Way out West - Canada to Central America

[manfromthestix]

The excellence continues. +1 on stopping the screaming elk "autoplay" . When I opened the thread I first thought my computer was having an issue.

Sorry about the delay for bike maintenance but COOL that you were able to visit with Mom and Dad for a spell. My Dad taught me everything I know about wrenching on stuff so I am eternally grateful for that.

I lived and rode in the Rocky Mountain West for most of my life prior to moving to Virginia 2 years ago; grew up in New Mexico and then 34 years in Wyoming with lots of time spent stomping around my Dad's home of Gunnison, Colorado. If you were riding through in warmer weather I could give you some ideas about routes, but given the time of year I'd advise staying at lower elevations and get south ASAP. Lander, WY my home of 18 years had >17 inches of snow late last week and Cheyenne, WY where my folks live is in the midst of a regulation blizzard. It was 85 degrees here last Friday and mid-70's over the weekend. I do not miss those long Winters.

Ride safely and good luck finding the Kawi dealership on the beach with bikini-clad hostesses running drinks to you as you work on the bike!

Doug

[dryden_rider_54]

You are likely on your way today so good riding.

I agree with above. Me...I would head south out of PG on 97, Turn at Clinton, taking the Kelly lake/Pavilion Road thru Diamond Ranch to Lilloett (nice ride lots of switches) then Whistler-Vancouver and then head for the pacific coast highway south to northern Cal. and stay out of the snow.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Clinton,+BC&daddr=615+Main+St,+Lillooet,+BC+V0K+1V0,+Canada+(B C+Municipal+Govt+Sec+-+Lillooet+-+Dist+of+Lillooet)&hl=en&geocode=%3BCV9al-m2TMrCFX2GBQMdunG7-CG5jRrne1Ycnw&mra=pe&mrcr=0&sll=50.890969,-121.759288&sspn=0.583868,1.234589&ie=UTF8&ll=51.023042,-121.689377&spn=0.145552,0.308647&t=h&z=12

[N9921X]

Great Mile High Motel and Greek Restaurant a block away.
The road up over the pass to Whistler is gravely in parts but beautiful road and views. Road it on a loaded Tiger 1050 no problem a couple months ago.. Took BC Ferries from Horsehoe to Nanaimo.
Have fun. Head south soon.
Snowy here in Colorado.

[dannyz]

One of the best RRs I've seen here on ADV so far.
Good luck with your future adventures, keep us posted.

[lostmarbles]

Hey Antontrax Great RR one of the best

[Motojournalism]

Yesterday, I decided to kick-back and let this melt. I'm in no rush.


I took some time to bang-up some windguards out of a flexible cutting board. The sub-freezing wind is hard on the hands.




Not too shabby.




Today. Up at dawn. Packed. Breakfast settling. Ready to go.
Press the magic button.

*Turn, turn, turn, bzzzzzzzt*

*Turn, turn, bzzzzzzt*

*Bzzzzt*



Remember U-turn? I mentioned it a page or two back, guy breaks down, can't get out of town?



Take off the luggage, sweating in the cold to push the unladen beast up the hill.
Second gear, dog paddle to speed. Pop, pop, pop. No more hill.
Two more tries and no one around to help push.

Obcenities muttered. Various deitys insulted.

Mom miraculously digs up a 12v charger.
I pull the battery for inspection, to find the water level here:



But maybe it's meant to be. Because right now. As I'm typing this. The mail I'd given-up waiting on, has finally caught-up with me.

Health and motorcycle insurance documents, a new debit card, two birthday cards, and Booyah! ...Several paycheques

[Motojournalism]

So what to do about the battery?
There's enough juice to run the lights and horn, but not enough to turn-over.

I want to get a gel battery, but I'll grab one in the states for considerably less $$$

So it's distilled water in the six yellow plugs eh?
There's no meter on the charger, how do I know when it's done?
How long should it take?

At least the weather is warming up a bit...

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by Antontrax

So it's distilled water in the six yellow plugs eh?
There's no meter on the charger, how do I know when it's done?
How long should it take?
At least the weather is warming up a bit...

Just fill with distilled water, leave the caps off and let it charge untill you can see it bubbling. Make sure it is on some cardboard or something so you don't get acid all over.

As for the weather, have you thought about just hopping on the ferry to Port Hardy? Save you a lot of driving and dodging crappy weather.

[TemeculaRider]

Sounds like a simple fix, Anthony and the gel should be an immense upgrade for you. Let us know how the charge goes...

[Motojournalism]

Thanks Deuce,

Time for a run into town. Distilled water. Distilled beer.

Hmm, I really like the idea of taking the ferry. The Inside Passage is supposed to be beautiful. They say it's like a cruise for the price of a ferry.

It's certainly not less driving though.
Prince George to either Prince Rupert or Bella Coola is about 700km then I'd have to drive the 500km length of Vancouver Island.

A straight shot from Prince George to Horseshoe Bay is about 800km.



I'll check the weather and ferry prices.

[Motojournalism]

OK, just wanted to check a few things. I want to be VERY careful with hydrogen gas, acid etc.

The charger is 12v 2amp. Hasn't been used since my Dad's CB750 in the mid 70's
(Damn, I wish he still had that bike...)

The operating table:


Calling Dr. Bob, calling Dr. Bob.


OK, I can't see a damn thing through the side of this battery, don't know how full. I think it's supposed to be to the top red line...


But it looks like I filled it too much. I can see the water with flakes of lead very close to the top...
Should I suck a bit out with the syringe?


Reading up on batteries now.

Waiting to hear replies...

The internet rocks.
You guys rock.d

[Deuce]

The battery level looks fine. As long as it's not up to the threads of the caps.

I thought you were already in Prince Rupert. DUH! Not worth driving all that way that's for sure. Supposed to warm up this weekend so make a run for it while you can.

[Motojournalism]

Cool, Dad came home and helped out. Got a bright shoplight to backlight the levels. We put the caps on and sloshed it about a bit to even out the levels. some water came out the vent. It's on the charger now. How often should I check for bubbles? Hourly? Or later tonight? 12v 2amp charger...

Yeah, it's Prince George not Prince Rupert that I'm in.
It's not as bad as all the Saint-whatever places in Quebec. Hundreds of em'

I really want to take that ferry to Queen Charlottes/Haida Gwai, but maybe when it's summer!

Thanks for your help man

[Dave Noel]

If it is a 2 amp charger 4 hours or so should get your bike started, I am thinking riding it the distance you have to go should get it up to a good level. If you want to fully charge it before you leave I would probably think 10 hours or more, I am no expert but just going on past experience but I have an automatic one. If there was a meter on the side I would check it until the needle got down close the left (on mine) then turn it off.

[Motojournalism]

Thanks Dave,

I'll leave it on till I go to bed, I'll try it tonight and check again tomorrow morning before I button everything up.