Dennis Andress Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 The first day out was gorgeous. Even the bike got into the day and was returning over 220 miles from of a tank of gas, where 180 is typical. The Navajo near Kayenta, Arizona are the graffiti masters! Nearly every ransacked building had some good art. The second day out was pretty crappy, cold with nasty crosswinds, and I discovered I'd blown the fuse to my Gerbings, which isn't a roadside fix. To be continued... 5 1 2 1 Link to comment
AZgman Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 Ride well and enjoy the moment Dennis! Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted April 15, 2021 Author Share Posted April 15, 2021 Low 40's and drizzle all morning, followed by low 50's and drizzle. I won't be able to fix the blown fuse until this weekend so I warmed up the old fashioned way: I stopped at a laundermat and put my riding gear in a dryer. I found this in eastern New Mexico 3 Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted April 16, 2021 Author Share Posted April 16, 2021 At my sister's place in Willis, Texas for the weekend. Time to change that fuse... 3 Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted April 17, 2021 Author Share Posted April 17, 2021 I was an avionics tech and aircraft electrician for many years. I have a bit of an attitude about wiring. For one I don't like to add wires to battery terminals. Why weaken the termination with the highest current flow? On the K13 I got 12 volts positive at the alternator and ground at one of the starter bolts, which live under the gas tank. Unfortunately the fuse holder on the Gerbings wiring harness I used is located just a couple of inches away for its positive terminal. Which led to my questionable decision of putting the fuse under the tank. (I'm proud of my work and haven't blown a fuse in all of my remaining memory.) I took the tupperware and tank off this morning... Only to discover the fuse was good Two of my nephews, who are now all grown up adults, were fascinated by the innards of a K Bike so the work wasn't wasted. I called a couple local shops looking for a new controller but as I'm less than 100 miles from Houston heated gear isn't much known. So I sat down and studied my controller and soon discovered one of the coaxial connectors was badly corroded. I cleaned it up and viola! I have heat! One of my nephews plans on getting his Road King out of the shop tomorrow and wants to go riding with me. So I have that to look forward to... 3 Link to comment
szurszewski Posted April 17, 2021 Share Posted April 17, 2021 2 hours ago, Dennis Andress said: One of my nephews plans on getting his Road King out of the shop tomorrow and wants to go riding with me. So I have that to look forward to... That sounds like a good time! Link to comment
Hosstage Posted April 19, 2021 Share Posted April 19, 2021 Locating fuses that are not easily accessible kind of defeats the purpose... I know you know! Congrats on finding the fix, have a fun ride with your nephew, sounds great. Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted April 20, 2021 Author Share Posted April 20, 2021 17 hours ago, Hosstage said: Locating fuses that are not easily accessible kind of defeats the purpose... I know you know! Congrats on finding the fix, have a fun ride with your nephew, sounds great. I agree, but (There's always a but): Adventure is what happens when your plans go awry. This little adventure was quality time with family I don't often visit. Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted April 20, 2021 Author Share Posted April 20, 2021 I think my bike is a dud. I rode and rode and rode until the sunset yesterday and didn't even make 400 miles. What's up with that? 1 1 1 Link to comment
Chris K Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 26 minutes ago, Dennis Andress said: I think my bike is a dud. I rode and rode and rode until the sunset yesterday and didn't even make 400 miles. What's up with that? Dennis, I find nothing wrong with that! 1 Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted April 20, 2021 Author Share Posted April 20, 2021 12 minutes ago, Chris K said: Dennis, I find nothing wrong with that! It's a K Bike! BMW once published an ad saying it is possible to cross 4 time zones in a single day. Link to comment
Whip Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Nice! Stay safe and have fun my man. 1 Link to comment
RandyShields Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Look forward to meeting you at START! Safe travels. 1 Link to comment
Skywagon Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 Dennis... not sure if you are still in Texas. If you are I would be happy to loan you a coaxial connector or controller for the rest of your trip my bike is going into shop in the morning so if you need anything holler Willis is about 50 miles from me. I keep a boat there on Lake Conroe. Sounds like you might be passing through Houston though Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted April 20, 2021 Author Share Posted April 20, 2021 1 hour ago, Skywagon said: Dennis... not sure if you are still in Texas. If you are I would be happy to loan you a coaxial connector or controller for the rest of your trip my bike is going into shop in the morning so if you need anything holler Willis is about 50 miles from me. I keep a boat there on Lake Conroe. Sounds like you might be passing through Houston though Thanks. I got it working well enough. I'm long gone from Texas too. 😁 Link to comment
eddd Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 On 4/16/2021 at 7:03 PM, Dennis Andress said: I was an avionics tech and aircraft electrician for many years. I have a bit of an attitude about wiring. For one I don't like to add wires to battery terminals. Why weaken the termination with the highest current flow? On the K13 I got 12 volts positive at the alternator and ground at one of the starter bolts, which live under the gas tank. Unfortunately the fuse holder on the Gerbings wiring harness I used is located just a couple of inches away for its positive terminal. Which led to my questionable decision of putting the fuse under the tank. (I'm proud of my work and haven't blown a fuse in all of my remaining memory.) I took the tupperware and tank off this morning... Only to discover the fuse was good Two of my nephews, who are now all grown up adults, were fascinated by the innards of a K Bike so the work wasn't wasted. I called a couple local shops looking for a new controller but as I'm less than 100 miles from Houston heated gear isn't much known. So I sat down and studied my controller and soon discovered one of the coaxial connectors was badly corroded. I cleaned it up and viola! I have heat! One of my nephews plans on getting his Road King out of the shop tomorrow and wants to go riding with me. So I have that to look forward to... I recommend you use a circuit breaker instead of a fuse. I only use curcuit breakers on my wiring for heated gear, battery tender, and power for my phone or Amplirider. They fit into the same fuse holder...you just can't put the rubber cover of it. This has never created a problem. It is too easy to short out when you are plugging and unplugging. The circuit breakers solve this problem. Avalable in most every auto parts store in various amp sizes. 3 Link to comment
RandyShields Posted April 20, 2021 Share Posted April 20, 2021 I love it when these electrical engineering guys talk tech! 1 Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted April 21, 2021 Author Share Posted April 21, 2021 51 minutes ago, RandyShields said: I love it when these electrical engineering guys talk tech! Did you hear that @edd? The lowly circuit breaker just got elevated to Tech 😐 1 1 Link to comment
eddd Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 1 hour ago, Dennis Andress said: Did you hear that @edd? The lowly circuit breaker just got elevated to Tech 😐 And I'm now an electrical engineer. Incidentally, this was my Facebook profile picture for several years. 3 Link to comment
Hosstage Posted April 21, 2021 Share Posted April 21, 2021 32 minutes ago, Dennis Andress said: That's me! Me too! Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted April 21, 2021 Author Share Posted April 21, 2021 Day 7 I was 19 and in the Air Force attending school in Biloxi, Mississippi when I bought my first motorcycle, a Honda 500 4. Shortly thereafter I rode it to Vicksburg for no other reason then I could. I spent most of the day checking out the Vicksburg Memorial and made the fateful discovery that I enjoyed traveling by motorcycle and would do as much of it as I could. It was nice to be back. The USS Cairo I also saw the Natchez Trace on that trip, but in 1978 it was little more than a paved cow trail. This time it sucked me in and I rode about 300 miles of it. I'll trade Zion National Park for the Trace, if anyone is interested... 5 Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted April 25, 2021 Author Share Posted April 25, 2021 START was a fast four days. I made new friends, forgotten most names, and can only guess at board names. Most importantly I have the new perspective I came for. Thanks for your hospitality and understanding. Lord willing and the creek don't rise I'll be back. 9 Link to comment
Bernie Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 48 minutes ago, Dennis Andress said: START was a fast four days. I made new friends, forgotten most names, and can only guess at board names. Most importantly I have the new perspective I came for. Thanks for your hospitality and understanding. Lord willing and the creek don't rise I'll be back. I hope you will be back, because I would really like to meet you one day! Safe travels and return for one of the next events. 1 Link to comment
wbw6cos Posted April 25, 2021 Share Posted April 25, 2021 The creek by The Creekside Lodge only rose a foot, so we are good. It was great to meet you, Dennis. I hope you enjoy your journey. Safe travels. See you in the Fall. Link to comment
Ron-M Posted April 26, 2021 Share Posted April 26, 2021 Dennis, It was great meeting you and spending some time with you. Thanks again for the dinner and conversation. Ron Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted April 27, 2021 Author Share Posted April 27, 2021 This sure is a beautiful part of the world... ... even when it's wet and cold all day. Monday was a much nicer day. Never underestimate the vale of an old GPS that can't find its way. 7 1 1 Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted April 28, 2021 Author Share Posted April 28, 2021 BMWST is a wonderful place! I'm hanging out at a members house on the Outer Banks for a couple of days. Dawn. The real reason I came east. 8 Link to comment
Brunhilde Posted April 28, 2021 Share Posted April 28, 2021 Glad we got to ride together on BRP and lunch at Pisgah Inn on Thursday, Dennis. If your travels bring you through Nashville, look @David and me up! Jim 1 Link to comment
LBump Posted April 29, 2021 Share Posted April 29, 2021 13 hours ago, Dennis Andress said: BMWST is a wonderful place! I'm hanging out at a members house on the Outer Banks for a couple of days. Dawn. The real reason I came east. Nicely balanced Dawn photograph Dennis. Nice way to start the day! Safe travels. 1 Link to comment
taylor1 Posted May 1, 2021 Share Posted May 1, 2021 Went for a coastal ride a few days ago. Thought I might slow Dennis down by putting him on Linda’s scooter. No ....... it didn’t work 2 2 Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted May 2, 2021 Author Share Posted May 2, 2021 Dave, thanks for sharing the special place you live in with me. The last thing left on my todo list was to visit my nephew in Clarksville, Tn. I spent Friday night in Knoxville so it wasn't that far. Somehow I managed to ride 400 miles of Tennessee and Kentucky backroads, and to arrive late. Bummer. 7 Link to comment
BamaJohn Posted May 2, 2021 Share Posted May 2, 2021 Dennis: I've read your posts in the past, but after meeting you in person at START, I can put a face to your words, which makes reading your posts more special. Ride safe! jb 4 Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted May 4, 2021 Author Share Posted May 4, 2021 Day 21. I spent last night in Wichita intending to follow US 50 through Colorado, and to visit Gunnison again. The first thing I did when the hotel room alarm went off this morning was to check the weather. It was raining in Colorado with temps in the high 30's and low 40's. Which meant snow. I went back to bed with thoughts of staying another night in Wichita. I got up an hour or so later and decided to head southwest, below the storm. It was a good ride, until the thunderstorm caught me. Oh well, tomorrow will be a better day. 4 Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted May 6, 2021 Author Share Posted May 6, 2021 The miles went by and before I knew it I'm home. I'll be back, but with the S1000 XR in a trailer 6 Link to comment
Bernie Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Thank you for joining us at the 2021 START. I am glad to see you arrived home safe and sound. I hope you can make the journey again in the fall or next spring. 2 Link to comment
taylor1 Posted May 6, 2021 Share Posted May 6, 2021 Dennis , Glad you made it home safe and sound. Hopefully our paths will cross again in the future. Link to comment
Chris K Posted May 7, 2021 Share Posted May 7, 2021 Great to see you again Dennis. You had quite the adventure and am glad you made it back safely! 1 Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted May 9, 2021 Author Share Posted May 9, 2021 I put this PR5 tire on two or three weeks before leaving. What vague records I keep claim it has traveled around 7500 miles. the back tire has about 1000 fewer miles. It's fascinating that both tires are still round even though the last three days of travel were straight up freeway riding. I've noticed a bit of obnoxious low speed weaving since installing these tires. I'll try Metzlers next to see if it goes away. The bike now has 22,000 miles on it. Oils, filter, brake fluid, and a valve check are due. 2 Link to comment
Bernie Posted May 9, 2021 Share Posted May 9, 2021 Wow, they look fantastic for that mileage. 1 Link to comment
AZgman Posted May 9, 2021 Share Posted May 9, 2021 Does your bike have a steering damper? If so, it may be time for a replacement or rebuild. 1 Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted May 10, 2021 Author Share Posted May 10, 2021 4 hours ago, AZgman said: Does your bike have a steering damper? If so, it may be time for a replacement or rebuild. It does. The weaving has a really low frequency, like a loose ball joint in the Duolever fork. I made the mistake of getting airborne a couple of months ago, right after I put the new front tire on. The landing wasn't that hard but that's about the time I noticed the weaving. For now, I'm blaming the tire... Link to comment
Lone_RT_rider Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 You've gotten 7500 miles from THOSE tires? Man.... The last time I crossed the USA on the RT I struggled to make it home on a set I started fresh with at 5600 miles. They were PR4's. I haven't gotten over 6500 miles from a rear tire since 2003. Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted May 13, 2021 Author Share Posted May 13, 2021 5 hours ago, Lone_RT_rider said: You've gotten 7500 miles from THOSE tires? Man.... The last time I crossed the USA on the RT I struggled to make it home on a set I started fresh with at 5600 miles. They were PR4's. I haven't gotten over 6500 miles from a rear tire since 2003. My receipt for the front says 14,500 miles, the bike now has 22,033. So the front has around 7500, the back around 1,000 less. The K13Ss I've known have all worn the front tire evenly, unlike other BMWs I've owned which wore the left side first. It's like BMW did a better than average (for them) job of aligning the drivetrain. But, maybe the PR5 are just that good. Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted July 25, 2021 Author Share Posted July 25, 2021 Packed chain lube, check. Stands up. 3 Link to comment
wbw6cos Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 Looking good Dennis! Have fun and ride safe. Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted July 25, 2021 Author Share Posted July 25, 2021 I think the bags stick out too far. 90 mph into a head wind this morning and the throttle was pretty close to WOT. The bike said it was getting 33 mpg. 😒 1 Link to comment
BamaJohn Posted July 27, 2021 Share Posted July 27, 2021 I know of some bicyclists who shaved the hair on their legs in order to reduce drag. Ride safe and keep grinning Dennis...it makes others wonder what you know that they don't (know)..... 1 Link to comment
Dennis Andress Posted July 27, 2021 Author Share Posted July 27, 2021 California Dreamin! 4 Link to comment
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