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#31
All Events Calendar / Re: Harrow FarRoad Ride
Last post by Large 2.0 - Oct 22, 2025, 10:58 PMRegistered.
#32
General Discussion / Re: From the Library
Last post by Biggles - Oct 22, 2025, 12:23 AMThen I had a stout, which I enjoyed.
I took out the axle and removed the back wheel. I undid the shock absorber mounting bolts and the nuts holding the front of the swingarm to gearbox.
I pulled out the driveshaft.
As I did, the universal joint fell apart in my hands. Into many bits. I rang Thunderbikes and ordered a new driveshaft. Mario said I was very lucky. He said it was a miracle that the uni joint hadn't exploded and taken out half the gearbox.
But it wasn't a miracle. It was thrift. I like to get as much mileage out of my components as possible, down to the last centimetre.
But not a millimetre further.
No use taking risks, you know.
Once Upon A Distant Journey Hendrik Gout p151
I took out the axle and removed the back wheel. I undid the shock absorber mounting bolts and the nuts holding the front of the swingarm to gearbox.
I pulled out the driveshaft.
As I did, the universal joint fell apart in my hands. Into many bits. I rang Thunderbikes and ordered a new driveshaft. Mario said I was very lucky. He said it was a miracle that the uni joint hadn't exploded and taken out half the gearbox.
But it wasn't a miracle. It was thrift. I like to get as much mileage out of my components as possible, down to the last centimetre.
But not a millimetre further.
No use taking risks, you know.
Once Upon A Distant Journey Hendrik Gout p151
#33
General Discussion / Re: From the Library
Last post by Biggles - Oct 21, 2025, 05:09 AMClearly something was amiss.
Almost certainly it was the uni joint in the driveshaft.
Now when these things let go, they let go in a big way. They fly apart at the same sort of revs, generally speaking, that the output shaft of the gearbox does, and that's a lot. The disintegration of the uni joint is usually followed within microseconds by the pulverisation of the rear of the gearbox and collapse of the swingarm. This often results in the rear of the bike no longer being connected with the front of the bike except by the shock absorbers, and band aids are often required to be worn while ordering and then waiting for many expensive Monza parts.
So I wasn't taking any chances. I rode home slowly. I tried not to change gear often because of the snapped clutch cable. This meant I had to split the traffic, it being peak hour, and go at walking pace approaching red lights in the hope they'd change to green when I go to the intersections. I tried to keep the revs constant and the load on the back wheel even and unstressed all the way from the city to the Toll Gate at the foot of the freeway, then up the steepest longest climb on the entire national highway network, all the way to Aldgate. I stayed in the slow lane and hardly passed any trucks. I got to my little cabin in the forest and brought the bike to a stall (couldn't get it into neutral because of the absence of a clutch cable) to stop it at my back door.
Once Upon A Distant Journey Hendrik Gout p150
Almost certainly it was the uni joint in the driveshaft.
Now when these things let go, they let go in a big way. They fly apart at the same sort of revs, generally speaking, that the output shaft of the gearbox does, and that's a lot. The disintegration of the uni joint is usually followed within microseconds by the pulverisation of the rear of the gearbox and collapse of the swingarm. This often results in the rear of the bike no longer being connected with the front of the bike except by the shock absorbers, and band aids are often required to be worn while ordering and then waiting for many expensive Monza parts.
So I wasn't taking any chances. I rode home slowly. I tried not to change gear often because of the snapped clutch cable. This meant I had to split the traffic, it being peak hour, and go at walking pace approaching red lights in the hope they'd change to green when I go to the intersections. I tried to keep the revs constant and the load on the back wheel even and unstressed all the way from the city to the Toll Gate at the foot of the freeway, then up the steepest longest climb on the entire national highway network, all the way to Aldgate. I stayed in the slow lane and hardly passed any trucks. I got to my little cabin in the forest and brought the bike to a stall (couldn't get it into neutral because of the absence of a clutch cable) to stop it at my back door.
Once Upon A Distant Journey Hendrik Gout p150
#34
General Discussion / Re: From the Library
Last post by Biggles - Oct 20, 2025, 01:06 AMThe track, of course, was dirt. Then we found it getting rougher and rougher, well rough. Then we saw a sign which said "Four Wheel Drives Only" in big red letters.
We rode on past.
And then the track got steep. Ahead of us was the steepest incline I've ever seen on a vehicular track. This was so steep you'd have trouble walking up it. I snicked it into first gear, gently held the throttle evenly open and the Guzzi began to climb ... and climb ... and climb.
"Don't lean backwards," I said to Juliette. The bike was at an angle greater than 45 degrees. "I won't," came the voice from the back.
On and on and on the slope continued. Finally at last there was a cattle grid and the road flattened out for a dozen metres.
I stopped the bike.
"Shit," I said.
"Yeah," Juliette said.
I sat on a rock and looked around. I couldn't remember having gone up such a precipice on my previous trip, but was still too convinced that I was on the right track to realise I was on the wrong track. In fact, I hadn't even gone down the track of thinking I was on the wrong track.
The mountains here were steep. One ravine dropped away out of sight. Eventually we got back on the Guzz and continued on. And on. And the track kept getting rougher.
Then we saw a parked four wheel drive, its owners obviously off bushwalking. Then there was a barbed wire fence and a locked gate.
"Shit," I said to Juliette.
"Yeah," she said.
Once Upon A Distant Journey Hendrik Gout p108-9
We rode on past.
And then the track got steep. Ahead of us was the steepest incline I've ever seen on a vehicular track. This was so steep you'd have trouble walking up it. I snicked it into first gear, gently held the throttle evenly open and the Guzzi began to climb ... and climb ... and climb.
"Don't lean backwards," I said to Juliette. The bike was at an angle greater than 45 degrees. "I won't," came the voice from the back.
On and on and on the slope continued. Finally at last there was a cattle grid and the road flattened out for a dozen metres.
I stopped the bike.
"Shit," I said.
"Yeah," Juliette said.
I sat on a rock and looked around. I couldn't remember having gone up such a precipice on my previous trip, but was still too convinced that I was on the right track to realise I was on the wrong track. In fact, I hadn't even gone down the track of thinking I was on the wrong track.
The mountains here were steep. One ravine dropped away out of sight. Eventually we got back on the Guzz and continued on. And on. And the track kept getting rougher.
Then we saw a parked four wheel drive, its owners obviously off bushwalking. Then there was a barbed wire fence and a locked gate.
"Shit," I said to Juliette.
"Yeah," she said.
Once Upon A Distant Journey Hendrik Gout p108-9
#35
General Discussion / Re: From the Library
Last post by Biggles - Oct 19, 2025, 10:10 AMI would have asked her, but such conversations are difficult on a bike. When you travel with someone special as your pillion you often think of things you'd like to say, and then the scenery changes or the moment passes, and it's unsaid eventually forgotten. Certainly it's possible to slow down, lift the visors, and shout a sentence or two, but usually communication consists of a point with a gloved finger and a nodded acknowledgment. Yet there is something quite intimate about having someone you love on the back of your bike, and there's a level of communication that transcends speech, or even signals. There is a bond established, a bond of experiences shared, of sights enjoyed, of the senses in harmony. You even feel when your pillion's arse gets sore as they squirm around on the seat. And there's the joy of responsibility, of knowing the trust someone puts in you, knowing that you'll look after them and carry them safely.
Once Upon A Distant Journey Hendrik Gout p76
Once Upon A Distant Journey Hendrik Gout p76
#36
General Discussion / Re: From the Library
Last post by Biggles - Oct 18, 2025, 01:27 AMSo now the bike is in Jack's shed. I'm taking a day off work tomorrow and I'll start the engine-out process. Meanwhile, I've got wheels. My mate Phil has a V50 Monza, but, because of a minor administrative matter, has allowed his licence to lapse until the heat cools off. Also his registration. Which meant there was an unused V50 in Phil's garage.
I was going to take my number plate and rego sticker off my V50 and put it on Phil's, but Jack said, "Oh, are you sure that's legal?" So I decided against it. I certainly wouldn't want to do anything of dubious legality. Instead, I put Phil's engine in my bike, also his frame and indicators and speedo and electrical cables and footpegs and gearbox and wheels and tyres and brakes and seat. And headlight and starter motor and swingarm.
The only thing, in fact, I left on my bike was the number plate and registration sticker. So now I'm riding around on my bike again, although with all those changes, it looks a lot like Phil's.
Once Upon A Distant Journey Hendrik Gout p57
I was going to take my number plate and rego sticker off my V50 and put it on Phil's, but Jack said, "Oh, are you sure that's legal?" So I decided against it. I certainly wouldn't want to do anything of dubious legality. Instead, I put Phil's engine in my bike, also his frame and indicators and speedo and electrical cables and footpegs and gearbox and wheels and tyres and brakes and seat. And headlight and starter motor and swingarm.
The only thing, in fact, I left on my bike was the number plate and registration sticker. So now I'm riding around on my bike again, although with all those changes, it looks a lot like Phil's.
Once Upon A Distant Journey Hendrik Gout p57
#37
General Discussion / Re: From the Library
Last post by Biggles - Oct 17, 2025, 06:36 AM"Does the ignition light come on?"
I looked. "No."
"Take out the bulb. It's probably blown." On the Guzzi, a blown ignition warning bulb will mean an infinite resistance across the charging circuit. In layman's terms, this means the wire (as it were) from the alternator to the battery runs through ignition warning light. Blown bulb means the charge can't reach the battery.
This had been explained to me by a knowledgeable sparky some years ago. In 12 years the V50 had never blown a warning bulb. It had, however, fried both a stator and a rotor, as I reminded myself and him.
"Can you get the bulb out?" he asked.
"It's a hassle. It's difficult to get out, hard to put back. Can you just quickly check the front?" He sighed and got on his knees to run the multimeter over the stator and rotor. I sighed and stood up to undo the front of the instrument binnacle.
This is all okay," he said after a minute.
"This bulb is blown," I said a half-second later. He carefully extracted the blown bulb, put another one in, charged me $10, and I was off.
Once Upon A Distant Journey Hendrik Gout p17
I looked. "No."
"Take out the bulb. It's probably blown." On the Guzzi, a blown ignition warning bulb will mean an infinite resistance across the charging circuit. In layman's terms, this means the wire (as it were) from the alternator to the battery runs through ignition warning light. Blown bulb means the charge can't reach the battery.
This had been explained to me by a knowledgeable sparky some years ago. In 12 years the V50 had never blown a warning bulb. It had, however, fried both a stator and a rotor, as I reminded myself and him.
"Can you get the bulb out?" he asked.
"It's a hassle. It's difficult to get out, hard to put back. Can you just quickly check the front?" He sighed and got on his knees to run the multimeter over the stator and rotor. I sighed and stood up to undo the front of the instrument binnacle.
This is all okay," he said after a minute.
"This bulb is blown," I said a half-second later. He carefully extracted the blown bulb, put another one in, charged me $10, and I was off.
Once Upon A Distant Journey Hendrik Gout p17
#38
General Discussion / Re: From the Library
Last post by Biggles - Oct 16, 2025, 01:08 AMBrian: I can't believe it. We're home and everything's pretty much as when we left. Have we really travelled around the world over the last 16 months? I sit back and let all the chatter turn into white noise. I'm lost in my own thoughts of a fantastic journey with my wonderful wife who enthusiastically embraced my passion and dreams.
Life on the road on a motorcycle isn't always easy, but to me, the adversities are far outweighed by the sights, sounds and smells. Your senses are alive. The people you meet, the camaraderie of fellow motorcyclists, are the icing on the cake. Before I get too old, where to next?
Shirley: This has been the most incredible journey. While I've suffered homesickness that, at times, actually caused me a physical pain, I've had the time of my life. I've missed family, friends and the comforts of home, but I've visited Antarctica, Galapagos, seen the bottom of the world and the top. I've seen bears, penguins, whales, seals, iguana, giant tortoise, elk, moose, lions, elephants, buffalo, monkeys, zebra, giraffe and much, much more. We've made lifelong friends and now we're home to catch up with old friends and family. Bring it on.
Circle To Circle Shirley & Brian Rix p343
Life on the road on a motorcycle isn't always easy, but to me, the adversities are far outweighed by the sights, sounds and smells. Your senses are alive. The people you meet, the camaraderie of fellow motorcyclists, are the icing on the cake. Before I get too old, where to next?
Shirley: This has been the most incredible journey. While I've suffered homesickness that, at times, actually caused me a physical pain, I've had the time of my life. I've missed family, friends and the comforts of home, but I've visited Antarctica, Galapagos, seen the bottom of the world and the top. I've seen bears, penguins, whales, seals, iguana, giant tortoise, elk, moose, lions, elephants, buffalo, monkeys, zebra, giraffe and much, much more. We've made lifelong friends and now we're home to catch up with old friends and family. Bring it on.
Circle To Circle Shirley & Brian Rix p343
#39
General Discussion / Re: From the Library
Last post by Biggles - Oct 15, 2025, 11:49 AM(On the Nullarbor)
The fuel consumption is over seven litres per 100 kilometres today and that just isn't right, even with a strong head wind. I put the bike on the centre stand and spin the back wheel. It should run freely and it isn't. It's sluggish, like the brake is on. I think we're in real trouble. I'm hoping it's just the constantly weeping rear drive seal and I'll be able to nurse the bike home by topping up the oil every day or so. The only way to find out is take the rear wheel off.
It's doesn't take much to unbolt the wheel and what it reveals is reality bad. The metal in the rear drive is scarred. It looks as though it's been white hot. That's not good. I drain the oil and can't find any metal shavings in it, which is a good sign. It means nothing's been grinding away inside the drive.
Shirl's hovering around, trying to be positive. About the only thing to be positive about is she reactivated our RACV roadside assist membership when we were still in South Africa. I give them a call and explain the predicament. The operator says she'll get the local mechanic, who we didn't know existed out here in the middle of nowhere to come to the motel and check out the bike.
He pulls up outside our room about half an hour later. He's very laid back and has no hesitation offering his opinion. The bearing or universal joint is gone.
Circle To Circle Shirley & Brian Rix p339
The fuel consumption is over seven litres per 100 kilometres today and that just isn't right, even with a strong head wind. I put the bike on the centre stand and spin the back wheel. It should run freely and it isn't. It's sluggish, like the brake is on. I think we're in real trouble. I'm hoping it's just the constantly weeping rear drive seal and I'll be able to nurse the bike home by topping up the oil every day or so. The only way to find out is take the rear wheel off.
It's doesn't take much to unbolt the wheel and what it reveals is reality bad. The metal in the rear drive is scarred. It looks as though it's been white hot. That's not good. I drain the oil and can't find any metal shavings in it, which is a good sign. It means nothing's been grinding away inside the drive.
Shirl's hovering around, trying to be positive. About the only thing to be positive about is she reactivated our RACV roadside assist membership when we were still in South Africa. I give them a call and explain the predicament. The operator says she'll get the local mechanic, who we didn't know existed out here in the middle of nowhere to come to the motel and check out the bike.
He pulls up outside our room about half an hour later. He's very laid back and has no hesitation offering his opinion. The bearing or universal joint is gone.
Circle To Circle Shirley & Brian Rix p339
#40
General Discussion / Re: From the Library
Last post by Biggles - Oct 14, 2025, 02:39 AMWe finally get the bike on Wednesday afternoon. What a palaver. It hasn't been damaged in transit, but it won't start. After using jumper leads to crank over the battery I remember that pesky kill switch. I forgot I used it - again.
Back at the hotel everyone is keen to see the mystery bike we've talking about for days. At last we can get on the road. It feels a little like leaving home when we finally ride out the gate.
First day on the road and the rear drive seal is leaking again. BMW's head office suggests we contact BMW Hillcrest near Durban. This is the eighth time and we've only ridden about 300 kilometres since the last fix in London.
The people at BMW Hillcrest are so helpful they even organise a B&B for us for the night. There's another Aussie at BMW, David Gow from Brisbane. This lanky biker is heading into Central Africa and is loping all the troubles that kept us from the north will be resolved before he gets there. BMW fix our bike for free, as a warranty job. They've been so helpful, Dave and I do the good Aussie thing and buy them a case of beer. Thanks.
Circle To Circle Shirley & Brian Rix p304-5
Back at the hotel everyone is keen to see the mystery bike we've talking about for days. At last we can get on the road. It feels a little like leaving home when we finally ride out the gate.
First day on the road and the rear drive seal is leaking again. BMW's head office suggests we contact BMW Hillcrest near Durban. This is the eighth time and we've only ridden about 300 kilometres since the last fix in London.
The people at BMW Hillcrest are so helpful they even organise a B&B for us for the night. There's another Aussie at BMW, David Gow from Brisbane. This lanky biker is heading into Central Africa and is loping all the troubles that kept us from the north will be resolved before he gets there. BMW fix our bike for free, as a warranty job. They've been so helpful, Dave and I do the good Aussie thing and buy them a case of beer. Thanks.
Circle To Circle Shirley & Brian Rix p304-5