Almost made it

[Duccrazydave]

Decide to show the Duc some love this Saturday. Headed up 52N to my favorite loop. Everything perfect - moderate temps, moderate traffic and beautiful skies. Just getting ready to hit the serious curvy bits and started to feel some extra movement in my trusty steed. Considering the nature of the roads (tight, narrow with little or no shoulder) I made a U-turn at the first available intersection. My goal, make it back to a safe spot to pull over and inspect the situation.
I did make it to an area, but not before what had lodged itself in my, now evident, low rear tire escaped its rubbery prison, along with the remaining air. Crap.
Unfortunately I didn’t have a flat repair kit with me. It was resting comfortably in my RS pannier. I could almost hear the Beemer in the background “That’ll teach you to run around with that Italian mistress”
Fortunately I had cell phone service. Called my wife and requested the tire repair “kit” from the house. Took her about 50 minutes to show up, which gave me time to actually soak up and appreciate my surroundings. That’s Hanging Rock state park in the background.
All’s well that ends well. 20 minutes after my wife showed up, plugged the tire, aired up and I was on the road again...towards home.




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[36654]

How much did they want for the El Camino?

[Grumpy Goat]

Very nice story and pictures Dave.

[darrell]

I’d imagine the bouquet of flowers was a little larger this time after interrupting the brides relaxing Sunday afternoon.

Your event reinforces I really need to always have my tire repair stuff with me when I use the 2nd bike.

[Grumpy Goat]

Your event reinforces I really need to always have my tire repair stuff with me when I use the 2nd bike.

One of the first things I bought for my S1000R is a tire plugger kit - Not Stop N Go this time, but the ropes you use as well as a Leatherman-type multi tool. Since the bike has no room for a pump, I have the CO2 canisters. All fit under the rear seat.

Yesterday I went for a ride on the S1000R in what was the coolest weather yet - probably low 60s. What a beautiful ride that was. Up to now all I knew was heat especially when stopped. Of course the cooler weather meant that on a super-naked bike my torso was also cool. All my mesh panels on my 3-season Olympia jacket are now closed for the season. Too early for liners though.

Trees here are not changing yet (not that they do change much here in SE Texas) and I may have to go for a ride into Hill Country to see some of that.

[Lee]

You picked a nice place stop and you had that El Camino to check out.
Weather looks good. Since we returned from Arkansas last week the highs have been in the low 40s and lows around freezing. 23 right now with 3 inches of snow overnight.

[Lee]

One of the first things I bought for my S1000R is a tire plugger kit - Not Stop N Go this time, but the ropes you use as well as a Leatherman-type multi tool. Since the bike has no room for a pump, I have the CO2 canisters. All fit under the rear seat.

I have a small tankbag with tire repair kit and pump for day rides. If I need to take Deb's bike out the tank bag fits on her bike.
Make sure you have enough cartridges if you have the small ones. Three will not fully inflate a flat tire and don't forget you may waste one or two looking for the hole.
Ray uses the large size cartridges.




   

[Lee]

The best place to have a flat is in the motel parking lot where you have friends with multiple pumps and repair kits.
They pumped air for a long time before finding a 2nd puncture.
This was last week in Jasper Arkansas.
   

[Duckbubbles]

I miss my 900SS, at the top of all time favorite rides list- 'til she done me wrong!

Frank

[Duccrazydave]

Ah, the ElCamino. Probably another example of sentimental attachment - “It’s not for sale. It belonged to my...”.
Or some insane price - “I know what I got”, lol.
As for my better half, she shows up in her ‘11 CRV and starts cheerfully describing her skill and speed through the twisty bits as she drove to my rescue :-)
Love my SS. 55k miles, 28 years, 1 flat that actually left me stranded. Not a bad run. Think it’s time for a tank bag with the appropriate emergency supplies mentioned in this post. Thanks for all of the suggestions!


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[Duccrazydave]

Duckbubbles, I’ve had a few issues along the way, lol. These shots are during a complete refresh, in 2010, after discovering the dreaded crank galley plug sneaking its way out.




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[Olgry1]

Glad you "made it" all the way back home with a little TLC on the tire.

I like the pics of the Ducati and all the parts. Kudos to your mechanical skills.

[Duccrazydave]

Thanks John. I think I’m just a glutton for punishment, lol


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[Duckbubbles]

Duccrazydave-
I had my troubles, too. Frame cracked at the steering head (warranty- made a deal with the dealer where I did the changeout in exchange for a custom leather jacket), sixth gear needle bearing came apart, broken head studs, carburetor troubles for thousands of miles until I put a set of Keihin flat slides on (best overall mod I did) and a broken cam belt. The final straw was nicked fork sliders that I didn't figure out until I had already replaced the seals. Took it all apart and had the sliders ground down and re-chromed. Six months later it started leaking again and I sold it. Many people would say it was a lemon but I really enjoyed working on it and especially riding it until the last bit (did all my own maintenance). Anyone else would have said goodbye to it years sooner.

That's one pretty Duck you've got there!

Frank

[Duccrazydave]

Hah! When your in that deep, it’s a labor of love, or dogged determination, or just insanity, lol. Early in the game I had the usual warranty issues: clutch, clutch again, valve guides. Kehins have been on my list for a while. While I had it apart I had a choice (financially) to go with front/rear suspension mods or the carbs. The suspension mods worked wonders on the track, but I’ve heard way too many good things about the Kehins.


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[Duckbubbles]

Duccrazydave-
I traced my carb problems with the Mikuni's to the jet needles being machined like little rat-tail files and they wore the needle jet orifices into a egg shape. They were from a "Factory" carb kit if memory serves. By that time I had had it with the Mikuni's and sprang for the Keihin's. Immediately I was getting 7-8 more mpg and I think I just had one main jet change to get them dialed in better than the Mikuni's ever were. The down side of the Keihin's is that they have no choke but they have accelerator pumps so in colder situations it can be hard to start. Add the aluminum flywheel I had installed and I had to "catch" about 3000 rpm at start to keep it running at first start. Bet the neighbors loved me.

I changed the rear shock to an Ohlins pretty soon and did spring and valving changes to the front later on. I do remember that working on the upside down forks was a real PITA! Even with dedicated tools.

Love, dogged determination and insanity pretty well sums it up!

Frank

[TriangleRider]

Hah! When your in that deep, it’s a labor of love, or dogged determination, or just insanity, lol. Early in the game I had the usual warranty issues: clutch, clutch again, valve guides. Kehins have been on my list for a while. While I had it apart I had a choice (financially) to go with front/rear suspension mods or the carbs. The suspension mods worked wonders on the track, but I’ve heard way too many good things about the Kehins.


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I can confirm that the flatside carbs were an amazing improvement to my '96SS/SP. Despite the continual frustrations in our relationship, she is the only bike I regret selling.

[Duckbubbles]

Hah! When your in that deep, it’s a labor of love, or dogged determination, or just insanity, lol. Early in the game I had the usual warranty issues: clutch, clutch again, valve guides. Kehins have been on my list for a while. While I had it apart I had a choice (financially) to go with front/rear suspension mods or the carbs. The suspension mods worked wonders on the track, but I’ve heard way too many good things about the Kehins.


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I can confirm that the flatside carbs were an amazing improvement to my '96SS/SP. Despite the continual frustrations in our relationship, she is the only bike I regret selling.

Amazes me that there can be many things "wrong" with a bike and a person will put up with that just for the sheer pleasure of riding it!

My mods to my RS include a Mudsling, Avant Guard, Denali aux lights, seat and GPS mount- Done. The list of mods I made to the Ducati is embarrassingly long.

Frank