My 1998 Electra Glide Classic, has a little over 65,000 miles on her, so things are bound to wear out. After the gremlins plucked the life out of her in Panama City a few weeks ago, her immediate injuries were taken care of by a trusted local mechanic, who was really more, than just the nice voice on the telephone. The nice voice explained, that although I still had some timing issues, she's all ready to go. After getting the old girl out of the "hospital" so to speak with all her broken parts replaced with new, I decided she needed a "Rehab and Spa" treatment at the Harley Shop.You know how it goes when you have a case of the "while you got it here..." syndrome. Well, after the Harley Shop addressed her timing issues and gave her an overall check, she got new front and rear tires, repacked bearings, front brakes, a general service, and time on the dyno machine with a brand new Power Commander! Oh... oh... ohhhh!
It's been almost two weeks since I relinquished my Glide to the "mechanical higher ups", so they could work their magic. I was soooooo ready to get back in the saddle again, that I only called to check on their progress about a half a dozen times during my forced sabbatical from riding. That wasn't too many, was it? It's pretty bad when you have your service department on speed dial! Finally, I got the old girl back around lunch time on Saturday, just in time to take her on a nice long Saturday afternoon reunion ride!
Harley and I took off and headed north toward Sylacauga, figuring we would just wander around in our old familiar territory. I was having fun, experimenting with my throttle, playing with the new brakes and just checking out things in general. My brakes felt tighter, my throttle response was quicker, and it felt over all smoother and faster. This bike already had a Stage one kit, and a Two-in-one Vance and Hines exhaust, so choosing the Mackie 500 cams and adding the Power Commander, just makes this bike sound and run like a dream!
I was happy that I could enjoy my newly adjusted sports seat too! We've had it as long as we've had the motorcycle, but it bowed my legs out so, that it put me on my tip toes. I wasn't comfortable with that, so I never used it. Well, I found an upholsterer who peeled back the leather, shaved down the foam on the side areas to reduce bulk and placed a softer foam there instead. He then just reattached the leather back to the seat frame. This alone gave me about two more inches, which was all I needed. The first few times I had to place my feet, I was securely down. Woo Hoo! No more bubble butt! Now my sexy girl has a newly trimmed rear end!I've talked about enjoyable rides before, and shared pretty pictures of places we've been. But nothing gives a rider more enjoyment to being one with the road, than being one with your machine. Winding through the country roads enjoying my old girl's new spunkiness and hearing the purr of her newly rejuvenated soul, was music to my ears. I hate that we had to go through the gremlin woes, but now we're reunited... and it feels so good!
Lady R
