This morning was busy and fraught with things that could go awry.  The bike was ready to pick up.  The trailer had to be delivered by the storage company from their yard to the HD dealer, our luggage had to be transferred from the trunk of the rental car to the trailer, the rental car had to driven cross town to be returned at the agency, we had to get a ride back to the HD dealer to finally get hitched up and on the road.  In the meantime, there were several large transfers of money from my wallet to someone elses'.  We got on the road finally at about noon.

Now, this is essentially a new engine and as such needs to be broken in.  The first 50 miles have to be underr 50 MPH, and the next 450 miles under 55.  Initially, things are very tight and consequently the engine does not run very smoothly and generates a lot of heat as the parts fight each other before settling into a close friendship.

Trying to drive up the highway at 50 MPH in a 65 zone is not fun.  On a rural, 2-lane highway, three trucks pulled out and passed us on an uphill stretch.  How humiliating for a Harley-Davidson jockey!

As the day progressed, I could feel the engine gain its balance and momentum.  It is running well, but will continue getting better for at least the next couple thousand miles if past history is any judge.

The plan was to go from Phoenix to Payson, AZ.  A distance of 90 miles.  Upon arrival and a McD lunch, going on seemed like the thing to do.  We went another 90 miles before stopping and are currently in Holbrook.

As I type this, a huge tour bus pulled up into the driveway and about a million tourists got off and are not in the process of inhabiting all the other rooms with none to much care as to voices, thumps and bumps through the walls and ceiling.  Hopefully they will settle in soon.

Phoenix, AZ to Holbrook, AZ