A few days late, but figured would finish it up

Day 18

Total trip miles 3100

Well I got home in about 4.5 hours from Concord. When I left it was below freezing, not sure how much as I purposely refuse to keep a temp gauge (demoralizing). I was also quite sick so that made riding fun!! Not having my easy pass required me to go all backroads, though as the wind was intense, and the cold very bad was very much welcome. I did have heated gloves and a jacket not to mention 6 layers so the cold really was not an issue.

When sick, don't you notice that everything seems more difficult? Well, I just wanted to ride and seemed to hit EVERY red light. In the end I was beginning to just ride through as I didn't feel like stopping for an extended yellow.

I finally got home about 12:30pm and the first thing I did was strip the layers and veg in front of the wood stove for 45min with some tea!!! THe next thing I did was strip the bike of all the travel gear and make a big list of the things that need fixed/replaced. only 300-400 bucks worth...but although a lot of money, not really too bad considering.

So now, I am home, It's two days after I got home and as I'm recovering a bit more I'm looking forward to riding her on some familiar roads.

Till the next trip....

Day 17, long run, but airborn

Day 17

Concord NH

Miles 520

TTL miles 2386

I got up today to clouds and showers, although not really looking forward to riding in the dampness as I had the bad experience on the way to see Autumn in KC, I still decided to push through and go. If I did not, the my departure would have been delayed another 4 days till next week as I would have preferred to hang out with my father in law.

In any case, I suited up complete with heated jacket and pushed on. I was nearly hit twice on I81 the traffic was heavy and the trucks as obnoxious as usual. To stay safe in such conditions require travelling at a rate of speed just faster than the traffic, to counter any aggressiveness. Unfortunatly this required me to travel in the high 70s....although the bike can go that fast, I choose not to. I went as far as Hazelton, and cut off onto I80, a quieter interstate that really goes no where special. I was able to give Ms. Garmin a workout as she routed me through some of the prettiest areas I could believe. It was quite funny seeing the old catskill vacation places, now sadly in ruins as the city folk go further north to Maine and Cape Cod.

My goal today was Albany, NY. In part because it would A. break up the distance to maine equally, and B. provide a good source of cheaper hotels. Well, as you can see, if you follow my SPOT I am sitting in Concord NH. When I got to Albany it was 4:00, I was doing OK and two factors were against me, actually three if you count the weather twice. 1. I am sick, I feel dizzy and generally not well, it will get worse, the sooner I can get home the better. 2. Rain and snow are forecasted on my route. I learned my lesson in the Rockies with that stuff, and would like to avoid it if possible. Also, with it comes salt, and I would REALLY like to avoid getting that stuff on this bike. 3. Tomorrow will be horrible COLD, like in the 20s cold. I figured I would take advantage of the warmer weather and get as close to home as possible as to minimize the cold riding and of course avoid making number 1 any worse.

The bike is running beautifully, the rear main seal has stopped leaking completely so she must be broken in, the charging system is stellar with the new brushes, etc etc., My new Oil sender is nice and dry, and about the only leak I have now is my shift seal and final drive.

Mileage today was about 50mpg...and I believe the MPG is due to the massive fairing that streamlines everything.

The bike is safely covered under my window, locked up and asleep. That is where I am hopefully heading now.....

Ready to go....well not really

Well,

Today was a restful day. It was spent reading, dozing and surfing the web. Had tomato soup that I made up with swiss and parmesan cheese. I loaded up the bike in the afternoon, tested to make sure that my heated jacket was up to snuff for the cold final push into the arctic that is Maine.

The only downside I can see at the moment is that I am fighting the beginning phases of a cold. I took some Dayquil, but it really did nothing. Will probably enjoy several Halls on the way home. Anticipate a full on cold when I return to Maine as the day riding in the cold temps will take it's effect.

Tomorrow I will be heading generally northward to Albany NY, probably only making about 100miles eastwards so the weather will catch me....not like out west where I can head east for a day and get two days ahead of any weather :) Depending on how I feel, I may push as far easterly as possibly as to avoid riding in the cold as much as possible...who knows....I may get home tomorrow night, but doubtful as it's 800miles. Now if I had my EasyPass toll doohicky, things would be different and I would be home.

I do hate leaving, I am quite comfortable here, but have been away long enough, almost 3 weeks.

Day 15, up and running

Well today was spent wasting time in the morning, the weather was poor so enjoyed the shelter. The mail can at 1:00pm and with it was a bunch of parts. A new Diode Board, Alternator Brushes, and a Voltage Regulator. The Diode board was a surprise as it was an old style upgrade. and I was expecting an OEM version. NOT COMPLAINING upgrades are always a good thing. So having already unsoldered the old brushes from the stator housing and polishing the slip rings I was able to solder the new rings on, and slip in back on the bike with minimal issue. The diode board was a bit more of an issue as the upgrade was wired a bit different, but did not add to the job and actually gave me a chance to clean the bike a bit more. The voltage regulator went on easily, and once everything was together The bike started right up and was charging PERFECTLY. Took a ride, but as it was pouring, cut it short after 10 miles.

I always feel good when I am able to solve a problem by myself with the resources at hand.

I was also able to obtain a nice snap-on torque-o-meter today so repairs will be made perfectly in the future.

Although the bike is running now, I will probably still leave on thursday. One day to truly rest, and pack the bike up

Day???

Well today was spent drinking coffee, talking martial arts and playing video games with my nephew. Some time was spent on the bike, enough to figure out that the charging issue all along was probably a 3.50 carbon brush on the rotor.....so prior to finding this out, I put in a 75 dollar order for all the parts I "thought" I would need, as well as a set of the 3.50 dollar brushes "good thing". In any case, the stuff will be arriving tomorrow and hopefully the bike will be running stellar once I get it installed!!!!!


Itouch post

Getting rid of the lazy ass ache

Well as I've been spending so much time riding, my ass has got to hurting, my legs cramping and my back twinging. I figured that I needed some real physical labor to get me straight again. So that's what I did!!!
After spending the morning finalizing my diagnosis of the charging issue (voltage regulator), topping up the fluids, adjusting the fairing, tightening bolts, and remounting a few things. I grabbed a shovel and spent the afternoon cutting roots, prying rocks and installing 150' of edging with my father in law. I figured that a bit of physical labor never hurt anyone, and it was the least I could do as they are letting me spill oil in thier garage, eat thier food, use thier utilities, drive thier cars, and spend several days here while I fix my bike. So I am tired, sore, and feeling quite good




Itouch post