On the Road Again!

[Lyn-Del]

Wizard and I hit the road this morning, heading to Michigan.  Wouldn't want to be late for Inzane, you know.

And, as usual, I'll be updating our travels.  If anyone is interested, you can follow us at

http://www.lyndeldogs.com/summertrip2011.htm

See you at Inzane!

[5_19]

Y'all have a safe ride/trip and see ya in Bellairre, MI   

[Daniel Meyer]

Ride safe!

[hotglue #43]

Y'all have a SAFE trip...... see ya there in a couple weeks!!!!!!!
WoooHoooo!!!!!!!

[Lyn-Del]

We're in good hands up here in Michigan.  My alternator started causing problems in Wisconsin, we nursed it along until Indian River, then called RTaz and Devl for a ride.  There's something about crossing the Mackinac bridge with your fingers crossed that the bike will make it across without dying on you!!

I'm at the hotel, out of Wizard's way, while he's in RTaz's garage changing out the alternator.  He called a little while ago and said he had the old one out, and was going to take a short break before starting to get the replacement unit mounted.   But we're not going to hit the road immediately afterward -- staying another night at the hotel so Wizard can get some Rest and Relaxation after his hard work!!

Life is good, if unpredictable.

[5_19]

We're in good hands up here in Michigan.  My alternator started causing problems in Wisconsin, we nursed it along until Indian River, then called RTaz and Devl for a ride.  There's something about crossing the Mackinac bridge with your fingers crossed that the bike will make it across without dying on you!!

I'm at the hotel, out of Wizard's way, while he's in RTaz's garage changing out the alternator.  He called a little while ago and said he had the old one out, and was going to take a short break before starting to get the replacement unit mounted.   But we're not going to hit the road immediately afterward -- staying another night at the hotel so Wizard can get some Rest and Relaxation after his hard work!!

Life is good, if unpredictable.

It's sure is good to have friends in high places. Are you and Wizard going to be in MI till InZane?

[Lyn-Del]

It's sure is good to have friends in high places. Are you and Wizard going to be in MI till InZane?

Yes and no ....... kinda but not quite.  We're not heading home till after Inzane, but will be doing some wandering (assuming the replacement alternator gets me back on the road!).  I've got the Motor Maids annual convention in Grand Rapids, MI, starting Tuesday, then we'll spend a few days visiting Wizard's son and his family.  Then east to Cleveland to visit a friend.  Wizard will head back to MI while I visit other friends in PA, OH, and MI.

http://www.lyndeldogs.com/summertrip2011.htm  can keep you informed!

[RainMaker]

You be careful out there!! 

I have a spare alternator in the saddlebag if that one doesn't work out.  Just tell me where to send it.

Mark

[Lyn-Del]

Thanks - we've developed a small collection of our own!  It's one of the few things we weren't prepared for but we will be now!

[WDAN]

Are alternators in the Valks that flaky or is it that most are a little long in the tooth?

[Lyn-Del]

Both, neither, whatever.  Electronics are electronics.  They work or they don't.  Best we can tell, mine BROKE - a piece fell out when Wizard got it off the bike. 

They are most often damaged by something else going wrong first.  Rocketman had alternator problems till he found a short elsewhere that was the root cause.

They can seize up from sitting too long and then break.   Possibly what caused mine - this bike was purchased after it apparently had been down pretty hard.  We had to put engine guards on her, she had none, and the forks and triple tree had been replaced.   

They can have small (or large) manufacturing errors, which don't heal, they get worse. 

When you consider the number of Valks, the number of modifications made to those Valks, and the age and miles on those Valks, there really aren't a lot of alternator issues.  It just happens sometimes.

This time it was my turn.

[Red Diamond]

    +1 on that one Lyn-del, I think mine was an accumulation of sand and dust from a trip to a ranch in Yuma, Arizona. A very long, deep sand road.

[blotar]

It sounds like you guys are doing Great under the circumstances. Will you be posting any pics of your trip? Did you find that 'Cooler Weather'? 
Blotar

[Lyn-Del]

I don't take a lot of pics, usually.  Wizard takes more than I do.

Our daily trip log (behind right now because this motel doesn't have wifi   ) is at http://www.lyndeldogs.com/summertrip2011.htm