tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24316451565662032772024-03-19T09:47:10.096+01:00the "Rising Star"Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger630125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-88584249389831192052024-03-02T09:56:00.012+01:002024-03-02T09:56:00.144+01:00Chrome won't get you home.<p>But it does look really good. After the <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2019/11/nickel-ni-atomic-number-28.html" target="_blank">first round of chrome plating</a>, there were some details that stood out even more and needed some attention, and here they are:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PTQ9OZLGZP6QoDDdcyaLAVYEgfBws4kzxWrwoQC9aMU4CMHcyaPc6dgd_05kXM3gJMNQjNJFU6c7OXHIOwnVgfyZR_FmyKxnJwujC6WxsBgn9oUWjNIAcPyh_VI_Bg41FjdxojpfsTLByde22q8bMHBk6-Auz9JLkOnZNdXOG_wGvhtlMgC4xtuu2Pvr/s2108/20231127_171341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="2108" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PTQ9OZLGZP6QoDDdcyaLAVYEgfBws4kzxWrwoQC9aMU4CMHcyaPc6dgd_05kXM3gJMNQjNJFU6c7OXHIOwnVgfyZR_FmyKxnJwujC6WxsBgn9oUWjNIAcPyh_VI_Bg41FjdxojpfsTLByde22q8bMHBk6-Auz9JLkOnZNdXOG_wGvhtlMgC4xtuu2Pvr/w400-h108/20231127_171341.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>First of all it was the kickstart lever (which had been "forgotten" the first time around, don't get me started), then the small bracket for the blue marker light, the domed nut and washer for the avionics box and finally the actuating rod for the rear brake, complete with the little coped spacer and wingnut. It all comes together like a French pastry...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-f7H3tcFMTkbahprIWdbUAQVD0jYHUtLtuSeIDZzYGAFjD5oWxccaAsn34iKWZnzUYf8khCPWeadbNwcQrBau2JDER_yTnEMCvXik9sfw7eZEZUBZG4aDzKUKBj54eSsY-1NCMzHUP4N6D_yDDpgR7qfqArmuN3frE0yBj5kBp9rxN4rycFzJdJqs-rL/s1000/20231228_171854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-f7H3tcFMTkbahprIWdbUAQVD0jYHUtLtuSeIDZzYGAFjD5oWxccaAsn34iKWZnzUYf8khCPWeadbNwcQrBau2JDER_yTnEMCvXik9sfw7eZEZUBZG4aDzKUKBj54eSsY-1NCMzHUP4N6D_yDDpgR7qfqArmuN3frE0yBj5kBp9rxN4rycFzJdJqs-rL/w400-h300/20231228_171854.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSn8AKCT7iDTbW0wapcPuneaClpUqvXY1MMdUs33Fo_pfV3sRjzK3exOB1lJoUHKaaSrffNVOhYjxrnuvQpSZ7rL1DuwSWw2EErth-quRk8lHFV0Ww36kpkELpBwvcNbQFnJ8VT462OLxgyofDjMcCa7USkXNNkfbdgFcorkTxyM0HOvnEGaGsClgfqJOZ/s1000/20240219_112836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSn8AKCT7iDTbW0wapcPuneaClpUqvXY1MMdUs33Fo_pfV3sRjzK3exOB1lJoUHKaaSrffNVOhYjxrnuvQpSZ7rL1DuwSWw2EErth-quRk8lHFV0Ww36kpkELpBwvcNbQFnJ8VT462OLxgyofDjMcCa7USkXNNkfbdgFcorkTxyM0HOvnEGaGsClgfqJOZ/w300-h400/20240219_112836.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUIhbgzCDn6Qn7hpbmvD9YrbbaUiKd-BNAoCzyCO_o4o6t-c-p1EIN8tHAHYktX0AkGZCrYx1wTFWwJY4SJ02ldKCqVLjt_lbkcfzJlr5mVORICglXPVM-gxzlsQ3jogBIe1xONVfl4B3lwhAWG_2YE1lQ9n2lo_uYYAPH3VBO9jjRtfqk5D3KB8rEbuo/s1000/20231228_171341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUIhbgzCDn6Qn7hpbmvD9YrbbaUiKd-BNAoCzyCO_o4o6t-c-p1EIN8tHAHYktX0AkGZCrYx1wTFWwJY4SJ02ldKCqVLjt_lbkcfzJlr5mVORICglXPVM-gxzlsQ3jogBIe1xONVfl4B3lwhAWG_2YE1lQ9n2lo_uYYAPH3VBO9jjRtfqk5D3KB8rEbuo/w400-h300/20231228_171341.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIF2bAI8FwdJu1nlCVHAXwg9jDwenPw6YPPgcOjJC967-HefYQmEut0wxgFfZfKP6SwrrC8rAglrZWj_Sj_BbdkpDGd3QZTsi-Vqyuadq-CkZNdkP6mHJetq56DTtH0Hug7q_5QJHd6qp2hng_WAlFFnwXv53uj6KGKtHVE-3-FmkNacnu1SUS7U0li98/s1000/20231228_172015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="1000" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIF2bAI8FwdJu1nlCVHAXwg9jDwenPw6YPPgcOjJC967-HefYQmEut0wxgFfZfKP6SwrrC8rAglrZWj_Sj_BbdkpDGd3QZTsi-Vqyuadq-CkZNdkP6mHJetq56DTtH0Hug7q_5QJHd6qp2hng_WAlFFnwXv53uj6KGKtHVE-3-FmkNacnu1SUS7U0li98/w400-h176/20231228_172015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These may all seem like very small details (a nut, a washer...) but believe me, they add up to that "quality feel" I'm going for. That's not to say that the Rising Star will ever be one of those gleaming, impeccable, world-famous show bikes but that's fine, I don't need it to be. This bike will always be very much a shed-built special and I'm ok with little imperfections here and there, but I will still try to make it as neat as possible. Rather than pour effort into making it perfect, I want to look at it immersed in nature somewhere and think "man, what a cool ride". Isn't that the point to it all?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-78772856141610782952024-02-24T08:34:00.002+01:002024-02-26T09:40:01.514+01:00Electricity, nostalgia.<p>In the context of the ongoing upgrade of the Rising Star, another thing that seemed simple enough was to go over switches (the headlight dip switch and the three toggles on the avionics box) and check all light bulbs: the one above the license plate didn't work properly so I chased down the gremlins with a multimeter until I found an oxidized connection at the actual bulb. Cleaning contacts and grounds, making sure connections were tight and well insulated took care of most things. In the end though, the real culprit is the battery: it's fine while the bike is running (the alternator is up to snuff and the Boyer-Bransden Powerbox<span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px;">🗲</span> certainly helps) but it just doesn't hold much of a charge anymore, poor thing. Eventually I will replace it, but I can live with it for now.</p><p>I also checked the horn, which works just fine: <i>beep!</i> <br />All this dealing with the devil's spaghetti seemed like the perfect time to go for something I've secretly liked since I was a rebellious youth, so I've decided to finally go for it and fit <u>the</u> coolest of accessories... a blue marker light. Heck yeah.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbseGov8VyW1Ns8KrXfFDy10POVo76XEBaLgoM_x1NVRagF0jFWfVaoB3P6EOuDCKN04ecUz_1LVO5yugwiIWV--jOuyj14KpGIdiT2z-2z4wBGMRLaNF0K0CxAENRZ3dxnCBDPgqp3GneSJlEnGqOscMAMRhA-zRlRZXpJN0KReKBfcJXLRW_YfyfA/s570/167750963065(6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="570" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbseGov8VyW1Ns8KrXfFDy10POVo76XEBaLgoM_x1NVRagF0jFWfVaoB3P6EOuDCKN04ecUz_1LVO5yugwiIWV--jOuyj14KpGIdiT2z-2z4wBGMRLaNF0K0CxAENRZ3dxnCBDPgqp3GneSJlEnGqOscMAMRhA-zRlRZXpJN0KReKBfcJXLRW_YfyfA/w400-h316/167750963065(6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This running light is something that may seem tacky at first (and I have to concede, it is a bit!) but this is pure nostalgia materialized: in the early '90s, some people were fitting these to their rides, be they motorcycles, choppers or scooters. Once in a while you'd catch a glimpse of a cool blue light in the stifling hot nights of a Roman summer... it always looked amazing going down a quiet street late at night, and it conjured up thoughts of freedom and the open road.<br />Time passes, and things fade out of fashion and away from memory (and because there was no internet and no digital photography back then, there really isn't much in the way of records of this cool trend left behind for us to look at).<br />But I always thought those little blue lights were cool, and so now, finally, I can have one too.<br />Uncle Fester cut a very simple bracket out of mild steel, then mounted it to the rear brake stay bracket. Sandro (no, the other Sandro. No <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2022/12/the-umbrian-motocamping-quest.html" target="_blank">not this Sandro either</a>, the <i>other</i> Sandro!) then ran the wiring along the hardtail and over to the "avionics" box, plugged it into a switch (it can be switched on independently of the other lights) and tidied everything up. I am so stoked with this. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhum19CY7QvJW2faHkrQlN8MBHIfd73Ycxq5qnlMzPuKzYt6Y8rNhCpqKC15Ef4wDLkH6nBFifdHSZeEAv083yZx8UceqOWIg3hwvUCTL7TOJnIyGV5Ex3TiALLS-P_KJgzprTsxFqj6eE2jqd_jeoqhz0tPZTOokz8LDswrHMuriPBYYvyl6WXwaTWatau/s1000/20240221_125122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhum19CY7QvJW2faHkrQlN8MBHIfd73Ycxq5qnlMzPuKzYt6Y8rNhCpqKC15Ef4wDLkH6nBFifdHSZeEAv083yZx8UceqOWIg3hwvUCTL7TOJnIyGV5Ex3TiALLS-P_KJgzprTsxFqj6eE2jqd_jeoqhz0tPZTOokz8LDswrHMuriPBYYvyl6WXwaTWatau/w400-h300/20240221_125122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPTY7QzQrYo-KC1LL-ir7npP9ZrfzM558Lqkx5YmKDBFK8wvcAIDJXoHVCTfHW1vxf4h9eBpzD4hhxcM-R__GShCKL6OTQ0Sf6HyJn2TK-fp9hq4ouKvrePl-PuKHOjYf9LUGIJE5jSkSWtggn9maDvWiNaJeZY4ThB_VJ0-reApd2GoCyMrDOU7jok5H/s1951/52997.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1951" data-original-width="1591" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPTY7QzQrYo-KC1LL-ir7npP9ZrfzM558Lqkx5YmKDBFK8wvcAIDJXoHVCTfHW1vxf4h9eBpzD4hhxcM-R__GShCKL6OTQ0Sf6HyJn2TK-fp9hq4ouKvrePl-PuKHOjYf9LUGIJE5jSkSWtggn9maDvWiNaJeZY4ThB_VJ0-reApd2GoCyMrDOU7jok5H/w522-h640/52997.jpg" width="522" /></a></div>Another thing I did, that can still be filed under "electrics" is that I flipped the ignition coil over so the leads are now pointing up. I think it looks better this way and it's a good thing I did it, as I was able to spot a problem: one of the HT leads had obviously been rubbing against the cylinder head and the insulation was almost completely gone in one spot; you could just see the core wire strands starting to come through, which probably explains why the bike had been hard to start <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2019/12/sic-itvr-ad-astra.html">when I got it out of storage</a>. Add to that that both leads were stiff and prone to cracking, it was time to make some new ones.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoO8Cv_fc4mtc3fvXPnhaRiE1zEHCrORRNf0oobtkPrce6K6OtOxVVAGOUKDFRMZaw4P8lvp92bg8uZgypcnyLHpgLFC8ZsQrK9Ymb_XExbmiIzi_8jruaWn4uK_W8YOJ_eX14zfSPkPerY2pGaIZ1P8sQsW54nfejvao_cFux6LBKkjb4cq7MgZxNdw/s2936/1681761643177.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2435" data-original-width="2936" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoO8Cv_fc4mtc3fvXPnhaRiE1zEHCrORRNf0oobtkPrce6K6OtOxVVAGOUKDFRMZaw4P8lvp92bg8uZgypcnyLHpgLFC8ZsQrK9Ymb_XExbmiIzi_8jruaWn4uK_W8YOJ_eX14zfSPkPerY2pGaIZ1P8sQsW54nfejvao_cFux6LBKkjb4cq7MgZxNdw/w400-h331/1681761643177.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxSZ6e-x2FodMu8z_TZEN5HZd1kQ21Ad3xLGgP6yZhyVKL0gx2l5gNQkQKPDiRjzy_0bo7vElV1HFUdmVBxDZYmyoEARbV8Pa3U0l3FaXerR5CjjIkFwnzdfuOOGAZxE-L7xtClLsCGT2sHPjaWQJEGHbTl1aoPLY-KqNfGEAMX-lmQ_MheiG_qYM-1Fz/s1508/DSC03374.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1508" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxSZ6e-x2FodMu8z_TZEN5HZd1kQ21Ad3xLGgP6yZhyVKL0gx2l5gNQkQKPDiRjzy_0bo7vElV1HFUdmVBxDZYmyoEARbV8Pa3U0l3FaXerR5CjjIkFwnzdfuOOGAZxE-L7xtClLsCGT2sHPjaWQJEGHbTl1aoPLY-KqNfGEAMX-lmQ_MheiG_qYM-1Fz/w400-h206/DSC03374.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These are much better quality leads with a copper core, and the way I routed them makes them be much shorter than they were before, I like how they look.<br />Lots of small improvements add up to a more noticeable "quality feel" overall; it's important to do this stuff!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There is more coming, just a matter of finding some time to do it...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-79448040705766779412023-11-27T17:29:00.002+01:002023-11-27T17:29:29.934+01:00We ain't done yet!<p>There are a few more things I want to do on the Rising Star, some parts are already off to get chrome-plated and I'll move on to more involved tasks as soon as I can get the "gift horse" BMW off the lift...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPS58Caz5FWXmwQ1EhtA14_pz3wjAQkC1yPE8Yy3OIsf4jt1QvSHAU-FTOxeWocsi0_W1kpPjqksDGoir3uh4UQvEktwZiokL0JrhAckuk1QG52xHrbpuJWLOTvRS6eDFw7TiD9X0OSkAkamiGLvvqNFv5fdO18SQZp_svIyUrK5e09Yv_7BO2aQjM7kK/s1918/1701080648782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1918" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPS58Caz5FWXmwQ1EhtA14_pz3wjAQkC1yPE8Yy3OIsf4jt1QvSHAU-FTOxeWocsi0_W1kpPjqksDGoir3uh4UQvEktwZiokL0JrhAckuk1QG52xHrbpuJWLOTvRS6eDFw7TiD9X0OSkAkamiGLvvqNFv5fdO18SQZp_svIyUrK5e09Yv_7BO2aQjM7kK/w400-h225/1701080648782.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-54530472232904624272023-10-07T11:53:00.001+02:002023-10-07T11:53:00.142+02:00Singing in the rain.<p>I set off on another solo trip on the Rising Star not long ago, but it ended up being a 300km excursion in the rain, which wasn't much fun at all.<br />There were still moments of pure riding joy as the machine handles so well and is just so cool, but all in all it was not the most satisfying experience.<br />With no front fender, as soon as the road is even slightly wet, the front wheel shoots up a plume of water droplets that must be at least 2 meters high, much to the horror, confusion and delight of oncoming traffic. It also provides a refreshing, tickling sensation on my face and beard, but eventually you get soaked to the bone and it's not that much fun. Or all that clean.<br />On the plus side, I think I've figured out an improvement I can make to the luggage using the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCZDVSBT7Qyh_3ZzS8VQbIqf3sx1E7QyvKzdaSB14sEgqPG5RwTbho_QK6FkHSt9HPckt8On9Vz4b6d6tcZDI2S5at7n7I1udU0r1FHMFF6WK2yt4TF1iCZgal7tkgoQRXjny-eVqheeF/s2048/WP_20170627_15_29_08_Pro.jpg" target="_blank">enormous, yellow Touratech bag</a>, or even the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4c4DCrR_YOOngEt1t-ft2rDej28gFA1aFnLxkM0WSCLbVX74bHoFY8ROgPryW1kyerJsBA8XbUOH_jb21ve5HYq_TAh_hPBNgY4wjAIpFGS-DyhCYzzTOV57bLU68KPwQxjaobuD87fz/s2048/1606157055743.jpg" target="_blank">Famsa</a>. I think I might also have a pad made for the rear fender, to match the seat and provide extra support for luggage.<br />Other than that, I have rediscovered the SR666 that goes from the town of Sora all the way to the border with Abruzzo and eventually leads to Opi; don't let its satanic designation fool you, this is a beautiful road with a rich and varied scenery that's well-suited to a slow bike. I will make another attempt whenever I can, as the itinerary I had in mind should make for a fun three-day outing.<br />For now, time to rearrange the workshop so I can bring the Rising Star in for the next part of the upgrade, hopefully soon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmAdfNEemzH0oXPM9evbQoPBZzXp-Shd7_bSUJGb31oaf1DjvFrQbsqx9BPlQIXc_HIejquEOA73Nf7rVnmj1Aqh0NymmPJVK76Zen0MM9Vz-w8omUmiAOd7OJG2F7WQMNQm1EQYxsF9n9iAVeX-g10_YSbETCpuNZu8mTDOIMYsCbxMDSoeeokj5Ubfo/s2000/16595627547827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmAdfNEemzH0oXPM9evbQoPBZzXp-Shd7_bSUJGb31oaf1DjvFrQbsqx9BPlQIXc_HIejquEOA73Nf7rVnmj1Aqh0NymmPJVK76Zen0MM9Vz-w8omUmiAOd7OJG2F7WQMNQm1EQYxsF9n9iAVeX-g10_YSbETCpuNZu8mTDOIMYsCbxMDSoeeokj5Ubfo/w400-h225/16595627547827.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-35036394526535085052023-09-25T23:50:00.001+02:002023-09-26T21:12:38.316+02:00Toolkit & Spares<p>While I was waiting for parts to come back from chrome plating, I finally got around to putting all the Rising Star spare parts together and organized in a single crate. It's not a lot of stuff but there are some interesting items, <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2010/11/score.html" target="_blank">especially that Cyclone head</a>. Maybe one day I'll get it refurbished and swap it out on the bike, who knows.</p><div>For the road, I'm limiting the "kit" to clutch and throttle cables, carburetter spares (a banjo bolt with fiber washer, a float, four float bowl screws, a float bowl gasket, a mounting flange O-ring, a float needle, a needle clip, idle and air screws with o-rings), one or two copper/neoprene washers in case of a leaky fuel tap, and of course always bring extra fuel:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LC5l31TW_MMughcd5K3fF5oBOjPwcQ8VPkKQwB_qVC6_3UcPggJVE11e3Ph5VOUZnGrvXfyuQ1PQl4IV_nz-rwwvZ9-3TP1YJnUzpAHRbbdE86srGSA_4gbXYjaIknXdqQ4YPxG06biu2b7XMUX5S31aoNLKbNKtoP6zi3WMhQB8sy1yKIJoE3NuoWO5/s1757/extrafuel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1757" data-original-width="775" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LC5l31TW_MMughcd5K3fF5oBOjPwcQ8VPkKQwB_qVC6_3UcPggJVE11e3Ph5VOUZnGrvXfyuQ1PQl4IV_nz-rwwvZ9-3TP1YJnUzpAHRbbdE86srGSA_4gbXYjaIknXdqQ4YPxG06biu2b7XMUX5S31aoNLKbNKtoP6zi3WMhQB8sy1yKIJoE3NuoWO5/w282-h640/extrafuel.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><div>I thought about adding a spare pilot jet (just for my own records, the size is a '17') but I think the chances of it falling off are pretty slim and practically null if I put some aluminum tape over it, this way it'll stay put:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMiFR7_wER88ZYnd-sAxSpLatICMIsW3_kksTsUGLfhQfMIr5uSxMU_69x5ci-SmuLvhCrc22Qc73Vi57M_nnGb0rjPNDeT78BPNI6RTrMuMjhdRN4k1J2uF6nQq3XBy6Ed04vXR7gYi7CF9N1HOMHW7uVIIbAEEJwL-nWSVnIbB72mwJXZBN3t40GIIB/s1500/foil.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzMiFR7_wER88ZYnd-sAxSpLatICMIsW3_kksTsUGLfhQfMIr5uSxMU_69x5ci-SmuLvhCrc22Qc73Vi57M_nnGb0rjPNDeT78BPNI6RTrMuMjhdRN4k1J2uF6nQq3XBy6Ed04vXR7gYi7CF9N1HOMHW7uVIIbAEEJwL-nWSVnIbB72mwJXZBN3t40GIIB/w400-h266/foil.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There are a couple of spare fuses tucked into the battery box, a length of fuel pipe that goes with the extra control cables and spare sparking plugs on the special carrier mounted to the frame (that little accessory always seems to captivate people's attention to a degree that surprises me). As part of this exercise I was able to take stock of our Amal spare parts, and we have way too many jets especially in sizes that make no sense at all; so many jets...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In terms of tools, it's a small selection of spanners, allen keys, two screwdrivers and my trusty tongue and groove pliers. As for the Fastback, this is really limited to effecting basic repairs and tightening up anything that might come loose on the way, but the thing that's gonna make the biggest impact is doing all maintenance and going over the bike in the shed <i>before</i> you set off on your adventure.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-88979203122747268842023-09-02T16:56:00.001+02:002023-09-02T16:56:00.152+02:00The nocturnality of motorcycles - 16<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirdBcJvlFWon-cJ9cxkDaQDvIYxSHhBy2WLic8DDz_sYnF6MK5QWhd7vysHKWQA5TQB-GXcN0UQk5EI2xm9eKsnjf9da7OPwo58niregAM8UYnAvZcOR5x7W_kj7ZEwn-W2BDULPb0NoC4z82H80pzFgYFau8NN6Fv_F5B0RakFVtZ1kgodaYUVxdoQ/s2000/Nocturnality16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhirdBcJvlFWon-cJ9cxkDaQDvIYxSHhBy2WLic8DDz_sYnF6MK5QWhd7vysHKWQA5TQB-GXcN0UQk5EI2xm9eKsnjf9da7OPwo58niregAM8UYnAvZcOR5x7W_kj7ZEwn-W2BDULPb0NoC4z82H80pzFgYFau8NN6Fv_F5B0RakFVtZ1kgodaYUVxdoQ/w400-h300/Nocturnality16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-61440221270213215372023-08-12T12:02:00.008+02:002023-08-12T12:02:00.157+02:00Old Irons 2023 - a report.<p>So much of what's happened with the Rising Star lately is not what I had in mind. That's fine, but I did have to alter my plans significantly and that's not something I enjoy. What I do enjoy is getting the luggage ready, getting the bike ready and getting far enough away from the daily routes to feel that I'm on a trip. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0SMeBpxm_6T26ryqj2cD-yToE0FCjitEQSS7wrPPK-y1ZXFovghPnx0gvAw_rJLuxSkB-10ETRlVtq5tzlhloxXekS2vYEheD5kKfwSTyCmxJb3_W9x3OpwkT-GVELoNjWLMEXHVYZx18g-_VsFzpT3Wd_dbsqj02pazkm4j9EOuuOk4GvkTgyZLwAl0/s1608/DSC03278.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0SMeBpxm_6T26ryqj2cD-yToE0FCjitEQSS7wrPPK-y1ZXFovghPnx0gvAw_rJLuxSkB-10ETRlVtq5tzlhloxXekS2vYEheD5kKfwSTyCmxJb3_W9x3OpwkT-GVELoNjWLMEXHVYZx18g-_VsFzpT3Wd_dbsqj02pazkm4j9EOuuOk4GvkTgyZLwAl0/w400-h266/DSC03278.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Instead of bringing the Rising Star back to the Monolith <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2023/01/the-upgrade-continues.html" target="_blank">from uncle Fester's garage</a>, I headed out to the mountains once again. With the first important improvements completed, this ride was pretty much a test ride, which I realize isn't ideal but for various reasons (and much to my annoyance, believe me) we ended right up against the rally and almost didn't make it. Fester worked hard to make many people happy and other bikes ready, and I appreciate that a lot. The first thing I tried was the front brake, which has definitely improved and knowing that it is more powerful and more reliable not only gives you added safety and confidence as you ride, but also allows you to ride this bike in a different way. Instead of threading the needle by favoring ultra smooth and precise lines, and slowing down well before a corner as I would do before, I can now make use of trail braking to optimize corners and have more fun: as the bike whips around a left-hander I can picture how small it must look from the outside, its gas tank almost like a bullet flying through the air, my view unobstructed by instruments of any kind, just the top of the small headlight and the road ahead.</div></div><p><a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2023/02/latest-news.html" target="_blank">As I mentioned before</a>, this machine is considerably lighter than a stock A50 model. This should make you realize that all those pioneers who starting chopping and bobbing motorcycles way back when, were actually in pursuit of performance and better handling. All the "easy rider" imagery came later and to this day it is debatable whether it was a good thing or not. But for our purposes I encourage you to think of the Rising Star as a chopper, yes, but as a light and nimble bike with exceptional handling just as much.<br />Let's take a closer look at the new oil tank mount and other fixes by uncle Fester.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCQWtN99oYvPbjnO60IzpPcOMFM3IglLRljs1T-qq9L7GDIKBVXOYsHPT35thwdQ_UYLFTDL9duJeezySYXVV7a2rJg-NXIku2pQFjvICfvuo1jS_TStCSOi-2W3-cWRkp5Bjtgc-iJj4X7HCTA5v7vWNSgaC6S1roZoZzSLElNm53XyNr4ceMetclmCB/s1400/1688456380130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCQWtN99oYvPbjnO60IzpPcOMFM3IglLRljs1T-qq9L7GDIKBVXOYsHPT35thwdQ_UYLFTDL9duJeezySYXVV7a2rJg-NXIku2pQFjvICfvuo1jS_TStCSOi-2W3-cWRkp5Bjtgc-iJj4X7HCTA5v7vWNSgaC6S1roZoZzSLElNm53XyNr4ceMetclmCB/w480-h640/1688456380130.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvNJZxTmgvXI-0ikGNynnZpxN8L1zi2_hZnmyUdPK4W5vmNUSJSc8wo5xPq-pBZKm6XOI0udQuMQqatI0r5vaOAK2VxKVySQrL06s6bEL9qW8PH3FEForX7FZ2_3dKvJTOGVPUUFzovrD-WBdIbHwT9JiLBSYgUwKFMk3Faaj_yWfaXiezUMHH6BwJ63u/s1608/DSC03311.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvNJZxTmgvXI-0ikGNynnZpxN8L1zi2_hZnmyUdPK4W5vmNUSJSc8wo5xPq-pBZKm6XOI0udQuMQqatI0r5vaOAK2VxKVySQrL06s6bEL9qW8PH3FEForX7FZ2_3dKvJTOGVPUUFzovrD-WBdIbHwT9JiLBSYgUwKFMk3Faaj_yWfaXiezUMHH6BwJ63u/w400-h266/DSC03311.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaQvfcyQHzg9DtP074sKAqmVj9dXoKziT48D4jXFEa8OjAINwuxS8n-dQnyNzvswhU9mlbqleebSvNcixhE6LooIlcwmVyISa-iwDf8mbJ4ZnA4ukH5jJEvYE--PZQPZgq5ucODVrWjE-4zjf1nYvhTm6nu2vbohOplikp4P6Yi-wvEFO2UEJVGQSSEYH/s1608/DSC03312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaQvfcyQHzg9DtP074sKAqmVj9dXoKziT48D4jXFEa8OjAINwuxS8n-dQnyNzvswhU9mlbqleebSvNcixhE6LooIlcwmVyISa-iwDf8mbJ4ZnA4ukH5jJEvYE--PZQPZgq5ucODVrWjE-4zjf1nYvhTm6nu2vbohOplikp4P6Yi-wvEFO2UEJVGQSSEYH/w400-h266/DSC03312.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The lower bracket itself is comprised of a short, asymmetrical curved tube similar to the two at the top, welded to a 90 degree bracket that was tapped and shaped to fit behind the existing support for the battery case. It does away with the two small nuts that were previously behind the battery box and were a real pain to get at; instead, the battery box can now be secured directly to the new bracket, which also matches the battery support to create a 'U' shaped routing for the wiring harness: <i>Genius</i>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjEidq9tW1qYh44mEF7IRcAK51L8-13EKH46_J8CYQeapNS41IHt1Y6aULdJwOrAhumjIWmRxgfBYvmKPW7nD10onDBdl6Axl-iKpSLI_ArISh_0_IMGeHe8NYyMadyrDjnJHdNbsqzxYBMrs0Jij-DWbT1I147b0-CQBhKG9XF65U1btYd10zWfm8FN8/s1326/DSC03316.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1326" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjEidq9tW1qYh44mEF7IRcAK51L8-13EKH46_J8CYQeapNS41IHt1Y6aULdJwOrAhumjIWmRxgfBYvmKPW7nD10onDBdl6Axl-iKpSLI_ArISh_0_IMGeHe8NYyMadyrDjnJHdNbsqzxYBMrs0Jij-DWbT1I147b0-CQBhKG9XF65U1btYd10zWfm8FN8/w400-h266/DSC03316.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is perhaps the most impressive part of the new system as room in this part of the frame is extremely scarce; yet Fester managed to almost <i>pour</i> the metal into shape and fabricated a sturdy support that actually pushes the oil tank upwards. The solution for the top mounts was lining up the two curved tubes within the frame's triangle in that particular point, and to angle them in such a way that the oil tank ends up being in exactly the same spatial relation to the frame as it was before. I thought this would have been impossible to achieve, but I'm delighted I was wrong.</div><p>It was instantly noticeable how much easier and more pleasant it is to ride without the oil tank rattling and clanging away on the old broken mount underneath the seat. It's true that the new rubber mountings seem rather soft and if you push the oil tank with your hand it can almost bounce around (which delights everyone and elicits big smiles all 'round), but in reality it works perfectly. I put my hand on the tank a few times when I was riding and I could feel it was steady and staying put.<br />One thing I didn't ask for, but that my man took upon himself to spend time and effort on, is this extension to the kickstand so it's easier to deploy. This was never an issue for me, I just reached down with my hand and flung it out, but many people have cried and whimpered and whined about this so I guess they're all happy now. Babies.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdu25yMSzDFFbZdVVXDQQG6RReqqQ1bkLiwT5caJmLXuqK31Go0dhebsDRItuFcKD4NfoWhJWA67quCs9L-DFIN301u9TBkSF2E1B7pQ2zI3mKfB5CoJgL_yljaXipCVGqi5Zw-alL8uos7LvZ4nn3th89_yi9Y4Q4YxKYRO4zTJvvvsIBdx700Q8Dg0v4/s1400/1690752997821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdu25yMSzDFFbZdVVXDQQG6RReqqQ1bkLiwT5caJmLXuqK31Go0dhebsDRItuFcKD4NfoWhJWA67quCs9L-DFIN301u9TBkSF2E1B7pQ2zI3mKfB5CoJgL_yljaXipCVGqi5Zw-alL8uos7LvZ4nn3th89_yi9Y4Q4YxKYRO4zTJvvvsIBdx700Q8Dg0v4/w480-h640/1690752997821.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Now, I must confess this really is much easier to use, and it's yet another custom touch that I'm happy to have on the bike.</p><p>As always, a huge thank you to my buddy who once again made this motorcycle <b>better</b> with this big custom job.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-by_cGxwkjRK1f0DRMaVB50R5I3t5NO39arvv5SizQbbzhgpPGJcMxhtzF6ikHx3WqgYO6lhz4JjPrt4Viz0Si8y-1Y66Lb8JwEr-eKHKgYRY-npuukGInU9lR6Yv1MtfLp2YucKQ6axYatkYGZWNap7gi9ltL6tesNuHQSS7CQ9DTzENskWHR38ew/s718/1677430357571.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-by_cGxwkjRK1f0DRMaVB50R5I3t5NO39arvv5SizQbbzhgpPGJcMxhtzF6ikHx3WqgYO6lhz4JjPrt4Viz0Si8y-1Y66Lb8JwEr-eKHKgYRY-npuukGInU9lR6Yv1MtfLp2YucKQ6axYatkYGZWNap7gi9ltL6tesNuHQSS7CQ9DTzENskWHR38ew/w301-h400/1677430357571.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><p>I had other things on my to-do list, so this is not over. The next part of this upgrade will probably have to wait until the end of the year, but it will be worth the wait.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLP4pP6kSqpSbdT7kgqyJ3sT4PB58U0Lf8vH8EgzUzrhHOkKHh0m-qcbJ7NvfdgbKwcij2NCnt9KBUW4-t6EsLIQ_8_Jc5dVXnW5GXWXYvmQPi4pgyTnIwpmVIggkFTUSHc3YXi3lPweymBny14ZGY-bQYivno9e5K5KDS1FlL5BXVbIJ6EDImAkTg-7-/s1608/DSC03353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLP4pP6kSqpSbdT7kgqyJ3sT4PB58U0Lf8vH8EgzUzrhHOkKHh0m-qcbJ7NvfdgbKwcij2NCnt9KBUW4-t6EsLIQ_8_Jc5dVXnW5GXWXYvmQPi4pgyTnIwpmVIggkFTUSHc3YXi3lPweymBny14ZGY-bQYivno9e5K5KDS1FlL5BXVbIJ6EDImAkTg-7-/w400-h266/DSC03353.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>But let's talk about the trip! My sixth attendance at the Old Irons/fèri vecchi rally, and the second time on the Rising Star, albeit in much improved form.</p><p>The difference between touring these territories on the Rising Star and riding any other bike up here is undeniable: on the hardtail you're really tripping out and everything feels more special.</p><p>I was concerned that the new handlebar would have corrupted the aesthetics of the Rising Star as I originally conceived it, but after this trip I can say I needn't have worried: the new ergonomics are far better, the bike looks cooler... it's perfect.</p><p>The riding position is also far more comfortable: you sit either straight up or you can lean <i>back </i>and just cruise along. The new grips are also extremely comfortable and make for a much more pleasant experience.<br /></p><p>I felt all of this as I was riding up the Licinese, then over to lake Turano, more winding country lanes towards lake Salto and a well deserved lunch break. I sat outside so I could look at the bike, I just couldn't stop thinking how cool it was that I was finally doing this again <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2017/08/old-irons-2017-report.html" target="_blank">after six long years</a>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtb3k3eSzQ-PEMUEUTD6doum3kP46nr8Bemho2TTeAhg_xl6Q6_qhLRHjA1gllamwyCVQBN2OGKZ3lSyiE8pD8jP1rvFMQeX4yApPqv_jZ3PL1ngN8iEgnATgGwDdAKg0nW5LXsDCuZ_HGAB-NoIsliJqtvmi-eN1iZB1yrQx7lEmUFMn_cZ6BXWHDXJk/s3784/1690752997944.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3784" data-original-width="2406" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAtb3k3eSzQ-PEMUEUTD6doum3kP46nr8Bemho2TTeAhg_xl6Q6_qhLRHjA1gllamwyCVQBN2OGKZ3lSyiE8pD8jP1rvFMQeX4yApPqv_jZ3PL1ngN8iEgnATgGwDdAKg0nW5LXsDCuZ_HGAB-NoIsliJqtvmi-eN1iZB1yrQx7lEmUFMn_cZ6BXWHDXJk/w406-h640/1690752997944.jpg" width="406" /></a></p><p>I refueled at that point and figured out it is returning 25km/l which is about 59mpg. I estimate range on a full tank, plus the extra reserve I always carry, to be 300km, not bad at all.</p><p>Ever since our earliest forays into the mountains, we have come across the Rascino plateau and gone back there several times; it is a very scenic waypoint towards Campotosto, so it is both useful and rewarding. What I hadn't realized however, is that there is a huge area (a sort of "<span style="text-align: center;">Rascino Pradesh" if you will</span>) just above where we usually pass through, with meadows and little thickets, small hills and beautiful views from every angle. It is definitely a trek to get up there but it is truly remote. I saw a few people who probably have ranches or farms up there, and they give you the kind of weary scowl that's reserved for intruders. There was a scout troop that had set up camp on a small hill and I must have been the most out of place thing they saw that day. I got as far as the paved road goes, about 15 minutes up, then decided it was better to turn back and continue on my way, something tells me outsiders aren't all that welcome up there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: center;">Continuing across the oddly named "ellu vau" bridge, I rejoin familiar territory and press on towards Campotosto. Going up the SS80 on the Rising Star, nice and laid back, was a very different experience, but the bike was still plenty nimble on the twisty bits, and it was an absolute joy reaching the campsite on that thing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMfFsnYuWJ4uqlIbD-TkbK9K0z5r_oLicCxntjTlCpRR8otQjQzVahdA8h4cB-nePaCi90PFcx3QGzxE-jOVBEmeufYuOf6XSna-v2PAcU_-_v-g7xgdMYo3abf8KmbVdjzv0xCEmFx4Cddw7v9zTKUCV1_T_uw8R9qRoFqnLwlJ6gbdU6GsXC2IgCD0k/s1608/DSC03309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMfFsnYuWJ4uqlIbD-TkbK9K0z5r_oLicCxntjTlCpRR8otQjQzVahdA8h4cB-nePaCi90PFcx3QGzxE-jOVBEmeufYuOf6XSna-v2PAcU_-_v-g7xgdMYo3abf8KmbVdjzv0xCEmFx4Cddw7v9zTKUCV1_T_uw8R9qRoFqnLwlJ6gbdU6GsXC2IgCD0k/w400-h266/DSC03309.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKkVSdaqcx2S_Mh6vq_lCtz_-72EZKVEsN7nUQecNJREAl4eWiUHACXt3h8ftsYe71-ktLcy9ht7smOFQj2NtmwEfVGys19-i-et9SbR-4-sh-BeJvbNIDK8dOAy3u_ZvyI_uN2W8djbeSpdYsaI-7B1qtMCO4HZCKGGT5d3a6TD9V-rRalmE5HjYCKWf/s689/DSC03318.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="689" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCKkVSdaqcx2S_Mh6vq_lCtz_-72EZKVEsN7nUQecNJREAl4eWiUHACXt3h8ftsYe71-ktLcy9ht7smOFQj2NtmwEfVGys19-i-et9SbR-4-sh-BeJvbNIDK8dOAy3u_ZvyI_uN2W8djbeSpdYsaI-7B1qtMCO4HZCKGGT5d3a6TD9V-rRalmE5HjYCKWf/w400-h266/DSC03318.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhri5PFLs9Np2CaRgOi-IL5dPeMfyZ_rbIdxahO8Gw1Az72McnEKKX5XBnRrydpwsS2UpT-zBEJn7tT9QZPLyjn1_ZPVOEat7H2Ze_Whc-zPr9hqZ2wpT7SCOFEgXjh2gQb45SDvhhegPyLof1lCitmz5vwpqKokOHxPZMoaU4cEejK0OqyjB05tH7k01gK/s1932/1690752997914.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="1932" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhri5PFLs9Np2CaRgOi-IL5dPeMfyZ_rbIdxahO8Gw1Az72McnEKKX5XBnRrydpwsS2UpT-zBEJn7tT9QZPLyjn1_ZPVOEat7H2Ze_Whc-zPr9hqZ2wpT7SCOFEgXjh2gQb45SDvhhegPyLof1lCitmz5vwpqKokOHxPZMoaU4cEejK0OqyjB05tH7k01gK/w400-h274/1690752997914.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1BArh18gj5GRgiuQKmBYgPQI3XL1DdAc997JJ0YB13CMqgd1tAf7Dtxz11At5fkFAPe0JzXzoWcTbC8mdQteYmNOhnWU58Z9mMx1E6OauORMDCuEBlqVefTyMQfB846n0YKgc5DUznRp3HgCJb--WdY7JV5rzHdmfyMqyVYR7VWg3_LkWwRYKcTnWMpl/s1400/1690752997932.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1BArh18gj5GRgiuQKmBYgPQI3XL1DdAc997JJ0YB13CMqgd1tAf7Dtxz11At5fkFAPe0JzXzoWcTbC8mdQteYmNOhnWU58Z9mMx1E6OauORMDCuEBlqVefTyMQfB846n0YKgc5DUznRp3HgCJb--WdY7JV5rzHdmfyMqyVYR7VWg3_LkWwRYKcTnWMpl/w400-h300/1690752997932.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Packing up the following day, I decided to put all the luggage on the sissy bar and I like the way it looked; it was also stable once I figured out the best way to strap it down, so I'm confident this can be a hassle-free arrangement for future trips.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR-xmbRmMZYQFvOUvnVOADNdeIhv50O-eY-SaGA89U51nAxcKlRU64fHlUwo-eqbvxcRdohrx96EoSH4w7NODoiNDPBgaXf1hrcsmpS4100NP68F5lPrp7MYX9WvinxPbfgxdF0nosl2V5qvcWFJBLORiyBPXaQyxxyFBYnb41nz277X4D6HgwGbOfcG_/s1608/DSC03322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuR-xmbRmMZYQFvOUvnVOADNdeIhv50O-eY-SaGA89U51nAxcKlRU64fHlUwo-eqbvxcRdohrx96EoSH4w7NODoiNDPBgaXf1hrcsmpS4100NP68F5lPrp7MYX9WvinxPbfgxdF0nosl2V5qvcWFJBLORiyBPXaQyxxyFBYnb41nz277X4D6HgwGbOfcG_/w400-h266/DSC03322.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I made my way down to Torninparte where I met Lele on the Sportster and his buddy Andrea on a murdered out <i>Forty-Eight</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We also ran into Francesco on his modern Thruxton 900 and together we climbed up towards the Campo Imperatore plateau. I had to stop at one point when the oil pressure warning light came on, the only instrumentation on this bike. It was just too hot and the bike was struggling to make it up that road. I opened the oil tank to help it cool down and we waited for about 15 minutes before setting off again. I didn't have any problems after that, but that was sketchy (especially since the <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2012/09/shrapnel-britannica.html" target="_blank">disaster</a> that happened many years ago) and I'm beginning to wonder if I should fit an oil cooler and an oil filter kit, which would add a bit of oil in the circuit and help cool it down a bit. This oil tank doesn't hold as much oil as the original one would have (which is about 3 liters) so it's possible that it can't cool down enough to help the engine when it gets really hot, especially on climbs.<br />As we reach the rally, the last few miles are very tough going, the road surface is always a mess up there and the tarmac cracks and crumbles every winter, so you're left with a path that is somehow undulating <i>and </i>jagged at the same time, which fucking sucks. Needless to say it makes for a real test of how much you want to attend the rally on a hardtail, and I nearly lost my luggage because I was bouncing around so much. That first cold beer when we arrive is a real reward. At this point we begin to run into old friends and we catch up and talk some nonsense (but also some important things, that mean more than most people realize as friends check in with each other, and a few words and a big hug are very true things) as we walk around and look at the bikes. I had the impression this was not as huge an event as it got to be a few years ago, and I would say it was probably the quietest yet (I like that!). Some very nice rides as usual, let's take a look:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6jsMPkiBZSGFE0hmnUtM1vWoeADw515LVVwVOKiy_6-PwptycUV7iY0dxh0bGesJRYO-op3E5MG3jguXF_8qZqhxJN7YU_5DU8NeEkD7MG27IfOKxntDBpCf16AdrO-Wky9LFFpM6KEH87l_4XF94wPwamuo5ZYI5Z6usJOSRtIHyNu5sPcGstoG-f54/s1999/DSC03332.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1999" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6jsMPkiBZSGFE0hmnUtM1vWoeADw515LVVwVOKiy_6-PwptycUV7iY0dxh0bGesJRYO-op3E5MG3jguXF_8qZqhxJN7YU_5DU8NeEkD7MG27IfOKxntDBpCf16AdrO-Wky9LFFpM6KEH87l_4XF94wPwamuo5ZYI5Z6usJOSRtIHyNu5sPcGstoG-f54/w400-h226/DSC03332.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKS470Qs7C73trkv4x96-xUFJ0bbEWHj1wMafSuczHmEswMQPbt73HziCNQphX_ZUTeZF1DJvv_lDqXWLS7a7bXUkrYy17lku-2_q1eKO5KezBiCeNFmHMjaCp8LyY-lkcYdr7_YVkaNRl6CK08h0LZMcg-38QocKoeKtno3pHFgAhSEuE0encmJMVH9c/s1608/DSC03333.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKS470Qs7C73trkv4x96-xUFJ0bbEWHj1wMafSuczHmEswMQPbt73HziCNQphX_ZUTeZF1DJvv_lDqXWLS7a7bXUkrYy17lku-2_q1eKO5KezBiCeNFmHMjaCp8LyY-lkcYdr7_YVkaNRl6CK08h0LZMcg-38QocKoeKtno3pHFgAhSEuE0encmJMVH9c/w400-h266/DSC03333.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96CPIweqXolnIphAEh1Bi3DQytq3S2AQWGOUwb5HH-VrPtDBa7sWaDp43qx4sO9rAMIrMwd-6hNDSTHrm08xeG1T3637ygQD2em8nZphcXXAApJ2TuXdC0cVj2mEANj91bb4cTKG8bybMgsUKZv57a41sU2UGF1CWn1kTc5xFNvdMvJIxWcUlDnmDcbM4/s1608/DSC03334.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96CPIweqXolnIphAEh1Bi3DQytq3S2AQWGOUwb5HH-VrPtDBa7sWaDp43qx4sO9rAMIrMwd-6hNDSTHrm08xeG1T3637ygQD2em8nZphcXXAApJ2TuXdC0cVj2mEANj91bb4cTKG8bybMgsUKZv57a41sU2UGF1CWn1kTc5xFNvdMvJIxWcUlDnmDcbM4/w400-h266/DSC03334.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HNdfjAE9QUQV2uLzz-_RmMx7E1BBaB-MkeZrNRqqu94nPf-GtZM1QJO1Beh7t8yJUUSFprF76WzjsYf_yfOG1zdW9NaJDilg8Hv6VALTqHfbHl4VdT9tf69yzqdFknh5ORsLwQ2M-pzzoQ8p63HG1HzuTaIlZ92nlJmcxmeIR7PuybLTnHPuR-gHrWNp/s1608/DSC03335.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HNdfjAE9QUQV2uLzz-_RmMx7E1BBaB-MkeZrNRqqu94nPf-GtZM1QJO1Beh7t8yJUUSFprF76WzjsYf_yfOG1zdW9NaJDilg8Hv6VALTqHfbHl4VdT9tf69yzqdFknh5ORsLwQ2M-pzzoQ8p63HG1HzuTaIlZ92nlJmcxmeIR7PuybLTnHPuR-gHrWNp/w400-h266/DSC03335.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHY31OO6TOe7w32xYLd7zorWx3wEIZQVGKhoCPUqKVe6vaTfaqQugDXkgp8YHWaRGlPWVUGtKB28Z42ExEg-wKy9bg0iJWzCNromkm_i5LWtiFCeY8kFPk30-BzmHH62HrgnO9tBGO8dDL1-LnQwuhj0_Ftx5d_mtgDcmdAvNwX1LhTbNZaMt5VjbLIm6/s1024/1691218006721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHY31OO6TOe7w32xYLd7zorWx3wEIZQVGKhoCPUqKVe6vaTfaqQugDXkgp8YHWaRGlPWVUGtKB28Z42ExEg-wKy9bg0iJWzCNromkm_i5LWtiFCeY8kFPk30-BzmHH62HrgnO9tBGO8dDL1-LnQwuhj0_Ftx5d_mtgDcmdAvNwX1LhTbNZaMt5VjbLIm6/w480-h640/1691218006721.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAI98ZxZX7Up5Scl3nuoFDf30ULfOwagvGTCg-9ZOUQ3rlmclf_Fv1OAm0bC9pZEMQVDYylkMhVssOO5n62bvHqBnkWGzj5SYqkLwYoRfA4bKVbGKvFgJ6FVB5ePvk5Bo4nkhdCrMIeFWDwzNFt6ReJ2Ret6rOlxhB7COKzMPqj3fIUi6TAwPkLJCIMqGj/s1951/DSC03336.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1951" data-original-width="1362" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAI98ZxZX7Up5Scl3nuoFDf30ULfOwagvGTCg-9ZOUQ3rlmclf_Fv1OAm0bC9pZEMQVDYylkMhVssOO5n62bvHqBnkWGzj5SYqkLwYoRfA4bKVbGKvFgJ6FVB5ePvk5Bo4nkhdCrMIeFWDwzNFt6ReJ2Ret6rOlxhB7COKzMPqj3fIUi6TAwPkLJCIMqGj/w446-h640/DSC03336.JPG" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTiFsp7bBZ2urCvHzYxu5CeUiIwyIXjp3yq4AnbCist3pc4CZ6yT6OxJrLMphuzqIs0Ch2SDGXHg6-cZIjJ9o7LvxSf0uRKe-v7_gCdbnzp_T-Tz-jdZh6WM6t4N5aD1pscerqcTmWQk32nJ02YErB1rda2CVUbkskWKR0NqXdzTYlTGJiNEsMtrWv0NV/s1608/DSC03337.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTiFsp7bBZ2urCvHzYxu5CeUiIwyIXjp3yq4AnbCist3pc4CZ6yT6OxJrLMphuzqIs0Ch2SDGXHg6-cZIjJ9o7LvxSf0uRKe-v7_gCdbnzp_T-Tz-jdZh6WM6t4N5aD1pscerqcTmWQk32nJ02YErB1rda2CVUbkskWKR0NqXdzTYlTGJiNEsMtrWv0NV/w400-h266/DSC03337.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBguDi4rqRR_Ocx81qOIL1AmCirKq4wT4yK5IkgPWMvixFUggGugNfcmZiLrjCtlx3fd7UaQ-rglZGMRu_9SPuP6A_RacScQDNrxiu-LoC2Kwk7GznyusF-5ySxCO_ntaIglqsPWSZ9_TT947RyApUo_pl-Bgm2ariC6tD3V61CvRMChhu07_GFUKZZ8Z/s1608/DSC03339.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBguDi4rqRR_Ocx81qOIL1AmCirKq4wT4yK5IkgPWMvixFUggGugNfcmZiLrjCtlx3fd7UaQ-rglZGMRu_9SPuP6A_RacScQDNrxiu-LoC2Kwk7GznyusF-5ySxCO_ntaIglqsPWSZ9_TT947RyApUo_pl-Bgm2ariC6tD3V61CvRMChhu07_GFUKZZ8Z/w400-h266/DSC03339.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtBcGLrUFRa8gHBMUEC7VxDJKK9xCXYsKEFFzH7a7U7QJgIEnumtr1-rRohpDabIP8WhXSNJZzTNrVoeKayts_SIcdPCV4smBKUnf4gsz0WI2jk1AjQsiQ84UiqV9w7HVyiVjdGiW07_O846Zceip4qXUUNb5dzwtDP1AKVK_DRTIvuIW--WtIxSOTLwd/s1608/DSC03343.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtBcGLrUFRa8gHBMUEC7VxDJKK9xCXYsKEFFzH7a7U7QJgIEnumtr1-rRohpDabIP8WhXSNJZzTNrVoeKayts_SIcdPCV4smBKUnf4gsz0WI2jk1AjQsiQ84UiqV9w7HVyiVjdGiW07_O846Zceip4qXUUNb5dzwtDP1AKVK_DRTIvuIW--WtIxSOTLwd/w400-h266/DSC03343.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjGmZfWp_L2Cg2TW_t13xM4QgNFJRzTu9l7YYXLGjyaTDiaR63XkYmO8qRWXL9TSSiQkVERBJ0U0o9aqeEd3gbnqhzltw8F1UO1xnS7csc6KC942JTLsYou7xxpNlzgE6MT6vpOufszX5a59kc3eKwbVA-j83YLz2MzYbKbwciRfjfSRtl_iuJP9_NtGX/s1608/DSC03344.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjGmZfWp_L2Cg2TW_t13xM4QgNFJRzTu9l7YYXLGjyaTDiaR63XkYmO8qRWXL9TSSiQkVERBJ0U0o9aqeEd3gbnqhzltw8F1UO1xnS7csc6KC942JTLsYou7xxpNlzgE6MT6vpOufszX5a59kc3eKwbVA-j83YLz2MzYbKbwciRfjfSRtl_iuJP9_NtGX/w400-h266/DSC03344.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapgxhMlCyZEdqKJ3Te-2QqojnfdJZHrZBFb8WeicNiXpPdGcrKDPS1bJSgr6BGMUKP1dwQqvEm2X_NL6w2hqaRnWn0LAqYm0EJAYZ6DVqdumVgNqN8DXqxIRrbfvSCaUvA9K2-LN13AuJtuvxqpUgqi6AZ6HG1KOowhLvEjNBVD_DKJJeEFvz_Lb3XYXA/s1608/DSC03347.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapgxhMlCyZEdqKJ3Te-2QqojnfdJZHrZBFb8WeicNiXpPdGcrKDPS1bJSgr6BGMUKP1dwQqvEm2X_NL6w2hqaRnWn0LAqYm0EJAYZ6DVqdumVgNqN8DXqxIRrbfvSCaUvA9K2-LN13AuJtuvxqpUgqi6AZ6HG1KOowhLvEjNBVD_DKJJeEFvz_Lb3XYXA/w400-h266/DSC03347.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vAuUqgtO4KNMXeNMPE7di7U2JuqynVoUhxv_l1SXeq0AlFOl4Km7HxEqa8D3Q5wEpPl_RfVZPjyFuCF636IT6m7SObzPCUtp1o9BObnkgSQwPmIlKbKLv5tDzlDZwaxOApW2txA6LzVCA8N640cVCBMke3ZJylfgSapfBVC3lXIV2pDsKKVOqz9DrVe4/s1608/DSC03349.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vAuUqgtO4KNMXeNMPE7di7U2JuqynVoUhxv_l1SXeq0AlFOl4Km7HxEqa8D3Q5wEpPl_RfVZPjyFuCF636IT6m7SObzPCUtp1o9BObnkgSQwPmIlKbKLv5tDzlDZwaxOApW2txA6LzVCA8N640cVCBMke3ZJylfgSapfBVC3lXIV2pDsKKVOqz9DrVe4/w400-h266/DSC03349.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-jOQZzjpFmlbKAFwi0gXaNiXRSwyboulNEzHv-ToKWYF2lHrrNXnTiwgGqAI29ehTSLzWdnYaRydQn48aJ9c3PGM7NdPCjcFpM2bZsBYcHKbyo_DdxnCtDjojkPQvW-XvHBXmxpj-b9Fq1hF-T0meYDiN5ZxGhTz04AunshpINRvkwjiLqA1pURX-jqL/s1608/DSC03350.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-jOQZzjpFmlbKAFwi0gXaNiXRSwyboulNEzHv-ToKWYF2lHrrNXnTiwgGqAI29ehTSLzWdnYaRydQn48aJ9c3PGM7NdPCjcFpM2bZsBYcHKbyo_DdxnCtDjojkPQvW-XvHBXmxpj-b9Fq1hF-T0meYDiN5ZxGhTz04AunshpINRvkwjiLqA1pURX-jqL/w400-h266/DSC03350.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That Triumph Speed Triple is a bit out of place at a rally like this one, but it holds a special place in my heart as I nearly bought one (black though) when it came out. In general, there were some Japanese and Austrian bikes that just didn't belong there, same goes for so many cars and camper vans that just seem to miss the point: this is a chopper rally. I'll make an exception for this particular truck, all the way from Germany no less:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKfQut1ue-UG06IYe_pQhIMuzENnZvVgsiRRvU2FqY1foMvA1NNf0W7QLZOGQDifjWjjpDQceHTr6wdWl_TQ5CwnFxPCnSq8UVi9fW_XKiFjzZHe2Esg7UxKDzx2x-hPxP6iVEof1KjCwkw0Wfrusti1Fr8nLRkrLmNPgQnTY1fNk9GiDojFUjOivzxg3/s4592/DSC03365.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3056" data-original-width="4592" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKfQut1ue-UG06IYe_pQhIMuzENnZvVgsiRRvU2FqY1foMvA1NNf0W7QLZOGQDifjWjjpDQceHTr6wdWl_TQ5CwnFxPCnSq8UVi9fW_XKiFjzZHe2Esg7UxKDzx2x-hPxP6iVEof1KjCwkw0Wfrusti1Fr8nLRkrLmNPgQnTY1fNk9GiDojFUjOivzxg3/w400-h266/DSC03365.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUOxB5aDopSm595qPdhb5HL5t-nNJGvpXLIKLiPNlViKn3r9gKHBU146kK9Mq0V4GpS-JwYfjV_rPi3eoNbGRWBgBCWVshzDLUjpKXFBLqZ47axGuCQ2nLTUS19Pw8yq9-e__rzMjgaCzhVlAkZwuttVX6KGPscQRz37ealXzpOfP7KwT28LtUOdqpOvG/s1608/DSC03351.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUOxB5aDopSm595qPdhb5HL5t-nNJGvpXLIKLiPNlViKn3r9gKHBU146kK9Mq0V4GpS-JwYfjV_rPi3eoNbGRWBgBCWVshzDLUjpKXFBLqZ47axGuCQ2nLTUS19Pw8yq9-e__rzMjgaCzhVlAkZwuttVX6KGPscQRz37ealXzpOfP7KwT28LtUOdqpOvG/w400-h266/DSC03351.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJJ9LtvwXmebDgrnERPEzhFZetcV4iWIScdIXnZtzQe2SIFsMPL0GCEsoJNkTP1gGBOTzp1Ftdpsw5XHDvgp-mkkfllb6m_aIMMuY_90IEzaK0a9fNLNygI4YkI5xn3CWk8VGMLG1XBcM_aA7BZxUHDAu57u_Vu9TT0JlK24-hw6Y6KoWKTi57VoocHws/s1608/DSC03352.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJJ9LtvwXmebDgrnERPEzhFZetcV4iWIScdIXnZtzQe2SIFsMPL0GCEsoJNkTP1gGBOTzp1Ftdpsw5XHDvgp-mkkfllb6m_aIMMuY_90IEzaK0a9fNLNygI4YkI5xn3CWk8VGMLG1XBcM_aA7BZxUHDAu57u_Vu9TT0JlK24-hw6Y6KoWKTi57VoocHws/w400-h266/DSC03352.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_2SosR0_sbhbLBs_LBo47zhwMklJq_4gyZwDiq7gdAk88IfdyvshB5NHKzXrMg8XIiz35TJ2j3ySmUHzWr94onoIrk8JDZb1EQTZH4SMx7sAMkRtMt6xBFB7sLMcA82AbfpXs_aZTLkRQyjhMmpqeZNUrbvp-evxZMR9BeTEcPVDvfmiG0OpEtzVHt9L/s1608/DSC03354.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_2SosR0_sbhbLBs_LBo47zhwMklJq_4gyZwDiq7gdAk88IfdyvshB5NHKzXrMg8XIiz35TJ2j3ySmUHzWr94onoIrk8JDZb1EQTZH4SMx7sAMkRtMt6xBFB7sLMcA82AbfpXs_aZTLkRQyjhMmpqeZNUrbvp-evxZMR9BeTEcPVDvfmiG0OpEtzVHt9L/w400-h266/DSC03354.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmVYzgY2yoRlvILu9nVOQ7Hvv_KcdbrtbT9xz9sv5_UO3DBVymmr9NGmmX0e74vkgzJhzwzZVc2EwFcv2ztU2hqPp5rfmF_rR4CINL6PsKYrqZh9Ml22jF79Qzk0uXG3aK3OB_WT71qGlZ4DxYvsJW8XB6lR6oekXLfH0d9cHubvokFZq9ZN04pQZDm55/s1608/DSC03356.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmVYzgY2yoRlvILu9nVOQ7Hvv_KcdbrtbT9xz9sv5_UO3DBVymmr9NGmmX0e74vkgzJhzwzZVc2EwFcv2ztU2hqPp5rfmF_rR4CINL6PsKYrqZh9Ml22jF79Qzk0uXG3aK3OB_WT71qGlZ4DxYvsJW8XB6lR6oekXLfH0d9cHubvokFZq9ZN04pQZDm55/w400-h266/DSC03356.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWL6bIEibKrqYBM1m5_8mC7Kqjub-yBZ5AZ5iS1rJ7WivOtMrcksgdwK96s_C40wwSZ58jwzfwP_HBwLW1Cdj0TWQ9a-WRGz6YMPHFtmIHqq7FUnEp7r1isVqOZiQaCRPqd1RhluRoLrirvG5MUdBVR2wgJEg2ZAdJVNwRiy9Zg4aBIXz-ca2gI-bYSer/s1608/DSC03357.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWL6bIEibKrqYBM1m5_8mC7Kqjub-yBZ5AZ5iS1rJ7WivOtMrcksgdwK96s_C40wwSZ58jwzfwP_HBwLW1Cdj0TWQ9a-WRGz6YMPHFtmIHqq7FUnEp7r1isVqOZiQaCRPqd1RhluRoLrirvG5MUdBVR2wgJEg2ZAdJVNwRiy9Zg4aBIXz-ca2gI-bYSer/w400-h266/DSC03357.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Above, a nice evo Sportster chopper (another one further down, spotted on our way back to Rome), and here is another evo Sportster with full custom frame, no front brake, super narrow front end, expensive primary cover and lots of restraint resulting in a super clean build:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9V3-e7mZJUk7f2BxqeogM0PTE8sOXuQ9jiZV4mFDIVdHMzuPZA12Mtx_DxXGxw9P22u6Rl2-kq23gIWr_aGYUFVej4BNWL091b_Twe733qZPJAOlUX5NO-J5Qsi8Xwc2PcB_qLgbrhpSvLlbc7rPjTh67ttIIZvPrBRPcFRlt184ZNoXq-xYpc0mm0MaQ/s1608/DSC03358.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9V3-e7mZJUk7f2BxqeogM0PTE8sOXuQ9jiZV4mFDIVdHMzuPZA12Mtx_DxXGxw9P22u6Rl2-kq23gIWr_aGYUFVej4BNWL091b_Twe733qZPJAOlUX5NO-J5Qsi8Xwc2PcB_qLgbrhpSvLlbc7rPjTh67ttIIZvPrBRPcFRlt184ZNoXq-xYpc0mm0MaQ/w400-h266/DSC03358.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXxbDfgQY_LPGiBOZ0NpcthFWhMV__mnXBoZyQMe7kGXACkdEcPFvOceYP-i-TpvH5uzflUxwqjQmH81p-UXer6ksdOoCIj5NR9lJtLNX_Y4xZK9O4PB9KkXQbco1fJu8zsBUf2COrYyUd6GYcGPqh3vNmN-2btBfx1j47s_7zADxRxjtw8iX9O09hCbd/s1608/DSC03359.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXxbDfgQY_LPGiBOZ0NpcthFWhMV__mnXBoZyQMe7kGXACkdEcPFvOceYP-i-TpvH5uzflUxwqjQmH81p-UXer6ksdOoCIj5NR9lJtLNX_Y4xZK9O4PB9KkXQbco1fJu8zsBUf2COrYyUd6GYcGPqh3vNmN-2btBfx1j47s_7zADxRxjtw8iX9O09hCbd/w400-h266/DSC03359.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ABs_53ZN6-wy2HTctVrtvONyiBZdkUuxN7jpb7wUojorO8-miloOkmbdNYL7lq3YqXfX4CqcmKumLSLGfVmiWCAyS_bLwo7E_0cRW_ldobm4CCKmJnr8jzMEbTQNS-vFrMo1VJejXVw_3JFU0640rDViC7D8mikMzdF-xKogTfgkQWbNRBGzkD6E6r5k/s1608/DSC03360.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ABs_53ZN6-wy2HTctVrtvONyiBZdkUuxN7jpb7wUojorO8-miloOkmbdNYL7lq3YqXfX4CqcmKumLSLGfVmiWCAyS_bLwo7E_0cRW_ldobm4CCKmJnr8jzMEbTQNS-vFrMo1VJejXVw_3JFU0640rDViC7D8mikMzdF-xKogTfgkQWbNRBGzkD6E6r5k/w400-h266/DSC03360.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAM71434EadOJXy8KMhg2goek_eYldrmXB9koDbD6-eB_K5gn9x0MHIpYxEi9QIvjHntnzqox_0jjfMspA_rPSthytSds1cBR_pi6kSa8mmTt54r5b96GYL76Gv60RlE1gWn5KqgHMotsqIN_ZqokQq2oQEVCDHtRhNEsl65Bp-eaJGPKZjLGFL2cVD9w/s1608/DSC03361.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlAM71434EadOJXy8KMhg2goek_eYldrmXB9koDbD6-eB_K5gn9x0MHIpYxEi9QIvjHntnzqox_0jjfMspA_rPSthytSds1cBR_pi6kSa8mmTt54r5b96GYL76Gv60RlE1gWn5KqgHMotsqIN_ZqokQq2oQEVCDHtRhNEsl65Bp-eaJGPKZjLGFL2cVD9w/w400-h266/DSC03361.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMst5NprGLwlPb8yafP9_SXTfFLmV4I79VgY9TIITmV3gUSIfQzYl9PoC_x1Qmf2bCocIhjwNN8kVtyhVz-J-MaoihzKuBkvqcrqGThDl2QqdRCMLRCmWaHShFSSh08wTSK61DHmZH7zsSqm1z2CQW4RW2xHkNg37jEAvLY90WrT7hoBKOBdoHP8xWowg2/s1608/DSC03362.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMst5NprGLwlPb8yafP9_SXTfFLmV4I79VgY9TIITmV3gUSIfQzYl9PoC_x1Qmf2bCocIhjwNN8kVtyhVz-J-MaoihzKuBkvqcrqGThDl2QqdRCMLRCmWaHShFSSh08wTSK61DHmZH7zsSqm1z2CQW4RW2xHkNg37jEAvLY90WrT7hoBKOBdoHP8xWowg2/w400-h266/DSC03362.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is that other evo Sportster, proof that you can build a really sweet ride with very little effort. Something like a mid-90s 883 custom (with the 21<span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: #fdfdfd; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">″</span> front wheel) would be ideal for this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFAemlyPTQg5XGCrI4J5TcIMfYcTjADhP0ahaXIZHbkr87_dkW8lLqFCMyTunQNb_tchBgHaf7HbJ5wag7KV5Qc8lljAdWobapUqX74VnQ1gRZNp2NJEzgyKg8wK6ITSEeSpSJM4sa3wxplxMSwayl00UuIroNe8Sv4AgZBz2OjyZvIrN0d5kCKjpbGsb/s1187/DSC03381.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1187" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFAemlyPTQg5XGCrI4J5TcIMfYcTjADhP0ahaXIZHbkr87_dkW8lLqFCMyTunQNb_tchBgHaf7HbJ5wag7KV5Qc8lljAdWobapUqX74VnQ1gRZNp2NJEzgyKg8wK6ITSEeSpSJM4sa3wxplxMSwayl00UuIroNe8Sv4AgZBz2OjyZvIrN0d5kCKjpbGsb/w400-h325/DSC03381.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh1Iyr7bNc4hFEw47Ug0EtFuoPGSYo6Ya0EzqfZOod0rm6GYSvhAYTlAgA9nyKC74TBmW6OJs6m4vfxWMfWXEqfgM4TiGj8IgIZCn0O9KBLLNOc6UGHNmPlYlxFzkGluYgyQzjJqZJbKURf2qZJ4OYYr3E5U3AJZiuK5Tyi85tvavHc0Iplw_2bAxml5j/s3033/DSC03382.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2130" data-original-width="3033" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbh1Iyr7bNc4hFEw47Ug0EtFuoPGSYo6Ya0EzqfZOod0rm6GYSvhAYTlAgA9nyKC74TBmW6OJs6m4vfxWMfWXEqfgM4TiGj8IgIZCn0O9KBLLNOc6UGHNmPlYlxFzkGluYgyQzjJqZJbKURf2qZJ4OYYr3E5U3AJZiuK5Tyi85tvavHc0Iplw_2bAxml5j/w400-h281/DSC03382.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROOMAMgMHm3JB6-x1Lx-9eO8DF642MMOxzGWwm_jeqJ7C97FPD6rvf3F0-4teruYS4JGuGYYOS5mFKxqLxUA8aoKBpQs-CUoz_8mX1yk6KJ5bMozP7skpLdgqBuuUfT1ZvLZ232qQOLLhohNNtx3ivvDNOg0AKX2QhRSMsTTZDU3Y456NOcOKdyb8v0x0/s1024/1691218006778.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROOMAMgMHm3JB6-x1Lx-9eO8DF642MMOxzGWwm_jeqJ7C97FPD6rvf3F0-4teruYS4JGuGYYOS5mFKxqLxUA8aoKBpQs-CUoz_8mX1yk6KJ5bMozP7skpLdgqBuuUfT1ZvLZ232qQOLLhohNNtx3ivvDNOg0AKX2QhRSMsTTZDU3Y456NOcOKdyb8v0x0/w400-h300/1691218006778.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMu2cTuhDTzi771mF-dZWZkU1gumXsfpPGVaRwRnvcR_4LC8lFX_mYEvLMerC28EHWgt2bGNj46IH95NyiDC5TR9UajXBX9umjJR9H0Ty3LPmIxX4BRfRMW5MnCYSn4Dj-tUYoArAoS2_SHgxe8nuzbR7XECro1Pmf1V1udPl8iztJwY6zNs5z7upTtLt/s1024/1691218006763.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCMu2cTuhDTzi771mF-dZWZkU1gumXsfpPGVaRwRnvcR_4LC8lFX_mYEvLMerC28EHWgt2bGNj46IH95NyiDC5TR9UajXBX9umjJR9H0Ty3LPmIxX4BRfRMW5MnCYSn4Dj-tUYoArAoS2_SHgxe8nuzbR7XECro1Pmf1V1udPl8iztJwY6zNs5z7upTtLt/w400-h300/1691218006763.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Always bring extra fuel; you <u>will</u> need it sooner or later.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I noticed a lot of guys coming and going, with their gear strapped tight to their bikes showing very good luggage discipline, something that betrays experience and that tells you these aren't weekend posers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I want to do better with my own luggage, it seems every time I get to do this I figure out some little detail that makes the next outing that much better. Maybe something as small as how to feed a strap around the luggage, or that one item that really isn't indispensable after all, stuff like that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It may seem obvious and I'm probably repeating myself here, but choppers really are something else, the experience of riding one of these things to a wild destination and camping out of your bike is something you can't feel on any other vehicle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We set up our tents much closer to the action than we did <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2019/07/triumph.html" target="_blank">a couple of years ago</a>, once again Lele's bright orange tent is a real bonus as it's so easy to find among all the other ones:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zr05zBPk61lj91yK2NEy9yxS9jsudZq1DdmWSf5GcD6w3VmJTZ0qt9igiicArLOXkoG4wcbihqX4jFtURSEI0Hv6zLJCBTgbmA0aZVOX3iD5Pb21oEiQ7SyPBAf4GKfytfM8IqSx-l8FG1WXNlf5_8K7waTBn4LStqWzT_ToBkxesA-mdlnWxRs3Nop8/s1024/1691218006756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zr05zBPk61lj91yK2NEy9yxS9jsudZq1DdmWSf5GcD6w3VmJTZ0qt9igiicArLOXkoG4wcbihqX4jFtURSEI0Hv6zLJCBTgbmA0aZVOX3iD5Pb21oEiQ7SyPBAf4GKfytfM8IqSx-l8FG1WXNlf5_8K7waTBn4LStqWzT_ToBkxesA-mdlnWxRs3Nop8/w400-h300/1691218006756.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the first time, the weather was actually mild during the day and it didn't rain at all, not a single drop. Usually the sun beats you over the head and then at some point the wind brings with it rain, either in the afternoon, during the night or the following morning. Not this time though, so the rest of our afternoon was spent just hanging out and eventually lining up to go buy meat skewers and sausages (and enormous biscuits). As we stand around the barbecues, it gradually gets dark, until an almost full supermoon shines down, brighter by the minute with the same progressive effect of a surging chord from a church organ, until the final effect is revealed: the perfect canvas of the dark sky, moonlight to make our righteous rides stand out from the grassland and a chilly breeze to make it all feel that much more real. We revel in the dazzling splendor of the night sky that's reflected off of our gas tanks' shiny paint, as the band plays the classics (Motörhead, Sabbath, etc.) and people enjoy themselves and "sing" along. Strangely it all comes to a close at a very civilized hour and by the time we turn in for the night, there is quiet and tranquility over the encampment such as I've not experienced before. One thing that's noticeably lacking though is warmth: we all spent about an hour almost shivering in our tents before we built up enough body heat to keep ourselves warm. As Andrea put it when I asked him the following morning "oh it was really cold for about an hour, but then I passed out and it was fine after that!".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Daybreak comes and it's time to pack up with no time to waste; this rally is a small miracle that relies on people understanding one thing: we ain't supposed to be here, so if we wanna keep doing it, we have to leave no trace and get out of there nice and early. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_Si6LEPe3XCPWiGt2H65wAIZieQMGHQATT68Ry6C-z7OWUBuC-xFs57ZsWAIrF01a2bYM_kJWU2Pecylp-5ea-3iL3zPhM2O-k-2XNZbtoY0hZTxjPxxTt76CVxzva0wvI0eSVFa9IIX0jBaVs6WEzd4CZuxiGfA8Dc3v-VBfpp35PS907j6BS6JIOX9/s1608/DSC03370.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_Si6LEPe3XCPWiGt2H65wAIZieQMGHQATT68Ry6C-z7OWUBuC-xFs57ZsWAIrF01a2bYM_kJWU2Pecylp-5ea-3iL3zPhM2O-k-2XNZbtoY0hZTxjPxxTt76CVxzva0wvI0eSVFa9IIX0jBaVs6WEzd4CZuxiGfA8Dc3v-VBfpp35PS907j6BS6JIOX9/w400-h266/DSC03370.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What a view! Right outside my tent; I look around and start putting stuff away.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sA6dyUqOlDSXQFMFRHSywm7vnag9DYgxVMvovo0wUPgjp-WiwAMluoYcfEjMr_RA6QF0jz1mvD2wEZ5QSqG0XJwhVZJe4DSh8R7624IHWeJ90MJK-RcDjj7Yf-_srhQk0O9ZJnrWOQ3_IodeMjlk1MHjhcpG7ShSordsvgIbhT_lrrwVCuXc_QHAk3CW/s1608/DSC03371.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sA6dyUqOlDSXQFMFRHSywm7vnag9DYgxVMvovo0wUPgjp-WiwAMluoYcfEjMr_RA6QF0jz1mvD2wEZ5QSqG0XJwhVZJe4DSh8R7624IHWeJ90MJK-RcDjj7Yf-_srhQk0O9ZJnrWOQ3_IodeMjlk1MHjhcpG7ShSordsvgIbhT_lrrwVCuXc_QHAk3CW/w400-h266/DSC03371.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Very orange, can't miss it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitA_QPKAjPzFyAMkATmVRpEsmv5j41ljIyy_KThPXz6ZilCcHlaypDMX45pbnZu-O3dvlvoVC-MCAyLyvVZqLfqz7lidngUoWMZ99kE7aSjIyyrjCk_Jtq3kao9azlRV9fiO8dXoe9yByftLGkaZpP9MvoEr00zRqgUCTneNq9-BqlxDqR5x2QM4RM3nd/s1024/1691218006740.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitA_QPKAjPzFyAMkATmVRpEsmv5j41ljIyy_KThPXz6ZilCcHlaypDMX45pbnZu-O3dvlvoVC-MCAyLyvVZqLfqz7lidngUoWMZ99kE7aSjIyyrjCk_Jtq3kao9azlRV9fiO8dXoe9yByftLGkaZpP9MvoEr00zRqgUCTneNq9-BqlxDqR5x2QM4RM3nd/w480-h640/1691218006740.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9Moap90NvXPjh38FnktMBbSjPQVYpsv7SzyoKyvez3RgTXfVNjXKjYDhtPp0aVtEo7vIERZc5GpzK2y9o7gM9OMaK5-tI-sCorNvXqQ7JU0poFLeNZ9LlzMNn4kA7uN8dyE_ecvxcQxtKm4bWsai6BELhkkYiPo6DhbveSA63gEzXFNywCA8bRrfHKIF/s1608/DSC03380.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9Moap90NvXPjh38FnktMBbSjPQVYpsv7SzyoKyvez3RgTXfVNjXKjYDhtPp0aVtEo7vIERZc5GpzK2y9o7gM9OMaK5-tI-sCorNvXqQ7JU0poFLeNZ9LlzMNn4kA7uN8dyE_ecvxcQxtKm4bWsai6BELhkkYiPo6DhbveSA63gEzXFNywCA8bRrfHKIF/w400-h266/DSC03380.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Good show everyone, see you next time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We decided to head down thinking we'd be sitting down for breakfast in no time, but unfortunately because of some running competition/event (up the mountains? Who the hell does that?!) our only road down was closed and we had to add a massive detour to our morning, meaning our reserves (fuel and otherwise) were put to the test. We carry extra fuel, but we're going to have to carry coffee as well, at least to keep us going for the start of the day. Finally a gas station, and shortly after a coffee shop to make things right again. After that, Andrea extends his trip and heads out to see family and friends elsewhere while Lele and I go very much the same way we did last time, to slowly descend towards Rome and back into a heavy, humid heat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLbkHSfAd2GQV-rQQ2a7Yb9vNwhPedlG0CZGgZqI-9XCgcSq1KA5OYdCG0xvOP2e62mHM94W9s8BTad-UTFJSkBlnwsRtmifkizmHYqbbhrs7S49siDbSQ_VB7SrNkxpybjMkAnAwdouoTLNINXa8qthrJqHnN1W2Z3Gyv7qn9qXgSZI8Ols49WgETWY0/s1024/1691218006787.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLbkHSfAd2GQV-rQQ2a7Yb9vNwhPedlG0CZGgZqI-9XCgcSq1KA5OYdCG0xvOP2e62mHM94W9s8BTad-UTFJSkBlnwsRtmifkizmHYqbbhrs7S49siDbSQ_VB7SrNkxpybjMkAnAwdouoTLNINXa8qthrJqHnN1W2Z3Gyv7qn9qXgSZI8Ols49WgETWY0/w400-h300/1691218006787.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv95VEnrwjAZ-vd8irX-4KVffjuoFg9vE8Jbopd1RTnK5Gx4UWoLdYvfD4quCW876Mb-yoI3URmkVUBFY59BMXQmnP55L1aNxYRAKruZf2uBWS5sYnsK3QisG4s5VYTQDBHZ0_STFxkVGnktpYI-mp7IE76o_u963pqkKqtxB1jUP2YHvq5lH_emCdbJNx/s1687/1690752997790.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1687" data-original-width="608" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv95VEnrwjAZ-vd8irX-4KVffjuoFg9vE8Jbopd1RTnK5Gx4UWoLdYvfD4quCW876Mb-yoI3URmkVUBFY59BMXQmnP55L1aNxYRAKruZf2uBWS5sYnsK3QisG4s5VYTQDBHZ0_STFxkVGnktpYI-mp7IE76o_u963pqkKqtxB1jUP2YHvq5lH_emCdbJNx/w231-h640/1690752997790.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This impressive little bike handled this trip so well, with no breakdowns and no tantrums despite a throttle cable that is probably a hair too short (you can tell at idle, there's something not quire right, I'll have to make a new one) and the four outermost head nuts needing to be retightened (thanks to Lele and his 15mm box wrench), absolutely no issues. There was plenty of open road to appreciate how the bike truly runs and make a cool-headed evaluation of the whole machine, from the cycle parts to the engine. The frame is exceptional, and this has been immediately apparent from day one but it just never goes unnoticed. Find me something that handles better than the Rising Star, I dare you. The new handlebar seems to make flicking the bike from side to side in the tight stuff even easier, which may seem counterintuitive given the shape, yet somehow it works and this bike is a real riot to ride on something like the SS80. Amazing. The modified exhausts are such a huge improvement over the way it was before, you can actually enjoy the ride and the sound is exactly right. There is a point in the rev range where if you back off the throttle ever so slightly the engine does this sort of <i>"kurr-gurr-GURRR....."</i> little growl as the bike rolls on, not as if weightless but as if there were no wind resistance or friction with the road. It's something quite peculiar that I've not encountered on any other motorcycle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By the time I kill the engine and get off the bike my butt is sore but I think to myself "this used to be a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1zbM51kSvxNQtMcsN2eN0a6dLh3q5VnAAqkO1C4AiPYDSC8PKMltGFTqRfwElKN1lUTOvIwKc9hSf1-MEnkyCuJl-ZCUU8CThPWKFvIq6jKnvFZcNe-am7zaoGlUhRtbbdRBlwibHsmQ4/s1600/100_0285.JPG" target="_blank">pile of parts on a shelf</a>, and we've made an amazing machine out of that". This special contraption deserves much more than to be stored away, waiting for the next adventure. Time to get some wrenches out.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-27449421756429304062023-08-08T23:10:00.010+02:002023-08-08T23:10:00.162+02:00Luggage on the Rising Star<p>The sissy bar on the Rising Star is very useful for carrying luggage, that's why it's there, but there are some things to remember in order to secure everything properly in a way that won't move during transit.</p><p>First, whatever roll ends up on the back of the bike should have no way to contact the rear tire. This may seem obvious, but it has happened to me in the past and I ended up slightly damaging my trusty poncho one time. </p><p>Basically, anything that's truly "rolled up" should also be strapped tight to itself <i>before</i> it is put on the sissy bar; as an alternative, something like a dry bag works well (and it's a good idea to check it to see it's all staying put <u>every time</u> you stop for whatever reason).</p><p>As for luggage straps, there's technique to how they're used, you can't just plop the bag up against the sissy bar and then wrap the strap around, or it will likely slip. Instead, the strap is fed <i>through</i> the sissy bar and then around it, that way it has no way to come off. Something like a trucker's hitch also comes in handy and is a good way to secure your luggage.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnZ5ybnsegYydKGzMe1V_AYUTq3v1FgFTemrbmkAa1HstRC9KbnwWtHDx2C8DLILjAB5xGiOc21ai7toSjTJVQ05Z-LkMGc42z5LMsG9TNYbFlaiFF2bfy5V6P5DpRZ-EW_YAT2hi4JA5-3nE8wlRN78wecMWnqilzvIL7vVwhcfIT6Vl9VgjNntHfNuq/s1608/DSC03275.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnZ5ybnsegYydKGzMe1V_AYUTq3v1FgFTemrbmkAa1HstRC9KbnwWtHDx2C8DLILjAB5xGiOc21ai7toSjTJVQ05Z-LkMGc42z5LMsG9TNYbFlaiFF2bfy5V6P5DpRZ-EW_YAT2hi4JA5-3nE8wlRN78wecMWnqilzvIL7vVwhcfIT6Vl9VgjNntHfNuq/w400-h266/DSC03275.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I considered adding these two clever little rings to the topmost mounting bungs on the sissy bar:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghr1ffdIbNay9MXuoVk2EhzITZr3ajXld81aAXichf8E8S5KKmK0wyHcJSnlb1xE6KcGO8XyFKe5NPKH3xEh24-KFsjoGR2MT9LvR9AezwpfOa8TBydrrmmnXUPNqi7rMlhgMcZ2Sl-am6O9Bz7p43qmC_IKPTv58ozSfEFfjOTQQMjrrHBjqubt4sBA/s1400/1678385149671.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghr1ffdIbNay9MXuoVk2EhzITZr3ajXld81aAXichf8E8S5KKmK0wyHcJSnlb1xE6KcGO8XyFKe5NPKH3xEh24-KFsjoGR2MT9LvR9AezwpfOa8TBydrrmmnXUPNqi7rMlhgMcZ2Sl-am6O9Bz7p43qmC_IKPTv58ozSfEFfjOTQQMjrrHBjqubt4sBA/w300-h400/1678385149671.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HtqyXjMhmAxtDAq-yC_vNveknfjf8IdCfC1tGjDOZPe_WVYVpQ9zhOJP6ue7mcJ7UxCkmMIKder_5g7Dw4puzpATZF7LT0pikb2uedmaKtf2tJsaGsqOtOfs4eRgbcAa8Vsx2ZborswKDaTXRSq596f9sS8FMm0HzpkWwUiBw6SB2a_Qdm4sTxWceg/s604/StrapRings.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="604" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5HtqyXjMhmAxtDAq-yC_vNveknfjf8IdCfC1tGjDOZPe_WVYVpQ9zhOJP6ue7mcJ7UxCkmMIKder_5g7Dw4puzpATZF7LT0pikb2uedmaKtf2tJsaGsqOtOfs4eRgbcAa8Vsx2ZborswKDaTXRSq596f9sS8FMm0HzpkWwUiBw6SB2a_Qdm4sTxWceg/w400-h244/StrapRings.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>They can be used in various ways, as mounting points on the yokes (or triple trees) to secure dirt bikes to a trailer during transport, or as bungee hook points or to feed straps through... very handy.<br />With that being said, once I actually had the luggage on, I didn't really need them so for the time being they're in the box of spares, I'm sure they'll come in handy at some point.</p><div>I'm using a Ferrino dry bag to hold the inflatable mat, sleeping bag, tools and spares, a canteen and the rain gear; obviously this is not a very large bag at all but it has the advantage of being just the right size for the sissy bar.</div>As I've <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2023/03/get-handle-on-things.html" target="_blank">mentioned before</a> there is now extra room in the cockpit: the shape of the handlebar means that a light roll can easily be strapped to it, in this case with the tent, a change of clothes and the extra blanket, which can be useful to free up space on the sissy bar in case I need to carry <i>yet another</i> bag (for things like a camping stove, for example). This roll sits up against the handlebar and the top yoke, and is secured with a couple of old-school bungee cords. Conveniently, there are two attachment points on the lower yoke (vestigial remnants of the original OIF headlamp brackets), the cords are then looped around and fastened to themselves, which makes the roll sit nice and snug.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SFfDxtQprPB6YHokNIEmkq4cg3_JbVcgknsRvuouhrwjH46zoFbEAgtHfehMniTEMC-oSei5Vx_CtwpFY3TCX8rXCuvpRHi0EB83RyhYOIhUUolQvPNXguZLB7xFnJ_VGLbaTve4QEn8P9DbhmYP_EA8haNzMiUiVcF_D-4KMTl7p2jhrXccy8YfYmWn/s539/points.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="539" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SFfDxtQprPB6YHokNIEmkq4cg3_JbVcgknsRvuouhrwjH46zoFbEAgtHfehMniTEMC-oSei5Vx_CtwpFY3TCX8rXCuvpRHi0EB83RyhYOIhUUolQvPNXguZLB7xFnJ_VGLbaTve4QEn8P9DbhmYP_EA8haNzMiUiVcF_D-4KMTl7p2jhrXccy8YfYmWn/w400-h379/points.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-lUTkxdYePxKZt5D--hDrE__CE7rMdrdPTF-M88PQGXTzAj43l8tKyhXb040xcInMUJS7TczrsX-05MZqWCFiC-sCUj9eySv4rWuybo9XQRajaqdTP4a7zqKHYk9rJlN6QUDlnkYX-zDYIZzmuBRrsnoV3ytBgYZr4tshBCND9UnA_ktnGs9MoXUks2O/s1902/DSC03171%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1902" data-original-width="1583" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-lUTkxdYePxKZt5D--hDrE__CE7rMdrdPTF-M88PQGXTzAj43l8tKyhXb040xcInMUJS7TczrsX-05MZqWCFiC-sCUj9eySv4rWuybo9XQRajaqdTP4a7zqKHYk9rJlN6QUDlnkYX-zDYIZzmuBRrsnoV3ytBgYZr4tshBCND9UnA_ktnGs9MoXUks2O/w533-h640/DSC03171%20(2).JPG" width="533" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONoNTp4xICKupyQi9iN1aD0q4Yv_a-_DPAZRPqO1ZolI-f0MyL-jqp3ZBU7ahL60iz4InjPn5Fedg9gaTYHGyxmeclIjntrnMHZCCud84wEkihy25AYjkoYH8k_6tcW37RMDmSIUKRZVlBScyP3Cl25R3V1UV9De3E345Tcm-f2cNiekf_wJUc56eOY3L/s4046/DSC03277.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4046" data-original-width="2300" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONoNTp4xICKupyQi9iN1aD0q4Yv_a-_DPAZRPqO1ZolI-f0MyL-jqp3ZBU7ahL60iz4InjPn5Fedg9gaTYHGyxmeclIjntrnMHZCCud84wEkihy25AYjkoYH8k_6tcW37RMDmSIUKRZVlBScyP3Cl25R3V1UV9De3E345Tcm-f2cNiekf_wJUc56eOY3L/w364-h640/DSC03277.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoQHJ0hocvwL7bYEd20fVeQkZLFvdqthfyxETgMJp1ucrW_a7jDcJ9h42a-J0VW66oSC2YPTYevTZ0R0je7rHMhAF84wX9VuZvEhOcDdQCtOwfBArCxI_cfahOdKwVggoDZBAAZpI6uCiCKlvpIuT7T43vjvcIFi1BrjMZgfW5jkywFRraAyhmc0g3ibk/s2185/DSC03284.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1684" data-original-width="2185" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoQHJ0hocvwL7bYEd20fVeQkZLFvdqthfyxETgMJp1ucrW_a7jDcJ9h42a-J0VW66oSC2YPTYevTZ0R0je7rHMhAF84wX9VuZvEhOcDdQCtOwfBArCxI_cfahOdKwVggoDZBAAZpI6uCiCKlvpIuT7T43vjvcIFi1BrjMZgfW5jkywFRraAyhmc0g3ibk/w400-h309/DSC03284.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-19242682520859624172023-08-05T10:43:00.000+02:002023-08-05T10:43:00.140+02:00Same revs, less noise.<div>Galassetti is an exhaust manufacturer that's been around almost as long as I've been alive. Their exhausts were fitted to many of the scooters that were zipping around Rome in the early 90s and they are a household name in our circle. I took the Rising Star's "silencers" over to them so they could make some new baffles (this is after seeing it done on the Gilera 300 chopper at the <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2017/08/old-irons-2017-report.html" target="_blank">Old Irons rally in 2017</a>) in an attempt at reducing the noise levels, which are far too high otherwise. I think I've said this in the past: I really don't mind a motorcycle being loud if that noise comes from a properly tuned engine in all its components, including its exhaust system; but I do think it should not be obnoxious, especially if one is to ride that motorcycle for anything longer than 20 minutes (loud for the sake of being loud is just childish and absurd). For the Rising Star this is absolutely essential and is one of the three main things I had identified as a "must fix" item (the other two being a larger gearbox sprocket for better cruising speed, and sorting out the front brake for overall enjoyment of the machine, and my own life). Those three things are what made this motorcycle not enjoyable, so it was very important to sort them out.</div><div>There's only so much you can do with these silencers: they are small in size, meaning there isn't much room for packing soundproofing material, and they're shaped like trumpets, meaning they are going to be loud by design. Still, they're better than they were before.</div><div>Galassetti's solution was to remove the existing baffles (which were small, completely ineffective and stuck solid) and fabricate new ones that reach all the way down to the bend in the silencer, while also extending past the opening: this is so that sound can actually exit the silencer rather than reverberate inside it. They do look a little weird at first, but it's fine really, and what matters is what they sound like. Obviously still loud, but far less disruptive than before and once back on the bike I noticed that if you get carried away with the throttle, they produce a wonderful full-bodied roar, but if you just cruise along where the engine is turbine smooth, they are nicely muted and just burble along, which is even better. I would go as far as to say that the notes they produce are conducive to a calm state of mind for relaxed cruising with no distractions, it's just you and the road, surfing on a soundwave of British horsepower.</div><div>It took them a little while to get it done, though in fairness I didn't rush them at all and they were very cordial whenever we spoke on the phone. When I collected the silencers they asked me to come 'round with the bike so they could see it and hear it, and said that if there was anything they could do to further tune the baffles, they would be happy to help. This was also not a terribly expensive fabrication job so all in all I'm happy I went to them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_IZ-DhY8lgXKqxP4m3uS3r71Bd8MI9S6HjMd1fGKx9j1LfV54zMdgLbvH8kOHhW430PdJZmSm-Q8HDAFMQEle_GtLo-cVNXDIAD2nlVtAs8Cw2InbeTtYH-mjfulvHaujObZB-zNRF7fhXxeKIlWpguylrfZNUzvFpKikg9ZglTPKxLk8rvojjuMLA/s2966/IMG_20230411_094419.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2285" data-original-width="2966" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_IZ-DhY8lgXKqxP4m3uS3r71Bd8MI9S6HjMd1fGKx9j1LfV54zMdgLbvH8kOHhW430PdJZmSm-Q8HDAFMQEle_GtLo-cVNXDIAD2nlVtAs8Cw2InbeTtYH-mjfulvHaujObZB-zNRF7fhXxeKIlWpguylrfZNUzvFpKikg9ZglTPKxLk8rvojjuMLA/w400-h309/IMG_20230411_094419.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyQxPJ9NFe8XpHDvIFQsewT9bKIT4QoT2cLheQjLp2Hc9X2OVyZulgZrDV2xHwmkNmsxd1DWMVgA4TfF8MW6JfXGzTzQ2arDfEC_BYzeo8OGaVOGh_zJP1qnFsfw7dsBdRVC2EuYS_5WbdZnYMd4lsXmM3SO7lJvs8toJp7tFNpcL1I64SnTElHRmBQ/s1400/IMG_20230411_094428.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyQxPJ9NFe8XpHDvIFQsewT9bKIT4QoT2cLheQjLp2Hc9X2OVyZulgZrDV2xHwmkNmsxd1DWMVgA4TfF8MW6JfXGzTzQ2arDfEC_BYzeo8OGaVOGh_zJP1qnFsfw7dsBdRVC2EuYS_5WbdZnYMd4lsXmM3SO7lJvs8toJp7tFNpcL1I64SnTElHRmBQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230411_094428.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12SGyTalh8iawX8S9y1sIRm2uvY9HBIhOlPCPTbnolT_gdjzbz8gj7xyeUYiXZ4aUv89pkj0KIjnTd3TA_j7Wh2IFet2430Glvh4B_Mz9PR2w9r3EZZwj68GyTgJ3ISFo2HE8gjAXSB1061BAb4wmZ3F7KsbSQbyO_iSxZTalwTEUh8XgoZIHs-9WSg/s3471/IMG_20230411_094444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2558" data-original-width="3471" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12SGyTalh8iawX8S9y1sIRm2uvY9HBIhOlPCPTbnolT_gdjzbz8gj7xyeUYiXZ4aUv89pkj0KIjnTd3TA_j7Wh2IFet2430Glvh4B_Mz9PR2w9r3EZZwj68GyTgJ3ISFo2HE8gjAXSB1061BAb4wmZ3F7KsbSQbyO_iSxZTalwTEUh8XgoZIHs-9WSg/w400-h295/IMG_20230411_094444.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXyMwwyHDVw3nKGqTJTIcl3gBQnlNJ4wh9WRMqklYMAW7jG6OP2htJ7I6fqBeu8ghia4z5q-fKFWk3Jga1fOpsnAbBU5Vc_OAcJgxKXu7q1M4EoT5QbUfWLRIj8yBAM4wddDsdDCjSDsDGI-wZKMsYfAJSBnrESkv5L4wa_C5B490K6LOPV6uFAkQcw/w300-h400/IMG_20230411_094436.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gpGJNyvBv9-oIwBnrBEuAwLeObAIszD3Ik-KC3bW3Bgy6pAtBqMC6XcaVlPG0T8APPUclAzFz0JcpWJMfKL8JT4w7pgiCbAbnwe6QU5t_HIdNt72kDaMXPrgDthh0NNK8qsZ3KRxzOZXXTxrvnywbxOqZ-h5diKPxyoSsVIPHQwLDdNXhz0SbMau5g/s3000/1681761643170.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2671" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gpGJNyvBv9-oIwBnrBEuAwLeObAIszD3Ik-KC3bW3Bgy6pAtBqMC6XcaVlPG0T8APPUclAzFz0JcpWJMfKL8JT4w7pgiCbAbnwe6QU5t_HIdNt72kDaMXPrgDthh0NNK8qsZ3KRxzOZXXTxrvnywbxOqZ-h5diKPxyoSsVIPHQwLDdNXhz0SbMau5g/w356-h400/1681761643170.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpDYND2tGU3qO49Zm6jZnmFVBnvhpMSY7YdvazU8YOturC2Par7P9bmhyaKC4PFp54lamCIfzv2M3ao6C0czMMvPqyU4QcwcvmAyhZ4UQP1b8a-K5quE0xgKSzCBxxjmslSNA-sH3JjA_ZIhZ7HWytEwD_zfKJTys870YlPs1UCDyj8fuYABvhv1bEg/s1400/1681761643162.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpDYND2tGU3qO49Zm6jZnmFVBnvhpMSY7YdvazU8YOturC2Par7P9bmhyaKC4PFp54lamCIfzv2M3ao6C0czMMvPqyU4QcwcvmAyhZ4UQP1b8a-K5quE0xgKSzCBxxjmslSNA-sH3JjA_ZIhZ7HWytEwD_zfKJTys870YlPs1UCDyj8fuYABvhv1bEg/w400-h300/1681761643162.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIeOQ3PPuPIHKw4Sj5nF5VI7UZKHStEXmyr74Fnb2XuRlKuQpfcpZZiGNVB_lCKRvEzwswK4Z2mz1iWqmHYBd09Ys0qffdgE7IPQlHrhlAr_AeYwe6ZgdeMqYa3DpXLhHykXxpsql6EZsssaLjvO6UWl3mahdPM95dwjXYFpGJAwzrkb8ma4E4mTgWw/s1400/1681761643146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIeOQ3PPuPIHKw4Sj5nF5VI7UZKHStEXmyr74Fnb2XuRlKuQpfcpZZiGNVB_lCKRvEzwswK4Z2mz1iWqmHYBd09Ys0qffdgE7IPQlHrhlAr_AeYwe6ZgdeMqYa3DpXLhHykXxpsql6EZsssaLjvO6UWl3mahdPM95dwjXYFpGJAwzrkb8ma4E4mTgWw/w400-h300/1681761643146.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I have mentioned in the past, <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2019/12/sic-itvr-ad-astra.html" target="_blank">this is a hard, tough and uncomfortable bike</a>, and yet together with all the other little improvements, I believe this bike is reaching its final form, and it is even better than what we started with: it is still rather uncomfortable, but the overall quality is now such that it feels smoother and therefore more enjoyable, more capable of tackling the open road in search of those elusive spots among nature that we love so dearly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumGxSUG_cKuUROJLh9qyHbppg9R9g4ZbqSiYRTAdg23RdP8553OgPWNkN-08rINTx-cq9wp4M_E4YZhdpC5JOZHSVa4lsgKetLqH3CFEC0SGnLLkho8yTdOiGVMP96W1XrMhBBH8SLyFIK5EPDNeW8oYMkF_x5EXP5oYYvRbJJuj6Bzm-Pxijn0y4NA/s1000/1677339723129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1000" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumGxSUG_cKuUROJLh9qyHbppg9R9g4ZbqSiYRTAdg23RdP8553OgPWNkN-08rINTx-cq9wp4M_E4YZhdpC5JOZHSVa4lsgKetLqH3CFEC0SGnLLkho8yTdOiGVMP96W1XrMhBBH8SLyFIK5EPDNeW8oYMkF_x5EXP5oYYvRbJJuj6Bzm-Pxijn0y4NA/w400-h279/1677339723129.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-45572341621399083472023-08-01T18:05:00.000+02:002023-08-01T18:05:00.131+02:00Chromium (Cr), atomic number 24<div>When uncle Fester <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.it/2017/05/getting-chopper-back-on-road-part-two.html">made the sissy bar</a> for the Rising Star we left it raw, partly because I just didn't have time to take it somewhere to get chrome plated, partly because I thought I might have just painted it black.</div>It was fine leaving it as a purely functional piece just to carry gear to the <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.it/2017/08/old-irons-2017-report.html">Old Irons</a> rally; that said, right from the start we both agreed we did not want to see his creation tarnish and rust away. We can finally take care of this and after some thought I ruled out black paint (too crude) and bright chrome plating (too flashy). The proverbial Goldilocks zone turned out to be <i>trivalent</i> chromium:<br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yBnFsb30GosR2akhdE_GvogMEsCIw0T50w6G5ghxyNBTamjMFILMlu0h3ojXt9WsQnkgVldnzHZ2mTLeJo1TR-zXxQqhyphenhyphen6C97LOsAJAbLWPPS9E6rN_LJOEK364N0XqFqOBYnkE5xNYz/s1600/WP_20170530_09_16_26_Pro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5yBnFsb30GosR2akhdE_GvogMEsCIw0T50w6G5ghxyNBTamjMFILMlu0h3ojXt9WsQnkgVldnzHZ2mTLeJo1TR-zXxQqhyphenhyphen6C97LOsAJAbLWPPS9E6rN_LJOEK364N0XqFqOBYnkE5xNYz/w360-h640/WP_20170530_09_16_26_Pro.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYIf7rG1iTOoWTjPUH8QYVN2zyP5oEunT5MFeHSQxbTbCY5cKmYJVjy60LNOwAsYCFqEOfHXdYO6zPF9h8DV8EVMj8RAzPp7tdRESmxwVq9NhYxiML6kivXbfdbleZZNMor3bIL54BeBphwlEd_niy1wXEHSJph34DKZ62UYT7rP2Np5Mr8ddLpU1EWs1/s1148/DSC03317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="764" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYIf7rG1iTOoWTjPUH8QYVN2zyP5oEunT5MFeHSQxbTbCY5cKmYJVjy60LNOwAsYCFqEOfHXdYO6zPF9h8DV8EVMj8RAzPp7tdRESmxwVq9NhYxiML6kivXbfdbleZZNMor3bIL54BeBphwlEd_niy1wXEHSJph34DKZ62UYT7rP2Np5Mr8ddLpU1EWs1/w426-h640/DSC03317.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks to the uncle Fester connect, the electroplating was done by <a href="http://www.galvanicapartenopea.com/" target="_blank">Galvanica Partenopea</a> in Casandrino, just outside Naples and they did a really good job.</div></div><div>Before handing parts over to them, Fester cleaned up every minor imperfection that was left over from when the sissy bar was welded together (again, at the time I needed it in a hurry and didn't have time to make it look pretty). At first I thought we could have preserved the weld at the top because I think it looks cool, but on second thought it was better to smooth it out for a cleaner look once plated. <br />What you don't see in the finished product is all the time and effort that goes into getting a part ready for plating: "molding" the imperfections away to obtain a smooth surface is labor-intensive and takes real dedication. Then plating itself: copper first, to create a generous layer, up to 2mm thick in some cases, to preserve the original part and cover up any imperfections, followed by nickel. As we're talking about microns for the final stage, even the slightest imperfection will show through if you don't get rid of it first, on the bare metal and every subsequent step of the process until the part is ready for nickel and finally chrome.</div><div>I'm happy with the way this turned out, it has a nice hue, a bit warmer in appearance than the type of super bright plating you often see these days.<br /><br />
In addition to the sissy bar, I decided to have the short fender struts, the steering stem top nut and the kickstarter pedal plated as well. The short fender struts can be used in lieu of the sissy bar and give the bike a much sportier appearance. It takes only four bolts and a few minutes to switch over. The kickstarter is something that had been bugging me for a while because the overall finish didn't match and ended up being untidy. Also, in terms of color, brass doesn't really go well with the rest of the bike. It's ok to have one or two little details with the taillight and license plate light, but in general I think it's better to tone it down a bit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRezzX6EHzHnpPkS7B38gtYv-48GEeVjBmG--OHDJiyOwbdN3uQHiEGE5sOI9j5ncwyDiakyu8kX8Ie0HWKWLtw7DQ8KOSPOYpRwy5a_tgV_6PbNrh8F5PmaogiZWwaUPHTsjLymyLUxl31fmegohWYS7B3btOGyMk1jBtgdtjsRrggqp90JZQxAEH5FVv/s1000/1690752997802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRezzX6EHzHnpPkS7B38gtYv-48GEeVjBmG--OHDJiyOwbdN3uQHiEGE5sOI9j5ncwyDiakyu8kX8Ie0HWKWLtw7DQ8KOSPOYpRwy5a_tgV_6PbNrh8F5PmaogiZWwaUPHTsjLymyLUxl31fmegohWYS7B3btOGyMk1jBtgdtjsRrggqp90JZQxAEH5FVv/w300-h400/1690752997802.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPjHOG5TVntKgZcdQ6LGEYj0ZKvxBtFcGibtNAgXeiTInFLqrEGtwHT_SPSoufAHqDLHbiMbFckbdETp4R3R_InUruFK9s5fwYMCKLS1rnR7zXKGkFJ2kxCB-CJ5DJL_6UL8aEMcqSSKDiRdXRYbaccSWH6PIOLXdyWgdayA9tUrlv3YPEKZ7izx-HagP/s1274/1690752997372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1274" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPjHOG5TVntKgZcdQ6LGEYj0ZKvxBtFcGibtNAgXeiTInFLqrEGtwHT_SPSoufAHqDLHbiMbFckbdETp4R3R_InUruFK9s5fwYMCKLS1rnR7zXKGkFJ2kxCB-CJ5DJL_6UL8aEMcqSSKDiRdXRYbaccSWH6PIOLXdyWgdayA9tUrlv3YPEKZ7izx-HagP/w400-h205/1690752997372.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I shouldn't be surprised by what a big difference it makes to have the sissy bar and the other parts all shiny and clean, but I am! These little touches are the kind of thing that's going to make the bike look a bit more refined overall. A bike like this should not look shoddy...</div><div>Perhaps the biggest difference is when looking at the sissy bar mounted on the bike. The way it was before, all you noticed was the topmost portion, above the rear fender and I must confess it always seemed a bit short that way (cue usual jokes of "it's never big enough"). I'm well aware that dimensions haven't changed, but now that the chrome makes it stand out so much more, you suddenly see the whole thing and the proportions <i>appear</i> different, better in my opinion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQO1dtHPCpPmuvXiNhRA12aBBBCS6B_a9QCfgkCFJKWcRH1en20zvllGp_GVzdE4ripVpQnxwJJTChXnNqIu87-66E84IvTth0l2ynlA8uxWQNuE2MCDsiiV-ebtIMAJrVwX_XAHnFNT3dYnHYKgKKQuscNv79W5azsLQ2JT6BCcJlrjm7Sed_QqsI44y/s2129/52997372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2129" data-original-width="997" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQO1dtHPCpPmuvXiNhRA12aBBBCS6B_a9QCfgkCFJKWcRH1en20zvllGp_GVzdE4ripVpQnxwJJTChXnNqIu87-66E84IvTth0l2ynlA8uxWQNuE2MCDsiiV-ebtIMAJrVwX_XAHnFNT3dYnHYKgKKQuscNv79W5azsLQ2JT6BCcJlrjm7Sed_QqsI44y/w300-h640/52997372.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-63408662476443818012023-07-12T18:54:00.000+02:002023-07-12T18:54:00.147+02:00The nocturnality of motorcycles - 15<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HlSdelnaXc4QGYMNMowcbAecRfBBw7feU5dBoRrxjoAyk1d8W3R2jiPqwNxgrys5-5E2jaNa0eOaanwpSRXRMhEAS23QuRcnF8o5hSFi0DXTMV_5qFs_DjR6ZOruIgyJ595DY-rvSVwzm22mkQAIunoCJzhEPUefaYDS5WhkrobfQsLm9skXkGIYRQ/s2000/Nocturnality15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HlSdelnaXc4QGYMNMowcbAecRfBBw7feU5dBoRrxjoAyk1d8W3R2jiPqwNxgrys5-5E2jaNa0eOaanwpSRXRMhEAS23QuRcnF8o5hSFi0DXTMV_5qFs_DjR6ZOruIgyJ595DY-rvSVwzm22mkQAIunoCJzhEPUefaYDS5WhkrobfQsLm9skXkGIYRQ/w400-h300/Nocturnality15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-67536799912136214922023-07-06T18:31:00.003+02:002023-08-02T10:00:36.346+02:00Majella tour 5. - Solo edition<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWHoERiPfbZ9-xAAoBQoaIuEgpXK4hGvvE9wr5Q9yq8pjxn0vGikqz63RtsJjpiS6ZBtH8VVhp45kV91VJhO3ReoOlZJSIf5Z8GU2yuBNSkh0qWIqjq30pzb6xw1nb6wP9HYtgQNeNX7Fkm29NshrvOWduPFpoDweFNjdGZZd-oxK9HzDmgsA7QzkFw/s873/ClassicLoop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWHoERiPfbZ9-xAAoBQoaIuEgpXK4hGvvE9wr5Q9yq8pjxn0vGikqz63RtsJjpiS6ZBtH8VVhp45kV91VJhO3ReoOlZJSIf5Z8GU2yuBNSkh0qWIqjq30pzb6xw1nb6wP9HYtgQNeNX7Fkm29NshrvOWduPFpoDweFNjdGZZd-oxK9HzDmgsA7QzkFw/w440-h640/ClassicLoop.jpg" width="440" /></a></p><p>With the Sportster once again fighting-fit, I was eager to get back to the mountains but unfortunately none of my usual cohorts could get away. I hesitated but kept thinking "I need my mountains" so I toured solo this time and it turned out to be a very different kind of experience that was actually quite enjoyable. I rode at my own pace and perhaps more importantly I <i>stopped</i> at my own pace, enjoying the beautiful scenery and contemplating nature for hours on end in almost perfect silence.</p><p>I decided that since I had a few uninterrupted days at my disposal, the best way to spend them was by doing a full loop of the Majella park, something I hadn't really done <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2021/06/il-gran-giro-delle-montagne.html" target="_blank">since a couple of years ago</a>. I could then finish things off with a trip over to Campotosto and a last night at our favorite place in the forest.<br />In another unlikely choice, I went autostrada all the way on day 1, actually enjoying the steady cruising at around 100kph with the engine turning over at an easy 3.000rpm. I reached Sulmona, climbed up to Pacentro and stopped just before the start of the loop. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp3VfyFqTqveZc-t2O-gZ424ml_Nykq_M3NxlqpADhdwoQeSckKaKdYWjyW0uW7vLX5HLbZ7w1ypzdkIRGFgigvlbZwJVk4gjf6vyfbw2e4xKA2EyoGoagzD8zBVVlR-3gLr-TKYfLPqMne1FAY7gX3SUCpQ87dap66pnhWhmVX6LmYvVumKZF3k-Gd7W/s1608/DSC03180.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp3VfyFqTqveZc-t2O-gZ424ml_Nykq_M3NxlqpADhdwoQeSckKaKdYWjyW0uW7vLX5HLbZ7w1ypzdkIRGFgigvlbZwJVk4gjf6vyfbw2e4xKA2EyoGoagzD8zBVVlR-3gLr-TKYfLPqMne1FAY7gX3SUCpQ87dap66pnhWhmVX6LmYvVumKZF3k-Gd7W/w400-h266/DSC03180.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I left the bike and climbed up a small embankment until I reached a meadow that was otherwise totally hidden from view, from the road.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXEHj2myOeIsTzGc-1HYdnArxPa7l-OUcxdBaGSYwEkg_qITWb9bNWrVkc0yIQaGPRyYe5wZyOUOs-YPugGg63Fu8GiHZm4BQfECOlpXli9iqyqREDgYw3h7mBkrO_YpkHRrxUles97r_U3iNurhhe_8Nr2hWDbHwLmgjB-Uq5-z8bPfLFU0ubgoV-D7n/s1608/DSC03183.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXEHj2myOeIsTzGc-1HYdnArxPa7l-OUcxdBaGSYwEkg_qITWb9bNWrVkc0yIQaGPRyYe5wZyOUOs-YPugGg63Fu8GiHZm4BQfECOlpXli9iqyqREDgYw3h7mBkrO_YpkHRrxUles97r_U3iNurhhe_8Nr2hWDbHwLmgjB-Uq5-z8bPfLFU0ubgoV-D7n/w400-h266/DSC03183.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqqt30PhLmE7Uk_pN_jQAUHt6UkyqGTmchwWLPgWUjdWMMni-zhE58h-oPQtNTiofOHlzKJLiYl3oDaklHjc1_gtKnymiE7Nn3ZiuzYSGZgKTojvDzqwXZBhc8cKy6bHZYxJWrY0xbPulwMnlyl99BQ6MYsIOVIXO0_wsj3uWxTiXK4-3GWmv0MVuooe8/s1608/DSC03186.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqqt30PhLmE7Uk_pN_jQAUHt6UkyqGTmchwWLPgWUjdWMMni-zhE58h-oPQtNTiofOHlzKJLiYl3oDaklHjc1_gtKnymiE7Nn3ZiuzYSGZgKTojvDzqwXZBhc8cKy6bHZYxJWrY0xbPulwMnlyl99BQ6MYsIOVIXO0_wsj3uWxTiXK4-3GWmv0MVuooe8/w400-h266/DSC03186.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here I sat and gradually felt all thoughts become smaller and more insignificant, until the presence of the mountain became my only concern. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vIusCITL0tnW70HjgmlLZ4mN9Gsnue-cjVri0Fl-DcoeR-nhSedpI17HwvcVSZlH14ii6Kc0l3wG0zoSfd_1IRJVYXw5llDJO6ImxQjM-C5PVp0MYRexr5hbELUSX2-dmpcHI8cemVtiCPcUvnmf01fhp7GaStJDFlVHonMmUASSi1dI8WXtjzVcQjI9/s1608/DSC03184.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vIusCITL0tnW70HjgmlLZ4mN9Gsnue-cjVri0Fl-DcoeR-nhSedpI17HwvcVSZlH14ii6Kc0l3wG0zoSfd_1IRJVYXw5llDJO6ImxQjM-C5PVp0MYRexr5hbELUSX2-dmpcHI8cemVtiCPcUvnmf01fhp7GaStJDFlVHonMmUASSi1dI8WXtjzVcQjI9/w400-h266/DSC03184.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Insects buzzing around me, birds signing in the the trees off in the distance, and something moving around in the woods right next to me (a deer? a boar?) the only sounds. It was fairly late in the afternoon and the light was beginning to mellow, making the western flank of the mountain glow yellow and grey. As this sort of meditation grew to a close, by itself, I stood up and returned to the bike. There is a spring nearby and I spent a while cooling off, enjoying the cold water on my hands, my arms, splashing my face and washing off the day's dust, then I fired up the twin and entered the circuit, all the while trying to remain humble and not assume I was just going to do it, but rather just hoping the mountain would accept me.</div><p>I reached Campo di Giove, where we had stayed before, but continued until just after the town to find a campsite I'd never stayed at before, in the most beautiful setting:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQNOOdHddZMzvXX3N4FXPtXllSxuFv8qAqvv93ettgb_TKFXTUNOPd6414li275oFOfwqRhDftcyYdjv_smgB9FrpU5RvbM-xaYfA3aZzCbeY9j5qW5rtJud5XMo4jeZx-j2bPiFsbP-n5XovtJ0zrI2Yyqkquq8001yWnFMXCNMQ6UEK7_zemr8xXBMk/s1400/1687706454739.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQNOOdHddZMzvXX3N4FXPtXllSxuFv8qAqvv93ettgb_TKFXTUNOPd6414li275oFOfwqRhDftcyYdjv_smgB9FrpU5RvbM-xaYfA3aZzCbeY9j5qW5rtJud5XMo4jeZx-j2bPiFsbP-n5XovtJ0zrI2Yyqkquq8001yWnFMXCNMQ6UEK7_zemr8xXBMk/w400-h300/1687706454739.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfaSXX863RscV_vXijR2XsF-yzCc-r41ffWG2MpFPR40qu0ITp36rKEVllNztBfAbNXYY7SO3kacLjuKiQKZ2iopLxbgiRHGd_thwhsuyk2xdFEB85yYRZQazqu_buG2Aw_JscEjdkqNBD3mS9JHHWuQ4J9pgYsSHiw5DrF_gw4mU6lUgVH0O0Lpkr4C0/s1608/DSC03188.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQfaSXX863RscV_vXijR2XsF-yzCc-r41ffWG2MpFPR40qu0ITp36rKEVllNztBfAbNXYY7SO3kacLjuKiQKZ2iopLxbgiRHGd_thwhsuyk2xdFEB85yYRZQazqu_buG2Aw_JscEjdkqNBD3mS9JHHWuQ4J9pgYsSHiw5DrF_gw4mU6lUgVH0O0Lpkr4C0/w400-h266/DSC03188.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With almost no one else staying there I was just surrounded by trees and flowers, the setting sun turning the sky a deep shade of pink right before night took over, shrouding the Majella from view. It was a night full of fresh air and a steady breeze. I drifted off wondering what the following day would bring, to the sound of wind in the boughs and the occasional drizzle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had plenty of time for day 2, so I moved slow and dedicated my full attention to every single action, no matter how insignificant. This is no new discovery of course, but if you're "present in the moment" the experience will be fuller. This is why I may have been away only a few days when seen from this plane of existence, but in reality I was gone far longer than that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was able to take all the luggage off the Sportster (except for a fuel reserve bottle) and this always makes an enormous difference in terms of pure riding enjoyment, and all the more so in a place like the Majella park. All I had with me in a light backpack was the rain gear, a small bottle of water, a blanket and some small bits and ends. As it turned out I could have left it all in the tent (except for the water) though of course I would never gamble like that up here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyKna_8kCiFZr8TA8OpJwR08WC-vac1UxX1NRcFu5gS4B5ewI0rI6b1vBJ4P1e10KQARYtkBwxZO_-i5wRcbRk2awiYJ08Aumy213UvqnvZS0KikxkGhxne9ptpR-8XLPYoEeD769vnQ3UUOBddWMT9j9b0BjOWlULacfKNZxcJod4J1YDYiRprVnHS59/s1248/DSC03195.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="914" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyKna_8kCiFZr8TA8OpJwR08WC-vac1UxX1NRcFu5gS4B5ewI0rI6b1vBJ4P1e10KQARYtkBwxZO_-i5wRcbRk2awiYJ08Aumy213UvqnvZS0KikxkGhxne9ptpR-8XLPYoEeD769vnQ3UUOBddWMT9j9b0BjOWlULacfKNZxcJod4J1YDYiRprVnHS59/w468-h640/DSC03195.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraFiHwWuVwTLiP48rgkZsd5jMShRIoZFzZysvXkh6slu0LNa045dmmAPq6nVfmLmv_YYUrq9YVf-c_kjyCKs0-xw1LQaRgOGUoHAXDO6IOGsmJe7A784ME_1DHCrlikZHIAYBCnh9BOgIiUhTfMsnY03yfOwOjhgjdZJIrLZcGXW62SvryXYb7FrR9HFt/s1608/DSC03193.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraFiHwWuVwTLiP48rgkZsd5jMShRIoZFzZysvXkh6slu0LNa045dmmAPq6nVfmLmv_YYUrq9YVf-c_kjyCKs0-xw1LQaRgOGUoHAXDO6IOGsmJe7A784ME_1DHCrlikZHIAYBCnh9BOgIiUhTfMsnY03yfOwOjhgjdZJIrLZcGXW62SvryXYb7FrR9HFt/w400-h266/DSC03193.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first part of the day begins with coffee right outside the tent and then off without pause all the way to the southern tip, with virtually no traffic and an eagerness from the bike that makes me - once again - think "honestly, why would I bother ever riding anything else but <i>this</i>?!". I think I also figured out the Dynojet kit and basically there can be tractability if you ride easy on the throttle, or there is punchy performance if you're more decisive with it. What it doesn't like is downshifting into a tight hairpin, revs all the way down, and then opening the throttle expecting instant response: that just won't happen, and instead the engine will feel bogged down for a second before it can catch up again. So you have to either keep the revs up a bit for a sportier style or else go easy and enjoy the view. Having understood that, the ride became much more enjoyable and smoother overall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf735wFBmlpwnxr82d5Q0wpURrE2O11cbaXhrnvDpe3oxrmp6s3ZKdGs2boiQcWicIM1m31X6FRK5mmup8gErMBb-70nmaSmJY4ALQ9YknnWcx4M4TEuVJJSZbZX8a_-L2aR7wYYzvK2tWj1MTY0L1hifY1RyOgJ3CLg6YUh0nqS9UC2iMxtAEDeZGCvX/s1523/DSC03200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="1523" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimf735wFBmlpwnxr82d5Q0wpURrE2O11cbaXhrnvDpe3oxrmp6s3ZKdGs2boiQcWicIM1m31X6FRK5mmup8gErMBb-70nmaSmJY4ALQ9YknnWcx4M4TEuVJJSZbZX8a_-L2aR7wYYzvK2tWj1MTY0L1hifY1RyOgJ3CLg6YUh0nqS9UC2iMxtAEDeZGCvX/w400-h255/DSC03200.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Above: my first long stop for the day was at the Sant'Angelo lake, admittedly a little bit off the closest possible loop of the park, but a very worthwhile diversion in terms of scenery, the ability to shelter from the heat in the hottest part of the day, and having a terrific restaurant nearby.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKpswd1iepkkFI53zDohDYdFTq8UHIkCUsGYfmto9rXpX_D8-Ma3cpqOl61k9y7Gk4bWpO3C_uP_GmQvAGqHC02IY0eJ0odRpD89DJsbixZrfIwPIXkCSZ8SNc94JhuyI2wdxdH8Q6AFheI-VSHfRNygaKBLAsKokuMV841g84sMNaQq_KHuU3vldz5Ny/s1608/DSC03203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKpswd1iepkkFI53zDohDYdFTq8UHIkCUsGYfmto9rXpX_D8-Ma3cpqOl61k9y7Gk4bWpO3C_uP_GmQvAGqHC02IY0eJ0odRpD89DJsbixZrfIwPIXkCSZ8SNc94JhuyI2wdxdH8Q6AFheI-VSHfRNygaKBLAsKokuMV841g84sMNaQq_KHuU3vldz5Ny/w400-h266/DSC03203.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3a3Z4FaB1hKTEBJbYzZPtMiHdHgg9XacVeokASECsHwUkCyT19NhngqgIYEOtqnZ34BaTQIFGMyvEXLGOW7J2pJzCZdHT4Yj0hNA9EwBwDY8J9CDpa6Mx2SBIn9Gsy8TXQLIiICGydFIS4xVNBaveSZOsaPrKy63G2Ow1W9T98mjbUUr-1Kx_NtoWTvDL/s4074/DSC03206.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2322" data-original-width="4074" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3a3Z4FaB1hKTEBJbYzZPtMiHdHgg9XacVeokASECsHwUkCyT19NhngqgIYEOtqnZ34BaTQIFGMyvEXLGOW7J2pJzCZdHT4Yj0hNA9EwBwDY8J9CDpa6Mx2SBIn9Gsy8TXQLIiICGydFIS4xVNBaveSZOsaPrKy63G2Ow1W9T98mjbUUr-1Kx_NtoWTvDL/w400-h228/DSC03206.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My next stop shortly after that was for one of the best simple lunches in recent memory: grilled chicken and fresh tomato salad. As straightforward as it was full of flavor and just delicious. I must have drank a couple liters of water by that point and I probably should have had some electrolytes as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The heat was very noticeable when I set off again approaching the circuit once more, although at that point the road starts climbing again quite rapidly so you're soon in cooler air.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8iWfqj46z5McWbUQOurQ99iS34CgcsfzWj5LMZn-xTvQQI_86vOwqVLIQMGFD5hlED_t1sNJs2fndea518VhyjTNOiqUgquY9EHRE4PA5jSMgHRuf4iOLBSgtmxLeAZtvJQ2gGXFTAlhON_fzlhL1PQRbAv-D25NfcXMma3r89SaE6Tpx_g2YHmsFXSH/s1608/DSC03211.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8iWfqj46z5McWbUQOurQ99iS34CgcsfzWj5LMZn-xTvQQI_86vOwqVLIQMGFD5hlED_t1sNJs2fndea518VhyjTNOiqUgquY9EHRE4PA5jSMgHRuf4iOLBSgtmxLeAZtvJQ2gGXFTAlhON_fzlhL1PQRbAv-D25NfcXMma3r89SaE6Tpx_g2YHmsFXSH/w400-h266/DSC03211.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is a stunning photograph of the Majella complex taken from the International Space Station <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/146271/maiella-massif-italy?src=eoa-iotd" target="_blank">available here</a>. It makes me appreciate what a proper jaunt this really is, and I hope I can come back soon either with friends or on my own again. You can also see lake Sant'Angelo as the eye-shaped body of water on the right-hand third of the image, about halfway down:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdqiohYPKPFjoVAH57xayIc9rT44L3X81f2EEXYBzPtZ4EO5uHLckGIfvaLrswi571fbDlvfeYdoyTSeKn3_VYvIu20xjhuUvY0d-NYPiabTpIxiZnvFthuSTAltpK3WGk_VuOk1Km2Erk_izULcI337NvGC_qehR3nRKhwXX55cAuOMeLPsmwNuodpd3/s5568/ISS061-E-6413.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3712" data-original-width="5568" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdqiohYPKPFjoVAH57xayIc9rT44L3X81f2EEXYBzPtZ4EO5uHLckGIfvaLrswi571fbDlvfeYdoyTSeKn3_VYvIu20xjhuUvY0d-NYPiabTpIxiZnvFthuSTAltpK3WGk_VuOk1Km2Erk_izULcI337NvGC_qehR3nRKhwXX55cAuOMeLPsmwNuodpd3/w400-h266/ISS061-E-6413.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of the very few motorcycles I encountered during this trip, none was like the Sportster. The bike handled so well and was so much more enjoyable without luggage. I do need new tires, that much is certain and I don't think I can delay this much longer. It all depends on whether or not I can ride (the Sportster) again this year, otherwise it may be wiser to do this next spring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I'm climbing up towards Pretoro nature calls and when you gotta go, you gotta go. A desperate scramble into the woods and all is well again, I can continue to the highest point in the circuit. Reaching the top requires excellent depth perception as you're well above the tree line and there are very few reference points, so overshooting a corner is easily possible and to be avoided at all cost. It's not uncommon to ride through a cloud and as any aviator will tell you, it's important to stay focused and not get distracted by the experience.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I shut off the engine and park as far as motorized vehicles are allowed. Suddenly there is a special type of silence, and the wind races all around you with no obstacles in its way. It is pure, cold, mountain air.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1FBERyGkNlpWx4gIYbxYW_gUzY6enBEUBjl-CxKYaYybpNkndNbB0N4XDTkHsq3G0tjIlVn65ny3inC49rtYebM9szLr445a9IhPNZra904hpBfUbyyC1jYW0CvC2w5V9OO9MmBHc3QljGZw8cZVcrNowG81OymvzRMgSmopB-KDOKs3xouBnwSfjtNu/s1608/DSC03214.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1FBERyGkNlpWx4gIYbxYW_gUzY6enBEUBjl-CxKYaYybpNkndNbB0N4XDTkHsq3G0tjIlVn65ny3inC49rtYebM9szLr445a9IhPNZra904hpBfUbyyC1jYW0CvC2w5V9OO9MmBHc3QljGZw8cZVcrNowG81OymvzRMgSmopB-KDOKs3xouBnwSfjtNu/w400-h266/DSC03214.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A fox came out to see what all the fuss was about:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnXOP_opn1zkknv0qoV73_B28oPV4PeKBWIMIa1TlFn6Vwq2ra1iYbYolfeeDryy0cpKPs0UWY6GcBhGmmLnyb3M6DDnv_9gmwi4u9fqHe82fN9BYZkOdtRXGi4f0Jsieu77pm4tMMOQgVmixF2fB8rYaX-DsdTZNHO8NQYmXHeSJ0wkLir9NC238ycFm/s2172/DSC03223.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2172" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbnXOP_opn1zkknv0qoV73_B28oPV4PeKBWIMIa1TlFn6Vwq2ra1iYbYolfeeDryy0cpKPs0UWY6GcBhGmmLnyb3M6DDnv_9gmwi4u9fqHe82fN9BYZkOdtRXGi4f0Jsieu77pm4tMMOQgVmixF2fB8rYaX-DsdTZNHO8NQYmXHeSJ0wkLir9NC238ycFm/w378-h400/DSC03223.JPG" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7I6pIT2GUCknqDQxz0vLwrOlNM90V_jhxn1riLXpybXVKaNlRQa23GHeY0loUxXn5ipirssmsIbJw6lHq89tASfE4gRyiHV2rdejs-fXW1P-5PaoGseRHsEGf2P1f2dIV2wDOJD2BgSm1MUjSWbnuYatq0ASz3vB2BwIz3pIyvqNu4GUGpGEP6UIw3t0/s2321/DSC03224.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2321" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7I6pIT2GUCknqDQxz0vLwrOlNM90V_jhxn1riLXpybXVKaNlRQa23GHeY0loUxXn5ipirssmsIbJw6lHq89tASfE4gRyiHV2rdejs-fXW1P-5PaoGseRHsEGf2P1f2dIV2wDOJD2BgSm1MUjSWbnuYatq0ASz3vB2BwIz3pIyvqNu4GUGpGEP6UIw3t0/w400-h259/DSC03224.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPYbOxaXBkNAbt3I9eV6AAZnQ6JADxqW0RggBvg66XFCUQvDQPixmp2wncD9QG7jb7e3Yu3WbtM80hJnZ9bU_vPN52POFIouNqcL5UBHBIkMePZknSLhvnMwRN6suwgqxuoX5i41N4TGrMtMekc7chdggdRMC38M6X14-tWh_uzEKV8j1Bw_i65qW7OFY/s2368/DSC03231.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1395" data-original-width="2368" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPYbOxaXBkNAbt3I9eV6AAZnQ6JADxqW0RggBvg66XFCUQvDQPixmp2wncD9QG7jb7e3Yu3WbtM80hJnZ9bU_vPN52POFIouNqcL5UBHBIkMePZknSLhvnMwRN6suwgqxuoX5i41N4TGrMtMekc7chdggdRMC38M6X14-tWh_uzEKV8j1Bw_i65qW7OFY/w400-h236/DSC03231.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Up here where few people come, there is plenty of time and space to enjoy a cold beer and relax in the sunshine. This was the other long stop that day and a few hours went by before I set off again. I would have liked to have waited until sunset, to recreate an otherworldly moment <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBQSTkSK2C5-8EoHnzX1ZaL7N_BRwsYsjRjYmHfyYdykth0jhr2P6CqvXrW9RrFr87UzqdPmEo07NoJygygoBMWSvoiBs6c09crASin0h35y-u9dg6kU8yqQWoZdg84S__hElw6ojip4X9/s1600/IMG-20170827-WA0009.jpg" target="_blank">from the first time we came up here</a> years ago: as you ride down towards Roccamorice, you're treated to the most breathtaking view of the whole park, and if you time it just right, it's basically as if you're engulfed by the orange light of the sunset and you glide downhill surrounded by color and warmth in a way that makes you question whether you've been transported to another reality. It also means completing the loop at night, though that's not too much of an issue as the north-west quadrant has wide, easy roads and it's a gradual descent towards Campo di Giove.<br />This time though, I think the mountain had had enough of me and it was time to go: the wind grew stronger, temperatures dropped significantly and dark clouds started forming off in the distance, advancing slowly but surely towards the peak. The view on the way down was no less special, ears popping as you descend 1.400 meters to the valley below. It pays to pause for just a moment (no need to turn the engine off) and to look back, upwards to see where you were and get a sense of how huge this rock really is. <div>The rest of the evening is to concentrate on closing the loop, it's a relaxed ride with very little traffic and it concludes with the arrival back at the campsite and that feeling I always get a the end of a special day like this: a mix between stunned silence, excitement and a true understanding of the purpose of motorcycles. <i>This</i> is what they're for.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3EPscZryNaMXZRfTp_0FIwAt6S1MjGjiRVOnuXc-ZvqqsJH0JA1lsXPbECTTt_vGnzQvSxLPCTfJo4KTgKiyLXLlz87pp85n9c_XbIfCuP8-tryNyNXuH4KW-DVq1IQKhUtITFewHVHtqATyMzoDnUYdGyaKm3fY53h1yjLqg6wG6gTAC2wJ4tloib53/s1608/DSC03234.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3EPscZryNaMXZRfTp_0FIwAt6S1MjGjiRVOnuXc-ZvqqsJH0JA1lsXPbECTTt_vGnzQvSxLPCTfJo4KTgKiyLXLlz87pp85n9c_XbIfCuP8-tryNyNXuH4KW-DVq1IQKhUtITFewHVHtqATyMzoDnUYdGyaKm3fY53h1yjLqg6wG6gTAC2wJ4tloib53/w400-h266/DSC03234.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I kept looking at the western flank of the mountain as it changed color in the approaching dusk, until it was bright pink. There was near perfect silence as I turned in for the night; usually the first couple of minutes into the tent are spent getting into the sleeping bag and adjusting yourself to be as comfortable as possible, and it can sometimes take a while before you get to that moment where everything feels comfortable and you can finally drift off to the astral plane. But this time I think it was almost instantaneous; I pulled the hood of my sleeping bag over my head, turned over on my side and felt completely snug, warm and cozy. I think I fell asleep with a smile on my face.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I awoke again to birdsong and the sun beaming down, the heat quickly rising and the mountain cloaked in clouds. The forecast for the day, especially at altitude was a bad one, so I had to readjust my itinerary for a safer option. With everything once again packed up on the bike I set off towards Pacentro, Sulmona and northwest by west towards L'Aquila. How cool is it that this city is just called "the eagle"?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On my way up to Campotosto I made a detour to a very scenic spot we had discovered during our very first foray into Abruzzo, a decade ago on our BMWs. This was the perfect opportunity to finally revisit that place and, once again, spend a few hours just enjoying nature, the colors, scents and sounds in addition to those things that go beyond the senses.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfva15n2JnUCj8aVFqwwTtKYpt_EtLLAxOsivc10uUN3PlZbs4JLW8ixIQOL_xMPquz7xSzzTPYX6ecHEuVKbBEbKrHsnpV7hSvrDF0WanVfgT-kqvzVbMGB0TzUk21UGOSPOS4hv8249TA--3avl53GMP7vpEG91XS_D7bBRd_PBxzgC9H7dsPR1G71b/s1608/DSC03240.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfva15n2JnUCj8aVFqwwTtKYpt_EtLLAxOsivc10uUN3PlZbs4JLW8ixIQOL_xMPquz7xSzzTPYX6ecHEuVKbBEbKrHsnpV7hSvrDF0WanVfgT-kqvzVbMGB0TzUk21UGOSPOS4hv8249TA--3avl53GMP7vpEG91XS_D7bBRd_PBxzgC9H7dsPR1G71b/w400-h266/DSC03240.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWaohLUGjy-GiTuSjbeFlj3jTndZGADCeKiYzsUDDSEtnEmqaLoZEUOrM7Iz3ddUBS1mPqICY_EYmAEmERcIqmHLkp4-MB9AsJUKSy9kifqN-EVMBCgA-6AIbArJ5bJf3AfyXa5cyPOGSRbO2qyD4ihGEmqieHiSncGxEs6g91OOWXb6T6vHxuJgwuNh4/s1608/DSC03248.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWaohLUGjy-GiTuSjbeFlj3jTndZGADCeKiYzsUDDSEtnEmqaLoZEUOrM7Iz3ddUBS1mPqICY_EYmAEmERcIqmHLkp4-MB9AsJUKSy9kifqN-EVMBCgA-6AIbArJ5bJf3AfyXa5cyPOGSRbO2qyD4ihGEmqieHiSncGxEs6g91OOWXb6T6vHxuJgwuNh4/w400-h266/DSC03248.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77s8x7iLXubcQq1349iIJd3cDSjZm54NjTQtp87-p2L8qZXwRUP6vh80vraiVQdQVDlPWp9xxawJf9fRFGkzJUQ-HCmaHbOjNrgifLldZLPFCfwXwWXKi_jxzXkJo52yhZpMsudO-lqBRbjVhDXgme5XGzpqTdmS-EAu6juTHeZ16KX8g1OrODMbS3p1z/s1608/DSC03250.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77s8x7iLXubcQq1349iIJd3cDSjZm54NjTQtp87-p2L8qZXwRUP6vh80vraiVQdQVDlPWp9xxawJf9fRFGkzJUQ-HCmaHbOjNrgifLldZLPFCfwXwWXKi_jxzXkJo52yhZpMsudO-lqBRbjVhDXgme5XGzpqTdmS-EAu6juTHeZ16KX8g1OrODMbS3p1z/w400-h266/DSC03250.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia90Gy072M4suNTKcFwl0-wrViiQQbWtbC8i9zLqnu81Eah-VZQhSJv420dbunXExxBvhez2Do7nXKucAKRBimnd7jfpXYYYfPpWXE1EyIlpQloZf8rMm9PaV9krOITQBvuALmOzf9XU0OyXQHv-1CyKO39nX0Dw8QJfnTe6d7uldr4Ghd7U7dsmJR3a9x/s1608/DSC03256.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia90Gy072M4suNTKcFwl0-wrViiQQbWtbC8i9zLqnu81Eah-VZQhSJv420dbunXExxBvhez2Do7nXKucAKRBimnd7jfpXYYYfPpWXE1EyIlpQloZf8rMm9PaV9krOITQBvuALmOzf9XU0OyXQHv-1CyKO39nX0Dw8QJfnTe6d7uldr4Ghd7U7dsmJR3a9x/w400-h266/DSC03256.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I watched that cloud front in the image above come and go, move over the hills below me, disappear and come back again and again but thankfully never quite reaching where I was. This was the perfect spot for a quick lunch, a nap in the shade and a coffee afterwards:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvmKMhqEM2r-OOtkNaObYpB1k5Z1khH3ktEH2CokPjWx0ss4p2k5ULKqliYl9AJKRWWsHsSaqTzS-lNa2hIeqIZ0a5IT75zRZkvaeLB9_uXAHr8vd2HGEakC7txCnZgVbKfuHe_zHDKg1dJTYqG9SAv-pb8pBUe4Wo4_2BxKIaz_7wB5K5HJ4Q4BQB76b/s1608/DSC03264.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1608" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvmKMhqEM2r-OOtkNaObYpB1k5Z1khH3ktEH2CokPjWx0ss4p2k5ULKqliYl9AJKRWWsHsSaqTzS-lNa2hIeqIZ0a5IT75zRZkvaeLB9_uXAHr8vd2HGEakC7txCnZgVbKfuHe_zHDKg1dJTYqG9SAv-pb8pBUe4Wo4_2BxKIaz_7wB5K5HJ4Q4BQB76b/w400-h266/DSC03264.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What wonderful solitude! The best thing about this trip was the silence; a land vast and empty of people and therefore full of tranquility. Wind the loudest thing around, aside from the Sportster, and time to think, or better yet <i>not</i> think and simply be, traversing this land so strong and kind as they say.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eventually I set off again for the final part of the mighty SS80 until I reached the lake and the campsite. With hardly anyone there but a few compact camper vans, there was peace and quiet and plenty of daylight left to set up the tent and leave a few things to air out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopm3PdtgltXffihl-KL6ULoU3LS5xCfG7O9SSr8saFg27F7ab0HHUKgjvMB28497SMV4GFyJBxtozluzMGrFOWOmG-Edl6wMKsHC_2jTT4Td8hBNNOLdhjT2k-wTFRuNfbA9u8oIZX-i7ME27xv3jEesg99oI2vT9au804Mr_3k7-S4GvrILbfBShLira/s1595/DSC03268.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="1595" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopm3PdtgltXffihl-KL6ULoU3LS5xCfG7O9SSr8saFg27F7ab0HHUKgjvMB28497SMV4GFyJBxtozluzMGrFOWOmG-Edl6wMKsHC_2jTT4Td8hBNNOLdhjT2k-wTFRuNfbA9u8oIZX-i7ME27xv3jEesg99oI2vT9au804Mr_3k7-S4GvrILbfBShLira/w400-h213/DSC03268.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another wonderful evening in the Halls of Shambhala was the perfect conclusion to this unusual but magnificent trip. The Sportster performed marvelously, the weather was perfect, the food and scenery second to none.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXOX3HQ7bsZ_mdEx5yugMQR9m0VHIZKumEA1dLVhdqNyLI3NWGo5G8G-AhPEkOqaaiWrQB-g_O-RpTv6aBFGJj0Mw5tZUSZ0o7VCRRT3r0StlVC1Q6krtqDdoPBbsOQYUDlqOEpJ7RzZddfYtK4D-vezKHdeZWHB1GJPUSxosyJqLlKBw5sKeQh5z5LqS/s1148/DSC03187.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1148" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXOX3HQ7bsZ_mdEx5yugMQR9m0VHIZKumEA1dLVhdqNyLI3NWGo5G8G-AhPEkOqaaiWrQB-g_O-RpTv6aBFGJj0Mw5tZUSZ0o7VCRRT3r0StlVC1Q6krtqDdoPBbsOQYUDlqOEpJ7RzZddfYtK4D-vezKHdeZWHB1GJPUSxosyJqLlKBw5sKeQh5z5LqS/w400-h266/DSC03187.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QMvXxA8PD_V2SGmRVUJVDXV92ZYKqqqAPE4RD0Zsl1gEMj8HNsFrIfbKVliqxy96Eh5a35CwXZ1hnb_V4g0KmaiqYyFPTiNzp0_-aMJP-Mj2NbyqqSYAZj2ZXf-HxcAhShVi3z-TrhBF25PfToNG62v6TdHOojODx5ryKHA_7QtS8Hi6T3vWCEjEhYRk/s1000/1687706454723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QMvXxA8PD_V2SGmRVUJVDXV92ZYKqqqAPE4RD0Zsl1gEMj8HNsFrIfbKVliqxy96Eh5a35CwXZ1hnb_V4g0KmaiqYyFPTiNzp0_-aMJP-Mj2NbyqqSYAZj2ZXf-HxcAhShVi3z-TrhBF25PfToNG62v6TdHOojODx5ryKHA_7QtS8Hi6T3vWCEjEhYRk/w300-h400/1687706454723.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A lot of people claim they seek "change" or "betterment" yet I never see them up here. You wanna feel changed? Come along next time and see for yourself...</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcM4bdpG_tEL9HiIi1Gead5cwe9qdTu7g8I-unYffjEq8-PZcPTExqlSK5vnhaFQI3CKlbPgXyINEfUEoso6aRR8T2ORiHM-gp36ki3lJVABiH3_CM9EJa72Rcqi9jiIhhfv3xYoGAZ5DgtZeUv2ApLTLEsOYgd9bsNCgqFMjzMYumauNQ_jI3d-jF6eK/s1068/DSC03272.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1068" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcM4bdpG_tEL9HiIi1Gead5cwe9qdTu7g8I-unYffjEq8-PZcPTExqlSK5vnhaFQI3CKlbPgXyINEfUEoso6aRR8T2ORiHM-gp36ki3lJVABiH3_CM9EJa72Rcqi9jiIhhfv3xYoGAZ5DgtZeUv2ApLTLEsOYgd9bsNCgqFMjzMYumauNQ_jI3d-jF6eK/w400-h266/DSC03272.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedsfRvCA-95WBIUezvzOrhjA_liJwzvQQnXFrXaOjICbRyY3xciuJn5sO7-shYoQHeWEbWo21o5_2_JvhJfoeKsMj591Mp1oI-x_yOIFPHTIb5iuYr36ixBpaOsV1gDmf63vNjEdvcYJsyd3h7teVGE9leb1jByr7xrA8VapEkpkhfkY1x4CQyA90Cp9H/s1764/1687706454588.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1764" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedsfRvCA-95WBIUezvzOrhjA_liJwzvQQnXFrXaOjICbRyY3xciuJn5sO7-shYoQHeWEbWo21o5_2_JvhJfoeKsMj591Mp1oI-x_yOIFPHTIb5iuYr36ixBpaOsV1gDmf63vNjEdvcYJsyd3h7teVGE9leb1jByr7xrA8VapEkpkhfkY1x4CQyA90Cp9H/w400-h213/1687706454588.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIznoSkZdDlXmT7MfgInnQDFfM_NUje45z5eSJZqOt1DLwxv-aBv1OE_rIYgcH7d_arxTSrsKhYegZkt_JRWfSjv7p2_Wo50ealeHOvJfOhP4FxnMZBoCWVevcterpxsxMWmyKZceS_5UXTBnYujJVUPs1EX0TWONj_vY5XY-6KM1zwl0yDtPdOXcLVkzv/s1920/purpose.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIznoSkZdDlXmT7MfgInnQDFfM_NUje45z5eSJZqOt1DLwxv-aBv1OE_rIYgcH7d_arxTSrsKhYegZkt_JRWfSjv7p2_Wo50ealeHOvJfOhP4FxnMZBoCWVevcterpxsxMWmyKZceS_5UXTBnYujJVUPs1EX0TWONj_vY5XY-6KM1zwl0yDtPdOXcLVkzv/w400-h225/purpose.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-85457988299576633982023-06-20T22:59:00.000+02:002023-06-20T22:59:23.639+02:0034481-91A (spring)<p>The engine was still warm when I drained the transmission fluid as soon as I returned to base after my last trip, I needed to figure out what had happened and fast, so I could order parts and get the Sportster ready for the next outing.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSJfslTAT_nZw_zK_3-PogkFPOfRegWjRIQCSFXIm87wHL1XBlDMyVeEXpywhlRHr0g__ugd2mejbgvGW2SUJljWwPDYLbXvhDxah4cSw16ka8ikIv_ZQ76MRVPmxU0BydHaAeIutlCc_BDEPp2JUdpa1ZGIeRCb3zaefaEnySp03B6ZiHmjbdTfnmw/s1400/IMG_20230527_155730.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSJfslTAT_nZw_zK_3-PogkFPOfRegWjRIQCSFXIm87wHL1XBlDMyVeEXpywhlRHr0g__ugd2mejbgvGW2SUJljWwPDYLbXvhDxah4cSw16ka8ikIv_ZQ76MRVPmxU0BydHaAeIutlCc_BDEPp2JUdpa1ZGIeRCb3zaefaEnySp03B6ZiHmjbdTfnmw/w400-h300/IMG_20230527_155730.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_bf-2s8SB6m_ESS0VDhntMjDMJq2MkR6qrF7iEU-uFhkiLAdrBb9jSsXMw97Fdne_SUun97VKdmKuonSXeHeaMnqNPTpikwr4ZRLuQM9hN45vOit-EebLs97ut7mil9HNbIIFAgX2TbB_ReSOT7HiglgBtRyCIv89LAjXK1FiTtM_dT4c7tOpl1BbQ/s1344/IMG-20230527-WA0005.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1344" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_bf-2s8SB6m_ESS0VDhntMjDMJq2MkR6qrF7iEU-uFhkiLAdrBb9jSsXMw97Fdne_SUun97VKdmKuonSXeHeaMnqNPTpikwr4ZRLuQM9hN45vOit-EebLs97ut7mil9HNbIIFAgX2TbB_ReSOT7HiglgBtRyCIv89LAjXK1FiTtM_dT4c7tOpl1BbQ/w400-h225/IMG-20230527-WA0005.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Above: the gear lever is temporarily back in place so I can see what's happening when I shift gears. Nothing, apparently, just that weird sluggish movement. We have to go deeper:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWcPV6JTcjN6Req9qAbQRhtLJSvrvmFjB7XQdrvEi34JY6DknB1hy6sg1ctmGN-fVJMTYePTKAUXWDGaUOVFn17jp9p8R4T7J6LEZSfSsnhJpv6gyEI7bX03NP1vp3vmWBxSB6kxQPXYwXoCksZrBXZej416YvvVllcz9qs7GJZ_NQjjx1Dq1JEurUw/s1344/IMG-20230528-WA0003.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1344" data-original-width="756" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWcPV6JTcjN6Req9qAbQRhtLJSvrvmFjB7XQdrvEi34JY6DknB1hy6sg1ctmGN-fVJMTYePTKAUXWDGaUOVFn17jp9p8R4T7J6LEZSfSsnhJpv6gyEI7bX03NP1vp3vmWBxSB6kxQPXYwXoCksZrBXZej416YvvVllcz9qs7GJZ_NQjjx1Dq1JEurUw/w225-h400/IMG-20230528-WA0003.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW42mawKLNeSZfJ279H6llPycURWuv4MlUj23N5tEp5ukby6OB__u4y4SzEG6S8Tw2Vifdqlux695L_0_EpsC7LUbNHMHt3_3a-3WygH6Co42Unifj8wlYc5jrKsoI7Hr29qPm5tXHfh2uNMNWPJQur_NY5T8Cc6PeoIb9-i5wmJ2Sp4vK5L5s9AxKA/s1400/IMG_20230527_184841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW42mawKLNeSZfJ279H6llPycURWuv4MlUj23N5tEp5ukby6OB__u4y4SzEG6S8Tw2Vifdqlux695L_0_EpsC7LUbNHMHt3_3a-3WygH6Co42Unifj8wlYc5jrKsoI7Hr29qPm5tXHfh2uNMNWPJQur_NY5T8Cc6PeoIb9-i5wmJ2Sp4vK5L5s9AxKA/w480-h640/IMG_20230527_184841.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Above: this is already with the detent plate removed, I checked to see if its retaining clip (11 in the drawing below) was at fault but there's nothing wrong with it. Same goes for 31 and 33, they're fine.<br />I also checked the famous drill bit adjustment <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2022/10/1200s-service-time-part-9.html" target="_blank">that I had set not so long ago</a> and that is perfectly fine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pulling the shifter out reveals the culprit is indeed a broken spring (30), though luckily it hadn't snapped completely, but rather split along the length, meaning it was hanging on by the thinnest bit of metal, long enough to get me home. Thanks pal, what a trooper you are.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9318ZpxnMtagFj4fzUso-X2qRq_5SfOE9MORPS4Jk2njEr3YmBiQ5qyxV7t8DQMBLsD-PCZzlAvChLQvL0AFCXOWQeMSmgGKzYEa-sFwMdig_BdkDa0lGiplzjhV3PB9VgW-GXX-_LTLGNOUuNwN1D1JmdDuLLthZ2k2pWvtHnHwk6yEJBWuATE9Rg/s693/34481-91A.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="693" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9318ZpxnMtagFj4fzUso-X2qRq_5SfOE9MORPS4Jk2njEr3YmBiQ5qyxV7t8DQMBLsD-PCZzlAvChLQvL0AFCXOWQeMSmgGKzYEa-sFwMdig_BdkDa0lGiplzjhV3PB9VgW-GXX-_LTLGNOUuNwN1D1JmdDuLLthZ2k2pWvtHnHwk6yEJBWuATE9Rg/w400-h326/34481-91A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3cm3tGwVwusGLYvouzwfPjG_tR-ZOFDSGlzV6gmQYK0Dzb4949E3UePLVZ-qhI5RXNZKyTkVFfMmnZMyhaydkI-tWmIYdh5bIePDYiBHVADz6C-9mHTBPm2nZ4RnTKCj_t6ch5mm-21PGURyUke5hDLC9Va1KlWQBaCqLSqHARVHogUY4M5XH0ya-g/s1400/IMG_20230527_190232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3cm3tGwVwusGLYvouzwfPjG_tR-ZOFDSGlzV6gmQYK0Dzb4949E3UePLVZ-qhI5RXNZKyTkVFfMmnZMyhaydkI-tWmIYdh5bIePDYiBHVADz6C-9mHTBPm2nZ4RnTKCj_t6ch5mm-21PGURyUke5hDLC9Va1KlWQBaCqLSqHARVHogUY4M5XH0ya-g/w480-h640/IMG_20230527_190232.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPwDEqMJxa_YKDMXFJNLpx3jYTmVHAGlv17HC4xyH6gdCEoa1KfScgIcXEOsGimWGfknDSR5Ivgn8wVJtYoYvGL9qgU7ppxWQvTNS8hcXhZ8dg704NhrnBMpGAU9yX8IXP4qye7KPPNPXSc1Cl-EYyy0g5-GaBaESFUqihrbLb-Pf09Gh4bWkdPlxDw/s2000/IMG_20230527_190925_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPwDEqMJxa_YKDMXFJNLpx3jYTmVHAGlv17HC4xyH6gdCEoa1KfScgIcXEOsGimWGfknDSR5Ivgn8wVJtYoYvGL9qgU7ppxWQvTNS8hcXhZ8dg704NhrnBMpGAU9yX8IXP4qye7KPPNPXSc1Cl-EYyy0g5-GaBaESFUqihrbLb-Pf09Gh4bWkdPlxDw/w480-h640/IMG_20230527_190925_1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, with a quick order to W&W Cycles, I can fix this and get back out there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The new spring has a slightly different bend compared to the original, but is nice and strong and goes on with no trouble.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogjDkqqv35uYgCvYFDb_-EPe5-_mBjC2Fpx0DCaLo7gZBAqn70MXajzprO0kx5VQIZ_dvvWLojOQh1tbKmNeouqhqY1COJnimmYyq75zQuQT3tJo7pvEaYvzs9cBksGKPYHW5IqEwQRBgWAtD4LnglQcnvSN-gPzhl810Lis4m8y3HUAUzu-UAoIGIYEu/s1000/1687293038646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogjDkqqv35uYgCvYFDb_-EPe5-_mBjC2Fpx0DCaLo7gZBAqn70MXajzprO0kx5VQIZ_dvvWLojOQh1tbKmNeouqhqY1COJnimmYyq75zQuQT3tJo7pvEaYvzs9cBksGKPYHW5IqEwQRBgWAtD4LnglQcnvSN-gPzhl810Lis4m8y3HUAUzu-UAoIGIYEu/w400-h300/1687293038646.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I readjusted the shifter pawl once again (you really have to if you're going to touch anything around here) and put everything back in place, adjusted the clutch, refilled the transmission fluid and all the fun stuff I did late last year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A brief test ride not only confirmed proper operation of the shifter with quick, positive, <i>crisp</i> shifts, but was also a lot of fun. What a truly great motorcycle this is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujUwsB0rDWOoVC9JGyxhCGDRcBheN7MHv7F6HwG9_T1z_-6WcKEYMSIqLEM_TTOHEvKcA1j9x5U2P11GF5UM9l4Ws8JQyqlPZsqVHR-6omU9KxVIdlK73jW_9dGGnqOE3qt533qtAnKAYRFVgXDysy4Q7GE2dZ92TKoFvPv1kDwuHBxKJR5JsvTXly0Gt/s1400/1687293038489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujUwsB0rDWOoVC9JGyxhCGDRcBheN7MHv7F6HwG9_T1z_-6WcKEYMSIqLEM_TTOHEvKcA1j9x5U2P11GF5UM9l4Ws8JQyqlPZsqVHR-6omU9KxVIdlK73jW_9dGGnqOE3qt533qtAnKAYRFVgXDysy4Q7GE2dZ92TKoFvPv1kDwuHBxKJR5JsvTXly0Gt/w400-h300/1687293038489.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzem040uHFsEVwHKobQIcDH8-MKpJ4-Yq6PUFLXrzjJjDZUVzdU9_FJDUX0BXXXWzkmGNn2AcD4WxpJK5YcU_7TGWLeGX5bbrda9tP2jESOZa73l3sV0M0ytRqFLQaHEikYxnOrdeHe1wmfY0JlnV9rng_ANuIMaujP-cydmUm2qHNfUXhdkxf3OvJWzyp/s1273/1687293038499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="1273" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzem040uHFsEVwHKobQIcDH8-MKpJ4-Yq6PUFLXrzjJjDZUVzdU9_FJDUX0BXXXWzkmGNn2AcD4WxpJK5YcU_7TGWLeGX5bbrda9tP2jESOZa73l3sV0M0ytRqFLQaHEikYxnOrdeHe1wmfY0JlnV9rng_ANuIMaujP-cydmUm2qHNfUXhdkxf3OvJWzyp/w400-h294/1687293038499.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-81522181728231061192023-06-08T22:53:00.001+02:002023-06-12T10:35:15.235+02:00il Gran Giro delle Montagne 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbxl6lle18qzP7CzFoEyF21bQterGoKwMRkj2hLQBE3Wwglx7nMfKZnIf0YWlnIjSz1ZOBdaoqwi_thGOqN1DLq3vh0hxHIgALQ97yqY4oyAQsoSSg0ErjQl7qPcQegQ-8GW5zS4vVzyCJsXG_dx2bHeKcaQNJgF-zvBsG7ejpBCoSKHjzCJ5T3wNYg/s1063/quote1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="1063" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbxl6lle18qzP7CzFoEyF21bQterGoKwMRkj2hLQBE3Wwglx7nMfKZnIf0YWlnIjSz1ZOBdaoqwi_thGOqN1DLq3vh0hxHIgALQ97yqY4oyAQsoSSg0ErjQl7qPcQegQ-8GW5zS4vVzyCJsXG_dx2bHeKcaQNJgF-zvBsG7ejpBCoSKHjzCJ5T3wNYg/s320/quote1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>After the improbable success of our <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2021/06/il-gran-giro-delle-montagne.html" target="_blank">first large-scale tour</a> across the mountains of central Italy, we went at it again, with even less chances of succeeding. The itinerary we followed this time is modified compared to the one we sought in 2021, and is based on that experience. The aim this time was to improve by doing away with certain stages that were perhaps not very interesting, and to add a couple more ingredients to the mix for an even better tasting moto-curry. Something else that shouldn't be understated is that some of the alterations to the itinerary were beyond our control (road closures), yet we managed to make the best of it nonetheless.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GH5dJTF_KiXT2oq6fUi4j1mv_M5_3FmsCedTgwbgvnRa4cnlFlLuxJPAe_FGFMzRsfnZ2OQR7nsGFbBQ0_zWmM7ZPlW_FyqO0T_JeC744CTaH3W5WFjLuvjp0yHIWXvftsA8Kt-uS4Hf3lE0eQEbNXYW6mmnz9MxrSyPu5qh5UdU6b2soT1UZR8toQ/s6840/PANO_20230525_113633.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1888" data-original-width="6840" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GH5dJTF_KiXT2oq6fUi4j1mv_M5_3FmsCedTgwbgvnRa4cnlFlLuxJPAe_FGFMzRsfnZ2OQR7nsGFbBQ0_zWmM7ZPlW_FyqO0T_JeC744CTaH3W5WFjLuvjp0yHIWXvftsA8Kt-uS4Hf3lE0eQEbNXYW6mmnz9MxrSyPu5qh5UdU6b2soT1UZR8toQ/w400-h110/PANO_20230525_113633.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09in1ZamyQq8nnGLoPYS-XixhCPht-5WL6rE-t6xXqRC15Ii-pVcJg4dHyunZSYkTLXoSOCMp70sZYWnIEFTnJB-lKgc1ZX347JqDzU0c-o1CWLL1DmbBpjNIBvd8bv6WpKIySssMDVC2fTzQSbx5f0qqH1X2OV-VBYUvvpcE6R7dbcimM4llKJJWfw/s6888/PANO_20230525_113713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="6888" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09in1ZamyQq8nnGLoPYS-XixhCPht-5WL6rE-t6xXqRC15Ii-pVcJg4dHyunZSYkTLXoSOCMp70sZYWnIEFTnJB-lKgc1ZX347JqDzU0c-o1CWLL1DmbBpjNIBvd8bv6WpKIySssMDVC2fTzQSbx5f0qqH1X2OV-VBYUvvpcE6R7dbcimM4llKJJWfw/w400-h106/PANO_20230525_113713.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The country has been suffering the effects of protracted torrential rain, coupled with incompetent management, and although this was particularly in the Emilia-Romagna region, things were not that much better farther down south.</p><p>During our five-day tour, we donned our rain gear every day, even if "only" for a few hours. Temperatures were between 7°C and 15°C, so the engines were happy but the nights were a little chilly at times.</p><p>We set off from Rome on a Tuesday morning, nice and easy, and made our way up the Flaminia towards the fairy tale town of Narni, then up towards Spoleto with a brief lunch stop at this trattoria with its cleverly placed sign that was visible from a mile away:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2RjL-uNWGs_u1qSe0hAhdr9HdR3PAm2DwimRhKttRb03fX83aqoFi2hNZzcnZftdmvEwppGe3-nw4EPJMSm0uQc5_BrPqFF6A8Ia0ZWVQAqaDm2sGL_q0R4fj-tmv8ZJVplxj10RgDAaolkzjnxftbQ1JC8Fsj_FEhXOgTqjFkSry7RGgZZ8WoRaNA/s1400/IMG_20230523_123512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR2RjL-uNWGs_u1qSe0hAhdr9HdR3PAm2DwimRhKttRb03fX83aqoFi2hNZzcnZftdmvEwppGe3-nw4EPJMSm0uQc5_BrPqFF6A8Ia0ZWVQAqaDm2sGL_q0R4fj-tmv8ZJVplxj10RgDAaolkzjnxftbQ1JC8Fsj_FEhXOgTqjFkSry7RGgZZ8WoRaNA/w400-h300/IMG_20230523_123512.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We continued inland on unmarked roads towards the most peculiar little hamlet of Rasiglia, where we stopped to have a look around and put away our rain gear.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprJgJUcku5yAuTbMYY1vi5TF1NuOYbuFaNeMn3oDPzusbp1AU_yn4gw0K4MS66P3npIDLmPGgZ8L0gPRJWlEMI3QxEECWSVDnhd2aJ0L_kUzBtXBoXGrR9yVZ0fr-BLI22W7CPwZI35wIQOVTWa52iuRlGqqj2Dq96NBchvirNFLy8x8tx7DSpwoviw/s1400/IMG_20230523_142451.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprJgJUcku5yAuTbMYY1vi5TF1NuOYbuFaNeMn3oDPzusbp1AU_yn4gw0K4MS66P3npIDLmPGgZ8L0gPRJWlEMI3QxEECWSVDnhd2aJ0L_kUzBtXBoXGrR9yVZ0fr-BLI22W7CPwZI35wIQOVTWa52iuRlGqqj2Dq96NBchvirNFLy8x8tx7DSpwoviw/w300-h400/IMG_20230523_142451.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Vj5LO_SEe3DqPLsuCxJByrElxjOQgP7zB0aR7Lht6bmwAmUQEQD2q8DT6gQEYHTTquTI25G_HiWUoF45c2e3SkfrINMx8qwFj8MhO6fvHLJV-COy0qtaCrAeX-EGl8oWW181klGXb6fppI2Xcn8aYUdH8dVWnSTLd7BCruGymGkfu_tUJtSrxJKjow/s1400/IMG_20230523_142457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Vj5LO_SEe3DqPLsuCxJByrElxjOQgP7zB0aR7Lht6bmwAmUQEQD2q8DT6gQEYHTTquTI25G_HiWUoF45c2e3SkfrINMx8qwFj8MhO6fvHLJV-COy0qtaCrAeX-EGl8oWW181klGXb6fppI2Xcn8aYUdH8dVWnSTLd7BCruGymGkfu_tUJtSrxJKjow/w400-h300/IMG_20230523_142457.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb_wEQCNTQtP2uLoI0VcZm3TKQsRi7JGVrnukR8qdnncTwKsZbYylQRZpowJb2cUg43cH-P046OFPCPYTKdRVl77Wmjgximp59_OHPw0C1cXfCylTL84UPeRjLfOeNqDn40VrIOISJyYv89tiKNL_FaIuo2EwgbF9HhHDSNONXSEowa9g0IKhVeVMkg/s1400/IMG_20230523_142735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb_wEQCNTQtP2uLoI0VcZm3TKQsRi7JGVrnukR8qdnncTwKsZbYylQRZpowJb2cUg43cH-P046OFPCPYTKdRVl77Wmjgximp59_OHPw0C1cXfCylTL84UPeRjLfOeNqDn40VrIOISJyYv89tiKNL_FaIuo2EwgbF9HhHDSNONXSEowa9g0IKhVeVMkg/w300-h400/IMG_20230523_142735.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_lrbq8l0dRDVhcYvRuud6sZems0dk2SN9a5Qs1QdKs_oCPaSo2xxcZr6pgOXhY3j114FUDU5aAughfZNp3nIvHNeP8OkkKGCskWZfQEgh7X4FDfiGZ0hmVeLaocX7HaPSXCbdZzWC_uVgxmg9E2v0TG_21F9T2E5SRvbAN1WzNzDQKZTiQeWA4AaUA/s1400/IMG_20230523_142839.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_lrbq8l0dRDVhcYvRuud6sZems0dk2SN9a5Qs1QdKs_oCPaSo2xxcZr6pgOXhY3j114FUDU5aAughfZNp3nIvHNeP8OkkKGCskWZfQEgh7X4FDfiGZ0hmVeLaocX7HaPSXCbdZzWC_uVgxmg9E2v0TG_21F9T2E5SRvbAN1WzNzDQKZTiQeWA4AaUA/w300-h400/IMG_20230523_142839.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorMdqTOawGby8u7unMEsO4RM2CTQhnA-GbATPuJEZxFdUHoKWmM4UPTyL8VOUG_20U8Lzo34s27jPRvrUDkQ4q0QaXSomshrVGAVow31QKRSuK4AG_p9Q_If0znLE1JZqhhJn1C5GAmNRsF2l83ADujfsZDY_N8lgSVcX1HA6fl7wrLGuY5Vr4HPFkw/s1273/IMG_20230523_142850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="1273" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorMdqTOawGby8u7unMEsO4RM2CTQhnA-GbATPuJEZxFdUHoKWmM4UPTyL8VOUG_20U8Lzo34s27jPRvrUDkQ4q0QaXSomshrVGAVow31QKRSuK4AG_p9Q_If0znLE1JZqhhJn1C5GAmNRsF2l83ADujfsZDY_N8lgSVcX1HA6fl7wrLGuY5Vr4HPFkw/w400-h300/IMG_20230523_142850.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3-sZaHAVrNYbT3ygM95mFbS7iRCA9-B8pByu63w8XMVo59egdtTxfXeC3yaGsRRQIUSFsS-u56cj36lNVNJ5-R1K71OXS29SC07Skd30C2pvpRzyC62LDaIkaKYT_9sOVgZgbaoERNvHKYavqvUXfE1kNpxE8tDsOgTS4fkyLBxk34ZMEct7IdZhiQ/s1400/IMG_20230523_143456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3-sZaHAVrNYbT3ygM95mFbS7iRCA9-B8pByu63w8XMVo59egdtTxfXeC3yaGsRRQIUSFsS-u56cj36lNVNJ5-R1K71OXS29SC07Skd30C2pvpRzyC62LDaIkaKYT_9sOVgZgbaoERNvHKYavqvUXfE1kNpxE8tDsOgTS4fkyLBxk34ZMEct7IdZhiQ/w300-h400/IMG_20230523_143456.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another stop along the way, up at the top of the hill that overlooks the lake at Fiastra, and then a final descent down to the campsite at the lake, which we had all to ourselves this time. The groundskeeper's dog came to check us out, decided he liked us and hung out with us until we left the following day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGlrOdsavDTOcm7wBc7cTzMdBCaEfONPZgZGYeNk9lXmBra2AXyeKcjeRfxKR3v8f95disAE3ae5-SVDUb35ELNsKtygHcCO8kYecmXv7kteN2Z3ZDVdXVR4mkQuR0Kw_Z8RAFycvkWeYKy-m96L8T9RDnY-JEgm0DFvgZROlqZDEm9sPlilnEDgxTg/s2000/IMG_20230523_155458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGlrOdsavDTOcm7wBc7cTzMdBCaEfONPZgZGYeNk9lXmBra2AXyeKcjeRfxKR3v8f95disAE3ae5-SVDUb35ELNsKtygHcCO8kYecmXv7kteN2Z3ZDVdXVR4mkQuR0Kw_Z8RAFycvkWeYKy-m96L8T9RDnY-JEgm0DFvgZROlqZDEm9sPlilnEDgxTg/w400-h300/IMG_20230523_155458.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9i4rLXKKtNGTlR2xfUlo0Tig780dQYremY8bh9lCW6lhC9oyuiDPi9mkdQI9qtKRXlyh99HTHVpkXr_Txl5r4ZjVNm3vGAbxhmZdBCWeNIaxnb-ORQSrx1zdzQ2tkUVoas6HY0uebMFV7cyFhntF2mxMzVikS5HFUVmk6WYfZrLsz-L5fKYSD_GfvoA/s2000/IMG_20230523_171815.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9i4rLXKKtNGTlR2xfUlo0Tig780dQYremY8bh9lCW6lhC9oyuiDPi9mkdQI9qtKRXlyh99HTHVpkXr_Txl5r4ZjVNm3vGAbxhmZdBCWeNIaxnb-ORQSrx1zdzQ2tkUVoas6HY0uebMFV7cyFhntF2mxMzVikS5HFUVmk6WYfZrLsz-L5fKYSD_GfvoA/w400-h300/IMG_20230523_171815.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Above: look at that sky... The prevailing colors that accompanied us during this trip were green and grey, the scents mostly ozone, spartium and the woody, resinous sap encountered in the fir and spruce forests.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMuHe7zWy7CHQk_XpeVEsQp82BC0tCdXO0MlLkJkAF0TGYUODT_obfG6QtbWlIcfyUQYRsVB3wjrABV9wwZcLJua1iLM9lOtjfus6UvvYTGFOZJEOe47p7bMxcrqlJuXGy2t-6-Ul2z4PdmyDohOASCalS8DUmCDfIR6A2HSiNsGZOBlaBYkmoBFXkQ/s2000/IMG_20230523_165500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMuHe7zWy7CHQk_XpeVEsQp82BC0tCdXO0MlLkJkAF0TGYUODT_obfG6QtbWlIcfyUQYRsVB3wjrABV9wwZcLJua1iLM9lOtjfus6UvvYTGFOZJEOe47p7bMxcrqlJuXGy2t-6-Ul2z4PdmyDohOASCalS8DUmCDfIR6A2HSiNsGZOBlaBYkmoBFXkQ/w300-h400/IMG_20230523_165500.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcNqX73Qtgllkno_qLpK-BIk9hqkPO1s-Pon1RN_drd2NUoRtlDpxrFKE1OiTzqoDpEcHcnWPtFPYL-ljmaUkQi4nCF7pX_PMHDDBec2CefmYhTKbW0PDfO3riW24F2uW0uMTu8veXW_pKiJEGmPw0TNY1yBaLKXBHSPZWsJ6VRhJrK7IsCiUjNkOqQ/s1400/IMG_20230523_172539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcNqX73Qtgllkno_qLpK-BIk9hqkPO1s-Pon1RN_drd2NUoRtlDpxrFKE1OiTzqoDpEcHcnWPtFPYL-ljmaUkQi4nCF7pX_PMHDDBec2CefmYhTKbW0PDfO3riW24F2uW0uMTu8veXW_pKiJEGmPw0TNY1yBaLKXBHSPZWsJ6VRhJrK7IsCiUjNkOqQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230523_172539.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsBn84ANe9_jVUzspL8lOdM-navS6cT4q6Njy96H8spIPV1zLE2-GvNefaIdBivk0_NBNFBulbzQbsyM2XwvoDzvsOupilBosazjFqZJX5NRseAq89LzAtFUIumk4Fz5dU7SvKQ1EyjQ00xEyiHtqNHHg7LesCZU6FW-fYQI-l8jxeN_Plf9pC0Ho0Q/s1400/IMG20230523170317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1400" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsBn84ANe9_jVUzspL8lOdM-navS6cT4q6Njy96H8spIPV1zLE2-GvNefaIdBivk0_NBNFBulbzQbsyM2XwvoDzvsOupilBosazjFqZJX5NRseAq89LzAtFUIumk4Fz5dU7SvKQ1EyjQ00xEyiHtqNHHg7LesCZU6FW-fYQI-l8jxeN_Plf9pC0Ho0Q/w400-h226/IMG20230523170317.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLNX2e2scByWqEvmYuZZ_NGW0c_iNmTlDQ8uCyhUoEA1KRcoEA-jwLcjXmEtD0JyuNfMu6UhokNeDVXamYJCR9GcrJLp7rSFFBHzSo_Wc4SvvV_V6W-tJa-6Xg0mRfrr_3o-fsDkqZZciD3h0QoRyBR1ofUg1s93CmX3jqQtI1xcGNI_viUGxSXZ3-g/s1400/IMG_20230523_163553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLNX2e2scByWqEvmYuZZ_NGW0c_iNmTlDQ8uCyhUoEA1KRcoEA-jwLcjXmEtD0JyuNfMu6UhokNeDVXamYJCR9GcrJLp7rSFFBHzSo_Wc4SvvV_V6W-tJa-6Xg0mRfrr_3o-fsDkqZZciD3h0QoRyBR1ofUg1s93CmX3jqQtI1xcGNI_viUGxSXZ3-g/w400-h300/IMG_20230523_163553.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagBB3PBdn6WNhwRMbBlGKrYqpmY8MZz-RnsaSCkvYDk2R20dhvOdV-WXVgVt4CJCKWNeZq1Ln25mhS4Fs0vVNQYwajMeVvs35yW36OcjAGWQlYXWth8nNndZXbN5B6Jfk8zRl92z5xiKjgN1wSbRC3QMGZkcsCKWy1Zjea2EEEx8w2H83hZIFwEMXCQ/s2100/IMG_20230523_190331.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="2100" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagBB3PBdn6WNhwRMbBlGKrYqpmY8MZz-RnsaSCkvYDk2R20dhvOdV-WXVgVt4CJCKWNeZq1Ln25mhS4Fs0vVNQYwajMeVvs35yW36OcjAGWQlYXWth8nNndZXbN5B6Jfk8zRl92z5xiKjgN1wSbRC3QMGZkcsCKWy1Zjea2EEEx8w2H83hZIFwEMXCQ/w400-h266/IMG_20230523_190331.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Very often you will find that dogs are better than most people you'll meet in your life. The same can be said of some cats.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAO3aYBcSYjZbIH2KCsLy6rfAa_-jDPCbuhWZdTKDGSgY6EvR3hr7CP8wN9btqU5USzRKi4ai0VJYb9Z9K5dWDjwIW-CtkPXoxbTtso5U_vZ-KKRbNaXN-hzkMrN1s8LscdUz9CfkQgoREIhBA-sqE00QqWRqu40kJIqcCWTU-gZXo2Ej7o0nWG_K6Kw/s2940/PANO_20230523_170700.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="2940" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAO3aYBcSYjZbIH2KCsLy6rfAa_-jDPCbuhWZdTKDGSgY6EvR3hr7CP8wN9btqU5USzRKi4ai0VJYb9Z9K5dWDjwIW-CtkPXoxbTtso5U_vZ-KKRbNaXN-hzkMrN1s8LscdUz9CfkQgoREIhBA-sqE00QqWRqu40kJIqcCWTU-gZXo2Ej7o0nWG_K6Kw/w400-h180/PANO_20230523_170700.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshO6XTC_BmQdl8O9yn0aT-vIie0HhVhjURVg8_l-YZKvdUuVjScw4SURLp5x_4ZhbMpAcKP7jVOx7aDWLrm9AAUjamIO1fGyI-qPOnbhynk2YbU00CXFwyZ8PH0P1Ds8qf9KjJi4HND1lHMjSgc0JEHx33_DxmSpjJOHgGDxdrygP2XekzP2T95yLDg/s4000/IMG_20230523_170740.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshO6XTC_BmQdl8O9yn0aT-vIie0HhVhjURVg8_l-YZKvdUuVjScw4SURLp5x_4ZhbMpAcKP7jVOx7aDWLrm9AAUjamIO1fGyI-qPOnbhynk2YbU00CXFwyZ8PH0P1Ds8qf9KjJi4HND1lHMjSgc0JEHx33_DxmSpjJOHgGDxdrygP2XekzP2T95yLDg/w300-h400/IMG_20230523_170740.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYO2nAThQbaJ3D38L2Gy09j30UmExBAruwHMw0qnczqnBcqVgVhuljQj3QGGzJkJUOsZ94W-Sy7JpwH16adrdDkCwT01_YhX6Wt3IGIamVCmYlpGhKAZHKEoQ3MgpjxAodWhiDipla-dJvmfrhG3iv38BsBnuMlDLcBIZZhIOp3x7nrTCTRo3Onogokw/s4000/IMG_20230523_170802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYO2nAThQbaJ3D38L2Gy09j30UmExBAruwHMw0qnczqnBcqVgVhuljQj3QGGzJkJUOsZ94W-Sy7JpwH16adrdDkCwT01_YhX6Wt3IGIamVCmYlpGhKAZHKEoQ3MgpjxAodWhiDipla-dJvmfrhG3iv38BsBnuMlDLcBIZZhIOp3x7nrTCTRo3Onogokw/w400-h300/IMG_20230523_170802.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtoiG2NdXrsu_OqqSXWl3AiHb91GYfdez4a3YPDhISfSudmlvGUKZ8f08X7rgX9ADzNG_2IGnwtPKyNTCt6Fww0KDZoGF0b3XjDll5zRtzws4zzwT7srPRt0Q9ev5PJmppTBNqlCEuj8gbFic1RUU6-vHobDI4phsW3NNhwrRBKOowag5fWNirr2gyw/s1344/IMG-20230523-WA0015.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="756" data-original-width="1344" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDtoiG2NdXrsu_OqqSXWl3AiHb91GYfdez4a3YPDhISfSudmlvGUKZ8f08X7rgX9ADzNG_2IGnwtPKyNTCt6Fww0KDZoGF0b3XjDll5zRtzws4zzwT7srPRt0Q9ev5PJmppTBNqlCEuj8gbFic1RUU6-vHobDI4phsW3NNhwrRBKOowag5fWNirr2gyw/w400-h225/IMG-20230523-WA0015.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANeCjXfZKjq-xKf_9Vqbs8zab9qeqe2W8o4VpA4hplENuGQrFG9BYbEDjkDXfyPbA_vXlIKE_R9N0dKvBHOsUFS_aza0TFW2GwPGeHYzaWlraZMNmnaICNqyH9v-JZiuwMPMzgOGvJaQA83TgWlDxVOarucD9xconXl4vlX0-c_siPN9innCSqRzocg/s4000/IMG_20230523_210212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANeCjXfZKjq-xKf_9Vqbs8zab9qeqe2W8o4VpA4hplENuGQrFG9BYbEDjkDXfyPbA_vXlIKE_R9N0dKvBHOsUFS_aza0TFW2GwPGeHYzaWlraZMNmnaICNqyH9v-JZiuwMPMzgOGvJaQA83TgWlDxVOarucD9xconXl4vlX0-c_siPN9innCSqRzocg/w480-h640/IMG_20230523_210212.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">During the night I could hear a breeze blow and light drizzle from time to time, nothing dramatic. Here is the recap for day 1:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHv-wbljRH1L5jZ2TDARn5q5N9CNlrS8vcnrK_pKsrm24rZHFuRj2zsh-nwOf99dW6PlzXnsBjbpj8JSCyzhgvCTdCpcMdkGpBA2SyckW_jSIkVTwTAK7by4wkGi-Bb-0sI9QnMV6Be5s3uaavsKV3bZQv9_K0Ese46C6K_PFQF0H-mcoU5QUY3o4GQ/s1272/day1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1272" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHv-wbljRH1L5jZ2TDARn5q5N9CNlrS8vcnrK_pKsrm24rZHFuRj2zsh-nwOf99dW6PlzXnsBjbpj8JSCyzhgvCTdCpcMdkGpBA2SyckW_jSIkVTwTAK7by4wkGi-Bb-0sI9QnMV6Be5s3uaavsKV3bZQv9_K0Ese46C6K_PFQF0H-mcoU5QUY3o4GQ/w400-h275/day1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Morning came bright and sunny at first, then the clouds rolled in but still good enough that we packed up with no rush.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPb-j_qbLvgJ3ja6_EBswfTMX_EpwUi9f3HgBQp0YKomhpu3ia87-cs58TdYsOwdipCGNicOn-QAgatI8XITsCrBxS8WX4pj_UW8dpK0vHUzr-H-PoAUsv9LkKtPpN5L5wjtANZL5V1rbjAXAkUEKts7w8puE41EvxsCgcsUiosMRS0j6Jri1FnHSUw/s2000/IMG20230524080159.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPb-j_qbLvgJ3ja6_EBswfTMX_EpwUi9f3HgBQp0YKomhpu3ia87-cs58TdYsOwdipCGNicOn-QAgatI8XITsCrBxS8WX4pj_UW8dpK0vHUzr-H-PoAUsv9LkKtPpN5L5wjtANZL5V1rbjAXAkUEKts7w8puE41EvxsCgcsUiosMRS0j6Jri1FnHSUw/w400-h225/IMG20230524080159.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-klEADKZdK6gHoVjBHsxxf_ypBQqF8j1PNUP41JRer6gapq1TtvACQgE0dXz8Equ7wbfFE0GmI074pPZInWdLEj2uyqg936DXA70M7aDLyQxMKBV-6Su0zpl10lM4BvzN66VOv_yrTpROQe3jo4GXfjv0aHe88J640LUoc_Ssog3S2KjOXyt9MJ-jA/s2000/IMG20230524082739.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-klEADKZdK6gHoVjBHsxxf_ypBQqF8j1PNUP41JRer6gapq1TtvACQgE0dXz8Equ7wbfFE0GmI074pPZInWdLEj2uyqg936DXA70M7aDLyQxMKBV-6Su0zpl10lM4BvzN66VOv_yrTpROQe3jo4GXfjv0aHe88J640LUoc_Ssog3S2KjOXyt9MJ-jA/w400-h225/IMG20230524082739.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmY2f87KDa7lgxYO5Y4i8YTpW-KkkdQurNVs1aJZ-5ZyWDSkHT6l6WoTMFw50SEEnJobkF7wbPAyLbdF9FT95L9Vh2FV6XkshKHyDW3frbfpmqWyV4JFz1IU1xsFu2wutxxfN01CFZh4mpCALEIH-J6FthLFV-21nZ_y_p1Mq7LdfkBfZwcJ55l824g/s2000/IMG20230524082743b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmY2f87KDa7lgxYO5Y4i8YTpW-KkkdQurNVs1aJZ-5ZyWDSkHT6l6WoTMFw50SEEnJobkF7wbPAyLbdF9FT95L9Vh2FV6XkshKHyDW3frbfpmqWyV4JFz1IU1xsFu2wutxxfN01CFZh4mpCALEIH-J6FthLFV-21nZ_y_p1Mq7LdfkBfZwcJ55l824g/w400-h225/IMG20230524082743b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6q_yxvq3E5zTYxB8Le-ycYxtksKNaIdBR3Wk5mk3pdleXv3JSdoDuUD-2lpdAYeIixNv862SKnGiiUllECG0hqYCEofLcc-Bm0yxksv2zVtOAz8Hhj8yA_OS1eorpVJYIoS9nulnUXE4qG7SMS-L4X5WGEsuXMy1N_pxeUTtfSsGwLP8wB4DAxd5ag/s2000/IMG20230524082743c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6q_yxvq3E5zTYxB8Le-ycYxtksKNaIdBR3Wk5mk3pdleXv3JSdoDuUD-2lpdAYeIixNv862SKnGiiUllECG0hqYCEofLcc-Bm0yxksv2zVtOAz8Hhj8yA_OS1eorpVJYIoS9nulnUXE4qG7SMS-L4X5WGEsuXMy1N_pxeUTtfSsGwLP8wB4DAxd5ag/w400-h225/IMG20230524082743c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvu8ZQnCDXx9If7-dqtTSisVqo6mhcijtBmKvRkXfOX2kCoc4N65RoIpWfQVWUTVkdblhM_mztdGKkcdMcH3GHi3-OsN695taSp_usYL564pLxmQYyEXZ3cEEVj6orYTA5OYA5Vp423v6bnuwOWAOFCFEHMZHk-WIQBM45txWSjxEsjQfbCgkjrnaGOQ/s2000/IMG20230524082820.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvu8ZQnCDXx9If7-dqtTSisVqo6mhcijtBmKvRkXfOX2kCoc4N65RoIpWfQVWUTVkdblhM_mztdGKkcdMcH3GHi3-OsN695taSp_usYL564pLxmQYyEXZ3cEEVj6orYTA5OYA5Vp423v6bnuwOWAOFCFEHMZHk-WIQBM45txWSjxEsjQfbCgkjrnaGOQ/w400-h225/IMG20230524082820.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEify-mFXmBXlgCJYTm3NPhPaVza98WoQrrU-dY-SWAtagraw9L8W7HO823cidAnSqvATIiqz5Qz0bvm-99M2f0lFoOv1lpP_mhE9-SR-SvlyfIA4RpZkNUTbwBBJRFZPIVf2NhNnVxKo0cFmWsZxpQYUYKfZe7wJIyYg1xeK2d1SbfNhggK0vd0QDxFAQ/s2000/IMG20230524082924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEify-mFXmBXlgCJYTm3NPhPaVza98WoQrrU-dY-SWAtagraw9L8W7HO823cidAnSqvATIiqz5Qz0bvm-99M2f0lFoOv1lpP_mhE9-SR-SvlyfIA4RpZkNUTbwBBJRFZPIVf2NhNnVxKo0cFmWsZxpQYUYKfZe7wJIyYg1xeK2d1SbfNhggK0vd0QDxFAQ/w400-h225/IMG20230524082924.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first surprise of the day was finding the little lake at Gerosa, another of the many artificial lakes around these parts, with turquoise waters and surrounded by spruce. We had never come this way before, preferring instead to burrow deeper into the Sibillini park and skirt monte Vettore. Having seen this and the spectacular road that leads to it, I think we'll add it to the next edition* of the Gran Giro.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtUVhpbydgsvjPguswbcDuYuHsK_wrQzZUhjpq-Qx7T_lC8Aa-31gjleBmBTEC-yTTcUyU0etgt_tnRc5Nr8DqoY3-_oqa3BJ3r7nDy63NkyQ8EBlGtg98wcuoFiafb4sUq8Klh1iTMghi7t2hdnQRTKrf0PHn1KjOY2FCDLEr2_xdspCioJRO2k6Lg/s6392/PANO_20230524_105029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1872" data-original-width="6392" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtUVhpbydgsvjPguswbcDuYuHsK_wrQzZUhjpq-Qx7T_lC8Aa-31gjleBmBTEC-yTTcUyU0etgt_tnRc5Nr8DqoY3-_oqa3BJ3r7nDy63NkyQ8EBlGtg98wcuoFiafb4sUq8Klh1iTMghi7t2hdnQRTKrf0PHn1KjOY2FCDLEr2_xdspCioJRO2k6Lg/w400-h118/PANO_20230524_105029.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllNHHXUz3OoUxNS3kRaMJkeeQueyeYBCCPQYuRuk3Tz3y_LNfvQ5MR796jgsA-VFLAgG-XDwWTlHnyrEcBHpd8MBiY_Pe5lFaZyDE9sj8KBjJixnh9iJ9OucyTO3jpI6NeuDKzukiow6-BU7b7DEMw6RNO8jsLVF3nomjCop2LqEmXGYWGEJbOmGSRw/s1600/IMG_20230524_105427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllNHHXUz3OoUxNS3kRaMJkeeQueyeYBCCPQYuRuk3Tz3y_LNfvQ5MR796jgsA-VFLAgG-XDwWTlHnyrEcBHpd8MBiY_Pe5lFaZyDE9sj8KBjJixnh9iJ9OucyTO3jpI6NeuDKzukiow6-BU7b7DEMw6RNO8jsLVF3nomjCop2LqEmXGYWGEJbOmGSRw/w400-h300/IMG_20230524_105427.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The itinerary for our second day was always going to be the most demanding, much as it had been in 2021, and once again it was unfortunately made even harder by another road closure that meant we had to add a 70km detour in the rain to an already tough day. Figuring out which way to to go required us to find some shelter under the trees so we could look at our map - it's paper, bad idea better put it away fast - so let's check with our phones; great, except that every tiny drop of water falling on the screen makes it impossible to move around a map or zoom in and out. This became so frustrating I actually started laughing in a very peculiar way. Once we finally figured out exactly how far we'd have to ride, I also thought about how much further I could ride with the dino juice left in my tank. Gas mileage on the Sportster doesn't seem to have suffered by <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2023/01/1200s-service-time-part-10.html">having installed the Dynojet stage 1 kit</a>, but the 12.5 liter tank can only carry you so far. I don't mind hitting reserve or completely running out (provided I have extra fuel as has been the norm these past few years), it makes for a quick break where bikes and riders get to relax for a moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPS9yJiPxBmZ-31yOqOf5gQ_PJV9DwQuiUGt1QLTEJv2rNPU09HmT2N6v4PsjyekiXrSwPwyCHDhaukgnLwh1f4ylh-G1poxWSDTzP3N7ehRNtn2IDkdHzlPxCUgqHLiROEXD7z_imnmGLOuIS9votoSeFiCQ5AHbNCDdOuzBRbYtB4kQP-NurdEDog/s2000/IMG20230524120608.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPS9yJiPxBmZ-31yOqOf5gQ_PJV9DwQuiUGt1QLTEJv2rNPU09HmT2N6v4PsjyekiXrSwPwyCHDhaukgnLwh1f4ylh-G1poxWSDTzP3N7ehRNtn2IDkdHzlPxCUgqHLiROEXD7z_imnmGLOuIS9votoSeFiCQ5AHbNCDdOuzBRbYtB4kQP-NurdEDog/w400-h225/IMG20230524120608.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Speaking of the Dynojet, here is what I've noticed during these five days putting it to the test; first of all, there is a definite difference in throttle response compared with the stock set up. Not better or worse, just different: it is more abrupt, not as gradual and progressive as it was before, so it needs you to be a little bit more decisive with the throttle. The new spray tube and needle work together to deliver more fuel in a concentrated burst (rather than the smooth progressive increments of the original setup), which combined with the lighter slide spring and larger slide hole mean that you get a stronger response from the engine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZittGqNdyJUGXmz8p3h40x1Gqwi6CWYPYBJ3RPQSun_DBit9QB3QiE8IXMy_fKxK23mzAa3m0IR7LR7f75FpSTfdieo_awPHuUOFlVCgpV7w_JHzHvhu4X3mDDwNutnkZEPTgc2h2RMwwv-h58pwoM0JZo88bfzc14XQQ4HqME9pMAiFFoeIO_JjyYw/s2000/IMG_20230524_143809.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZittGqNdyJUGXmz8p3h40x1Gqwi6CWYPYBJ3RPQSun_DBit9QB3QiE8IXMy_fKxK23mzAa3m0IR7LR7f75FpSTfdieo_awPHuUOFlVCgpV7w_JHzHvhu4X3mDDwNutnkZEPTgc2h2RMwwv-h58pwoM0JZo88bfzc14XQQ4HqME9pMAiFFoeIO_JjyYw/w300-h400/IMG_20230524_143809.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Road closures were infuriating not only because they messed with our plan but also because they were often unnecessary and there just out of an abundance of caution. On the plus side we did discover yet more amazing roads and scenery in this vast land that never ceases to impress me. We basically had to descend to a valley way off in the distance before we could make the turn and end up at Santo Stefano di Sessanio. The hot shower, meal and wine that awaited us were a great reward that made everything right again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0xze6Mh_ZtJOBNF5NDLhSqTC-P_ecSRXsvBfTtc3z-W_KHA-7JFEIt4zNbg5ufJRACNRAphDZYLHEx6b27pTY0QPKHIWUCIl6qMO5xeFDc2QfgeLkquk0rMb1xjC68DGhuVTbxgdl8FwoV66FYpqJEHUnbfho6tuLHSm4gwu52q8m1hpE6ctGrvDgw/s2000/IMG_20230524_185832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0xze6Mh_ZtJOBNF5NDLhSqTC-P_ecSRXsvBfTtc3z-W_KHA-7JFEIt4zNbg5ufJRACNRAphDZYLHEx6b27pTY0QPKHIWUCIl6qMO5xeFDc2QfgeLkquk0rMb1xjC68DGhuVTbxgdl8FwoV66FYpqJEHUnbfho6tuLHSm4gwu52q8m1hpE6ctGrvDgw/w400-h300/IMG_20230524_185832.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is the recap for day 2:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpx-KcK_fHTSbGNqWKEjek1ubexZ9VB8F1uJVfzL7cBRjuPoxkBBc9Tj3Gc5ryUvw2iR1DjEi3WqG5NwSCJe53f_3NBNhx0kMMR8CbR9Sw-crPQsc3aXdteH8LAnT07vQuJVS3Xm-TiwlKgXFZ4IkPsacMe7FA0NHUxW4ATlWQu_Ka6AsYDQ0CLCdHDA/s1195/day2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1195" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpx-KcK_fHTSbGNqWKEjek1ubexZ9VB8F1uJVfzL7cBRjuPoxkBBc9Tj3Gc5ryUvw2iR1DjEi3WqG5NwSCJe53f_3NBNhx0kMMR8CbR9Sw-crPQsc3aXdteH8LAnT07vQuJVS3Xm-TiwlKgXFZ4IkPsacMe7FA0NHUxW4ATlWQu_Ka6AsYDQ0CLCdHDA/w400-h313/day2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still tired from the day before and with no certainty of decent weather for day 3, we had to make a decision, which we delayed until the famous "point of no return", here: 41.918982199248326, 14.106966483862154</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszn5CtiskgTtCMycbbEWdYRzNFzLJ5sguX6rHzFxm2_Qs_mmaUq66YN_m_yLDR-fqLGGCNaGSK0TfGPW9yUDCIWv7iU9Qp9EKEzkVCVBRG7JLE6xrUqv6Awdxe4uUL8J7sR1E6EoAXWVNFKIwWXxvvi74VYscO72XuFQYSnTZuk_IRiv5uZvjUbCHOQ/s1218/NoReturn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="1218" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszn5CtiskgTtCMycbbEWdYRzNFzLJ5sguX6rHzFxm2_Qs_mmaUq66YN_m_yLDR-fqLGGCNaGSK0TfGPW9yUDCIWv7iU9Qp9EKEzkVCVBRG7JLE6xrUqv6Awdxe4uUL8J7sR1E6EoAXWVNFKIwWXxvvi74VYscO72XuFQYSnTZuk_IRiv5uZvjUbCHOQ/w400-h285/NoReturn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyImOTjAfsZYwM_ZPXQ8pWQk1iqzswnedTjDSYnZ86wUU7D2D8AhAD4I2ZJixJp1vSEFej26YTIZqkFO0rW_ut8019BG8dWfF6-tbWF83qgEj10qMpcoH3gyKp4F5OQ5flnbUBr_Mlgn49rlaqJ0N-Q31STB8XkPjhGS7sFejzo_lduMpWq50TIpUn4A/s2000/IMG_20230525_113520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyImOTjAfsZYwM_ZPXQ8pWQk1iqzswnedTjDSYnZ86wUU7D2D8AhAD4I2ZJixJp1vSEFej26YTIZqkFO0rW_ut8019BG8dWfF6-tbWF83qgEj10qMpcoH3gyKp4F5OQ5flnbUBr_Mlgn49rlaqJ0N-Q31STB8XkPjhGS7sFejzo_lduMpWq50TIpUn4A/w400-h300/IMG_20230525_113520.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmyd3M1MusD3rhmjuHwHAohVcpprP5f-WSRO2Gv88vCJtR5KQ1pCwTQ0-yudS7HP130KGypovF3w605i-xDSYs6QeSG-rXZ51Oj_VAyy2T1t-pT6ePZB5Wf2woMN3zT5DBmLs0yp3ayREiOuKbwzewcN-l6PuTNRQhnluKHYz2i7YvoomCic8RwjAQA/s2000/IMG20230525113519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmyd3M1MusD3rhmjuHwHAohVcpprP5f-WSRO2Gv88vCJtR5KQ1pCwTQ0-yudS7HP130KGypovF3w605i-xDSYs6QeSG-rXZ51Oj_VAyy2T1t-pT6ePZB5Wf2woMN3zT5DBmLs0yp3ayREiOuKbwzewcN-l6PuTNRQhnluKHYz2i7YvoomCic8RwjAQA/w400-h225/IMG20230525113519.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While the original itinerary would have included a full, glorious loop of the mighty Majella complex, we decided to only do about 15% of it (plus the ever stunning road that goes from Pacentro to the actual loop) and continue Southwest towards Civitella Alfedena. There is something truly distinctive about the Majella park, I've known this since before the first time we even toured it, when I realized it was a place I'd sometimes heard of but never quite managed to reach. It's not easy to do and it's more than just logistics, weather conditions or any other tangible challenge. I'm seriously beginning to think that it's all about whether or not the mountain accepts you that particular day. I pondered all this as the road dipped down towards Roccaraso and we picked up the pace a little bit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Somewhere along the way I downshift into third and the gear lever makes an odd <i>"schleuck!"</i> sound but returns, slowly, to its starting position. I wonder if I imagined it but I soon have to shift again and there's something going on. I fear the worst but the actual gearbox works a treat and pulls all the torque I'm giving it with no trouble. I continue riding and although it's not quite working properly, it is somehow still working, so I decide not to worry about it and to just continue enjoying the ride. We'll see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We found a campsite we had never stayed at before, and it was so quiet and empty that two deer were grazing undisturbed; they looked at us as if very surprised to see bipeds around, and eventually left with no particular hurry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSyEvzXDYn0e61fs5kbXSAgb9W5wfvYa__ZFmgSYcdpkkq7VfYMcvUiAjGOMByn8MxfjeOL4DLuXJbDDbvTFfhS0j-tTJ7JsJ_yANz60CSX4JuK2dMXzxyY2kZcE8xAjhuIVf3mnT0UDCUD58sGFbMbRRmHRpzb_53wzZpC9op78znkLEdBQUJlskZg/s2000/IMG_20230525_144441.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSyEvzXDYn0e61fs5kbXSAgb9W5wfvYa__ZFmgSYcdpkkq7VfYMcvUiAjGOMByn8MxfjeOL4DLuXJbDDbvTFfhS0j-tTJ7JsJ_yANz60CSX4JuK2dMXzxyY2kZcE8xAjhuIVf3mnT0UDCUD58sGFbMbRRmHRpzb_53wzZpC9op78znkLEdBQUJlskZg/w400-h300/IMG_20230525_144441.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Jf6Q8Q-CH6qLfUEsPFKTesdRy2hkbvDkh47OZjk72fgBZi8loyP11NdwaYZsmX-b0YeOhb38OLarvuUKI0o0bZBuYJ7gPbbl90mibgMZIWZ4IdfKxu3XfMyf64FNCqYX26qcTmn_2jb_j2eqMbSVhJJirVNeu0FZbZuuc3UweaBx7ycmQFV-IZTVvg/s2000/IMG_20230525_144332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Jf6Q8Q-CH6qLfUEsPFKTesdRy2hkbvDkh47OZjk72fgBZi8loyP11NdwaYZsmX-b0YeOhb38OLarvuUKI0o0bZBuYJ7gPbbl90mibgMZIWZ4IdfKxu3XfMyf64FNCqYX26qcTmn_2jb_j2eqMbSVhJJirVNeu0FZbZuuc3UweaBx7ycmQFV-IZTVvg/w300-h400/IMG_20230525_144332.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMUtNDV-45YO8_KeYHq_tG9oEupIwcLcylhufUGQkkDhv3MEac4xv7l7M0KllwFWaAgaRqX0b90g9vZN7b4QaWdoFrHEuLINNGk1ARmzkW1rKX92dXAAggln8XCkCZcUnEDWosX3185zKcBCCBWq9Dg1Psdt1ryG9GnGOwmlrNtltxV8rd-i4SDRuWA/s2000/IMG_20230525_145304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMUtNDV-45YO8_KeYHq_tG9oEupIwcLcylhufUGQkkDhv3MEac4xv7l7M0KllwFWaAgaRqX0b90g9vZN7b4QaWdoFrHEuLINNGk1ARmzkW1rKX92dXAAggln8XCkCZcUnEDWosX3185zKcBCCBWq9Dg1Psdt1ryG9GnGOwmlrNtltxV8rd-i4SDRuWA/w400-h300/IMG_20230525_145304.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSldngxPqI7lBzDG4AEvPoj98n9hUj6_d8xfF-ddkLkK3AjAvLYpl_YNsv2PyUV_0O-G0W217aMnNWJtSW-4ssqJOwOBJHAOsxD_Uy812-QZawR-UzAMKnUhUi46Lf5RHDmihJl5ZoRctkm8hvuHbW4zue4B3psKJ9SLHFuge0xYG4sHCpeoal3yjxQ/s1400/IMG_20230525_150556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSldngxPqI7lBzDG4AEvPoj98n9hUj6_d8xfF-ddkLkK3AjAvLYpl_YNsv2PyUV_0O-G0W217aMnNWJtSW-4ssqJOwOBJHAOsxD_Uy812-QZawR-UzAMKnUhUi46Lf5RHDmihJl5ZoRctkm8hvuHbW4zue4B3psKJ9SLHFuge0xYG4sHCpeoal3yjxQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230525_150556.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5InYkZ-bNIv3SYlpbdfMAzbjCWiLE4SPtnhKJ0Y4cgbwtrO0-oXNFlgPWrh6URzR11FWAu7OayNEBR97L8-lRglB1qrRgLxOKI7Qz-rbXajRJiSSWiU93kUQ25IpC1kQZIpOGU7KUylY211naLPuR0S1OIGWu3R7TGF9f-F06T8ySNxCfmoEqkmEUgA/s2000/IMG_20230525_154037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5InYkZ-bNIv3SYlpbdfMAzbjCWiLE4SPtnhKJ0Y4cgbwtrO0-oXNFlgPWrh6URzR11FWAu7OayNEBR97L8-lRglB1qrRgLxOKI7Qz-rbXajRJiSSWiU93kUQ25IpC1kQZIpOGU7KUylY211naLPuR0S1OIGWu3R7TGF9f-F06T8ySNxCfmoEqkmEUgA/w480-h640/IMG_20230525_154037.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fOLFJHfWvnWJVebQSjFW40QCsDSMVEnUGQUM4T2t3HOCzldtLUF9yS1v5oUQnJe1GNkG_X2BhzOLVfSYCWQCMcKc4vrPt9cT5Q7p2xQ4ov_TWS1igqdSw_4TW3G1DvxjQHmLw9YuQMcCdwWArIwqvfv7fB-3KZGbvm88YIBivuS5HC1nyrwYtjroLg/s2000/IMG_20230525_150542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fOLFJHfWvnWJVebQSjFW40QCsDSMVEnUGQUM4T2t3HOCzldtLUF9yS1v5oUQnJe1GNkG_X2BhzOLVfSYCWQCMcKc4vrPt9cT5Q7p2xQ4ov_TWS1igqdSw_4TW3G1DvxjQHmLw9YuQMcCdwWArIwqvfv7fB-3KZGbvm88YIBivuS5HC1nyrwYtjroLg/w480-h640/IMG_20230525_150542.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7-DMqQh53xkPmkHI97Yxa9u0W9vazLRmhnvJvRycT4ukXpx2AuH2aWFT2xIpcXnXYy7labM4EZlAeh1nlA8inkEKWTp6EUOhQ29oDh64tDI43dE0g98uwRmJQQdOK1EuMuTJkCgVsXL54nfPnl_p07SbydvrSdXOiCgSiSi0tf14hLxqRVJg-Bi2lQ/s1400/IMG_20230525_183352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7-DMqQh53xkPmkHI97Yxa9u0W9vazLRmhnvJvRycT4ukXpx2AuH2aWFT2xIpcXnXYy7labM4EZlAeh1nlA8inkEKWTp6EUOhQ29oDh64tDI43dE0g98uwRmJQQdOK1EuMuTJkCgVsXL54nfPnl_p07SbydvrSdXOiCgSiSi0tf14hLxqRVJg-Bi2lQ/w480-h640/IMG_20230525_183352.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since we had some time before dinner, we ran part of the following morning's itinerary, which made for a nice preview of what we would have done. Here is a recap of day 3:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOP6EgbdyNyogaqgYwdBgRkDKbgZjXGufta98hrXktlyNa2prSp0OKROYOm2gdDnlQzKS8CtAGXqkAo5dVqZcVCh_c24u1alL5yfIqcTX2C-wgJ13ug51ryQVrP6CuVnrazZnyKwTN-nJtz6bNElJm1KiWSnJeTInUd4KsuuFhQOzhwR6TF5Ubhpceg/s1413/day3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="877" data-original-width="1413" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOP6EgbdyNyogaqgYwdBgRkDKbgZjXGufta98hrXktlyNa2prSp0OKROYOm2gdDnlQzKS8CtAGXqkAo5dVqZcVCh_c24u1alL5yfIqcTX2C-wgJ13ug51ryQVrP6CuVnrazZnyKwTN-nJtz6bNElJm1KiWSnJeTInUd4KsuuFhQOzhwR6TF5Ubhpceg/w400-h249/day3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another windy night with some light drizzle went by and the day greeted us with what seemed like decent weather, so we started breaking down camp with no hurry, only to be caught off-guard by a massive wall of dark grey clouds, and suddenly rain. At that point we did hurry packing away what was slightly damp anyway, put on our rain gear and left ever so carefully on the wet tarmac, covered in twigs and leaves and assorted debris . Every corner was also like a surface level drainage for all the rain that was coming down, so our average speed was definitely low. Add to that that we discovered the tires on my Sportster are not exactly... fresh and well, it was very noticeable just how far I could push it. Yes, I'll get new tires soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The gear lever is still doing that strange thing where it does let me shift any way I want, but takes its sweet time returning to its starting position. Is it the clip on the detent plate? Is it one of the springs in the shifter mechanism? Surely it must be a spring, though if it had broken I probably wouldn't be able to shift at all, right? Oh well, let's keep going, I'll take a look once I'm back at the Monolith.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We ride past Opi and Pescasseroli and luckily the weather turns and the sky is blue once more. We stop for a quick coffee and to put away our rain gear, test the stability of our luggage (always a prudent idea) and adjust the straps accordingly, then it's off again towards Ortona, along another magnificent road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Going over one of those vertigo-inducing high bridges that allow fast travel across these valleys, I turn my head slightly to the right to catch a quick glimpse of the swingarm working away with the piggyback shock absorbers (dialed in after the <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2019/10/1200s-service-time-part-2.html" target="_blank">second round of servicing</a>), the bike is banked over just a bit to the left to follow the road, it feels composed, taut and firm, and I think to myself "man, what an amazing machine this really is..."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been riding motorcycles for a long time now, but they never cease to amaze me, on the contrary, the more I do it and the more I learn about all things mechanical, the more I am in awe of what is undoubtedly the best thing in the world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm a bit tucked in, with knees and elbows as close as possible to the bike, Arai pointing forwards and a firm grip on the handlebar; another slight, but decisive turn of the throttle propels me over the last expansion joint and back onto <i>terra firma</i> with a surge from the Vance & Hines exhaust that is just magnificent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After an enormously long absence, I am delighted to be able to take the Sportster back out onto the road for a truly legendary trip such as this one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Through various climbs and traversing countless valleys we finally reached the Campo Imperatore plateau and stopped at the largest of two establishments where you can buy cheese, meat, bread and beer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT58Jll9wF177MV1i8akdxqXvpqOs8gr0eLEMty7zZkvR4ayXQfmA89Sz4uv4Tcwc5u9ZoLTiResHDhYpm2YADnOSaDfh4xpEOWl4JU9agWnsrImhyBLQ9cH4yaLADutTa95l4YQPebmBLg-64pGmMDxSHl8Vd6uaDUiAtXUUnq_eQyF7cb5xswcqprg/s2000/IMG_20230526_131614.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT58Jll9wF177MV1i8akdxqXvpqOs8gr0eLEMty7zZkvR4ayXQfmA89Sz4uv4Tcwc5u9ZoLTiResHDhYpm2YADnOSaDfh4xpEOWl4JU9agWnsrImhyBLQ9cH4yaLADutTa95l4YQPebmBLg-64pGmMDxSHl8Vd6uaDUiAtXUUnq_eQyF7cb5xswcqprg/w400-h300/IMG_20230526_131614.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzTsPhPpmP2XrgVrg0L_kJjscw0QoPurkKH-Nq0fUHSn_6mWfUQyCslOI24s30tAMPc4Oot-mWHR1199CB5Dodzi9f4Rh6XcJVK3MDrKZPWYhlf9if9nRC2Tqb1VAfyMzMDIfKllCz4ZJfI0Uj8jdLjSqIf71MaSuVTEjnS_rz2PtBWZJJzCZXjxMKg/s2000/IMG_20230526_132201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzTsPhPpmP2XrgVrg0L_kJjscw0QoPurkKH-Nq0fUHSn_6mWfUQyCslOI24s30tAMPc4Oot-mWHR1199CB5Dodzi9f4Rh6XcJVK3MDrKZPWYhlf9if9nRC2Tqb1VAfyMzMDIfKllCz4ZJfI0Uj8jdLjSqIf71MaSuVTEjnS_rz2PtBWZJJzCZXjxMKg/w400-h300/IMG_20230526_132201.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4X56Bqot9886xdlD8Y8dk5JDn3AUzChPU21Fms5nOEyJEljwuvlkQ0svswmYwdAQsPTLBj0H-E6-1BHI35PzcNPiohAIxTIArpgLArQC41zdWm_AwNSo6DNe7r3VGN-19VzCv3CX0JrItLsmVZhYaoOw9oc5Jco8rGtLglPfekJYr5wrr-mPDMJ0HQ/s2000/IMG_20230526_142418.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4X56Bqot9886xdlD8Y8dk5JDn3AUzChPU21Fms5nOEyJEljwuvlkQ0svswmYwdAQsPTLBj0H-E6-1BHI35PzcNPiohAIxTIArpgLArQC41zdWm_AwNSo6DNe7r3VGN-19VzCv3CX0JrItLsmVZhYaoOw9oc5Jco8rGtLglPfekJYr5wrr-mPDMJ0HQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230526_142418.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdnOOMk4WxHm45bQwkABovVuRExv_Qh8k9AC8VOy9uldie5jqsZFwbjg9QAYtVPDlwovo529rhxckEIvzCSQnZIFF-5OIxEoLpJ06bLrXEu2hs9mQ4xl_785zp50VyIH_y0JPQvmp2zJ79szEOQEjVexU4sYcc7pagJ50FimNwDQaq0Z3IAGCAzxu4A/s5120/IMG20230526142443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="5120" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsdnOOMk4WxHm45bQwkABovVuRExv_Qh8k9AC8VOy9uldie5jqsZFwbjg9QAYtVPDlwovo529rhxckEIvzCSQnZIFF-5OIxEoLpJ06bLrXEu2hs9mQ4xl_785zp50VyIH_y0JPQvmp2zJ79szEOQEjVexU4sYcc7pagJ50FimNwDQaq0Z3IAGCAzxu4A/w400-h94/IMG20230526142443.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's right next to where the yearly Old Irons rally is held, and is a popular spot for a bare bones barbecue and a beer. A lot of motorcyclists come up here on their brand new Ducatis, KTM and BMWs, you really don't see much else. Maybe the odd Guzzi and a couple of Japanese bikes, that's it. And everything is so new, so plasticky, so electronic, so oversized. In a sea of red and orange plastic, the silver steel of the Sportster stands out and looks out of place; the bike looks like an old classic and I find that most peculiar since to me it is modern and refined. I think what makes it seem old and classic is the fact that it is such a slim motorcycle, and that it has a 19″ front wheel, which these days looks positively huge compared to the standard 16/17″ (and very wide) rims found on all other bikes. It also looks decidedly small next to something like a Multistrada or an Adventure, yet the Sportster is anything but small. I just don't "get" contemporary bikes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After our barbecue in the mountain sun we fired up our twins and headed west by north to seek some shade near San Pietro della Ienca.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVJTkpp6c5Zi2wcqjJhqoDSpdbfPt1TtHljrVfHTX79aB9M7BNG0ioQfAtTUQYv4UfhZ9TlvhsoE3PddVEb_IaPUhQjHv2OWePgAOvCNRloxZ9WXclGV1ss9ni1A-WvWxryI7XKFHGJqIDsIdNIxvTbFyNNcFFV5Bhu7aSJ5v-QiXgPGEhZ6RAbISVQ/s2000/IMG_20230526_150402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVJTkpp6c5Zi2wcqjJhqoDSpdbfPt1TtHljrVfHTX79aB9M7BNG0ioQfAtTUQYv4UfhZ9TlvhsoE3PddVEb_IaPUhQjHv2OWePgAOvCNRloxZ9WXclGV1ss9ni1A-WvWxryI7XKFHGJqIDsIdNIxvTbFyNNcFFV5Bhu7aSJ5v-QiXgPGEhZ6RAbISVQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230526_150402.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RtjMfP4hxpwHwk7cjcltERFP0kHHr7LmcBNy5-aCcDbrX7pfV05j8WMIF55sd2oygmSBuwQR0QZdeGzrPkX5yKCEaDkmqnxW-np2TRd5n8azBIeEArDfFIZsQUq2_mQo9erqj3Luo9HKNGaQAWo3hYUTHyuiIglplnkKOuy8Z-Qss0poRpSIHB8HEg/s5400/PANO_20230526_150103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1872" data-original-width="5400" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RtjMfP4hxpwHwk7cjcltERFP0kHHr7LmcBNy5-aCcDbrX7pfV05j8WMIF55sd2oygmSBuwQR0QZdeGzrPkX5yKCEaDkmqnxW-np2TRd5n8azBIeEArDfFIZsQUq2_mQo9erqj3Luo9HKNGaQAWo3hYUTHyuiIglplnkKOuy8Z-Qss0poRpSIHB8HEg/w400-h139/PANO_20230526_150103.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYjareIHlcH4RBpnob0eDqGge0CZ1TLYsPoUNaIVWJluHxcKyybm85LIMA8ZT8cDGogJNsdk-iTenm-IpAwlPkXOCfnd7kNIxklLcbFZzaE7UkHqQotIYs7FpUAgaMRqHh-y8ipCloDiPTdtjbgE8_TkQFLhu8mytSvyMJSTI4OuKbfu-g0QyKi-H-Q/s2000/IMG_20230526_151948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYjareIHlcH4RBpnob0eDqGge0CZ1TLYsPoUNaIVWJluHxcKyybm85LIMA8ZT8cDGogJNsdk-iTenm-IpAwlPkXOCfnd7kNIxklLcbFZzaE7UkHqQotIYs7FpUAgaMRqHh-y8ipCloDiPTdtjbgE8_TkQFLhu8mytSvyMJSTI4OuKbfu-g0QyKi-H-Q/w400-h300/IMG_20230526_151948.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Looking out over the tranquility of this place, listening to nothing but the breeze I marveled at this timeless beauty. So many times during this trip I found myself uttering "che meraviglia..." out loud inside my Arai, and in those moments I also have to work hard to remind myself that I'm not just flying in a dreamscape, this is real and so are the 230Kg of steel I'm riding... These aren't just fun getaways, or a good ride, not even a holiday. The truth is that through these motocamping trips, we are shown a path to the Divine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The final stretch of road for the day leads us to our hallowed place in the forest, up above the lake, the center to everything, the eye of the spiraling cosmos. We ride not just on tires but on Pneuma (get it?) one after the other all the way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ia9b-thfLhLrUKM7ddi4wWaQP8WFhR6bokMXFZqqFd4qWFCsN4bOy7q9bpWkLejP56jbYfKLRQFYTE5T9OnnJr3eWCkEI62A4XqPUuKh5H9n4lPxlCX4_o_o0coPL7xGTfqwS9iOjjGEmZQf1RPRLp9V1xPeNVhZ2x6BHZoK28g2fm-8fj-JWdw6uw/s2000/IMG_20230526_155320.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Ia9b-thfLhLrUKM7ddi4wWaQP8WFhR6bokMXFZqqFd4qWFCsN4bOy7q9bpWkLejP56jbYfKLRQFYTE5T9OnnJr3eWCkEI62A4XqPUuKh5H9n4lPxlCX4_o_o0coPL7xGTfqwS9iOjjGEmZQf1RPRLp9V1xPeNVhZ2x6BHZoK28g2fm-8fj-JWdw6uw/w400-h300/IMG_20230526_155320.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoOwJiEbB5Akts37sWaVLxBgUtghLuXpTEyn-TnFSoUTZ-sQ3a54ZcDjrqy3pWNpu1VK3cleVlR8pFsDsDKGlYFJTaetptQUNByg9NZMemC9ajds6Zi-16FD_RRiqDphnmh2a-wqMM5o86c_inGqxL2ZBgPYD_Yzc2hmziN4uIuZuqG9mXC7WEmj5Ag/s2000/IMG20230526155649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoOwJiEbB5Akts37sWaVLxBgUtghLuXpTEyn-TnFSoUTZ-sQ3a54ZcDjrqy3pWNpu1VK3cleVlR8pFsDsDKGlYFJTaetptQUNByg9NZMemC9ajds6Zi-16FD_RRiqDphnmh2a-wqMM5o86c_inGqxL2ZBgPYD_Yzc2hmziN4uIuZuqG9mXC7WEmj5Ag/w400-h225/IMG20230526155649.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczsb9oV0LvuAhgA_Svl1Q_0Zc9dnMrTTx0gKhQuLC6zsDC05okc42N1h_NwxTG__HZiif6wqzsQDNvR5uCbXhlGyv7LRqcPXIPZ4a33jP31NL8kxyCBU1mYgGttqS6jjsg9BuQLQM7uCi-Wp7DQ2EQC3ufRjgn_1_IFTHzRIITGUOnMHNhy17nxq7aQ/s2000/IMG_20230526_163737.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczsb9oV0LvuAhgA_Svl1Q_0Zc9dnMrTTx0gKhQuLC6zsDC05okc42N1h_NwxTG__HZiif6wqzsQDNvR5uCbXhlGyv7LRqcPXIPZ4a33jP31NL8kxyCBU1mYgGttqS6jjsg9BuQLQM7uCi-Wp7DQ2EQC3ufRjgn_1_IFTHzRIITGUOnMHNhy17nxq7aQ/w400-h300/IMG_20230526_163737.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcly4Fn6x6rJcWjvUU5HCH3tKFBm0OXhRVygp1Xc_sKd7ATMb9VsTxgOs3fXs8IdT78CwVCpULhqWLFLpxVK0c6ardm8aJakvD5ud2pxI5XT6RHo7uBkxYrmcLP3bpAIgZoF8MAoZ5hNhrl1-sfDCwQZrqyr-nC-JsZSIuWfWCuDtWYW4FTL4pEpM2g/s1400/IMG_20230526_172155.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcly4Fn6x6rJcWjvUU5HCH3tKFBm0OXhRVygp1Xc_sKd7ATMb9VsTxgOs3fXs8IdT78CwVCpULhqWLFLpxVK0c6ardm8aJakvD5ud2pxI5XT6RHo7uBkxYrmcLP3bpAIgZoF8MAoZ5hNhrl1-sfDCwQZrqyr-nC-JsZSIuWfWCuDtWYW4FTL4pEpM2g/w400-h300/IMG_20230526_172155.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYCQpeodoVHmKF8lkz70VK1O4_vsJK5QDulczxlDXhzgi5hOsgv_Eu-N0nOJ36nTmg_F314AZlF5f_NMdbR7PoUm4_QlwFsjh12n9ulWCp6h0FvEeduntiH29hBanYpZn2rEXKAiZLLlI/s1599/IMG-20230526-WA0010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1599" data-original-width="899" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYCQpeodoVHmKF8lkz70VK1O4_vsJK5QDulczxlDXhzgi5hOsgv_Eu-N0nOJ36nTmg_F314AZlF5f_NMdbR7PoUm4_QlwFsjh12n9ulWCp6h0FvEeduntiH29hBanYpZn2rEXKAiZLLlI/w360-h640/IMG-20230526-WA0010.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All that riding takes its toll, so be warned...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A thunderous, menacing rumble wakes me from my nap, and Witold appears on his Ducati to celebrate my birthday:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXnWLPHBuKvmFfzBqnJIc-3RlYoXUwwp8xuGR_uYPHxynk_dLG7-Zs2W5_pWDFD6VZBRhOqIWLkEpaz5xZ6fUAhKm9oipWleCzEbb8KtpKSn4IH_bv9sfMulZ-ZaLqn2LdSGtQcxMS1sIw5mINJtHB2LG2_UBj_hDdV51URUVbwpawvdDJKa8tGrQ-w/s1891/Arrival.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1891" data-original-width="1073" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIXnWLPHBuKvmFfzBqnJIc-3RlYoXUwwp8xuGR_uYPHxynk_dLG7-Zs2W5_pWDFD6VZBRhOqIWLkEpaz5xZ6fUAhKm9oipWleCzEbb8KtpKSn4IH_bv9sfMulZ-ZaLqn2LdSGtQcxMS1sIw5mINJtHB2LG2_UBj_hDdV51URUVbwpawvdDJKa8tGrQ-w/w364-h640/Arrival.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZdLPApQOkwDCikoSr0jx4p6-t-ynd364WyohnciltsdjkUjPeFZEqodFhXSCXW44cKVfMIK64R1PprSf726-cla0XMafXTNmn2MPBORESeMY_37Xf5A8qvLWzDabRDR2dxjSO743b7E8WESFpsS8i8Ez0SZ0vXXYqJZestz1l5AcF41RSYpokRf9fg/s1400/IMG_20230526_184240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZdLPApQOkwDCikoSr0jx4p6-t-ynd364WyohnciltsdjkUjPeFZEqodFhXSCXW44cKVfMIK64R1PprSf726-cla0XMafXTNmn2MPBORESeMY_37Xf5A8qvLWzDabRDR2dxjSO743b7E8WESFpsS8i8Ez0SZ0vXXYqJZestz1l5AcF41RSYpokRf9fg/w400-h300/IMG_20230526_184240.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyIZ6JrBH4AlY6rn-ygsbYYSskMPf4hPbAbXmvI0IbVxloV1fI7bap8KbPXLiKIynRx3_GUQ2cgBdgXxIJo05IRLUxLKyKASnkpuizYgPqCr1DTHPoVBQDLDDGWmCn8UpJcZ5mSSkj7YEOV8DZIcxqG9PPc9F9MwHT1RPvf8fGpR4l6f7INJODC4DDA/s1400/IMG_20230527_083005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyIZ6JrBH4AlY6rn-ygsbYYSskMPf4hPbAbXmvI0IbVxloV1fI7bap8KbPXLiKIynRx3_GUQ2cgBdgXxIJo05IRLUxLKyKASnkpuizYgPqCr1DTHPoVBQDLDDGWmCn8UpJcZ5mSSkj7YEOV8DZIcxqG9PPc9F9MwHT1RPvf8fGpR4l6f7INJODC4DDA/w400-h300/IMG_20230527_083005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe4jAreLni2rlkME469TiNQ5fvbvHhxCJjpnFvS7wBRaOzKTQzFrboCN64VnfB5N3ahJtFTyBgmEqVP427ywB8IEjTtIFPj3O5eUKpzA9ETUc3kGwZyWmNV6nQEqE7_X5MzZcJZtxtoLyhhvsBjlxOOExSP5N3qvWdRrd4A8SflkQ_J0T_yyRC29xmA/s1877/IMG20230526184939.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1877" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe4jAreLni2rlkME469TiNQ5fvbvHhxCJjpnFvS7wBRaOzKTQzFrboCN64VnfB5N3ahJtFTyBgmEqVP427ywB8IEjTtIFPj3O5eUKpzA9ETUc3kGwZyWmNV6nQEqE7_X5MzZcJZtxtoLyhhvsBjlxOOExSP5N3qvWdRrd4A8SflkQ_J0T_yyRC29xmA/w400-h240/IMG20230526184939.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Needless to say, the evening with Mauro looking after us is very special and it fades into a perfect dusk, then the calm quiet of the night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In my dreams I float fast and weightless over the lands we've visited these past few days, sometimes high in the sky, sometimes mere inches above the fresh green grass of hills and meadows. <i>This</i> is the point to these trips, we are bound to these mountains and that's why we keep coming back, no matter how long we may have to wait, no matter how hard it may be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyyRb-Onys2lne8k-28H4a-7MOnn-eoA1bRhAnBt78z3LkEVFR3YEBWNYG7vu-1M7TMMx3-sdP87wOBQkgkAOjEq06Tgp6Nt3EmA7LCtjKfpueeAe30UNFwFAqQxiFoasifiv5oV9lSCEHJkVqRMNc3FQe5vIU0GcPFfzDqDW_LCHgHNuAfTkC8EBXQ/s3680/PANO_20230526_191236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="3680" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzyyRb-Onys2lne8k-28H4a-7MOnn-eoA1bRhAnBt78z3LkEVFR3YEBWNYG7vu-1M7TMMx3-sdP87wOBQkgkAOjEq06Tgp6Nt3EmA7LCtjKfpueeAe30UNFwFAqQxiFoasifiv5oV9lSCEHJkVqRMNc3FQe5vIU0GcPFfzDqDW_LCHgHNuAfTkC8EBXQ/w400-h141/PANO_20230526_191236.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a recap for day 4:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmuWaAENAL-34gSgIe8YlI8ypBe5qC2WRFqbIoN4KHz_F9k4a0PMYh0aIjhUgi-b0Z1wXB41durrAVVmlPqa8wHxfM5IXgIEQKo7gBkgrpmcyyuBg8ZjBuHjH4OJ9KpbTOQhif-EPvUH9B2_AYX_7ZrBE9gg9uIFf86PCDz6ieX4T9ZNilftwKA5mzQ/s1358/day4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="879" data-original-width="1358" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmuWaAENAL-34gSgIe8YlI8ypBe5qC2WRFqbIoN4KHz_F9k4a0PMYh0aIjhUgi-b0Z1wXB41durrAVVmlPqa8wHxfM5IXgIEQKo7gBkgrpmcyyuBg8ZjBuHjH4OJ9KpbTOQhif-EPvUH9B2_AYX_7ZrBE9gg9uIFf86PCDz6ieX4T9ZNilftwKA5mzQ/w400-h259/day4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are packed up and ready to go on the morning of our last day; Witold teleports back to the capital aboard his SuperSport, but Sandro and I make a trip of it and avoid the Autostrada altogether.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfzIwU_I4OsxTXPVE81YzHXGzwOXW1iGpcONHrFdcZSF0RAmukb99C5VH2KZr0ZFUK_9ZA0fWR6HqScHeiguqnDbHF1Ct_8ZzBWp3o8iqWiGyhVSn7L_wxzXwEhDZBlNB1YqBjfYH-MSXcAPshQlcimrSUA5yxOJaxoe_zHJyC5qj7xg-hy19egtlnA/s1847/IMG_20230527_095035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1847" data-original-width="1497" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfzIwU_I4OsxTXPVE81YzHXGzwOXW1iGpcONHrFdcZSF0RAmukb99C5VH2KZr0ZFUK_9ZA0fWR6HqScHeiguqnDbHF1Ct_8ZzBWp3o8iqWiGyhVSn7L_wxzXwEhDZBlNB1YqBjfYH-MSXcAPshQlcimrSUA5yxOJaxoe_zHJyC5qj7xg-hy19egtlnA/w518-h640/IMG_20230527_095035.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That gear lever is still doing that thing, it has got to be a spring. But no matter, let's see how far we get.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnPE-F6kresEYgvaFhKFyVeYl1ETUwz_8a1N1DcfC8K43pe5dbKzGo2yI5JH0aR98aEzHcf84vV8jwrw-h-Lhc_czimQ2etKwj659SHIWqTpf97IpZaXT8ft69lZbdlCH_on01GI3zc-i0i8L_OQAAv6ntTpCQmr8E6lRWBx0pE52wvxrefCgHjDIYQ/s3420/PANO_20230527_112450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="3420" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnPE-F6kresEYgvaFhKFyVeYl1ETUwz_8a1N1DcfC8K43pe5dbKzGo2yI5JH0aR98aEzHcf84vV8jwrw-h-Lhc_czimQ2etKwj659SHIWqTpf97IpZaXT8ft69lZbdlCH_on01GI3zc-i0i8L_OQAAv6ntTpCQmr8E6lRWBx0pE52wvxrefCgHjDIYQ/w400-h110/PANO_20230527_112450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stopping in the lower part of the Rascino plateau always feels like stepping outside of time, there is a special stillness to this place that's conducive to a nice break.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyxaqmNtyVjZVzaZ_MortFkyuXMY6x9AyRiIiYEk78mLKG0ZoEpIEcn5I8aVQqtAG059VxH1ecB9nXKLA6OswsTc9LR_yyXt0VGxS52VJT7WKKhAicNym5aKDf3ut3xBVw4j-YU0qeRYXU4mQNsuGGdbkPkX8f4BRpYRZFRIgoZBL4lF4qf_KgO4KWA/s1400/IMG_20230527_112837.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyxaqmNtyVjZVzaZ_MortFkyuXMY6x9AyRiIiYEk78mLKG0ZoEpIEcn5I8aVQqtAG059VxH1ecB9nXKLA6OswsTc9LR_yyXt0VGxS52VJT7WKKhAicNym5aKDf3ut3xBVw4j-YU0qeRYXU4mQNsuGGdbkPkX8f4BRpYRZFRIgoZBL4lF4qf_KgO4KWA/w400-h300/IMG_20230527_112837.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ucKRIz_8lesUay3nf9USxBd3vQN1YN4Yo6ja1NGvv7mrNoUnyMrxYQMhL-hpZAi_sKVtWvciMXe4o8pIwA7g_gM4rSKn2QCmKhoWGPV5JGtyU4VanjSMjvmpje0wdTbu81sZiWz5XRye_8XcXhEWHPPEN-4aDMKbAqtJl3xCK9A5S-Tvg26D7ZHgdA/s1666/IMG20230527112541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1666" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ucKRIz_8lesUay3nf9USxBd3vQN1YN4Yo6ja1NGvv7mrNoUnyMrxYQMhL-hpZAi_sKVtWvciMXe4o8pIwA7g_gM4rSKn2QCmKhoWGPV5JGtyU4VanjSMjvmpje0wdTbu81sZiWz5XRye_8XcXhEWHPPEN-4aDMKbAqtJl3xCK9A5S-Tvg26D7ZHgdA/w400-h271/IMG20230527112541.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dx0Plo4OEotTq2KEC5WjXGx58QnRoxv7h44YohWsHfKje5SDqBOg59Z9xdCO5Cycp_y4u2GfNqARwkGNCoAMhElXaAQHun82tc_Ot4FitAi58CL1GRL-ifLfKyINjFx_88on4jR_XBC1L_Bxm7rJN0onflEVq02SKEEjhwDA8iX54B5id-VFFp-2Xg/s2000/IMG20230527112613.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dx0Plo4OEotTq2KEC5WjXGx58QnRoxv7h44YohWsHfKje5SDqBOg59Z9xdCO5Cycp_y4u2GfNqARwkGNCoAMhElXaAQHun82tc_Ot4FitAi58CL1GRL-ifLfKyINjFx_88on4jR_XBC1L_Bxm7rJN0onflEVq02SKEEjhwDA8iX54B5id-VFFp-2Xg/w400-h225/IMG20230527112613.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4G3ykJFQmF0LF1RN4RIjfEufn8MGQYU0V_8yObZvbflI9SehVjTbvgw3dK8Ejw8Fz1YfTgnsa6kC9NqvP6MoW3ybERJH-7bFbSxddbhJHgpoigqlUgACcbwwDlnNFB1uIMbkj7_92j6CaSAJERg5XWZ_paAtbJdt8WaL8J_Y2B2HR7GX0vMn39_mZZA/s1400/IMG_20230527_112814.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4G3ykJFQmF0LF1RN4RIjfEufn8MGQYU0V_8yObZvbflI9SehVjTbvgw3dK8Ejw8Fz1YfTgnsa6kC9NqvP6MoW3ybERJH-7bFbSxddbhJHgpoigqlUgACcbwwDlnNFB1uIMbkj7_92j6CaSAJERg5XWZ_paAtbJdt8WaL8J_Y2B2HR7GX0vMn39_mZZA/w400-h300/IMG_20230527_112814.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We part ways somewhere around Palestrina, our goodbyes are always hurried but there's no need for words really; you can see it in our eyes, we've just completed an amazing trip and there is a real sense of accomplishment. Now it's time to settle and let the countless views, fun riding and roadside stories seep into your being, as necessary as Savasana is after practice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I ride all the way back to the Monolith and immediately drain the transmission oil, then set about opening the primary cover, again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFN50cTdkMLE67HnFtKm7pQeY2CI3fXP4Fp91qdkBAP1SfhZVuNle6qGTwA8eF_xaKCKztAu5efq02ywwWR8LqJPgJ9N_Q4Zsu3kk0x9ULlquLFRsmW6xxlPfjPryqGkBzJg2HxV3kWhHl8CK7FcCneSDRVrdYipp28el9I1SfVmnFrgyAllnJN4UXw/s1400/IMG_20230527_155725.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFN50cTdkMLE67HnFtKm7pQeY2CI3fXP4Fp91qdkBAP1SfhZVuNle6qGTwA8eF_xaKCKztAu5efq02ywwWR8LqJPgJ9N_Q4Zsu3kk0x9ULlquLFRsmW6xxlPfjPryqGkBzJg2HxV3kWhHl8CK7FcCneSDRVrdYipp28el9I1SfVmnFrgyAllnJN4UXw/w480-h640/IMG_20230527_155725.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So what did I find in there? I'll show you next time, in the meantime here's a recap of day 5:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AEhupW9ff0pHq6JEp7hvVra1cGF0b-d7hcU-jtqYKqZFbyi68AyS0OnAUJMqREDX4hRJbl5_vnIBde58kX1unvUsS3Z1kmO6e8_p_yuyG6t4T2NRASiRQ0v0WnzM0le0i-U-ZLlf5UWi3_ULdVxWF7R--DATGkWNfklBfGv432g0AA658nHRd_MQMA/s1329/day5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="926" data-original-width="1329" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AEhupW9ff0pHq6JEp7hvVra1cGF0b-d7hcU-jtqYKqZFbyi68AyS0OnAUJMqREDX4hRJbl5_vnIBde58kX1unvUsS3Z1kmO6e8_p_yuyG6t4T2NRASiRQ0v0WnzM0le0i-U-ZLlf5UWi3_ULdVxWF7R--DATGkWNfklBfGv432g0AA658nHRd_MQMA/w400-h279/day5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* I must confess that the difficulties encountered along this trip (which were the same as those found in previous trips) did make me question the reason for organizing these itineraries in the first place. I did wonder "maybe it's just not worth the effort, what the hell are we doing?", but I'm confident there is a point to all this, and that despite the setbacks it is all well worth it. Perhaps the hardest thing for me to accept is that an itinerary will not pan out exactly as I had anticipated, so what I'll need to do is truly understand that all I can do is plan. If it turns out as I wanted then great, otherwise it's back to the good old "improvise, adapt, overcome" that always seems to work.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-89550008880454191982023-05-19T18:36:00.000+02:002023-05-19T18:36:00.146+02:00Tiella and adjustable suspension.<p>Let me start with the most important item: adjustable suspension is not a gimmick. It really works.</p><p>We put this to the test during a two-up weekend ride down the coast, from the dunes of <strike>Arrakis</strike> Sabaudia all the way to Gaeta and back. At the beginning of the trip I noticed that, while handling was fine overall, the rear shock absorbers just weren't able to do their job on some road surface imperfections, cracks and potholes.</p><p>Adjusting the spring preload and the <i>compression</i> setting helped make the ride much more firm (still comfortable) and predictable, with a stronger response across the same type of road imperfections. So, adjustable suspension really does make a big difference and it was a major upgrade that the factory bestowed upon the Sportster in the 1200S as opposed to all other variants in the Sportster range.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20hyBJwAJF67EKnXU7AdNXcUDWX-HDyKzmrOr3-PFNr-Tvv46_IvtsGBnG7R8ceGJD4EdImGH2T6ldChDN_Oiujb8HIZelhxhwF_EoUFHq69n13MxO3KFwx6OCUuBcbPGxn-uh7J57Wan_d3GM_zcXFTn5ku4vnCeNuhxnLQsic-1H4uN-B9APT40Aw/s2000/1682875243955.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20hyBJwAJF67EKnXU7AdNXcUDWX-HDyKzmrOr3-PFNr-Tvv46_IvtsGBnG7R8ceGJD4EdImGH2T6ldChDN_Oiujb8HIZelhxhwF_EoUFHq69n13MxO3KFwx6OCUuBcbPGxn-uh7J57Wan_d3GM_zcXFTn5ku4vnCeNuhxnLQsic-1H4uN-B9APT40Aw/w400-h300/1682875243955.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscA2kfbFOOfiQN3LNTC-M6eBQbMFfzYVwoORJe-90tLL3kra96rv1ynLexfXklu3LUANn93iEEQpYJf3sP1rusRMy_95tyRMHpC3BET8vqoqkqFnBLgr-Fzq0jyjGWRVt05RHzW45Z0JOlE9tbxI5c8bt5X_SNA9xOYF9Ow50JdnIfqgrpAMjS_28Fw/s955/1682885575481.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="955" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscA2kfbFOOfiQN3LNTC-M6eBQbMFfzYVwoORJe-90tLL3kra96rv1ynLexfXklu3LUANn93iEEQpYJf3sP1rusRMy_95tyRMHpC3BET8vqoqkqFnBLgr-Fzq0jyjGWRVt05RHzW45Z0JOlE9tbxI5c8bt5X_SNA9xOYF9Ow50JdnIfqgrpAMjS_28Fw/w400-h321/1682885575481.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRihakWEVLsEv8hSL2Cs0T6bWcdQlbtHDW4h8YceEi-ewg5hnWd-14hUjjuJStlHtjykjXQcdKikmoqF1GEIugYSnR41pV3yLuTDJMbwODe0R_yW5z_ZHDtehpKLYaxpvGyQ9RxwyihmTdcLx9emJe0lAba5yBNtVoNFpw1F3OfEpIXNBIkCpmfeSLg/s1024/1682885575448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRihakWEVLsEv8hSL2Cs0T6bWcdQlbtHDW4h8YceEi-ewg5hnWd-14hUjjuJStlHtjykjXQcdKikmoqF1GEIugYSnR41pV3yLuTDJMbwODe0R_yW5z_ZHDtehpKLYaxpvGyQ9RxwyihmTdcLx9emJe0lAba5yBNtVoNFpw1F3OfEpIXNBIkCpmfeSLg/w400-h300/1682885575448.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Above: notice the new battery? No, because I put a nice shiny cover on it and it's much better this way. You'll also note a tank bag, something I'm not usually fond of but in this case it was the most practical way to carry a very small amount of luggage for the weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr8WI4qi909_jReR33z1SGI5xEcbK2K-dBjPqKrrxp3OYJ4My-XUaOgQPJDxewKkjG9AS59IJHn4ZUAjkLBODTifmM1J31oF2hk-ad2pzL87-azo0Q5jylC9Xx6OxyOY-eJMOPMDv3qTA54XkBkOgEwvOctoT5YmaNlyaOCgwY2QlTCQaGPIi3bp4tg/s2540/1682875244363.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="2540" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYr8WI4qi909_jReR33z1SGI5xEcbK2K-dBjPqKrrxp3OYJ4My-XUaOgQPJDxewKkjG9AS59IJHn4ZUAjkLBODTifmM1J31oF2hk-ad2pzL87-azo0Q5jylC9Xx6OxyOY-eJMOPMDv3qTA54XkBkOgEwvOctoT5YmaNlyaOCgwY2QlTCQaGPIi3bp4tg/w400-h148/1682875244363.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVwiAxGcV5Hnrr8Lffh4jBV5OMWtchdzdKaise5w_4vBKJJxtFOyjCd8o2mAVbM9lhBoutiWi1n8COGxgCNHQv8ZarOY_VE2C5XinHH3AJ-oib28iw005cozzz_TQPwuQWvZx7Ce7Xxl7BqwnTn5ZXGdsaM73RWSUr6piJkY1XNgQ6DtZrZcK-DjLrw/s1024/1682885575438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVwiAxGcV5Hnrr8Lffh4jBV5OMWtchdzdKaise5w_4vBKJJxtFOyjCd8o2mAVbM9lhBoutiWi1n8COGxgCNHQv8ZarOY_VE2C5XinHH3AJ-oib28iw005cozzz_TQPwuQWvZx7Ce7Xxl7BqwnTn5ZXGdsaM73RWSUr6piJkY1XNgQ6DtZrZcK-DjLrw/w400-h300/1682885575438.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQkKw48nT9YEAlwvZMenf9fgpdOBY5DsR1I0bb9ZvhM38dVT2GNfGOtmPFWOYr4dvE-ctoZouLVzUKDWF4OuGDK9kNKDMlIUJ6AG9Sz9F_IwedZP_x7xkeQ10ZWsFbtQLB-sbKMXySEqqZ4W4dQ0Sb1jwcjs7a3ny6xVNNTj5fRTJL3PPSuM8-nROfw/s2777/1682875244134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="2777" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQkKw48nT9YEAlwvZMenf9fgpdOBY5DsR1I0bb9ZvhM38dVT2GNfGOtmPFWOYr4dvE-ctoZouLVzUKDWF4OuGDK9kNKDMlIUJ6AG9Sz9F_IwedZP_x7xkeQ10ZWsFbtQLB-sbKMXySEqqZ4W4dQ0Sb1jwcjs7a3ny6xVNNTj5fRTJL3PPSuM8-nROfw/w400-h136/1682875244134.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vFMEXKbf68GPEj2CVW5Y6p0NGSSTiEaqLdEkEFRNvNlFbRq1tZzB8A_CKYCg45Rvo6V1DW70lyl9aZ0_HH8S6MJcG5Mp4hxPg8MWhl8nXh4emlvhnmJmNs1bmgek5i2BiBTwJmdmLbJWFCRKPNEW-aNBdjtpiM-8P3U4Spx5JOQQf097WuykcTPETA/s4000/1682875244084%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vFMEXKbf68GPEj2CVW5Y6p0NGSSTiEaqLdEkEFRNvNlFbRq1tZzB8A_CKYCg45Rvo6V1DW70lyl9aZ0_HH8S6MJcG5Mp4hxPg8MWhl8nXh4emlvhnmJmNs1bmgek5i2BiBTwJmdmLbJWFCRKPNEW-aNBdjtpiM-8P3U4Spx5JOQQf097WuykcTPETA/w400-h300/1682875244084%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuNwhitMgQQTZcchsRE9EXaV1AmPkgy5POHQjZDEGvEhlukTQQyjpzgSsq1RO0emxfGh_BQExNQgXfmyY3LVxhxDSc-M4iYJhX_IRTE096106ad8VdPFgMRqLrb8ecVOcUeR5pDkvvlCdnEWhjPojQ-hzNo5EVUz3DvTcBXaJQ2PH89Ui-bqha5S1qw/s2000/1682875244283.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuNwhitMgQQTZcchsRE9EXaV1AmPkgy5POHQjZDEGvEhlukTQQyjpzgSsq1RO0emxfGh_BQExNQgXfmyY3LVxhxDSc-M4iYJhX_IRTE096106ad8VdPFgMRqLrb8ecVOcUeR5pDkvvlCdnEWhjPojQ-hzNo5EVUz3DvTcBXaJQ2PH89Ui-bqha5S1qw/w480-h640/1682875244283.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Isq-GOybU4pv7LiFIRlSaIuNXsfRJD85XZEqL9U5oqZOcqN-IClQU40LwiCAgjbHpW8KMxolqrqK2awowpoda5-BV3bUKsOYPOaWId0dpOltf4TeqK9YfvoWamnIs5ghOw4vA_nuhCkiFyPs6T8fySeAKCLYDofOx-7aEHsWky6vtWNGii7yqCvFcQ/s2000/1682875244204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Isq-GOybU4pv7LiFIRlSaIuNXsfRJD85XZEqL9U5oqZOcqN-IClQU40LwiCAgjbHpW8KMxolqrqK2awowpoda5-BV3bUKsOYPOaWId0dpOltf4TeqK9YfvoWamnIs5ghOw4vA_nuhCkiFyPs6T8fySeAKCLYDofOx-7aEHsWky6vtWNGii7yqCvFcQ/w400-h300/1682875244204.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlw_0Gx-5QrHS4Mfx_tchCxQEx-9Q3gb9LOuCK1nhSxv_S23MupscFSbpyaJ3FbzzIDAxAAwLnptq7iwv3HJh4SQF4q_5vEd4zMFJOeoxCR0SBm6L3Tsly4QtEKRXevuSA8-TAod7hkSe9gwkZ_czSE3bZN2UDfjNAXSjQLCDJ3wbCv4qN2WNSJh4rQ/s2000/1682875244185.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlw_0Gx-5QrHS4Mfx_tchCxQEx-9Q3gb9LOuCK1nhSxv_S23MupscFSbpyaJ3FbzzIDAxAAwLnptq7iwv3HJh4SQF4q_5vEd4zMFJOeoxCR0SBm6L3Tsly4QtEKRXevuSA8-TAod7hkSe9gwkZ_czSE3bZN2UDfjNAXSjQLCDJ3wbCv4qN2WNSJh4rQ/w400-h300/1682875244185.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Stunning views, hidden gems, ancient history right there at your fingertips and all made possible by the Sportster:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDO_PN3UbhJVAlPkuLppSr8WAO1K2B3mZoVhjTpAKnYIOiPKeKwLMOPAx_CNMMPi-KB7OZZ5evvGt6CaPF8SQwxgAvG3TGVc3AJAbHzXkAti1l9jKecaAr-CJUPu8hPlEkQPSqmwicSTnUJZbpVUnkauAoBbtdeixypyStvz3xf-qbshvk9ekn93RtMg/s1024/1682885575362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVzt41a6Yx7Cssidy2O8blEykEmlZTQgOowAspL92D60NSm_TXSmQp9sFBIhy1cqlOY5zJhxX3ejpL1n_Zt_oHpgYxp2wmRuhJZMOCHC5AmBjsrNrmmbfBpGUCUPwTQW_1xNxJIsJWBAzmxyyrvD7lp205LtYgztCsyYGq7kgYW2k_Mguw7wE7z3jIw/s1024/1682885575510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVzt41a6Yx7Cssidy2O8blEykEmlZTQgOowAspL92D60NSm_TXSmQp9sFBIhy1cqlOY5zJhxX3ejpL1n_Zt_oHpgYxp2wmRuhJZMOCHC5AmBjsrNrmmbfBpGUCUPwTQW_1xNxJIsJWBAzmxyyrvD7lp205LtYgztCsyYGq7kgYW2k_Mguw7wE7z3jIw/w400-h300/1682885575510.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You will likely work up an appetite riding around and exploring all there is to see, so stop for a quick bite and get some delicious teilla, plenty of fillings to choose from!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbX-zpk1jqdxQ8jX7qETEz5cfuM7fCpMkLKS8-ltX9rgWm1SVJkcCanDaDZW6t9TORJbBLDrNwYYzUqgVK5PLg-kupCWkaWl2QCZUjg-YQwLi76E61jFOurwAx-QZCfTOLbjfiUFTMV_VwVwaldkPSZGhHFR8RTnyaXnCsdkPsICU2XCG10CY2qVhUyw/s1024/1682885575628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbX-zpk1jqdxQ8jX7qETEz5cfuM7fCpMkLKS8-ltX9rgWm1SVJkcCanDaDZW6t9TORJbBLDrNwYYzUqgVK5PLg-kupCWkaWl2QCZUjg-YQwLi76E61jFOurwAx-QZCfTOLbjfiUFTMV_VwVwaldkPSZGhHFR8RTnyaXnCsdkPsICU2XCG10CY2qVhUyw/w360-h640/1682885575628.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcZDJ_xpThuyLQka2vckXtXwjba2NU05Q4dqM9wc5VdwtZgp6_UqR8xfohw9aD2blBimXPikzylMeK7kwZRImAHp-gvwJxhUh3NvoYQVGMFbZawMh-XmjKDsOwlwCosomxTHpS2Xusl1ViUm2jY2v4f1set5cVx8x1KpNBdwub8tCtupZF7RLCuBP6A/s1121/1682875243942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="1121" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFcZDJ_xpThuyLQka2vckXtXwjba2NU05Q4dqM9wc5VdwtZgp6_UqR8xfohw9aD2blBimXPikzylMeK7kwZRImAHp-gvwJxhUh3NvoYQVGMFbZawMh-XmjKDsOwlwCosomxTHpS2Xusl1ViUm2jY2v4f1set5cVx8x1KpNBdwub8tCtupZF7RLCuBP6A/w400-h217/1682875243942.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-27973438571247372262023-05-05T18:03:00.001+02:002023-05-05T18:03:00.165+02:001200S: service time, part 12<p>You thought the Sportster was all done... but wait there's more!</p><div><b>The belt</b> - it's a good idea to inspect the belt for wear and correct tension at this point. A belt is surely the lightest, simplest and least demanding in terms of maintenance, unlike chains and drive-shafts. There are only three things to do here: <b>1)</b> make sure it's clean (I checked every tooth, as well as both pullies) <b>2)</b> check that the tension is correct, and <b>3)</b> check that the rear wheel axle is perfectly perpendicular to the swingarm so the belt isn't contacting with the pulleys' edges, that's it. And how do you do that last part? The Sportster has this neat little built-in feature to help you ensure the axle is straight: there is a small "index" hole on each side of the swingarm, that you use as a fixed reference point from which to check the distance to the axle. I used a coat hanger with a thin rubber washer to make my version of the tool, and it worked well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAN5oPFTDtkLQBGZNmb8r_FUX0tGspkem7hMwGSUdzKRAYtLS76Eyd2BtoGg7uXTvvwMl25KFecrvuAV03nDKqk40trACqYRfukEP0Eb0io9Lo58fYVrRDa7TQg0ownlflufVzGVxW-G-FYp1Kbf_-nd_MdIqWOk7kiGGsS6iOlcmdBjXEwPTn4K3PQ/s723/WheelAlignmentCheck.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="723" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKAN5oPFTDtkLQBGZNmb8r_FUX0tGspkem7hMwGSUdzKRAYtLS76Eyd2BtoGg7uXTvvwMl25KFecrvuAV03nDKqk40trACqYRfukEP0Eb0io9Lo58fYVrRDa7TQg0ownlflufVzGVxW-G-FYp1Kbf_-nd_MdIqWOk7kiGGsS6iOlcmdBjXEwPTn4K3PQ/w400-h185/WheelAlignmentCheck.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX97IG36eliYNjdN-f0d7h3gEIczEe1u-tAWwrqz-VtqItTSVFX0L5RMlHOOn79SkeRi1U117h-u0kHx7J1_K41Gjk-LwTnN8ZVSsfqzHT_e2dvDgCOXVihuTiXDY2MJRDi7r2aHnE5GxW1LigVq9zUYsLbbSxVkT_rFaiGileYLKwTywwam-ZT5-3pA/s4000/1649880330598.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="4000" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX97IG36eliYNjdN-f0d7h3gEIczEe1u-tAWwrqz-VtqItTSVFX0L5RMlHOOn79SkeRi1U117h-u0kHx7J1_K41Gjk-LwTnN8ZVSsfqzHT_e2dvDgCOXVihuTiXDY2MJRDi7r2aHnE5GxW1LigVq9zUYsLbbSxVkT_rFaiGileYLKwTywwam-ZT5-3pA/w400-h170/1649880330598.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i7kQ-R7fUaseF56z7yfZd_IIye5gr-ygP4Lc3uBnxewhmr6oteFrl6fsTXoNUEqGJho74-OusWaA_Lo9Gtp2k1RguR6qRsY8LrRlXx33p4Z8kF5sc0jXT8JWuYD6fz8Xd_b2wgs4K8SeCMxZzLm5XQg3sr6ZbV3Hfkdww6dtUbjOI7bbHzIcGC6BDA/s4000/ThisHoleRightHereBud.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i7kQ-R7fUaseF56z7yfZd_IIye5gr-ygP4Lc3uBnxewhmr6oteFrl6fsTXoNUEqGJho74-OusWaA_Lo9Gtp2k1RguR6qRsY8LrRlXx33p4Z8kF5sc0jXT8JWuYD6fz8Xd_b2wgs4K8SeCMxZzLm5XQg3sr6ZbV3Hfkdww6dtUbjOI7bbHzIcGC6BDA/w480-h640/ThisHoleRightHereBud.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><b>The mirror</b> - When I fist bought the Sportster, it came with a hideous billet mirror that I quickly dispatched. If you want to relive the horror of those early days, have a look at <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2016/09/so-much-chrome.html" target="_blank">this post</a>. After that, I adapted a bar-end mirror with the help of uncle Fester, who fabricated a spacer so I could mount it on the clutch lever perch (I don't want to cut the grip and I don't want to make the bike look wider), but this was never an ideal solution and it provided very little in terms of visibility. Looking through the myriad options available on the aftermarket (I didn't want to fit the original mirrors I still have from my previous Sportster), the only one I found that seems reasonably sized, fairly elegant and simple is this spot mirror from Lowbrow Customs. It's also the only one that has a threaded body (instead of an integral threaded bar), which means you can mount it with a bolt in many different ways, such as I did here, just with a longer 10-24 bolt than the one provided.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqPDJdPJQaGSqu0E_ZFrYK5P_3DBGf_cA9Fi5ghjQFBiG6T2tL35db4l55tl1Ut0MDOKbnOAKnSVjMl5oSdxFSWqzaJIUfph0LqQ96880HfoH0EGk1TGdHFD31ZRY1eKtvuGNiH1JF0BqNGD8hRxydB-ofnacxdvVwNy-2QcYtLi9WDXq3-XVVmdvlg/s4000/1647249711960.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqPDJdPJQaGSqu0E_ZFrYK5P_3DBGf_cA9Fi5ghjQFBiG6T2tL35db4l55tl1Ut0MDOKbnOAKnSVjMl5oSdxFSWqzaJIUfph0LqQ96880HfoH0EGk1TGdHFD31ZRY1eKtvuGNiH1JF0BqNGD8hRxydB-ofnacxdvVwNy-2QcYtLi9WDXq3-XVVmdvlg/w400-h300/1647249711960.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppOPhXqci00vUwwuGRCoOOSW_DpDkz2X3Yo3Srkt_WbC31cmP49aajedjeuZ32x0yzaTJ88C1lGaeoQalSU4L4ZuWzPgYaxJmm4cpHXkWqmTiodpFns7KzDAq1kiufnyfzpPgpiDxLVYQGt5-Salcsy0Vf_8rrp13UNF09svw5_KDr9RldIPx7o1AYA/s4000/1647249711901.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppOPhXqci00vUwwuGRCoOOSW_DpDkz2X3Yo3Srkt_WbC31cmP49aajedjeuZ32x0yzaTJ88C1lGaeoQalSU4L4ZuWzPgYaxJmm4cpHXkWqmTiodpFns7KzDAq1kiufnyfzpPgpiDxLVYQGt5-Salcsy0Vf_8rrp13UNF09svw5_KDr9RldIPx7o1AYA/w400-h300/1647249711901.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Regular service</b> - as this all became more of a sprawling saga, I will spare you any more ramblings at this point, but it goes without saying that I also took care of regular service items such as oils and fluids, spark plugs, filters, lubricating cables, checking fasteners, inspecting the brakes, etc. For more on those, refer to <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2017/06/1200s-service-time.html">this older post</a>. All of these things are worthwhile and so important.<br />A couple of hiccups I need to mention, for full disclosure: the derby cover sprung a leak as soon as I put the bike on the side stand, and the carburetor too leaked a little. It was probably a little bit of incontinence due to excitement and it stopped after a short while (just long enough to go looking for a new gasket). Happens to the best of us. As for the derby cover, I put the bike back on the jack, took off the cover and found that the quad-ring gasket had come out of its groove (I must have knocked it out of place when I put the cover back on before). So, I cleaned the groove with a rag and some brake cleaner, then I applied a thin layer of gasket sealant, put a new gasket back on, making sure it stayed put in the four pinch points along its groove and very carefully replaced the derby cover.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had to replace the battery, which was not cheap and really annoying: had I been able to ride this bike regularly and take care of all the repairs in a short amount of time, the battery would have probably survived and kept going for a few more years. Sadly and worryingly, the reality is that since I don't get to ride anymore, these bikes are sitting idle and the batteries are wasted. The idea that you can hook them up to a Ctek or similar battery tender and just keep them on, and expect everything to be fine one or two <i>years</i> down the line is pure fantasy: those chargers are just meant to save your battery from going totally flat, but they can't do miracles (and keeping them plugged in all the time eventually wears the metal plates off, and your battery is dead anyway).<br />Now, for the sake of objectivity, I should point out that this particular battery is at least 10 years old anyway at this point, so it's not a complete waste as it was probably on its way out anyway. That said, an original Harley-Davidson battery, which is so beautiful it forms part of the bodywork, is just prohibitively expensive, whereas the Motobatt I got is less than half the price (still expensive), but ugly as sin and needs to be covered up.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDp-EatGmJNH3NU7lSNjT_8mgO1_IE_ISj6PVyMqgrGpD9OrFMmAhZGtGwwwhwgOpOmLzgooVV8oEiwLpFY6RDyEJpQ1Go64sJx7FYiMvRrDGGT-dRjt7PNq44BaXj4CXPsRT3Tr8dFGfOJq9nCNbuDOsh-C7i0arFvF9gaYB3nWwczmlw2ZcOnTZIQ/s3748/19042023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2216" data-original-width="3748" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDp-EatGmJNH3NU7lSNjT_8mgO1_IE_ISj6PVyMqgrGpD9OrFMmAhZGtGwwwhwgOpOmLzgooVV8oEiwLpFY6RDyEJpQ1Go64sJx7FYiMvRrDGGT-dRjt7PNq44BaXj4CXPsRT3Tr8dFGfOJq9nCNbuDOsh-C7i0arFvF9gaYB3nWwczmlw2ZcOnTZIQ/w400-h236/19042023.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That concludes this particularly thorough round of servicing & repairs. I started <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2019/10/1200s-service-time-part-2.html" target="_blank">about seven months ago</a>, even though the bike had been waiting <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2021/09/next-up-on-lift.html" target="_blank">for a lot longer than that</a>; the actual time needed to get everything done is of course measured in days, not even weeks, but it is what it is.</div><div>Anyway, I can now take the bike out for a test ride to see how it all performs.</div><div>I had not ridden the Sportster in three and a half years, so setting off on the test ride felt new and exciting, not only because of all the unknowns I needed to verify, but also because I was re-familiarizing myself with this awesome machine.</div><div>The engine fired up easily thanks to the new battery and a quick boost from one of those "engine easy start" aerosol cans that spray a high pressure mix of highly flammable hydrocarbons and other goodies. Because the bike had been sitting for so long, everything inside the engine must have been bone dry and needed to get moving again; the hydraulic valve lifters were obviously completely drained: the engine ran but with a worryingly loud <i>"clack-clack-clack-clack!"</i> coming from the valves. First thing I checked was the oil pressure light, which went out immediately, and oil returns to the tank as expected, so I left it to run with the choke on for a short while, then it settled into its familiar idle tone. After a couple of minutes the lifters resumed their normal function and the engine ran beautifully. Everything is new from here on, starting with the clutch, which is perfectly smooth at least at the lever. The diaphragm spring is the same as before, so effort is no different than before. Followed by engaging first gear, which feels very slick (so is finding neutral again: the first thing I tried was to select neutral straight away, and I can do that from first or second gear engaged, both with the engine running and with the engine off). I pull away eeeever so gently at around 900/1000rpm as I go down the long dirt lane towards the open road, then pause as the tires contact the tarmac. The moment of truth is now a twist of the throttle away: if I got it right, the bike will pull away from a standstill, in first gear, with lotsa torque and a reliable climb up the rev range towards second gear and beyond. But if I messed up somewhere, that horrible clunk from the gearbox will return, or possibly something worse and I'll have to limp back to the workshop and start all over again. There is no point waiting around, I don't try to wheelie or do a burn-out, obviously. Just a normal, decisive take off in first gear: all signs of the old problem are gone, the gearbox just <b>works</b> like it's supposed to, so although it may seem obvious now, I can say with certainty that this was indeed the issue: the dogs on the countershaft 1st and 3rd gears were worn, and even though it was apparently minimal wear it was enough to cause first gear to jump out of engagement. What a relief to have this finally fixed!</div><div>I can also notice how the new clutch is doing: no squeals, chirps or other farm animal noises; it's not particularly grabby, rather just smooth and precise. Very nice. The original setup with the spring plate in the middle of the clutch pack is a bit odd, I definitely prefer it like this with the extra plates and no nonsense. As I ride, I can feel everything in this machine working properly, everything is perfect and any issues there may have been, big or small, are gone.</div><div>After a few miles of country lanes, twists and turns, hills and swooping corners, I cannot <i>believe </i>how well this motorcycle rides now, how reactive it is, between the refreshed steering bearings and the properly set up suspension, it feels light on its feet and capable of almost reptilian handling... it's amazing. The new clutch and the Dynojet kit also definitely work together to deliver instant power to the rear wheel, making it feel like there is no distinction between intention, throttle and acceleration: as soon as you think it, it happens, and the motorcycle is where you want it to be (I'll report back with a photo of a plug chop after I've had a chance to put some miles on this thing, it should give me an indication of how it really performs and whether the mixture is right overall). You ride on a surging, colossal wave of torque that actually made me utter some profanities inside my Arai as I overtook a large truck in a single glorious charge; I swear to you this is no hyperbole.</div><div>What is most remarkable about this engine is how light it feels at the throttle. What I mean by that is that as you blip the throttle, engine internals respond <i>instantly</i> and pick up revs with great ease. Of course this is not simply down to a jet kit, air filter and exhaust, but is the result of careful work at the factory in lightening and balancing the crankshaft, pairing it with light forged pistons and optimizing compression and combustion chamber shape. The effect is that a long-stroke 1200 twin ends up feeling like a two-stroke 250 in the way it "spins". By the time I return to base and shut the engine off, I'm left in stunned silence as I look at this beautiful machine, and think about all the work I have put into it to get it to this level. There really isn't much on this motorcycle that I haven't personally serviced and improved. Everything works.</div><div>After getting so hands-on with this motorcycle, and really appreciating how well it is engineered and built (the materials, the metallurgy, the fit & finish, <i>everything</i>), I scoff at those idiots who belittle the Evolution Sportster as any number of pejorative appellations (outdated, heavy, underperforming, underpowered, unreliable, etc.): based on my first-hand experience, it seems to me that this is an extremely well put together machine, with <u>plenty</u> of torque and power, easy to work on (far easier than any British or BMW, or god forbid a Japanese multi... or god forbid again, an Italian!) and very dependable and reliable even on <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2017/07/stealth-trip-2.html">tough trips</a>. Sadly, those who don't like it, or can't handle it are really missing out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Si3LsgjORh35GGWfYIai077ALfeuj-A4y8n1vSi89DZgBG7jn0WXKPEuxXuyQ2GoC-2UfVb9_q-Q1TmxJXXyTN6hNAEcAM03PASyXdnyfNaJ8MrH6wKl9MCJ1n_PPCQGaLe2p5_stgROe1heOGmXwWL1WEs47jFuf1bTmHqq6rYoFMSBbh2RpiSQxQ/s1350/1682632831511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="939" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Si3LsgjORh35GGWfYIai077ALfeuj-A4y8n1vSi89DZgBG7jn0WXKPEuxXuyQ2GoC-2UfVb9_q-Q1TmxJXXyTN6hNAEcAM03PASyXdnyfNaJ8MrH6wKl9MCJ1n_PPCQGaLe2p5_stgROe1heOGmXwWL1WEs47jFuf1bTmHqq6rYoFMSBbh2RpiSQxQ/w446-h640/1682632831511.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div>There are very <i>very</i> few motorcycles that elicit the type of feeling that the Sportster does; it may sound corny, and it may sound like something out of a Harley-Davidson sales brochure, but the Sportster really has something special about it that can't be put into words; this is the ideal motorcycle I always wanted, the one that's just the right blend of brutal and traditional.</div><div><b>This is an amazing bike, that's strong as the steel it's made of. </b><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrMo83DjJTT4DAf_DGQDnW00zlQtNzPNYgYpJL25pYBJAqYjTJzCQuIMCz-6GALmybp4jSYnR3qXYcw6QBulA2zPVNpzar9_Qx3w-MEIe7WuI_z8QQR7pbTTyz-518jWvoansMFP8yjZH/s1730/1200S.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="1730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrMo83DjJTT4DAf_DGQDnW00zlQtNzPNYgYpJL25pYBJAqYjTJzCQuIMCz-6GALmybp4jSYnR3qXYcw6QBulA2zPVNpzar9_Qx3w-MEIe7WuI_z8QQR7pbTTyz-518jWvoansMFP8yjZH/s320/1200S.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Ten times better with the 'S' on the end"</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-56584309590655635472023-04-19T21:24:00.001+02:002023-04-19T21:24:00.208+02:00Gift horse - part 15<p>One of the many things this motorcycle needed was a set of new shock absorbers. That's right, absorber<i>s</i> plural, because this is still a wonderfully antiquated twin-shock model. In the 1980s BMW moved to single-sided swingarms that it has refined with various torque reaction arms over the years (to overcome the inherent issues of having a drive shaft on a motorcycle, dummies!) and never looked back. Anyway, where was I... oh yeah, we need new shocks. In an effort to save some money and also to use what we have, I thought about repurposing a pair of FAC (Fabbrica Ammortizzatori Cremona) shocks that <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwrjizodaQV_2iULzxc4wrqqReDHjOUkqikF2YhPmEOf78zmKikGNi9imlEqLflxAGa6rXhYr_ow4MGOXy16K2_uPntFg4EeaiZJC2UtLZFR5_5FLrb3zZ0QSl2CBea6GIPVpt9hqZ5dq/s1600/IMG_0456.jpg" target="_blank">I originally had on my Fastback</a>, but that I eventually set aside as they were too short. Unfortunately, since the spring they use is also too short and too soft for the /7, that just turned out to be a very long detour to a dead end.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXQ3tB64gDAJDG4cQVy20AJJp8PRbLolYsGLqCuc3KRXo5ysjNLyokAn4k908ksGj4e-aW39RLqm8_Q9Qt7Sq-VMWbu5g0GuKw2GWLgUIL87Pxb0fs9H1q2yn9SXLCwaaHoWlOwkNixtmNeGeV_hCy1msGIvJJuVEgRy2-vzk-vUkyNfd7t4G1O5O9A/s1600/1678541711375.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXQ3tB64gDAJDG4cQVy20AJJp8PRbLolYsGLqCuc3KRXo5ysjNLyokAn4k908ksGj4e-aW39RLqm8_Q9Qt7Sq-VMWbu5g0GuKw2GWLgUIL87Pxb0fs9H1q2yn9SXLCwaaHoWlOwkNixtmNeGeV_hCy1msGIvJJuVEgRy2-vzk-vUkyNfd7t4G1O5O9A/w360-h640/1678541711375.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>So, in the end I had to source a new pair of shock absorbers, and the winning ticket was a set of cheap and cheerful YSS Bravo. These are very basic but will do just fine for what we need this motorcycle to do; here's one next to one of the OEM items:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMAWJeU433BdCYvWOPYS0cV1cd0zimHTblYdReyvSzkMUiuEx4jMPO5PtFMiuHFgCYdR3548HTpZu0mT0Uav2fkzmJDw6VD5W98TaCKG0PaGr4ppgLD3XjPti0rXIDTKNxHkzYG-GSAkULQMxT52Vmfzc67lB6dR-TiU9EHh9xK8hYWKP-hI5MoZxlg/s1385/1681122059973.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="833" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMAWJeU433BdCYvWOPYS0cV1cd0zimHTblYdReyvSzkMUiuEx4jMPO5PtFMiuHFgCYdR3548HTpZu0mT0Uav2fkzmJDw6VD5W98TaCKG0PaGr4ppgLD3XjPti0rXIDTKNxHkzYG-GSAkULQMxT52Vmfzc67lB6dR-TiU9EHh9xK8hYWKP-hI5MoZxlg/w384-h640/1681122059973.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><p>Sure, the original Boge shocks are very neat in that they have a built-in handle to adjust the preload, and we lose that feature here; but these YSS are going to work just fine. Installation was very easy and straightforward, thanks to BMW's rational layout of all components involved.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMc_FIpnnMzYwv2hTyN32_ePWQ828RPjUpEFQu-XHToPl71KzNzJGAA2qHVIQ2h7WAvYZnPWHHHhsLeeOoZDfQmqO5IxRw8Kkn5iyJmVot7omYPjIOQPtmCAEnEZTBgXSyVBKsgSyXhTgduSh6My1vYnwysT8OjhOnwEbA8kg0dy6Ow_5E9qUDpwOyvA/s1400/YSS_BravoShocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMc_FIpnnMzYwv2hTyN32_ePWQ828RPjUpEFQu-XHToPl71KzNzJGAA2qHVIQ2h7WAvYZnPWHHHhsLeeOoZDfQmqO5IxRw8Kkn5iyJmVot7omYPjIOQPtmCAEnEZTBgXSyVBKsgSyXhTgduSh6My1vYnwysT8OjhOnwEbA8kg0dy6Ow_5E9qUDpwOyvA/w400-h300/YSS_BravoShocks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-64176521681326707622023-04-18T13:58:00.003+02:002023-04-18T23:01:52.226+02:00Gas tank repaired.<p>With a lot of skill, a cool head and a wink from lady luck, uncle Fester tackled a difficult repair job and welded up the gas tank.</p><p>The rear mounting bracket had cracked and the tiniest leak appeared as a result. This was very difficult to fix because of the limited room, but he got it done none the less.</p><p>Pressure test showed the repair was successful.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0g2jbQ-T2uEfCC9Q59DNenMWY6ATOo3i40-XwLSy1SiPIENwRVCuXvtNwK_rwjsUdwXRNWb3ZI8a_RTarFKsMe4Tone4wcrLPz9smR3rPw3dBljwj1ogKddiIj2a9A9Iday7oAaVZdX1ZmbSXszJSgU0mb9pHfdQcjvEoQYQpuM7XKe1hVBx1uPs4w/s1400/1681761643116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0g2jbQ-T2uEfCC9Q59DNenMWY6ATOo3i40-XwLSy1SiPIENwRVCuXvtNwK_rwjsUdwXRNWb3ZI8a_RTarFKsMe4Tone4wcrLPz9smR3rPw3dBljwj1ogKddiIj2a9A9Iday7oAaVZdX1ZmbSXszJSgU0mb9pHfdQcjvEoQYQpuM7XKe1hVBx1uPs4w/w300-h400/1681761643116.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We need to get this bike back on the road soon, there are still a lot of little things to do and it's already getting late in the year...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-38959567159765704972023-03-21T17:37:00.001+01:002023-07-11T15:31:30.230+02:00Get a handle on things!<p>Building a chopper implies that you either follow established canon or go your own way to create something unique: unless you're incredibly talented and gifted, don't go for the latter. Yes, choppers were born out of rebellion and non-conformity, but over time they established a visual set of fixed references that are as valid as those you'd find among café racers, pre-65 offroaders, Isle or Man racers and so on. I tried as best I could to do something with this bike that would result in a classic slim chopper, and I believe the proportions on this bike are damn near perfect. <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2012/09/mission-accomplished.html" target="_blank">Once it was done</a>, my friends and I looked at it, rode it around and decided it was "il chopperino sportivo" owing to its dragbar handlebar, sporty brakes, upswept exhausts and tidy rear end. I think it looks like it's from the 1940s, has an engine from the late 60s and a frame from the new millennium. The addition of the sissy bar (for functionality) began driving this aesthetic away from the sport and towards a more conventional ideal of what you'd picture as a "chopper". Now I have decided to swap handlebars for a mini apehanger, which I realize sounds like a contradiction (you could say the same about miniskirts, yet they're awesome), but in order to be practical and still look <i>right</i>, it must have a rise of no more than 25cm.</p><p>I had briefly considered the Norton Hi-Rider handlebar, but it's a little bit too... cartoonish (and the width at the base is excessive), so the one I ended up choosing, after much searching, is the one off the USA-spec t140/tr7 Triumph, which can use all ready-made cables (brake, clutch, choke, and throttle). The bend on this handlebar is SO nice, I immediately noticed it as soon as I pulled it out of the box.<br />I like the fact that this is an original BSA/Triumph OIF part, which I have tried to incorporate along the way any time I could (the whole front end and the brakes and wheels obviously).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglHZohrcUcVS6UFE-qPSljcMY8hTh1wFxceb_PA9Thlq28oY0bkw_Ra6ku1MqhF-9rLhOLaRtVgQhGoLLR2DystN7xXo63zM891YU-LMkRtjtxl8gTXV-nicb2BrWwqQWW683yDkqhDXsmov2n8Q4NdmpwW4NAn5lvYECRxwUoNfdXpnEAriTOM-IpQ/s1289/1678369910903.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1289" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglHZohrcUcVS6UFE-qPSljcMY8hTh1wFxceb_PA9Thlq28oY0bkw_Ra6ku1MqhF-9rLhOLaRtVgQhGoLLR2DystN7xXo63zM891YU-LMkRtjtxl8gTXV-nicb2BrWwqQWW683yDkqhDXsmov2n8Q4NdmpwW4NAn5lvYECRxwUoNfdXpnEAriTOM-IpQ/w400-h234/1678369910903.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNZbKJeNzsM90aVfrnbBklFpWZQ-E3BbPp43jpxMHUwhemcSOQaoUb8sDTuC7hPNlIx1oU3v5CpV2L7-DuO_TNzOYNrFtolTvA8dOUoVK5KagxCbFeb8r877ap6pWrljpfkak6HkLP4B5pikGcHkWRYhBAtW3ygJvF0FO5ZZwchzo7vPRSfJOBK1cgA/s1210/1678369910892.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1210" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNZbKJeNzsM90aVfrnbBklFpWZQ-E3BbPp43jpxMHUwhemcSOQaoUb8sDTuC7hPNlIx1oU3v5CpV2L7-DuO_TNzOYNrFtolTvA8dOUoVK5KagxCbFeb8r877ap6pWrljpfkak6HkLP4B5pikGcHkWRYhBAtW3ygJvF0FO5ZZwchzo7vPRSfJOBK1cgA/w400-h276/1678369910892.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Since swapping the handlebar also meant sourcing control cables of the appropriate length, this also means that the dragbar and at least its throttle, grips, brake and clutch levers and control cables can be set aside as an assembly for if and when I decide to go back to the original configuration.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYzhlGQpnl-J5NU5x9dC7rPjgKy1Y_-fuOvxfTepyaHBJaIRJlwQAlvNnm5J0YeOv8tFRfyco4nACTAY8anLd16cGq3FG6tCz-THuh5Y2_IwbpNO7iqmuIqnZ39_0y0dmozp93eS5tb9VA8Rx4AA6rgs1aANtgI33cNiwCMpOIOcGK3BzFZPzJp3wIg/s1400/1678369910794.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYzhlGQpnl-J5NU5x9dC7rPjgKy1Y_-fuOvxfTepyaHBJaIRJlwQAlvNnm5J0YeOv8tFRfyco4nACTAY8anLd16cGq3FG6tCz-THuh5Y2_IwbpNO7iqmuIqnZ39_0y0dmozp93eS5tb9VA8Rx4AA6rgs1aANtgI33cNiwCMpOIOcGK3BzFZPzJp3wIg/w300-h400/1678369910794.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdjyCK5OLBn-25xYVH0uAujnklUhtUGeej0y2vcAJZ7a_cxco_Vy2Bdd6fDu_Px9GA3tUQQP4NNd1Hx9GslJFuyCeHt-nKgrJIxQViS5pFgKPpYiHauo_HF5z7aBl-zOAbAfnKT5gdc8USE2847QZNze4JEBSbYPpoWERDWb3kewUIJ8ENZO2eRnLpA/s1400/1678369910775.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHdjyCK5OLBn-25xYVH0uAujnklUhtUGeej0y2vcAJZ7a_cxco_Vy2Bdd6fDu_Px9GA3tUQQP4NNd1Hx9GslJFuyCeHt-nKgrJIxQViS5pFgKPpYiHauo_HF5z7aBl-zOAbAfnKT5gdc8USE2847QZNze4JEBSbYPpoWERDWb3kewUIJ8ENZO2eRnLpA/w400-h300/1678369910775.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCgtXSUnbdwcT0oT3L83f8_FNWNvdtk04YfkW4DEE57IAxIDsWTyveEbR2ECYhqCSdG123aG3aVW3fOI46TbE_QoEZS4WY6ZlR6YTAVEq-TTeNfVmTJpnmVyCoMLK7H66nDozIoL3Kf7f66CP2VfUHYgc66obtgjNJwnbDRO3gE976lbpeW3BJL0hjA/s1400/1678369910614.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCgtXSUnbdwcT0oT3L83f8_FNWNvdtk04YfkW4DEE57IAxIDsWTyveEbR2ECYhqCSdG123aG3aVW3fOI46TbE_QoEZS4WY6ZlR6YTAVEq-TTeNfVmTJpnmVyCoMLK7H66nDozIoL3Kf7f66CP2VfUHYgc66obtgjNJwnbDRO3gE976lbpeW3BJL0hjA/w400-h300/1678369910614.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbUy-CuZNkjUEIdnNcY0XNwunZJ4RcvVoB4Tl3twMpkoaKPFnLoN7MnygOIDZh5aHchbsiGNSCMZ4ikbu624ZMvBbjAPxTJ2_kTTKMjSwO4Mih3l_9flTvsIz8NvBv9ZKvWQ2cu3Cux_W3tD_1_zB9kfF4MZ8IkxcNhxAdbpmkl5xPmplnhoduHkfkQ/s1400/1678369910735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbUy-CuZNkjUEIdnNcY0XNwunZJ4RcvVoB4Tl3twMpkoaKPFnLoN7MnygOIDZh5aHchbsiGNSCMZ4ikbu624ZMvBbjAPxTJ2_kTTKMjSwO4Mih3l_9flTvsIz8NvBv9ZKvWQ2cu3Cux_W3tD_1_zB9kfF4MZ8IkxcNhxAdbpmkl5xPmplnhoduHkfkQ/w300-h400/1678369910735.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The reason for this change - which is easily reversible - is to evolve this ride into something better suited for the Old Irons rally, the same motivation behind every other change I'm making, including things you've not yet seen. Rather than move the throttle control over, I just fitted a really really nice<a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-original-joystick.html" target="_blank"> Doherty one Witold gave me</a>, with a set of the very popular Recoil grips (which you can see in the last shot). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbPgD4O3_dR6MSPm4dQdIjiUyZrTTeILNPOcOdpcujFQ1Ck7fNH1gBCvOzfx_9aKI7zhirm35P5qKd_mU8uCGAELyRfCHzIzeWOhoRugxospAdb4yLKhuZM9A1K2emPxhqex5dhmgLbvd5jBPEqn7_hnDOkMUZO_Ae3rPM2LeXnKDunwpFlXZDydR5g/s1000/1678369910916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbPgD4O3_dR6MSPm4dQdIjiUyZrTTeILNPOcOdpcujFQ1Ck7fNH1gBCvOzfx_9aKI7zhirm35P5qKd_mU8uCGAELyRfCHzIzeWOhoRugxospAdb4yLKhuZM9A1K2emPxhqex5dhmgLbvd5jBPEqn7_hnDOkMUZO_Ae3rPM2LeXnKDunwpFlXZDydR5g/w400-h300/1678369910916.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHwJtUVL1CBxsaf1wrpUO0FBg90saib_Btexg16zhlkBRki_5q9Mgf-gXLQU6-x6fL5YfuS6JzL_tnn7dSJ_rxvoVhu95eI8NRW0VoRyzk4Cn7y40omSwid_g29tvf3K3VBHAx2k593JXCAw2pQ5MImhO_J-_51WpDJCE4uBuh_C8sgb4hKy9zdTBmA/s1000/1678369910848.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHwJtUVL1CBxsaf1wrpUO0FBg90saib_Btexg16zhlkBRki_5q9Mgf-gXLQU6-x6fL5YfuS6JzL_tnn7dSJ_rxvoVhu95eI8NRW0VoRyzk4Cn7y40omSwid_g29tvf3K3VBHAx2k593JXCAw2pQ5MImhO_J-_51WpDJCE4uBuh_C8sgb4hKy9zdTBmA/w300-h400/1678369910848.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhcaPzbNrHFAFucdWK8o6pH_W-Gxe3dUyIgdCQb4s6kqmb1po2fA9MdOq4EhL1mMNO81Vxn3-lRd4LrRVnIlEYYJAfTJXBBZXsCnop4uiFBZ0JJf_YXWtzrWbv8EGd0tjE-k7y9RdcI95ylqr3g1LYFZrHak94PFQAWt8z-J5Fb2cNJ9rnJkQSxgmxQ/s1000/1678369910836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhcaPzbNrHFAFucdWK8o6pH_W-Gxe3dUyIgdCQb4s6kqmb1po2fA9MdOq4EhL1mMNO81Vxn3-lRd4LrRVnIlEYYJAfTJXBBZXsCnop4uiFBZ0JJf_YXWtzrWbv8EGd0tjE-k7y9RdcI95ylqr3g1LYFZrHak94PFQAWt8z-J5Fb2cNJ9rnJkQSxgmxQ/w400-h300/1678369910836.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02h1lOUhcG8GI29LnCJ0oibilTX0FWvyNhIaBvmNQ_5Wf_Y0FX44C5721yiHbk3zpOGRxT-88svi-ygGKYcm7PhLG7iT4H-1x-_Khs-V0voRzZuOz_zw21nqEtJM1rnckE5Yd1_86dHVRx3pcEPktEZ6220fJ5AB3ori_5ao7iTbaVrczL4P-9lza7Q/s650/Fixings-Doherty%20Twist%20Grip-1959-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="493" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02h1lOUhcG8GI29LnCJ0oibilTX0FWvyNhIaBvmNQ_5Wf_Y0FX44C5721yiHbk3zpOGRxT-88svi-ygGKYcm7PhLG7iT4H-1x-_Khs-V0voRzZuOz_zw21nqEtJM1rnckE5Yd1_86dHVRx3pcEPktEZ6220fJ5AB3ori_5ao7iTbaVrczL4P-9lza7Q/w304-h400/Fixings-Doherty%20Twist%20Grip-1959-1.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8bxTcaDcZ729LjVDr7fdmozb29E_mW40oUXZweZIZG8STXxolEu__wxudi3m1liZx5kAIX7W-7MuGFUHhpp8VWgC_qjydAD49Vv-hCdNdp2pF9UYEDDCC9RZ82XyL0hKv91y-Dedua02Zp-6x-VqA-4G3XT1YcJEfAE1nkYHUMNsiRdFltTOPoBpZA/s1400/1678751273254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8bxTcaDcZ729LjVDr7fdmozb29E_mW40oUXZweZIZG8STXxolEu__wxudi3m1liZx5kAIX7W-7MuGFUHhpp8VWgC_qjydAD49Vv-hCdNdp2pF9UYEDDCC9RZ82XyL0hKv91y-Dedua02Zp-6x-VqA-4G3XT1YcJEfAE1nkYHUMNsiRdFltTOPoBpZA/w300-h400/1678751273254.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This throttle was first introduced in 1959, and the one I have can't have been made too long after that. The action is still perfect and the chrome plating is really not in bad shape at all. I would not consider having this re-plated as it would almost surely mean losing the detail of the Doherty sigil. It seems fitting that the one part that comes from Witold should be the <i>throttle</i>, don't you think? And for some reason this seemingly simple part has taken on something of an animistic quality to it and I keep staring at it and thinking "this is so cool".</div>Another big change is the control levers: uncle Fester had these good looking items that are sure to provide better leverage and a stronger mounting at the handlebar. Happy to give it a go:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h2jHdILAy1g5FoBCzy0NykEz5rFMq7xg6-XRUeX_bP2NUEocPtMojkFffmlMaaKgzgezZiqifHub4DnS2xLnsuhUhNWc_HfoiiNiulUATDNk30BzO_dP7W2fBsqtNx3DGuQeOgOtm-hbEAptJz6Y-9o2m0wYqw8ldh5tdUA9EqkLmC-hN1J70qlr9A/s1000/1678369910636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2h2jHdILAy1g5FoBCzy0NykEz5rFMq7xg6-XRUeX_bP2NUEocPtMojkFffmlMaaKgzgezZiqifHub4DnS2xLnsuhUhNWc_HfoiiNiulUATDNk30BzO_dP7W2fBsqtNx3DGuQeOgOtm-hbEAptJz6Y-9o2m0wYqw8ldh5tdUA9EqkLmC-hN1J70qlr9A/w300-h400/1678369910636.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div>It may seem odd but the bike feels different to "hold" with the combination of these new parts, the handlebar, the throttle control and the grips: the riding position is much more relaxed; because you're not stretched forward to reach the dragbar, it actually makes the bike feel more compact. The thicker grips and stouter levers make it feel like a bigger "proper" bike, whereas the increased leverage of this handlebar makes the bike seem even lighter (for example when moving around the garage).</div><div>Aside from a bit of work on the throttle cable and the horn/dip switch wiring, fitting this handlebar was very straightforward. <br /></div>There will be plenty of opportunities to take some prettier photos of this and other details soon, but for the time being, here it is:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9E8poM6mQBDlmQZq906E4Uztwp6ZkSC5ySaW-wGd5lRUYgaPbaZaCcI7zukqIPtq0SrT2cnQNJrBkhYHJiSCiqE8F5azk2QZ6fZwQKnPPjw8m0_sXSPZhnknBLWIofdi9pzCZQZxYq-8UJvCx54k9E7_qlYG53pzdP39tg-6cYkQHejuLa9PpU3w1w/s736/1678751272756.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="736" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw9E8poM6mQBDlmQZq906E4Uztwp6ZkSC5ySaW-wGd5lRUYgaPbaZaCcI7zukqIPtq0SrT2cnQNJrBkhYHJiSCiqE8F5azk2QZ6fZwQKnPPjw8m0_sXSPZhnknBLWIofdi9pzCZQZxYq-8UJvCx54k9E7_qlYG53pzdP39tg-6cYkQHejuLa9PpU3w1w/w400-h306/1678751272756.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div>All this extra space in the cockpit means I can fit a mirror, what a novel concept! I opted for this short and fairly small item, simple. I think it is both functional and visually acceptable for this setup.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_ZfVS0qGsomTmTgT0Fx8xuOVjpZzvmDJ_WvWrf23NonMoMqpLBgBk6Tu_--SWuUmprs6nFpxkbmdiItgVpJNb1h9TF6Sc5NFTsQwqKGc4P2-2HCn7Ggy2P6KlR0rMbo0SoDpuD8MFtuffse9bFq706d14k3SUHLOYuzcEjJTO2-Vaa4G4IhcsA-OEA/s1500/1677509948357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO_ZfVS0qGsomTmTgT0Fx8xuOVjpZzvmDJ_WvWrf23NonMoMqpLBgBk6Tu_--SWuUmprs6nFpxkbmdiItgVpJNb1h9TF6Sc5NFTsQwqKGc4P2-2HCn7Ggy2P6KlR0rMbo0SoDpuD8MFtuffse9bFq706d14k3SUHLOYuzcEjJTO2-Vaa4G4IhcsA-OEA/w426-h640/1677509948357.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Again, prettier photos coming soon.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-63677447768531372152023-03-11T15:43:00.001+01:002023-03-11T15:43:00.192+01:00Other parts needed.<p>There were a number of items I needed in order to proceed with "The Upgrade" so, parts list at hand, I ordered the lot you see below:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1zHjBHTg6IkYf5kGj6HE08NhS0-d6aYINDrZSIuoz_WzISMrS_s6ZwNdQWPLh0gXe339jEWUGJZyPbaoJtfFAyDhEM2ge_gphPuew3EoHCDh2tflefDl0zJ6TC3snrCcrB05ns0565t45mWPJFMrmBAMFIPcA8L1q3L0xLc_DFBMTVv2r1vgNr1i7w/s1468/1677235574926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1468" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1zHjBHTg6IkYf5kGj6HE08NhS0-d6aYINDrZSIuoz_WzISMrS_s6ZwNdQWPLh0gXe339jEWUGJZyPbaoJtfFAyDhEM2ge_gphPuew3EoHCDh2tflefDl0zJ6TC3snrCcrB05ns0565t45mWPJFMrmBAMFIPcA8L1q3L0xLc_DFBMTVv2r1vgNr1i7w/w400-h315/1677235574926.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>You may be able to spot a gear lever rubber (what a shocker, mine split itself apart...), a couple of gaskets for the primary case (and its backplate), assorted control cables, some clutch springs, a gearbox sprocket, a full refresh kit for the front forks and some carburetter parts.</p><p>This is a bit of a spoiler as to what's coming up, hopefully I can get to it soon: spring is going to be here sooner than we realize and I need the Rising Star to be roadworthy on time.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-57976223115276969072023-03-07T18:37:00.002+01:002023-03-07T18:37:00.186+01:00Another oil tank mount update<p>The new system is complete, and it is impressive. Obviously it still needs paint, but perhaps that makes it easier to see this way:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRYPIfqhQpOP2zWY7Z-Rz2_OQAvtwzPw2_7WVHCrGGwVEpovwpil6rba3GUpoXt00i96VKWI0-9QRkDo479FwVNsk3uH2LtAjKUcFz5nAuITcqa_Qgd5FeAT0yHZdLzXStlN366YvINemJLxYmfypRuNGgSYwOrc6i40OOwl57l6QCMXOVy74xFxsKg/s2048/1678130866703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRYPIfqhQpOP2zWY7Z-Rz2_OQAvtwzPw2_7WVHCrGGwVEpovwpil6rba3GUpoXt00i96VKWI0-9QRkDo479FwVNsk3uH2LtAjKUcFz5nAuITcqa_Qgd5FeAT0yHZdLzXStlN366YvINemJLxYmfypRuNGgSYwOrc6i40OOwl57l6QCMXOVy74xFxsKg/w300-h400/1678130866703.jpg" width="300" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This is the new lower support, which houses a rubber mounting in a countersunk area:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_kv8Q9yiZCmTOeSDu6_XT-1p_xUTZ2mYUldu6MnP8anOddyH1a_soXHA4_7qTrz2LR3CukEvzY_DRxHnM87Pwops9OqGCGeIngO1UiXZMItmkuKyEcU04IJJTtDD6YW05zYlq94JUyPS-JZ8JIp55EqzNM9LwQ8bjBPMgQs7DFQqTDFIr48WSVduoA/s2048/1678130866728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_kv8Q9yiZCmTOeSDu6_XT-1p_xUTZ2mYUldu6MnP8anOddyH1a_soXHA4_7qTrz2LR3CukEvzY_DRxHnM87Pwops9OqGCGeIngO1UiXZMItmkuKyEcU04IJJTtDD6YW05zYlq94JUyPS-JZ8JIp55EqzNM9LwQ8bjBPMgQs7DFQqTDFIr48WSVduoA/w300-h400/1678130866728.jpg" width="300" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Here are the top twin supports welded in place, and all remnants of the old flat bar gone:<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49lO_iIW7L_YB8pCbXotz1hAjrTFvfK_9tuamNl1PLx7TJsmX_9nCQza8pV1QWqVzYvqpVdDW_JTtd5URKd-fOgte1WghGfV5c0G3FCzaNYXJ1XolIwTRD_7oLf9eHcDrungvakzLyALYS2P9NU9iDYbLGGX1UwHvrqiwLYjC7vKaF9Bbg33IwBgPpw/s2048/1678130866716.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49lO_iIW7L_YB8pCbXotz1hAjrTFvfK_9tuamNl1PLx7TJsmX_9nCQza8pV1QWqVzYvqpVdDW_JTtd5URKd-fOgte1WghGfV5c0G3FCzaNYXJ1XolIwTRD_7oLf9eHcDrungvakzLyALYS2P9NU9iDYbLGGX1UwHvrqiwLYjC7vKaF9Bbg33IwBgPpw/w300-h400/1678130866716.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Perhaps the most impressive thing about this - aside from the technical difficulties in fabricating this - is that the oil tank ends up being in exactly the same location as before, so what uncle Fester has essentially done is to work around very tight spots to create a functional system that will surely work much better than before as well as look great and give the bike another custom touch. Well done man...</div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-59409408561538597952023-02-28T20:45:00.001+01:002023-02-28T20:45:00.180+01:00Oil tank mount update<p>Here you can see the new mounting system for the Rising Star's oil tank. You'll notice the anti-vibration rubber mountings between the oil tank's bungs and the new supports. This is what will form the top part of the new system, whereas there will be another support for the bottom of the tank coming soon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TdI-_brNfr5BYZMm1xMdacJMYjeqlFVfFja3KiHKwfJNuyopoJzGSWMeN4LMO46IjZ9QI2FWFAmRe8xSgx59exq8TKb2HPaF_HwGasaKAhBd_-eNRyue_P62AAT7YnD0CX4621hN7vnpTSx_bFp2ff39SAObQifBXvpabuzh0U2ZVfcTu51COclxJQ/s2048/1677512628646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1151" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TdI-_brNfr5BYZMm1xMdacJMYjeqlFVfFja3KiHKwfJNuyopoJzGSWMeN4LMO46IjZ9QI2FWFAmRe8xSgx59exq8TKb2HPaF_HwGasaKAhBd_-eNRyue_P62AAT7YnD0CX4621hN7vnpTSx_bFp2ff39SAObQifBXvpabuzh0U2ZVfcTu51COclxJQ/w360-h640/1677512628646.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE0sArl7UsINP-N_tROhiy86_mE4gk3XxUllnzTEOZlY9GQDK295ICYP27QDZXnl2h0HYTjs1vicsnpzVFLZUMEFeDLdHF1yzyYgBTOVi9Re-_I_J570SzyGny1haOBg0c-eNG5z7AcZ_5v3KeAub46TSyN1QGCzyb-QUj1gKKojg59fAk44eYEqT3w/s2048/1677512628658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1151" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeE0sArl7UsINP-N_tROhiy86_mE4gk3XxUllnzTEOZlY9GQDK295ICYP27QDZXnl2h0HYTjs1vicsnpzVFLZUMEFeDLdHF1yzyYgBTOVi9Re-_I_J570SzyGny1haOBg0c-eNG5z7AcZ_5v3KeAub46TSyN1QGCzyb-QUj1gKKojg59fAk44eYEqT3w/w360-h640/1677512628658.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXKEGbi1kLXrROjFSxwPdTcn101mBEUArIRBm-vm8o-W5SEKfpKbqhvCXH6Z8vC37vaKmjNIOvlx9_aD7T0_-KNPquiwPiR6l28bXhL7Xf1h6iJTphbVrO6Ch5haRotB3aHkASPEJdZEzMcD29gt6zVDUEflOSjTc-oc-GmdQsg6fVZdaEPZBBw9zJA/s2048/1677512628672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1151" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXKEGbi1kLXrROjFSxwPdTcn101mBEUArIRBm-vm8o-W5SEKfpKbqhvCXH6Z8vC37vaKmjNIOvlx9_aD7T0_-KNPquiwPiR6l28bXhL7Xf1h6iJTphbVrO6Ch5haRotB3aHkASPEJdZEzMcD29gt6zVDUEflOSjTc-oc-GmdQsg6fVZdaEPZBBw9zJA/w360-h640/1677512628672.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvU7CBV59BssyZ11Hm95w4lEQbxYNd-zrmOFp67e7wlycc47RQO_t0zu9VABn9-7q0_EUzsEAf_l6r2DprjqvxVRjVlKxcp5xn5347hDaXS2GRFQ2Y07Q4KfKIwQXDjsKSwjOCtdEMJyN1B7qYaO7MWZEIRH0gk-fT_1hvVfhizTL3ss4AUL5CIgHnaw/s2048/1677512628630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvU7CBV59BssyZ11Hm95w4lEQbxYNd-zrmOFp67e7wlycc47RQO_t0zu9VABn9-7q0_EUzsEAf_l6r2DprjqvxVRjVlKxcp5xn5347hDaXS2GRFQ2Y07Q4KfKIwQXDjsKSwjOCtdEMJyN1B7qYaO7MWZEIRH0gk-fT_1hvVfhizTL3ss4AUL5CIgHnaw/w480-h640/1677512628630.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIQXtphEX1Jbi6v8cFJJ2N-ImzrnWTmN0j62YsebaEmHwBeS5cOQDux-sBqSy6k-PtJdn9DUfY1FabMPy4GBHkyoQn6zoNZXJsDnk7cIFrMgDXDMzYEMdGV-mlhY2N1zvnyl89nRwinohdDeV8rM6jukAsxXMy0xAwR-omC_09zGYeWSA1F7BkbX5pg/s2048/1677512628682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIQXtphEX1Jbi6v8cFJJ2N-ImzrnWTmN0j62YsebaEmHwBeS5cOQDux-sBqSy6k-PtJdn9DUfY1FabMPy4GBHkyoQn6zoNZXJsDnk7cIFrMgDXDMzYEMdGV-mlhY2N1zvnyl89nRwinohdDeV8rM6jukAsxXMy0xAwR-omC_09zGYeWSA1F7BkbX5pg/w480-h640/1677512628682.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-63553040638385724152023-02-24T18:34:00.003+01:002023-10-03T15:43:34.950+02:00Latest news<p>Work is underway on the Rising Star and here's what I can report.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_A2TDxaaNtDIAEQ9gHNJkFLM7Hiw5KJuP96HVyGigqrvkz9IYWOpibNWOHWtH2Bu5tuFmePVWU0WrDkbQ4JonhTnAqwpuomHkS-V-9y29T2xOBWo0PB9LMWiE5NAtSe8QaRagx_B2jl0-b1ttJ6TimG0qiKGsC5RvSSJlnTW85358eHJwDonC0OiuoA/s2000/1677173126752.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_A2TDxaaNtDIAEQ9gHNJkFLM7Hiw5KJuP96HVyGigqrvkz9IYWOpibNWOHWtH2Bu5tuFmePVWU0WrDkbQ4JonhTnAqwpuomHkS-V-9y29T2xOBWo0PB9LMWiE5NAtSe8QaRagx_B2jl0-b1ttJ6TimG0qiKGsC5RvSSJlnTW85358eHJwDonC0OiuoA/w400-h300/1677173126752.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>First of all, uncle Fester was curious about one thing and so we put the bike on a couple of weighing scales. With a full tank of gas and the oil tank topped up, the Rising Star comes in at a svelte 165Kg (or 363lbs for you non-metric reprobates), which is approximately 30Kg/66lbs lighter than a stock A50.</p><p>He's concerned about the oil tank being rather heavy, so the new arrangement will include rubber mountings and a new bracket to support the oil tank from underneath, including a new threaded bung that's welded to the underside of the oil tank. You can see it being fabricated here:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A_DzU1v4W7WATDVCdoUzdnlmyKQAHznN36BRpjqbgEjyXZCbBE8TxNx5F1wGCiqbF1TH_4aEKLagQkgURCNXPcyNRgl6anYGcYSeR2WOLpetonCNwN__PJPIKzjJVaSK927sDgi1GLxtVWNDCYyN7Mmuwqn-06kVEkMAnK-aRPfzGGylW9RahQRJKA/s2540/1677173126792.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="2540" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3A_DzU1v4W7WATDVCdoUzdnlmyKQAHznN36BRpjqbgEjyXZCbBE8TxNx5F1wGCiqbF1TH_4aEKLagQkgURCNXPcyNRgl6anYGcYSeR2WOLpetonCNwN__PJPIKzjJVaSK927sDgi1GLxtVWNDCYyN7Mmuwqn-06kVEkMAnK-aRPfzGGylW9RahQRJKA/w400-h220/1677173126792.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>This means the tank will be supported at three points, and rubber mounted to absorb vibration. I will share more details on the specifics of the new system once it's completed, but for now I can tell you that finding the correct rubber mountings was itself a bit of a quest, which resulted in Fester now having a wide range of items in various sizes and ratings: contact him if you need some!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2v7fc7LILwepxKUWiQZEOOuzk91BZE3D_n-OlPPt4DVyY_PnWFPGtySt5rYq-Qwbobd3yhmNED1SaTTJQwZafxeW3h7bE1vvZCNuKaafUH_udKjK3gVSuvTlwehzH_uYR7BSKSD1uoxl515Rmep_yVhE7-0VWSTuwNCMAD913xbbwMa2VwKYbKkagA/s717/1677235546414.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="538" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2v7fc7LILwepxKUWiQZEOOuzk91BZE3D_n-OlPPt4DVyY_PnWFPGtySt5rYq-Qwbobd3yhmNED1SaTTJQwZafxeW3h7bE1vvZCNuKaafUH_udKjK3gVSuvTlwehzH_uYR7BSKSD1uoxl515Rmep_yVhE7-0VWSTuwNCMAD913xbbwMa2VwKYbKkagA/w300-h400/1677235546414.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>One thing I had not noticed, is that there seems to be a leak from rear of the gas tank. This is bad news as the repair involves welding, which is never to be approached lightly on a gas tank. We dunked it into a large container full of water and blew compressed air into one of the open taps: a tell-tale stream of tiny bubbles suddenly appeared from the rearmost corner of the tank, where the retaining bracket is welded. This is not an easy repair as there is limited room for manoeuvre and the sheet metal itself is quite thin. More on that soon.</p><p>The front brake shoes looked glazed/hardened all over, some coarse sandpaper seems to have revived them and luckily the hub is fine. Again, more on this once it's back on the road.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJN_JnscxZqc-y_tjU8-1G8ONY3zWmieestp0H0lifrWz5tAiIyLr1dvNXlQ-60Gh63uvHz5lbPy55sPVtt5Y387I8L2WvxKy6GQBXoy9cFcpq5r9VrtqUHrM9bYjb6lxWfGlFN_2fso1vOjlr33sU2_uSWRzTuUyF_W65mSzVQK-top1seOhaD_DHA/s1024/1677235546433.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJN_JnscxZqc-y_tjU8-1G8ONY3zWmieestp0H0lifrWz5tAiIyLr1dvNXlQ-60Gh63uvHz5lbPy55sPVtt5Y387I8L2WvxKy6GQBXoy9cFcpq5r9VrtqUHrM9bYjb6lxWfGlFN_2fso1vOjlr33sU2_uSWRzTuUyF_W65mSzVQK-top1seOhaD_DHA/w300-h400/1677235546433.jpg" width="300" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimP3eNJngqvhVNSCc8ZdCAUixQAJskLQZGuvqNSrTAxJepARmmbPG5MLN0RUgl8-HRUsW6hCxy0IJnKHSgSZT55g_ciM35yihq-FobJWeDixYMaa1GZwceT5CqML52SDYA9LdxbxrLRxdPO-wIhPI9EPNyr8tMgGkkE7SITTC1q3A7o-mhVy8eLdUmrw/s1024/1677235546391.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimP3eNJngqvhVNSCc8ZdCAUixQAJskLQZGuvqNSrTAxJepARmmbPG5MLN0RUgl8-HRUsW6hCxy0IJnKHSgSZT55g_ciM35yihq-FobJWeDixYMaa1GZwceT5CqML52SDYA9LdxbxrLRxdPO-wIhPI9EPNyr8tMgGkkE7SITTC1q3A7o-mhVy8eLdUmrw/w300-h400/1677235546391.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-25497524758831161372023-02-05T20:04:00.001+01:002023-02-05T20:04:00.175+01:00Carburator, Carburetor, Carburettor, Carbureter, Carburetter<p>As you can see from the title of this post, there are many different names to indicate that mechanical device used to mix air and liquid fuel to provide an atomized spray into a engine's intake.</p><p>All are accepted spellings and all describe the same thing. Similarly, the two carburetters (that's the spelling I typically use, as it's what Amal has traditionally used) you see below are called by different names, but they are the same thing.</p><p>All photos below have the used Amal on the left and the new Wassell on the right, for comparison.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZgKN-RDdER-yzYVDGCN9F4UcvzYqCnLNgCl1rl0OiWdmqU9r1Ry8-7g-hR070uSus0ncPc6u04vj0Dz345n-4gbdIYO49bTRbWHDQ0m_jlhqTQqMrZgjmkf31sgfbqaNrz1qvucUfmivjXHvNyGA4XeThsui8iPSDv1PF4vcgMZ4qsBailehImZpyw/s800/1672422174170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="800" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZgKN-RDdER-yzYVDGCN9F4UcvzYqCnLNgCl1rl0OiWdmqU9r1Ry8-7g-hR070uSus0ncPc6u04vj0Dz345n-4gbdIYO49bTRbWHDQ0m_jlhqTQqMrZgjmkf31sgfbqaNrz1qvucUfmivjXHvNyGA4XeThsui8iPSDv1PF4vcgMZ4qsBailehImZpyw/w400-h245/1672422174170.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4pbyHfnZXeUbx4A_v5e8b_Ai7ETBXCpAYfnr1bOWPmuaJ75PPBL0znjmL-kzsfLprYdHIR6mn2Sy65J4gYIyrOQ099IjSd-6UYVvDlyDBNqaojxzhp5apfIyWPadmSIhid9CE6yfaQzT4KNNDDqueWcXnYL0KF1EPXU2nL1hei4LZNk9Rkt_Agu-lQ/s800/1672422174140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="800" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4pbyHfnZXeUbx4A_v5e8b_Ai7ETBXCpAYfnr1bOWPmuaJ75PPBL0znjmL-kzsfLprYdHIR6mn2Sy65J4gYIyrOQ099IjSd-6UYVvDlyDBNqaojxzhp5apfIyWPadmSIhid9CE6yfaQzT4KNNDDqueWcXnYL0KF1EPXU2nL1hei4LZNk9Rkt_Agu-lQ/w400-h269/1672422174140.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49IE7SYZZWTpkzniifgkrTeWN1h9IbXid4o6IJgvtupFuWR8D-frgO5cIiasqQe5JJa2UBldqg40KUSsP-l_wzlVRkI_qbl8uodTKbXboyxe2GXTBygk-ZTk0n6E7DPxVHj8CwyEYvlyn_CUkSXgSaN3WJ4XZkF-YEOp1M-PkBx_M1Q8ItDe3EBdLhg/s800/1672422174125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="800" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49IE7SYZZWTpkzniifgkrTeWN1h9IbXid4o6IJgvtupFuWR8D-frgO5cIiasqQe5JJa2UBldqg40KUSsP-l_wzlVRkI_qbl8uodTKbXboyxe2GXTBygk-ZTk0n6E7DPxVHj8CwyEYvlyn_CUkSXgSaN3WJ4XZkF-YEOp1M-PkBx_M1Q8ItDe3EBdLhg/w400-h265/1672422174125.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaTRLjBfn5S_-g1akLPYdwxFAULLVxSiN_afgybCTtKDKtc4xFFTdyJ7WqzsQBjcqAV7wFDSI_FWlqNBTb-TDpW0DaKgvSKsZjibf_sISzfGYPz49MnE6xG5EClMvhCQu6H_eNSsNC4Q1_zyYcdtt-evf_e-Z1Mcs2KvvKfEh1Am6Jvc3ULavZcPKfw/s800/1672422174110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="800" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibaTRLjBfn5S_-g1akLPYdwxFAULLVxSiN_afgybCTtKDKtc4xFFTdyJ7WqzsQBjcqAV7wFDSI_FWlqNBTb-TDpW0DaKgvSKsZjibf_sISzfGYPz49MnE6xG5EClMvhCQu6H_eNSsNC4Q1_zyYcdtt-evf_e-Z1Mcs2KvvKfEh1Am6Jvc3ULavZcPKfw/w400-h269/1672422174110.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgmV4Ooof_gLtkdf9hV-nDnGaTtO12QpUDcZMh2_AoY8yPFMFjbt0JExNwB5FgyJwVT2yLVmPhveykPGbe8l7XOy3-Ql9y7ZF6m5il293Apx7EsF2xmh1WnxQPnnonlcC6d1FwT0c8bkGeCOmKSZbF86Zsx_Hzla6Ntbq1mpimCMXqMEPBXl8OV-j1Q/s800/1672422174093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="800" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgmV4Ooof_gLtkdf9hV-nDnGaTtO12QpUDcZMh2_AoY8yPFMFjbt0JExNwB5FgyJwVT2yLVmPhveykPGbe8l7XOy3-Ql9y7ZF6m5il293Apx7EsF2xmh1WnxQPnnonlcC6d1FwT0c8bkGeCOmKSZbF86Zsx_Hzla6Ntbq1mpimCMXqMEPBXl8OV-j1Q/w400-h234/1672422174093.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhKUsi7-hPt7yLVFklrQGpe9-d29JL8o6p-5R2uR4e-sXuuClgBYAgbuQPwG5R24vV70sYhkYOOlC92Yq-Jx1GTWHNzGdmIlqvXk0VOKD1nyqJ8-LRaRETzBDFjy_b7uasRvGXtezX6laGV-0caPmVAjnr0JOIAmFU8o60n_6otajF1t1aKOyqawEuQ/s632/1672422174075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="632" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhKUsi7-hPt7yLVFklrQGpe9-d29JL8o6p-5R2uR4e-sXuuClgBYAgbuQPwG5R24vV70sYhkYOOlC92Yq-Jx1GTWHNzGdmIlqvXk0VOKD1nyqJ8-LRaRETzBDFjy_b7uasRvGXtezX6laGV-0caPmVAjnr0JOIAmFU8o60n_6otajF1t1aKOyqawEuQ/w400-h204/1672422174075.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFAtTRMF4DrjEfz9mDagodIjTat_-TrJLXRJ5az6STUyF7SVxcPGKCwJqRRoRStYGxIC7Oy5r6frld76UT_ukrZaDBk7ye6k4lJXnH5BBbqLIUz79Nl4oRqw1wH_6Bau9LNsRLoXAw_ngyQJGDVDk5CQgj5buUf-iG4eX59NRh50Gdq7q2k5ep502SA/s800/1672422174058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFAtTRMF4DrjEfz9mDagodIjTat_-TrJLXRJ5az6STUyF7SVxcPGKCwJqRRoRStYGxIC7Oy5r6frld76UT_ukrZaDBk7ye6k4lJXnH5BBbqLIUz79Nl4oRqw1wH_6Bau9LNsRLoXAw_ngyQJGDVDk5CQgj5buUf-iG4eX59NRh50Gdq7q2k5ep502SA/w400-h300/1672422174058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8krCk49lmpkFFJhG96-CqQlfHTBscgykgimUqKXhrekc3P8vV20QkyPSWvj7_nXOfkgAHkcJcZ7hPTADOpksgr5R3oBTUdarqz6Fd2L5wvSnjaan9gWd5k0IZna7-BXVJxd3k6KeRIgSxSQ-OTiY6jXxdTqU_EmxuV1ldg9LiV46jAkoC6fyOndlLjQ/s730/1672422174041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="730" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8krCk49lmpkFFJhG96-CqQlfHTBscgykgimUqKXhrekc3P8vV20QkyPSWvj7_nXOfkgAHkcJcZ7hPTADOpksgr5R3oBTUdarqz6Fd2L5wvSnjaan9gWd5k0IZna7-BXVJxd3k6KeRIgSxSQ-OTiY6jXxdTqU_EmxuV1ldg9LiV46jAkoC6fyOndlLjQ/w400-h228/1672422174041.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgD9sPMklolGHVx2jq35mKrEIegU1EoyZJAps9Ms7iQ8HF2VEsKuEd1NkEiUr43Zjq_MJEbSPKZgvXE6GBmqg_adDlqT4mEUWoRS94cEVUcgIQVOCQ4GGlXMyc8wit0xqTVxQ5U5A__7rOdAJBjJper4WjpaEowkKAskyApMezYwpIVbga22Ys6B8ww/s772/1672422174025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="772" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgD9sPMklolGHVx2jq35mKrEIegU1EoyZJAps9Ms7iQ8HF2VEsKuEd1NkEiUr43Zjq_MJEbSPKZgvXE6GBmqg_adDlqT4mEUWoRS94cEVUcgIQVOCQ4GGlXMyc8wit0xqTVxQ5U5A__7rOdAJBjJper4WjpaEowkKAskyApMezYwpIVbga22Ys6B8ww/w400-h226/1672422174025.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIO8uC79Rhc6VvuG5YpGaeE37I_Afd0sDkW5IrcF2ZOJd7nKuQatalaa4Z72T7xvEjngdfNhJUn3cfwJtFl8T_e0BBN5pVrHVUIQsh7y-j17D53FDkYlTbLy3Xv2-hJxqPd59JjFXBA6Zr1D6LdTVJmO-0flrsRY7zprwswpGGp0gOyGcXD68wk4aHg/s609/1672422174003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="609" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLIO8uC79Rhc6VvuG5YpGaeE37I_Afd0sDkW5IrcF2ZOJd7nKuQatalaa4Z72T7xvEjngdfNhJUn3cfwJtFl8T_e0BBN5pVrHVUIQsh7y-j17D53FDkYlTbLy3Xv2-hJxqPd59JjFXBA6Zr1D6LdTVJmO-0flrsRY7zprwswpGGp0gOyGcXD68wk4aHg/w400-h189/1672422174003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The slide at the very left of the image is an original type Amal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKMm_kg14PLQ1jJmMa9IsH2kkfPy-Oq76gRigQvg2K55NB3xKs_yy47SFrFstrV2WjpXSS8-KKr0UQaSYrSu1ESMhwojw8CkJROBkTMHOCT4ayvrvL4818ntK00UlaV_KZ2H-uxuoCv2vwtX4x-FKLEQrZltBxtAxDvPrsc_OZYzaduy0KDVC8tioPQ/s744/1672422173988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="744" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKMm_kg14PLQ1jJmMa9IsH2kkfPy-Oq76gRigQvg2K55NB3xKs_yy47SFrFstrV2WjpXSS8-KKr0UQaSYrSu1ESMhwojw8CkJROBkTMHOCT4ayvrvL4818ntK00UlaV_KZ2H-uxuoCv2vwtX4x-FKLEQrZltBxtAxDvPrsc_OZYzaduy0KDVC8tioPQ/w400-h215/1672422173988.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPnKq6OZWs3F25QLO7No4Nken8fc8m0a0IsFdE9bnwb-iM1ngeqhWdCsPP9GOhL5H1PxZ1YwXtFVmi5viIzqclkLrbfaL4uivlLNFRUU0-Tn8S4g0MMK0ud7EMMM78tO1hanbK6s4-civQO3uEfQGw7O0tw-wHjWkFQgucCnJGSyS_ZhTq7ptQX4pLQ/s800/1672422173972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPnKq6OZWs3F25QLO7No4Nken8fc8m0a0IsFdE9bnwb-iM1ngeqhWdCsPP9GOhL5H1PxZ1YwXtFVmi5viIzqclkLrbfaL4uivlLNFRUU0-Tn8S4g0MMK0ud7EMMM78tO1hanbK6s4-civQO3uEfQGw7O0tw-wHjWkFQgucCnJGSyS_ZhTq7ptQX4pLQ/w300-h400/1672422173972.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipOZJNgZohbBlyCwteNswHfeOpHXrdTy5TGVVMqSpE165nn55xWJSGfhMm1LtLgl_uCe4aeUdF6Ze6PjPmBWBWaAZcCpp-ey1WEC4NJ9yM_z2CoPkQNYmVlp-H044acv4uZjKapz-CBNINm79wN15KMEE8lpboYGP6a9TelAdAzMgqBiHne_Ges-Ygg/s800/1672422173954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgipOZJNgZohbBlyCwteNswHfeOpHXrdTy5TGVVMqSpE165nn55xWJSGfhMm1LtLgl_uCe4aeUdF6Ze6PjPmBWBWaAZcCpp-ey1WEC4NJ9yM_z2CoPkQNYmVlp-H044acv4uZjKapz-CBNINm79wN15KMEE8lpboYGP6a9TelAdAzMgqBiHne_Ges-Ygg/w400-h300/1672422173954.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaCnG_qYbquEaEEnXrBPIbRbDOVF6HjHIhTiM9ERGFJHnGr8sVg2lAd0DMP1hI3woN8vOU26MNNtd1jqmrYp61GXzqlg5raBTRWfxjn7w3A2Q1GlXldRNNBVotWuGbxx2WCY-FdmKursgfsnzpN7DDXdnf3xbN_42xwFAuHL0dRBoHHzLSvQexBaBow/s800/1672422173935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaCnG_qYbquEaEEnXrBPIbRbDOVF6HjHIhTiM9ERGFJHnGr8sVg2lAd0DMP1hI3woN8vOU26MNNtd1jqmrYp61GXzqlg5raBTRWfxjn7w3A2Q1GlXldRNNBVotWuGbxx2WCY-FdmKursgfsnzpN7DDXdnf3xbN_42xwFAuHL0dRBoHHzLSvQexBaBow/w400-h300/1672422173935.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPI2aeWhB_N4P-1ikm9tAc9DW__mDlG9mKCX87cfjzmcA_JrtG4vBePZ-X6L6nAmO4qa_NUiuuAreOzceGkI9T5KGezAeQacFDlHIclpVNFu1rfdKoYEOEak5eY-H8YYBsaLHHJ4LzXNCoWRBvVDHTvFy-36wTkbEjUpnI43cHAsweUolXxMZ7EZGu3A/s800/1672422173913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPI2aeWhB_N4P-1ikm9tAc9DW__mDlG9mKCX87cfjzmcA_JrtG4vBePZ-X6L6nAmO4qa_NUiuuAreOzceGkI9T5KGezAeQacFDlHIclpVNFu1rfdKoYEOEak5eY-H8YYBsaLHHJ4LzXNCoWRBvVDHTvFy-36wTkbEjUpnI43cHAsweUolXxMZ7EZGu3A/w400-h300/1672422173913.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMKYHsm51xZWY1_xNZ8J63yxpyfBGGgMeBOEnfAepFYz7CRNaq9R1zBvO3WZL9edTU5_y2TrNw96QNWxr7VmqrG7HctuHLlOAdhjUEEk3yL0Cv5jIQZnuOSzZT2e5Dvl7UgRpWvBsnqbA9Gp5Y98VMgG1T9xnyK7uC1gykQl-ju9VoL-Wale33Up0cA/s800/1672422173890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMKYHsm51xZWY1_xNZ8J63yxpyfBGGgMeBOEnfAepFYz7CRNaq9R1zBvO3WZL9edTU5_y2TrNw96QNWxr7VmqrG7HctuHLlOAdhjUEEk3yL0Cv5jIQZnuOSzZT2e5Dvl7UgRpWvBsnqbA9Gp5Y98VMgG1T9xnyK7uC1gykQl-ju9VoL-Wale33Up0cA/w400-h300/1672422173890.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>When Wassell originally launched this product about a decade ago, there was a collective gasp as - surely! - this must be a flagrant copyright infringement. So many people, from the average biker to respected members of the trade were up in arms and angrily proclaimed "we will never use these!" and various abuse directed at Wassell. However, there was one clue we should have all paid attention to: they were advertised in mainstream publications, in print and online, showing very clearly the brand "Wassell" where one would typically find "Amal" cast into the body. I don't think that if whoever holds the rights to the Amal name and products had a valid patent or other right to it, that they would have just let it happen.</p><p>These are not "pirate parts" as some people call them (yet sell them!). These are not cheap Chinese knock-offs, which we should always avoid. These are a nicely made <i>version of</i> the Amal Mk1 Concentric.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgK5Lanc9dKdfXC01sKmLUN4GibzXHks-ZJdNguRU8r_3W1vbz5U3ckZYJ2xdFohg5puKWB-s18KsWD2UqoGooXQYol1G6o1eSCp9Sc2vWjFpaak-K9yWBKh93D2O9HeSCoCT2kv_KZpEDTXFzRmJTnNDLw8s6KDUanaLC86sLkSrayz22XW60RUad2A/s800/1672422174592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgK5Lanc9dKdfXC01sKmLUN4GibzXHks-ZJdNguRU8r_3W1vbz5U3ckZYJ2xdFohg5puKWB-s18KsWD2UqoGooXQYol1G6o1eSCp9Sc2vWjFpaak-K9yWBKh93D2O9HeSCoCT2kv_KZpEDTXFzRmJTnNDLw8s6KDUanaLC86sLkSrayz22XW60RUad2A/w300-h400/1672422174592.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79pZGJwLMkqKO8JbIM5o9vi6NWylro3coyU98pcd7s1yiYNwMrEcwfC9rOv3liW71O3n63B49dNhhn_uVFL5P278d8pLFnWH3z8BYjftrnbMpzjmGpexVhrZJ7QuUqHfwJmshfSdWqCz2_bpdPb3pjWmZ-6UKsdm1BL4X6csJfnZttGfarKDDLtuvUQ/s800/1672422174569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79pZGJwLMkqKO8JbIM5o9vi6NWylro3coyU98pcd7s1yiYNwMrEcwfC9rOv3liW71O3n63B49dNhhn_uVFL5P278d8pLFnWH3z8BYjftrnbMpzjmGpexVhrZJ7QuUqHfwJmshfSdWqCz2_bpdPb3pjWmZ-6UKsdm1BL4X6csJfnZttGfarKDDLtuvUQ/w300-h400/1672422174569.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuHumF3d6-z3U0Z7odgtu3l3eCrIM-dsUcs4xFey1Ps03N7Py-SzbT5K9bpm672SG0w4SXSuFxPAH9P6Q-PLb4KeWTy6GwUv7zuHcGr7scuCjXB9KBiDKwnA84PV8tWDbR6JznhjqzrDcJRJYa6LF5p7aM4u64oBgpkRsgfQ33lQtkGTCpptOTKqk6Q/s800/1672422174541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuHumF3d6-z3U0Z7odgtu3l3eCrIM-dsUcs4xFey1Ps03N7Py-SzbT5K9bpm672SG0w4SXSuFxPAH9P6Q-PLb4KeWTy6GwUv7zuHcGr7scuCjXB9KBiDKwnA84PV8tWDbR6JznhjqzrDcJRJYa6LF5p7aM4u64oBgpkRsgfQ33lQtkGTCpptOTKqk6Q/w300-h400/1672422174541.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2zluPLQrXg0s2w6XWfDj44_9N_1U41hMyyMheSQVt0DhGL_UIwrS0u4Eq1dUBD0bUawWvvclTWRda9l58NFlXFzJMeBxnvfgiGH0daF26IVMoslV6OKwOQ66X4fETWmDrAPwhiSYQKAVlfoDSeJQf-WGaQ8OVG4y4L1t4yRed8GQFas9Ozg1cjC9ZQ/s800/1672422174518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2zluPLQrXg0s2w6XWfDj44_9N_1U41hMyyMheSQVt0DhGL_UIwrS0u4Eq1dUBD0bUawWvvclTWRda9l58NFlXFzJMeBxnvfgiGH0daF26IVMoslV6OKwOQ66X4fETWmDrAPwhiSYQKAVlfoDSeJQf-WGaQ8OVG4y4L1t4yRed8GQFas9Ozg1cjC9ZQ/w300-h400/1672422174518.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWcZlhjuqpGGdet8RH9SzgjatBd-u_vZXWo7rK4vDGFsX4fqYEYYsDFGQbh-Oh82ZMQ5JPbvva3P-SZ6cJQPWr_h8GxoF5XlnX8x7JxhfUTTwJ_WQrMusbT1iGqlwJLKHAQ-3_PzYdHyz1avkrscBXFzfagvo2qrY_ZorZ8-iYFbAsbnzKT6hHJbz-A/s800/1672422174494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWcZlhjuqpGGdet8RH9SzgjatBd-u_vZXWo7rK4vDGFsX4fqYEYYsDFGQbh-Oh82ZMQ5JPbvva3P-SZ6cJQPWr_h8GxoF5XlnX8x7JxhfUTTwJ_WQrMusbT1iGqlwJLKHAQ-3_PzYdHyz1avkrscBXFzfagvo2qrY_ZorZ8-iYFbAsbnzKT6hHJbz-A/w300-h400/1672422174494.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>Sure, I found some brass swarf and "dust" on some of the threads, some debris in the pilot circuit (which is very easy to clean out though, thanks to the removable pilot jet). The upper edge of the float bowl seems a little bit uneven but is reasonably flat and doesn't leak, and the float height was set correctly. The slide isn't finished very nicely, but works smoothly. The main jet was a little bit chewed up, whereas the needle jet looks very nicely made. The needle looks fine and measures the same as a genuine item (in terms of diameter above the taper), but it is probably slightly shorter (admittedly I did not measure this, I might do that in the future). It should go without saying that you should always disassemble a new carburetter, inspect it and thoroughly clean it before use, so I don't find any of the above to be a particular fault.</p><p>Here's a nice little detail, they've added a washer as a retainer for the float plunger:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpzl3RgjHka54cnN3tHznXFJHSF62c1GyJ8yr-3Qksfy6NZSDjYyQHcIgHrCyG1WYoS1dlB2rLC0wFJz5GpIsasYpVsFMLzi2S0QshV8sAVVSYXe-6b-GweW7T5nNlw__SSSWeJCXheLmw7GpHCHPfnGVSIzyHlV_Kx19FjXfsOoVhFIT4z62-Pyprg/s2000/1672422174295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpzl3RgjHka54cnN3tHznXFJHSF62c1GyJ8yr-3Qksfy6NZSDjYyQHcIgHrCyG1WYoS1dlB2rLC0wFJz5GpIsasYpVsFMLzi2S0QshV8sAVVSYXe-6b-GweW7T5nNlw__SSSWeJCXheLmw7GpHCHPfnGVSIzyHlV_Kx19FjXfsOoVhFIT4z62-Pyprg/w400-h300/1672422174295.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>All of the defects I mentioned earlier are shown in more detail in the following shots:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ76jm8AvyKkO2Yb7WKA5U7KQGFYus86RnyilwcKn4jzl5ZOnXd7xLgL57R2M8vdxABdxJLVlZf9mU5F8LQo5j91_LN1n-8TQfNBA4B7BvAD4AYaKubrxdjwckg6Oi4MMwd4tAq73xTT9bLbvMaE_2piNNvDzqQ1sLu2zFRG7iJOQ1jBkGnTQoUEI_1A/s1400/1672422174472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ76jm8AvyKkO2Yb7WKA5U7KQGFYus86RnyilwcKn4jzl5ZOnXd7xLgL57R2M8vdxABdxJLVlZf9mU5F8LQo5j91_LN1n-8TQfNBA4B7BvAD4AYaKubrxdjwckg6Oi4MMwd4tAq73xTT9bLbvMaE_2piNNvDzqQ1sLu2zFRG7iJOQ1jBkGnTQoUEI_1A/w400-h300/1672422174472.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">brass swarf in the banjo filter location, not a huge problem but make sure everything is very clean before use.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrlWcbt6sEB7icsVWHSz521zeeq4FCafLhswH53fbG2fm7WVH1vPSlkrCioYr1Ul3TlnlRK93uPouStA_l00nADjOZYz10aLvBQTRbiDOUhLlQkV-YmNa6_RT4n0xLdo-7ORjp8TbJ1BIXGPDuuchHDwTb0coxd7jS0kYjRVCxnVPseeOwfFzXXtQsg/s2000/1672422174316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrlWcbt6sEB7icsVWHSz521zeeq4FCafLhswH53fbG2fm7WVH1vPSlkrCioYr1Ul3TlnlRK93uPouStA_l00nADjOZYz10aLvBQTRbiDOUhLlQkV-YmNa6_RT4n0xLdo-7ORjp8TbJ1BIXGPDuuchHDwTb0coxd7jS0kYjRVCxnVPseeOwfFzXXtQsg/w300-h400/1672422174316.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The main jet, probably damaged during installation at the "factory".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8upmJmb5p-WlrghHzcf9GY0ug41hlFLpqSszORRR5CkiKiVClMpn9sf4ktSGrPXzvpovmAY--pyuFgR9wURFfDR0VnrHK20TkqpmmKRIVnGaweAz2E4jF7SUcZo0kUTCFNDpbHWtaxALCTZl7Yb7oOrsdl8bU1N2w7Wl5mWERytiFuDk2g4wfwkKExw/s2000/1672422174247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8upmJmb5p-WlrghHzcf9GY0ug41hlFLpqSszORRR5CkiKiVClMpn9sf4ktSGrPXzvpovmAY--pyuFgR9wURFfDR0VnrHK20TkqpmmKRIVnGaweAz2E4jF7SUcZo0kUTCFNDpbHWtaxALCTZl7Yb7oOrsdl8bU1N2w7Wl5mWERytiFuDk2g4wfwkKExw/w400-h300/1672422174247.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">non-descript "dust" on the pilot jet's threads</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibN8smmlpkf1NI6RHuO6Pq1zrxHLf8FACsdTxDCUBn_bjP_G1qfXnh-Naj54XxT2eqJUVVZFbrIXkrf7c50dxPU1zbof3ivaIJy8gOCIoYbkRSbMPZScwNAAE2r3eJXvkCjT0fyrvzgkSoHrN_xj9eRVoxX0zmt5ktPa4XruhFfFRc2DV5OEfHXR15eA/s1400/1672422174432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibN8smmlpkf1NI6RHuO6Pq1zrxHLf8FACsdTxDCUBn_bjP_G1qfXnh-Naj54XxT2eqJUVVZFbrIXkrf7c50dxPU1zbof3ivaIJy8gOCIoYbkRSbMPZScwNAAE2r3eJXvkCjT0fyrvzgkSoHrN_xj9eRVoxX0zmt5ktPa4XruhFfFRc2DV5OEfHXR15eA/w400-h300/1672422174432.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I couldn't get the needle out, the retaining clip was getting stuck on this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSocoeLwtkb5XoqkJCdO_AvPaZ2JIQQ7C5VRXE2FnAAvpnHaXB-NhBnqepmQVCEG6R31SoFXc_m_aT2sA-3NucJfFPUak_J_KopJCc9xHD6QRaHxQbuDOZoj5K6tYL2RedDPT8crCjx3qi3_dwIYmuowNBPGbFqRd9XJ8BPbl-HRkRoEiSKVmBoZiLHA/s2000/1672422174453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSocoeLwtkb5XoqkJCdO_AvPaZ2JIQQ7C5VRXE2FnAAvpnHaXB-NhBnqepmQVCEG6R31SoFXc_m_aT2sA-3NucJfFPUak_J_KopJCc9xHD6QRaHxQbuDOZoj5K6tYL2RedDPT8crCjx3qi3_dwIYmuowNBPGbFqRd9XJ8BPbl-HRkRoEiSKVmBoZiLHA/w400-h300/1672422174453.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It looks like whatever tool was used, wasn't controlled very carefully and gouged out a pretty sizeable chunk. I had to use a file to carefully even it out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0MJMhx1W1l9zolTD66DZztHw_LNG_Rsv0XHKFiZk7X5eX86hycJ6Qwzc1hi4ZxPUA8ppWtjk-hL_NNYOu7poYtWhsgS75NRrAL_BAUjqWuJxVUpl-JAo4wmBXcIQEatwFDwSijkOGPI6mU7XAIkC9JoQhJWL5ZlZLwo8lEQGdntLNWY6k71Psmcssg/s2000/1672422174414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0MJMhx1W1l9zolTD66DZztHw_LNG_Rsv0XHKFiZk7X5eX86hycJ6Qwzc1hi4ZxPUA8ppWtjk-hL_NNYOu7poYtWhsgS75NRrAL_BAUjqWuJxVUpl-JAo4wmBXcIQEatwFDwSijkOGPI6mU7XAIkC9JoQhJWL5ZlZLwo8lEQGdntLNWY6k71Psmcssg/w300-h400/1672422174414.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another deep scratch on the outside of the slide, which I also gently sanded down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUKEJ8PPh5-TsHZHyQ-c-ImANZub0ls6psha0XGAa5JLqwpvjULfBja1l-muplnVvxaJLWTYHLK3Lm_T46acmO4b3LK0Q2a9nKU3d90GKjxqTt4TFUiKBbdzlBWyRkuwWkXHDc9SAILeI8pJ4-tSScNru1VpW72PlWWVUacgIsRLObEbCm2wnONxRaQ/s1000/1672422174391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUKEJ8PPh5-TsHZHyQ-c-ImANZub0ls6psha0XGAa5JLqwpvjULfBja1l-muplnVvxaJLWTYHLK3Lm_T46acmO4b3LK0Q2a9nKU3d90GKjxqTt4TFUiKBbdzlBWyRkuwWkXHDc9SAILeI8pJ4-tSScNru1VpW72PlWWVUacgIsRLObEbCm2wnONxRaQ/w300-h400/1672422174391.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnA7xJoWxyFT1yXzCUzr-fS1b-k-x-7zPabMBwMmBMiXlpk2PbcShcA60SMdR31r6LFHE8NCd_KgZlS9Lf0ObKF19jOY5jpHFgiuZpQpq866hWwyYkrmr5-x7jy6zDChuR4CxhEoAruwWfx_yXD3Nf2_LjUfjahlUQ6mXpBaMblxJNVOHGeinw4RlKw/s800/1672422174365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnA7xJoWxyFT1yXzCUzr-fS1b-k-x-7zPabMBwMmBMiXlpk2PbcShcA60SMdR31r6LFHE8NCd_KgZlS9Lf0ObKF19jOY5jpHFgiuZpQpq866hWwyYkrmr5-x7jy6zDChuR4CxhEoAruwWfx_yXD3Nf2_LjUfjahlUQ6mXpBaMblxJNVOHGeinw4RlKw/w300-h400/1672422174365.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjietG0Y3wS6plaJedlyLG6YjP5jptkFHF3Nn4IbRYwrSS8aHoV0tTBvnwzvEzMsW05isZ67pwuL0xMahtatTB_VRN4ttp3p78Veemh1-5yTjPKDsHhA7NdQ_idw5F78LyaaV1KsN3v1U_VdN1w1vUJ9ip2JkdGRq1N6bvQImRa_8KW64Frj6o6v-3zUg/s800/1672422174344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjietG0Y3wS6plaJedlyLG6YjP5jptkFHF3Nn4IbRYwrSS8aHoV0tTBvnwzvEzMsW05isZ67pwuL0xMahtatTB_VRN4ttp3p78Veemh1-5yTjPKDsHhA7NdQ_idw5F78LyaaV1KsN3v1U_VdN1w1vUJ9ip2JkdGRq1N6bvQImRa_8KW64Frj6o6v-3zUg/w300-h400/1672422174344.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finishing on the slide leaves a bit to be desired, but then again that's why these carburetters are so much cheaper than those made by Burlen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8hoMLYh1u0Ad945etT2U1ki6VKztoNtXawJhGbbxqljjR68lisHyJc0OLIYGxFih6gJe9F5_GybJqSJ74Q9ZXruWWCvi-1jFezWe77lzHcXfRfHViH48wwZs1NSW-NqHMz8hDEVZ8tIU9r8w-wraEZs4Pr8VsTsR5hzRlutq11EOWVurm-0Gc9RKHg/s800/1672422174189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="800" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8hoMLYh1u0Ad945etT2U1ki6VKztoNtXawJhGbbxqljjR68lisHyJc0OLIYGxFih6gJe9F5_GybJqSJ74Q9ZXruWWCvi-1jFezWe77lzHcXfRfHViH48wwZs1NSW-NqHMz8hDEVZ8tIU9r8w-wraEZs4Pr8VsTsR5hzRlutq11EOWVurm-0Gc9RKHg/w400-h215/1672422174189.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtHFO9GMZcr5L5Rlgh9Lsz6XMl2RjFdoMY1YRlQi1gdjdXkrIrAcw5iOFlmdwBv1GRVJt4-U__qv5pfAxWSffQrH_cvD_KCpljV7Vf2qyW5c8t6M5f6jNSPvrm--ANC5Xsq9EnNBbeV2AD5jPGO-USaP6z-L7dLQmbkd2Ct2zhv7Jn4ilt5UdD8Yi-w/s565/1672422174205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="565" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtHFO9GMZcr5L5Rlgh9Lsz6XMl2RjFdoMY1YRlQi1gdjdXkrIrAcw5iOFlmdwBv1GRVJt4-U__qv5pfAxWSffQrH_cvD_KCpljV7Vf2qyW5c8t6M5f6jNSPvrm--ANC5Xsq9EnNBbeV2AD5jPGO-USaP6z-L7dLQmbkd2Ct2zhv7Jn4ilt5UdD8Yi-w/w400-h361/1672422174205.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIA8xDqvxjnOotDTlzlljr_kRRz7NkoOZVYUT_eEC1tFf6XKNdDF3jD5W2G6dBPH4xDJUbePGaHM8x27fwldRIJ8sEDiGnAe25OSb5VSqCPpsOktHI7BY4FBOgn3hTLwgrA7ZlmGTDr9RzI1kvKN6gMn5E4Ju3gCqNQe1EH84rWpTrjeB81wnTNLNB8w/s800/1672422174271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIA8xDqvxjnOotDTlzlljr_kRRz7NkoOZVYUT_eEC1tFf6XKNdDF3jD5W2G6dBPH4xDJUbePGaHM8x27fwldRIJ8sEDiGnAe25OSb5VSqCPpsOktHI7BY4FBOgn3hTLwgrA7ZlmGTDr9RzI1kvKN6gMn5E4Ju3gCqNQe1EH84rWpTrjeB81wnTNLNB8w/w300-h400/1672422174271.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwaxnPYuw_LSW7P0iXkeyIBFBWy9LWMmHK_WeXwaxf-sLG7la5YugkCHAemm4RiYCbGR10axoM0yY7FYGHsavEzAA9uMjrF1JGi3mtm3jhJIQDmyYvJt6vXb0NKAhwFYintJBBrT7l83OMteqXQxuV0PvUAbH7ZM0KO01JT70_zelHJYYux35kCUqMw/s1194/1672422174225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="929" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwaxnPYuw_LSW7P0iXkeyIBFBWy9LWMmHK_WeXwaxf-sLG7la5YugkCHAemm4RiYCbGR10axoM0yY7FYGHsavEzAA9uMjrF1JGi3mtm3jhJIQDmyYvJt6vXb0NKAhwFYintJBBrT7l83OMteqXQxuV0PvUAbH7ZM0KO01JT70_zelHJYYux35kCUqMw/w311-h400/1672422174225.jpg" width="311" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All of this is fine... just not great. As we say around these parts "bene ma non benissimo".</div><p>As a closing thought let me ask you: what's original anymore, these days? All the names that gravitate around classic motoring have passed hands so many times, changed location, died and resurrected so many times... that at best what one can hope for is some original drawings and tooling to still be around. These Wassell carburetters are fine and I'll report back once I've had a chance to ride the Rising Star a bit and see how it does.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2431645156566203277.post-64912244543254167782023-01-27T12:33:00.000+01:002023-01-27T12:33:28.940+01:001200S: service time, part 11<p>With renewed intent and a growing sense of urgency, the complete primary drive goes back on as an assembly, but not before making sure the splines on the crankshaft and mainshaft are clean. If you're wondering why the primary drive was off, you may want to refresh your memory <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2022/10/1200s-service-time-part-9.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>You absolutely need Loctite on their respective nuts, and the torque settings are not for the faint-hearted. I made use of the locking shoe once again and it worked very well:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhom5P1oxpPmdh8t139xBlV77ul2k4r2cBEljugGJCH8c86F7vEyQRK2Jhcr6IJAhEUSlImLbfep7FmPhOgF-tWNdEK8B3RXfvojaug2QU_nFAxR000PX1PisIKYAXcLLK5a7nrEuAcEqIryTlifwBNlFTISZU3h9CeFfd8TrT8JCgPoBRhrGwdBQnB_g/s4000/1662813808551.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhom5P1oxpPmdh8t139xBlV77ul2k4r2cBEljugGJCH8c86F7vEyQRK2Jhcr6IJAhEUSlImLbfep7FmPhOgF-tWNdEK8B3RXfvojaug2QU_nFAxR000PX1PisIKYAXcLLK5a7nrEuAcEqIryTlifwBNlFTISZU3h9CeFfd8TrT8JCgPoBRhrGwdBQnB_g/w400-h300/1662813808551.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div>At this point it would have been illogical not to take a look inside the clutch; especially because of the controversial "spring plate", essentially two metal plates riveted together, with some metal segments sandwiched in between, that sits halfway through the clutch pack. This is supposedly to give a more positive feel when disengaging the clutch, but there are horror stories of the rivets failing, and ending up as shrapnel in the clutch basket, primary or even the gearbox, with predictably disastrous consequences. I think you can appreciate how checking the condition of that plate would be a good idea at this point.</div><div>It should be noted that John Favill and his engineering team improved on the concept originally developed for the Norton Commando, and made it so that on the Evolution Sportster the entire clutch is fully self-contained and can be removed as a complete assembly (without having to remove the diaphragm spring and all the plates) if you just need to get at the gearbox, the shifter, the alternator or the starter mounting bolts. This was made possible primarily by using a different design for the diaphragm spring (one that lets you access the retaining mainshaft nut while leaving the plates and the spring itself undisturbed) and also by locating the clutch actuator outboard of the clutch assembly, instead of inside the gearbox as it is on the Commando, which then relies on a long pushrod through the hollow mainshaft to disengage the plates. But I digress.</div><div>In this case I actually inspected the clutch precisely as I would do on the Commando, more than anything because of workshop logistics. Many years ago I had bought a Motion Pro tool, and it has sat unused in its box until now. I think that qualifies this as a new-old-stock piece...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKAGY-VUhiO47WUkI988OBQjXqKfZCginyWXN4fLkAgw7UzZeDchlGp4k762KMbLACtUWgU0vsxCPm5ae19ydHg4yRaqeOu-Qmcr9i8okGdK0aKB5KF1zuKOjOIN8yYdG6aTu3MqHf7Xtmftq21cvlGlM7aTyYgwcSESs997vz6lRj6FDxeTybDT6qQ/s4000/1662813808538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKAGY-VUhiO47WUkI988OBQjXqKfZCginyWXN4fLkAgw7UzZeDchlGp4k762KMbLACtUWgU0vsxCPm5ae19ydHg4yRaqeOu-Qmcr9i8okGdK0aKB5KF1zuKOjOIN8yYdG6aTu3MqHf7Xtmftq21cvlGlM7aTyYgwcSESs997vz6lRj6FDxeTybDT6qQ/w400-h300/1662813808538.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>It takes considerable force to compress the Sportster diaphragm spring (it has to be very strong to withstand the phenomenal levels of torque and power coming from the crankshaft), but disassembly is very straightforward. I would recommend cleaning the threads on the tool and lubricating them with oil to aid operation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJxcYpM2TITNknxwWehoi6kC2VmgYewMOoAOB2Cc4LlaQXYTrTFEaNuQAo9d4XI3b6L5lewy8BxYDLwwzpHTC786NqT7-AMrIXow6pKYyn1Zfi7qqlGbyl-rRxEhLuQD4oNfV-3mbIQ-Nkt2_OZD_d6DWYipWLomQy8qarpmsvp7lr-f5qncGroYOgQ/s4000/1662813808471.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYJxcYpM2TITNknxwWehoi6kC2VmgYewMOoAOB2Cc4LlaQXYTrTFEaNuQAo9d4XI3b6L5lewy8BxYDLwwzpHTC786NqT7-AMrIXow6pKYyn1Zfi7qqlGbyl-rRxEhLuQD4oNfV-3mbIQ-Nkt2_OZD_d6DWYipWLomQy8qarpmsvp7lr-f5qncGroYOgQ/w300-h400/1662813808471.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div>Most of the plates were in good condition, worn as expected for the bike's mileage, and at least at first glance the spring plate seemed to be fine. I measured an overall stack height (including the spring plate) of 32mm exactly.</div><div>Closer inspection of the spring plate revealed a worrying tell-tale looseness, and I can definitely see how - in the long run - the soft brass rivets would get bashed and sheared off. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTYet0UsOA1PKTNAaNnIGVDBS85HnrFy_626phRZkpvcZF2fpoUFqJWcgQPP-TLH9fdox5gYCzgJG_5HG-pAExZIhkz05XBCCoekbqaHKIp1Zy5KDs2kjHVbWXw7LAcrhRUOjCIAC7UHj0_pWasTxb8sEx2b8GJHkCgnnLgytsXGRNNtQkztNgCIBIg/s4000/1662833609189.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTYet0UsOA1PKTNAaNnIGVDBS85HnrFy_626phRZkpvcZF2fpoUFqJWcgQPP-TLH9fdox5gYCzgJG_5HG-pAExZIhkz05XBCCoekbqaHKIp1Zy5KDs2kjHVbWXw7LAcrhRUOjCIAC7UHj0_pWasTxb8sEx2b8GJHkCgnnLgytsXGRNNtQkztNgCIBIg/w400-h300/1662833609189.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LgI1NGUJScWH0z5IT4PfDgW38Zv9jW61almj99ziXfRakGTVh-aus1Ni0hHU0-p6d1tTTbeSxqumcd1OLJZN6hobvhoWvNzCSHhhQmvmu-kjpQV10b6p8mfs9jsinruIPnz-EEJboGh-q-99si16a6b1PnZmCSOHT3q3W-2G1t12NLgy9ERQzSLODQ/s1200/1662833767724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7LgI1NGUJScWH0z5IT4PfDgW38Zv9jW61almj99ziXfRakGTVh-aus1Ni0hHU0-p6d1tTTbeSxqumcd1OLJZN6hobvhoWvNzCSHhhQmvmu-kjpQV10b6p8mfs9jsinruIPnz-EEJboGh-q-99si16a6b1PnZmCSOHT3q3W-2G1t12NLgy9ERQzSLODQ/w400-h300/1662833767724.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>I don't want to run the risk of catastrophic failure, the resulting damage and repair cost (assuming it would be repairable) would be prohibitive.</div><div>Here is a third-party image of someone else's broken spring plate just to give you a sense of what can happen. No thank you:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlqL1mjVZvodFfGdGGrqp1nzx76twWS9-owq1DR-2Edi4-koOaUtGOL9c5XwWBiEvAF7yEdpkffrFfTSU68TTHzggMXS7cVXMtXcPEz1tN7_ogh76kbRJHDSlCldzqbiePdI5yts_8Ht8Vl1aT6K3qDoSEuuqhZV3PEjYruDZ3NW3yla-gqjz58NzRw/s1600/IMG_1682.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlqL1mjVZvodFfGdGGrqp1nzx76twWS9-owq1DR-2Edi4-koOaUtGOL9c5XwWBiEvAF7yEdpkffrFfTSU68TTHzggMXS7cVXMtXcPEz1tN7_ogh76kbRJHDSlCldzqbiePdI5yts_8Ht8Vl1aT6K3qDoSEuuqhZV3PEjYruDZ3NW3yla-gqjz58NzRw/w400-h300/IMG_1682.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div>So, I've decided to upgrade to a Barnett kit. <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/search?q=clutch+refurbishment" target="_blank">I have one of their clutches on my Commando</a> and I am very happy with it, so I trust this will work well in this application.</div><div>The extra plate kit (Part# 307-30-10011) comes with 9 Kevlar friction plates and 8 steel plates to compensate for doing away with the spring plate, otherwise the standard setup is made up of 8 friction and 6 steel. You could also argue that, if nothing else, this effectively gives you a larger clutch surface, which can't be a bad thing. The stack measures 32.5mm.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTpKHlalDSIeWmVrMRbEqBv5eymvKZ5m8mXXqh3443VlyRHqXn_Z6P3SPrOstyzxvHfMZRpGtFsw9_BrYP3UH0OecPcocsZJv6EvVFCXxxEr-pZydHU7x0PMiW1j9bGzXVkGP8Y42k6BIBVAHGKONfo1bim5wIY7AV3dr-Ji1aYV_d0hbuVOvoi24cg/s281/307-30-10011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="250" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTpKHlalDSIeWmVrMRbEqBv5eymvKZ5m8mXXqh3443VlyRHqXn_Z6P3SPrOstyzxvHfMZRpGtFsw9_BrYP3UH0OecPcocsZJv6EvVFCXxxEr-pZydHU7x0PMiW1j9bGzXVkGP8Y42k6BIBVAHGKONfo1bim5wIY7AV3dr-Ji1aYV_d0hbuVOvoi24cg/s1600/307-30-10011.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><div>Just as a curiosity, the weight difference between the two "stacks" is 40 grams, with the Barnett being lighter at 869 grams and the stock being heavier at 909 grams.</div><div>Installation requires soaking the friction plates in transmission fluid (I left them for about 10 minutes and I use Harley-Davidson's original Formula+), then it's a very simple matter of alternating friction first, then steel, all the way until the pressure plate is ready to go back on.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ox-Nowr9d5CAixF8l5MZloWinYPTwUYTAT7uIe7navzraST9tKv0S7AtHMAYh1WYFKrDLmn-Apj5_4MACrmw65PXkoo9oWiXctyWAVIWjH4bzX1ZbFGKy8IZSgtnJXrfRo9rClUDZdXoq8KdJIj0430uGwTB2vLJwputzgh3a1hPuCzDzW0sDB5ZHg/s1400/1674752681471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ox-Nowr9d5CAixF8l5MZloWinYPTwUYTAT7uIe7navzraST9tKv0S7AtHMAYh1WYFKrDLmn-Apj5_4MACrmw65PXkoo9oWiXctyWAVIWjH4bzX1ZbFGKy8IZSgtnJXrfRo9rClUDZdXoq8KdJIj0430uGwTB2vLJwputzgh3a1hPuCzDzW0sDB5ZHg/w400-h300/1674752681471.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>There is a retaining circlip and a safety ring that seats the circlip in place (third photo down). Both must be fitted before the clutch compressor can be released. As usual with these things, it's a good idea to use a flat head screwdriver to check that everything has snapped into place properly; you don't want this failing when you're chasing Witold up the SS80...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNohjJr3qFJcWqhVkIxoVis2M46XCIOwnBFNP5q-kIMgWbSDPFThBRBShJzlQSAQ8hDcq3znPs3w43GbsZTx6vrhMb-tC-DsBf9oMbvGHev04FhxoImnfjOI66Q7ra-8dI3AJeQcpHa2L_ww7rL7CI68pFA1-rh46kIWskmfDVyCIHelQlM3ECyiS8w/s1400/1674752681445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNohjJr3qFJcWqhVkIxoVis2M46XCIOwnBFNP5q-kIMgWbSDPFThBRBShJzlQSAQ8hDcq3znPs3w43GbsZTx6vrhMb-tC-DsBf9oMbvGHev04FhxoImnfjOI66Q7ra-8dI3AJeQcpHa2L_ww7rL7CI68pFA1-rh46kIWskmfDVyCIHelQlM3ECyiS8w/w300-h400/1674752681445.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8V5343xTylIz7hq_7ZBl1k1-1Hmhy7ChmCaJ9u01zcUWYF9PkDF4l1ViW6R-aLqP-Wxc16vBC1MhDiH5msq5opZNFDf7T2Di8KIKt4BOJXq08TWuMV88BkzGdLpSlQqkc3oK_9GQcisJKDHvs1D482pZdE7c5Ycznlc43aPVkrykF9sgK8SPm5x-DQ/s1400/1674752681417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8V5343xTylIz7hq_7ZBl1k1-1Hmhy7ChmCaJ9u01zcUWYF9PkDF4l1ViW6R-aLqP-Wxc16vBC1MhDiH5msq5opZNFDf7T2Di8KIKt4BOJXq08TWuMV88BkzGdLpSlQqkc3oK_9GQcisJKDHvs1D482pZdE7c5Ycznlc43aPVkrykF9sgK8SPm5x-DQ/w300-h400/1674752681417.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlciujZMd2NtIh_Zwym7pLohrCVh_FHxN4ab4HahCZSoMqXJKFz6WlZgsGv8f7-5BFc0ZH1TCYPEi511SKe-uiJjrhnisqs05yLzsmyHMyr1Wn9HuzLGp8MlRmpQS6n2BDverRoj1WiJhBgr04o7bKnIRaZIVN6EbY_ml3hCm208Ccd4kRCOyr-0y0A/s1400/1674752681392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlciujZMd2NtIh_Zwym7pLohrCVh_FHxN4ab4HahCZSoMqXJKFz6WlZgsGv8f7-5BFc0ZH1TCYPEi511SKe-uiJjrhnisqs05yLzsmyHMyr1Wn9HuzLGp8MlRmpQS6n2BDverRoj1WiJhBgr04o7bKnIRaZIVN6EbY_ml3hCm208Ccd4kRCOyr-0y0A/w300-h400/1674752681392.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's finally time to refit the primary cover, so a new gasket goes on, then the cover (yes, this whole part is fiddly and you'll have to reach underneath with a couple of fingers to lift the triplex chain onto the slipper tensioner as you push the cover on) and each bolt. </div><div>Before installing the bolts, it's a good idea to clean out every threaded hole (as well as each bolt) just in case there's any residue of old Loctite or anything like that: that stuff can build up over time, and there have been instances where tightening a bolt against what is essentially an obstacle in the bottom of the blind hole results in a cracked crankcase (!). Best to avoid that.</div><div><div>Primary cover bolts get 9-12N⋅m; the service manual does not specify a tightening sequence to follow, and I'm aware that later models have one, however, for those it does not appear to be absolutely critical. Instead, I made my own and followed a star pattern to progressively tighten the bolts to avoid warping the cover. Common sense guys:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sbk0wuqqITRqfIPzSt1tPOsMxM2IyZVva7N-OoJzKVBEmGnYyDjPWcCsd9hrL-8ky7p0agUzEqTbaJ4HQ-hAAOQvJIg_j2k3QPLZy_j4Q-eYmHNJUZvCgKhRz1SBVVfim-5nTfIwjiCiXfQePjJJ--Yz4zm-aj0b7nuBRfXN72JqbQmNEKA0f6WvmQ/s395/PrimaryTighteningSequence94-03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="395" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sbk0wuqqITRqfIPzSt1tPOsMxM2IyZVva7N-OoJzKVBEmGnYyDjPWcCsd9hrL-8ky7p0agUzEqTbaJ4HQ-hAAOQvJIg_j2k3QPLZy_j4Q-eYmHNJUZvCgKhRz1SBVVfim-5nTfIwjiCiXfQePjJJ--Yz4zm-aj0b7nuBRfXN72JqbQmNEKA0f6WvmQ/w400-h269/PrimaryTighteningSequence94-03.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>The LH footrest support bolts (numbers 2 and 5 in the image above) get 22-38N⋅m, but you get to that final torque only after all the other bolts have been fully tightened.</div></div><div>After that, the clutch actuator can be refitted and adjusted. With a small flat blade screwdriver you can feel where the adjustment screw seats; there is no need to force this to where it would begin to lift the clutch, instead, once you've identified the right spot, all you do is back it out by <i>barely </i>half a turn (though you may need a bit more or a bit less depending on your application and other factors such as temperatures, terrain, riding style...) and install the lockplate. Done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi--Cti7GsmeKnLNk72PflE1-wXJQZk3WGTGCX7CLK5MTx4hj3PodnzHj60hLzflchFW9WozQivigt2iGKXbpfcJOGa7x0F0-kiBQA3_ZZphMmUsOMHZHOWkL30AKZmey4qc7BWTL0Wm2d_XREmJoiJls8oIEal2o5rzymep5tpVgORkXkQsq5yfcbl6w/s1400/1674752681272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi--Cti7GsmeKnLNk72PflE1-wXJQZk3WGTGCX7CLK5MTx4hj3PodnzHj60hLzflchFW9WozQivigt2iGKXbpfcJOGa7x0F0-kiBQA3_ZZphMmUsOMHZHOWkL30AKZmey4qc7BWTL0Wm2d_XREmJoiJls8oIEal2o5rzymep5tpVgORkXkQsq5yfcbl6w/w300-h400/1674752681272.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div>I take a moment to pause and sit back, to go over all the various steps in my head and make sure I'm not forgetting anything. It's a quiet moment in the shed, it's cozy and there's a peaceful stillness to this whole scene that's somehow enhanced by the smell of oil and metal emanating from the motorcycle on the lift; it's glorious.</div></div><div><div>Time to get back to it; with everything reassembled, it is now time to check the primary chain tension. It's a good idea to check tension in a few places along the chain (let's say at least 4 different points, maybe 5), find the tightest spot and use that as a reference. Considering the triplex chain should have about a half inch of slack, a spanner of that size can work as a visual reference to see if you're in the right zone; this is a well known trick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_hRabDS2bY5oubbvQY-G7AEDrN2Ifj1NdougmwNECWkIXATXtpvzRWKPbrzYal3eeP3o17IR96jrJACDnHgon-S1ogCa15WODMS0AEbmoZlzUB3r-Pv8HN7BYfOoTpR8UupKqVrMzazoZdKW9kGHxKMugHfa_HvzGDLc4dlYHU8_49O6ch4ML6slSw/s1400/1674752681317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_hRabDS2bY5oubbvQY-G7AEDrN2Ifj1NdougmwNECWkIXATXtpvzRWKPbrzYal3eeP3o17IR96jrJACDnHgon-S1ogCa15WODMS0AEbmoZlzUB3r-Pv8HN7BYfOoTpR8UupKqVrMzazoZdKW9kGHxKMugHfa_HvzGDLc4dlYHU8_49O6ch4ML6slSw/w400-h300/1674752681317.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Items left on the checklist at this point are: fitting a new o-ring on the transmission drain plug, and installing it with 19-28N⋅m. Adding fresh transmission fluid (checking that the level reaches to just below the clutch basket), then adjusting the clutch <i>cable </i>(adjustment at the clutch itself was already done, as mentioned above).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VF3gf4uYLkXfmwngybgHEt9hwsvS5a7lmPor4S6lDBU-PsxsSYRef71hvL7bT477S5sZbmMHl7tA0dbSYBAPDg6VxSi1i1rAk9ofJJuj7TUBKMAcJw0ZLS5wkLMz37YfDgNcDDkgRtR9oMOPMbwvPW0f3ZMtUoVJTZzDyAzsefZRpH4PHfXOeuApow/s1400/1674752681295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1050" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VF3gf4uYLkXfmwngybgHEt9hwsvS5a7lmPor4S6lDBU-PsxsSYRef71hvL7bT477S5sZbmMHl7tA0dbSYBAPDg6VxSi1i1rAk9ofJJuj7TUBKMAcJw0ZLS5wkLMz37YfDgNcDDkgRtR9oMOPMbwvPW0f3ZMtUoVJTZzDyAzsefZRpH4PHfXOeuApow/w300-h400/1674752681295.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I got some replacement screws for the derby cover from W&W Cycles in Germany, they're the exact same size (obviously) and button shape as the originals, only with a conventional socket/allen head instead of the confounded Torx.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3GsAy0BQ3wofgfeN8ncnSJPFWt3a1tFbtpch3qBlJexqPrL1fPkqo1pjEMjzuFd6dOovMldUcYGlp8SDooTCv9_NutaSVh5xvjLk9dhBsd1l4hYA1O-qURiZO1iu13d8NmLAL-6YUCdk0DSAeTojyMGeytwvJPwgggQqC5rsXTVKtQ_azMNLSMBaKg/s1284/1674767466166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX3GsAy0BQ3wofgfeN8ncnSJPFWt3a1tFbtpch3qBlJexqPrL1fPkqo1pjEMjzuFd6dOovMldUcYGlp8SDooTCv9_NutaSVh5xvjLk9dhBsd1l4hYA1O-qURiZO1iu13d8NmLAL-6YUCdk0DSAeTojyMGeytwvJPwgggQqC5rsXTVKtQ_azMNLSMBaKg/w336-h400/1674767466166.jpg" width="336" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2.5-4.5N⋅m for these ones</div></div><div>The shift lever pinch bolt gets 9-12N⋅m.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtY_oujVu5B0B5yNncM16J2NdNZI0dAZaTrhWYWZQx3BWvDgbATLmsZB0LSFFqJ2yNSPlDRvyXBA2rZ0PylcO3emDM71LmUR-m_oREcA_zV4DARZX42ZuglInMsKpc2n7qqbqxw-E_JAAm3q1JTCua-IYIKem0HJUv8qF8JkkS9EpqSQcBhA-8buSZQ/s1298/1674752681223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1298" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtY_oujVu5B0B5yNncM16J2NdNZI0dAZaTrhWYWZQx3BWvDgbATLmsZB0LSFFqJ2yNSPlDRvyXBA2rZ0PylcO3emDM71LmUR-m_oREcA_zV4DARZX42ZuglInMsKpc2n7qqbqxw-E_JAAm3q1JTCua-IYIKem0HJUv8qF8JkkS9EpqSQcBhA-8buSZQ/w400-h269/1674752681223.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>We are finally done with all things transmission, and even though it took far too long because of <a href="https://a50risingstar.blogspot.com/2023/01/delays.html" target="_blank">all the delays</a>, this has been an extremely satisfying process from which I have gained a deeper knowledge of my motorcycle (now let's hope I got it right and everything works...).</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0