Thursday. 6-30-2011, I rode up to BANDIT'S in Ryan Oklahoma to get some work done on my Harley. Along the way, I stopped in Byers Texas and met with TATU and he ride up to BANDIT'S with me. Scroll down and join us and REMEMBER: IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE PICTURE BIGGER, JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURE.
As I headed North on TX79, the sun was shining, the sky was cloudless and the temperature was 82F at 7:30 A.M.. A perfect morning to ride.
I get to TATU's and park my bike next to his Harley Road King (black/blue custom paint job)
We leave TATU'S and go down the highway and pull in the gas station so TATU can top off his gas tank. TATU is a member of the GUARDIANS OF THE CHILDREN-RED RIVER CHAPTER and is our NATIONAL REP. For more on the GUARDIANS OF THE CHILDREN, see this link:
http://www.guardiansofthechildren.com/
Our Harley's at the pumps. I had filled up back in Wichita Falls and was good to go for the round trip of about 114 miles or so.
As I was getting on my bike, I unknowingly clicked the shutter on the camera and got this picture. I thought it was different so I kept it.
We pull out of the gas station and head North on TX79 toward Oklahoma. Here is TATU as we roll down the highway
Another view of TATU rolling North on TX 79.
The weather was perfect for a ride and TATU is enjoying the ride. It is about 82 F now with a high forecasted to be between 110-113 degrees.
We get to BANDIT'S and I pull my bike into the entrance to his shop. BANDIT is getting the tools he will need for the work on my bike. BANDIT is the PRESIDENT of the RED RIVER CHAPTER-GUARDIANS OF THE CHILDREN. I am a regular member at this time.
First job, is replacing the handlebar bushings. Here BANDIT starts in taking the bushings out. He will replace the rubber bushings with polyeurthane bushings. Here is what SUSPENSION CONNECTION has to say about polyeurthane bushings:
One of the bikes waiting to be serviced by BANDIT. He stays busy working on area bikes.
TATU is getting ready to help BANDIT. My job is to watch, take pictures and learn.
BANDIT getting to remove the lower right sleeve.
BANDIT now removes the upper sleeve..
TATU hands BANDIT the bushing and sleeve...
The right bushing mounted, BANDIT works on the left bushing..
Almost every motorcycle shop I have been to has either a dog or a cat or two running around. Here is one of the shop cats.
The bushings finished, it's time to pull the front brake and replace the brake pads.
A couple more bikes that BANDIT is working on.
About this time, the temperature is pushing 100 degrees, so TATU sheds his colors and puts them on my luggage rack.
TATU shows the brake pads. the tan/copper pad is the new pad. The brown/black pad is the old pad..
You can see the big difference in the two. I am almost embarrassed to show this picture..
I shed my colors and hang them on the gate. It was really starting to warm up.
TATU looks on as BANDIT puts the new brake pads in position.
BANDIT makes some final adjustments and puts the brakes back in position on the bike.
The brakes done, we start on replacing the front tire.. Here the back of the bike is raised up. BANDIT gets a smaller jack for the front.
Here BANDIT cranks the small jack and raises the front end of the bike.
The right front hub is removed
BANDIT removing the valve stem covers.
As TATU raises the front end up a little higher, BANDIT removes the front tire..
BANDIT procedes to break down the old tire.
TATU lending a hand. Sometimes those tires can be a pain in the butt.
Tghe work continues..
This is the new tire, a Pirelli Route. BANDIT prefer's these over the Dunlop Harley-Davidson tires because they are softer rubber and get better traction. He has both and I decide to try the Pirelli's. I decided if I didn't like them , I'd go back to the Dunlop next go around.
As BANDIT finished up on the tire, I walk TATU to his bike. He has to get back home to get ready to go to work. He stows his colors in the saddlebag and rides home without it due to the excessive heat.
This is BANDIT'S bike, I like those apes on it..
Another view of BANDIT'S Harley.
As I head out of town, I stop and take this picture of the Ryan OKlahoma sign. This is on Southbound OK
81 as you enter Ryan, Oklahoma
This will conclude this post. I enjoyed riding with TATU today and seeing BANDIT again.
Scroll down for more posts pertaining to the Red River Chapter-Guardians Of The Children and don't forget to click on the "OLDER POSTS" link at the bottom of EACH page or directly under the last post on the page .
Continue to pray for ALL of our troops both in and out of Harms Way; especially for Che Whitaker, Chris Drage and Fred Hughes, all of whom are serving in the Afghanistan Theatre of Operations and for Pattie Jackson who has been deployed to Qatar..
Until next post, ya'll be careful out there, keep the rubber on the road, keep your head on a swivel, ride safe and most importantly of all............."DON'T LET YOUR SILENCE DROWN OUT THEIR
CRIES!" ................................................................SNAPSHOT
.
Original equipment rubber bushings deteriorate quickly and give less than ideal performance. Prothane polyurethane bushings are designed to last up to 3 times longer than standard rubber bushings and will typical improve handling and performance.