Help at the Funeral Home

I was in town on a few errands for the church this morning.  I decided to be bold and do the running around on the Rebel.

First, a stop at the workplace of someone whose signature I needed.  Not a problem:  in and out quickly.

Next, to deliver something to the funeral home.

As I pulled into the parking lot, I was relieved to note that it was empty of cars.  I had not wanted to walk in to the midst of someone's wake or funeral, a stranger carrying a helmet.  Luckily, one of the directors was actually standing outside, looking in a flower bed.  Then the owner walked out the door, just as I was pulling into a parking space.  The look they gave me was priceless, by the way.  I raised my face shield to say I was bringing something from the church.  As I took my helmet off, Mr. Coco Sigler walked toward me saying, "I knew I recognized that bike!  Tommy told me he had sold it to you."  He and Dr. T know each other very well.  This past fall, Mr. Sigler joined Mr. H and several others from our church on bike trip to the mountains.

My intention, especially since they were already outside, was to simply make my delivery and be on my way.  They, however, invited me into the office and we ended up talking about bikes for more than just a few minutes. When I went back outside, I realized that I had left the key in my bike.  Not only IN the bike, but in the ON position.  For those of you that don't understand the implication of that, here's the deal:  when the key is on, the headlight is on!

Now you get it!  And you're correct:  the battery was dead.   RRRrrrrrr....click, click, click.

Rats!!

I probably could have waited a few minutes with it turned off and it might have started, but it was HOT out there.  So I walked back  in and asked for help.

I knew that cars with standard transmissions could be pushed started by popping the clutch.  I figured that  bikes could, too, but I'd never done it.  The funeral director hopped on the bike, aimed it down-slope in the parking lot, walked it forward and popped the clutch and that was all it took!

This particular bike is very difficult to get into neutral while the engine is running (I thought it was just me, but Mr. Sigler couldn't get it out of gear, either.)  So he shut if off, and I got on, ready to try a new skill.  The bike had a different idea, though, and cranked right up.  I was prepared to try it at my next stop, too, but it cranked after that one.  (And YES, I remembered to turn the key off and take it with me this time.)

I learned several lessons today:  1) don't leave the key in the bike, ON or OFF.  2) I know the Rebel can be push started.  3)  Funeral directors can be of great assistance in your time of need!