I get changed, lay in bed. My eyes are open. I can't focus. I'm wide awake. That Red Bull I drank over 5 hours ago is still kicking my arse. So I tell the story.
Earlier in the day I had told Robin that there was a ride on. I specially went and got fuel before I got home so I'd have a full tank in the 400 before going out and meeting at Scarborough. Mum asks me where the R1 is. (It's still parked at Robin's). I tell her that its still at Robin's and that I'm still waiting on a screen. She demands I bring it back home.
So the ride I was meant to go on, I was a pillion on. And good fun at that. My arms got a wicked workout and I enjoyed being on the back again. We left from Scarborough and headed to Fremantle for some food and a chat. We stopped in at Ginos and got some pasta. I was quite happy that I got the cannelloni. I've become a big fan of cannelloni, something about spinach and ricotta that I just love. To date, noone does it better than Cafe Martino on Beaufort Street in Mount Lawley.
After the ride, Robin took me back to his place where I cabletied my new numberplate onto the fender eliminator of the R1. I used blue cableties and tell you what, a bodgy "I'll cut it off when I get home" turns out to be a very tidy looking arrangement. So I'm going to keep it; but just trim the cableties.
I was a little scared at this point. It was going to be the first time I had ridden the R1 in four weeks. It didn't sound the same and sure as hell didn't feel the same. I thought that replacing the exhaust was more of a want than a need, but the factory muffler sounds dreadful and is right back up on my list of things to buy for the bike.
Over the last few days Robin had helped me fit (a few times) the rear tail fairing and nose piece of the R1 back together, and yesterday I got the rags out along with the Plexus and cleaned everything I could find. After that, I went over all the black plastic components (inside and out) with Maguiars Trim Detailer. That stuff really makes the bike shine. [I'll put some photos up of the bike during daylight hours].
I *hope* I didn't get any overspray on the tyres...
Robin rode with me to check my tyre pressures and to baby me around the block before I headed home, sans screen. Was a bit blowey on the bike, interesting riding without a screen, but I still made it home quite comfortably.
My levers, screen and oggy knobs should be on their way soon after *another* stock holdup. This time a purple iridium Arai visor was the culprit. It will mean that the bike will have equidistant levers unlike now where the clutch is different to the brake. Shits me off.
Even up until today, I'm still finding missing bits here and there. Another $20 today for two mirror bolt guides. Anything "genuine" sucks.
Either way, It's been a long time between rides on the R1 and the 400 has certainly served me well in the interim. I will now know that *both* should be equally respected and are just as much fun as the other. The R1 is now parked up next to the 400 in the courtyard again. It's nice to see them together again.
On a side note; a HUGE thank you to Robin for putting up with me over the last few weeks with the crash at Wanneroo. Tolerating my rabble, cleaning the bike, picking up parts for me (even when you didn't have to), helping me assemble things and identify missing bits... I wouldn't have a complete bike nor the smile on my face right now if it wasn't for you.
Thank you again Robin. Love you! :)
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