Touring Europe :)

[Debs]

I wanted to go ride around today, up some mountains and breathe in the nice fresh air. Unfortunately  I am trying to sort out my lights.

A few months back the same thing happened. The headlights didn't come on, the indicators stayed lit slightly and the side lights flash at the same time as the indicators. Bournemouth Kawasaki said they fixed the problem. They said it was my accessories causing the bad earths.

The problem had gone for about 2 months, then on the way from Salzburg to here the problem returned. I have disconnected all the accessories and the problem is still exists... 

I have been down to the nearest Kawasaki dealer but they are too busy and can't help. Tomorrow I will have to go in to Villach to the big main dealer and see if they can get them sorted..

So much for enjoying the countryside   

[Kwikasfuki]

Did they say which accessories it was?

[Debs]

No Asif they didn't..

Ok things have been happening today...

After breakfast myself, John the owner and Wilf the barman tried to sort them out. As I said before the local dealer were useless.

John decided he wasn't going to be beaten. He used to own a car garage but sold it over 5 years ago near Redditch, Worcs. Here was a man that knew far more than I would ever know about electrics. To cut a long story short, he has put an extra wire from the earth on the dipped headlights to the main frame. This has now given me lights and indicators, but if I switch to main beam it will blow the fuse.

John working his magic



Wilf not happy John kept burning him with the soldering iron.. hahaa



Ummmmmm..



And here is the place.. Its a lovely area, and the hosts [John & Ros] couldn't be any nicer. I will certainly be coming back



I'm going to keep the lights as they are until I get back home when BK can sort them while baby is in for a service

[O.C.]

It may a temporary fix Debs, but at least it means you can continue to enjoy your tour, and we can continue to enjoy your reports 

[Bryn]

Debs... Say Hi to John and Ros from us please   

PS.. you're not a million miles away from the Eagles Nest.... worth a visit on the way back perhaps   

[Debs]

Debs... Say Hi to John and Ros from us please   

What's your names and when did you come?

[Bryn]

What's your names and when did you come?

Bryn   

Lyn

They'll know us   

PS just looked, Eagles nest 90 miles from Spittal

[Rusty]

Eagles Nest ? If I,m ever over that way it will be a must ! 

Sounds like all is well Debs despite your lighting problems ! keep up the reporting !

[tommytool]

Take heart Debs, there's a lot of support and interest in your trip. No journeys all plain sailing. My throttle bodies went out of balance in the Pyrenees on my solo trip to morocco on tigger but I got it sorted as you will your lecky issue.

Keep posting.

[shaggs147]

+1 for the Eagles Nest. I went there when I flew over for a long weekend (on the beer mainly) to Munich. Very atmospheric and the tunnel you walk through on the way to it is very eerie. Lots of bikes around the area so I assume there must be some great biking roads there.
Sorry to hear about the bike Debs. If all your accessories are turned off then it won't be those that's causing your problems. I think John is on the right track, as whatever is on (ie your headlights) is "searching" for a good earth if its own earth is bad - thats why indicators and the like illuminate slightly as the headlights are trying to get an earth through them. When you get a chance, check the wiring to your dipped and main beams. It sounds as if you either have a poor connection somewhere to them, or possibly a damaged loom if your main beam is blowing fuses.
.....But sod worrying about that for now, just have fun on your trip as it sounds as if John has done a fine job getting you going.
Might be worth adding his hotel as a recommended place to stay on a sticky along with any other places anyone wishes to add???

[pistole]

or possibly a damaged loom if your main beam is blowing fuses

- agree. Check loom for damage.

- great to find people to help you on the road , so to speak. Chivalry is not dead !!

- good riding to be had there, ride safe.

.

[Debs]

My final night at the hotel so wanted to do something today.. It rained all night and was still raining this morning. After consulting the weather forecast it said it would be dry in the west and sun moving this way. I decided to shoot off to Grossglockner.




This guy made me nearly  myself as he was over the white line 



And as a result I side swiped the crash railings on my right. Luckily I wasn't going that fast and I just nudged it and bounced off.



On the way up the mountain I came to the toll booths.. 23€ 



The first of 2 tunnels on the way up



I then reached the first big parking area with a restaurant.



I could see the road carried on further up, and a few bikers were ahead of me. Not being one to give up I went for it.

At the top




Baby admiring the view 




I couldn't see much because of the low cloud and it was  cold. Only +3c.
I stayed there for about an hour and had a Wienerschnitzel mit Pommes and 2 cups of coffee to warm up. 
It was now time to start heading back down, but I wanted to get some pics on the way. I saw a view I really wanted to capture. I pulled over and stopped.. baby said F*** You and laid down.. I think she was trying to tell me something..  I tried to lift her but not a chance. Not even 1mm off the ground.



I took the pic I wanted, then waved someone down to help me get baby back up.



This lovely Swiss guy stopped and came to my rescue. 



Thats it for now.. Tomorrow I will be heading off to Hungary for a week of relaxation. 

[O.C.]

Debs....take it easy....blimey Armco crunching and Baby sleeping, you can't say this trip isn't eventful

That really demonstrates the benefits of the cages   

great report and pics, keep 'em coming, and FFS take care and enjoy your well earned rest   

[Lonewolf]

Debs, great report, how come the beast fell over?

[Debs]

Debs, great report, how come the beast fell over?

The ground sloped more to the right than I realised. Once she was going over I couldn't stop her, but she didn't crash down. I was trying to hold her up but she got the better of me.