LEMON BECOMES CHERRY
by Swifty
Part Two -- Running Man
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I left the battery on charge for 24 hours. Well, actually it was until I walked down to the shed and noticed that the green light was on, indicating the charger had done its job. I deftly placed the juiced up battery in the belly of the R6. I eagerly thumbed the starter button.
Nothing.
Well there was something, lots of engine turning over, but no engine firing. After 5 goes any normal person would have given up, but oh no, I kept on thumbing that starter button. I got close a couple of times but I achieved two things:
1. A flat battery 2. Flooded engine
This scenario repeated itself for about two days. I was becoming frustrated, especially after listening to the wife continue with her now familiar chant... "You bought a lemon, you will not buy me an eternity ring, but you happily will spend good money on a piece of junk". After hearing this I set myself two goals: One: buy the wife an eternity ring, that should keep her quiet for a few weeks. Two: GET THIS THING RUNNING.
I made calls to Uncle Kim of the BIKE ME! Forums and my mate Bob, and they gave me some tips. I went out and bought new plugs and a new battery. I dashed home ready to close out goal number two.
Then I spent the next 90 minutes trying to remove the spark plugs. I consulted service manuals, called Uncle and Bob again, hell I even took a photo of my predicament and sent it to Uncle. One thing was clear (two actually if you count that my skills on the tools where still shit), a visit from Uncle was required.
Most of you know Uncle as a despot to be feared. A man so cold hearted he would eat your children. They say his tears can cure cancer. The only problem is that he refuses to cry, not because he thinks it is a sign of weakness to cry, but cancer is a sign of weakness.
Uncle was only too happy to stop torturing his countrymen for a few hours and come over to help me get this thing started. I explained my predicament with the spark plugs, and he let out an almighty belly laugh that could be heard across Melbourne. I had spent 90 minutes trying to remove spark plugs from the HT lead. He opened his vast tool box and in 3 minutes had all four old plugs out and four fresh ones in. He drained the excess fuel. We were ready.
Nothing.
The new plugs were as wet as a 16 year old girl front row at a Robbie Williams concert. The battery was losing charge quickly. We looked at each other in desperation and both come up with an idea. The street I live in is quite steep... a bump start may get us over the line. We tried and failed three times. We then hooked it up to the car and again failure.
After another few hours of frustration Uncle had to leave. I was desolate. Had I bought a lemon??
