Link to PHOTO ALBUM:
So I asked myself, what would I do if I was home AND was planning a big trip. I answered "Shut you idiot, I'm trying to sleep. And stop being so cheap, replace the damned radiator and get on with your travels!!!!!"
That inner voice was too loud (and violent sounding) to ignore.
I went to the Triumph dealer and had my radiator replaced. All went quick, was out of there before noon with a seriously lightened wallet. Then I was back shortly after noon with a warning light and a temp gauge that was flashing for no aparent reason.
They had it fixed shortly after their lunch, so after 1 PM. They claimed there was air in the system, which is feasable, as to really get the air out of the system you really need to lean the bike way over on each side. This is hard enough to do with an empty bike, but they did not want me to unload it, so I am guessing they did not even try. After it cooled down and sucked some coolant in from the reservoir it was fine.
Temps hit 100'F a number of times today, and almost the entire ride was 95 or above. Speeds were fast most of the time, with much of the day on the Autobahn, allowing basically unlimited speeds. I have driven my bike well over 100 MPH (real, not indicated) but only unloaded. With the amount of crap I am carrying, and all the highly un-aerodynamic luggage, my bike gets a little unstable above 95. It is fine with no wind and no other vehicles, but around trucks it can get a little, ... uh... uncomfortable.
Anyway, I am heading, or trying to head, towards Scandinavia. Remember Scandinavia? That is what this trip was supposed to be about.
Around Kassel Germany, my bike suddenly started vibrating like my rear wheel was WAY out of ballance. It took me a few seconds to recognize it, but my rear tire was going flat. I have not had a flat on the road in at least 20 years. In that time, anytime I had a leak, I discovered it at home. And since it was always with tubeless tires, the fix was quick and easy. NOT TODAY.
Pretty much all day I saw cars on the side of the road with flats. An hour or so earlier I saw a bunch of cars and a big truck on the side of the road, with wreckers and police and all. A few of the cars had visible flats. I thought that's a bad sign.
The event happened just before 6 PM. I was within a stone's throw of an emergency call box. I threw a stone, err, I mean I walked over there and yelled into the box (not the best speakers for the side of a busy road) and they said they would send help.
I got a call from the tow truck driver and he said it would take at least an hour, maybe an hour and a half. Did I mention it was 100'f and sunny? I found a concrete sign support and set up my riding gear to make some shade. I had plenty of water, including some Bon Voyage water from the V8 Hotel Team ! ! !
I was just getting settled in for a long hot wait, when the truck arrived. He made sure he got there as soon as he could, and was there in 20 minutes. Thank you very much.
This pic is deceiving, I have a board that I roll the bike up on to make it easier to get the fully loaded bike onto the center stand. I am using that to prop the bike up, which is keeping the tire from sitting flat on the ground. I think the cause was the fact they washed the bike after working on it.
I am not sure yet what is wrong. I will add to this post when I have details. The tow truck driver took me to an ATM (Cash only, this is Germany) and then to a guy that could repair the tire. The guy was leaving, it being two hours past his closing time, but the tow truck driver tried to convince him to stay. He could not, but he will be open at 9 AM tomorrow. The driver then took me to a hotel, where I found food and drink and WiFi, hence this post.
Since in rolling the bike I could not find an obvious puncture, I suspect the guy that replaced my tire either pinched the tube or had a fold in it, or maybe damaged the rim protector. What ever happened, I am hoping it will be fixed early tomorrow. I was planning on going to the VW Museum, but the delay may make that impractical.
And since I cannot figure out where else to put it, here is a picture of some pretty good car oil at a gas station. Not the best, but a pretty typical price. 31.99 EU is about $37. That's for one quart. Even my most expensive Castrol Motorcycle Full Synthetic is only $45 for SIX quarts in the US. Fortunately a freind picked up a quart for me at the local Army base for about $9 US.
