Im a jack ass!

[Qball]

So I am sure we have all been there but after several tear downs, multiple carb cleanings I couldnt figure out why a previously perfectly running engine wouldnt run.  Spark, fuel, compression?  YUP.
Clean the tank, refill the tank with fuel.  found some water in the tank, clean the tank out again still some water left over third time cleaning it and still water in the tank........

Id like to thank Paul for comming by the house and pointing out I probably shouldnt be using the fuel from the same water filled jerry can over and over again.
Bike just purrs now

Im a major jackass

PS there was so much water in the fuel that when I drained it into an old coffe can and tried to burn it it took severe effort to get it to light.

Im sure we all have these moment but when you do it sure lowers the old self esteem a notch.

[Sr.X]

At least now we know that you are just as human as the rest of us, anyone who says that something like this has never happened to them is probably a liar. Glad you got it running well, spring is just around the corner.

  Been a jack ass many times, Bob

[fast1]

  Could have been worse! Once had a customer who had a 600 Seca. Kept having problems starting. So I kept draining the water from his fuel and told him to stop filling off his barrel of marked gas at home. Last time it wouldn't start he left it till payday before bringing it in. After draining off over a gallon of water it still would not start. Compression test said rings were rusty and bye-bye. Could not afford to fix it so Corey bought it for a pittance and paid me to fix it in the evenings. Nice bike on clean premium.  Run good fuel. CHEERS.

[MaximX]

I have taken off my carbs and cleaned them at least a couple of times in the spring only to finally realize I did not have enough gas in the tank to have them run right....Yes I do usually store my bike with a full tank, but once and a while I take it inside for the winter and drain all the fuel....

[Dennis]

I've had too many "I'm a Jackass" incidents to keep track.  Once forgot the key positions after installing an aftermarket ignition switch.  Kicked and kicked until I realized it wasn't even turned on.  I've forgot to return a petcock to "on" after running on "reserve" and refilling.  Next time it sputtered, there was no reserve left.  Bought new insurance but forgot to put on the stickers (always be polite to cops).  Loosened my axel nut to adjust the chain and the rode all day before I realized I hadn't re-tighten the nut.  At least it didn't fall off.

My wife reminds me of these when I get dreams of building a kit plane.

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[stevecrout]

Does almost driving away in the wrong car count? 

I parked my Landrover 88 in the supermarket lot and came back, opened the door, put the key in and started it up and began to move away but then looked at the side mirror and cursed as I saw someone had broken it. Then I looked around the inside of the car and realized it wasn't mine! 

I quietly shut it off, got out with my groceries and looked around then saw mine parked on the other side of a VW van. Worn out keys fit them all I guess.

[MaximX]

O that counts IMO.  This may get off topic a bit but it will be fun.  Years ago I rode my bike to visit a friend in Smithers.  I had his address in an apartment building but somehow got it wrong.  He knew I was coming but when I buzzed his room no answer.  It was getting late and I just wanted to crash.  I was quite certain a second story balcony was the one to his room.  I'd just let myself in and wait until he got back.  I managed to climb up to it and the sliding door was open, I stepped into an empty (probably a good thing hey?) apartment...it was definately not his place.  Got out of there quick and found he was on the other side of the building.....

[PeggySue]

At least you're not a jack-stand, Q (I hear that jackasses are at least pretty useful for heavy hauling!).
The important thing is that it's running!

And if I had a dollar for every time I left the killswitch on while trying to start a bike, I could buy me a new one...
 

Yer muddy buddy,

Peg

[stevecrout]

well, OK -  just one more 'cause I don't need the publicity in this thread.

Brother Mike and I were coming home from a 3 states in 3 days trip to Washington, Oregon and California.  I was on my R75 and he was on my R100.  We stopped in the Old Spaghetti Factory in Oregon just off the I-5 for something to eat.  Both of us were tired and a little buzzed from doing a lot of K's without a lot of ZZ's.

We drove into the parking lot and saw that the terrace and balcony were both open and there must have been about 200 people having their lunch and staring at us when we drove in.  I shut the bike off and you guessed it, forgot to put the side stand down so the bike and I went over hard. 

Brother Mike thought this was pretty funny and was laughing so hard he went over too.

I heard one of the patrons asking the servers if the side show costs extra or was it included with the meal.   

[PeggySue]

Yep, it's things like that which keep us from getting 'too big for our boots'!

P.