Spent a couple days getting the 1971 Yamaha R5 all tuned up and ready to ride out in the country of Northern NY last week . I also spend a day going thru my 2000 Chevy S10 pick up to carry my R5 and gear up. Then I packed !
I left home here in Long Island on Tuesday morning at 4:30 AM and drove the roughly 400 miles up arriving at around 12:30 PM .Found some downed trees from winter storms so I cut my way in sort of with my chain saw after opening up the building.
After cleaning the building ,making a bed ,and cutting the trees I was pretty much beat so I ate something ,went down the road to this store and got ice for the cooler and called home to let my wife know I had made it ok. Next morning I got a weather forecast of rain starting on Friday and lasting for the better part of the next week so I decided to leave the bike on the truck and head home Friday morning. It was a lonely trip.Talked with the new owner of the place next to mine.He seems like an ok guy so I'm glad to have a neighbor. Also talked with my new friend who lives up at the end of the road.He brought down an old rim and tire that will fit my S10 that he has from when he owned one.That was nice of him and we spent about an hour talking about things.We're both the same age , 74 . We both know the deal now as all our friends either moved away or died. He's living in this nice cabin he built off the grid.Nice guy.Went into Potsdam to get some supplies and stopped into the local Tractor Supply Store. Was in there less than one minute when I hear the cashier call out " who owns that motorcycle on that truck outside and what is it ? " So I respond "me" and walk over to talk with her.The store was empty so we were able to talk for a good 15 minutes about her bike that she just got,a 1978 Honda 750.She was in her early 20's maybe and this is her first motorcycle and she's just learning to ride. She had no idea where to find parts so I told her about the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Show in PA in August and gave her the name of one of my friends who is a Honda dealer and is also the guy who puts on the event.So, perhaps I made a friend.She was telling me that her and her boyfriend may attend so we'll see.It would be real nice to know someone in Potsdam with an old Japanese motorcycle . The trip was short , I only spent 3 nights and 2 full days at my camp before heading home ahead of this foul weather that we are having. Trip home yesterday was good for the most part until I hit this terrible traffic when I came across the bridge to LI. Well,now I know why I can't wait to move north ! Later today I'll get the bike off my truck and get back to working on my friend John's motor so I can deliver it to the Japanese Bike Show in August all ready for us to install in the bike while there . We all love to wrench with our friends we only get to see once a year when we go to these events . Life is good !
