Afternoon all.
Had some exciting times recently.
Three days riding the new R1200GSAdventure in Namibia with Charley Boorman and a bunch of BMW bigwigs was definitely a highlight of the year so far.
Last weekend's Ryedale had highs and lows a-plenty. Loved those twiddly
Yorkshire Moors roads. Hated the rock-hard ruts that abounded in the special
stage loops. Loved the trails in the Copford Forest.
Disaster came on Saturday afternoon when my KTM came to a halt half way
through the second timed test when I was going reasonably well.
At least it gave me a chance to watch the good guys and take some pix.
A ride to the end of the stage on the back of Gill Myer's Dominator was fun,
as was watching and snapping the turmoil in the long puddle nearby.
Then Tony Bullows' misfortune in hurting his shoulder became my delight as I
got to ride his Beta450 back to base via the long and much more enjoyable
loop back to base which was also used on Sunday. His Beta was far nicer to
ride than my KTM, partly because it was set up better, but also I think
because the suspension on the Beta is better. Sadly for me, he felt
recovered enough to ride again on Sunday and all the fettling in the world
would not bring my KTM back to life - spark, fuel, compression, no go.
Again, got to see the good guys really going for it in Sunday's special
stage and through the woods.
Most educational, and again, lots more good pix.
Another lowlight was hearing that my travelling companion Ettore's trusty
Tenere had conked out in the special stage, and then that he had diesel in
it. Guess where he got the diesel from?
Yup, turns out my jerrycan might have had some diesel swilling around in the
bottom, which would explain why my own 450 conked out the day before!
Now, a question or two.
Anyone got any tips for re-starting a diesel-polluted bike?
Also, any recommendations for a plug spanner well suited to the 450EXC? At
the Ryedale I was using a multiple ratchet system belonging to Pat Keenan,
but I don¹t have one of them at home and I don't actually own an official
KTM plug spanner. There doesn't seem to be one in the tool kit.
Maybe an old CX500 long reach one would fit?
All good tips and ideas gratefully received.
Paul 'no bang' Blez