Airy Fairy
Spoke to Bahnstormer today about Rosie.
Turns out the problem was the air filter. Somehow, it had dislodged itself and gotten sucked into the air intake of the carburettor. When I grabbed a handful of throttle, it got sucked in even harder and completely choked off the airflow, causing the engine to cut out.
When the engine cut out, the air filter got puked back out again and the engine bump started itself because the back wheel was spinning. Rinse and repeat.
Makes a lot of sense, and it is something I could have found and fixed on my own. Thing is though, I didn't know if would be a warranty repair or not - and there is no way I could have ridden in in that state.
All things considered, it was the best option to take. As it turned out, Bahnstormer replaced the air filter (at no charge) and just charged me for the labour of getting the job done. Since they done the work and not me, the bike is still under warranty (which wouldn't have been the case if I had taken a screwdriver to it).
Rosie is a BMW 650 GS Dakar. This model was produced by BMW to reflect the work done by the hardy BMW privateers, who modified the standard 650GS to make it Dakar-ready. BMW replicated the modifications these guys pioneered and made, and they produced the 650 GS Dakar.
I've been drawing pictures and sketches and stuff of the AJP PR3 Dakar (as it will now be known). With Martin's help, I am going to do with the AJP PR3 what people like Nick Plumb did with the 650 GS. I absolutely believe that the AJP could do it as well - they are most hardy bikes. In all of the races (and falls) I've had, I have only had to replace 1 footpeg and a brake caliper (and that was due to my ageing friend not knowing his own strength rather than any weakness of the AJP).
The beautiful irony here is that, being so light, I have a lot of flexibility about the bike I use - in much the same was as Muhammed Ali would never have been a Derby-winning jockey. I have probably a 30kg (or so) weight advantage on most of the Dakar entrants. Used wisely, this could be quite powerful.
And, looking at the map, North Africa is flat. So no silly downhills to worry about then.
Tell you what, the Wee Yin saved my life in a way that only the married amongst us will understand. I have had my head in software for the past few days (doing some good work as well) and generally not being too aware of what is going on around me.
In one of her many interruptions, the Wee Yin came up to me yesterday and announced that she was making me a card. For my anniversary tomorrow. Uh-oh. She said "tomorrow" - I thought it was several days away. Quick shake of the head to get back to reality, a bit of www.interflora.com, a thoughtful message, and testicles remain attached to my body for another year.
It wasn't that I forgot when our anniversary was, I just had no idea what date it was yesterday if that makes sense.
But God Bless the Wee Yin. The worst of Dakar is nothing compared to The Missus with a forgotten anniversary.
Speaking of Wee Yins and Dakar, have a look at this:
Dakar Vehicle
Does this mean that there is now a special infant category for Dakar? Can this thing go over sand dunes?
Turns out the problem was the air filter. Somehow, it had dislodged itself and gotten sucked into the air intake of the carburettor. When I grabbed a handful of throttle, it got sucked in even harder and completely choked off the airflow, causing the engine to cut out.
When the engine cut out, the air filter got puked back out again and the engine bump started itself because the back wheel was spinning. Rinse and repeat.
Makes a lot of sense, and it is something I could have found and fixed on my own. Thing is though, I didn't know if would be a warranty repair or not - and there is no way I could have ridden in in that state.
All things considered, it was the best option to take. As it turned out, Bahnstormer replaced the air filter (at no charge) and just charged me for the labour of getting the job done. Since they done the work and not me, the bike is still under warranty (which wouldn't have been the case if I had taken a screwdriver to it).
Rosie is a BMW 650 GS Dakar. This model was produced by BMW to reflect the work done by the hardy BMW privateers, who modified the standard 650GS to make it Dakar-ready. BMW replicated the modifications these guys pioneered and made, and they produced the 650 GS Dakar.
I've been drawing pictures and sketches and stuff of the AJP PR3 Dakar (as it will now be known). With Martin's help, I am going to do with the AJP PR3 what people like Nick Plumb did with the 650 GS. I absolutely believe that the AJP could do it as well - they are most hardy bikes. In all of the races (and falls) I've had, I have only had to replace 1 footpeg and a brake caliper (and that was due to my ageing friend not knowing his own strength rather than any weakness of the AJP).
The beautiful irony here is that, being so light, I have a lot of flexibility about the bike I use - in much the same was as Muhammed Ali would never have been a Derby-winning jockey. I have probably a 30kg (or so) weight advantage on most of the Dakar entrants. Used wisely, this could be quite powerful.
And, looking at the map, North Africa is flat. So no silly downhills to worry about then.
Tell you what, the Wee Yin saved my life in a way that only the married amongst us will understand. I have had my head in software for the past few days (doing some good work as well) and generally not being too aware of what is going on around me.
In one of her many interruptions, the Wee Yin came up to me yesterday and announced that she was making me a card. For my anniversary tomorrow. Uh-oh. She said "tomorrow" - I thought it was several days away. Quick shake of the head to get back to reality, a bit of www.interflora.com, a thoughtful message, and testicles remain attached to my body for another year.
It wasn't that I forgot when our anniversary was, I just had no idea what date it was yesterday if that makes sense.
But God Bless the Wee Yin. The worst of Dakar is nothing compared to The Missus with a forgotten anniversary.
Speaking of Wee Yins and Dakar, have a look at this:
Dakar Vehicle
Does this mean that there is now a special infant category for Dakar? Can this thing go over sand dunes?
Download the Manic Mission Information Pack for the full story ...
posted by 2009 Dakar at
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
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