The vacation is done and it’s time to head for home. \u00a0 So we begin to prep for departure. \u00a0 Repacking the panniers and reattaching them to the bike is fairly simple. \u00a0 Reattaching the tankbag requires threading a strap around the steering stem, but once that’s done the rear mounting straps click into place. \u00a0 This trip, I didn’t even bring the waterproof duffel, so that’s the bike packed and ready.<\/p>\n
Now to get the rider geared up and ready. \u00a0 Boots, jacket, gloves, earbuds, helmet, camelback – oops, i forgot to put ice and water into the camelback bladder. \u00a0 Having the water available was great so it’s worth the few minutes to load it up. \u00a0 OK, loaded and strapped on. \u00a0 Ready to go, or so I thought.<\/p>\n
It was a little chilly outside this morning, and I obviously didn’t give the big motor enough choke. \u00a0 It didn’t start, and the battery was definitely on the low side of fully charged. \u00a0 Even if I’m not smart enough to give it enough choke, I am smart enough to avoid completely flattening the battery. \u00a0 Recognizing that there is a downhill road a few feet away, I decided that I could bump-start it on the downhill slope. \u00a0 Important fact number two – despite plenty of speed, being in the proper gear, jumping down on the seat while letting out the clutch, I don’t weigh enough to overcome the 12:1 compression ratio of the 950cc motor. \u00a0 The rear tire just slid on the pavement. \u00a0 So now, I’m at the bottom of the hill, without a running engine, and without enough battery to start it, and realizing that pushing it up the hill for another go at the bump-start process is futile. \u00a0 Crap.<\/p>\n
Amy’s brother David has jumper cables so all is not lost. \u00a0 However, what was lost (or misplaced for the moment) was the adapter for the 5\/16 wrench that allows the use of 1\/4 drive sockets. \u00a0 I have to remove 2 bolts and 2 screws to access the battery (which I may have to remedy soon) and that task just became a much larger nuisance. \u00a0 I wound up using the proper socket and a set of knipex pliers to turn the socket to remove the bolts. \u00a0 The screws were easier, just the socket and they could be backed out by hand. \u00a0 Car engine off, cables properly connected at the car, connected to the braided straps in front of the battery, and push the button. \u00a0 Fires up almost instantly. \u00a0 Good. \u00a0 Now I just have to button everything up and I’m ACTUALLY ready to go. \u00a0 More drama than I needed prior to departure, but handled reasonably well and no damage to anything but pride.<\/p>\n
You’ve heard that “pride goeth before the fall” and I’m telling you that it also goeth before flattening the battery in front of the in-laws. \u00a0 I’ll hear about this for a long time.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The vacation is done and it’s time to head for home. \u00a0 So we begin to prep for departure. \u00a0 Repacking the panniers and reattaching them to the bike is fairly simple. \u00a0 Reattaching the tankbag requires threading a strap around the steering stem, but once that’s done the rear mounting straps click into place. … <\/p>\n