Hello Everyone:

     We can't believe it is time for the newsletter already. Whew this month has really gone by fast! Well we have had heat, rain showers, and more heat.

Now to add to this we need to be concerned about the ozone. We knew that the high ozone levels were not good for people that had respiratory problems. While watching the news recently we learned that if the ozone code is orange or red that it could be dangerous to everyone that is out in the sun and heat for long periods of time. We did not know until now that if the ozone level is orange or red  that it can burn your lungs like the sun burns our skin. So keep a watch on the weather forecasts and take heed to the ozone warnings.

     We would like to take this opportunity to welcome Jack Becker who is here with his company just for the summer. He has his goldwing with him and is taking full advantage of riding in the southern states.

     On June 16th a group of us rode to Selmer for Cars For Kids. It was a pretty hot day and there were a lot of people there. Chapter N had a good turnout for their bike show. By the time the deadly accident happened everyone from GWRRA had left the area. It was a big turnout of people and it is sad that it had to end in such a tragic way. Remember these families in your prayers.

     Now that the weather is so hot we can not stress enough to take care of yourself and co-rider when riding any length of time. If you are planning to travel  be sure and plan your ride so that you can take extra breaks and drink lots of water.

     Mark your July calendars for the 21st of the month.  We will be taking an overnight ride to "The Land Between The Lakes". We will be having lunch at Patty's 1800 Settlement. Their food is great and if you leave there hungry it is your fault. From there we will travel to Metropolis, Illinois that is so famous for "Superman". We will spend the night in Paducah, Ky. at the Executive Inn. We have blocked 10 rooms for $65 plus tax. This is close enough that we can walk downtown and enjoy their Saturday night activities with bands, of all kinds of different type music, antique cars on display and etc. It is like going to a street festival. So if you would like to go with us let Pat know as soon as possible so we can get more rooms if necessary.

     Take care, drink lots of fluids and stay cool.

 

Pat & Jim

 

Scramble word!

 

(Two words)

 

S  G  D  E  P  L  A

 

 

Hello W2,

 

This month’s newsletter article includes information about some heat related problems.  Now that the weather has decided to get HOT, these could happen.  I unfortunately have first hand knowledge.

     As everyone should know, extreme heat can cause real problems.  And around here, throw in the humidity that frequently shows up, and the formula for heat cramps, or heat exhaustion, or heat stroke, is ripe for success.  Heat cramps are the least severe, and are often the first signal the body is having problems.  Usually, they are painful muscle spasms in the legs and or abdomen.  Heat exhaustion is the next rung on the ladder of severity and its signs include warm, moist, pale, or flushed skin, possible headache or nausea, dizziness, weakness, and exhaustion.  This can sneak up on you faster than you can imagine.  I know that for a fact.  Heat stroke is the most severe condition of the three, and when this is occurring; immediate steps need to be taken.  Signs of heat stroke can include red hot dry skin, possible changes in consciousness, rapid weak pulse and rapid shallow breathing.

     Steps to take can include the following:  1^st get the person out of the heat, pretty obvious.  2^nd loosen any tight clothing and apply cool wet cloths, or even better spray or hose them with cool water to expedite the cooling off of the body, but never apply ice or ice cold water, as this could cause a person to go into shock.   3^rd, If the person is awake, give them some cool water to drink, but don’t water log them.  4^th, fan them somehow if possible to help cool them down.  5^th, if the person looses consciousness, or refuses to drink some water, or starts to vomit, or doesn’t respond to treatment, consider more drastic measures like calling for an ambulance, or heading for an emergency room, or calling 911.

     No one wants this to happen to them, or anyone else.  Everyone needs to be on the lookout for these signs of problems, and deal with the situation ASAP, if something arises.  We ride in groups a lot, and we can all help make sure everyone gets to where the group is going and have a safe and run ride doing it.  If you are out alone, keep this in the back of your mind to make sure you are OK.  Take frequent breaks in cool areas to reduce the overheating possibility.

     I encourage everyone to share your comments about this or any other safety topic with me at our next chapter meeting.

 

Chuck Caldwell  CE  W2

 

 

     Well, it’s July already and since I haven’t wailed about the Honda Certified Factory Trained Technician in a while, this is as good a time as any.  We all have habits that are hard to break and this is definitely one of mine.  My lovely wife and I are not independently wealthy nor are likely to be any time in the near or distant future.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be happy to split a boat payment or provide a fine evening out for the Honda Certified Factory Trained Technician and his family if there’s something I don’t want to mess with like brakes and new tires.

     But I prefer to keep as much of my hard-earned money as I can so if you are anything like me, there are a few maintenance items you can perform on your own 2001 – 2005 Gold Wing and not bother the aforementioned HONDA dude.

CRANKCASE BREATHER – This component helps filter out deposits and re-circulate unburned vapors somewhat similar to the  PCV (valve) in your car or truck.  Frequently riding in rain or at full throttle, laying the bike down and even multiple washings over a short period of time can be grounds to a least give a look.  Start by removing the little black plugs from the 2 CENTER bolts and the 3 LOWER bolts on the LEFT side cylinder head cover.  Remove the bolts using a 6mm allen wrench (hex key).  Do not remove the TOP 3 bolts.  Any deposits seen through the transparent section of the air cleaner housing drain hose can be removed by disconnecting the plug from the hose and dumping into any suitable container. Treat these deposits as you would used motor oil.  Reinstall the plug securely.  Reattach the cylinder head cover.  Do not overtighten the head cover bolts.  The bolts should be torqued to a maximum of 7 ft-lbs. If you don’t own a torque wrench, many auto parts stores like Auto Zone, have loaner tools but you’ll probably have to buy a 6 mm allen socket in a 3/8 or ½ in. drive. Finish by re-installing the rubber plugs.  The rubber plugs are six sided to match the allen wrench configuration.  Orient the plugs before pushing into place.

SPARK PLUGS – No one usually gives a second thought to these unless they notice hard starting or rough engine idle/performance.  But the truth be known, they play a major role on how well the bike shifts during acceleration from a dead stop, highway speeds and overall mpg’s.  Misfires, backfires and pre-detonation (engine pinging) could result from bad plugs, leading to engine damage.  Everybody knows that the plugs will be replaced if you go in for a tune-up proudly performed by none other than your Honda Certified Factory Trained Technician. Good news is that since you already have the  left side head cover off checking the  CRANKCASE BREATHER, you have all the access you need to get to the spark plugs.  Disconnect the spark plug wire before attempting to remove the spark plug.  NOTE*NOTE*NOTE  -  I prefer to do these one at a time…Serious damage can result if you fail to put the correct wire to the correct spark plug and start the engine.  However, if you want to shoot the gauntlet, identify and mark which wire goes to which plug and shoot away. Remove the spark plug and check the electrode gap. It should be in the range of .039 - .043 in using a wire or strip type feeler gauge.  You can clean the plug using a stiff wire brush.  Recheck the plug gap after brushing.  If you find pitting or gouging on the electrodes, replace the plug.  Re-install each plug by hand and finish by tightening to 13 ft-lbs.  Re-connect the plugs wire(s).  Re-attach the cylinder head cover.  Repeat this step for the other side.

     If you found this article useful, please let me know. The same goes for any topics you think would be useful to the chapter.  They don’t have to be specifically about Gold Wings.  I will research and present as an article in future newsletters.  Write to me at

ta4w2@yahoo.com

 

Until we meet again, ride on W2.

 

David Ray

Technical Advisor

 

 

            After an 869 mile round trip to Texas to get the Motor Trike rear end replaces the red trike is back on the road again and Bev and I are enjoying every minute of it.  If you missed the group trip down to Beale St. a couple of weeks ago then you missed a wonderful evening with our wonderful W2 friends.  We visited the new chapter in Covington and made a little trip down to the Blue & White in Tunica.  That is always a nice trip and the food is wonderful.  Now that the trike is back on the road we are looking forward to many more trips like the Dinner Ride this month down to the Spaghetti Warehouse.  That is one of our favorite places to eat.  We had to cancel the big trip to Wing Ding and all parts west because we have bought a little cabin at Snow Lake Shores in Benton County,  MS.  The trip is only postponed until late next spring.  We simply could not be in two places at the same time and Bev and I thought that a new place to live would be more important.   We will be closing on the new place on June 29.  It is only about 40 miles from Collierville so we will be able to make the meetings.  Unfortunately neither cable nor DSL is available for internet connection down there at the present time and you can not load a WEB site over dialup.  Thankfully Jim Brewington is going to take over that job. 

     Ya’ll have a safe and happy Fourth of July.  Remember, on July 4, 1776,  King George wrote in his diary  “Nothing Happened Today.”  Be sure to check out that bike before you ride, and try to keep it between the ditches.

 

Andy and Bev

July Recipe

 

Cherry Fluff Salad

 

1 can of Cherry Pie Filling

1 can of eagle brand milk

1 small can crushed pineapple----drained

1 12oz tub of cool whip---thawed

                                  1 cup of pecans chopped (or nut of choice)

 

Mix all ingredients and refrigerate well.  It's almost a dessert too!

 

 

 

 

Editors Corner:

     While looking at some material the other day, I ran across some sayings that I thought were pretty good.  See what you think.

• Almost anything is easier to get into than out of.
• Old age is always at least 15 years older than I am.
• It’s much harder to find a job than to keep one.
• You can observe a lot by just watching (Yogi Berra)
• If you are feeling good, don’t worry, you’ll get over it.
• If everything seems to be coming your way, you’re probably in the wrong lane.
• All probabilities are 50%, either a thing will happen or it won’t.
• The food that tastes best has the highest number of calories.
• Don’t worry over what other people are thinking about you, they’re too busy worrying about what you’re thinking about them.

Ed

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For Sale:

      

 

 

 

July 2007

 

 

 

David Ray owns this GL1800 the “Bike of the Month”