The Atomic Shovel update I have been waiting so long to post: I rode the bike tonight! Actually RODE the damn thing! Today I finished up a bunch of little stuff while I was waiting for my new solenoid to come in.
Tightened up the brake caliper stabilizer. Rechecked the brakes. Checked the oil and it looked pretty clean – can’t remember when I changed oil last. I should have notes but I didn’t look for them.
Cleaned off the old primary inspection cover gasket, replaced it and reinstalled the cover. Lubed the spanky new chain. Removed the old solenoid, and cleaned all that area.
Once I got the new solenoid, I popped it on – it’s a little bit of a pain in the butt with that spring pushing it cockeyed, but by some miracle, I got it installed without much struggle.
At this point, Coach Don popped in to walk me through the rest of the things… Checked front and rear brake fluid and topped both. Fine tuned the throttle cables.
And then the moment of truth. Put gas in the tanks. Petcock held. No leaks. No fuel line leaks at the carb or crossover.
A few squirts of fuel in the carb and the bike started up so easy that if I didn’t know better, I’d have thought it was my Road King!
Popped on my jacket and helmet and around the block I went! That was THE BEST RIDE EVER!
EVER EVER EVER!
Don had me adjust the accelerator pump and I took it out again. I wish it had been earlier so I could have put some miles on, but tomorrow is another day. I have to put my lift back and clean up a few things in the garage. Figure out why my rear brake light isn’t working. Likely the switch. Check my plugs. Then if I can get doggie daycare, I’ll be on the road shaking it down.
But right now, I’m feeling good. The bike is happy. It feels good. Runs good. It actually feels like a different bike.
Atomic Shovel update: First shakedown miles today. We did about 70 miles around the back roads between Akron, Clarence and Lockport. The bike ran really nice. Still room to tweak the carb, and I haven’t pulled the plugs yet to see what they look like. But overall, the bike ran great!
Kathy was my brake light today (and sometimes my turn signals as I was being very uncoordinated with mine!), but I will figure out the brake switch asap. I don’t like not having proper lights and indicators on my bikes. That’s just an invitation for someone to plow into you from behind.
Kathy was testing her gopro and caught a few seconds of me riding ahead of her.
It felt really great to be on the road today. It was cloudy and a little cool, but eventually the clouds burned off and it turned into a gorgeous afternoon! Perfect carb weather. Nice cool air.
Tomorrow morning I will tinker with the bike, and then hopefully get some more miles on it.
The Atomic Shovel 