Transcontinental sob story - grab a coffee.

[linsler]

If you think you're having a ****ty day...remember that in an age of car bombs and spiralling health hazards, everything's relative. That being said no Zen mastery will pull me out of this one anything less than slightly chainjerked, since obviously I have an easy life - knock on wood.

As a last remnant of a previous life in Detroit, I moved my bike to Belgium. I had bought the T509 with 2000 miles on the clock last June and barely rode it afterwards. It looked pristine, but suspicious in a way. But cheap so took a chance. The numbers matched. Rode excellently, except for the tires which were quickly changed.

Well, the triple survived the trip. Barely. When I picked it up it had stood on a naked pallet outside in the rain for a few weeks, a few things were torn off, battered or scratched, the chain fully rusted. Not nice.

Into the shop then, a real GOOD shop I have to say, with one of those Triumph passionate guys you love to have working on your bike. He noticed that:
- the front tire was mounted on backwards by Triumph Detroit - how stupid must I be not to have noticed THAT.
- the engine was barely mounted in and probably had closer to 15,000 miles on it. It was the right engine. It just served other purposes in its life.
- all the special fittings for the sensors of the engine were torn off by the Harley dealer in Wisconsin I bought the bike from probably.
- transport to bring her over: 1100 dollars
- cost of importing her properly for European roads: 1750 Euros
- cost of putting her back in shape: 1200 Euros

I'm still looking for a good thing to say before saying "priceless" because the trip to Italy last week was cancelled due to delays. No bike, no trip.

**** happens. Just thought I'd share. I know you guys feel my pain. I feel like I just saved a puppy from an asylum or something. I'll send some pics when I finally hit the Alps with her.

Cheers guys. Ride safe.

Greg.