After many years of running around just barely serviceable for my needs, I gave up and put the real effort to achieving the best running condition for my old Suzuki GS1000ET. Valves gaps were set first and three shims had to be ordered. Oil and filter was changed. The tank was cleaned, etched, and sloshed. Every last part of all four carbs were disassembled, cleaned, and seals replaced. One carb had the idle mixture jet seized, and removal actually broke the casting off in my hand using a screw extractor. Using the best JB weld known to man, I built up the area, and machined it out. A new mixture screw also had to be made and installed. I reassembled the full rack, and installed back on the bike. Fuel was added to a remote tank I built for this purpose, and the engine started. Quickly! The #4 cylinder remained cold and was only very weakly running if at all. It seemed to be good spark but the ignition wire plug caps on 1 and 4 cylinders had been broken for as long as I can remember so I replaced them just for good measure. Tapping on the #4 float bowl did bring that cylinder on line. No hesitation on quick throttle movement. One thing that was clear was that the engine was running stronger than I ever remember. The one item remaining on the squawk sheet was that the idle was not steady and varied anywhere from 500 to 3500. I went ahead and made an appointment with a mechanic, and had them sync the carbs. $67 later, Suzi was new again! The muscle of the GS1000ET engine was evident even at idle.
     Though these improvements were long needed and coming, the motivation was friends riding Vulcans had invited me to go on a ride to the south Texas hill country. I got the bike out of the shop about noon Tuesday before the sun rise departure on the Wednesday the 10th. No time to spend testing for dependability. Just time to pack gear and arrange the bungee's to secure the materials to the bike. All air, fluids and chain lube checked by 2300, and wake up call in for 0600.
Three miles out, I picked up the first rider on a brand new Vulcan. Leaving early is his idea. I won't be alert for another 3 hours. Air is heavy with moisture, with temps in the low fifties. A mere breath brings steam, so you could imagine just what breathing in the helmet can do to visibility with the visor down! Got real good, real quick at finding the tap on the visor to open it at slow speeds. New helmet is a HJC fusion II CL-12 if I've got your curiosity up. Looks real mean with the new smoke visor on! Finally another 20 miles up the road we picked up our final partners in travel, in a small town of Slidell Texas. We are now 2 Vulcans, 1 (1986?) Honda Shadow, and my 1980 Suzuki GS1000ET.
     The route was planned to minimize traffic and maximize scenery and fun. If the Highway was divided, no more than 20 miles was spent being part of the flow. The most fun was back "farm to market" type roads that always had the best country sides to watch, and even more importantly, sweeping turns that gave the opportunity to even the wear on the side of the tires. I know that by no means, am I the icon of high performance riding, but at least, one gets a glimpse as my knee neared the pavement entering the corners. Too much going on to watch the entry speeds, but a quick glance exiting the turns, generally revealed near twice the posted entry speed limit. How does one say exhilarating?
     Stops were made about every 80 miles on average. Circulation, to the aft quarters and rehydration were probably more important than the measly couple of gallons of fuel loaded. Not being professional navigators, another past time of these stops was to abuse the group leader that had laid out the route. If I had a dollar for every, "weren't we supposed to turn back there?" . . . . .
      By 1530 that afternoon, we pulled into Fredericksburg Texas, hearing the cheers of the masses that had a resounding message of "there went the neighborhood!" Clearing the city limits we found the local KOA campground that had our reservations for the two nights we were to be in town. Sounding as a squadron of diesel trains heading up a major grade, we motored by the signs demanding quiet at the entrance, back to the cabin we'd secured. Gear unloaded, later that evening we were doing our best at beating the best fish stories of our partners. One of us soon noted that looking at the quite full campground, we were placed in a corner, isolated and near absolutely nobody! Not having ever smelled one, can anyone actually say what a rat may smell like!?
After a long night of non sleeping, our non beauties stirred for a yet to be planned day. First order of the day was of course to find food. We decided on a small German restaurant in town where we gathered some very fine ethnic foods of German fare. Huevos Rancheros, and the "farmers special". We then returned to the isolation cabin to pack our gear and go over our bikes to assure another trouble free day of road running. Other than lubing and putting a bit more tension on my chain the GS proved again ready for the road. Why am I the only one with a can of Chain lube on his bike?
     Nearing 1030 Thursday we headed south for about 5 miles to the assembly of buildings known as Luckenbach. Yes, of Willie, Waylen and the boys fame. Not enough to be a town, but a post office had been established in 1850 and apparently remained in service until 1971. Still unclear was if Willie was actually present for the ribbon cutting opening of the office. . .. Pictures made, bikes mounted, and back to the road we went with a bent northbound.
Not observing another other mass arrivals of Vulcan's for this week end of VROC (Vulcan Riders and owners club) activities, we decided to head back to our homes. The following day also brought the possibility of rain, so any delay could take from our perfect weather so far. After all the main focus of this trip was to ride, so ride we did. To maintain interest, and not revert to merely droning toward home, we chose a different route of return. First stop was Marble Falls for lunch!
     We departed west out of Marble Falls to take a scenic run through hills and sweeping turns around Buchanan Lake. We then rejoined 281 at the Town of Burnet and turned north towards home. Arriving at Hamilton we stopped for fuel, and to bid farewell to two of our partners in crime. They, being from far northeast of the Dallas area, thought it best for traffic and time, to totally circumvent the DFW area. Wanting to beat the darkness home, the oldest and newest bike on the trip continued north on 281 to Stephenville, locked in slight stagger presenting four wheels, and two headlights to the oncoming traffic as the sun set off to our left.
Curtis on his Vulcan had to switch to reserve fuel entering Decatur, giving us an excuse to take one final break to fuel both bikes and bellies! Sitting now only 40 miles from home we discussed both the aches, pains, and cramps along with the thankfulness for throttle locks and small gas tanks. The final 40 miles home just after sunset proved interesting in only one item. I found it rather hard to see down the road as all the flying insects in the county would hover in the low areas and tried their best, in suicide, to totally obscure my face shield! A short stop at his house, to drop Curtis off and I was home about five minutes later.
     The main numbers collected on the trip are tabulated below. One intriguing point is that of the four bikes, (mine being the largest, and most carbs) in every fuel stop, I took on the least amount of fuel!? Talking to friends while sitting on the clothes washer in spin cycle to restore circulation to the rear quarters, plans are being made for the next opportunity. This time, we're looking at a shorter run, and bringing wives along so they too can learn to appreciate a spin cycle off balance!