Delivery! Day Two!

I wandered up the road to the coffee shop this morning with my helmet in my hand, and carrying my camera and cheque book. Sat down to a coffee in the sunshine out on the sidewalk, and called the workshop (less than a minute's walk away). The shopping centre and the bike shop are only 5 minutes walk from home.

Neil, the workshop foreman said "You'd better get down here - the bike's nearly finished and there's a guy called Mardle with itchy fingers supervising!' Don Mardle is a neighbour and friend who has been part of the VROC family once removed for some time.

So I downed my coffee, sauntered over the road, and found Greg finishing installing the lowers.
I continued to supervise, having relieved Don of the duty :-)

Now sorting out the bracketry for license, WOF tag, etc

Working through the delivery checklist...

Magical zero odometer!

Greg checks all the controls and switches as part of the inspection

And here she is - all ready to rock and roll (once I've done the paying!)

Manager Brendan wincing at the special deal he's just signed off on, hands me the bike!

Greg the wrench enjoyed working on a clean bike!

And after a short ride - here is the AllBlack posing in the garden:

That sunshine really brings up the gold flake in the black paint!

Went to work, then later today had to sort out the bloke's shed to fit them all in properly - so an opportunity to introduce the new baby to the ugly step sisters!

Family basking in the afternoon sun...

Just have to confirm the temporary insurance cover, and the first club ride is Friday night!

Hatching the egg...

Wrench Greg opening the box, which is blocking the workshop entrance-way! See my earlier comments about this guy - he is tops.

They come all oiled up and ready to go fluid-wise - except the battery has to be filled

I thought about keeping the pallet and frame for possible future traveling but seeing as how the front wheel was off, and the extent of the disassembly, decided not to!

Clearing all the components and boxes packed around the bike.

Bike supported by the tackle chain just in case, while the top frame of the packing is removed, and the handlebar controls set aside...

Before the front wheel comes the mudguard...

Time to lay out all the bits on the bench, count the nuts and bolts, and then...

RTFM!
(like all good Japanese kit-set appliances, this one comes with an assembly guide!
Notice though that the guide appears to be for a Meanstreak!)

Greg fitting the front calipers...

Handlebars are on!

And the off-side pannier...

Fitting the sissy bar and number plate mounts...

Crash bars on. Packing up for the day - more tomorrow!

Once more with feeling!

Another tracking number, and another delivery today leads to this:

and on closer inspection, this....

Today I hovered around the workshop - helping, advising and supervising, while the AllBlack was hatched. I think this was the first 08 Nomad unpacked in AFC Motorcycles - they are generally a dirt bike and sports bike store, and few cruisers go through the shop.

We worked through for about 4 hours, before Greg, the mechanic had to leave to meet an outside commitment. I took photos throughout the day. We finished today after installing the battery, with everything in bar the windshield and lowers, and the seats. So there is more to do tomorrow morning.

The bike is registered to me, and I have arranged insurance cover. But there is still the matter of filthy leucre to change hands!

At the point we reached today, we had no left-over nuts, bolts and washers, and it was a pleasure to work with a mechanic who:

1. read the instructions and assembly guide
2. was happy to seek and receive advice
   
3. kept an immaculate workspace and set out all the parts
4. was very careful to avoid damage to the paintwork
   
5. used loc-tite
6. used a torque wrench

I'll start the pictorial journey next post.

False alarm...

The bike is still in Auckland, and the two crates delivered today were two other bikes. Apparently it will be shipped down tonight for delivery tomorrow........ argh......

Freight tracking!

It's here - delivered to the dealer this morning!

Ordered the AllBlack beast

I retired in September 2007, and as a bit of a treat (and in anticipation of some freedom to come) I ordered a Metallic Diablo Black Kawasaki 1600FI Nomad, to sit in the shed with my other various bike follies enjoyed over the last decade or so. I bought my 1996 1500cc C2 Vulcan in 1999, and the 2002 Yellow VTR1000F2 Honda new as a 50th present to myself. I'm still alive, so...

Time for another one! As black isn't marketed here, the order, confirmed in December 2007 had to be a special build and shipment. So I got to order a 2008 model with a 3+ months delivery lead-time. This is the marketing pic I've had to content myself with looking at.....

A few weeks ago I started the accessory process, and bought in a pair of pannier liners - removable carry-alls that are tailered to fit in the hard saddle bags. Once we're up and running I also hope to buy driving lights, heated grips and a carrier.

But after "willing" the voyage from Japan every step of the way in the last 20+ days since the distributor said our container was loaded today I got the news I was waiting for. It has been off-loaded in Auckland, and the box is now under consignment to Palmerston North.

Tracking details are:
http://www.mainfreight.co.nz/FreightTracking/FreightTracking.asp?ConNo=LYN45519

So I expect it to arrive tomorrow. Unfortunately I will be out of town tomorrow - however the dealer knows I want to be there with camera when the egg hatches, so expect some more excitement on Wednesday!

Mo' later!