The Route To Rattlesnake (Part I)

Friday, Oct seventh 2016 

I left piece of occupation early on to provide to Rural Retreat, VA, for the penultimate circular of the Virginia Championship Hare Scrambles Series, known equally "Rattlesnake".  A hurricane was marching its means upward the East Coast, promising enough of pelting as well as high air current for the entire seaboard.  There was a pre-run of the course of written report scheduled for Sabbatum afternoon, but I had another, ulterior motive for arriving equally early on equally I could...

Languishing inwards a garage solely 2 hours from the race rail inwards Hickory NC, was a 2006 Gas Gas EC300, most identical to my 2004 model.  The cost was inwards the ballpark, as well as I desperately needed a parts bike.  I wanted the peace of hear that I wouldn't fille a race because I didn't accept a operate inwards time.  Emails exchanged, engagement made, at that spot was nada to produce forthwith but drive.  And drive.  Through the driving rain.

An invisible Sun began to sink equally I unloaded as well as educate army camp at Wythe Raceway.  I headed dorsum on to I-81 merely equally the pelting started bucketing down.  2.5 hours after inwards the pitch dark, pelting nevertheless pouring, I arrived at a suburban home.  The possessor as well as I spoke for over an hour, exchanging country of war stories as well as tall tales.  I kicked the tires, but he as well as I both knew, I was going dwelling with this affair i means or the other.  The solely item left was the numbers.  This detail EC looks decent, but the wary oculus sees the country tale signs of a difficult life.  Chain as well as sprockets shot, wheel bearings toast, daze inwards desperate bespeak of a rebuild, footpeg bracket broken as well as re-welded on the same side equally mine (disappointing), the solely argue the forepart forks are non leaking is evidently because at that spot is no crude oil inwards them.  Suspension linkage bolts are loose, with the nut falling off of one, exhaust piping most flattened.  Rear sub-frame is a cobbled on Kawasaki unit, bring upward fender is cracked.  Yup, all the hallmarks of an xi year-old dirt wheel that has suffered at the hands of mortal who didn't care.  But it seems to run reasonably good as well as at that spot are enough of good, serviceable parts, similar a novel Brembo clutch chief cylinder as well as aftermarket powervalve comprehend alongside others.

We negotiate, I pay also much, charge the Gasser as well as caput dorsum into the monsoon.

    

High as well as dry out loaded inwards the dorsum of the van, newest fellow member of the fleet, 2006 Gas Gas EC300

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