Note to self:  dont rely on the seller when the gas guage isnt working.

      I went to pick up the F800 truck on Saturday and just knew that I was in for an adventure.  I had my son following me in the Neon (he had never driven a standard, my chase driver backed out and my son volunteered). The truck is very original, even the tires, whick kinda made me nervous.  Well, as Murphys Law usually goes, the truck died (I was hoping that it was out of gas) at the worst possible place.  I was at the apex of a very steep hill, and starting to roll backwards. No exaggeration, this hill is the steepest within 50 miles in any direction, maybe even the steepest in the province.  My son was behind me, with no idea what was wrong or what he should do. I could not leave the truck, as I was mashing the brake pedal and waving frantically at him and all the other traffic. Anyone who dared to pass, were completely blind to what was coming.  My son had stalled the Neon, and did not want to play this game anymore. I managed to calm him down and get him to sit in the truck and lay on the brakes. I took the Neon to both gas stations in the area looking for a gas can. (another lesson learned). Neither had one, so I bought a washer bottle, dumped it into their squeegee container and started to fill it with gas. I could see the drama at the top of the hill from where I was pumping, there was now a large cube van blocking the other lane, and one of Fredericton new black and white cruisers behind my truck. And a procession of angry motorists growing. The gas attendant ran out to take my gas away as it was not an approved container, I offered her $5 for the 4$ worth of gas, but she just reached for the container, but she could have brought a team of employees, she wasnt getting the gas. I left the $5 and weaved my way to the center of everybodys attention, and pulled in a driveway, which had many onlookers at this point. The cop was dealing with the cube van, which was blocking the other lane. I poured in the tiny bit of gas, told my son that if it fired up, to jump out and meet me at home. (he is 17). Initially the extra gas had no effect, but it did fire up. I just started rolling as soon as I could. I did my best to ignore all the 1 finger wavers, and headed for the nearest gas station. I am getting too old for these adventures. The cop never approached me, the truck did have a '1 day travel permit'. The truck has a misfire or bad timing, it will not idle without feathering the pedal, and when your both hands and feet are occupied, it can get pretty hairy. There is a throttle lever that I was also operating to prevent stall, but it had a bad spring or something as it would slowly return to its original position without keeping  your hand on it.  When I made the turn on to my street, I was quite excited that this was almost over. I hit the 'speedbump' without slowing down, and became airborn from my seat, my head was pressed sideways into the headliner, but I had the biggest grin at this point. 

        Feel free to have a chuckle at my misadventures, looking back it was worth it.  I have since fixed the misfire, simply put new plugs in, and it purrs.  I am thoroughly thrilled with this truck. It doesnt need much, but I plan to remove the deck completely and put a new wooden plank/steel frame deck on. I can set up some chairs and a table at shows and get a great view. The storage space in all the side boxes will come in handy. Siren/lights/horns all work fine as well as the winch and
pto. The chrome looks perfect, hard to believe that it hasnt been rechromed. Sorry to be so longwinded, but had to share the story. This truck was in service in Maine, and they still use its twin in their firehall.  I hope to bring the Beaumont to shows that are long distance on her back.