic surgeon and with the “engine” running, I hope to have a pain free right shoulder once again.  From what most folks say that have had this surgery, it’s no big deal.  Couple of weeks and you’re as good as new.

     Unfortunately there is the possibility that my shoulder has cartilage damage that will require much more extensive repairs.  If so, the recovery time could get into months rather than weeks, and that is scary.  Just how long can I go without going for a ride?  The thought of not riding for months is pretty daunting.  Still, when the machine is broke, you either repair it or replace it.  Time for a repair.  Deryle Mehrten, 1947 vintage going in for repairs.