Richard's buddy kind of dodged a bullet on that CB750 because two years under a tarp in Florida is basically a controlled rot experiment. That green mildew crust is likely a mix of mold and oxidized aluminum, not just moisture, which means the carbs are probably toast even if they look clean. I mean, how does a tarp keep out humidity when the air itself is basically soup?

Stand on any beach with a decent pair of binoculars and watch a boat go out to sea. The hull goes first, then the deck, then the mast. It happens every single time, no matter what camera or phone you use. I did it in San Diego last summer and the same thing played out like clockwork. No fancy explanations needed, just basic geometry.

Jumping on that theory, I once found $20 on the ground right after I stubbed my toe so hard I thought I broke it. That felt like the universe was trying to apologize, you know? But then the next day my car battery died, so maybe it's more like a rocky apology with a follow-up prank. Your mileage may vary, but in my experience, luck shows up when you least expect it and then bails just as fast.

OK so let me get this straight. You spent 30 bucks on an alternator and didn't even spin it by hand first? That's wild to me. I don't trust junkyard parts unless I can feel them move and listen for grinding. That 4 mile limit before it screamed is brutal though, I bet that was one of those "what did I just do" moments when the noise started. Did you try to limp it home or did it lock up on you? Bearings going that fast usually means it was already shot when you grabbed it, someone probably returned it for a reason. Gotta check everything at those yards, learned that lesson on a bad starter myself once.

Three bags of Drano later and suddenly everyone's an expert on the quick fix that always backfires, just like my husband with cheap tools.