Late Bedtime, Early Start Questionable

Still in Yuma, as planned. It's after 2 AM and I need to sleep but just can't pull it off. I've had some maintenance issues that have kept us all very busy between riding and enjoying our mutual company. We had agreed to get me a new tire installed down here, but discovered my chain & rear brake were both shot. OK, whatever. Then we worked for 3-4 solid hours chasing a short in my tail light. I hit the rear brake & the engine quits. That's alright, I was stopping anyway.

So today we put the bike on a lift to hook up some lights & saw a wet cylinder, thought it was oil. Damn, it's GAS!   Looks like cracks in both tanks the day before we're supposed to leave. Bob The Wizard has a good friend, wheeler-dealer type, who knows someone who can weld gas tanks.  Maybe maybe we can be outta here by noon.

One of the regular guys flew down from Seattle with his lovely wife, kind of a surprise visit. He may ride with us for the first day or 2 so, we'll have 4 I hope.  Looks like 2 Flatheads and a Knucklehead, not sure what #4 will ride, probably a loaner from Bob, he has a handful of old ones.   All I know is we may get a late start but - - - - - WE GONNA RIDE!

Dammit I love these people, I really do.  Here today we have a bike mechanic, a retired trucker, a body shop guy and they call me their "rocket scientist". I'm the dumbest in the lot when it comes to these machines. I mean, I can hold my own but you put a 75 year old bolt or a fitting on these guys hands & they'll tell you model and year just by giving it a sniff.  And oh, they have some pretty bikes.  Pics, oh yeah.