The Blog of Blues

[blues2cruise]

I just read this entire post out loud to Mrs. Stark. Says she, referring to you, "I think I like her....."

Yes, Blues. You and Mrs. Stark agree on Many Things.......





(thank heavens for me you two are a continent apart!!!!!! )

I still plan on making the trip....just don't know when yet....

[blues2cruise]

Friday June 13 and Saturday June 14, 2008

I went to observe the beginner's theory class for motorcycle riders. I had taken a lot of my gear for a show and tell. The owner of the m/c school asked me to give a talk. I did fairly well considering I'm not used to public speaking. The owner liked my presentation but he said I need to sound a bit more commanding......I'll work on that....

After the theory on Saturday I stayed at the parking lot to assist. The owner had several skills tests to facilitate and a noob for a lesson. I worked with the noob and also a couple of people who were having some difficulties.
It should be noted that the owner does keep an eye on things while I am out there and will give me pointers or suggestions if he hears or sees something he doesn't like.
After spending the day out there, I was preparing to go home when the owner asked if I would join him and his lady and a few other riders for the dinner ride.....he said he would loan me a bike to ride.

I was somewhat hesitant because of the bike not being my own, but I accepted anyway. After all....I had all my gear in my car.

I rode his 650 V-Star Classic and although I had no problem with the clutch, throttle etc, unlike my own bike, it did not have floor boards.

I am so used to having floorboards, that I found it difficult to upshift. It took me about half the ride to the dinner place to quit missing some shifts. I guess I have been spoiled by the floorboards.
We rode for a while to get to the dinner place and then after dinner we rode back to an ice cream place.
Doc even managed to meet up at the dinner place and then rode with us back for the ice cream ride.
It was nice to ride a bike that did not have shifting issues....I expect mine to shift smooth as satin with all its new parts.

I still have to learn to relax again....my shoulders were feeling achy. Once I get my own bike back, I can get out and practice...that will help a lot to get ride of the tension.

My bike should be ready by mid to late next week.

[Nalian]

hooray for riding!! I hope you're able to get your bike back soon - it's been so long!

[jstark47]

Once I get my own bike back...........My bike should be ready by mid to late next week.

WTF? They've had that bike for 7 1/2 weeks! In 7 1/2 weeks, you can build a transmission by hand...... from steel blanks..... using hand files....sheesh!!!

[blues2cruise]

Once I get my own bike back...........My bike should be ready by mid to late next week.

WTF? They've had that bike for 7 1/2 weeks! In 7 1/2 weeks, you can build a transmission by hand...... from steel blanks..... using hand files....sheesh!!!

I know...tell me about it.....

When I had it towed to them it was because that was the date they chose. They told me they would get to it later that week.
Well...when I called they said they hadn't had a chance yet and would be doing it the following week. So I told him I would wait to hear from them.
Anyway...long story short....when I finally went in and showed my face, I believe that is what spurred them into action. They told me my bike was on the lift "as we speak"......and that they would call me that afternoon.
It was very late the following afternoon when he called. Doc and I believe that they only got my bike onto the lift after I left.
So then I had to wait for the insurance apprasier to look at the digital images they sent him and give his ok.....which he did.
They ordered the parts but one part was backordered...

Probably the only reason I have not been more assertive and demand a loaner bike was because the weather has been cold and wet. (and this rehab program is killing me )

I have not been impressed with this dealer for awhile but I was somewhat obligated to go back to them since they did the first part of the insurance claim.

They changed ownership just over a year ago and most of the original staff is gone.

In their change over and transferring all their files to a new computer system they managed to lose about half the information of all their customers. (including mine) They had no information in their system about the fact that I bought my bike new there, had all my services done there, repairs done there, new tires from them, accessories from them., etc. Gone. That is very sloppy work.
Good thing I have all my paperwork.

[fireguzzi]

If the back ordered part is there I would call at least once a day and stop by every couple of days to keep the heat on them. There is no reason for them to screw around like that. Like Jstartk said, it doesn't take that long to rebuild a transmission.

Sometimes crap does happen that causes it to take a long time, and sometimes the shop is just be a bunch of slackasses.
I know, the shop I worked at occasionally partook in both situations.

[MZ33]

I sure hope the end of this bike limbo is near, Blues! It has been sooo long since you've been able to really ride. Is rehab helping?

[blues2cruise]

Is rehab helping?

hardy har har....ok, sorry about that.....The rehab program is making me stronger and I am gaining stamina....that's the good part.
The bad part is that I now have sore knees and sore elbows. Sigh...
I have been telling them that my knees are hurting but they have kept insisting I need to strengthen them....
I think they finally got the message. Today they informed me that they are going to modify my program starting tomorrow.

Well, duh...I go there 5 days a week for 4 hours and there has been a steady progression of increased weight or reps or a new exercise. Is it any wonder I'm falling apart. I limp back to the train station every day.

I was doing fine until they added a couple of certain things that I told them I would have trouble with....and sure enough, my knees gave out.

Sometimes they can be so obtuse and they need to learn to think outside the text book.
I saw a psychologist today, too. He wants to teach me relaxation and stress management. We shall see.

[Shorts]

Blues, that's pretty crappy of your trainers to be pushing you at 5days a week, for 4hrs. I'm *assuming* they are alternating exercises for each day?? They better be. And frankly, to be on the safe and fresh side, strengthing work on less than great knees should be run no les than 48hrs per session. Otherwise that's asking for trouble. The older a person gets the less frequent they should work out in relation to frequency of exercises and training, and that starts as early as 25yrs of age. No, I'm not saying workout less and less, you slackers that may be reading! lol I'm saying that as we get older it takes the body longer to recover from each train. And it isn't necessary to overtrain for healthy living or strength. Overtraining is actually moe harmful than not working out at all. Why risk chronic injury or avute pain when it doesn't add to the benefit of exercise?

Ehh, sorry, ranting.

Blues, I hope your trainers get your program worked out better. They should have been listening to you from the start and they made the biggest mistake any trainer could make - not listening to the client.

[MZ33]

Yeah!! What she said! ^

Seriously, these people do have degrees in physical therapy . . . don't they? Um, at least one person in the place should, and the rest should be trained PT assistants.

I find this to be an odd situation, Blues. 4 hours of therapy 5 days a week is a heluva lot of therapy, especially if it involves strength training. You sure they aren't getting you ready for a marathon? There should also be a written-out plan somewhere, and notes on evaluations and milestones. You should be monitored and evaluated by a Physical Therapist--a real one, with 5 years of schooling--on a regular basis. Regular here should be at least weekly, if you are having that much therapy, IMHO.

Dang, they make you fight for everything over there, don't they?