Several weekends ago I drove down to Calgary to pick up my '79 R65. Practiced in the parking lot to get a feel for the bike. Lots of circles and figure-eights, and rode up and down the quiet street, pretty excited with a broad grin hidden under my helmet. Until I stopped to wait for a truck to park itself, then proceeded to stall the bike, which in turn refused to start because of the battery. The repair shop was embarrassed and found an extra battery which they promptly installed and I rode on my way to fill up the tank. Rode back to mum's house in high spirits. The R65 and I are meant to be together. I miss riding a motorbike, I believe the R felt it too........it wanted to stretch its legs along endless roads. The spirit of adventure has taken hold of us. Next year, we'll explore the far reaches of Alberta.
I awoke Sunday morning, bags packed, a few spare parts in the cases, mum's bits of lunch crammed in here and there for my journey north. Beautiful morning. Quiet, city traffic asleep. Birds singing. Cases attached, riding gear at the ready, garage door opened, mum standing by......and I tried to start the bike. I tried again. And again...click, click, click.....another discharged battery. The repair shop forgot to recharge two batteries. Pulled the dry cell battery from the R, read the manual of my new battery charger - do not charge dry cell batteries with this charger. A new battery is on order.
The mechanical adventure continues, I shall let you know the outcome
:^)
