Richmond Va chatter

[Guy Young]

Originally Posted by pplassm

Ah. That explains why it never really failed on me, just got sticky. My garage has heat, and the trailer ride was the first time it's been really cold.

Another little weird thing I've experience with both of my Connies is carb icing. Even tho' the temps were above freezing, when conditions were just right (humidity, etc.) carb ice would form and the bike wouldn't idle worth a poo. This usually showed up on my morning commute just as I was pulling into the main toll plaza on the Powhite.

European versions actually had special carbs where (heated) coolant was piped into a jacket in the float bowls. Think carb heat on aircraft. Only diff is that aircraft divert some exhaust heat into the intake ducting.

Stopping the bike for 5 or less minutes was usually enough to get rid of the icing. Had this same issue with a '67 MG I had that had SU carbs.

.

[pplassm]

Originally Posted by Guy Young

European versions actually had special carbs where (heated) coolant was piped into a jacket in the float bowls.

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My DT50 actually has that feature.

[Guy Young]

Originally Posted by pplassm

My DT50 actually has that feature.

Really?

The first time I became aware of this "feature" was when a European COG member sent my some pictures of his bike. I was clueless until he told me what the extra plumbing was for.

This was pre-digital to us common folk, so I probably have that picture floating around here somewhere.

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[toddzacker]

Originally Posted by skychs

Todd ..... you suck! Don't get sun burned .... the first burn of the winter really hurts. Alcohol makes it feel better.

Jeff .... Thanks for all that you do. Great job. I need to talk to you about fixing my headlight on the GS. The adjustment mechanism is broken, one of the swivel balls on the inside broke off. Grrrrrrr Its a sealed housing.

Boots
I need a new pair of boots. The BMW Allarounds have been great boots but they are worn out. I need waterproof and more protection. I have some nice Alpinstar motor cross boots but they don't fit inside some of my pants. I prefer to have the pants over the boots.

Does anyone know anything about Gaerne Balance Oiled Dual Sport Boot? I think I have seen them on a couple inmates but I can't remember who. I hear a lot of good things about them. Any other advise is appreciated.

Waterproof ..... protection ..... under a pant leg ..... comfortable.

Oh yeah Chuck...you just got back from a trip of a lifetime...don't give me shit...

Boots- I got the Sidi adventure Goretex. Wow!!! Is all I can say. They are the most comfortable boots I've ever had. To driving rain storms, twice in the mud road, & 6 water crossings in the mountains and never wet feet. I have to replace a buckle from my crash, but the best all around boots I've ever owned.

[JHVA]

Originally Posted by toddzacker

Boots- I got the Sidi adventure Goretex. Wow!!! Is all I can say. They are the most comfortable boots I've ever had. To driving rain storms, twice in the mud road, & 6 water crossings in the mountains and never wet feet. I have to replace a buckle from my crash, but the best all around boots I've ever owned.

Just ordered a pair!

Thanks, Mike for the ebay link!

[DirtDoctor]

Originally Posted by thomas.tc.young

just want to thank all inmates who offered to help, you guys make advrider so great and for Jeff for putting me up so i wouldn't have to sleep under a bridge.

here's the good stuff though



too bad the classic bike pool hall has a habit of breaking you down



nothing rivets can't fix


viola


thanks again to all you FF's.

You guys rock Jeff and Tony!! No better place to land than the CB&PH. Safe travels Tom. You gotta love ADVers.Cheers fellas!

On another note, I just got the Sidi Adventure Goretex boots from the same place as Mike on ebay and it was a great deal. Love the boots.

[bloochdog]

Originally Posted by skychs

Todd ..... you suck! Don't get sun burned .... the first burn of the winter really hurts. Alcohol makes it feel better.

Jeff .... Thanks for all that you do. Great job. I need to talk to you about fixing my headlight on the GS. The adjustment mechanism is broken, one of the swivel balls on the inside broke off. Grrrrrrr Its a sealed housing.

Boots
I need a new pair of boots. The BMW Allarounds have been great boots but they are worn out. I need waterproof and more protection. I have some nice Alpinstar motor cross boots but they don't fit inside some of my pants. I prefer to have the pants over the boots.

Does anyone know anything about Gaerne Balance Oiled Dual Sport Boot? I think I have seen them on a couple inmates but I can't remember who. I hear a lot of good things about them. Any other advise is appreciated.

Waterproof ..... protection ..... under a pant leg ..... comfortable.

Hi Chuck,
I have a couple pairs of the Gaerne oiled balance boots.. The most comfy boots I have ever owned. The draw back is the offer very little protection for off road riding. I wore them while riding and hunting in Africa but was concerned about no real support around ankles. Great go to boot for light stuff and impromptu dirt but the boot I feel safer for long trips is the sidi adventure rain...

I won't give up the gaerne boots though..

[skychs]

Hey Blooch
I told Linda I thought you had a pair of the Oiled Boots. Thanks for responding. As much as I like the Gaerne my instinct (and your description of the lack of protection) tells me to go with the Sidi Adventure Gortex .... especially at the price Mike found them for. Thanks Mike. It will be the first time I have ordered boots via mail because of my weird feet but my fingers are crossed. Thanks everyone for your input.

Yesterday I finally broke down and bought a Battery Tender. The GS seems to hold its charge but the DRZ is a power hog for some reason. Maybe its the small battery it takes. I don't know. I went with the Pep Boys brand (Shumacher) instead of the Battery Tender brand at the advise of the salesman in the store and because it was half the price. At 1.5 amp it seems to work well.

Have a great week everyone.

[bastardbiker]

Originally Posted by skychs

Yesterday I finally broke down and bought a Battery Tender. The GS seems to hold its charge but the DRZ is a power hog for some reason. Maybe its the small battery it takes. I don't know. I went with the Pep Boys brand (Shumacher) instead of the Battery Tender brand at the advise of the salesman in the store and because it was half the price. At 1.5 amp it seems to work well.

Have a great week everyone.

You're talking about the DRZ400 I'm assuming, right? Did you correct the regulator/rectifier "poor connection" issue? That's supposed to increase your charging output from .3 - .5 volts. Let me know if you need a link.

[Eddy Alvarez]

Originally Posted by Michhub

I got the Sidi Adventure Gore Tex boots from Biker-Land.de on Ebay...great price took about 10 days to arrive...super comfy out of the box...maybe not suited to a wide foot from what I hear...fits under jeans no problem. I submerged 'em on the last mud run ride and stayed completely dry...

Thanks for the heads up! Just ordered a pair! I guess I can stop trying to gorilla glue my old ones back together after every ride!

[BrendaP]

Does anyone around here have any experience w/ one-way bike rental in Europe? I'll ask over on some Europe threads, but it would be great to pick brains around here if any of y'all have been there done that in recent years, or know someone who has.

[Downer]

Originally Posted by BrendaP

Does anyone around here have any experience w/ one-way bike rental in Europe? I'll ask over on some Europe threads, but it would be great to pick brains around here if any of y'all have been there done that in recent years, or know someone who has.

I never had to rent since I lived there but Dexheimer BMW rented bikes about an hour from Frankfurt. I did get a loaner from them a couple of times.

Not sure how much that helps since I am not sure where you are going to be.

[BrendaP]

Originally Posted by Downer

I never had to rent since I lived there but Dexheimer BMW rented bikes about an hour from Frankfurt. I did get a loaner from them a couple of times.

Not sure how much that helps since I am not sure where you are going to be.

Endpoint Zurich. Start anyplace between Krakow and Zurich, maybe Vienna, if crossborder oneway rentals are feasible.. if not, maybe Vienna to someplace in western Austria, then train on to Zurich. Thanks for the name. Even if they aren't on my path of travel a) they might know of some rental companies that are, and b) they might be able to help me get my head around the crossborder question, insurance, etc.

[Jeff Munn]

Originally Posted by BrendaP

Does anyone around here have any experience w/ one-way bike rental in Europe? I'll ask over on some Europe threads, but it would be great to pick brains around here if any of y'all have been there done that in recent years, or know someone who has.

Brenda,
If you are a member of the BMWMOA, on their webpage there is an entire section called Global Touring. It has sections on rentals, tour operators, insurance, shipping, etc. There are over 50 tour operators listed and almost a hundred rental places.

You might want to consider a bike exchange. There is a global network of bike owners who exchange bikes, just like the home exchange you've used. Here is what I copied from the BMWMOA site. Try contacting Tom and see if he has any ideas.

TransAtlantic BikeShare-Worldwide. (Tom Burklow)
Tel/fax 513-398-9424, bikeshare@aol.com; www.bikeshareworld.com; 8268 Winters Lane, Mason OH 45040.

I've never heard of any one-way bike rentals, especially cross borders, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. All the borders you mentioned are open because of the EU, except for Switzerland, but their requirements are basically that you buy the vignette to operator a vehicle on their autobahns. If you stay off the super highways you don't have to buy it.

jeff

[BrendaP]

Originally Posted by Jeff Munn

Brenda,
If you are a member of the BMWMOA, on their webpage there is an entire section called Global Touring. It has sections on rentals, tour operators, insurance, shipping, etc. There are over 50 tour operators listed and almost a hundred rental places.

You might want to consider a bike exchange. There is a global network of bike owners who exchange bikes, just like the home exchange you've used. Here is what I copied from the BMWMOA site. Try contacting Tom and see if he has any ideas.

TransAtlantic BikeShare-Worldwide. (Tom Burklow)
Tel/fax 513-398-9424, bikeshare@aol.com; www.bikeshareworld.com; 8268 Winters Lane, Mason OH 45040.

I've never heard of any one-way bike rentals, especially cross borders, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. All the borders you mentioned are open because of the EU, except for Switzerland, but their requirements are basically that you buy the vignette to operator a vehicle on their autobahns. If you stay off the super highways you don't have to buy it.

jeff

Well shoot, looks like I need to re-up my BMWMOA membership. And bike exchange is a thing? S-WEET!!! Will definitely look into that. Thanks Jeff!