9.25am - Wake up and flick on the kettle as I'm heading for the garage. Leap down the stairs, throw open the door. Phew ! Its still there.
..... and then I see the two little puddles of oil.
Not going to panic just yet. I was very gentle on her so I know nothing broke last night. Could just be she was over-full and the oil breather has done its work. Going to make coffee and go buy a race stand so I can work out hwats going on. Anyone who was going to meet me at Road Warriors today should probably check back at this post before leaving.
The older I get, the better I was. Regards.... Rob
I'm so happy for you. I still remember the grin from my first busa, one part excitement, three parts rictus of fear. The ratio has changed a little now, but the grin remains.
You make me remember why we ride.
Heidi... don't mind admitting.... was shitting myself riding out of John's shed. Very potent mixture of excitement and fear. At one point, I forgot to turn on the ignition when I tried to fire her up. Ruffy looked at me sympathetically, reached across, turned the key and said "Give it a try now mate".
However, having made it to the street and into 2nd - the bliss started, as did the stupid grin that stayed on my face for the 200 odd kms I covered last night. Within a minute, it was as though Astrobusa MkI was back under me and everything flowed from there.
11.05 am - Heading out to Col at 10/10ths to have this leak checked out. I know its going to something really minor, so I'm not freaking about it - just want to get it sorted and go for another ride. YeeeHaaa ! The older I get, the better I was. Regards.... Rob
Dr. Col had the patient back on her wheels in a pretty short amount of time. Ruffy and I had planned a blat down the Old Road, enjoying the twisties and scenery. Unfortunately, what he got was straight roads, traffic and a tour of Westfields Liverpool (while Col was doing his thing). There is no apt comparison between those two ride scenario's. Only a bloody good bloke would have endured it. Thanks again for the company John. Much appreciated.
4.57pm - Rolled into the driveway. Opened the garage door. The CBR isn't speaking to me. I think jealousy has set in. Just sat there on her side-stand and ignored me. I tried to make her feel loved, but she just shouldered me off. Now I'm getting the silent treatment (now I know why riders usually refer to bikes in the feminine). I've had this treatment before. You just know another relationship is going to end badly. Only difference is..... you can put your bike on eBay... but apparently, not your girlfriend.
Bonus !
Looking forward to a weekend on two wheels. Got two bikes to choose from, but theres not much doubt about who gets to come riding.
Ahhhh..... looks like its time to eBay. Sad but true. I hope she goes to a good home.
The older I get, the better I was. Regards.... Rob
Thats the way ASTRO, tell it like it is.
A cold night on the road certainly makes you feel like a biker doesn't it!
It will be a shame for you to have to work tomorrow but Sunday is never too far away.
As I usually advise "Unleash the beast, but stay in control"
Rgds BUSGO
"TAKE MY ADVICE"
I'm not using it anyway!
Thanks all.
M8EE... yes she got here in one piece. Thanks again for the big assist with transport.
Busgo... rides like that really remind me of how true the old "Mind over matter" statement is. In my head I was warm, happy and enjoying the ride. The fact that my body was screaming out for respite from the chill (which must have been well below 0 for most of the run home) didn't really register until I stopped in the driveway. Being unable to steady your hand sufficiently to remove the key from the ignition is usually a good indicator you're freezing. The older I get, the better I was. Regards.... Rob
Me gets the feeling Astro u is a bit excited with your new delivery, at first site congrats from a fellow black/purple.
Correct oldmanbusa ! As time passes, it just gets better and better... The older I get, the better I was. Regards.... Rob
by the way astro is talking im wondering how he gets close enough to the tank to ride the damn thing sounds good mate keep up the good(safe) riding come for a run down to canberra on the 19th as magot1300 might be coming up from melb and some of the guys here in canberra were gonna do a coast run for lunch then back ride from canberra to the coast and back is about 3 hours all up plus lunch stop
Fastest member of the canberra chapter......thats not saying much for canberra
Dan... I do plan to get down to Canberra this year for a weekend. As well as Adelaide.
Was out riding with Ruffy today. Geeze that guy can corner ! He was quick before, but since Graeme (1HotBusa) redid all his suspension on Saturday - he's on fire ! Or possibly, I'm just a whimp. I'm going to need a lot more time in the saddle and some stickier tyres (currently OEM BT056's) before I start trying anything too spectacular. Mind you, I do intend to be nearer the rear of the pack than the front.
I love this bike even more than my first one. We've done 500km together this weekend (which equates to one fifth of the total mileage its done in its first 2 years of life - odo now reads just under 3000km).
The older I get, the better I was. Regards.... Rob
what a great read....
well done Astro... It brought back memories of when I picked up my brand new busa from the shop.... oh what joy !!
Have you got anymore pics mate.. Cheers.Grantwww.blingpartsaustralia.com.au
Steady on Astro - Graham's tweaking did nothing for the handling, I got that from the bits that I "swapped" from your bike whilst it was in my "care" last week
How did u know I was on fire - you couldn't even see me from that far back u purple bastid.
I was going to do the "GO SLOW MOD" for you but that comes standard on the purple ones
Can we still be friends?
Cheers Ruffy
Mac... err... in my excitement about picking the bike up from Ruffy's .... errr... I left my didi camera in his shed. Doh ! There will be more photo's.... errr.... eventually.
Ruffy... you'd have to try a bloody lot harder than that mate. Of course we're still friends ! Besides, if you swapped my go-fast bits with your clapped out red/black bits... no wonder you blitzed me !
Note : I like to write and I like to ride, so I'm hoping to bring you a 'blog' of the longer rides I do in future. Currently planning a run up to Port Macq (and the Oxley of course) for sometime in the next month. Can't wait to do a couple of runs thru the Buladelah bends ! I'll post an open invite when I've got a date worked out. The older I get, the better I was. Regards.... Rob
Well... the old girl was ridden away by a mate of her new owner this evening. Really brought a lump to my throat - she's been with me for 10 years. Even during the 15 months I didn't officially own her (when I had the busa and sold her to my best mate) she always lived in my shed. Then when the 'busa had to be sold (economic circumstances), she was mine again for the last couple of years. She never let me down and we had a hell of a lot of good times together during those 10 years.
Could hear the guy caning her up the hill and for a km or so until he got over the crest - my poor baby ! (But geeze those Staintunes sounded good !)
She's off to a new home in Packenham Victoria on Friday. If you see an immaculate red/black 1990 CBR1000F on your weekend jaunts down there, blow her a kiss for me as you overtake. Keep an eye out for her Volvi !
I was sitting in the loungeroom... kinda low, not saying much, off remembering some of the great rides I'd had on the old girl. Amelia (current g/f who is also about to depart - heading off to do the career thing overseas) walked off with a big sigh. Now I'm on the lounge by myself, thinking... oh crap... now I'm gonna get the "Its just a bike... get over it numbskull !"
Next thing I know, theres a helmet tossed into my lap and my riding jacket over my head and then I heard the best idea I'd heard all day.... "Go for a ride on the new one honey.... the haya-whatsis - it'll make you feel better"
So I did... and it did work a treat. Came home giggling... again. I always come home giggling on the new bus.
Shit, I'm gonna miss that girl. Actually, I'm gonna miss both of 'em.
But.... my beautiful bus will keep me warm ! The older I get, the better I was. Regards.... Rob
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