BMW Luxury Touring Community - North meets South

clayton

Feb 3rd, 2008, 5:08 pm

sanjaun2

Feb 4th, 2008, 12:32 am

Clayton,
Where have you been hidin? I am in the middle of my winter farklization project but I should be able to make it. I'll keep an eye out on this forum.

clayton

Feb 5th, 2008, 11:08 am

Well let's see, I took some long trips and changed jobs last year and next thing know you haven't seen any riding friends.

So far its looking like no south boys are talking . Come on guys!

sanjaun2

Feb 5th, 2008, 12:55 pm

They will chime in as the weekend nears and the weather forcast allows for a ride.

AlaskaFish

Feb 5th, 2008, 2:36 pm

Just waitin till it gets a little closer to that time, Like Brian said! Sounds like a great idea though, wx permitting.

Good to hear that you are still alive & kicking!

John

artk50

Feb 5th, 2008, 5:52 pm

I'll be without a ride for the next 2 weekends. But I'll console myself with a few beers on the beach on Oahu. You guys have a great time.

Forecast for Honolulu, Hawaii:

3 Day View (http://www.destination360.com/weather/hw3.php?config=&forecast=zandh&place=honolulu&state=hi&zipcode=96801&country=us&maxdays=6&daysonly=0) TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

http://www.destination360.com/weather/images/fcicons/mcloudyr.gifhttp://www.destination360.com/weather/images/fcicons/mcloudyr.gifhttp://www.destination360.com/weather/images/fcicons/showers.gifhttp://www.destination360.com/weather/images/fcicons/mcloudyr.gifhttp://www.destination360.com/weather/images/fcicons/pcloudyr.gifChance
Of
Showers

Chance
Of
Showers

Showers

Chance
Of
Showers

Isolated
Showers

Hi: 75°F
Lo: 65°F

Hi: 76°F
Lo: 64°F

Hi: 76°F
Lo: 64°F

Hi: 76°F
Lo: 64°F

Hi: 76°F
Lo: 64°F

sanjaun2

Feb 5th, 2008, 10:04 pm

artk50

Feb 6th, 2008, 4:11 pm

I should know better than to taunt people with things like going to Hawaii in February. I know have Dr. appoint today since I have decided to get sick. Sore throat, cough, tight chest, etc. You’d think I would have learned to keep my mouth shut.

Well I profusely apologize for the taunt. Please forgive meL

sanjaun2

Feb 6th, 2008, 4:18 pm

Art,
I hope you feel better. I bet its just your lungs starting to dry out. Jump in a tub of ice water and your body will think your back home. Lie out in the sun and have a cold one for me.

artk50

Feb 6th, 2008, 5:41 pm

But I'm still here. I don't leave until Friday. Maybe the change in weather will do the trick.

avonfloater

Feb 6th, 2008, 6:19 pm

Well, Art - it's close to 70 today in Newport Beach. Bright sun and no clouds in sight. I'm getting the rain coat out tomorrow for the trip home though.

Have a great trip.

Denny

AlaskaFish

Feb 6th, 2008, 9:28 pm

Hey Denny, cruise up the coast on your way home and find some nice place for our RTE Sunday! Or would Saturday be better gang? Watching the wx and hoping to join the group wherever we go.

Hey Art, pop some cold caps & get some rest before you hop on the jet for the flight accross the big pond buddy. We hope the fresh warm air out there will clear your head up for ya.

John
Well, Art - it's close to 70 today in Newport Beach. Bright sun and no clouds in sight. I'm getting the rain coat out tomorrow for the trip home though.

Have a great trip.

Denny

reelman

Feb 6th, 2008, 10:07 pm

Watching the wx and hoping to join the group wherever we go.I'm keeping my eye on the weather reports as well. :D Dan

ErnieA

Feb 7th, 2008, 12:07 am

Or would Saturday be better gang? Watching the wx and hoping to join the group wherever we go.
John

Sat would probably work for us since I work Sunday's. :( It would be good to see you all. :)

AlaskaFish

Feb 7th, 2008, 12:40 am

Right now it is looking like the Wx down here at least may be better Saturday than Sunday gang, so Ernie's suggestion may hold some merit! What say the rest of you folks?

John
Sat would probably work for us since I work Sunday's. :( It would be good to see you all. :)

amarider

Feb 7th, 2008, 10:10 am

Just travel a little farther South, It's nice down here:p:D

clayton

Feb 7th, 2008, 11:16 am

I'm working on Saturday.

AlaskaFish

Feb 7th, 2008, 9:26 pm

All right Clayton, you and Ernie need to talk! One works Sat, the other works Sun. How the H--- are we ever gonna see you both at the same time?

I'm flexible right now, depending on Mother Nature!

And for John, I'd love to come South and warm up a little, but we got this thing called work, and a little hill with a Siskiyou Pass on it!

John
I'm working on Saturday.

ErnieA

Feb 7th, 2008, 11:52 pm

All right Clayton, you and Ernie need to talk!
John

I'll bow out so you all can get together. Pauline and I will get out for a few hours on Saturday if the weather cooperates. Sorry to muddle things up with my work schedule guys. :o

clayton

Feb 8th, 2008, 1:09 am

AlaskaFish

Feb 8th, 2008, 1:20 am

Ok here we go, Lets make the ride for Saturday and for all interested meet at the mall in Kelso . I think the name is Three Rivers ? at 10:00 am .

Ernie,Pauline,John hope yall can make it. Brian and I will ride down together
and meet up with all going . The planned route is to head down to Cannon Beach for lunch and if time maybe a little beach combing afterwards.

If any one needs to reach me fill free to call 425-269-7644.
Count me in Clayton! You guys do know that they serve that great clam chowder down here on the Southern side of the Columbia too, right? In fact we might even find another "hostess with the mostest" down here as well! Like at this place:
http://www.cannon-beach.net/doogers/

John

sanjaun2

Feb 8th, 2008, 11:18 am

Count me in Clayton! You guys do know that they serve that great clam chowder down here on the Southern side of the Columbia too, right? In fact we might even find another "hostess with the mostest" down here as well! Like at this place:
http://www.cannon-beach.net/doogers/

John
John,
I do not know what restaurant Clayton has in mind. I guess we better figure it out so everyone going their own route knows where to meet. Who plans on meeting us at the mall? I bet most of you guys south of Portland will just jump on 26 or another favorite route. I of course have no problem with the Cannon beach Doogers!

clayton

Feb 8th, 2008, 2:29 pm

Sounds like doogers is a good place.,lets all go there.

clayton

Feb 8th, 2008, 2:34 pm

I just called and a reservation for Saturday 12:15 at Doogers at Cannon Beach.

bflemingor

Feb 8th, 2008, 10:49 pm

Great place to eat - but the FAA guessers are saying WIND & wet... sounds like cage wx to me...

sanjaun2

Feb 8th, 2008, 11:45 pm

AlaskaFish

Feb 9th, 2008, 12:16 am

It all depends on how soon I manage to get started I guess! If I get out the door early enough I may just cruise up there to Kelso. If I am draggin even a little though you will probably see me at the beach!

Looking forward to seeing all you "Northerners" again!

John

ErnieA

Feb 9th, 2008, 1:18 am

Clayton will be by my place for a Hatch NM green chili burrito at 7:30am. Then we are off. We should be at the mall by 9:30am. If you plan on meeting us at the mall post here tonight Or leave me a message on my cell (206) 819-7020 Otherwise we will meet you at Doogers at 12:15.

I'm looking at the forecast on NOAA and they say that the weather improves after 10am. Look here (http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=pqr&smap=1&textField1=46.1264&textField2=-122.8914) for the Kelso and here (http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=pqr&smap=1&textField1=45.922944&textField2=-123.97296) for Cannon beach.

John and Jeff: Do you want to get up and out by 8:30 for a Kelso ride or meet up with Clayton and Brian at the beach?

AlaskaFish

Feb 9th, 2008, 10:09 am

Good idea about hooking up for the ride over Ernie, since my regular pard is over in paradise this morning. Just need to decide which way to go huh? Unfortunately I need to run out first thing here on an errand and am not sure when I'll be back, so probably heading straight for the coast would work best , but let me check here when I get back from my errands and see what works for you and Jeff!

Jeff, are you coming along stranger? As far as where to meet up, I'd say that depends on which way we go. If we head to Kelso slabbing it would obviously be the quickest way, but less fun. Hopping over Cornelius Pass to Hwy 30 and taking it up is a little more fun as long as it ain't icy, which it ain't! And we could even make a last minute decision on directions from there since we would have our choice of Cornelius Pass to 30 for Kelso, or Hwy 26 straight out to the coast!

If that sounds like a plan, there is a Fred Meyer right at the Cornelius Pass South exit off of 26 with a big parking lot and a Chevron if you need to top off. Just need to pick a time.

I will check here when I get back, or you can call me at (503) 703-7668,

See ya somewhere!

John
I'm looking at the forecast on NOAA and they say that the weather improves after 10am. Look here (http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=pqr&smap=1&textField1=46.1264&textField2=-122.8914) for the Kelso and here (http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=pqr&smap=1&textField1=45.922944&textField2=-123.97296) for Cannon beach.

John and Jeff: Do you want to get up and out by 8:30 for a Kelso ride or meet up with Clayton and Brian at the beach?

ErnieA

Feb 9th, 2008, 10:24 am

I haven't heard back from Jeff. Going to have some coffee in the hot tub abd check back in 15. I'm thinkin' that taken the slab is boring, but if we are going to meet up in Kelso we should book on up there. Leave POROR around 8:30?

AlaskaFish

Feb 9th, 2008, 10:56 am

OK I'm back from my tasks! I will be solo again as Marilyn still has a problem with her leg getting too stiff on the Bike, but I will be ready head North soon! I think we can still meet them in Kelso Ernie! Maybe just book it up the slab like you said and look for everyone at the 3 rivers mall? In fact I am going to give Brian's cell a jingle right now and let him know. If he is already on the road I'll leave him a msg.

See you guys in Kelso!

John

ErnieA

Feb 9th, 2008, 10:58 am

We are meeting Jeff at the restarea north of Battleground in about 45 minutes. We should be in Kelso no later than 10:00. See you there!

AlaskaFish

Feb 9th, 2008, 11:05 am

I'm suiting up now!

John

Mitch_Rider

Feb 9th, 2008, 8:18 pm

Hey guys,
Thanks for putting the RTE together. It felt great to get out on the GT. It has been WAY to long. Judy hadn't been on her bike up here for months. For a "fair weather" rider I think she did really well.
Hiway 4 is always my favorite way to go to the coast and fortunately the roads and weather cooperated . Good company and good Doogers chowder as has become the NW RTE standard.
Hope that each of you had a fun and safe ride back home no matter what route you took. Judy and I just came back on 26 after having to go back into Seaside for fuel. We got home around 4:00. Lowest temp coming home was 39. It was 59 when we got back to Portland!

ErnieA

Feb 9th, 2008, 8:33 pm

Hey guys,

Let's all meet next Sunday 2-10 for a meet and great and food of course. I need to get the LT out for a spin it's been a long time.

Brian's fav on the coast sounds good or I could pick something else like say Cannon Beach and maybe the south guys could meet us in say Kelso and ride on down. What ya think.

A big THANK YOU to Clayton for organizing the RTE today in Cannon Beach. :D The weather cooperated (for the most part) and we had +40 degree weather all day. Another 295 miles on the old girl (the LT that is :wow: for anyone who has to know) is bringing her closer to the 130k mark. She ran like a top all day and once again astounded me on her performance and handling.

We met at the Three River's Mall in Kelso at 10am and took SR4 west to 101 south. Traffic was good and only a bit of mist fell from the sky. The RTE was at Dooger's in Cannon Beach. The food was very good and the company even better! However, this charming town is void of any petrol and one would best served buying in Seaside before visiting.

We split up coming home. We joined Brian and Clayton for a trip through Jewell and Mist up to highway 30. The road covered with gravel was a challenge but we got through it without anything to remark about. The trip down 30 to Portland was as good as it gets as far as traffic. All things considered it was pretty darn good out there today.

Thanks again to Clayton and Brian from the north and John, Jeff and Judy form the south for making today a fun winter ride for me and Pauline. :dance:

AlaskaFish

Feb 9th, 2008, 9:46 pm

Especially Clayton as well as Jeff & Judy, some of our "long lost" friends, and it really was a great ride to some delicious chowder with friends!

(OK, it gets long here now! Please bear with me.)

Unfortunately, as soon as I got on the Bike to leave Doogers in Cannon Beach to pull out of the uphill sloped lot I stalled the gal. Managed to get her re-started right away and pull out, but she seemed a little grabby for some reason. Felt like I was not able to completely dis-engage the clutch. As soon as I pulled out onto 101 to head South toward Tillamook, she was just shifting like I had no clutch at all! So I managed to pull over at a wide scenic pullout and get her stopped in order to try and diagnose just what the hey was going on. Well, since it felt like there was practically no pressure on the clutch lever when I pulled it in, I peeked at the clutch res window only to see very low fluid! This is really a pisser because I had very similar symptoms on one of our local rides about a month or so ago, and thought it was cured after I did a thorough flushing of the clutch fluid! In fact it has been just fine on several rides since. Until today!

Anyway, I managed to turn her around and headed back into Seaside to see about getting some DOT-4 fluid to service the res and see if that would cure my ills. I stopped at a Les Schwab on the right side just as I pulled into Seaside, but they did not really have any "to go" brake fluid. However they told me there was a NAPA store about a half a mile up, so I decided to head there.

Meanwhile, I see a bunch of real familiar Bikes cruise happily by on their way North! Hopefully you all made it back fine.

At the Napa store I buy the fluid, service the res, pump her a few times, and figure I'm ready to head home the most direct way, 26. Well, as soon as I get on her she's still acting like a bucking bronco, so I obviously have bigger problems than just the fluid being low!

Decide to stop at the Chevron to top off for the ride over the hill and just get home ASAP! I know that once I get her up to Hwy speed there won't be much shifting, and the clutch is certainly NOT slipping, so I should be good to go.

As I pull up to the station and pull in the clutch, just like I always do prior to stopping and lowering the side stand to shut her off, I find there is no pressure, and I am about to hit something if I don't stop her (she's in 1st gear of course!) so I stomp on the binders and since we were just turning in, guess what she does? Takes a nap right there on her left side! Luckily I was almost stopped at the time, so I just laid her down gently, no harm done. Of course the poor station attendant comes rushing over to help all worried looking! I was glad for the assistance in righting her, so we could go ahead and top her off.

Finally got on the road again, and was ever so cautious about giving myself plenty of room to slow down, and if it was going to be a full stop I had to pump the lever about 3 or 4 times in order to get sufficient pressure to shift down. In fact I found it far easier to simply shift into neutral while still rolling, if I had to stop. Then just watch the lights and traffic so I could do the 3 or 4 pumps to get enough pressure to drop her into 1st OK and get rolling again.

26 was fine the whole trip back, almost zip for traffic, and I was able to utilize the passing zones to get by the real slowbies, so I made it home in no time! As soon as I rolled into the garage (in neutral of course!) and parked the old girl I checked my records to see when I had Portland MC replace my Rear Main seal, X-msn seals, Clutch SLAVE CYLINDER, etc. It is less than 2 years ago!

I immediately called them and said I want them to take a look at it since the parts & labor is supposed to be good for 2 years. They said no problem. I asked when I might limp in with her and they offered to come pick her up and take her in for me. In fact, the mech I spoke to lives over on this side anyway, so he offered to stop by tomorrow with the trailer and load her up! So I said yeah!

Proceeded to go out to the garage and empty out all my personal stuff from the bags & trunk, so she's ready to go see the doc!

Now, I had the weep holes drilled when they had her apart, and I place absorbant mats under her just so I can see if anything is dripping, and there has been none! I am convinced that it is either the slave cylinder has blown a gasket, or I may have a loose connection, broken line, etc. But like I said above, nothing dripping anywhere yet! We'll let them have a go since it should be covered under their warranty, or I'd be tearing into her myself!

Whew! Longest post I've done in some time, but when I get hot about something I just gotta unload somewhere, and this is the place!

Tks again for the ride gang, and Tks for letting me ramble!

John

sanjaun2

Feb 10th, 2008, 1:40 am

Once again, Great company,riding, and chowder. It sux having to "buy" my chowder kit this time. Free always tastes better. Dan and Debbie, We missed you guys. I hope all is well with you both. I know Dan hates to miss a ride and chowder.
John, Sorry you had issues on your way home. Hopefully it will be simple and covered under warranty. Do me a favor next time, CALL us so we can come back and help. Keep us posted with the details of the repair. Thanks again to Clayton for instigating this RTE and of course to Ernie for being such a good tour guide. When I returned to Tacoma I went out to dinner and then over to South Sound BMW for a presentation by a couple who took a year off and cycled around the "world" 30k miles. Lots of nice pics and some funny stories. I am ready for another cross country trip this summer! But I would really like to take 6 months to tour Europe. Come on lottery.

AlaskaFish

Feb 10th, 2008, 9:45 am

Tks for the kind words Brian. And trust me, I would certainly have called on any of you fine folks if it was something that anyone could have assisted with, but it wasn't. It just made for a not so fun ride home, in that my usual happy shifting through the gears into and out of those great curves was more of a chore than it was worth. And if you can shift fairly smoothly even without a clutch at speed, try it when almost stopped! Or forget it at a stop!

Anyway, we'll see what the shop says with their warranty first then decide what to do.

John

reelman

Feb 10th, 2008, 12:43 pm

Dan and Debbie, We missed you guys. I hope all is well with you both. I know Dan hates to miss a ride and chowder.
Brian,

Yes indeed, I do hate to miss a ride and chowder. Saturday just wasn't in the cards. I'm glad that the weather cooperated.

Sorry to hear about your clutch adventures, John. Hopefully, they will get it fixed quickly. Do let us know how it turns out.

Dan

ErnieA

Feb 10th, 2008, 1:58 pm

That's a drag, but it sounds like PMC is going to take care of you just fine. I know what's like not being able to rely on a clutch rolling up to a stop, or worse getting into the traffic and trying to time the lights. Good on ya for getting home safe. :)

ErnieA

Feb 10th, 2008, 3:03 pm

The Gathering:

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/2/0/1/5/IMG_0926.JPG

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/2/0/1/5/IMG_0927.JPG

Jeff and Judy Mitchell:

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/2/0/1/5/IMG_0930.JPG

Dooger’s in Cannon Beach OR:

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/2/0/1/5/IMG_0933.JPG

The Crew:

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/2/0/1/5/IMG_0935.JPG

clayton

Feb 10th, 2008, 9:49 pm

Thanks to all to for coming, sure had a great time . Total miles for the day 456 and i still can't believe how the lack of rain.

Ernie and Pauline great pictures . Sure was great seeing everyone and meeting Jeff and Judy.

John so sorry to hear about the bike,but more important you ok and got home safe. Look forward to seeing everyone soon.

avonfloater

Feb 10th, 2008, 10:53 pm

John -

Sorry to hear about your lack of clutch on the way home. I'm not an advocate, but I have a good trailer that I'd hook up in a minute and come get anyone with issues that won't let them ride er home. It sounds like Portland MC folks will take good care of you. I'm anxious t hear what happened.

Denny

AlaskaFish

Feb 11th, 2008, 1:12 am

We should hear something from them Tuesday hopefully. Jeffrey from PMC came by this afternoon about 4:30 and picked her up with their trailer. I really do hate to send the Bike to the shop, but since it should be warranty for the slave cylinder (they replaced it along with the clutch, pressure plate, diaphram spring, and all the internal seals in April of 2006) I may as well let them go to it.

I took her around the block again today just to make sure that it was still screwing up, and I would not hear from the shop that it is all OK! Trust me, it should be noticeable if he just goes around the block. Definitely not slipping anyway!

Tks again for the kind words and offers to help gang. Believe me, if this had been the opposite type of clutch problem: slipping, or not engaging, I would most certainly have asked around for some help! But once I had her rolling there was no problem getting her back. Just had to plan all stops, and pray that there were no surprises around the corners demanding a panic stop, cause I am certain I would not have had time to pump up the clutch before slamming on the binders!

So the bright side of this story is that I am within the 2 year warranty period, and whatever they do should renew that part of the warranty!

John