Tauerntreffen 2010

[guest18]

...UPDATE - Simon texted to say that they all got up without a tow, but all three bikes have starting problems so they are not looking forward to Sunday morning. I replied pointing out that they have a 5 mile hill to bump start down

  I'm sure they were very grateful for your advice 
Chuffed for Andy , must be soul destroying putting all the prep in and not making it 

[guest7]

...must be soul destroying putting all the prep in and not making it 

there are plenty of us about to set off for the Dragon Rally, don't bring us bad luck 

GC

[guest18]

there are plenty of us about to set off for the Dragon Rally, don't bring us bad luck 

GC

I'm sure you will all be fine, besides, you live so close that if there's a drama you can take the bicycle 
(took train/bicycle to work Thursday and Friday, my legs are killing me lol)

[guest7]

Oh dear... it seems their ride home might not be as easy as they think. See THIS report on German road chaos due to the weather conditions.

GC

[guest18]

  That's not good. Fingers crossed the lads have a (relatively) uneventful trip home.

[guest7]

I checked the weather report and then texted Simon to warn him (although I suspect he already knows) that it's snowing along his entire escape route through Germany.

I'm with you Smudge, I hope they have an uneventful ride home.

I still have bad memories of a BMW GS rider falling off his bike without warning whilst riding in a straight line on the autobahn, some ten miles short of the Elefant Rally. There was a band of ice on the road directly below a bridge and none of us saw it, but we were on three wheels and merely had twitches, he fell flat on his front whilst the bike pirouetted along the road. No injuries I'm glad to say, but it made me reluctant to do another such rally on two wheels.

GC

[guest7]

I've jyst had word that they made it to Auschaffenburg. Apparently the route was snow-lined all the way and they went through some heavy snow showers, but it wasn't sticking because of the traffic.

They all got the bikes started this morning. Simon found a loose connector and then his started easily. Jules put his battery in his sleeping bag (at least I think that's what Simon said) and his started first prod. Tim used a stove to ensure that his would start.

Hurrah. Tomorrow they ride out of Germany, through the Netherlands and Belgium and into France for the ferry home.

GC

[guest18]

Good for them! Sounds like they've had an adventure, and home in time for tea and medals I'm sure 

[guest7]

Thinking of Jules' problems with his battery, it reminded me of something a car mechanic friend of mine told me. Apparently most modern cars come with lagged battery boxes to stop the cold getting to the battery. Certainly I have lagged my diesel van's battery for the winter and I noticed the difference (it had been a bit sluggish on very cold mornings) and I always lagged my batteries for the Elefant rally trips.

Do any of you lag your bike batteries for the winter?

GC

[guest18]

When you say "lag" the battery, which meaning of the phrase are you using?!? 

 

[robG]

I have wrapped the battery on my R100Rs in bubble wrap. No starting problems there.

Just an occasional sticking clutch......

Rob.

[002]

I have wrapped the battery on my R100Rs in bubble wrap. No starting problems there.

Just an occasional sticking clutch......

Rob.

...........and the Odd........CULLUNCK !!
When changing gear..Oh Sorry it was all the time !

Jethro.......Destroyer of BMW G/Boxes and Shafts when tugging sidecars

[Richard]

Bloody hell, that is a good idea.

Where did I put that bubble wrap ?

Richard

[guest18]

When we had battery problems with vehicles in the Bosnian winter we used foam (rob it from engine bays in scrapyards) to insulate the batteries, also park out of the wind if possible and where you can, park the vehicles very very close together so some are sheltered from the chilling effect of the wind*, (if you can get one going you can normally tow start the others  ) also take a leaf out of the Panzer crews books and run the engine regularly up to temp and for long enough to give the battery a boost.
Some people also advocate switching on the sidelights for a short while before cranking (in very cold weather) the theory being that the reaction in the battery will generate a little action in there and make the shock of cranking the engine a little less severe... dunno about that tip myself, never tried it!

*Mind you, it was cold enough overnight that a 50/50 kerosine/diesel mixture looked like a slush puppy 

[guest7]

...Some people also advocate switching on the sidelights for a short while before cranking (in very cold weather) the theory being that the reaction in the battery will generate a little action in there and make the shock of cranking the engine a little less severe...

I take much the same course with Mrs Onepot, if you ask too much of her too soon all sorts of trouble can ensue 

GC