Singularly Singular (HELP!)

[mini-thumper]

A**e, Bo**ocks, T*t, F**k, W**k.............

After weeks of pissing about getting a larger capacity tank, for the Dominator, from Germany, the bike let me down big style yesterday. Some of you may know that I have been successful in gaining entry to the first UK Iron Butt Rally; taking place over the next Bank Holiday (1110 miles in 36 hours). A big single might not be the first bike of choice but beggers can't be choosers and (sorry to mix metaphors) hopefully slow and steady wins the race! Anyway due to the original tank only having a tank range of 120 miles I got (finally) an Acerbis tank, which then needed range testing. On Saturday morning decided to head North and had my first stop at Kirby Lonsdale; all seemed fine with no bike problems. Stopped for about 15 minutes then set off for Sedburgh, and hopefully Scotland. After about two miles I realised that there was something wrong as I couldn't change gear. I thought either clutch or loose gear lever. Upon investigation it was neither of these, it was locked solid in forth gear - BL**DY, F**CKING, BO**OCKS. After twenty minutes tinkering I decided against calling Carol Nash and hoped I could get back, albeit slowly, via the M6 (ten miles away). Was able, with much clutch slipping, to pull off and could hold about fifty-ish without reving it's nuts off (the temperature gauge was SO useful!!!). The 120 miles back home, at 50 mph, was interesting especially the slip roads and roundabouts on the A50; but we made it. So the main reasons for this diatribe are:

i) Has anyone had a similar mechanical failure?

ii) If yes to the above - What could have caused it and is it an engine out repair?*

iii) And finally (after too much contact with AndyD) - If it's an expensive/time consuming rebuild would anyone be prepared to loan me a bike to enter the Iron Butt Rally?**

Thanks for wading through my personal anguish; an help, thoughts etc. gratefully received.

Boyd

*I'm hoping that someone will have a five minute fix, but I know it's VERY, VERY, VERY F**KING unlikely.

**Not expecting it to be free; it will involve high mileage etc.   

[trophydave]

Boyd,You are not too far from me,you can borrow my Transalp if you like.If you want a few details about it let me know.E mail is:
davepearson16(at)ntlworld(dot)(com)

[mini-thumper]

Excellent! I'll contact you VERY SOON..........

Many thanks.

Boyd

[guest7]

I've got a rebuilt NX650 motor here, albeit with XBR primary gears.

If you want to use it in your bike then you're welcome.

It's not the SLR motor from John, that still needs the studs sorted (and the motor itself paid for  )

I've got an XBR motor in the garage that is seized solid, but without stripping it I can't say if it's a gear issue. It's not something I've heard happening to those engines very often

GC

[mini-thumper]

Many thanks for the offer Graham. I think in the time I've got, ie. not very much, I won't have time to re-build my bike so I'm taking TrophyDave up on his offer. I suspect it will be an engine out job though, and after the rally I will have more time to fathom the problem. I can't say I've heard of this particular fault before - single cylinder, single gear - but I'm hoping someone might be able to shed some light on it before I start stripping the thing!

Thanks again........

Boyd

[OMEGAMAN]

 

Sorry to hear of your troubles Boyd.

Have got my Honda Firstorm Vtr1000 here if you want to borrow it?

Less than 5000miles on it so it needs using a bit!

BUT!!!   You will need an iron butt & it only does around 120 to the tank?

Let me know?

[Steffan]

Boyd,You are not too far from me,you can borrow my Transalp if you like.If you want a few details about it let me know.E mail is:
davepearson16(at)ntlworld(dot)(com)

Or my Skorpion...

Steffan

[Furry John]

Boyd, my DR650 SES is available should you want it, you have seen the bike on many a Dragon Rally, the miles won't hurt it and I certainly don't want anything in return. It is all ready to go, taxed MOT'd and insured.

Just let me know.

John

[guest18]

Or my outfit if you really want to turn heads... 

[Steve Lake]

Thats a bugger Boyd.....of course the blue track bike is available...:-),
Seriously...I hope you get sorted ok....and have a successful IB
I actually applied to do it, but it was already oversubscribed
then....a month ago, I got an Email to say I had an entry due to cancellations
Which was a bit of a sod, as by then SWMBO had made arrangements
for a holiday.....still, trying it on my littlle SRX might have been a bit of a pain, to say the least

good luck

i'd be interested to know how you are are planning your trip.....managing petrol stops etc
seems fuel is going to be the decider, I see you can carry a certain ammount...in
an approved container....which could be a good idea...because you can bet
that overnight any checkpoints you choose to visit won't be anywhere near
fuel stops...and of course....you won't know where the check points are until a few
hours before the event.....all good fun:-)

[johnr]

not sure it would be an engine out job yet. try taking the clutch cover off and the clutch out. then see if tyhe gearchange shaft can be pulled through the engine. it might be something as simple as a seized selector shaft or a jammed mechanism. but i wwouldnt write it off as unusable just yet.

[Dave#22]

Bad news Mother, I've only just read of your dilema, Pat & I have been doing the Welsh National Rally this weekend. You can use my DR BIG 800,29L tanks, 45-50mpg, if you need to, just contact me.
       Good luck
          Dave

[guest18]

Whenever you get a bit hacked off with personality clashes/club politics/admin problems etc, think of this thread...

In pretty much double quick time, seven offers of bikes or parts to get Boyd back into the fray and a stack of helpful advice, what a great bike club 

[mini-thumper]

I thoroughly endorse Smudge's remarks. It almost brought a tear to my eye, but being a hairy arsed biker, I think it must have been some grit

Seriously though, thanks very much to everyone who has offered me a bike. I have decided to take up TrophyDave's offer of a Transalp, as he only lives a few miles from me. Also, the Domi is technically the ba**ard cousin of the Tranny and sort of keeps it in the family!

I will make sure to do a full write-up for the next Newsletter (?) so you can then judge for yourselves if it was a true Iron Butt event.

Once again many thanks, and hopefully see some of you at the forthcoming Annual Rally.

Boyd 

[guest146]

Boyd

These things are built like a tank. I would guess at a broken selector return spring. I did take one to bits but only to sell the parts and dont remember much about it. The only problem I have with mine is keeping the lever tight on the spline.

I have to say how nice it is to see so many club  members offering a bike for you. Now thats a real club.

Ken