I had to clock up 400 or so k's today so I could take my Harley Road King into the dealership on Tuesday to get the post Screamin Eagle Phase II 103 Kit upgrade oil change. I had some things to do first and my wife wasn't too keen on seeing me leave for the whole day so I came up with a plan, we'd do lunch in the middle. So off I went about 11am by myself to get a start on the k's while my wife got the kids ready to leave for lunch.
The weather was perfect for my planned lap of the lake so straight to the Link Road and out onto the freeway southbound I went. I turned off at the Morisset exit then a quick right up the back way to Wyee punching out at Doyalson for a quick spin up the Swansea S's and back home in traffic up the highway.
The family were nearly ready so after a drink and a bit of a cool off we went north, with my son as pillion and my wife and daughters in the car, to Tea Gardens and had lunch at one of my favourite cafes, Nicoles. We relaxed there over great food and coffee for a while while the kids enjoyed the garden. I got the opportunity to open the bike up a bit leading the way backand it was clearly loosening up and becoming more responsive with a few k's under its belt.
At home again and after a quick 15 minute turnaround I left, once again by myself, to the the meeting place designated by the local HOG chapter ready for a twilight ride to Shoal Bay. I filled up the tank there and was stunned to see the distance to empty indicator sitting at 407k's. It seems that the engine upgrade may have had a significant impact on the fuel economy of the Road King but it's too early to be sure.
It was a really good ride, the heat of the day was subsiding, the traffic wasn't heavy and it was nice to be surrounded by Harley's, it's been a while. We all sat, ate dinner and had a drink and I got to chat with some members I'd not met before. A little after 7pm it was time to leave and I rode back close to home with a new acquaintance who had a lovely 2010 Road King Classic.
Home by 8pm with a little over 400k's more on the clock. Job done, the Harley is ready for its oil change.
