Random rides

[shaggs147]

If the trip mileage etc was reset, then the sidestand switch is not a likely culprit.  I'd check both sides of the battery connections and the earth to the frame

Yep i agree.
I had a vfr that started behaving like a bucking bronco when i was out on a ride, and the gauges were going crazy too. Got it home, charged the battery as it was flat. Next day i checked the battery and output from the rectifier, couldn't find anything wrong. Left it to get hot and then the voltage dropped off the cliff. The rectifer was faulty but only when everything was hot. The bike would then run off the battery until it flattened it completely. That might also be worth checking.

Sent from my SM-G973F using Tapatalk

[mcfroyce44]

Is the battery is fairly old and the bike has been laid up you could have a bad plate in it. Ignition on, lights and indicators on and see what the battery is doing. Will it start the bike? If the battery tops are removable is it bubbling?
If battery is OK, then rectifier /regulator as mentioned above would be next suspect.

[Rynglieder]

Thanks guys, that's something to look at over the next couple of days.

The original battery that came with the bike lasted an incredible 14 years which means the one that is in there now is only 3 years old - so I'm hoping for at least another 10 out of it though 

It's in the garage on a trickle charger at the moment which perhaps might not have been a good idea if investigations are needed.

[O.C.]

If the trip mileage etc was reset, then the sidestand switch is not a likely culprit.  I'd check both sides of the battery connections and the earth to the frame

Sorry I don't understand the relationship between the side stand switch and trip meter           .... some edification needed on my part please      

[Burchy]

That's exactly what I was saying.  Side stand switch working or not is irrelevent to a complete power loss

[O.C.]

That's exactly what I was saying.  Side stand switch working or not is irrelevent to a complete power loss

Okay,  but doesn't the side stand switch perform a safety function by cutting power ? 

[mcfroyce44]

I think the sidestand switch cuts the engine but leaves the ignition on so the trip wouldn't reset. Any lights, indicators etc on at the time would still be on. Same result as the right handlebar kill switch.

Since the trip had reset (and I believe he said the clock went back to 12:00) , that would indicate total power failure.

[O.C.]

I think the sidestand switch cuts the engine but leaves the ignition on so the trip wouldn't reset. Any lights, indicators etc on at the time would still be on. Same result as the right handlebar kill switch.

Since the trip had reset (and I believe he said the clock went back to 12:00) , that would indicate total power failure.

Thanks Stevie, .....  I reckon if you don't ask you don't know.... I get it now

BTW we seem to have wondered off topic somewhat .... at least I'm a little wiser, which is probably an improvement        

[Rynglieder]

Sorry, I should have cleared up the side stand query before - if you are unwise enough to put the GSX into gear with the side stand down the engine will cut, the FI warning light illuminates and the word "check" appears in the LCD display.

As I was was getting nothing or intermittently nothing on the clocks I think it will be a general power loss. The battery will be fished out today or tomorrow and droppped round to my sister who works at the dealers for a quick battery test. The Reg / Rec suggestion is then perhaps the next step, it looks as if I can get hod of a pattern one for the sort of money I would pay for an hours workshop labour so it might be worth having a go a swapping it out myself.

Something else has just struck me, I am going to check that there is no electrical interlock between the seat catch / lock and the rest of the electrical system, the problems only arose after I had removed the seat to lock my helmet onto the lug below. I don't think there is on this bike (there is on the Z1300) but I should check for the obvious!

Thanks for engaging with this.

Pete.

[Rynglieder]

Tuesday 02/06/2020 Longtown Castle, Herefordshire (c.137 miles)

The next open (and free!) destination I turned up on the English Heritage website was Longtown Castle in Herefordshire. Dangerously close to the Welsh border, but most of the route down to Hereford was well known to me and was something of a favourite. Another warm sunny day was on the cards so it made sense to take advantage on my continuing Furlough.

The GTR was due a turn out and took me though Stourport, Bromyard and beyond to Hereford. I'd intended to drop into the city centre for a walk round the cathedral but the one way system had changed since I used to go regularly and I found myself quickly dumped back where I started. I decided to write it off for now as I didn't fancy the congestion for a second time. Considering the country is still in lock-down there seemed to be a lot of people going somewhere. Indeed, the queue for the McDonalds drive-thru was something to behold with staff trying to marshal the traffic on the A465.

Continuing in the direction of Abergavenny I left the A465 at Pontrilas where the village shop turned out a coffee for me whilst I had a break from the bike. At this point I turned west toward the Welsh border riding through what was for me virgin territory. The roads were now distinctly rural and called for some more cautious riding as many were more or less single track and the GTR was competing for space with agricultural machinery.

Upon reaching Longtown the bike was pulled up at the roadside at the castle entrance, the adjacent green provided a picnic table for a quick smoke and the cold drink I had been carrying with me before I started to explore the castle ruins.

There is not too much to see at Longtown Castle, but nevertheless it had provided me with a destination to aim for and a very remote and quiet spot to relax and get some use out of the camera. The view from the keep emphasised the castle's position at the side of the Black Mountains. There are a couple of similar border castles nearby but on the Welsh side and I'm looking forward to taking these in at some future date when we can all move more freely.

The return trip took me back the way I came to Hereford, but from there I varied the route to take me back through Leominster, around Ludlow and back home via Bridgnorth.
It had been a perfect day out on the bike, I had come pretty close to places starting with two "L"s, but I think I got away with it.

[O.C.]

Excellent, thanks for sharing    

[Rusty]

Indeed ... nicely done. Good little route there 

[Rynglieder]

Monday 15/06/2020 Sharpness & Purton Ships Graveyard (c.145 miles)

The previous week had been a bit hit and miss with regard to the weather so the bikes had been left alone whilst I dealt with drudgery such as swapping out some failed double glazing units and other jobs around home.

I still did not seem to be wanted in my day-job and the sun was shining so it was time to pull the little hooligan bike out for yet another furlough day ride. I knew right from the start it was going to be the wrong bike for the job but I couldn't resist it. The Z1000 is always great fun for a short blast and although I am not a "quick" rider there is something about the little Zed that wants nothing in its way that is not doing at least every one of the legal MPH for the road and just pulls you into overtakes.

In more liberal times I have ridden the GSX and GTR down to my holiday chalet in Devon via the A38 and often wondered what lies to the sides of the route, so I decided to have a look at the Severn south of Gloucester.

I picked the A38 up at Worcester as I usually do and followed it down through Tewksbury where the high street shops were opening for the first time since lock-down. All of the high street parking bays had been closed off by plastic baulks to increase the pavement width where shoppers were queuing, but I was quite content to leave them to it and pass through.

From Tewksbury I continued south at which point I had a bit of a scare; I was pulling off from traffic lights behind three or four cars as the raod was opening up to a dual carriageway. As I accelerated for the overtake I was looking down the road and to the right and I was too late to see the car in front of me jig round something in the road which I then hit full on. Even now I not sure what it was other than it was black, about the size of a brick and bloody hard. It lifted the bike into the air for a moment but thankfully I managed to hold on and keep the front and back end of the bike pointing in the same direction.  Happily soon after I chanced upon a burger van that provided a polystyrene cup full of tea and achance to check over the bike. Continuing, I rounded the Gloucester bypass and eventually I left the A38 at Berkeley Heath for Berkeley and Sharpness, which up until then were no more than names I had seen on signs.

I found my way to the picnic area at Sharpness where I parked up the Zed for half an hour while I took some photos around the point where the Gloucester & Sharpness canal links with the Severn.

From Sharpness I navigated some fairly minor roads up to the tiny village of Purton, a little further upstream. There is no sat-nav set up on the Z1000 so it was back to the old days of memorising the route and looking out for sign posts.

Having locked up the bike on the village car park I started to walk along the banks of the canal back in the direction of Sharpness and as I expected after about 10 minutes came to the Purton Hulks. I was aware of them from seeing them on a map, but was unaware of their history or circumstances but there were various information signs along the mile or so of the bank of the Severn where they were resting and I got to learn that they had been intentionally beached along the section of the river as an aid to preventing tidal erosion of the river bank that could lead to breaching the canal that was running parallel and above. I now also knew what a "concrete lighter" and a "FCB" were. Life is wonderful – nearly 58 and still learning. A few souvenir photos were taken before walking back to the bike for the return journey.

The thing about the Z1000 is that it takes twice as long to get home than do the outward journey. After 80 miles my backside has had enough of it and I seem to need relief from it every half an hour on the way home. First stop was at Gloucester for a service station coffee, then again at Tewkesbury around the back of the abbey and two further random lay-bys were needed before I made it home. I should really look into seeing if there is a gel seat available for this bike, or perhaps more sensibly I should pick out one of the bigger bore machines when I know I am going to be out for any length of time.

Still, a really good day out though and so much better than working for a living.

Map
1425 Sharpness picnic area
1427 Sharpness canal entrance
1439 Purton hulks
1454 Purton swing bridge opening
1455 Z1000 Tewksbury Abbey

[Rusty]

That is a nice little bit of diary .... so good to get out where and when you can .. lovely part of the world too. I chuckled when you said you locked the bike up in the village car park ... doesn,t matter where you are or where you go I would HAVE to lock the bike up too.. just couldn,t leave it .. 

[O.C.]

another great report