As I pulled up...
After the water receded...
Victims...
Side car tub...
Wet Vette
Knuckle Chopper waiting to be drained...
Getting to the Knuckle
Excelsior Drainage...
Ugh...
Yikes...
Draining the Knuckle...
Had to lean it over to drain the trans...drain plug was shot...
A weeper...
God No!
Filled...
Just watch it run out...
The work area...
No words...
Mike and the Mighty Oz!
Time for drainage...
Are you fuckin' kidding me???????
Mike's world turned upside down...
Got the Flatty drained, oiled and running...
Pull off the return and let it flow through until clear...
Got the Pan squared away and working...
Joe Oz tears into the Chief...
Ugly...
Draining...
Next...
Still draining...
Mike takes the Pan out for a test run....
Still draining...
Oh that poor Nomad...
Oh yeah and that poor 'Vette...
Plenty more to go...
Thor drainage...
Yank and dump...
Finished for the day...
What a day at Mike's on Sunday. I pulled up to find him in the yard moving crap around next to his sign that states I'M HERE AND PROTECTED!! (I can vouch for that). I brought in the beer and five gallons of kerosene and began to survey the damage. It was shocking.... I grabbed a broom and started sweeping out the garage, then we fired up the generator for some lights and I said, "Where do you want me to start?", Mike said, "You're a Knucklehead man, how about the "46 Chopper?" We moved a bunch of stuff out of the way and wheeled it out. I pulled the motor drain and watched the salt water flow! I then tried the trans drain plug but it was shot so I took out the fill plug and gave it a lean and dumped the water out of the trans. I proceeded to remove the spark plugs and the front cylinder was full to the brim! I was looking in the hole at the water and Mike said, "Stand back while I give it a kick". No sooner did I move back when the fuckin' water shot (no lie) 25 feet in an arc out of the spark plug hole missing me by inches. I never seem anything like it!!! It shot over my shoulder over the Nomad and into the neighbors driveway!
That was the start of it. We drained, rinsed, oiled, flushed, cleaned wire brushed and fired up all day. We finished one and grabbed another. Joe Oz came back by and joined in the festivities. Neighbors dropped by now and again bringing food an encouragement. Mike's buddy Neil dropped by and went out for a couple of pizzas. But it was mostly water, kerosene, oil and gasoline all day.
When I left for PA at the end of the day I was feeling like I should stay and do more....We made some good progress but there is much to be done.
I have spoken to Mike several times since Sunday and he is working non stop. I need to find some time to get back down there.
The weather man says a Nor' Easter is on it's way tomorrow...shit!
Shock & Horror ... but they can be fixed! What a tragedy - I could cry!
ReplyDeleteBeen Following your blog for some time! The site of all those fine old scoots (and cars)soaking in salt water is heartbreaking! Being a Florida Cracker.....I know what salt water does.....fast! Yall done good so far! Good to see friends helping friends! The scoots will survive!
ReplyDeleteAmazing... and all those bikes are glorious, especially that black Pan. So you drain, rinse with kerosene, then oil and fire? Hope there is no further damage. Mike is blessed with great friends.
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say, I called Mikey 3 times a day telling to move his shit as this was coming. he didn't want to hear it. We're best buddies... I tried. Instead of moving his stuff, he wanted me to come hang out. I had a trailer load of bikes with me. I told him "I'm going to Florida, I know whats coming..." Very sad day. I told him he needs to be grateful he is still alive and has bikes to clean up, it could of been a lot worse very easily.- Todd Bertrang
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