Sunday, September 16, 2012

A decent run at last.

Saturday I had arranged to meet a guy I know from the Vespa Club of Melbourne, he has a property in a small town of Birregurra, which is about 20 odd kms away on the Geelong side of Colac. With a full tank I set out quite a bit earlier than I needed too as I was taking the back way to avoid the highway, it's a bit longer but is a brilliant ride, rolling lush grazing country, dairy cows and sheep, rustic farmhouses and tree lined roads with little traffic, just superb. The weather was a bit overcast and cool, perfect really. The SPV went well, did not miss a beat, pulled OK up some of the bigger hills and cruised along the flats, I had to dodge a racing echidna that bolted out across the road only to stop to marvel in the noisy green machine as I rumbled past. I pulled in to Birre at the arranged meeting point and waited. Leaning against the seat waiting in another world in my head, a guy walked up to the door on the building next to me and he says with a smirk.
Your not part of one of those outlaw bikie gangs are you?
I put on my snarly face and looked him in the eye. Yes
Well I better get out of here then.
That would be the best idea.
We had a chuckle and he disappeared inside.
My friend arrived, we had a coffee and a chat and I headed home, on the way I was passed by a ute with three young blokes in it, I could see them all laughing and giving me the thumbs up, waving beer bottles about, I waved and they disappeared into the distance, just out of town they were pulled up on the side of the road, looked like they were getting fresh stubbies out of the esky in the back and taking a leak, I got the same reception as I zoomed past. I eventually pulled into the driveway at home and propped outside the workshop, cracked a beer and sat down, it was a good way to end the afternoon, ended up being about an 85km trip all up, with speeds up to 100 indicated at times and a cruising speed of about 75-80 real speed for the bulk.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Fuel consumption 2

OK it took me a little longer to use the tank of 98 premium than I thought, the riding conditions were pretty much the same as the last tank and the results aren't really that surprising.
I rode 119.1 kms and used approx. 4.5 litres, there was still an inch or so in the bottom of the tank but I didn't want to push it up the hill home because my box of beer would have gotten warm.....
26.46km p/l slightly better than the 95 octane but not enough to warrant the price difference. I will keep a record of future tanks just out of interest and to see how the consumption goes as the DR kit gets more kms on it.
Speedo reads 5532km- 1112 on the new kit.
I'm looking at giving the old girl an overhaul at 6000kms, change the gear oil, a really good clean, a nut check, the usual stuff, I have just the slightest amount of oil collecting at the lowest point of the case, almost certainly the drain plug, thing is it is still clear and clean, surely the gear oil has gone that grey murky colour after this long in the gearbox? anyway the level is still good and it doesn't leave drips on the floor, just keep an eye on it.
The thing I hope to sort as well is the horn, it has been disconnected since I did the wiring almost a year ago now, I hooked it up back then and it honked constantly when I kicked it over and then it stopped, I taped the wires up and left it since I had had enough wasting riding time sitting in my shed looking at the bloody thing, now she's all good I will revisit it, that and I'm kind of missing getting my hands dirty.
Sun's starting to shine a bit more these days, see ya later winter, don't rush back.