T-Cro - Sorry, I wasn't meaning to opine that there was anything wrong - just commenting on the fact that there was a visible
change as a function of load, which is normal for higher wattage loads (yes, I'm an electrical guy by trade).
jklhill - glad to hear that's normal. I certainly remember enough normally aspirated old British bikes with fussy carbs and cantankerous ignition systems; I had just thought that lumpiness was ancient history by now. If I buy this Connie, then based on his reputation I'll talk to "SISF" about doing something for me over the "zero traction months"...
ITeach2Wheels - Hell no, I wouldn't be on this forum if I was of the ilk to ignore good advice! Yes I have thought long and hard about a refresher, and I agree with you that it would be beneficial (see earlier comment about older and hopefully wiser!) and I still will do so even if I go straight to a road test. My immediate goal is to get back on two wheels to handle the commute before the end of the season, and given that my weekly commute, though long, is relatively benign and familiar, I'm comfortable that I have sufficient sense to be able to handle it safely. I've read Hough's first book cover to cover, and I will definitely do a refresher (or even an advanced course) before I do any touring. I've been in this wonderful country for nearly twenty nine years and haven't seen a hundredth of what I want to see (you all know the rest of this song, don't you?!). I do know enough to know that there is a lot to learn before I take on unfamiliar conditions. There'd be no point in killing myself before I even started fulfilling my dream.
You say refresher courses are free in Illinois?
I will have a Minnesota license, though (as my automobile license is MN), so I'm not sure I will qualify. But you did say "supply an Illinois address" didn't you...
I will PM you on this as soon as I find out how to; thanks for the offer.
Thank you all for your wisdom...