I suppose it's expected when you live in one of the better motorcycle areas in Colorado, true motorcyclists are always a bit late. 45-60 minutes is the norm. Bruce (650 BMW, Colorado Freewheelers) was the first to arrive, followed a short while later by Carey Crain on his 94, then "One or Two Days" Bishop, via Rocky Mtn NP , on his (new to him) 97 with the custom Kawasaki "ape hangers".

I had Sam set up in the basement to replace one of the fork seals, but that wasn't to happen. There's no doubt in my mind that impact wrenches can save a mechanics time, but they can cause problems down the road. Specifically the "broomstick" method of holding the damper rod will no longer work. Carey brought his bike in and changed the oil and filter, the both of us gave it the once over for his 20k mile checkup. Typical stuff, check bolt and nut tightness, and fluid levels. We took the throttle grip housing apart and greased up the cables and cable sleeve while we were at it.

Mark arrived on his new 2001 blue Concours and Jack Reed of Ft. Fun rolled in on his pristine 14k mile Silver-dammit about midway though the oil change; then Boom-Boom Lane announced his arrival, followed closely by "Rock".

With plenty of fresh opinions on how to hold the damper rod, we spread more dirty fork oil around my shop. Still no dice. Enough of this, time for lunch. A few hearty souls tried the rabbit chili, a few indicated they weren't *that* hungry :)

Randy took a few pictures then had to leave for points Southeast. The rest of us told a few "Factual Motorcycle Anecdotes" then drifted to points west, south and north of here.

My neighbor drove in, and I *knew* he had an impact wrench and 10mm socket drive allen wrench, so it's up the hill I go. After a telling few "Factual Motorcycle Anecdotes" to him (and requisitioning the impact wrench), I head down hill only to see two new Connies in the driveway. Hey, it's Phil and Mike! Phil has to have one of the finest sniffers in Colorado, and he and Mike had found the open house (gotta remember to close the doors when I leave... even if only for a minute), kettle of chili on the stove, a pile of clean bowls and spoons on the counter, and by logic that escapes me, the cheese and cheese grater. "Good rabbit chili" I says as I reach the top of the stairs, Phil and Mike both look in their bowls, pause a minute, and say "rabbit?"

Phil just installed a cruise control on his bike over at Mike's place in Loveland, and I suspect they needed to see if it worked by riding to my place. I figure it's a 160 mile test ride by the time Phil gets back home. Phil often gives reasons for needing to leave the plains, this wasn't one of them, it was understood. Phil needs to hit the road for Ft. Morgan, so Mike and I get the damper rod loosened and replace the LH fork seal and both bushings (96k miles) on Sam. Refill with Bel-Ray's finest and Mike says "How far is Estes?" "Not far, a couple of miles I figure. What say we have a bite at Ed's Cantina? I need to blow the carbon out of Sam, and do something about this layer of sawdust on the tail section anyway." Ten minutes later and it's "Two of today's Special please." A few more Anecdotes, then Mike heads down the hill to Loveland, and I head back to the cabin in the woods.

The fork doesn't appear to leak, not wise to mention "rabbit" and "chili" in the same sentence, and several new faces. A great day!

-- Rick Hall, COG #1914 (CO), DOD #2040, 1kQSPT 14.16