After that last ride that Janet and I enjoyed so much I parked the bike in its usual place on our front veranda and covered it up. My plan was to clean it during the week in preparation for the Freedom Road Rally.
Returning home from work on Monday I looked at the bike as I walked in, as I am sure you all do and noticed something unusual;
an oily patch on the slasto next to the back wheel! My heart dropped. You must understand that the bike has stood there for years and there has never been any oil before.
I got down on my hands and knees and had a good look, feeling underneath the hub there was oil all over the place! It could only be from the differential or the gearbox, remember the diff. had been replaced in 2014, surely it couldn't be that? It could only be the gearbox.
I contacted my friend Craig at West Coast Yamaha, he said he would take a look, I wanted advice so I rode through to Vredenburg, Craig confirmed my worst fears; I should not ride the bike anymore but he was unable to help, the bike would have to go to Capetown.
As I write this my brothers leave early tomorrow to ride through to Struisbaai - without me! How will they manage? Ah they'll be fine but I hope they will miss me, I will be thinking of them for sure.
Now I have to trailer the big red machine down to Capetown again!
Well at least I'll be playing pool with Frank tomorrow afternoon, he's not going either because his bike's up for sale and he's waiting for his next one.
I'll keep you posted.
2 comments:
Noooooooo, hope it is a quick fix and you are road ready in no time.
Brandy I'm afraid it's not going to be a quick fix but the bike was due for regular service so I will send it down to Capetown and get the whole lot done, there are a few small things that need attention as well. I might as well get it all done at once because this bike has to last me for another ten years.
Although I was disappointed to miss the trip I am glad that I spotted the problem because this could have ended up a much more expensive problem along the side of the road somewhere!
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