Sturgis ‘08
Took the ’78 shovel and it ran great out there on Fri.
Sat to the Needles and Vanocker canyon.
Sun visiting a few folk around the area.
Mon Spearfish Cheyenne crossing Nemo.
Tues in Rapid and Sturgis and went on shorter rides.
Wednesday morning the fun all started.
We headed to Hulett, WY for no panty Wed and exited from 90 to 34 at whitewood to take the scenic route.
The bike had trouble shifting into 1st, so I told the boys to watch me get in 4th on the way back to Sturgis.
The shift from 1st to second 10 yards after the stop sign sent third gear out thru the case to live in the woods. (See Picture)
Roger (buddy that lives in Blackhawk) got his truck and came and got me to his garage.
By Wed 6PM had the tranny out and over to an indi that Rog trusted.
They had it stripped down by noon Thursday and gave it to me to take to a welder in Rapid. He was waiting for me.
The shop “Blackhawk Custom Cycles” had it back together And I had it running Sat.
Just in time to ride back to Mpls Sunday.

Sturgis ‘09
Took off Friday with the ’96 this time and 100 west of Sioux Falls the right rear wheel bearing spun.
Called a buddie who lives in SF, SD.
He is off (being a teacher) summers and got bearings and races grease and seals on his way to pick me up.
The axle shaft was bent and scored bad. Couldn’t find a dyna shaft anywhere except Cheyenne WY.
They don’t ship during the rally – W T F ???
Bought a softtail axle and ground down ½ - that is 3/8ths of an inch from the welded nut on the end.
It got me thru the rally. Had it done on Sat, took off to meet the other 4 guys that went on ahead of me on Friday.
They did tell me how it started to rain heavy just as they headed west and I went east in the truck.


Funny how problems seem to make the trip more memorable.

Im not laughing at your misfortune, just the way you said 3rd gear was living in the woods, never heard it put that way, but spot on imagery, good one.