The road is my middle name…

With  a sad heart, I bid farewell to my favorite uncle. My Uncle Jake passed over to rider’s heaven this morning after a prolonged illness and disability.

Uncle Jake is the reason I ride. A very long time ago when I was almost 6, he came to visit us. After he arrived at our house on his Harley dresser, I begged and begged for a ride. Finally, my mother gave in and Uncle Jake introduced me to the seduction of motorcycling. Uncle Jake rode for pleasure and he was also a motor officer.  Of the many assignments over his police career, that was his favorite. Now that I ride I understand why.

Not long after Pearl came into my life, we rode over to visit Uncle Jake so he could see the fulfillment of that dream sparked so many years ago. Growing up, I told him frequently that someday I would get my own Harley and ride too. I’m not sure he really believed me. The look on his face when I pulled into their driveway that day is the way I will remember  him always. Physical disabilities ended his motorcycle riding many years ago, but somehow when I was there with Pearl, it was like our first ride…

Rest in peace Uncle Jake. I love you.

Thermometer pegging 70 and clear blue skies - a perfect south Florida day to ride. Pearl and I headed out this morning toward the beach. No sign of the alien vehicle from last week. That one’s going to be chalked up to “resides in the hard drive to talk about when I’m 100″ so I can confuse the heck out of people. Some things are better left a mystery anyway…

A1A headed north was closed at Sunrise and the police were re-directing traffic back to US1. I headed north on US1 and took the next major road north back to the coast and headed South to see what was going on.

On the drive back south, Pearl and I stopped for a bit to soak up some sun and surf just north of Ft. Lauderdale.

We had some wind gusts last weekend that also produced 5-7 foot swells. It looks like all that weather pushed a lot of sand into the road. Can you imagine what it looks like after a hurricane?  The crews were working hard to get things back to normal.

I’ve lived in the Ft. Lauderdale area for 3 ½ years now and have never explored some of the neighborhoods along the ubiquitous canals that give the area its personality. Like a deformed giant with hundreds of fingers on each hand - canals everywhere you look. And not just any old canal either - these canals harbor some really big boats.

While most of us have a back yard with grass, a patio or deck; maybe a pool - how about this instead?

Ok, so I admit I’m partial to sailboats.

It was fun to ride in these neighborhoods and imagine what it’s like to be rich. But then again, I have Pearl and my freedom - all the riches I need.

You know the old fisherman’s tale about the big one that got away. No fish, no picture, no proof?

Pearl and I headed out for a short ride along the coast on A1A last Sunday morning. The ride was supposed to be just long enough to shake off the last of the work week stress and still leave enough time to get everything done on my to-do list. I packed the Nikon, a bottle of water, my wallet, phone and a hat into the new tank bag and we took off.

Pearl and I are cruising along A1A between Dania and Ft. Lauderdale beach. This stretch is not much to look at - store fronts and the airport until you get to Las Olas and head east to the beach again. Wait… What the f*? I see this vehicle headed south (of course I was headed north) that looked like something out of a 50’s sci-fi movie. The thing looked like ancient Siamese twin station wagons coated all over with silver paint. And not just paint, but every kind of silver automotive part you could imagine attached in various artistic sculptural ways. It had a column of about 6 different mirrors on the driver’s side and some kind of revolving antennae on top. There is no way I can adequately describe this vehicle. Only a picture would tell the story. So I made a U-turn at the next available intersection and went in search of the mystery vehicle.

After about 10 miles, I decided I had missed the opportunity and headed east back toward the beach and then back north to ride my original route along Ft. Lauderdale beach. And there it is again! I had to turn around again and finally caught up with it. I slung the Nikon around my neck at the next red light and prepared to capture the “sighting”. We finally ended up side by side at a red light and I poised the camera only to realize that I had no battery juice and no spare. And so the big one got away. Maybe I’ll see it again this weekend and you can bet I’ll have a fully charged battery this time!

As I sit here watching most of our stuff get loaded into the moving truck I’m trying to keep busy and stay out of the way. May as well tell the rest of the Key West saga.

Pearl is with the mechanic today and the insurance adjuster is coming back for a second look and a chat with Ken. Seems it will cost a tiny bit more to fix the gas tank blemish. I’m considering a small custom paint job to paint an artsy bandage over the spot. It may not do much for resale value, but then I plan to have Pearl with me forever so that doesn’t matter. It sure would be a conversation starter and add to her character. It’s kind of like the scars and gray hair that mark our passage through this life. Each comes with a story and bragging rights.

Turns out that Iron Pony had a battery cable barely clinging to life. The connector was hanging on to the cable by just a couple of brittle wires. See the few strands that still have copper color? Those were the only connections to the battery.

At least that explains the mystery of why G got some power when he sat down hard on the bike. It was just enough pressure to make contact for a second. First round of trouble shooting is to examine all the cables and wiring, but we would never have thought to look there. The mechanic finally found it when he started taking things apart. Oh well, as I’ve said many times - all things for a reason. While Iron Pony was in the shop, he got some new shocks and is all ready for some late fall riding in his new NC home. Too bad Pearl and I will still be in FL for a while… Tenuous economy, layoffs, and life changes - all things for a reason. I’m learning to let life play out as it will - have no control over it anyway. Just be sure to get plenty of road therapy with Pearl as we navigate through it.

In spite of that pain-in-the-ass of that weekend, we did spend a little time walking through old Key West and got a few pictures. For some reason I’m always drawn to the bicycles of Key West.

How ’bout that Mercedes hood ornament?

Just hangin’ out.

Where was this beauty when I was a girl?

Fun paint job!

Love the architecture and old buildings. This old house just needs some TLC.

Great gingerbread and a second look when we saw the manikin dressed up as a woman with her spyglass out on the widow’s walk.  I always see things in KW that remind me that a sense of humor is priceless and art and creativity have no bounds.

Just an old fence or the keeper of this property’s secrets?

And finally, on the way out of town we stopped to pay our respects to a lost landmark. I got my first Mama Joes T-shirt before I got my first motorcycle. Never know these days if choices like this are voluntary. I wish them the best.

One thing I know for certain. Life keeps changing and always will. Mostly it brings new people and adventures and fun. Growth and learning. Love and laughter. So many great roads to travel. And what better way to live life than in the saddle of our motorcycles?

It’s been a long day and we pull into the driveway at last. Too bad our work is not done. The trailer is loaded with  other toys  - a four wheel ATV, kayak, my bicycle,  the pressure washer. Other stuff that just seems to accumulate. G-Dog (my bad; I referred to him as G-Man in the last post - I’m only married to him - you’d think I’d know this stuff by now) unloads the trailer and I start counting straps. We’re missing a set. Oh I remember; they’re still in the car from taking our daughter and her Buell back to school a few months ago. Trailer hooked up to the car, all lights working and all straps accounted for. G-Dog calls to change his flight arrangements. Again, we experience the kindness of strangers - the person he talks to saves us some money. Now we can relax a bit and get some sleep. It’s going to be an early day making the trek back down to Key West.

We pull out by 8 am and make good time. The sun and water dazzle as the day before - tough to watch other bikes pass us - sigh….

Arrive around noon and stop to gas the vehicles before dropping off the rental car.  A quick phone call to the towing service guys to open the gate. We get the bikes loaded and secured and the experienced tow driver offers to back it out for us. Thank You! G-Dog had already tried to maneuver the trailer around in this tight space. Watch out for that 5 foot drop off disguised by tall grass - this could have been an even more dramatic story.  When it takes the experienced truck driver a few tries to get the trailer backed out of the compound, I feel a little better about my own trailer backing skills.

Lunch time and  G-Dog has a great idea - let’s stop at No Name Pub. What a great idea. It’s amazing how fast time goes by. I thought we’d been there only a year ago. Turns out it’s more like 2 years! How does that happen? We enjoy lunch and their signature Amber Ale. We tried to find the dollar bill tacked on the ceiling 2 years ago, but it was already covered over. Content with full bellies we make the rest of the long drive home.

Ken, our mechanic and the best around, agreed to meet us at his shop. Iron Pony safely in Ken’s service bay,  we head home with Pearl - are those tears I see? She doesn’t like separation any more than I do. But we’re big girls and we’ll make the best of it.

Back home, we reverse yesterday’s drill - get the trailer back in the garage and re-load the toys. G-Dog runs the ATV around the block a few times - you have to play with the toys once and a while - and drives it up on the trailer. Button up everything, soak in the hot tub for a bit and then snuggle in for the night. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. What a long weekend! We drift off to sleep tucked in close to one another…

A few hours later I wake up - my throat and nostrils on fire.  “G, do you smell gasoline?”  We walk down the hall toward the garage as the fumes intensify. WTF? It’s 1:30 in the morning, we’re both exhausted from weekend drama that’s already unfolded and now there’s gasoline all over the garage. Apparently the ATV decided it was a good time to let us know it had a problem. Our cop neighbor was up late and came over to see what was going on - “You guys are never up this late. Everything ok?” Thank You. Again, the kindness of others. Eric helps G-Dog drain the tank and clean up the gas out of the garage so I could go back to bed. Those knights in shining armor - gotta love them.  Next day the ATV goes to the doctor too.

While G takes the ATV for service I take a walk. And then I see it - the reason for at least some of the weekend calamity. Since G has been living and working in a different state, I’ve been taking care of all things at home. If G’s bike had not been disabled, we would not have moved the ATV off the trailer and its problem would have manifested another time - like when I would have to deal with it by myself. I may be a strong and independent woman - but that would have put me over the deep edge - sent me to the funny farm. And so it turned out that everything was taken care of when I had the love of my life there to help - a much better scenario… For all of us.

Still not sure about the reason for the damage to my bike, but I did file an insurance claim. Maybe someday I’ll understand this too. In the meantime,  we’re waiting to hear about  Iron Pony and the ATV…

So we find open spots in motorcycle parking in front of the old town hall, just down the street from Sloppy Joe’s. It’s mostly mopeds, a few motorcycles and we’d parked there before. This works. Stow our gear and head over to Hog’s Breath for a cold one, a bit of lunch and a lot of entertainment. This was supposed to be a day trip, so we head back to the bikes after lunch. G: “what the h*ll, why’s my mirror cocked like this?” Me: “Did you bump it on the way out?” G: “No, and take a look at your seat and gas tank - someone went between our bikes with something sharp.” Me: “My sexy seat - it’s ruined. That kind of tear means I’ll have to get it re-covered. Damn, I’ve only had it a few months. And that gouge in the gas tank goes down to the metal.” We’re still trying to figure out why someone would go between the bikes - especially since they were on the end of the row. Couldn’t walk around? Probably some drunken fool with no sense.

After that shock we go to fire up the bikes and Iron Pony refuses to start. This is not funny - AAA coverage is only 100 miles, we’re 180 miles from home and G has a flight back to NC tomorrow morning. Guess again. Sure glad we asked our pet sitter to check in on the dogs for us since we would get home late. Seriously though, road coverage for the bikes was the best investment we made this year. Whether with AAA or some other company, get it - it’s paid for itself two times over so far.

Waiting for the tow truck to arrive, we evaluate our options. Can we tow it all the way home? Probably not since the towing company is local. Can G ride bitch all the way home? Really? Does the tow company have a secure lot we can leave the bike overnight? We’ll have to get a rental car. Do I ride my bike home alone in the dark or leave both bikes and drive together in the rental car?

When the tow truck arrives, we make arrangements to leave both bikes in their storage area. Here’s where you gotta love the kindness of strangers. They let us leave the bikes overnight free of charge. Plus they gave us a phone number to call so someone could unlock the gate when we brought my bike back after getting the rental car and the next day when we returned with the trailer.

And G actually does ride bitch on my bike for the first time ever to get the rental car.  You know, you see a lot of weird stuff in Key West, but I think this was over the top for a lot of people - it’s not every day you see a guy riding behind a woman on a motorcycle - we sure got a lot of second looks. So glad we decided not to do that all the way home!

Rental car secured and Pearl tucked up next to Iron Pony in the lot, we (finally) head home.

One of my most sacred beliefs is that everything happens for a reason and this was no different. It just took another 24 hours to understand why…

We’re two months into an 800 mile, three state separation. The “Great Recession”  strikes again. Layoffs and RIF’s have touched most everyone we know - then it was personal. Twelve weeks without a job. Only viable option was the offer in NC. Too bad we live in Florida. I stick with my FL job and my husband charts a new course in NC. Not ideal, but the bills are paid.

G-man was home this past weekend so we planned some serious snuggle time and with a favorable weather forecast on the horizon, logging some miles on the bikes - finally. Spent Friday on stuff that needed to get done and some relaxing beach time. The weekend is starting out just right…

Checked over the bikes Saturday morning - tire pressure, fluids, you know the drill - pack the rain gear just in case. Water, first aid kit, snacks. A quick stop at the corner gas station, out on the road - the first adrenaline rush after a (too long) dry spell exhilarates.  East for about 5 miles, south on Route 27 to 997 - lusty siren song of Key West beckons. This day was more about the ride; longed for and requisite asphalt therapy. Destination: joy. Down Krome Avenue into Homestead. Cross over to Card Sound Road - over the bridge and into the upper keys. Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, 7 Mile Bridge, past No Name Key and the Key Deer Habitat. Baby’s Coffee - almost there - the miles click off as stress and fears evaporate. Azure sky, puffy white clouds, water all around - shades of turquoise, green, blue, teal - sparkling and dancing in the bright sunlight. Sea spray tickling the nose, clearing the sinuses - pungent salt on wind parched lips - skin tightening under abundant sunshine.  Calling out to play - to live - to feel. How to capture this sensual experience in a digital file? For now words fill the void. Stay in the now - because now is perfect. Future - not so much…

A hectic month and a crazy life. Between my girls going back to college and moving into new living quarters, my hubby’s new job in a new state and taking care of the house and pets alone for a while, there’s not much time for riding.  I’ve had something every weekend so far and the last 2 weekends are a wash with no riding on the horizon. I have only the short 6 mile commute to work and back. Really need some serious asphalt therapy.

Anyone going to Biketoberfest in Daytona in October?

The new seat arrived. And immediately prompted the purchase of more chrome. Why of course I need the mid-frame covers.  And why not order those new engine guards that I’ve been wanting for some time? Oh, and don’t  forget the chrome bolt covers.

I love the sleek new look the seat gives my bike, but I ended up putting the sissy bar, luggage rack and bag back on to have some storage for my daily commute.  I’m a lot closer to the handlebars with the new seat, so now I might want to try forward controls. My mechanic thinks that I would love 13″ ape hanger bars for riding comfort…

Once you start, does it end?

Dissatisfied with the service you get at a dealer? Trouble finding a decent mechanic? What if you found a great mechanic?

We arrived in South Florida naked - no friends, family or support group of any kind. When our cars and motorcycles needed service those first few months, we used the Mickey-D approach. You know the Mickey-D approach - McDonald’s may not be the best food out there, but at least you know what to expect. After the first fleecing at the local HD shop, I began searching for a local mechanic. While in a cycle shop one day I asked if they could recommend a good mechanic. A gentleman within earshot introduced himself and handed me his card. Ever since meeting Ken, the family bikes have been entrusted to his expert care.

Meet Ken - owner of Ken’s Cycle Center in Davie, Florida. Friendly and genuine, Ken’s warmth turns strangers into friends in minutes. One of those rare individuals who exude honesty, intelligence, and competence, I knew I’d found someone I could trust.

Ken’s expertise runs from routine service to custom fabrication and painting. For the last three years, Ken has serviced, repaired, and improved all our motorcycles and ensured our ongoing safety on the road. Ken’s not just a mechanic - he’s an artist with a passion for his work.

Last year Pearl suffered a bearing failure in one of her cams. In spite of a valiant fight, she died just as I pulled into Ken’s shop driveway. His precision diagnostics and skilled surgery made her better than new. A testament to his honesty, Ken saves replaced parts for his customers to inspect after repair. As Ken patiently explained to me what was replaced, how it works, and what went wrong, the part turned into a personalized education about my bike. The old cam is now a prize sitting on my desk at work and a surefire conversation starter.

Ken’s excellence brings people and their bikes to him from all over Florida. On the day my daughter and I were in the shop interviewing Ken for this article, he had just completed a three wheel conversion for Willy 9 Toes of Key West, Florida. Willy is adjusting to life without one of his big toes and was concerned about balance. That’s what makes Ken great - his holistic approach to the bike/rider partnership. He identifies his customer’s needs and creates customized solutions. Ken’s customer service is so personal that it includes rescuing fallen bikes when needed.

Every bike in Ken’s shop has a story - and if it has a long history with him, a photo album too. The picture of Willy’s bike as just a frame sitting in the middle of the shop spoke a thousand words. A bike built by parts - now look at it - beautiful. On the day of my visit there were three trikes in the shop along with other bikes in various stages of customization and restoration.

Working alongside Ken is Rooster - a man who expresses enthusiasm, confidence and intelligence in his craft. Personable and knowledgeable, Rooster is a certified master mechanic for Harley Davidson and Buell and a retired racer.

Talking about his racing days really piqued my daughter’s interest. He recommended the Penguin racing school as a good place to get started. This traveling school comes to Florida in December so I’ll be saving up for her Christmas gift next year. She and Rooster enjoyed an animated discussion about racing and how to prepare her own bike for the track. Rooster’s expertise is in internal engine, electrical and chassis diagnostics and repair. He’s also a trainer for Harley Davidson and travels the country teaching HD technicians. His quote of the day, “Never stop learning.”

A few last questions and the interview was complete:

So how did you get started working on motorcycles?

Find something you like to do and make money from it. I started with cars and then moved to motorcycles to have a smaller shop footprint.

What’re your favorite bikes to work on?

Broken ones (said with a straight face).  Mostly Harley Davidson’s. It’s just all nuts and bolts.

If you were looking for a mechanic for your motorcycle, what would you look for?

A working shop - old school. I’d look for honesty - someone who takes time to explain what was done. Someone who spends time one to one - where customers are not just numbers.

That describes you and how you run your own business. That’s why I love coming here. Okay, what else would you look for?

A shop with a mechanic, not just a technician. One that has fabrication skill to build from the ground up.

<At this point Ken showed me some of the bikes he was working on and described the custom fabrication he was doing. Really cool stuff he can make.>

So what do you carry in your bike tool kit?

Flat tip and Philips screw drivers, crescent wrench, pliers, Allen set, ½” and 9/16″ open end wrenches, electrical tape and wire. That will take care of just about most things.

<My bike tool kit: a phone and AAA card with RV coverage (still don’t understand how motorcycles got lumped in with RV’s?) A flashlight and tire pressure gauge. Maybe I should think about a few more tools?>

Any last thoughts?
Don’t look for a mechanic in the yellow pages. Word of mouth is best. Beware of anyone who won’t let you in their shop to look around. Without customers I don’t have a business.

And that’s the truth. Word of mouth is how I found Ken and how we continue to send new business his way. We’re always encouraged to stop by for a visit and see what’s going on. When I expressed an interest in spending Saturday mornings learning more about the mechanics of my motorcycle, he encouraged me to stop in any time.

Ken doesn’t advertise and he always has plenty of work and loyal customers because he is the best out there. If you’re ever in South Florida stop by and say hello and let Ken know you heard about him here at Chrome and Pearls. And if you live here, call him the next time you need a mechanic or want some custom work done. I know you’ll be happy with the results.

A few more images from Ken’s shop:

This is Ken’s information if you’re ever in the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area.

Now it’s your turn to tell me about your world’s greatest mechanic. In a few days, I’ll put this post on it’s own page so that it can become a resource for anyone to find a great mechanic no matter where we travel. Please inlcude their name, address and phone number or a copy of their business card with your story or comments.