Subject: RE: Welcome home - long
Author: Charlie Mullendore
Date: Aug 7, 2002, 9:51 PM
Post ID: 1710759415
Hi Ian and all,
I arrived home Wednesday morning at 1:30 a.m. after a long days ride. Probably would have arrived two hours earlier if not for a minor electrical gremlin that struck 180 miles from home. Coming up VA Rt.42 from Clifton Forge, VA the "Dynamo" light comes on - at speed on bright, at idle it goes out. What the? It's 7 p.m. when this happens - I figure the best course of action is to turn the lights off and try to make the Wal-Mart in Harrisonburg, VA (80 miles away) before dark. Made it there okay, called Dave Otis for some input then went in and bought a cheap multimeter to see what I could find. The GE Multimeter is so cheap it isn't any help. My brother has a friend in the northern part of town with a good VOM, so now in total darkness I ride that way hoping the battery has enough charge left to run lights and ignition. Once there, we check battery voltage with the engine revving at road speed and find 12.75 volts. Decide to check generator output and as soon as I pull the rubber boot off of the D+ terminal the problem is solved. One of the two large red wires has broken off at the terminal - once reconnected the light goes out! Apparently it was connected enough to conduct the necessary voltage to turn the light off at idle but not at speed. Blasted up the Autostrada (Interstate 81) at 75 mph dodging big rigs and fighting a nasty crosswind. What good are damned Italian electrical terminals if you have to replace them every 33 years - think I'll call Guzzi and complain! :-)
Here's a brief (?) summary of the trip:
Day 1 - 379 miles, I-81, Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway to Meadows of Dan, VA. Stayed at the Willville M/C Camp (recommended) and met up with Joe Kenny (Eldo) and Pat Galbraith (Ambo).
Day 2 - 256 miles, Rode the rest of the way to Cruso, NC with Joe and Pat on the BRP. 40 miles of rain on this leg was the only rain of the trip.
Day 3 - 212 miles, "Loop Loop" led by Ken Pitts. Some of the twistiest roads I've ever been on as well as some of the best scenery. Can't even remember all the road names/numbers except Charley's Creek Rd. (of course). Great ride in any case, thanks Ken!
Day 4 - 175 miles, Cruso to Dahlonega, GA with Ian and Ed Flanagan. More great scenery and roads, three Loops motoring along, doesn't get much better than this!
Day 5 - 369 miles, After a good night's rest at Ian's (thanks for your hospitality Ian!) it's up 19/129 into NC, then 64 west into TN to 68 north. Turned off 68 onto the Cherohala Skyway at Tellico Plains. Back onto 129 in NC, headed north to do battle with "The Dragon" at Deal's Gap into TN once again. Came up on two crashes while there - one a Suzuki SV650 and the other a Honda Blackbird. Both riders were okay and help was enroute, bikes were trashed. No problem for me and my old pokey Ambo, great fun, highly recommended, BE CAREFUL! Took 411 to 321, 321 to Newport where I hopped on I-40 to I-81 so I could make Bristol, VA for the night by a decent hour. Met a '97 1100i owner from PA at the Super 8 and talked Guzzis for nearly two hours
Day 6 - 490 miles, Left Bristol at 10:30 am and took I-81 to 16 at Marion. Followed 16 north up through Tazwell into WV. 16 is an excellent road marred only by too much gravel on turns. Great views, almost as many turns as The Dragon and little traffic. Once in WV it's coal, dirt and gravel on the turns and traffic is heavy with coal and timber trucks blocking the way. Southern WV mining towns are dark, dreary and depressing as well. Turned off 16 onto 10 to have lunch at Twin Falls Resort St. Pk. Worst WV St. Pk. I've ever been to - built in the 60's and never remodeled, it looks more like a minimum security prison with a golf course. Had lunch there though, probably shouldn't have as I was blowing chunks before I even made it back to the bike! Felt sicker than a dog! NOT RECOMMENDED! Drank some water, felt better, headed for Beckley, WV on 97, 54 and 16 again. Picked up 3 there and then 63 in Alderson. 63 to 219 in Ronceverte. 219 into Lewisburg, then 60 east towards VA, stopping at the John Henry (the steel driving man) Memorial at Talcott briefly. Stayed on 60 until picking up 42 in Clifton Forge, VA (saw a black Jackal in a fast food parking lot). Trying to get to Harrisonburg before my juice ran out, blew by a County Mounty at 70+ in a 45 zone. He must have been more intent on supper than me, as he didn't give chase. Whew! After exorcising the electrical demon, continued north on 42 to 211 at Timberville, then I-81 at New Market. I-81 all the way to Martinsburg, WV then 45 to Shepherdstown, MD34 to Sharpsburg and local back roads to the house arriving 0130 hours. Finally ate the first food I'd had since the lunch from hell at 3 pm.
Total miles: 1881, Oil consumption: 3/4 quart, Average fuel mileage: 42 mpg, mechanical failures: 2 - broken terminal on gen. wire and blown out taillight bulb. Not too shabby for a high mileage, unrestored, 33 yr. old bike!
Good to be back home, but already miss the road and the old Ambo chugging along. Ah well, still time left for a few more road trips! Cheers,
Charlie
Ian Adkins <ianad-@linkamerica.net> wrote:
| Hey Charlie, Great to hear you arrived home safe and sound. I am sure you are composing a nice review of your run to and from the Blue Ridge Rally to share with the rest of the Loop family. I look forward to hearing the routes that you took, mileages, etc.... I will be doing that area soon. |
__________________________________________________________________
Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas. Experience the convenience of buying online with Shop@Netscape!http://shopnow.netscape.com/
Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today athttp://webmail.netscape.com/