Pass me a towel! - SV650.org

rictus01 · 10-02-05, 11:24 PM

After about 160 miles in the rain today, I finished work down in Lewes (near Eastbourne).

I'd arranged to meet Ben (Swisst) to pickup his new bike at 5-530 or so in Harrow (NW London), being 5 past 4, I'd have to keep up a good pace, but not to9 much of a rush.

set off in the pouring rain (nothing new there then), keeping a good turn of speed up, the rain consistent, but not overly heavy, roads covered in a film of water.

Tyres heated learn the limit of traction, going well, know the bike , the road conditions,and the limits with the weather, shouldn't have any problems. Famous last words!

After about 15 minutes, I spot a bridge over the road, not big or anything,
drop my speed to about 50mph or so (de-restricted road), shadow over the road and it looks no more wet than the rest of the surface, I use the visual ques to help, yes the curb is straight and the pavement is level, so the water can only be an inch or two at most?

Oh, how wrong can one man be?

18 inches at least, looked like the drains had flooded, I went barrelling in and created a wall of water, handlebars slapping off my palms, anyway the bike comes out under it's momentum as the engine died. I coast to the side of the road.

b*ll*cks!

Stick it on it's stand and have a fag, what to do now?
So with boots & gloves full of water (they're waterproof but not submersible) and a bike that's died, I sit contemplating the world, god and the grand design of things, as I let the adrenaline settle to it's normal level.

Ok, let's do something about this, I decide to give it 10 minutes fixing time before using my NCI recovery card.

Turn the key nothing, not a light on the dash. check main fuse (thankfully I'd done the quick pins mod on the side panels so no tools needed).
Success, it starts, but still no lights or indicators or instruments.

Check the underseat fuses, three had blown, used the two spares and they blew, dam should have dried it out somehow first.

Ok, I've now got a bike that will run but that's about it, out of my tool kit I take two bits of electrical wire(see it pays to carry extra stuff) and run one to the headlights over the tank and the other to the tail lights.

Both work, I've now got a running bike with headlights and tail lights, that's good enough.

Carefully I ride the 34 mile back home.

Stripped the bike this evening and had a look the multi plugs behind the fairing were soaked and shorted in one place, sorted that, used all my toolbox spare fuses, but managed to replace all the blown ones, everything working fine.

Just one of those days

O, and Ben picked up his bike without problem for those who are interested, I believe he's going down Soho tomorrow.

Cheers Mark.

BillyC · 10-02-05, 11:35 PM

Mark... in a world of boring meaningless blogs, your postings on the subject of "a day in the life of a hardened biker" really are the best!

Does Rictus.com exist?

rictus01 · 10-02-05, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyC

Mark... in a world of boring meaningless blogs, your postings on the subject of "a day in the life of a hardened biker" really are the best!

Does Rictus.com exist?

Billy, I just think people should know what it's like to live & breath bikes, warts and all.

Cheers Mark.

BillyC · 10-02-05, 11:43 PM

Oh, don't get me wrong... I agree entirely. You tell them well Mark, and I like reading them! Keep 'em coming!

10-02-05, 11:45 PM

Yup, excellent post and always gratifying to see you find a way to sort things no matter what.

.

rictus01 · 11-02-05, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonboy

Yup, excellent post and always gratifying to see you find a way to sort things no matter what.

.

just thinking about it, I've been recovered twice for mechanical problems i couldn't fix and three times for accidents in the past five years that's just over 200,000 miles.

not to shabby.

Cheers Mark.

11-02-05, 01:54 AM

Well you may have had a s~@: day. but I am in the USA and my bike is in the UK. I have not riden for 4 months......its killing me.

And the new superduke is calling

rictus01 · 11-02-05, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Odin

Well you may have had a s~@: day. but I am in the USA and my bike is in the UK. I have not riden for 4 months......its killing me.

And the new superduke is calling

nothing wrong with my day, just not the best.

my limit is about 3 days without a bike, I just can't understand how anyone could get through an normal day without either punching out the ********s everyone has to deal with, or the detachment and balance given by riding the bike.

(no hire places over there?)

Cheers Mark

11-02-05, 07:39 AM

Excellent reading, whilst educational.
A pleasant change from some of the clap trap that has appeared here recently (IB), springs to mind.

Sometimes you scan the forum and it is full of interesting topics and other times nowt.

Keep em coming.

11-02-05, 07:57 AM

Damn!

I was PO'd today cos the chuffin thing would NOT tick over and kept going on to one cylinder.

Another top quality installment of "A Day In The Life Of The Biker They Call Rictus".

10-02-05, 11:24 PM	#1
rictus01 Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: South London Posts: 9,799	Pass me a towel! After about 160 miles in the rain today, I finished work down in Lewes (near Eastbourne). I'd arranged to meet Ben (Swisst) to pickup his new bike at 5-530 or so in Harrow (NW London), being 5 past 4, I'd have to keep up a good pace, but not to9 much of a rush. set off in the pouring rain (nothing new there then), keeping a good turn of speed up, the rain consistent, but not overly heavy, roads covered in a film of water. Tyres heated learn the limit of traction, going well, know the bike , the road conditions,and the limits with the weather, shouldn't have any problems. Famous last words! After about 15 minutes, I spot a bridge over the road, not big or anything, drop my speed to about 50mph or so (de-restricted road), shadow over the road and it looks no more wet than the rest of the surface, I use the visual ques to help, yes the curb is straight and the pavement is level, so the water can only be an inch or two at most? Oh, how wrong can one man be? 18 inches at least, looked like the drains had flooded, I went barrelling in and created a wall of water, handlebars slapping off my palms, anyway the bike comes out under it's momentum as the engine died. I coast to the side of the road. bllcks! Stick it on it's stand and have a fag, what to do now? So with boots & gloves full of water (they're waterproof but not submersible) and a bike that's died, I sit contemplating the world, god and the grand design of things, as I let the adrenaline settle to it's normal level. Ok, let's do something about this, I decide to give it 10 minutes fixing time before using my NCI recovery card. Turn the key nothing, not a light on the dash. check main fuse (thankfully I'd done the quick pins mod on the side panels so no tools needed). Success, it starts, but still no lights or indicators or instruments. Check the underseat fuses, three had blown, used the two spares and they blew, dam should have dried it out somehow first. Ok, I've now got a bike that will run but that's about it, out of my tool kit I take two bits of electrical wire(see it pays to carry extra stuff) and run one to the headlights over the tank and the other to the tail lights. Both work, I've now got a running bike with headlights and tail lights, that's good enough. Carefully I ride the 34 mile back home. Stripped the bike this evening and had a look the multi plugs behind the fairing were soaked and shorted in one place, sorted that, used all my toolbox spare fuses, but managed to replace all the blown ones, everything working fine. Just one of those days O, and Ben picked up his bike without problem for those who are interested, I believe he's going down Soho tomorrow. Cheers Mark. __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a Ride!

10-02-05, 11:35 PM	#2
BillyC Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The exiles of Kent Posts: 2,184	Mark... in a world of boring meaningless blogs, your postings on the subject of "a day in the life of a hardened biker" really are the best! Does Rictus.com exist? __________________ SV650 K3 - Gone. Now a member of the SV650.org Kawasaki brigade!

10-02-05, 11:43 PM	#4
BillyC Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The exiles of Kent Posts: 2,184	Oh, don't get me wrong... I agree entirely. You tell them well Mark, and I like reading them! Keep 'em coming! __________________ SV650 K3 - Gone. Now a member of the SV650.org Kawasaki brigade!

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10-02-05, 11:45 PM	#5
jonboy Guest Posts: n/a	Yup, excellent post and always gratifying to see you find a way to sort things no matter what. .

11-02-05, 01:54 AM	#7
Odin Guest Posts: n/a	Well you may have had a s~@: day. but I am in the USA and my bike is in the UK. I have not riden for 4 months......its killing me. And the new superduke is calling

11-02-05, 07:39 AM	#9
GC-SV Guest Posts: n/a	Excellent reading, whilst educational. A pleasant change from some of the clap trap that has appeared here recently (IB), springs to mind. Sometimes you scan the forum and it is full of interesting topics and other times nowt. Keep em coming.

11-02-05, 07:57 AM	#10
Scoobs Guest Posts: n/a	Damn! I was PO'd today cos the chuffin thing would NOT tick over and kept going on to one cylinder. Another top quality installment of "A Day In The Life Of The Biker They Call Rictus".