Fall/winter riding

[Dennis]

Saturday sucked (rained all day), but Sunday was beautiful.



I did not get out until around 3:30 and rode until 5:00.

Having a bike with a sidecar is great in this country for exactly these sorts of days.  It fishtails on ice, but at least I won't fall over.

My goal is to have at least one ride in every calendar month through the winter.

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[Dennis]

I've got December covered.  Neil took this photo on Sunday at his place.



I tried to go for a ride on Saturday, but the Chang just spun out on the ice.  No wonder.



I had a brand new replacement, so I put it on.







Peace & Grease, Dennis

[Dennis]

Last weekend's ride to Neil's exposed a gap in the left rocker cover gasket.  It was blowing misty oil out which ended up all over my left leg.

I carefully squeezed in some cloth in the gap.



I then tied another wad of cloth over the offending hole.



Went for a ride to Cottonwood Island Park. 



Peace & Grease, Dennis

[Dennis]

I got out on December 24th during the snow fall.  It was fun ? until it wasn't.  I got lots of the usual thumbs up signals and smiles.

Near CNC I noticed the rear end sliding way more that just a minute earlier.  Turns out I had a flat rear tire.  I figured there was no way I was going to get a flat deck tow truck during a snow storm on Christmas Eve, so I decided to just ride it slow home.





I picked up a new tube and the rubber strip to cover the spokes (it shredded and fell out during the flat tire ride).  Hopefully I didn't damage the tire riding across town.  It was only a couple weeks old. 

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[Dennis]

Since my last post, I pulled off the wheel and inspected the damage.

Considering that the original Chinese tires did not even last 100 km, I am not surprised that the original Chinese tubes gave up the ghost.





Since both the sidecar and spare tires were bald, I changed three tires in one evening.





Back at riding around PG in the winter.  These are from a week ago; at the end of Domano Blvd and the old CHP.





On Saturday (January 4th, 2020) my driveway was sheer ice.  Good time to test the Chang.



On my way home I noticed this entire parking lot just begging me to do spin outs and fish tails. 



The battery is at least four years old, and spent the first three winters parked outside without ever seeing a trickle charger.  Its pretty much done.  From a fully charged state, I've only got about an hour with the headlight on before its too low for the electric start to work.  When I have to kick start it, I know I have to head home.  I'll pick up a new one this week.

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[stevecrout]

Right on Denis!  I used to have the bikes insured all year, then moving to PG sort of put a damper on winter riding.  Glad to see you have the right kind of stuff to keep moving.  I'm thinking maybe I should follow your lead and keep one or two on the road here.

 (except for today!!!) .

[Dennis]

Right on Denis!  I used to have the bikes insured all year, then moving to PG sort of put a damper on winter riding.  Glad to see you have the right kind of stuff to keep moving.  I'm thinking maybe I should follow your lead and keep one or two on the road here.

 (except for today!!!) .

Get a sidecar.  There is no way, even with spiked ice tires that I would ride in winter without the assurance that I'm not going over on my side.

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[fj1200]

Hey Dennis, you should take the Chang to Timmy's today.Get a pic of riding on the coldest day of this century. 😆

[Dennis]

Fancy battery cable repair; electrical tape.  New battery in but haven't ridden long enough to confirm the battery was/is my problem.





Peace & Grease, Dennis

[Dennis]

Checked of February.

Took a ride on Sunday along River Road.  Photo at the boat launch.



The roads on Sunday were probably the slickest I've ridden on this winter.  Still lots of fun, but took it slooooow on corners.

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[Dennis]

I got out twice this weekend.  On Saturday I made it out for a ride in Pineview, but got really cold.  I prefer riding around town where the speeds are slower and not as cold.

On Monday (Family Day) I had a great ride all around town.  I stopped for a hot chocolate at Bon Voyage, cruised all over and finished at the Alpine for hot rum before the sprint home.





Not spending as much time on my projects, but this has been fun.  Lots of thumbs up from other drivers, and always an enthusiastic chat whenever I stop.

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[Dennis]

I rode the Chang to Tuesday's meeting.  Olaf pointed out I had no rear lights (tail or brake).

Neil came by on Saturday and gave me a hand finding out the problem.  After a few voltage tests, the culprits were discovered.



Properly repaired; soldered and shrink wrapped.



Box of parts arrived today.  I love some of the Chinese company names like, "Golden Crocodile King Motorcycle Parts"



Peace and Grease, Dennis