key west 2012

[madmax-im]

its 7:26 pm, time to go. it is raining here, not snowing thats good.

Go carefully Earl...and stop in on the way home if you can...I know some kicka$$ BBQ or Mexican if you like.

[ELDR]

Key West is underway

Brent, Earl, Don, Bohn and Linda, Jeff, Ted and Heather in Kingsland GA

[MaximPhil]

Key West is underway

Brent, Earl, Don, Bohn and Linda, Jeff, Ted and Heather in Kingsland GA

Ted say Hi to all of them for me. I am sad I could not make it this year.
Having met all except Linda give her a hug from me
Phil

[bikerphil]

Pretty good chance I won't be meeting up in Stuart, I've been suffering from a stomach ailment and have been in a great deal of pain. Might be able to ride down on my own if all is better.

[jetmechmarty]

I hope it isn't serious. Feel better quick!

[Cobia]

Bowing out for tomorrow

Spoke with Jeff last night to inform him that at least for the next couple of days, I'll be bowing out because I threw my back out on Wednesday. Ironically, it was while lifting the XJ off the jackstands after installing the front wheel and fender.....
If I feel better, I may ride down later in the week and meet them as they emerge from the Keys.

[jetmechmarty]

Take good care of it! Feel better soon!

[thumperjsa]

Sorry to hear how the Southern Florida contingent keeps getting injured or sick. Hope you guys can make it down during the week. Jeff remember to give me a buzz when you are leaving the Pahokee area. I plan on meeting still around US27 and Griffin Road. I still have to go to work in the morning and will meet up with you guys I assume just after lunch time.

I still have a room down in Key West setup. If Cobia and Phil don't make it I guess I will have extra room in it. So if anyone needs a place, let me know.

-Jonathan

[Brent]

home from FL

Key West is underway

Brent, Earl, Don, Bohn and Linda, Jeff, Ted and Heather in Kingsland GA

I am home from FL. Waved goodbye to crew in Ormond beach about 1030 this morning. Nice ride on Ormond loop through Tomoka State park, back to A1A to Flagler Beach. Shortened ride for me this year, but weather was warm...still 49 when I arrived home at 6:30.

[ELDR]

We have arrive in Key West, everyone checked in to the Spanish Gardens, going to be looking for some lunch. 80F feels like 85F Sunny with Clouds, 18mph wind from the East.

[JeffH]

Great Ride in Progress

Riding on US 1 in the Keys



Trip has been going great so far. We held the Awards Ceremony tonight after dinner at the Spanish Gardens pool side. We had a some good laughs as we passed out the awards that Brent picked out. Temps around 80 has been great. We will be leaving KW in the morning for Florida City and a tour of the Everglades. You might notice Earl and Jonathan on their XS's.

[thumperjsa]

It was a great ride and I wish I could have continued with the run to the park this afternoon and the seafood festival on Friday. But family needed me home. I had a great time including all the great discussions with everyone. It was great weather for riding all week. Especially when Earl and I saw pretty much all of Key West had to see including some hidden areas we didn't know about on a pair of rented scooters.

Also it was a nice picnic lunch today just south of the 7 mile bridge with everyone. I didn't get to take many pictures on this trip so I can't wait to see everyone posting them.

I made it home at 4:45 and managed to hit a small rain shower just before I got home.

Thanks again to all who came and make this ride enjoyable each year. I wish a fun and safe ride for all of you all the way back home.

-Jonathan

[thumperjsa]

Oh, I can't forget the exciting adventure of reviving my bike back from the dead on Monday night. Running great to Key Largo, turned it off and when we got ready to leave on the bikes to get dinner, cranked but wouldn't start. Could tell it was getting gas but no spark at all on any cylinder.

Went to dinner (in Bohn's car and I will let him explain that) and when we got back all of us went into repair mode to find the problem. Fortunately I had a service manual with me and we were able to troubleshoot everything including resistance of pick up wires and coils and the voltages to TCI as well as several other things. Fuses were checked as well. Ted was meticulous in helping check everything.

Everything was pointing to the TCI was bad. Was thinking I may have to park the bike and go the rest of the way by car and fix it later. Fortunately we could test the box by putting it in Earl's XS. But turned out that wasn't the problem. As Earl said, "It makes my bike run better."

In the dark we are still checking everything and Ted is looking at the wires and sees a loose metal strap on the frame near some wires that are looking a little loose. He removed the strap and started to play with the wires. And "Blam" back to life. Seems as if the tip-over switch may have had a loose enough wire that was touching the metal strap and grounding it out causing no ignition to occur.

How it decided to drop from life after I shut it off in Key Largo after riding it just over 100 miles and several stops and not previously, I may never know. Thanks to my "Pit Crew" for reviving it.

-Jonathan

[mlew]

Wish I was there. Ride safe

[bikerphil]

Had a great time Friday riding with everyone from Dade Corners out to the seafood festival in Everglades City. It was great seeing everyone again and meeting some new friends.