24 Hours ago...

Picked up a puncture in my rear tire, the Ride-On balancer/sealer had sprayed itself out all over the inside of the rear fender not doing it's job as advertised. Whatever caused the puncture wasn't in the tire but it took a good bit of reaming to get a plug into it so it wasn't all that big. Needless to say I'm in need of a hard to find sized tire on the shelf and am hoping it'll hold up the 125 miles or so over to Daytona where I can get a replacement overnighted to be there Friday.

 

First ride of 2024. I could have ridden sooner, but work is close to taking up all of my free time right now. It's wonderful how easy an XJ is to start in the Spring if you take the time to prepare her for Winter storage.

 

Well done, threatening to drag my maxim out to mot test it. Just so wet here at the moment..

 

Mail call! Yesterday received a new battery. Last weekend I rode to my son's to start the airhead for the first time this year. Took the cover off, unplugged the charger/tender, turned the key on and the neutral light came on. Hit the start button and the light went out, no sign of life. The battery was old and needed replacing. I should get around to it this weekend.

 

Been there enough!!

 

I went for a ride yesterday. Stopped at the store and had to bump start her. Put the batter back on the trickle charger (same as every day) and the batter still wasn't charged the next afternoon. New starter brushes are happening as soon as I can manage.

On a more important note: My wife was diagnosed with cancer a month ago. It's of a type that is very treatable, but it was caught barely in time before it would have become a death-sentence. If you are of the age to need a colonoscopy or the new "shit in a box" screener (as my awesome PCP calls it), do not delay on getting that done. If she had waited another month this battle would have been very different.

 

Best wishes to your wife for a full recovery K-moe.

 

K-moe best wishes to your wife for a full recovery too.

 

@k-moe , "timing is everything." Good thoughts and best wishes to your wife and you.

 

Best wishes for your wife, grateful it was caught early. Great advice on the colonoscopy. I'm 54 this year and have my first one scheduled next month.

 

Colonoscopies are not fun (the prep) but necessary. Also, for us older guys, make sure you get regular blood work so you can track your PSA levels which can indicate possible prostate issues.

 

Best wishes! Glad she caught it early! On a similar note, if you ever have pink pee, don't ignore! That's how I caught bladder cancer early. 7 surgeries later (over 3 years) and lots of chemo, we may have found one that works. 8 months, tumor free so far.

 

Best wishes to your wife and good you are there to support her. The gift of 50 as my GI doc called it, and now I think they are recommending 45.

 

I'm on the 3-year plan. Is that next year already? Damn. Glad your wife's was caught. That stuff killed one of my favorite people far too early.

 

All the best to both of you @k-moe , this fight will take 2 years out of your lives, so stay strong for each other.

 

All the best, @k-moe. Thinking of you and your bride. Really glad it was caught in time.

Anyone else: Do the tests!!!!!!!!!!

 

Irish Mail has been carrying my poop sticks for years, now.
I wonder if I should have bagged them.

 

Thanks everyone. We had a bit of a scare yesterday. Chest pain and nausea. 4 hours in the ER later and it’s apparently of no concern. Understandable given the meds she’s on, but it’s a huge comfort that my leave was approved. I can take the rest of the school year off if needed.

In XJ news: don’t wait too long to replace your starter brushes. I put in my used set last fall to get me by until I had time to get new and put them in. I waited exactly one startup too long. Now I have a starter with a melted commutator trace. A good starter is on the way. I’ll keep the ruined one to be repaired someday. They are getting to be expensive on the used market. Unfortunately I sold my spare before the move from KS. It’s not a concern, because the spares I sold made enough room in the cargo trailer for my lathe.

 

Yesterday I replaced the brake lines on the X with black Galfer lines. I then removed the calipers, cleaned them up and replaced the pads. I finally used some of that cleaner that someone gave me at the last carb clinic. In the future I'll disassemble them for a complete ultrasonic cleaning and rebuild.

 

Yesterday I did an oil change and filter replacement. Warmed oil was 'fully' drained. Measured just slightly under the amount the manual states and refilled. Should have known better from prior experiences. The level is at or above the sight window. Start and ran bike for a minute to circulate into the filter. Oil is still at an unknown level. Today will be a 'remove a bit of oil' day. Getting ready for the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride on Sunday.