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Ghost in the museum
Back from the Milwaukee tour and a great time. The ride on the !914 Ghost, Michigan to Milwaukee had me rolling through scenic autumn colors. Fire orange, Brilliant reds, bright green and stunning yellows with the look of fluorescence as the crystal clear blue sky allowed the sun to burn through the foliage, unnimaginable. I toured as many back and river side roads as possible. Yes the Ghost now has proven itself as a touring bike, handling, smooth running and comfortable one cannot ask for more out of a 96 year old bike from 2010.
I found myself lost (so what) until I stumbled across some fantastic twisties cork screwing up into hills. Things just keep getting better as the miles rolled along.
Once I reached Muskegon I had to locate the Lake Express boat dock. During this part of the ride I stumbled across Hot Rod Harley Davidson a dealership just a few miles down the road from the boat dock. Parking the Ghost outside the dealer emptied the facility. Some interisting people came to greet me and ask questions about my bike and ride. We had good conversations rolling along when I overheard a service man telling the other when you develop that picture (of my bike and I) to hang it on his tool box and attach a note saying "This is the definition of a real biker". After several conversations I was given instructions directing me to the boat dock and off I went on a new leg of my journey where I could have used a couple extra legs for this next event.
Arriving at the boat dock and purchasing a ticket across to Milwaukee left me with an hour and a half to relax and speak with the locals interested in what I had to say of the bike and ride. We were given warning of the rough conditions for the boat ride and that Dramamine was advised. I don't react well to creative chemistry so opted out of the motion sickness pills. Probably a big mistake, although while on the boat ride across Michigan Lake I was able to maintain my composure on the outside I cannot say the same about my insides. Note to self, perhaps Dramamine would be an easier substance to accept than the sea sickness so many others on the boat dealt with.
When we reached solid land and unloaded the Ghost I found myself in the dark cold rain following a local gentleman leading the way to the H.D. museum where I met up with Bill Rodencal and my friend Dan (of "World Wide Chicago" my cannonball sponsor, a machine tool distributor). We put the Ghost to rest in the museum, I change out of my ridding gear and we all went out for dinner.
The next couple days were business related in Illinois and then back to the Milwaukee Museum for an evening of Cannonball and Bill Rodencal. Bill had a slide and video show presentation prepared for about 200 paying guests along with a wet bar to entertain those with the thirst for adult beverages.
Things started out difficult for Bill and his interviewer with technical difficulties. Soon with the bugs worked out Bill ran off with a detailed recap of the Cannonball event. Bill has an excellent recall of the Cannonball event, people, their names and places he kept the attention of all the crowd. I don't think there was a yawn to be detected.
Bill commented a couple of times about my participation in the Cannonball event. One, my passing him at speed entering corkscrew twisties with Rocket Rex in chase on his GSX Suzuki. We did a disappearing act into the upcoming scenery. This was clearly a highpoint in Bills mind as was my final comment in Santa Monica "lets turn around and do it again" at that point Bill said never again, he later changed his mind.
With the satellite weather reporting 75% rain showers including thunder storms I managed to hitch hike a ride for the Ghost and myself home. I had not brought a rain suit and decided cold was one thing, rain was another, the two of them, not a pleasant thought. Dan arranged the first leg of my return trip and my Cannonball Pit Crew Chief Chris meet up with us to take care of the second leg of the return trip much like a relay race.
We stoped in Three Rivers Michigan and had another great meal at the Fischer Lake Inn Restaurant thanks to Jeff and Sharon for the great service. Perch dinner for all three of us, it was excellent a usual.
Now with around 4500 miles on the Gray Ghost it is time to think about exhaust valve seats. The seats were found sunken deep when we originally built the engine. I have now lost about .028" adjustment on my exhaust valve lash caps. New exhaust valve seats are becoming necessary. This is a delicate operation on !914 and earlier cylinders, any experience suggestions out there?
Joe
Back from the Milwaukee tour and a great time. The ride on the !914 Ghost, Michigan to Milwaukee had me rolling through scenic autumn colors. Fire orange, Brilliant reds, bright green and stunning yellows with the look of fluorescence as the crystal clear blue sky allowed the sun to burn through the foliage, unnimaginable. I toured as many back and river side roads as possible. Yes the Ghost now has proven itself as a touring bike, handling, smooth running and comfortable one cannot ask for more out of a 96 year old bike from 2010.
I found myself lost (so what) until I stumbled across some fantastic twisties cork screwing up into hills. Things just keep getting better as the miles rolled along.
Once I reached Muskegon I had to locate the Lake Express boat dock. During this part of the ride I stumbled across Hot Rod Harley Davidson a dealership just a few miles down the road from the boat dock. Parking the Ghost outside the dealer emptied the facility. Some interisting people came to greet me and ask questions about my bike and ride. We had good conversations rolling along when I overheard a service man telling the other when you develop that picture (of my bike and I) to hang it on his tool box and attach a note saying "This is the definition of a real biker". After several conversations I was given instructions directing me to the boat dock and off I went on a new leg of my journey where I could have used a couple extra legs for this next event.
Arriving at the boat dock and purchasing a ticket across to Milwaukee left me with an hour and a half to relax and speak with the locals interested in what I had to say of the bike and ride. We were given warning of the rough conditions for the boat ride and that Dramamine was advised. I don't react well to creative chemistry so opted out of the motion sickness pills. Probably a big mistake, although while on the boat ride across Michigan Lake I was able to maintain my composure on the outside I cannot say the same about my insides. Note to self, perhaps Dramamine would be an easier substance to accept than the sea sickness so many others on the boat dealt with.
When we reached solid land and unloaded the Ghost I found myself in the dark cold rain following a local gentleman leading the way to the H.D. museum where I met up with Bill Rodencal and my friend Dan (of "World Wide Chicago" my cannonball sponsor, a machine tool distributor). We put the Ghost to rest in the museum, I change out of my ridding gear and we all went out for dinner.
The next couple days were business related in Illinois and then back to the Milwaukee Museum for an evening of Cannonball and Bill Rodencal. Bill had a slide and video show presentation prepared for about 200 paying guests along with a wet bar to entertain those with the thirst for adult beverages.
Things started out difficult for Bill and his interviewer with technical difficulties. Soon with the bugs worked out Bill ran off with a detailed recap of the Cannonball event. Bill has an excellent recall of the Cannonball event, people, their names and places he kept the attention of all the crowd. I don't think there was a yawn to be detected.
Bill commented a couple of times about my participation in the Cannonball event. One, my passing him at speed entering corkscrew twisties with Rocket Rex in chase on his GSX Suzuki. We did a disappearing act into the upcoming scenery. This was clearly a highpoint in Bills mind as was my final comment in Santa Monica "lets turn around and do it again" at that point Bill said never again, he later changed his mind.
With the satellite weather reporting 75% rain showers including thunder storms I managed to hitch hike a ride for the Ghost and myself home. I had not brought a rain suit and decided cold was one thing, rain was another, the two of them, not a pleasant thought. Dan arranged the first leg of my return trip and my Cannonball Pit Crew Chief Chris meet up with us to take care of the second leg of the return trip much like a relay race.
We stoped in Three Rivers Michigan and had another great meal at the Fischer Lake Inn Restaurant thanks to Jeff and Sharon for the great service. Perch dinner for all three of us, it was excellent a usual.
Now with around 4500 miles on the Gray Ghost it is time to think about exhaust valve seats. The seats were found sunken deep when we originally built the engine. I have now lost about .028" adjustment on my exhaust valve lash caps. New exhaust valve seats are becoming necessary. This is a delicate operation on !914 and earlier cylinders, any experience suggestions out there?
Joe
It's cool to hear the little details that don't make the press! How long did it take you to wipe the grin from your face after the encounter with the southern belle? Junior Samples? Sounds like you hit the set of Hee Haw....
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