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Age 77, Major Surgery, Delayed Riding Season Start, Delayed Additional C 400 GT Mods, Stop By Anyway?

wspollack

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This may be a case of TMI for many of you on the forum, so those folks can stop reading, and move on to the next new post -- it won't hurt my feelings.

For those of you interested, I had a major medical procedure that started last November and culminated with an eight-day hospital stay earlier this month. I've been back at home for two and a half weeks now, and seem to be on my way to my new normal, and building back my strength.

I had an operation for prostate cancer 28 years ago, and a new hip four years ago. Compared to my latest medical adventure, those seem like walks in the park. On the other hand, I recently ordered a bunch of parts of for my Meteor 350, which bike is sitting at my local Royal Enfield dealership in the midst of their installation. So, rightly or wrongly, I expect to be back in action sometime this riding season.

==> I mention all of this in case some of you have questions for me and I am not my usual self, in terms of replying promptly.

==> In particular, my two most recent mods are likely to be my last for quite some time now.

Those mods are:

1) The centered rider's side of the windshield shelf I added over the winter. I described that in the post https://www.bmw-scooters.com/thread...windscreen-then-added-ram-ball-to-shelf.3375/ and in my C 400 gallery at https://billanddot.com/C400GT/#S-181 . I have great hopes for this new RAM ball, should I need to mount a phone or an actual GPS someday, and recommend that product for pre-2025 C 400s.

2) After a few pretty delightful seasons on the stock Pirellis, I have switched to Michelins. I described that change in the post https://www.bmw-scooters.com/threads/it’s-at-time-i-need-a-new-rear-tire….3419/post-28828 . That's all well and good, but if anyone's waiting for a report on the Michelins, well, they're on the bike now but I won't be riding it for a couple of months.

==> If anyone's in the neighborhood (Albany, NY, area), feel free to PM me, and stop by.

I was reminded of this by @Buzzard II, who wrote in https://www.bmw-scooters.com/threads/2025-models-in-the-usa-and-maybe-a-slight-rant.3340/post-29025 today: "I hope in the next few weeks to make the move because my local dealer has the Diamond White model in stock and that's what I want. Who knows, maybe see Bill P. In Lake George the end of May."

I might be up and about and on two wheels for Americade (what @Buzzard II was referring to) at the end of this May, and perhaps able to join someone for the hour's ride north of here.

==> If anyone here rides with an ostomy bag, or knows someone who does, feel free to PM me. As a result of searching various Reddit and other forums, I know there are folks who do this, but I think PMs are the proper venue for discussing such matters, as opposed to spreading medical histories all over the public-facing part of the internet (which I was a little reluctant to do myself, above).

That's all I got.
 
Bill,

Best wishes on a smooth and speedy recovery. I'm venturing north this summer but not sure if I'll make it east to the capitol region. If so, I'll let you know and pop in. I've been shopping for my 7th BMW C 650 GT so I may be riding that. The "big sewing machine," as you called it (Burgman 650) is great, but I long to hear the BMW growl again.

Hope you have a great summer of riding!
 
Thanks for the update Bill. I have benifitted more from your work and posts than anyone elses. Thank you.
I also wish you have a smooth speedy recovery. Glade your not giving up. Things sure get harder as we get older but with our resiliencs we can still have fun.
 
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Bill, I do hope you have a fast and complete recovery. I will be at Americade Tuesday to Sunday and across the street at the Quality Inn. Things have kept me busy here so no Maxi Scoot yet. I'll probably be riding my Gold Wing or a CanAm unless I have a new scooter broken in and serviced by mid May. I do have a ADV 160 but not quite suitable for interstate travel.

If recovered in time and would like to meet up shoot me a PM for contact details.
 
For some reason I feel that you are familiar with, Man of Kent. When I lived in North Jersey I rode and skied alot in Vermont. Somehow finding my way there, always.

That would be the extream motivation needed for a return to riding if I lived in the, more or less, neighborhood. I seem to return there every Americade.
 
And, again, thank you all.
For some reason I feel that you are familiar with, Man of Kent. When I lived in North Jersey I rode and skied alot in Vermont. Somehow finding my way there, always.

That would be the extream motivation needed for a return to riding if I lived in the, more or less, neighborhood. I seem to return there every Americade.
I go by the Man of Kent a few times each year, i.e., when headed to VT that way (although I mostly take Rt. 2 instead of 7, to go east). I don't recall ever going inside for lunch, though (and I don't drink and ride, anyway). But I hear that it's a nice place.
 
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