Rescued on the road

[lw]

We made it home to Pasadena this morning about 0100 after Luci decided she had gone as far as she intended to at least without some major engine work. Saturday my friend Richard and I spent the day enjoying 16, 39, 335, 336 and 337 before heading back toward Luckenbach for a photo op for Richard's album. Coming into Fredericksburg on 16 (330 miles into our riding day) I pulled in the clutch to slow for a light and felt nothing. dead clutch , no resistance whatsoever. Tried to pump it back up and finally succeeded in down-shifting as I steered into the gas station at the intersection. I worked the clutch lever a bit more while stopped and cycled the shift linkage not knowing what the problem could be. We found a place to stay for the night and I contacted Mitch Brignac to query the Nomad Braintrust assembled in Antlers. I asked what could cause the symptoms I encountered and air/water contaminated fluid, or slave cylinder issues were given as possibles. Since no DOT4 brake fluid was available we decided to check things out int he morning and if need be ride to Marble Falls in search of supplies.
Departing Johnson City was uneventful and we made a smooth run to Marble falls until pulling into town when the dead clutch bit again. Pumping it back up I got into a gear that got me into town and off the road, then limped on to the Auto Zone where I bought the brake fluid and a Mightyvac pump. We had sufficient tools between us to pull the left cover and bleed the clutch. The fluid seemed a bit dark having only 7000 miles since it was changed but otherwise appeared ok, no debris or other issues that we could determine. Clutch bled we re-assembled the bike and got back under way up 281. About 10 miles north of Burnet, I started smelling something different, but I couldn't identify with the airflow coming past. Checking the mirror I didnt see any anything indicating I was in trouble. A minute later I saw that my speedo was reading zero. I motioned Richard to take the lead. Another mile or two later I saw a big cloud of smoke trailing behind me and made for the first driveway I saw. Getting stopped safely off the highway I saw smoke coming up under me, and decided that maybe I didn't want to sit there any more. Getting off the saddle I looked down to see smoke coming fromt he left cover accompanied by a small flame coming where the wiring loom entered the cover. fortunately two bottles of water later the fire appeared to be out, but I noticed looking about 25 feet that there was an oil trail, and oil on the side stand and frame. Pulling the left cover off in near NASCAR pit stop time we saw the wiring inside the cover was cooked and the round bearing cap at the back of the motor was gone and the big shaft nut was looking quite cooked. What had been planned as an eight or nine day trip through the Texas Hill Country, Talimena, Arkansas, and Tennessee returning via the Natchez Trace was done (well done) on the third day. Game over.

Now you not might think there could be anything about this scenario that was worth being happy about. God showed me a few things to be thankful for:

4. I was OK.
3. If you have to be stranded it was a beautiful day for it.
2. Two phone calls made from the middle of nowhere, and the cavalry was coming. Two trailers coming from two different directions. One from Pasadena to drag her home, and one from Kerrville to get me off the side of the road.

1. I am blessed to have some really good friends.
I've met some top flight folks from this forum, but none better than the fellow who borrowed a trailer and spent his Sunday afternoon performing a roadside rescue and hauling Lucille and I back to Kerrville from where she cratered north of Burnet, Tx on Hwy 281. Skeeter, you're the top of the heap! I can't thank you enough.

[cactusjack]

Aw Larry, that's too bad. Maybe it won't be as bad as it looks??? I tip my hat to you, Skeeter!

[skeeter]

Your more than welcome LW. I'm blesssed to be a blessing. I know what it feels like to be stuck out. Hope you get her fixed real soon.

[oldbikers]

Sorry to hear about you trouble LW but I am so happy to hear that you are OK and would like to add my thanks to Skeeter.

[blowndodge]

Gosh Larry.. I hope Luci can be fixed!

[ringadingh]

The bearing that went on you probably got the clutch fluid so hot that it stopped working on you, then everything heated up more to cause the rest of the damage after you replaced it.
Its nice when you can make a phone call and know that help is on the way, hopefully you have extended warranty, that will probably be an expensive repair to look after.

[Cajunrider]

It's too bad that it wasn't the minor things we talked about Saturday night Larry. Hopefully the repair bill won't be as steep as we discussed last night. Skeeter, you're the man! Good luck LW. Keep us posted.

[Netnorske]

LW,
That sucks, but kudos to the helping hands among us! Hope you get the bike back up and running soon!

[lomax]

Larry... Symptons sound like a front bevel gear problem. If it is, damage may go beyond replacing just the bearing. The housing may be toast as well. I hope not. But, you are ok and thats what is important. Its great that skeeter was able to help you! :)

[nightmare]

LW sorry to hear about Lucille, hopefully it wont be to bad. And as everyone before me, many thanks to Skeeter

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Dang Larry real sorry to hear about your problem. I hope you get Lucille back up and running before long. Do keep us posted. Many thanks to Robert "Skeeter" Dozier. I met Skeeter on my trip out for the Chuck Burt Memorial Ride last year and he is top notch.

[audiogooroo]

Wow Larry! That's a drag. But I applaud your attitude man. Taking it all with a grain of salt and realizing that in 100 years, it really won't matter much! :)
Great job by KawaNOW folk to be sure. Here's to hoping it's an easy and relatively painless repair.
Hoping and praying for the best for you my friend.

[mac]

Sorry to hear about the bike but glad you're OK. Skeeter - you're the man! Thanks for sharing your story.

[petenomad]

Way to go Skeeter. Hope you are up and running soon LW, if not check out one of the many threads on the new vaquero. :)

[paul]

Very happy to know you got her stopped safe. Good to know that help was available. Way to go Skeeter.