What can I say?
This was to be the father and son ride that didn't happen in 2018. I guess it just wasn't meant to be.
Time to put the camping gear back into the various storage boxes until the stars align again.
My son has decided to sell the BMW. He had always intended to sell it once we had done the lap. A sad day. A great bike. I've taken it out a couple of times over the last month or so and love it. But my marriage would not be able to handle another bike in the stable. Three's the limit.
The current COVID-19 situation still has a long way to run and it'll take a long while for many to find employment etc as the economy slowly recovers. While the retirement income has been hit hard, the younger ones will be doing far harder. My disappointment really is just a First World problem with so may others in far worse situations than me.
Once this is over our first trip will be to see our daughter on Groote Eylandt (which has been in lockdown for some time). Maybe next year will see panniers loaded up for a few little getaways. Who knows.
Stay safe and maybe I'll see you on the road. Don't forget to nod or wave.
I look forward to reading your two wheeled exploits in this great brown land, My Country
Sunday, 29 March 2020
Sunday, 1 March 2020
Accessory Power outlets completed
Postman Pat delivered on the eBay items for the accessory points.
A quick trip to Coles to buy a chopping board for the base plates and Bunnings for some velcro strips and we were in business.
We built two units, one for each bike. Tristan's is mounted on the inside of the top pannier lid while mine sits free in a side pannier.
Each unit is powered via a relay switch tapped into the accessory port on the BMW and from the rear light wire on the Suzuki. The power is taken directly from the battery via a trickle charger wire that was previously installed on both bikes.The switched power also has a 10amp fuse in line.
The hardest activity this weekend was putting the panniers back on the Suzuki. I normally run the bike solo as it looks a darn sight better IMHO. Attaching the pillion backrest and panniers, while only four bolts, requires lining up three holes, a couple of spacers and lifting the rear cowling for each bolt. While I've done it a couple of times myself it's much easier as a two person operation as you lift wriggle and cajole the bolts into position.
Next job is to go through the camping gear and look at what to pack into the panniers. I expect it'll be similar to the kit I took last time. (ATB2018-First Pack)
A quick trip to Coles to buy a chopping board for the base plates and Bunnings for some velcro strips and we were in business.
We built two units, one for each bike. Tristan's is mounted on the inside of the top pannier lid while mine sits free in a side pannier.
Each unit is powered via a relay switch tapped into the accessory port on the BMW and from the rear light wire on the Suzuki. The power is taken directly from the battery via a trickle charger wire that was previously installed on both bikes.The switched power also has a 10amp fuse in line.
The hardest activity this weekend was putting the panniers back on the Suzuki. I normally run the bike solo as it looks a darn sight better IMHO. Attaching the pillion backrest and panniers, while only four bolts, requires lining up three holes, a couple of spacers and lifting the rear cowling for each bolt. While I've done it a couple of times myself it's much easier as a two person operation as you lift wriggle and cajole the bolts into position.
Next job is to go through the camping gear and look at what to pack into the panniers. I expect it'll be similar to the kit I took last time. (ATB2018-First Pack)
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