Day 17 - Getting Ready For THe Final Push

 The next stop was Garberville on the California Coast.  Yes, we finally got our first look at the Pacific Ocean.  It was beginning to feel like we nearing the end.  However, two of the Vincents made the trip on the trailer.  These were The Vincent-Day Rapide with a broken shifter assembly and the always troublesome Shadow being ridden by Chris Roberts.

To get the most out of the evening, Charlie and I raced ahead of the riders to get to Garberville with the set-up crew.  The group would just have to deal with any problems out there on their own.  This proved to be a great decision.  I was able to fix both machines before the gang arrived.  When they arrived, there I was feet up with a beer in hand.  

As suspected, the shifting problem was simply loose adjuster bits behind the kick-start cover.  Unfortunately, getting at that requires the removal of the complete exhaust system.  The Shadow had been misfiring and popping.  Scooter found the problem - bad gas!  In fact, this had been the problem all along.  We drained the float bowls into a small container and there it was - water, and lots of it.

Apparently buying fuel on the road in remote rural areas is fraught with risk.  We had been using high test all the way.  But, in small places, few people use it.  So, the pumping station tanks get loaded with water from condensation.  You are better off with regular.  Yes, it has more corn alcohol in it, but usually fewer contaminants.  

Charlie has been a great travelling buddy.  On our drive, we were looking for a lunch place.  I had grown very tired of the usual fare of burgers and fries.  I really wanted something healthy.  I spotted a Thai/Vietnamese place.  We went in and ordered beef and chicken over vermicelli rice noodles.  It was dressed with lettuce, shaved carrot and nuts, and served with a light dipping sauce.  They had that out to us in a jiffy.  It was absolutely delicious, and a treat that we would never have enjoyed with the main group.  

A busy night

Vancouver lads at work

That night, there was an absolute beehive of activity late into the night.  It was mainly with others whose Vincents are not my responsibility.  I did get involved in replacing Richard's absolutely shagged rear tire but otherwise floated about doing "consulting" work.  The Vancouver mob had grown to and they used the mobile shop and stands too.  It was very late before all the bikes were ready for the next day.  An attempt was made to patch up Greg McBride's gas tank.  But, the next morning, that failed and relegated Greg to a truck for another day.

Greg and Ian try fiberglass and epoxy