My "Fled to Stone Mountain" trip is quickly approaching. It is now less than one month from the touring trip with the Ducati 748 down to the ATL for my homage to the Kevin Hooks film "Fled". As a young man I would sit and watch this movie on VHS (this makes me feel ancient) time and again between Supercross races, and daydream of being Luke Dodge. Even to the point of wearing a messenger bag and plaid jacket, so popular in the wake of grunge music.
So to Stone Mountain I am making a pilgrimage. And while not exactly on a 916 I ride, it's close enough for now. No one needs to know the difference. Only an eagle-eye Ducatista will spot the 748 decal on the rear cowl...
One nice little bonus of this trip is the fact that nearly exactly between Baltimore and Atlanta sits the Blue Ridge Parkway. What more of an invitation do I need? So plans to haul the duc down in a truck have been redacted from the list. For now.
Repairs to the 748's grinding noise in the clutch area has been under scrutiny, and I've received a full Barnett clutch from Parts Unlimited to swap out the original with, and while I'm there I'll put an OE clutch cover to replace the open cover now allowing the full sounds of Hell to escape with every rotation of the crankshaft. Lord this is one loud motorcycle; forgive me for my sins. Love thy neighbor apparently I am not.
After the regulator/rectifier and stator failed last summer - while in the Baltimore Tunnel, no less - I've been less than comfortable on long rides now. The reliability gremlin that comes inherently tethered with all Italian motorcycles has finally caught up with my little twin, and it has begun gnawing at my nerve to venture so far from home. The trip to Indianapolis in 2013 we shared has jaded me. But as this is currently my only motorcycle, I'm desperate to ride regardless.
One thing I'm having trouble swinging is photography for this trip. More specifically while in Atlanta, at the Georgia Dome for the Supercross, and while in transit towards Stone Mountain. To capture some very Fled-like images, especially on Highway 78, ideally a "chase vehicle" would be present for a photographer to capture shots in front, but this may be implausible currently. No biggie - time to improvise. Nothing a sweet camera and a tripod won't fix!
