I'm off! (Does it show?)

Barbara · Posted: September 4, 2009, 11:32 am Post subject: I'm off! (Does it show?)

Hi Guys,

Well, Jaelith the '77 XS-n-chair and I are off for another run. This time we are going about 150 miles south to a campsite at the base of Mt. St. Helen's--the volcano that popped her top a couple of decades ago. The group with whom I ride is having a campout there, and we will be taking side-trips up to Spirit Lake--beautifully regrown after being literally destroyed by the eruption--and probably around the backside of the mountain like we did last year.

When next I post I should have another 400 or 500 miles on top of the 63,523 already logged on the faithful old bike.

(Just an aside: anyone who says you can't tour on an old XS is.....probably right, but the BMW won't be running until Spring, so ....away we go!! )

Have a great holiday, everyone in the States and Canada!

Retiredgentleman · Posted: September 4, 2009, 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: I'm off! (Does it show?)

That should be a great trip Barbara. I understand that Spirit Lake has bounced back, and it even has fish living in there. Amazing, after the lake was totally destroyed.

I'm sure your bike will do just fine in the mountains. Touring on the XS? Sure, why not............you just have to pace yourself, and carry a few spare parts and tools Smile

. I did a day trip this year up into the mountains that was 344 kms. Not exactly Iron Butt type riding, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and my bike ran perfect.

Have a good trip.

pumps · Posted: September 4, 2009, 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: I'm off! (Does it show?)

Be careful and take lots of pictures to make us jealous, ok?

Barbara · Posted: September 7, 2009, 6:56 pm Post subject: Re: I'm off! (Does it show?)

Hi Guys,

Well, this is what a really dirty and rained-up XS looks like, after about 400 miles. I love that bike---she just keeps on chugging along, no matter what I ask of her!

pumps · Posted: September 7, 2009, 8:00 pm Post subject: Re: I'm off! (Does it show?)

She's a rider! Both of you!

xsjohn · Posted: September 7, 2009, 8:08 pm Post subject: Re: I'm off! (Does it show?)

Barb.......you never made it across to see me here in NC...... would have snatched you up or got smacked trying.... Laughing

..... built a 77 for my wife and she would never ride it..... not once....... Rolling Eyes

xsjohn

Barbara · Posted: September 8, 2009, 12:42 am Post subject: Re: I'm off! (Does it show?)

Hi Guys,

Well, gee, I feel kinda good about the ol' girl......say, John, if you still have that '77...... Laughing

Oh. Something I found out something that I should have known....I had a choice of voltmeters, one at around $55.00, and one for about $35.00. Being the thrifty (cheap) person that I am, you can guess which I chose. Well, you get what you pay for---turns out it worked just fine until the first of the rain.....when it promptly filled up with water and informed me that I had either around 3.0 volts or about 40--back and forth. Happily, I had my regular meter along and could check her now and then, and she did just fine inspite of the flood of biblical proportions that tried it's best to drown bikes and riders....

And yes, I will be purchasing a waterproof voltmeter soon..... Laughing

Next comes the Oyster Run---lots of bikes, and tons of oysters.....(the real "Big "O"!!) Wink

xsjohn · Posted: September 8, 2009, 12:50 am Post subject: Re: I'm off! (Does it show?)

77 is gone..........

xsjohn

IAmGrowler · Posted: September 8, 2009, 8:36 am Post subject: Re: I'm off! (Does it show?)

I'm thinking about doing the Oyster Run myself this year, Barb -- I'll probably do it on the V-Star, though. The thought of another several hundred mile putt on the XS makes my backside hurt just thinking about it.

Retiredgentleman · Posted: September 8, 2009, 9:52 am Post subject: Re: I'm off! (Does it show?)

Yeah, bad luck on the voltmeter Barb. I've heard it rains a fair bit in Washington state Smile

. They don't put on the box whether the meter is waterproof or not, do they.
I just have a cheap voltmeter on my bike and I know it won't like the rain................but then again it never rains here in Calgary on the lee side of the mountains.

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