I hadn't been able to get out with my pals for a ride for quite a while, so when the opportunity arose to go out this last Saturday of July I was stoked.  I prepared my 2010 Triumph Tiger 1050 the night before the ride and all was good.   

I was up and ready to go right on time to meet my pals up at Apex Cycles in Ellijay.  I started the Tiger and got my gear on. I rode up the driveway and to my horror the front brake lever pulled straight back to the handlebars with no resistance.  A gentle application of back brake brought me to a stop.  I found myself, in disbelief, repeatedly pulling on the brake lever in the faint hope that my first finding was wrong. It was not. 

I inspected the bike, but there was no sign of a hydraulic leak and the reservoir was full.  There was just no brake pressure on the lever.  I inspected the garage where the bike rests between rides.  No sign of a problem there at all, not even a drop of oil on the floor of the Tiger's bed.  It was no good, this bike was going nowhere today. 

Disappointed about not being able to ride my Tiger I considered my options and decided to ride my 1970 TR25W Triumph.  Usually my older bikes are finicky about starting, but first kick this baby started up!  Excellent, I was off meet the lads.  I decided to forego any saddle backs and wet weather gear; I would just rough it if I get caught in rain.

It's been quite a while since I have brought the old 1950 Velocette Mac out to the club meetings or on a ride.  The last time out I became very frustrated due to the bike refusing to idle and it either stalling and needing restarting, or me having to constantly blip it like some adolescent two stroke rider. It took the fun out of it, and it's all due to Ethanol in the gas!

Well, old Mac sat for well over a year and in the meantime I did buy the best carb cleaner recommended, thanks to an article that Nelson showed me.  It's made by Yamaha - fantastic stuff and really worked a treat.  Needless to say that I did actually take the time to strip, clean and rebuild the carb on Mac this summer, and having treated him to some real gasoline from Blue Ridge (no ethanol at all), he started on the second kick and runs and idles perfectly.  He's like a new old bike!