Not much left to do except pack. Today I went through the first seven days of the trip to verify the end points were correct. Nothing is worse than not being able to find the motel at the end of the day. Generally its not a big deal but still, its a deal. I did this using the GPS since it is the tool we will use to find our way day to day.
This is a new GPS so, its a little different the old one and has its own quirks. Time will tell if it is better or worse. The only big change is that this one has an option for weather radar so you can see the rain from a distance and along your route.
I checked the extended weather forecast today. Its predicting rain the first of next week. But its still nine days out, so it subject to change.
I have not stated packing yet, except for essentials. Essentials include tire gauge, tire repair kit, volt ohm meter, multi-tool, Canadian insurance papers, and passport.
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Monday, May 26, 2014
D-13
As of 6PM today, the bike is 99.9% ready. Here is a list of things that had to be done and why.
I did not ride the bike as much in the winter this year as previous years so, a mouse built a nice home in the V-4 engine just below the air cleaner in the air intake area. This is common for STs that are left alone in the winter without protection.
Protection could consist of a cat, which I am not fond of since they do wander around, or mouse traps. I now have the later in the enclosed garage where I keep the bike.
The mice build nests in an area where the wires that control the fuel injectors pass through. Environmental changes in recent years have changed such that the wire coverings are now "edible" or at least tasty for mice. So they chew the wires.
You can replace the wire harness but it does require you remove the take, the air filter housing and the air intake manifolds. While I could have done it myself, I elected to let Carolina Honda do it.
They did an adequate job. Instead of replacing the harness they elected to solder and heat shrink the connections. I don't mind that but would have preferred new harness.
Once that was done and I got the bike back home, I began the install of the new GPS. I got a Zumo 665 to replace the Zumo 550. Of course the mounts are different, it would be too much to ask to maintain a common mount. Not only are they different but the wiring requirements are different. So much so that the XM antenna that is used with the 665 had to be mounted at the rear of the bike instead of the front up high. Only time will tell if that location is ok and not
When I started to check out all the electronics, I noted that the CB radio was not working. The wiring for the CB is somewhat different since it is designed to be a standalone system but is now paired with a Autocom bike intercom system.
I was ready to begin taking off the plastic on the left side of the bike to see if I could find the problem but started trying to locate the power connection for the device. I found it, traced it forward (after having to raise the gas tank) and found the problem. When Carolina Honda pulled the tank and the air filter housing, they pulled on this wiring for the CB enough to part the connector which is located inside a abrasion resistant tubing.
Now that that was fixed, I check out all the electronics, radio, GPS, radar detector, intercom and Bluetooth to cell phone connection. Everything worked as it should.
Oh, I forgot one more thing, I rebuilt the microphone on my helmet. Autocom has some really excellent equipment and their noise cancelling mike is very good. The only problem is that when it gets wet it does not work well. You can rebuild the mike by replacing the foam around the microphone element. I did that and it works well.
Finally I readjusted the driving lights. The only think left to do is to drill a small hole in the light house for the set screw that keeps the light from moving.
Later I will post an outline of the route.
I did not ride the bike as much in the winter this year as previous years so, a mouse built a nice home in the V-4 engine just below the air cleaner in the air intake area. This is common for STs that are left alone in the winter without protection.
Protection could consist of a cat, which I am not fond of since they do wander around, or mouse traps. I now have the later in the enclosed garage where I keep the bike.
The mice build nests in an area where the wires that control the fuel injectors pass through. Environmental changes in recent years have changed such that the wire coverings are now "edible" or at least tasty for mice. So they chew the wires.
You can replace the wire harness but it does require you remove the take, the air filter housing and the air intake manifolds. While I could have done it myself, I elected to let Carolina Honda do it.
They did an adequate job. Instead of replacing the harness they elected to solder and heat shrink the connections. I don't mind that but would have preferred new harness.
Once that was done and I got the bike back home, I began the install of the new GPS. I got a Zumo 665 to replace the Zumo 550. Of course the mounts are different, it would be too much to ask to maintain a common mount. Not only are they different but the wiring requirements are different. So much so that the XM antenna that is used with the 665 had to be mounted at the rear of the bike instead of the front up high. Only time will tell if that location is ok and not
When I started to check out all the electronics, I noted that the CB radio was not working. The wiring for the CB is somewhat different since it is designed to be a standalone system but is now paired with a Autocom bike intercom system.
I was ready to begin taking off the plastic on the left side of the bike to see if I could find the problem but started trying to locate the power connection for the device. I found it, traced it forward (after having to raise the gas tank) and found the problem. When Carolina Honda pulled the tank and the air filter housing, they pulled on this wiring for the CB enough to part the connector which is located inside a abrasion resistant tubing.
Now that that was fixed, I check out all the electronics, radio, GPS, radar detector, intercom and Bluetooth to cell phone connection. Everything worked as it should.
Oh, I forgot one more thing, I rebuilt the microphone on my helmet. Autocom has some really excellent equipment and their noise cancelling mike is very good. The only problem is that when it gets wet it does not work well. You can rebuild the mike by replacing the foam around the microphone element. I did that and it works well.
Finally I readjusted the driving lights. The only think left to do is to drill a small hole in the light house for the set screw that keeps the light from moving.
Later I will post an outline of the route.
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