BRP in June ...skipping Skyline

[MacDoc]

https://goo.gl/maps/9cRmRsZEuuP2

this nice spot is 780 KM away by partial slab and partial 2 lane…mostly roads I know well - $61 Cdn a night including breakfast and I can add supper ( likely will for $10 )

https://goo.gl/maps/hNan34yann12

Has internet and seems personable host
https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/8768180..that's okay in June - good audio book - long daylight.
then wander south for 2 days on the BRP and surrounds blitz home.

Might take the CBF ..not sure yet but checking weather to leave Sunday.
Looks okay ...maybe wet on Monday but not a big deal

Temps okay.

then

This looks okay

https://goo.gl/maps/rfeXaxL7yEQ2

607 km at BRP speeds to Little Switzerland

actually found a funky place

https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/2148608...f894694-9648-0384-2a9e-b8c2fc08dae9&locale=en

Both confirmed ...definitely taking the Strom as both with longish gravel drives - wonder how cell coverage is on the lower BRP.

That $5 a day Rogers roaming is a good deal for this.

 

[MacDoc]

Got a final for the first leg and due to popular demand it includes PA44/144

https://goo.gl/maps/yVzVauDsPdF2

854 KM .. not short but the last half is slab and I know the route to Coudersport.

Will have a nice supper waiting too..

I normally make chicken curry with onions, red bell peppers and shiitake mushrooms. If you don't like really spicy food, just let me know and I'll make it milder. I serve it over basmati rice with raisins and mushrooms. I also provide grape juice, raspberry cranberry juice, milk or water with the meal.

 

[MacDoc]

Decided to split this up into two I think ...suggestions for roads between Phillipsburg PA

well that was a juggle on again off again trip
couple of nice places tho and weather is behaving https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/18036436

and
https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/15813403

further south ...this is unknown area for me and will ride the Blue Ridge between the two https://goo.gl/maps/YcA9m6wZWZL2

and who knows from there if the weather holds

 

[MacDoc]

This trip is NOT going as planned

dl650 2010 abs Bike was running fine - no sign of issues leading up 0

Pulled over to take a photo and noticed ABS flickering .....uh oh ....stator or something ....I was not near anything so continued south sputtering and coughing finally it died. Coasted to a relatively safe spot but no shade and awaited a tow

bike s now at
RIDERSVILLE CYCLE BERKELEY SPRINGS,

courtesy a rider who stopped and recommended.

Is there any chance its something other than a stator - ie dead battery? Battery is only a year old .

anything else?

Not the worst place to be stuck http://www.wvbedandbreakfasts.com/listings/themanorinn-berkeley-springs-west-virginia.html

 

[Iceman]

This trip is NOT going as planned

dl650 2010 abs Bike was running fine - no sign of issues leading up 0

Pulled over to take a photo and noticed ABS flickering .....uh oh ....stator or something ....I was not near anything so continued south sputtering and coughing finally it died. Coasted to a relatively safe spot but no shade and awaited a tow

bike s now at
RIDERSVILLE CYCLE BERKELEY SPRINGS,

courtesy a rider who stopped and recommended.

Is there any chance its something other than a stator - ie dead battery? Battery is only a year old .

anything else?

Not the worst place to be stuck http://www.wvbedandbreakfasts.com/listings/themanorinn-berkeley-springs-west-virginia.html

Exactly same thing happened to me yesterday. I was running along merrily, bike was acting funny, lights flickering etc. Pulled over for a look and a drink, bike wouldn't start again, FI lights and dash lights flickering, fuel pump clicking. I towed it home last night.
Bought a new battery today and it runs like new. Stator and reg/rectifier check out good. Load test showed old battery was toast with two or more cells sulphated.
Good luck, hope it's minor and you can resume your trip. At least the wee is know to be reliable so chances are it's nothing major.

Sent from my SM-A500W using Tapatalk

 

[MacDoc]

Thanks - would be great if just battery tho that one is reasonable new but thats exactly my failure symptom. I had my XP-3 along but no use running that down as needed for cell

Served up a lemon...make lemonade

stuffed with chicken wings and lotsa coffee
headache from too long in the sun waiting for a tow is receding

Fireworks and fireflies now

this town has an amazing spa that is a big attraction …pretty close

It’s a huge facility

http://www.berkeleyspringssp.com

maybe will cure my shoulder

Someone on the Strom forum suggested the Earthdog Cafe...will likely wander down for lunch barring miracle of repaired bike.

Then I'll have enough food for supper.....Yanks and their monster meals

 

[MacDoc]

Bottom line.....we don't know.
The battery was drained of course but holds a charge fine.

The voltage from the charging system is low 12.4 but should not have drained the battery.
I cannot get a stator anytime soon ....the best guess from the guru at Stromtrooper is a weak stator.

Plan is

Picking up bike and battery at 4 pm. I'll disconnect the heated grips as it's possible there is a drain there and the USB port.

I'll have a lovely two nights at Manor Inn with good conversation and a wonderful host plus a superb breakfast all courtesy of my roadside assistance insurance.

Gorgeous June weather, lots of fireflies and a big porch to work from.

Leave tomorrow early for home - it's only 375 miles by slab. Fire up the Audio book and get home to reload.

Guess I will move to the CBF1000 for the touring and order a stator in for the DL650. The Wee needs a tire change as well....there are K60s waiting...poor old mule has been worked hard this June...

3300 km loop of superior

2400 km Algoma loop.

No wonder she balked.

Thanks everyone for support and info. Will keep you posted.

Berkeley Springs sure is a nice town to break down in.

Update .....a Stromtrooper offered his stator that he ordered and doesn't yet need - it's 100 miles north so perfect.

 

[MacDoc]

The saga continues

The Honda dealer did in the end get me out the door with two charged batteries - old and new and I was informed that the stator was outputting 12.4 volts as long as I kept the revs high

IF that was correct I would be home in an hour from now

Unfortunately that was not correct.

I picked up the stator that a member here had reserved in Chambersburg - very nice dealer MS Cycle. Now in hindsight I should have let him install it BUT he could not get to it for 4 hours so that meant another overnight.
Since the bike seemed to be running okay on the old battery in that first hour off I went.

Couple hours later it started the miss thing and I pulled off right away in a decent place.
Put in the new battery and all good. Small issue - somehow the key in the top case rotated the cylinder....would not come out and i could not open the top case but it would come off and lock on but from the wrong key position,:furious:

Deal with it when I get home.....

Moving along nicely, hungry and wanted to stretch fuel so I had only one fill up before home.

Pulled in - filled the bike - coasted to the food place parking.
Got a chicken salad ...took a break....geared up, on the bike ...hit the starter - nobody home ,,,,nooooooo!!!
Called around .....called around Suzuki dealer happy to do it but closes at 5 and closed tomorrow ...sigh....
He recommends Honda dealer ....hmmmm...okay.
Called - mechanic willing to do it.

Tow truck arrives this time with two strong and knowledgeable guys instead of the nice but hard of hearing 75 year old last time.
The Honda dealer is only 5 miles away .......hmmmm...I suggested we try and jump start after leaving the jumpers on the battery for a bit.

Success....nerve racking 5 miles in some traffic but kept revs up and got there.

The bike even restarted to get it into the shop.

Where's the stator ??? In the top case OF COURSE!!!!!! ...the one we can't open. :crying2:

So some small brute force with what looked like plastic case crackers and the damn thing apparently released without damage tho that will seen.
Key still stuck ....apparently locksmiths around here don't work on motorcycle luggage. That is for another day.

So bike and parts are at the dealer....both batteries being charged....decently cool motel...and tomorrow is another day

Longest bloody 1,000 km trip I've EVER been on....and still a half day from home :wink2:

 

[Iceman]

Well it sounds like you're having quite the adventure, mix of good and bad luck. Hopefully the dealer gets her buttoned up quickly. Keep us informed.

Sent from my SM-A500W using Tapatalk

 

[shanekingsley]

Sorry to hear of you issues Mac. It could also be your Reg/Rectifier if you have not ensured that is working properly. I've had to replace both my stator and RR on my bike. I have an extra RR here that may be good or not - I'm not sure. You are welcome to have it and see if that solves anything.

By the way, I think the bike is actually on a slow discharge at 12.4, because anything under 12.8 is no longer charging, but actually drawing. Not sure if you have one installed, but I run a voltmeter (Datel) to keep on eye on this.

Good luck!

 

[MacDoc]

Thanks both

Fortunately except for the parts and labour all the costs are on CAA ...food and lodging

GW thinks stator - I thought some contribution from the stator plus no headlight might get me home.

Still lovely weather ....piggiing on Chinese order in ...will have enought for breakfast and lunch and then hopefully home end of day.

Frustrating only 4-5 hours from home but at least accommodation is free.

It's odd I was just thinking to get one of the handlebar USB outlets with the voltmeter.

Meanwhile watching America's Cup action .....F1 on water,

[video=youtube;p3rd9rjKKx4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3rd9rjKKx4[/video]

 

[MacDoc]

All's well that ends well.. traffic annoying on the QEW - treated myself to the 407

VERY glad I did not need to stay another day

 

[Iceman]

Good to hear you made it. Now to relax a bit and plan for the next adventure.

Sent from my SM-A500W using Tapatalk

 

[MacDoc]

yeah and it won't be between now and July 4th ....Canada 150 and July 4th all mixed ....plus hot weather to the south ....I'll pass...hang out locally and sort some bits on the bike. Get the CBF kitted out with the touring screen.

The villian in all this

GreyWolf the Stromtrooper guru said these could be rewound ....anyone know about this?.
My intuition immediately as the ABS light flickered and his diagnosis both turned out correct.
It was with real relief when the mechanic that installed it said - yeah burned stator....at least nothing further to chase.
A handlebar mounted voltmeter would have given me warning....on the buy list this weekend.

 

[MacDoc]

Before people think all was lost....

Left last Saturday 9 ish ...a bit later than usual as the weather really looked good.

Had an easy ride down from home in Mississauga to Coudersport PA which is crazy under construction ...had to loop the town 3 times to find the Sheetz for a latte.

It had rained the day before so riders were out in droves.

how anyone can coordinate a group this size is beyond me.

Skinniest girl ever did see riding a big bike was included...thought she was a kid on a pillion til she pulled out on this

Picture does not do justice to how skinny she is.

Rode down PA 6 to 44 and then 144 and it was so lovely ...both the road and blossoms lining it.

Lunch at Yesterdays in Renovo and then 144 again- a sweet ride through the backroads to my motel and got in just before a very short afternoon rain.

Next morning it was chilly - 10 degrees so layered up ...proved to be a problem later.
Can't ask for nicer.

New one for me

I find taking a snap of the Nav screen useful to record good roads that the TomTom App Winding Roads sends me on.

Turns out it is listed on this site
http://www.motorcycleroads.us/roads/pa655.html

87 miles - the middle section just a treat.

Some interesting buildings...

and then the bike started hiccuping as above and I very unexpectly ended in a 1830 BB

too many stairs but it was a mini-vacation - soft summer nights with fireflies, superb breakfast and very congenial and interesting hosts and guests.
Not the ride I envisioned but still an interesting journey, learned a bunch, got excellent help on line and from dealers. Coming home in clear weather with a smooth running bike made up for a lot. It is raining out now.

Lower BRP will wait.