Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Looks like I'm trailering my bike to Sturgis

   After crossing back across the border into Montana today I pulled over for this picture of my bike today. I then restarted my bike and began to head south to Sturgis. About 50 miles later, the engine suddenly died at 80mph. I tried to restart it but the starter was dead. I pulled over and checked the lights and they were as dim as could be. I was in the middle of no where and I had a dead battery. I disconnected my headlight to lessen the volts being used and tried to push start it. After about 20 tries, I got it started for about 2 seconds. This was bad. Real bad. The battery was also really hot and had acid seeping out the top even though it is a sealed cell battery. I made a couple of phone calls, including my friend Frank Kaelin at Kaelin's Custom Cycle in Louisville. He answered the phone saying he knew I was having problems- that's only when I call. Just as I'm trying to get some over the phone advice, a group of bikes passed by. They gave me the thumbs up and I gave them the thumbs down as they went by. After about a half of mile, they pulled over. They then turned around ( all 6 bikes) and rode back up the interstate to where I was pulled over. One of the riders looked at my bike and swore, " I don't believe it. It's f*ckin' Bean're". I knew this was a very good sign.
I started telling them what my problem was and the next thing I know is they had an ace mechanic named Hillbilly riding with them. He dove in with his knowledge and also a multi-meter and started figuring out I had some major electrical issues besides a dead battery. That was why it wouldn't push start.
  I got to talk and tell stories while he continued to work on my bike. He found a dead short that turned out to be my voltage regulator and possibly it took out the battery and stator too. They explained they were from Alberta, Canada and were doing their annual Sturgis run. This time they were doing it all on Shovelheads. And THIS is where the story gets even better. They had a chase truck with another Shovelhead in it. They said I could put my bike in the trailer and ride the Shovel. So just like that, my good luck turned and ugly situation into an awesome adventure. I'm riding a cool Shovelhead the next 550 miles to Sturgis even though my bike is getting trailered.
   So now I'm back in the wind, running with the pack.
Do you think it is possible for a guy to be any luckier? See ya in Sturgis!!!!!!!!




25 comments:

  1. You are very lucky that they came along when they did. Hope it doesn't cost to much in Sturgis to fix your bike. You know everything is priced 50% higher during the ralley. Keep me in the loop. Dina

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  2. Loriejean Jackson MorrisseyAugust 2, 2017 at 5:33 AM

    That's good karma good things happen to good people safe travels this urges my friend and looking forward to pictures of your adventure. One of these days we're going to get out the Sturgis but until then I will live vicariously through you much love to you my friend

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  3. Now that's just awesome.......Have a safe trip.....Hope to see ya at WRR. :)

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  4. That is way beyond cool. Biker brotherhood at it's best!

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  5. I tell you Kevin the favor of God wherever you go.... awesome!!!

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  6. What a story! I can't wait to here the rest of this adventure

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  7. this is why it's called a brotherhood of men !

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  8. Brothers..... Just keep rockin' Bean're.
    Seems it's true, ''... You can't keep a good man down...''
    Peace, DoobieHolly

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  9. Awesomeness!Blessings!Happy to hear the Good News!!!

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  10. This story exemplifies the brotherhood of bikers. Several years ago my old shovel was acting up at Sturgis and routinely stranding me... I lost count of the number of bikers that stopped and offered help even though I had given all of them the thumbs up as I had help already on the way.

    Vaya con dios my friends!!!

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  11. I hope them Canadian boys offered you a place to camp as they own land in Sturgis.

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  12. You are awesome and everyone knows it.. bikers are awesome people helping one another and getting you where you need to be.. safe travels Kevin

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  13. I hope them Canadian boys offer you a place to camp as they have the most fun on their land in srurgis

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  14. I hope them Canadians informed you they own land in Sturgis for you to camp. They have the most fun

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  15. My brother what you put into this world you get out and I can say first hand knowing you in person away from social media you are top notch and can attest to the love you have for others and your passion for life !

    Safe travels and my hat is off to the Shovelhead crew as they are are true blue! ����

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  16. Brothers for life now, cool story. Why we "biker."

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  17. WOw, Exciting motorbike. Lovely blog sharing about great motor bike.

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  18. Your just blessed my friend getting back what ya give

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