Hi Timbo. All went very well.
Rode up to the Loch Fyne on the Sunday in dry weather. A very long ride and got there in the dark after a ferry crossing and some very small roads to finish me off!
The site (well a space at the side of the road) was very wet and I nearly came off as I went down onto the space and ended up wedged betwen a tree stump and at about 45 degrees! Managed to get bike upright without dropping or stalling it and got it to a dry space where I could park. Got the tent up and bits off the bike and had a cuppa. I'd prepared a meal of stew a day earlier so had a good wholesome meal and got the charcoal burner going. The evening was dry and I spent it under the tarp with the company of a botte of whisky!
Had a good nights sleep and decided after the obligatory bacon and tea breakfast decided to put on the new horn that I had brought along.
Got my tools out, rolled out a tarp on the ground as it was a bit moist and fitted the new horn. Tried to start the bike to check and..........nothing! All dash fired up as usual but no start on the button. Bugger, I'm in the middle of nowhere withg no phone signal and no telling if anyone else would turn up. Took clutch switch off to check, sidestand connector and bypassed, still no joy! Took handlebar switch off with the start button to check, still no joy. with the ignition on I put my pliers across the terminals of the starter solenoid and hey presto she fired up. No fault codes, revved freely and all other lights and switches worked OK. So it must be the starter solenoid, no clicking etc.
So.................with my bits and bobs container I pulled out a couple of bits of wire with eye connectors already on and proceeded to make up some small cables to make a new switch. I had a quite big toggle switch which I put in the circuit and connected the wires to each of the terminals on the solenoid. Now, when I switch on the ignition all I have to do is to flick the switch until the engine saatrs and then switch it off again. Result, charging at 14 volts and no fault codes. PHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Al, one of the other guys pitched up at around 1 ish (in his car, he's getting a new Africa Twin!) and got himself tented. We made a shanty with various tarps that we had. Another fellow pitched up later just before dark (KTM 950) and got himself organised with and extemely small tent.
We spent the evening with the charcoal burner out again and a small fire in a 'Hobo' burner that Al had made. I again had the rest of my stew and watched on in amusement as Al tried various crappy old stoves to cook some potatoes!
After food Al retired early as he was not feeling too good, but Steve and myself spent the rest of the evening with more whisky and the usual banter.
It rained later and got very muddy buy I had a dry evening under the tarps and retired quite late. I wnet back to my tent and decided to have a last cup of tea, not before a very strong gust of wind bellowed down the Loch and flattened my tent! Bloody hell, by this time it was raining hard and the wind really had increased. But I managed to put the tent back up (no damage) and this time put out the guy ropes, which I should have put out in the first place.
Had an uneventful and deep sleep and woke about 9 ish. Al, who was still not feeling good had decided to go home (to Glascow) and Steve had only on night in any case. The weather forecast was not good and I decide to 'hop' it as well. The morning was dry and as usaul I was the last to pack. I had tried the bike and my repair was still working so I set off to catch the ferry from Hunters' Quay. Got to the ferry Ok but weather was truning and the ticket collector suggested that I stand by my bike. I pushed it right alongside a bulkhead and left it in gear whilst I stood by it. As the ferry was approaching the other side I got on the bike and startd it, unfortunately it was still in gear and I was embarrassingly thrown to the deck with the starter still whirring away. Jumped straight up and switched it off and a big bloke helped me lift it back upright. Senior moment or what!
Set off back home on the M way system. Very blustery and tiring but 3 stops later I was back home.
Dropped the bike off at my mates house and left it with all the gear on to come back the next day to unload.
I suppose all ends that ends well. A good ride, about 780 mile round trip. A few others off the ABR forum said that they would come but didn't attend. I thought that this sort of thing is what Adventure Bike Riding is all about, a mini adventure.
I do have a couple of pics on my phone which I'll try and access and Al has posted some on the 'Wild camping' thread on the ABR
