Where did the last few years go?

Its been a while since I posted anything....several years in fact.

A lot has happened over the past few years...it's called life.

Now that most of the issues have been sorted, it's time to report on what I've been up to and get back to logging my life on two wheels.

Thursty

Pink Ladies Motorcycle Society

 2014

 

The local radio station (River 949) thought it would be a good idea to form their own "Motorcycle Club" as a tongue-in-cheek way to let their listeners (and maybe the police) know that not all motorcycle riders are members of "Criminal Motorcycle Gangs" and that some riders actually enjoy going for a coffee in the company of others...hence the Pink Ladies Motorcycling Society was formed.

I was fortunate to be invited along for the initial club ride. Loading up Irma with Doug the Cassa-Worry, Lockie and Smashlie, it was off to North Ipswch.

Meeting up at River's studio in North Ipswich, the ride was conducted like all good rides should be...pre-ride briefing, LOUD clothes (Snowy) and arrest of a suspicious "motorcycle mama".

Once Marnie was released, it was time to mount up head towards Marburg for "high tea", with police escort front and back.

After no more than 500 meters, and 2 sets of traffic lights, it was time to pull over and reform the pack in preparation for merging on to Darren Lockyer Way.

Merging on to the highway, it was amazing to see how much respect we received from the other road users...the type of respect a high class, tough motorcycling club deserves.

Crusing down  the highway at 70kph we looked a sight. We didn't go much faster due to the "club president" (self appointed, of course) only obtaining his bike license a few days earlier and he wasnt too sure of himself.

The ride was uneventful, probably due to our tough appearance, although I expect it may have had something to do with the police escort.

Arriving at our destination (The Girls Coffee Bar, Marburg), it was time to dismount and take over the place. Coffee, scones and conversation began flowing.

Eventually the time arrived for photos before everyone went their separate ways.
Lockie said he wanted a photo with Marnie...so here is it.

One behalf of myself and Smashlie, I would like to thank River 949, The Girls Coffee Bar and all the sponsors of the ride for a great morning. 

I can't wait for the next ride (maybe Club President Dave will be able to get the bike out of second gear).

If you see us on the road, give us space....we are scary, we are tough, we are the:

Pink Ladies Motorcycling Society

Thursty

Roughing It In Style

When most people think of a biker hitting the highway, they think of someone on the road, with nothing more than the clothes they are wearing, and maybe a swag or sleeping bag for comfort. I'm sorry, I did that on my "Extra Short Ride" and it wasn't much fun. Not this time though.

Post Maintenance Ride

20/10/2013

Preparations for my trip to Tasmania are well underway. Today was Oil & Filter change day. It's been 12 months since I last has the bike serviced, yet I've only done just over 3000KM, so it's not worth the expense of dropping it in for an "official" service, just to have the warranty "validated". By the time I retrun the bike will be due for it's 20,000K service, so it's probably better (and cheaper) to wait until my return.

Bike warmed up, oil and filter changed (just a "minor" issue when I didn't have the oil pan in the correct spot), it was time to get out and enjoy the fruits of my "hard work".

Trailer connected, lights checked, it was time for a quick loop to Gatton.

Mandatory loop around the estate to let everyone know I was out and about, it's down the motorway to Dinmore, then onto the highway for a quick trip to Gatton. The roadworks around Marburg seem to have been going on forever...still repairing the damage done in 2011 and 2012 storms.

Arriving at Gatton I grabbed a quick bite to eat and caught up with a couple of Gatton branch members who were having a quiet coffee after a hard days riding. After a quick chat and coffee, it's back on the bike for the quiet ride back home via Home Hill,  Rosewood and Walloon.

The road between Gatton and Home Hill is just the way I like it, relatively straight and flat, with just a few bumps and pot holes to keep me on my toes.

Slowing down as I approached Home Hill, I was greated by a friendly magpie who thought it would be a good idea to drop down and give me a peck / headbutt on the front of my helmet...don't know what was going through it's mind, but if it had hit my helmet a bit lower, it would have been it's tail feathers.

After that little bit of excitement, it was time to continue. Crusing through Home Hill, its a quick right and off to Laidley. Being a pleasant day I decided to drop into the pub for a quite beer, then back on the road towards .

Now the road narrows a bit and gets a fews twists in it. With trees and scrub by the side of the road, I slowed down just a bit incase a surprise "jumped out" in front of me. Fortunately there were no surprises so I was able to sit back and enjoy the scenery.  

Before I knew it I was approaching Grandchester. Over the railway tracks it was time to open the throttle until Rosewood. Slowing down through Rosewood not only saved my license (yes there was a hand-held radar near the High School), it also gave me a chance to check out some of local "fauna" on their way into town.

Leaving Rosewood, its over the old railway line, next stop Walloon Saloon. I haven't been here for a while, so it was good to drop in for another quick drink.

Refreshed, it's back on the road for a quiet cruise home.

I'm looking forward to my next few rides before I take on Tassie. Until next time.

Thursty.

The Countdown Is On

25/11/2013

The countdown is on until I head to Dunalley.

I'm taking a short ride to Dunalley, Tasmania, because I have a burning desire to hook into a decent feed of seafood.  I was there a few years ago with the family and we discovered a little jetty at Dunalley that does an incredible seafood basket. As I haven't had anything like it since, I thought it would be a good idea to stretch the bikes legs and drop down for a feed.

I'm planning to leave Ipswich on Friday 29th November, arriving at Dunalley on Thursday 5th December for a much anticipated seafood lunch.

I've worked out 3 routes to get to Port Melboune for the ferry, depending on weather forecasts.

• Route 1 - Inland via Goondiwindi, West Wyalong, Bendigo, Port Campbell, Port Melbourne
• Route 2 - New England Highway via Warwick, Scone, Bathurst, Goulburn, Cooma, Lakes Entrance, Myrtleford, Bendigo, Port Campbell, Port Melbourne
• Route 3 - Pacific Highway to Goulburn, Cooma, Corryong, Bendigo, Port Campbell, Port Melbourne.

If you've done your sums, you'll see Im planning on somewhere between 2000k & 2700k before I get to Tassie.

I'll let you know my route and how I'm going on Friday night at the end of Day 1.

Thursty

Why Is The Government Treating Motorcyclists As Criminals

02/11/2013

The Queensland State Government recently introduce Anti-Association legislation, supposedly to help wipe out "criminal motorcycle gang related crime".

According to the government, this legislation, and the subsequent crackdown on what used to be call "Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs", but are now referred to as "Criminal Motorcycle Gangs", was not going to impact motorcyclists who were not associated with these groups.

<commence rant>

If that's the case, why are hundreds of motorcyclists being pulled up daily and put through license checks, searches, tatoo checks, etc.  Why also are social groups of motorcyclists being "checked up on" when they decided to go for a social ride?

I was out last weekend with about 20 other riders from the local branch of ...... (sorry, not allowed to use the name, BUT WE ARE NOT ON THE LIST OF DEEMED CRIMINAL GANGS AND SHOULD NOT BE GETTING HARRASSED !!!). The only "drugs" we carry are for blood pressure, arthritis & heart conditions... While we were having a coffee break at Esk, the local "lady in blue" drove past, pulled a U turn and dropped over to check us out. Under the pretext of advising us about roadworks ahead, we were asked where we were going and who we we, etc.   WHY DID SHE NEED TO KNOW !!!!!

About half an hour later, surprise, surprise, there was an RBT just being set up at our designated meeting point at the top of the range.  We weren't test, however, call me dumb, but it certainly looked like the site had been set up to let us know the police were around....anyway, how often are RBT's set up on relatively quiet roads leading into Toowoomba at 10:30am on Sundays???

Reports from the media and various motorcycling forums indicate that A LOT of riders are staying off the roads so they don't get harrassed by the police.  Reports from a lot of the country towns that thrive on weekend motorcycle groups visiting are that numbers are down by up to 80%... 80% fewer weekend visitors buying coffee, food, fuel...that's not going to impact these small towns ..... MUCH

Now the police are advising social riders to notify them who they are and where they are going so they can be added to the "do not annoy" list (read "police intelligence" database).

Geez, now you are requested to report to the police when you want to go for a ride...what next, restrictions on when and where you can ride, curfews, permission slips???

These new laws/rules/recommendations/whatever WILL NOT stop me from riding and WILL NOT stop me from associating with other motorcycle riders...anyone would think the government/police were overly strict parents - No, you can't play with little Johnny because he's a "naughty" boy, no you can't talk to Jimmy because he wears weird clothes.... you get the idea.

</end rant>

Time to follow the wise words of a wise old man...

"Go where you want, when you want, the way you want." 

I'm heading out for a ride. If I'm not back by tomorrow, can someone come and bail me out.....

Thursty 

Another Ride That Never Was

12/10/2013

My luck with going on branch rides has struck again.

I was up early this morning, ready to join the branch on the ride to Warwick for the "Bikes Thru The Bar" ride.

As the ride was going to be "up" the range, I decided I'd take Crash out for a spin and get a few more K's under our belt before we head down to Tassie at the end of November. Trailer connected & plugged in, jacket and gloves on, I was ready to go. Turn the key and hit the starter..............nothing.

Checking the battery showed on 11.4 volts, not enough to start the bike.  Trailer disconnected, battery removed and charger fired up, I knew I'd be pushing to make the ride.

45 minutes later, battery fully charged and put back in the bike.  Starts first time so it didn't look like it was going to be too bad a day after all as I'd just be able to catch up with the branch before they left.  Connecting the trailer I noticed the wiring was a little loose, but didn't take any notice.  All dressed again, I started checking the lights, indicators and horn.....nothing. Bike runs but none of the electrics are working. I knew now todays ride wasn't going to happen.

Turning off the bike, I disconnected the trailer and opened up the battery box for a second time.  Checking the fuses I found 3 blown fuses - trailer wiring, indicators and headlight....strange. Checking my spare fuses, I found I was 2 spares short so it was a quick trip to the local bike shop to pick up sufficient fuses to replace the blown ones and a few spares incase they blew again. $24 dollars later, I was back home with 5 fuses, ready to get the bike back up and running.

As the trailer wiring fuse has blown, I checked the wiring to the trailer connector....there's my problem...all 7 wires had pulled loose from the connector. It was then I realised I must have been a little too aggressive when I relocated the wiring last weekend. Not a problem I thought, I'll just grab the wiring diagram I used when I installed the tow bar.....wrong. I had a clean up a few weeks ago and threw out the diagram as I didn't think I'd ever need it again.

A long searching session on google finally located the wiring diagram I needed and I was ready to connect the wires. Then I through - "Did I wire the connection up the same was as the diagram says?".  I was reasonably sure I had, so 5 minutes of wire trimming and screw tightening and I was ready to rock. Grabbing my volt meter, I checked everything and it seemed to be OK.  Fuses in & trailer connected, I restarted the bike.

Bike starts - check

Left Indicator - check

Right Indicator - check

Brake Light - check

Horn - check

Under Bike Lights and Driving Lights - check.

Problem resolved. 

Here's the plug wiring for my bike:

I was now ready to go for the ride. It's a pity it was now about midday and by the time I got to Warwick everyone would be heading home, so no ride to Warwick. Maybe next weekend...oh hang on, I'm On-Call next weekend, so I doubt I'll be able to get out, but you never know.....

Thursty

PS: I worked out why the battery went flat. It seems the loose wiring in the trailer plug created a circuit, allowing the charge to leak. I looks like this was the case for a week & when I attached the trailer plug it brought all the wires together, blowing the fuses. So I guess this means I butchered my bike....but don't tell anyone.

Crash's First Day Out

25/08/2013

I haven't had many opportunities to ride in the past 12 months due to work and family commitments. I haven't been on a branch ride for several months and I decide today I was getting out no matter what to join in with the rest of the branch on the inaugural Cartwheel Ride.

Ready to leave home, my work phone went off...another problem at work that needed attention. Picking up the phone, I knew I wasn't going on the ride.

Two hours later, the work issue was resolved and I was free again. Unfortunately, the ride had already left, so there was no way I could catch up, mainly due to the fact that I had no idea where they were going. I did, however, know where the ride was scheduled to finish, so I thought it would be a good chance to load up the trailer and take Crash out for a spin.

Loaded up with all the gear I was planning on taking to Tasmania in December (all 70kgs of it) I attached the trailer, performed some final checks and adjusted the tyre pressure, and I was off to Aratula, a short 30 minutes ride away.

Being the first time I'd taken the trailer out fully loaded, I was a little cautious leaving home, but slowly gained confidence. After working my way through the suburban roads, I entered the highway at Yamanto and merged in wth the traffic.

Starting off at about 80, I slowly increased my speed, constantly checking the trailer to make sure it wasn't swaying or bouncing around. Before too long, I was cruising along at 110 with the trailer sticking closely behind.  So far, so good.

Now for the next test. Four B-doubles were heading towards me, so I placed my foot over the brake in case the trailer started moving around as they passed. Turns out it wasn't necessary as Crash stayed straight and true, no buffeting from the passing trucks.  

Now that I was feeling more confident, it was time to push a little harder. I put the bike through several emergency stops and emergency evasion procedures. Not once did the bike feel out of control or unstable. Happy with the results so far, I sped up and headed to the Aratula Hotel to catch up with the rest of the branch.

I arrived at Aratula to find over one hundred bikes already there, with more arriving. Getting off the bike, I caught up with a few of the branch members and gave my apology for not joining in on the ride. 

Several soft drinks (and quite a few sausages later, I bid my farewells and got back on the road. Leaving the pub, I headed towards Moogerah Dam so I could take the trailer through its paces on roads similar to wheat I was expecting in Tasmania - rough narrow roads, semi-sealed tracks, steep inclines and declines, twisties and open highways.

No matter what type of road I went on, Crash held on, not complaining or causing any issues with the bikes handling. Heading home via Kalbar, I now felt confident enough that I could take on any road conditions (in the dry) without having to worry too much about having the trailer on the back.

Today's total mileage was 274k... not bad for a first day out.

I'm feeling a lot more confident towing the trailer, but I'll need to put on a few more K's before I head down to Tassie. Next trip, maybe Miles or Goondiwindi for an overnighter.

And there is a long weekend coming up soon - maybe a chance to do some real K's.

Until next time, ride safe.

Thursty

Fixing A Minor Fault

14/08/2013

The only issue I have with the trailer is the gas bottle holder on the draw bar.

It's a great idea to have a place to store the gas bottle outside of the trailer, unfortunately, it's just a little too small for gas bottles currently on the market.

The holder is designed for a 1kg Primus has bottle. These bottles were readily available until recently, however, they are no longer available in shops, and trying to obtain a secondhand one has proven impossible. I'm sure they are available, however, after searching for 2 months I haven't been able to find one, so it's time to have the little issue resolved.

I called into Sanjay Fabrications with the supplied gas bottle holder and a 1.25kg gas cylinder and said to them -"Make this fit into here".  No problem was their response.

A few weeks later I dropped in to see how the holder was coming along. The new holder was sitting there waiting to go off to the powder coaters.  Being impatient, I told them not to worry about the powder coating, I'll do it myself. Handing over the agreed cost, I grabbed the holder and gas bottle and headed home.

A quick sanding, undercoat and 3 coats of high gloss paint and the holder was ready for fitting.

Holder fitted and gas bottle installed, Crash is now ready to take out for a BBQ.

And here's the result...

I still have the original holder, so should I ever find a 1kg Primus gas bottle, I can refit the original holder or sell it with the gas bottle to someone.

I still have a few more things to do to Crash, but that's for another day.

Until next time...

Thursty

Introducing Crash

07/07/2013

 
My Short Ride to Wodonga in 2011 made me realise that travelling by bike is a great way to see the country, but you either have to spend a fortune on accommodation, or go without a lot of the comforts you take for granted.

With the Ulysses AGM in Maryborough 4 months away, I decided I didn't want to rough it, so I started researching motorcycle trailers.

There aren't that many choices for someone with a small bike and a tight budget. I was hoping to find a trailer for around $3,000, big enough to carry the essentials and a few luxuries, yet light enough to be towed behind my 650 cruiser.

I'd narrowed the choice down two manufacturers and started making enquiries. I received a lot of positive feedback about both, so it really boiled down to a fiberglass trailer with power assisted brakes vs lightweight aluminium without brakes.

I eventually ordered a trailer, 3 months before the AGM and decided to go fibreglass due to the suppliers great reputation and their guarantee the trailer would be ready in 6-8 weeks.

6 weeks later (6 weeks until the AGM), I rang the supplier - Yes the trailer should be ready in a few weeks.

2 weeks later (4 weeks before the AGM) I rang the supplier again - No trailer isn't ready and we don't know when it will be ready. I said thanks for nothing and promptly cancelled my order ( I met a couple at the AGM and they had the same issue...it seems 16 weeks wasn't enough notice to get a trailer built when the supplier quotes 6-8 weeks)

So here I was, 4 weeks from the AGM and no trailer. I scoured every bike site and yard, trying to locate a trailer (at this stage it didn't matter what brand, colour, condition) I just wanted a trailer to take to Maryborough. After 2 weeks I finally resigned myself to the fact I wasn't going to have a trailer to take with me, so off to the local camping shop I went to purchase some lightweight camping gear to replace the slightly bulky gear I planned to take with me.

Just before leaving for the AGM, I contacted Mal from Bandicoot Trailers. Their trailer was my preferred choice, but because I'd heard so much about the other manufacturer and very little about Bandicoots, I didn't go with them originally.
Talking to Mal set my mind at ease about the lack of power assisted brakes and I was seriously considering ordering one on the spot, sight unseen. I decided I was going to get myself a 'Coot, but first I had an AGM to attend.

Whilst at the AGM, I talked to a lot of people who had trailers, some from the manufacturer who let me down, some from other manufacturers, and one lone soul with a 'Coot.

The 'Coot owner let me hook it up to my bike and take it out for a short run. I couldn't believe how light it was and I only noticed it when taking off at the lights (that little clunk when you first take off still catches me out).
I was sold. It's small, light, maneuverable and you could fit a lot of gear inside it.

Once I got back home, I was straight onto the Bandicoot website (www.bandicoots.com.au) and ordered myself a shiny black Outback trailer with all the options.

Several weeks later, I received an email advising me of the status of my order and and estimated date for pickup.

When I finally received the phone call tp say my trailer was ready, I organise to ride out the next weekend to pick it up.

The day of pickup arrived. As with almost everything I organise, it started raining just after I let home and spent the next 45 minutes riding through rain until I reached Petrie.

As if by magic, the rain stopped completely as I reached Samford, the place to pickup my trailer. Arriving at Mal's place I crawled slowly up his very steep and slightly damp driveway to be greeted by the sight of my little 'Coot waiting patiently for me.

After checking out the trailer, fitting the license plate and rego sticker, adjusting the tyre pressure and connecting up and checking the trailer I was ready to head home when Mal asked if i'd like a coffee. Anyone who knows me is well aware of my coffee addiction, so the obvious answer was yes.

Sitting on Mal's veranda, we chatted for a while about where each of us had been and I was able to get a lot of helpful advice on towing and maintaining the trailer.

The sky cleared, the roads were drying and the coffe was gone, so time to get on the road and get my 'Coot home.

Leaving Mal's place was tricky, especially with the additional weight on the back of the bike and the steep driveway. As I was leaving, Mal told me to be careful going down the driveway as it would probably be slippery....just what I wanted to hear.

Slowly I went, barely walking pace, with the rear tyre sliding on a few occasions.  Safely on the road, I pulled over, double checked the coupling and lights and then I was off, slowly at first, gaining more confidence with every passing minute.

Passing through Samford, the trailer felt stable and now for the first real test - roundabout. I took the corner a little too close to the gutter and was greeted with the trailer bouncing off the gutter - note to self - with trailer on, you are wider than a bike.

That was the last surprise on the way home. Traffic lights, corners, roundabouts - placing the bike in the correct position became easy and the extra weight on the back was barely noticeable.

Arriving home, it was time for the mandatory photos, check to make sure nothing has fallen off and tighten up all the bolts, just as Mal suggested.

Now was time for a name. Having played a few computer games in my past, and the trailer being a Bandicoot, the obvious name came to mind - Crash.

Thus named, a beer was opened to wet the new baby's head.

Looking back at this whole exercise, I'm glad my first purchase wasn't able to be delivered. While I would have liked to have had a shiny fiberglass trailer, that fact that A LOT of people have them would have ment I'd just look like everyone else on the road.

I've barely seen another 'Coot on the road and whenever I stop, people come over to check out and ask lots of questions about my little Crash.

And the best thing about the 'Coot.... the "water carrier" at the back of the trailer can just fit a carton of beer...a major bonus in anyone's language.

Thursty