new tires...

with the cape fear 1000 coming up this weekend, along with the high probability of rain, i decided now was a good time to replace the tires. i may have been able to make it through the rally but i wouldn't have been able to make it much longer. so, to be on the safe side, i got it done now.

i've been wanting to learn how to replace tires myself, with expert guidance from my father-in-law. but timing just didn't work out this time. i'll plan better and definitely next time.

i took the bike to d and q motorsports in angier. they do excellent work at fantastic prices!!

they also have several bikes sitting in the showroom. not sure if they're customer bikes or for sale. i should have found out if any of them were for sale. here's a cool royal enfield.

work was completed and off i went - taking caution for the first fifty miles, of course. if you're need bike work and are in the area, check out d and q.

finally...

...got the bike back together and took it out for a ride. a very short ride, mind you - around the "block" which included a stop for gas. took it easy leaving the neighborhood mostly because i wanted to make sure the front brake was working before i got too far or too fast. by the time i got to the top of the neighborhood, i was fairly confident everything was back in working order - so off to enjoy the (short) ride...

it was great to be back on the bike again - even if it was less than thirty minutes. there's also something to be said for just having the bike in working/riding condition. even though i didn't have much time to ride while i had it apart, just knowing i couldn't take it out didn't feel right. it doesn't really matter if you have the time to ride or not, it's about being able to ride. and when you can't, it's a bummer.