My Indian
Scout started eagerly on that brisk Saturday morning. Moments later I was in
the saddle and rolling out bound for a weekend of fun. I rolled on the gas and took
the scout up to freeway speed. Headed again for Craig Dillmann’s place in
Chatsworth, which according to my now working speedo is 42 miles from my house?
Only took me 10 years or so to get that thing working J the weather was fine
and the scout was running well, to my disappointment though. Traffic was heavy,
moving good, but quite heavy. The kind of traffic that makes me start thinking
what am I doing out here on my antique? Oh the joys of living in LA.
Upon
reaching Craig’s place, I started shooting the breeze with friends. Not many
bikes I thought, but it was still early. Again to my disappointment, not many
did make it. We headed out with 6 machines and Mike Doom close behind in the
truck. We had a fun weekend with great riding, good company and weather too. No
breakdowns of any kind except in communications, that is. Which I must share
the blame for, sorry about that guys. More on that latter.
Lunch in
Ojai and then on to our dear friends, the Standley’s place for a little visit.
Both Lee and Dayl were there to greet us and so were three more of our club
members – much to our surprise! Unfortunately, all three were first time
attendees and not having done the ride before. None of them knew that the ride
started at Craig’s place. They had waited at the Motel 6 in vane for the ride
to start much to their dismay. At the appointed time, there were no machines
from the club to be seen. Again, sorry guys! I had noticed the flyer was a bit
brief for the run, but did not give it another thought. It won’t happen again,
I am sure I will make many more mistakes – give me timeJ, but not that one again.
Lee and
Dayl were in fine form though and I believe all enjoyed the visit. Lee had I
think 4 machines in his shop he was working on. At 80 years young, I do not see
him or Dayl slowing much at all. All too soon we were back in the saddle and
headed for Stearns wharf. A neat experience riding out on the pier with the old
machines. After some refreshments and relaxing, we headed for the motel. It was
dark now and as we got on the freeway, with Kevin Spears on his Harley J model
leading the way. More than one of us were grateful to Marc and Patty Gallin,
who took up the rear with their flashers flashing. I guess those modern
machines have their place J Just kidding Marc!
We had a fine dinner at the Palms and
then a few of us stayed alittle longer then possibly we should have at the bar,
but it was a good time.
Sunday dawned just as nice and we were on the road again. After
breakfest we were headed around beautiful lake Casitas, when Craigs Chief started making
some scarey noises. We pulled over and the experts came out of the wood work –
myself included. Sounds like you rear hub, no sounds like your primary, could
be your bottom end. Yep, I think its going to need a complete rebuild – its
shot! Right about then Mike Menezes starts shaking Craigs battery, which is
totally loose. His battery frog had come loose and rubed up againt’s his chain
on occasion – thus the terrible noise. Ok so some of us need a little work on
our diagnostic skills J
The ride was completed with out a single mishap, once again – our thanks
go out to Craig and Mike Doom, great job guys! As I approached home, just
getting off the freeway. My scout stalled at a light, then I noticed I was in
quite a bit of smoke. I was a bit stressed as I looked down at my poor scout,
it was smoking everywhere. I pulled over and started her back up and noticed
oil everwhere. A quick look in the tank and it was way down. Also almost no oil
returning to the tank. I shut it down and tried again, suddenly – I had a
steady stream of oil going back into the tank, not the little perkelation of
oil I am used to. After a bit of watching, I was confident things were ok. I
countinued on and arrived home shortly there after with 264 miles total from
once again – my working speedo J
Still have not cleaned her up from the ride yet, but she starts first
kick and seems fine. Thanks to all who attended and for those who did not. You
missed a great ride, hope to see more of you there next year, till then –
Tom.