I had a date with my sister for dinner at the VFW. I thought I would ride the bike to her house (across town) for a test run.
This was the first time the bike has really been ridden since the rebuild.
I was on the beltway going around the city for about 30 minutes. As soon as I began slowing on the exit ramp I knew I was in trouble.
There were all kinds of new noises I had never heard before. Frequency seemed to vary with rear tire speed. The gear box was VERY sluggish to shift. It seemed to like 3rd gear, best.
I only had about 3 miles to go from the interstate to her place, and I got within 1/2 mile of my sister's house when the rear tire locked up on me. Luckily I wasn't going real fast, but I left a skid mark probably 10-15 feet long. And then I had a hard time finding a combination of gearbox setting and clutch lever to be able to push it. I finally got the help of a motorist waiting behind me and we pushed it into a church parking lot. I found once we got it going, that I could push it fairly easily when I pulled in on the clutch. Honestly, I don't know if it is in neutral right now, or not.
It is behind one of their buildings where it can't be seen from the street, and I wrote them a note w/my phone # and shoved it between the front doors of the church. I have one nephew and his buddy helping me tomorrow, and I have the other nephew's pick-up truck and ramp.
From the way things were sounding, I wouldn't be surprised if some of my small clutch screws backed out.
I've been looking for an excuse to replace the clutch. I think I have it, now.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)