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| It was not a thing of beauty. |
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| But, it worked. |
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| Here she is. With the mirror extensions she looks almost like a big bike. |
Today I actually went for a longish ride. It was a good news/bad news sort of ride.
The good news was I found a way over the Meramec River with which I'm comfortable.
One of the problems of having a small cc bike where I live is the rivers. To the north is the Missouri. To the east is the Mississippi. And, to both the West and the South is the Meramec. The Meramec isn't as famous as the other two rivers, but like the others the bridges are all either part of the Interstate System and unavailable to me, or on divided highways, which are not the safest environment for riding.
The major bad news was in the process of finding my new route I ended up on a divided highway with Billie running WOT for over five miles. Actually, at first I thought this was good news. Billie was running at 55mph and everything was going great, and then came the hill, and then came the noise. It was a screeching metal on metal type of sound. Ironically, this was sort of good news. How could this noise be good news? Only in that it has happened before. Before when it happened I pulled onto the shoulder of the highway and made my way to the next exit. When I shifted down to second gear the noise stopped. I ran Billie for months without it happening again. The circumstances that day and the circumstances today were nearly identical. More good news, Billie reacted just as she did when it happened before. As before, I made it to the next exit, found a parking lot, and shut her down for a while. When we started back up all was fine.
More good news, I was where I could get on a divided highway for only a mile or so, cross the Meramec and drop off onto a secondary road. I had noticed this secondary road before when I was in my car. I had no idea where it went, but I figured today was a good day to find out. Plus I'd be back east of the Meramec and off of the divided highway with the speed limit of 65mph. This sounded like good news and it was.
To my pleasant surprise the road I was on, in fairly short order, wound its way to a road I'm very familiar with. It was wonderful. I went in a very short time from not knowing how far I was from home to feeling I was almost home. This was the best news of the day.
Here's a few photos from the day.
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| See the toad? |
Always looking on the bright side. :) But it is always exciting to find the shortcuts and byways. Glad you both had a good (ish) day.
ReplyDeleteLori,
DeleteIt was one of those things. I thought I was somewhere else, and by the time I figured out where I was I was committed to the road I shouldn't have been on. But, as you noticed. It did all work out. I suppose it was an adventure :)
I hear you, we have somewhat the same situation, and can only get out of here by crossing highway bridges. No big deal on my Sportster but big deal when riding the scooter. Glad that you and Billie made it, and nothing worrisome happened.
ReplyDeleteSonja,
DeleteA few days ago I commented on my other blog about seeing a 50cc scooter on the portion of Old Route 66 that I travel nearly every day. Watching him in traffic reminded me of why I moved up to the Symba. Sunday, I found myself back in a most uncomfortable riding situation. I, too, am glad that nothing worrisome happened...but, I will admit to having been worried more than a wee bit at least a couple of times.
Love your adventoureous spirit Keith!
ReplyDeleteRoger,
DeleteI'm not sure many who know me would think "adventurous spirit" is at all synonymous with my character. That said, occasionally a bit of adventure finds me anyway.
Oh well.
The meal on metal sound can not be a good thing, I hope you figure that out. I am hoping spring is here to stay and am hoping the salt trucks have gone to bed until next winter.
ReplyDeleteDar,
DeleteI hope where you are Spring is there to stay. I will be very surprised if we get any more snow, still....
They are predicting a snowstorm tomorrow in Alberta. Winter isn't done until May it seems like. Holding my breath, it's supposed to be nice here this weekend.
DeleteMetallic noises like that aren't good, but now that you can reproduce them reliably you can work on determining cause with your mechanic....or do you do your own wrench turning?
ReplyDeleteDom
Redleg's Rides
Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
Dom,
DeleteMike, my mechanic, and I are going to go over Billie with a fine tooth comb on Thursday morning. The bike is running great and there has been no return of the noise. I have an idea I know what it is, but we'll see Thursday.
Yay, Billie is once again Spring naked.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you were able to find more of a back road to avoid the interstate. Bummer that Billie was making growling noises but hopefully like everyone has said, it will help diagnose it.
"Spring naked", yep, she is. Love that description! It's been over 10,000mi since she last make that noise. There is one thing we did about the time it stopped. I'm thinking it may be the same thing. If so, it will be a super easy and inexpensive fix.
DeleteKeith:
ReplyDeleteit's great to explore new roads, but strange noises aren't good. Hope nothing is damaged.
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
bob,
DeleteSince I'm not experiencing any unusual symptoms coming from the bike, I'm hopeful that nothing is damaged. I remain optimistic. But, I'll know more Thursday.
Bridges can be tricky. It makes you realize what an obstacle rivers were back before bridges. Very effective barriers.
ReplyDeleteI love the exploration photos. I love checking out a new road or path...to see where it leads. Extra fun when it surprises you by popping you out somewhere familiar. Good stuff this.
Mystery sounds from the bike, I don't like. I hope everything is okay with Billie.
I, too, like to find out what's around the corner. It was very nice to "pop out" where I did. I'd had nearly all the adventure I wanted for the day.
DeleteI, too, hope nothing major is wrong with Billie. I think there is cause for optimism. We will see.
Dear Keith:
ReplyDeleteMotorcycles, both big and small, only make two kinds of sounds: the normal kind and the expensive kind. The expensive ones sound like metal on metal or occasionally screech. Since the bike didn't come to an abrupt halt, I think you can rule out a brake problem.
But trust me... A problem you have. The problem you don't want is a back wheel that locks up at 55 mph — in a curve. I suggest you take a good look at the oil in the trans and in the crankcase — for little shiny specs.
You might also have a wheel bearing that is in the process of going to heaven. I have learned one hard lesson, and that is that things that make metallic screechy noises never heal themselves.
Forgive me for not commenting more often in the past months, but I am working like mad on the final phases of this book and get lost for hours at my desk.
Fondest regards,
Jack/reep
Twisted Roads
Jack,
DeleteMy experience has been the same with these kinds of noises. I'm hoping it is merely one of the bolts having loosened that holds the rear sprocket. This is a common problem with the Symba. But, be assured, Thursday morning I am taking it to "he who must be revered." If anyone can find an intermittent problem, I'm confident it is he.
Your absence is always noted. I suspected it was related to your writing. The book is important and I'm glad you are burrowing into it.
Keith,
ReplyDeleteAgain, Mr. Riepe (this is twice today) has beaten me to the punch. If you change your own oil, I was going to suggest looking for flakes of metal. Sounds like your bike got too hot causing the pistons to expand. (I hope not!) It can cause your cylinder sleeves some damage. Can you run a compression test, too? I think it's due diligence. I know how much Billie means to you, I feel the same way about my machines.
Brady
Behind Bars - Motorcycles and Life
I am loving your blog.I was also wondering where you purchased Billie's windshield?
ReplyDeleteraymi,
DeleteGlad you are enjoying my blog. Billie's windshield was purchased as part of a package Carter Bros (the old distributor) was offering. It clipped on the handlebars. One of the clips broke. I've taken it off and am running w/o it. I don't know if I'll replace it or not. Billie now has over 19,000 miles on her. I still ride her back and forth to work everyday. She has been a great bike.
~keith