The guy at DMC (who despite being busy, kindly fitted my in and got me going in pretty quick time) explained that although the problem appeared to be fixed, he didn't know why the automatic decomp fuse had been blowing, but the replaced solenoid seemed to have done the trick. If it did happen again then I should be able to start it by bridging the terminals with something substantial like a spanner. "Don't worry about the sparks" he said!
As the problem appeared to be fixed, with the bike being stopped and started numrerous times, the handlebars moved between various states of lock,and a quick road test around the block, I happily set off on my 450 mile trip, only half taking in what had been said about bridging the terminals.
Stopping for my first fuel stop, Sod's Law dictated that the bike wouldn't start again! Deja Vu set in as I saw that the decomp fuse had blown, and when I replaced it with the one of two fuses I'd had the foresight to purchase at DMC, it also blew! Bridging the terminals across the blown fuse with an open ended spanner produced a shower of sparks! What on earth (a bad one maybe?) was going on?
Turning left at the first junction from the m/c shop the engine had cut out when I turned on the left indicators, could this be related to the problem? My front left indicator had stopped working, so I thought I'd replace it with a spare I was carrying in the vain hope it might cure the strange starting problem. Got the indicator working again (bulb was OK, but there was some water in the casing, probably causing a bad connection), but of course the bike still wouldn't start!
So, not wanting to admit defeat by calling out a recovery service again, I decided to carry on and find the terminals I needed to cross! Having removed my tank bag, roll bag, seat and side panel, I tentatively put a spanner across the terminals on the starter solenoid. A shower of sparks and the engine turning over took my a little by surprise, causing my to fall over from my crouching position beside the bike. I hope no one was looking! Now knowing what to expect, a couple of attempts (engine was a little cold now and I currently have no choke) later, with the clutch held in this time, it started. Being very careful not to cut the engine, I put everything back on the bike and very carefully pulled away, ready for my next 150 mile stint.
Now I was dreading the next petrol stop. There must be a more streamlined approach to the starting procedure. Especially, avoiding the removal of luggage from the bike. Having a few hours (about 2.5 I seem to recall) until I would need to fill up again, I came up with a plan. Knowing exactly how much mileage I had left to do via TomTom and knowing that I typically get around 150 miles to reserve, I estimated that as I had 330 odd miles to go from the petrol station I'd just left, if I took it steady (about 55/60 mph) and kept to the motorways, I could sqeeze more out of a tankful, and make it back home with only one more stop. I also thought of a more elegant way of re-starting the bike at the next stop.
So, after about 260 odd kilometers (150 someting miles) off travelling at a sedate pace, which came in handy anyway as the rain and spray was diabolical for the last 200 miles, I found to my delight that it only cost me £9.90 to fill up, and at least two litres less than usual was needed to fill up. If I did the next stint at the same pace, I should be able to avoid another stop. After paying I pushed the bike away from the pumps, got out a screwdriver to remove the side panel, which conveniently could be removed without removing the seat, and took out a metal tent peg that I carry in my tank bag to use to cross the temrinals. All in all, about a minute to get the bike re-started again. Must have looked a bit odd to someone who might have been watching though!
So, after another long stint I was back home. I hadn't hit reserve yet and there's a record (for me) 282 kilometers showing on the tripmeter.
So, a bit of an adventure to end the trip! Many thanks to Smudge, Mrs Smudge and Bill, for a fantastic weekend. I know they all put in a great deal of effort for this event, and it's a shame that more people couldn't have attended. Despite the damp Sunday weather and my failing rear damper (rear shock seems to be failing!) I rode some greats roads and had some great company.
It was a lot of distance (about 2100km, I think), but well worth it!
Simon
