The importance of double checking

Yesterday I was tinkling with Blackie. Checking out to connect my Gerbing heated liner directly to the battery, how to connect my aux lights and a bunch of other things. I figured I could do the Gerbing hook up pretty quick. I started by loosening up the negative connection on the battery, got side tracked, realized it would take longer than I thought (take off fairings, remove lights blah blah blah) so I decided to not do it. Instead I wanted to go for a ride in the whopping 40 degrees outside.

I tightened the battery connector (or so I thought), put everything back, got geared up and headed out. Wasn't even a mile from the house when Blackie simply "died". No juice! So I pulled over to the side of the road and had to think. Slow process. I quickly realized it must have something to do with the battery connection so I removed the seat and center fairing. It started snowing. Yay! Then I realized I don't have my 10 mm socket with me. I forgot to put it back in the tool pouch! Seriously! How dumb can I be. Obviously very!

Called around for assistance. A friends husband came to my rescue. Brought his trailer just in case. His truck is full of tools (very envious!) and he quickly tightened up the connection that is loose. Blackie fired up! Just to be on the safe side I asked him to follow me. As soon as I let off the throttle she died again. What the heck???

I got home, riding on the throttle, and started my "trouble finding". It didn't take me long to figure out that some adjustments were needed to the throttle. Once the problem had been fixed I go out again to make sure Blackie was  running fine.We have a long ride coming up in a few days...

We did a quick 30 mile loop and I got a great photo. I also got reminded about the importance of double checking - EVERYTHING!