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?
13 comments ↓
Kathy:
I don’t know what it is with people. Maybe they are jealous of others who have nice things enough to inflict damage to property of others. I hope you get Pearl repaired at a reasonable cost. Looking at those battle scars would make me sick if I didn’t do it myself.
I also can’t imagine being separated for any length of time. I hope that the economy recovers soon so that G can return home.
It was very interesting looking at your photos of KW. I can’t quite read that sign on the house for sale. The price seems very high for something that would require complete renovation
take care
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
Hi Bob
Welcome and thanks for stopping by. So far so good on the repairs to Pearl. Her new seat is in the works and we’re still haggling on the price to fix the gas tank.
Can you believe that house was going for 3.7 mil? Wuh.
Thanks for the good wishes. Before it’s all over who knows where we’ll end up?
good eye for spotting unusual things to photograph…enjoyed this blog…..
Hi Chessie
Thanks. I enjoy your blog too and the pictures of your travels. Makes me homesick for eastern TN riding. looks like i may be headed for NC. Still too far from the mountains, but getting closer…
There is no reason for what happens when you park a vehicle in Key West. It’s not malicious, people come to Key West to drink, they do and then they trip,and scratch a possession you are too attached to. They rent scooters and don’t know how to ride them or park them. They fall against your machine. It sucks and you find a solution.
I am firm beleiver in the randonmess of life.
letting life play out and letting go… that is such a hard lesson for some of us (like me, lol). the tank and seat-vandalism repairs, as much as that really stinks, im left wondering now if this was fates way to get pearl in the shop for the battery cable?!? hmmm… great post and pics kathy
Conchscooter: Welcome and thanks for stopping by. Yes, I agree – life is very random and that’s what makes it fun. And everything happens for a reason. I’ll still go to KW because I love it there. It’s just a scratch that can be fixed and I have a new seat on the way that my insurance has paid for. So it’s not so bad.
Pearl:
I’m glad that it got sorted with your insurance. Up here we have deductibles of $500. or more depending upon selected coverage. It’s just that you don’t want to be spending extra funds right now for a random act of vandalism. It’s bad enough having to pay for your own mistakes.
C’mon, ya gotta admit that that an 11 year old pony hanging on by a few copper wires still had enough life in it to make the 188 miles to Key West before dying. What are the chances? Well, in this mehanically dysfunctional household (said tongue in cheek) it’s a gazillion percent. Still, it wouldn’t have mattered whether she died in Key West (but how fitting!!!) or on some back road to East-who-knows-where. Poop happens with the old bikes and despite all the wire tugging, well, hey, even Superior Amazing, God-like, mechanic Ken had to bounce his butt on the seat to recreate events that I described. But how fitting, the bike died in Key West.
Still, more important is the CSI story Ken tells. Is it possible that somebody knocked my bike over into Pearl? Based upon his profession assessment and anatomical knowledge of both our bikes, IS it possible that the Pony nudged Pearl? OK, with a little help from some num-nut. How romantic and tragic an ending to their time together (for the moment of course). But still, consider the forensics, it may have happened. But HOW much force is necessary to push over a left leaning Sportster remains the question – as well as WHY? These and other questions, as well as whether the mannequin on the widow’s watch was wearing a bra may just remain unknown.
Still, poop happens. We tend to be verbose about injuries to our flesh yet we are quick to paint over an injury to our bike. Since Pearl will be with you for a long time, paint a band aide on the tank and date it with her first battle scar.
Kathy:
thank you for stopping by. You may not have noticed but I put you on my Blogroll .
I don’t think I’ve ever met an East Coast Girl before. I can’t wait until I get down to KW. There is something magical about water views. Perhaps it is the sound of the waves, or the smell of the ocean.
Have you got Pearl repaired yet ? was just wondering
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
Pearl’s new seat arrived yesterday and the insurance adjuster agreed to more money for the tank repair. As soon as I get the check, Pearl goes in for a little nip and tuck. Thanks for adding me to your blogroll. I’ll return the link love. If I’m still in South Florida when you make it to KW, look me up.
Kathy:
I am planning a trip to KW, probably next year to visit Mr Conchscooter (Michael). It would be great to meet you too but with luck you may be in NC by then. My riding buddy will be Jack “r” (Twisted Roads). We’ll see how things work out
Funny you should mention “nip & tuck”, Pearl didn’t look that flabby to me. She is sleek and beautiful
bob
bobskoot: wet coast scootin
Two of my favorite blog friends. What a fun trip that will be. I hope you’re planning a winter visit – it’s the best riding weather down this way – cooler temps and very little rain. Right now it looks like I’ll be here until at least March.
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