2015-04-16 - Stuff

Since I last posted on 3/30 quite a bit has transpired. On 4/3 I had robotic surgery to reduce a herniated umbilical. Life has been somewhat a blur since then but focus is gradually returning. A few days ago I ordered and received an inexpensive bicycle trailer/cart combo to use as a utility device around my home and town. I broke it in by hauling my basket of wash to the laundry room, a chore I did not relish doing by hand wirth my injured belly:

The trailer worked well. It is probably too heavy for serious touring but will be fine for local use. I have a send hitch on the way so I can use it on 2 bikes with minimal hassle.

Yesterday I rode the Ural into Yucca Valley for a shopping. The trip really tired me out and I slept long and hard last night but woke up feeling well this morning. I have been putting off installing the new heat blocking gaskets and flanges for the Ural carburetors I bought a month or so ago. I finally did it today. It went smoothly enough but I cannot start the bike until tomorrow after the sealant has cured to see what improvement if any they make. I called to order a new main jet body/tube for the right carb as the existing one is corroded from having water in it. The dealer that sold me the flanges and new jets (not installed yet) did not have the part. I called another dealer in Florida and he happened to have one left. I bought it along with new stainless Allen screws to replace the cruddy Philips screws on the carbs. He suggested the left carb may be running rich because I have lost the "needle jet" which sits at the top of the main jet body. It makes sense. Tomorrow I will take the top off to see if it is in there or not. If it is gone it may be impossible to find a replacement. I may have to get new carbs.

In other news, the weather has been very pleasant. We had a hot period 3 weeks ago and I got new pads and got the swamp cooler going but have not used it much lately. The is the earliest I have ever needed it here.