Salisbury Plain - 14 January 06

[Richie B]

Last minute decision to hit the Plain. Thought it was about time since I have been living here about 3 weeks now.

Colin rocked up at 1215 on his Yammy TT, had a brew and we took off.

Needless to say, it turned out to be an adventure - felt like Dr Foster who went to Gloucester - puddles right up to my waist. Chain came off in one puddle and had to push the bike out. To give you an idea of depth my tank bag got water in it.

NEVER came off though all afternoon - bonus

Met up with Cie at the pub in Netheravon - a quick coffee then off again. This time we ended up 'rescuing' a broken down DRZ. Pillion back to his to pick up his car & trailer.

Cie/Colin - will send the route to you by email - let me know which format you prefer (e.g. Google earth KML).

Some pics (not very exciting) below:













All in all a good day with top weather

[Mudwiz]

Nice one - getting wet and muddy is fab, isn't it

[Pie Man]

Can't wait to get an AT to do this sort of thing.

That Yammy certainly has some jacked up suspension. Certainly makes my WRF looks like a lightweight

[Chad]

oooooh you gits im going to hit that RD03hammer and tongs cos i feel the need to get backout on the plains

[Chad]

Can't wait to get an AT to do this sort of thing.

That Yammy certainly has some jacked up suspension. Certainly makes my WRF looks like a lightweight

its even better watching colin scale up it to get in the saddle

[Richie B]

its even better watching colin scale up it to get in the saddle

... and watching him try and kickstart it when he's knackered


Hey, the AT kept up well today on the offroad stuff.... I had a few 'moments' though

[mikeo]

Well, the DR350 was me. Can't thank the three of you enough! I'd put a new clutch cable on about a month ago, less than 200 miles of riding, as the old cable was almost seized. Anyway, the cable snapped, so luckily I#d stuck the old one in the toolkit as a spare. Had just about fitted this when the TT/XRV trio turn up and ask if I'm OK. I said yep, fine, as I'd just about done it. They said they'd wait to see that the bike was working. I'm very glad you guys did have the decency to stop, and to wait, as the clutch would not engage with the replacement cable.

So, I got a pillion lift home from Richie, 15 minutes away, and the other two waited in the cold until I'd returned with a car & trailer (4 degrees c by this time and darkness looming). They helped me put the DR on the trailer and wouldn't accept any petrol money. Top geezers!! \I would have been in a right old predicament without your help and cannot thank you enough.

Anyway, got the bike home, then went to release the 2 ratchet straps at the front, except my new strap decided it was going to release all tension in a split second. The still tensioned strap pulled the bike over onto me quite fast, in fact probably the fastest it's ever done, albeit sideways! So, frame protector did it's job as this is what hit the trailer mudguard. Lifted the bike up and both wheels went down the gaps between trailer rails (3 bike trailer) so needed vertical lift to get it up & off. Another hour later and much jacking and sticking wood under, I got the fecking thing off.

Once I mend it I'll be able to see if I've damaged the front disc, as this took the front weight as it lodged in the gaps in the trailer.

Have just drained the oil and taken off the rh engine casing. Afetr removing the clutch springs, the shaft that is pulled by the cable lever (pivot on top of casing that cable pulls) seems fine, so all I can think is that the clutch springs have gone, but surely that would notice over time, with clutch slipping? Anyone got any ideas? Is a new cable snapping indicative of something very wrong in the clutch, and this also causing a lack of engagement when another cable was fitted? Any ideas would be much appreciated!

Anyway, thanks again to you three for all your help I must be down as a guest here, but will join up when I have a bit more time.

Mike

[Richie B]

No worries mate, you're very welcome.

Watch this space for future trips out.

[Colin]

I knew we should have followed you home and helped un load it, I keep saying to myself as I was riding home in the min,s 4 c with out any heated grips we should have gone the extra mile.

Oh and buy the way Chad It was not shown in Ritchies photos but I carry a three rung B&Q step ladder with me.

And I dont have any problems kicking it over, I just cant kick start it!!!!!!. :thumb:

[Chad]

I knew we should have followed you home and helped un load it, I keep saying to myself as I was riding home in the min,s 4 c with out any heated grips we should have gone the extra mile.

Oh and buy the way Chad It was not shown in Ritchies photos but I carry a three rung B&Q step ladder with me.

And I dont have any problems kicking it over, I just cant kick start it!!!!!!.