It's ALLIIIIIVE! - The Resurrection and Rebirth of Geraldine, Chapter Three






I learned a couple of things today:

  1. I have to remember to shut the fuel petcock off. I posted a note on the fuse box (handlebars) to remind me.
  2. The engine stop switch only cuts the ignition, not anything else. So, I can be sitting there cranking away like an idiot wondering why she won't fire. Yep, it happened. Twice.
After going a little buggy trying to dig the spark plug out, I realized that Marco (the previous owner of both Geraldine and Gertrude) had left a couple of magnets on the tank. Clipped the smaller one into my test light lead, and bingo, plug came right out. Used Gertrude's spark plug socket (same size, better rubber inside) to reinstall the plug. Geraldine then started right up and idled beautifully.

Took her for a little lap around the parking lot. The back tire is fucked, split, flat-spotted, and definitely not road-ready. I'd already ordered the new tires last night (and they are on the way).

As for the broken fuse box cover, well, Gorilla Glue and packaging tape (which just happens to be holding the aforementioned "Turn Fuel Off" note to the fuse box cover) to the rescue! We'll see how well it works. The cover screws are well and thoroughly rusted. Soaked them with 3-in-1 oil yesterday. *Maybe* I'll be able to find another fuse box cover...

I'm really pleased with how well she runs.

The last battery might've been cooked. Running voltage is right about 15 volts. Technically still within specs per Honda - they specify 14-15 volts. Since a new regulator costs almost as much as the bike did, (shhh don't tell the next owner) I'm not going to replace it.

Expenditure today: zero
Total to date: whatever it was yesterday. d

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