Michael J Gable and our Bonneville

BillyIndiana

Road rash heals-Freckles grow back-Ride
Joined
Nov 23, 2016
Messages
1,805
Location
Lafayette Indiana
Ride
2015 R3T
Last couple of days have been stressful at work so I took off early yesterday.
I am normally go, go ,go, but I had no idea what to do. I made a couple stops then went home.

I was mentally and physically tired, but I had to do something.
I went out the the garage and looked at the covers off the bike.
I turned on the light.
Pulled up a chair.
Got out the polish and some towels.
and started thinking.

I could feel every gash, ding, and scratch as my fingers worked in the polish.
At first I was annoyed at how beat up it was.

I was using Meguiars Aluminum Polish. It is the US version of Autosol.
You work it in and it turns black as it removes the impurities.
Then you wipe it off, polish, and start again and again and again and again. The more you polish aluminum the more it shines.
It is a perfectionist's nightmare.

As I was polishing I look over and there is the transmission cover with Mike's name looking up at me. So as my fingers glide over those dents and dings I think, Mike you beat the crap out of these covers, and start imagining how he rode this bike.

He was a rider.
He rode it hard.
Wrenched it as best he could to keep it on the road.
He lived a life with this bike.

Then I realize what my fingers are going over are beauty marks and a lifetime of memories.
I just keep polishing lost in thought, cherishing every imperfection.
Then Emma sticks her head in the garage and says, honey it's time for bed.

6 hours on this cover. I had no idea.

Goodnite Mike.

P1010548.JPG P1010551 (2).JPG P1010577.JPG P1010578.JPG
 
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Your a true legend mate, even @RKTNMYPKT would have stopped 'polishing' well before 6 hours without a break! ;):D:eek:

I always love being able to put a name to the previous owner/s of old items. :thumbsup: I tried Googling him before and came across a few possibilities. You could ask the his brother and maybe find out more history yourself online from any info he can provide. For all we know he may have been a 'bad boy rocker' and got locked up not able to repay Dad, histories of ordinary folks can sometimes be more interesting than public figures.:cool:
 
You've got the bug. It's most satisfying bringing these old bikes back to life, more so if one knows the original owner or history of the bike.

Aside from the therapy, a double buffing wheel can do wonders on those old aluminum cases. I have two different wheels, one for cutting with jewellers rouge and the other for buffing. Following that I pour a stiff glass of Jamison Irish and do the final hand finish polishing

I have six or more sets of cases sitting on shelves in the back British room of my shop, enough to keep me busy fo a long time.
 
You've got the bug. It's most satisfying bringing these old bikes back to life, more so if one knows the original owner or history of the bike.

Aside from the therapy, a double buffing wheel can do wonders on those old aluminum cases. I have two different wheels, one for cutting with jewellers rouge and the other for buffing. Following that I pour a stiff glass of Jamison Irish and do the final hand finish polishing

I have six or more sets of cases sitting on shelves in the back British room of my shop, enough to keep me busy fo a long time.
You should set up a 'Therapy Center';):D
 
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Mike...hate to tell you this..but they now make buffers to fit your electric drill....3 hrs...
Or find a mate with "Parkinsons".

No joke. I have a mate (Tony) who was diagnosed at 22 with Parkinsons. He is now permanently medicated and even so he trembles all the time.
He started doing Gunstock finishing. And I tell you - everybody wants his services.

Even very dark clouds can have a silver lining.
 
You've got the bug. It's most satisfying bringing these old bikes back to life, more so if one knows the original owner or history of the bike.

Aside from the therapy, a double buffing wheel can do wonders on those old aluminum cases. I have two different wheels, one for cutting with jewellers rouge and the other for buffing. Following that I pour a stiff glass of Jamison Irish and do the final hand finish polishing

I have six or more sets of cases sitting on shelves in the back British room of my shop, enough to keep me busy fo a long time.

I got into bikes BC, before chrome, and have always liked my bikes to shine.
I had to replace the clutch cover so I brought it home last night to experiment on with a buffer. 0
It did amaze me how long I was working on it, but I really was exhausted.
On the other hand how much time do we spend in front of these screens.
My finger are a little sore.

Here is my KZ650 back around 1985.

Old bikes 001.JPG

Check out the Kerker header and velocity stacks.
 
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