Comedy(?) of errors

[Tisket 0]

First, a little background-

2 weeks ago I did my first tandem and got hooked. I joined here, joined USPA, bought the SIM and a packing tool, and have been going back to the DZ every weekend to learn how to pack. I figure it's something I can start working on now, I'll need to learn it anyways, and I can eventually make a little cash in the process.

I've already paid for ground school and AFF 1, but I'm waiting to schedule them for now. I want to have all of AFF paid for before I start so I won't be scrambling to afford the next level. My DZ offers an A-license package that includes AFF and gear rentals, to get you the 25 jumps. It just so happens I have a small motorcycle I've been halfassed trying to sell for a few years. Perfect!

WRONG!!!

[rant]
Like the over-excited genius I am, I threw the bike on craigslist and didn't make sure it'd run first (I did mention it'd been sitting for a few years). July 27th, someone wants to look at the bike, but said they'd need to ride it home. I scramble to the parts house and buy a new battery since the original is dead, then try to start the bike. No fuel in the float bowl. My dad comes over to help and changes the oil while I'm screwing with the carb. I scrambled to pull the float bowl and the needle was stuck. My own fault for not draining the carb before parking the bike when the battery died. The buyer gets there, watches us work on it, and commits to buy the bike if I'll get it running and deliver it to him. No problem! I order a new needle the next morning, update the guy about everything, and of course he backs out Thursday night. The needle came in late Saturday afternoon. I hate fedex...

Overnight saturday, someone else messages me and wants to see the bike. Sunday morning, I get to installing the new needle and the first time I cut the fuel on, gas starts pouring out of the overflow tubes. Thinking I accidentally flipped the float, I drop the bowl and flip it over. No gas in the float bowl at all, so I flipped the stupid thing AGAIN and it's fine. There's gas in the bowl, it's not overflowing, but the bike still won't run.

While I'm at work yesterday, my dad comes over and takes the carb off the bike to disassemble and clean it. Well, while he did pull the jets to clean them and cleaned whatever other pin that was stuck, he also cut a hose clamp, ripped the float bowl gasket, nearly stripped a few screws, dented the fuel tank in 3 places, and chipped the paint down to the metal.

My bike *was* completely flawless. I have no idea what to tell the new possible buyer (they're coming over to see it in 2 days) and I'm afraid they'll back out too. I'm stressed to the max about getting rid of the stupid thing. I should have had it running before listing it, but I got excited to just get it out there thinking it'd be like every other time I listed it and never got a response.
[/rant]

If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

[BartsDaddy 4]

Next time it starts puking gas. Throw a match at it. Get it on youtube

Handguns are only used to fight your way to a good rifle

[rehmwa 2]

The government should buy you a new one. We can raise taxes for it. Possibly on Haliburton, maybe just on immigrants. Either way.

or we can move this thread to bonfire

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Tisket 0]

All aboard the snark train!!!

Seriously though, I've been stressed and chose the wrong of the 2 sub-forums to post in. Was all of that really necessary?

If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

[muff528 3]

Tisket

..... and a packing tool, ...

You bought a pull-up cord? I always just used an old shoelace.

[Tisket 0]

The guy teaching me recommended it and said it's worth it on busy days, especially if I'm packing tandems. Besides, all the other cool kids have one (the staff packers).

If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

[Tisket 0]

Just got off the phone with the parts house. Here's a big surprise, the parts didn't make it from the warehouse to the store in today's shipment. 5 miles away and they didn't make it.

This whole project is such a fustercluck.

If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

[Tisket 0]

I have EPIC news!

The bike is currently in the shop getting the carb rebuilt/gone through...And...I found a buyer for it. They are paying for the repairs to the bike and we'll be going to the bank day after tomorrow to do the paperwork with a notary present.

As of this weekend, I will be paying for the A-license package at my DZ and I'll start the training the following weekend (unless I can convince someone to come in to work an hour early sunday morning).

Sooooooo excited!

If you can't convince them, keep them confused.

[TEB6363 0]

Tisket

(unless I can convince someone to come in to work an hour early sunday morning). Sooooooo excited!

Very glad that you are sooo excited.. Enthusiastic students can be fun to work with....

BUT - what does someone comming in "Early" have to do with your First Jump Course? It sounds like you are working the night before you plan to take the class and possibly skydive..

I would recommend that this is not the way to start... A good night's sleep (or as much as possible before you are about to jump out of a plane ) is a LOT BETTER plan...

Glad you got things on the bike worked out...

Once the plane takes off, you're gonna have to land - Might as well jump out!!

[Tisket 0]

I would be working the night before. My fire station is extremely slow, averaging 3 calls per 24 hours, so getting a good night's sleep is rarely an issue. The other part of that is really not wanting to be up that early to make the drive on an offday when I could be sleeping in.

At work, I'd be about 2 hours from the DZ and ground school starts at 8am (shift change is at 7).

The current plan is for next weekend, but I'd like to do it sooner if I can, and I totally blame the excitement.

If you can't convince them, keep them confused.