[gatornapper]

RR - You are so right. A few times on the Bonnie - since she handles like a sportbike - I've entered a turn just a bit too fast as it shows up to be tighter than I expected - and on a right turn slip into the oncoming lane where - if a car had been coming - I'd be history..... but I never forget the MSF rule: in a turn too fast? Push HARD on the inside handlebar - and the bike will take it....

BUT that is very rare, for several reasons. One, at my age, I don't push the twisties that hard - EXCEPT only once in a while on the Bonnie - it just screams at me, "Try Me!" - and when I'm alone. Other bikes with me - never. When I'm leading others - never. Slow & easy. ESPECIALLY when I've got 5 or 6 of my family behind me. The twisties can be enjoyed plenty at a safe speed.

As you heard on the video, two yeas ago on a family ride, my most experienced biker son, 33, 5th bike behind me, went down on the curve I noted in the video. My wife was riding with me, my oldest daughter behind a good friend on bike 2, my son and his fiancee on bike 3, etc. Last bike was a good friend (62) who raced Kawasaki's on his 143HP GXR1100. The curve was banked the wrong way - left turn, banked slightly right. No gravel. We never figured out what actually happened. Expert behind son said he saw him do nothing wrong, didn't drag a footpeg, etc.

Son's bike was totalled - Yamaha Star 650 Custom, flipped over him, but he got out with only bruises. Had to be a 10mph turn. 4 bikes in front of him made it easily - I was leading. Son took out the best rider behind him, no injury, only broke his clutch lever.

Fortunately Rescue Squad was there in 5 minutes, said there was an accident a day on that turn spring/summer/fall. State cop said he had to give him a reckless charge and hated doing it - but law required it. It was dismissed in trial.

Point is I'm very careful in the mountains 99% of the time, as almost always I'm leading a group.

And I ALWAYS pray at the start of my rides! First that I don't do something stupid; 2nd that the other guy/gal doesn't do something stupid; 3rd for all the animals to be kept away, and 4th for no mechanical break-downs that could cause an accident.....

Hi Gator,

That road looks good for some managed fun on a bike. Trouble with them is the temptation to push just that little more is always there, and suddendly the fun stops.

We have a local spot not that far from here where we lose riders permanently on a regular basis, whilst many others end up in the local spinal unit hospital. The road is inviting, but trecherous for the unitiiated and fools. I've ridden it often but with caution.

I've just recently tried the T120 on some seriously windy and steep patches around the border ranges. It was not that enjoyable as the two way road was about half the width you've showed here, with many completely blind corners.

I've also been on better roads, such as shown in the video, and found them a real thrill on the old tart as she handles so well (way better than my modern Suzuki)

I think I'd really enjoy some rinding in you part of the world. Thanks for video, really appreciated. RR

 

[coloradobob]

Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway has been beckoning me back for years. I've never ridden it on a motorcycle. I still remember the sight/smell of the rhododendrons. You are very fortunate to have it nearby. The canopy of trees overhead and the lush green are hard to find in semi-arid Colorado. The Porsche sounds great. Bob

 

[gatornapper]

Bob - you are correct, and I am grateful.....spring, summer, fall - BRP is really beautiful with great vistas every few miles.

BUT, that being said, it does get monotonous after an hour or so - same ole, same ole........with its 45mph limit, one is safe at 55, but there is no challenge to the curves....most are sweeping and easy, with a sharp one every now and then.

That's where the roads from the BRP down either side come into play - they are the ones that are super-twisty, non-stop esses for miles, slowing you to 10mph sometimes. Rt. 56 is one of the best, but also only one of literally hundreds up and down the whole length of the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive.

And along the way on these side roads, you always run across fascinating places like "Gertie's Country Store" with fresh BBQ......and more.......

The Blue Ridge Parkway has been beckoning me back for years. I've never ridden it on a motorcycle. I still remember the sight/smell of the rhododendrons. You are very fortunate to have it nearby. The canopy of trees overhead and the lush green are hard to find in semi-arid Colorado. The Porsche sounds great. Bob

 

[gatornapper]

The Blue Ridge Parkway has been beckoning me back for years. I've never ridden it on a motorcycle. I still remember the sight/smell of the rhododendrons. You are very fortunate to have it nearby. The canopy of trees overhead and the lush green are hard to find in semi-arid Colorado. The Porsche sounds great. Bob

Oh, Bob AND RetroRod -

If you guys will just get your butts here, I give you a great tour of both the BRP and 56 and you can pick either the Bonneville or the Trident .......

Same for you Dog Tired! And any other of my great T'Rat friends here - Webby, GPZ, Tiger Dale, Snake Oil, and too many others to list!

 

[RetroRod]

And I ALWAYS pray at the start of my rides! First that I don't do something stupid; 2nd that the other guy/gal doesn't do something stupid; 3rd for all the animals to be kept away, and 4th for no mechanical break-downs that could cause an accident.....

Interesting that, so do I.

I am the carer for my wife (Maureen) who had a stroke 6 years ago and she depends on me being around.

I always ask that I will be sensible and make good riding choices, for Maureen's sake. That for things I cannot control, I ask for divine intervention. And so, perched on my shoulder is my angel reminding me of my recent prayer. It's all very reassuring, and I'm a safer rider for it.

Thanks for for sharing that. RR

 

[gatornapper]

A Motorcyclist's Prayer

Interesting that, so do I.

I am the carer for my wife (Maureen) who had a stroke 6 years ago and she depends on me being around.

I always ask that I will be sensible and make good riding choices, for Maureen's sake. That for things I cannot control, I ask for divine intervention. And so, perched on my shoulder is my angel reminding me of my recent prayer. It's all very reassuring, and I'm a safer rider for it.

Thanks for for sharing that. RR

RR - I've been riding since 1964, and those many years of close calls motivated me to write this years ago - and I pray something along these lines every time I ride. While there are no guarantees, and my body has many scars from off-road bike accidents - I've never had an accident on the road.....and I'm very thankful for that....

A Motorcyclist’s Prayer​

Lord, who am I that You have allowed me this privilege of so fully enjoying the greatness of Your creation with all of my five senses - with the wind in my face, a full view of your world and banking as a bird on the wing in every turn?

I acknowledge it is but your grace and mercy to grant me this blessing, and I pray that in every mile I ride I might remember and honor You as my Lord, God and Savior, and that as I behold your glorious creation with an unrestricted view that my heart might be filled with greater worship for the One who gave His life for my sins and salvation. I pray that somehow my beholding your creation in this way would increase the love in my heart that I have for You – because You first loved me.

But I quickly acknowledge that I am but a frail and fragile creature whose very existence and safety is always in your divine, loving and sovereign hands. As I ride with the increased danger of traveling in a fallen world without the protection of a steel cage, and I humbly ask You for Your divine protection as I ride:

First, Lord, protect me from myself - from my doing things stupid, careless, erring in judgment or not being alert at all times. I am sometimes a fool, sometimes a bit crazy, and You know that I am “but dust”, and need your grace every moment.

Second, Lord, I ask you would protect me from others on the road – all fallen creatures like me - who would be careless or inattentive as they drive around me.

Third, Lord, I would ask your protection from all the animals that You have created and that are under your sovereign rule: please keep them from my path as I ride, as well as from objects in the road left there by some accident or error of fallen man.

Fourth, I ask your protection from objects in the road or mechanical failure which would result in harm to myself or others, and from similar failure in other vehicles near me.

Lastly, most gracious and sovereign Lord, I pray that somehow in my riding that You may open doors for the increase of your kingdom, your glory and praise, that I might minister your grace, love and forgiveness to those who do not know You, and that I be an encouragement and blessing to all I meet along my rides.

I ask this in the blessed Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

[RetroRod]

A lovely pryer Gator and all I can say is Amen to that. RR

 

[Rathlindri]

very good Gator....you and the rest of the gang, keep safe, keep well

 

[gatornapper]

very good Gator....you and the rest of the gang, keep safe, keep well

Hey, Rathlindri! How in the world are you and how is the weather over there in sweet Ireland? Any riding?

Was an incredible 73 yesterday, and 78 today until mid-afternoon, and I was racking up the miles - unfortunately just not on the Bonnie for numerous reasons....but soon - very soon she'll be back on the road.....just hoping my right knee is up to kick-starting her.......

 

[Rathlindri]

Hey Richard, what's happening with you buddy? Trust all ok? We haven't heard from you for a while??

 

[gatornapper]

Hey Richard, what's happening with you buddy? Trust all ok? We haven't heard from you for a while??

All is well, good friend....I really miss you guys but still have been overwhelmed with two things: fininshing my garage and basement projects, and....thanks for asking.....

caring for my 96 year old mom who is dying in Naples, FL....been down there almost more than here for April and May, and that put me way behind in everything.

Tons to do with my Trumpies, but no time to do them....hopefully I can jump back here before summer is over and enjoy the flow.

I have posted a few things, and check in once or twice a week, but still hardly room to breathe on other stuff......loved your pics on your recent ride!

 

[Chuck95642]

Amen brother.

A Motorcyclist’s Prayer​

Lord, who am I that You have allowed me this privilege of so fully enjoying the greatness of Your creation with all of my five senses - with the wind in my face, a full view of your world and banking as a bird on the wing in every turn?

I acknowledge it is but your grace and mercy to grant me this blessing, and I pray that in every mile I ride I might remember and honor You as my Lord, God and Savior, and that as I behold your glorious creation with an unrestricted view that my heart might be filled with greater worship for the One who gave His life for my sins and salvation. I pray that somehow my beholding your creation in this way would increase the love in my heart that I have for You – because You first loved me.

But I quickly acknowledge that I am but a frail and fragile creature whose very existence and safety is always in your divine, loving and sovereign hands. As I ride with the increased danger of traveling in a fallen world without the protection of a steel cage, and I humbly ask You for Your divine protection as I ride:

First, Lord, protect me from myself - from my doing things stupid, careless, erring in judgment or not being alert at all times. I am sometimes a fool, sometimes a bit crazy, and You know that I am “but dust”, and need your grace every moment.

Second, Lord, I ask you would protect me from others on the road – all fallen creatures like me - who would be careless or inattentive as they drive around me.

Third, Lord, I would ask your protection from all the animals that You have created and that are under your sovereign rule: please keep them from my path as I ride, as well as from objects in the road left there by some accident or error of fallen man.

Fourth, I ask your protection from objects in the road or mechanical failure which would result in harm to myself or others, and from similar failure in other vehicles near me.

Lastly, most gracious and sovereign Lord, I pray that somehow in my riding that You may open doors for the increase of your kingdom, your glory and praise, that I might minister your grace, love and forgiveness to those who do not know You, and that I be an encouragement and blessing to all I meet along my rides.

I ask this in the blessed Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

[gatornapper]

See my post on "What I did with my Classic Triumph today.....great ride with new 'Rat member and friend Milo Brady with him on his '79 Bonnie.....

 

[gatornapper]

Need a new rotor or stator........voltage drops to 10.5 with headlamp on, 12.5 otherwise......

Got this great tip somewhere to test rest of the circuitry: feed leads from stator to the rectifier with a battery charger........if all works well on either lead, i.e., full voltage with everything on - the problem is in the rotor or stator......rotor has lost magnetism or stator lost a winding......

So, I'm looking for a high-output stator and going to check the rotor for strength of magnetic field while in there.......

Also still leaking a small amount of oil from the exhaust rocker box....so sometime gonna pull it and install new gasket making sure nothing is causing the leak now.....thoroughly cleaning the box & head......

When I pulled cover a year ago, I cleaned out the few filings between rotor and stator (not many) and re-installed stator with proper clearance all around.....so that isn't the problem......

 

[Chuck95642]

Thanks for the tips on the rotor/stator pre check. Grand idea.

One thing on your Exhaust Rocker when I was checking the edges of covers like that helping friends on small engine repair I liked to use a steel straight edge to check for warpage. With the cover being small as they are you should be able to find a good steel straight edge and go around the edge of that cover to see if it got warped in any way or put it on something like a Marble Table Face you know is flat and shine a light around the edge while you look from the other side.

Need a new rotor or stator........voltage drops to 10.5 with headlamp on, 12.5 otherwise......

Got this great tip somewhere to test rest of the circuitry: feed leads from stator to the rectifier with a battery charger........if all works well on either lead, i.e., full voltage with everything on - the problem is in the rotor or stator......rotor has lost magnetism or stator lost a winding......

So, I'm looking for a high-output stator and going to check the rotor for strength of magnetic field while in there.......

Also still leaking a small amount of oil from the exhaust rocker box....so sometime gonna pull it and install new gasket making sure nothing is causing the leak now.....thoroughly cleaning the box & head......

When I pulled cover a year ago, I cleaned out the few filings between rotor and stator (not many) and re-installed stator with proper clearance all around.....so that isn't the problem......

 

[jpj441]

GN
Great thread, although I've only made it partially through the numerous pages. I've picked up a lot of useful information. To top it off, "A Motorcyclist's Prayer" which all of us need more than anything as we head out our driveways for protection from all the crazies, critters, and ourselves.
Nice job on your bonneville!
John

 

[gatornapper]

Thanks for the tips on the rotor/stator pre check. Grand idea.

One thing on your Exhaust Rocker when I was checking the edges of covers like that helping friends on small engine repair I liked to use a steel straight edge to check for warpage. With the cover being small as they are you should be able to find a good steel straight edge and go around the edge of that cover to see if it got warped in any way or put it on something like a Marble Table Face you know is flat and shine a light around the edge while you look from the other side.

Chuck - thanks! Another friend suggested that as well, and I should have mentioned it........

 

[gatornapper]

GN
Great thread, although I've only made it partially through the numerous pages. I've picked up a lot of useful information. To top it off, "A Motorcyclist's Prayer" which all of us need more than anything as we head out our driveways for protection from all the crazies, critters, and ourselves.
Nice job on your bonneville!
John

Thanks, jpj......

 

[Chuck95642]

Ya a medium sized machinist straight edge are cheap to buy.

Chuck - thanks! Another friend suggested that as well, and I should have mentioned it........

 

[68TR6R]

Following Plewsy's lead, I made some copper rockerbox gaskets, and they seem to work great! No leaks yet and it has been QUITE hot.