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Made it to a hotel in Aalborg, northern part of Denmark. Only 45 mins away from the final ferry tomorrow morning. Did Provence to here in two days, 2000 km or about 1240 miles in total. 1000 km is a long rear end ride for a day, that is just about my personal limit. The body says "aaah, gonna be nice to pull over and call it day any moment now" at about 750 km but the GPS is just "ahem, well, you see there is still that last tank of gas to burn". About 5750 km / 3570 mi in total for this trip, about 4500 km of that is straight Autobahn, Autostrada, Autoroute, Autowhatever, so my lovely Avon Roadriders are getting seriously flatspotted.  People who live in areas without curves have my sympathies.The oil leak I thought I fixed persisted throughout the trip. Like some ninja version of Exxon Valdez, I have killed small amounts of wildlife here and there throughout the continent. I'm on my fifth bottle of oil since starting, so the good news is the oil change I would've needed to do underway according to the service manual was actually done gradually. If I remained under 120 kph it consumed very little, but if I tucked in and yanked on the wire the sightglass would go from 3/4 full to bottom line in one tank of gas. Yikes. But whatevs, it will be fixed. Next Eurotrip will have shorter daily legs and planned to avoid straight highways as much as possible, although a few transport stages are just fine. And the next Eurotrip should also have, if I'm honest with myself, a bike that was produced after the cold war ended. Not that it has behaved badly all things considered. Regardless of the oil leak and sometimes running low it has never missed a single scheduled opportunity to ignite gas and air or otherwise failed to do what it was told. The only issue that came up was the GPS losing power and that was because the mini USB intended for use inside a car got wonky, some duct tape set it straight. And that's not even an actual bike part. But some more touring comfort, some (maybe even a lot) more gimme-now torque and some brake and suspension technology from a post Y2K world would do me good. We'll have to see what the gathering of the Elder Moths of the Wallet has to say about that. Oh and smoking finally paid off. The only available room in the hotel in Aalborg for smokers was a suite with balcony and two bathrooms (for single room rate), so now I can just poo poo all over the place! Have almost 800 pics, but the little netbook I'm using is terrible for handling images. Teaser pics Monday morning, promise. Now I need to get to work on a bottle of Chablis. edit: Oh and another bike issue was me riding over 40 km without the oil cap after forgetting to put it back on after filling. What a complete idiot I am. Sprayed oil all over the engine and my leg, but not enough to empty the sightglass so the engine didn't mind at all. Unless maybe some butterfly went in there and will block some passage tomorrow morning. Talk about user error.
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Aug 2, 2009 00:01
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| # ? May 10, 2024 12:35 |
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Awesome to hear, really looking forward to the pics! Me, I left the bike at home and drove to Niagara Falls with a friend, saw tonnes of bikes out and about, mostly big rear end cruisers & tourers. Finally had some nice weather for it!
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Aug 2, 2009 00:26
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frozenphil posted:I broke the 100 mile mark on the odo. Working on 300 myself.
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Aug 2, 2009 06:00
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Ola, I am completely stoked. Did dick-all with either biek today; tomorrow, must make headway into getting the KLR into saleable condition, consisting of putting on the new frame stay and washing the bejesus out of it. The sidepanel mounting bracket was definitely bent to hell on the old one. Also should probably apply touchup paint to the chips on the tank, and maybe wipe the bugs off the sidecases on the Strom. (Does wussing out on the siderack installation and getting the dealer to do it free of charge count as stuff you did to your ride? If so, "I" put on some luggage last week. But seriously I couldn't get the rack to line up without reefing on it, or bending it with equipment I ain't got)
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Aug 2, 2009 07:22
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Checked all my fluids and chain slack. Got a new tank bag yesterday, gonna try and pick up an atlas when I'm out getting earplugs. Hopefully I'll see something interesting enough to post about. But I doubt it, good 'ol midwest. There's maybe one interesting road here and we won't be going that way today. Oh well. Bonus pics:  Got the TB-12 from newenough. Will be great for making quick runs to the store, or putzing around town with a camera. Plenty of room for enough clothes for a weekend excursion.
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Aug 2, 2009 18:20
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the rule is pics or it didn't happen.
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Aug 2, 2009 19:02
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Fantastipotamus posted:You don't think I could get it off with a half-inch drive socket wrench? I've done two bikes with my 18" breaker bar. Just make sure you hold the rear brake and don't cut the chain (yet).
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Aug 2, 2009 19:29
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Put a new set of Shinko 244s on the KLR, had to patch a pinch flat from the tire iron on the front tube, repacked the front & rear bearings, scrubbed the chain clean with some Simple Green and cut off those little tits on the new tires, for some reason I hate those things. Oh yea, I put in some Dynabeads in the tubes, I'll see how they do and report in the tires thread.
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Aug 3, 2009 00:33
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Had a look at the sparkplug wires again, used a bit of dielectric compound on the wires and plug ends, and tightened them up. Warmed it up a bit to check the oil, I guess I was a bit low. Added 300ml. Then took 'er out to gas up and go for a little ride before dinner, which ended up lasting almost 2 hours.  Hard to tell what's going on with the weather these days, but if tomorrow morning's good, I'm going to try to ride out to where I was going on Thursday when I cacked out. Either that or give 'er a bit of a wash.
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Aug 3, 2009 02:51
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Installed the engine in the ZX6R. Still dont' have the top end or the covers installed, but it's enough to get it sorted with the CHP. Hopefully I'll get a plate this week.
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Aug 3, 2009 03:09
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Got my first experience of riding in the rain. All in all it wasn't as bad as I had built it up in my mind to be; definitely not bad enough to not go riding just because of rain.
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Aug 3, 2009 03:13
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i took mine off the trailer and parked it in my garage for the first time, if that counts.
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Aug 3, 2009 03:37
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I went hogwild and painted my wheels, chainguard, swingarm and rearsets. Its amazing how much a coat of paint can transform a lovely looking bike to something nice. Of course I was a dumbass and didn't photograph it right before so I cant do a before/after comparison anymore. 
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Aug 3, 2009 05:06
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I replaced the sprockets and chain on the KDX, likely the first time it's been done in the bike's 25 year life. Now if Parts Unlimited would just ship me the smaller front sprocket, I could have some more fun.
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Aug 3, 2009 06:04
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BotchedLobotomy posted:I went hogwild and painted my wheels, chainguard, swingarm and rearsets. Its amazing how much a coat of paint can transform a lovely looking bike to something nice. Well at least post up some after pics.
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Aug 3, 2009 06:48
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frozenphil posted:Got my first experience of riding in the rain. All in all it wasn't as bad as I had built it up in my mind to be; definitely not bad enough to not go riding just because of rain. Just make sure you pick the right rain gear. Nothing sucks worse than your wet weather gear failing on the highway because the rain soaks through in a matter or seconds. The rain made it through the right arm on my rain suit while doing 65mph a few days ago and water was running down my arm moments later.
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Aug 3, 2009 06:49
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8ender posted:Just make sure you pick the right rain gear. Nothing sucks worse than your wet weather gear failing on the highway because the rain soaks through in a matter or seconds. The rain made it through the right arm on my rain suit while doing 65mph a few days ago and water was running down my arm moments later. I can see how good rain gear would be nice for a long ride or commuting, but I was just doing a little 40 mile jaunt down a fun little twisty back country road in my mesh jacket and the rain felt nice against the 95F ambient temps. When I pulled into my yard after my ride I also got to experience another first, riding through mud. Not what I would call fun on a Ninja 250.
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Aug 3, 2009 15:03
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Z3n posted:Well at least post up some after pics. An exhaust I ordered is coming in today, so going to wait until I have that on, but I most definitely will!
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Aug 3, 2009 15:22
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Ola posted:Trip update...
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Aug 3, 2009 17:39
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I have made it all the way home, rolled off the boat at 8 am this morning, 1 mile home, sleep and then went to work at 3 pm. When I get home (4 hrs) I'll post some teaser pics and then get to work on a trip report. Oil leak turned way worse the last two nights. The hotel in Aalborg has a nice puddle of 10w40 in their garage, so does the motorcycle parking on the ferry (wiped it as best I could) and so does my regular parking site. At least I am home with all my bones and bearings intact. Trip totals: Distance: 5889 km / 3659 mi Oil filled: 4.5 liters / 1.18 US gal Moments of great stupid: 2 Wasp stings at speed: 2 Bugs killed: 4 million, maybe more. Pictures taken: ~850
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Aug 3, 2009 18:42
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 Oil Puked from my Crankcase when I took off this morning. Apparently this is how it happens: http://www.cmsnl.com/classic-honda-forum/350twinnew_f20/71cb350oilleak-help_t1486.html
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Aug 3, 2009 22:59
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600 km ride out to J Random Town, most of it hilly but straight, last fifty through the city in an annoying drizzle. Not sure if that's as far as when I took the KLR down the forestry trunk road but I sure as heck did it quicker.
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Aug 4, 2009 03:20
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Just uploaded a few random trip preview pics before going to work. Late shift this week so hard to get good time for writing, but will start on a bg trip report soon. Not sure what the best thread was to dump them in, but this will do fine.         
Ola fucked around with this message at 15:00 on Aug 4, 2009 |
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Aug 4, 2009 14:58
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Hooray, the obligitory boot shot and switchbacks! 
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Aug 4, 2009 17:27
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Ola posted:A lane just for bikes 
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Aug 4, 2009 17:33
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8ender posted:A lane just for bikes Actually it's a lane just for breakdowns and emergency vehicles, with steep fines for misuse. 
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Aug 4, 2009 18:14
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 The scrambler became not a scrambler
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Aug 5, 2009 00:24
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Ola posted:This could be art right there. Rolled over 10,000 miles on the VFR today (bought it in May with 6700). Gnaghi fucked around with this message at 00:38 on Aug 5, 2009 |
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Aug 5, 2009 00:32
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Did some shopping today... parts won't be in till next Tues or Wed but it at least feels productive. Ordered a few new parts (cyl head cover gasket, tach sending unit seals, oil filter, o-ring, drain plug and crush ring, cover breather gasket and oil separators). Also picked up gear oil, engine oil, brake fluid, a bunch of engine degreaser, and a new battery yesterday. Battery went in last night, and I'm planning to drain and fill the secondary and final drives, and flush the brakes this weekend.
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Aug 5, 2009 01:34
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Ordered a cover and a smoked shield. Also adjusted the preload on my Ninja 250's rear shock. I currently have it at setting "2" and it feels much better. I'm going to try "3" tomorrow and just work my way up until I find a good balance of rigidity and ride comfort.
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Aug 5, 2009 04:10
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Changed the oil on my Ducati Monster 620. The fine engineers at Ducati run the exhaust pretty much directly under the drain plug and oil filter. Besides burning my hand a bit, I smell like burned oil still from my ride in. Oil looked great after 5k miles, and there was very little metal on the magnet from the drain plug. Next up is to repair my side view mirror delete from forgetting i left my lock on the rotor and tried to ride away. Good thing was that I pulled it out of the garage across the grass and dumped it in the grass rather than the driveway. Next up is check valves then the 12k mile service is complete.
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Aug 5, 2009 17:05
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Packed up all my luggage(Nelson-Rigg rear seat bag, saddlebags, tank bag) and took it for a spin around town. It doesn't seem to affect handling much at all, even though it's 60+lbs. Tomorrow I ride to Milledgeville, GA on my way to Deal's Gap.
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Aug 6, 2009 03:18
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Tried to take out the drat battery for the dozenth time and failed. Re-charging the battery tonight and reinstalling it tomorrow AM hopefully in time to ride to work.
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Aug 6, 2009 19:42
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I had to use my new impact driver to get my crankcase cover screws off to finally get underneath. The front portion was fine, the back was pure sludge, with this little poo poo happening I think this is what made all my oil leak out all at once. ughhhhh
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Aug 10, 2009 01:57
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Took the Ninjette offroading this weekend, found some nice spots to go camping in a few weeks. Now just gotta wait for the saddlebags to arrive and to plan out a short trip!
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Aug 10, 2009 02:26
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I got my first taste of riding in heavy traffic. Stop and go sucks cocks.
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Aug 10, 2009 15:36
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frozenphil posted:I got my first taste of riding in heavy traffic. Stop and go sucks cocks. This is why California rules.  Sucks for a lot of other reasons, but lane sharing? Oh man, it's fantastic.
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Aug 10, 2009 16:18
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It is also very possible to lane share in other states 
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Aug 10, 2009 16:20
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Z3n posted:This is why California rules. It's also why automatics rule. Blugu:
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Aug 10, 2009 16:27
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| # ? May 10, 2024 12:35 |
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Ola posted:Actually it's a lane just for breakdowns and emergency vehicles, with steep fines for misuse. In Boston some expressways allow travel there during rush hour. That said it really sucks that apparently this means every SUV has just GOT to squeeze in there even though they don't really fit, even when there's no real traffic and thus no reason to drive there. They also then clog up onramps and offramps and make things super complicated for everyone. Of course, MA also, during rush hour, places cops on streets blocking entire lanes near offramps ... just to block the lane. No other purpose. Every offramp on route 9. Yay!
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Aug 10, 2009 17:33
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