A Great (but expensive) Day !

[nhmaf]

Today I met Suecanada and her friend Stewart in Hillsboro, NH where Sue had left her brand new
shiny red 2008 F650GS for them to measure and tinker with for designing saddlebags to it.
I delivered Sue's new R65.org T-shirt to her as well.

Sue, Stewart (Stuart ?) and I decided to take a scenic ride - we didn't get to go to the
famous BBQ place that I had wanted to take them as it was closed on Monday/Tuesday, but
we did have a pleasant day's ride around NH/VT.   One stop was the longest 2-span covered
bridge in the world that goes across the Connecticut river from Windsor, VT to Cornish, NH, and
yes, we rode across it.  


As I am a bit of a history buff, I try to work in some interesting points along any ride.


This sign is still useful as a speed limit reminder, though there are a few horse-powered vehicles
that cross it periodically:


It was hot (97 F by several thermometers we passed), but we enjoyed the roads.  Here
are Sue and Stewart admiring the bridge


I am sure that Sue will be posting more pics, and pics from when she meets a bunch of you
guys down in Carolina !

The expensive part of the day ?   Well, somewhere along the 210 miles I logged today, the %^&*$#@
right-hand battery cover fell off.. I had forgotten to zip tie the covers back on this spring, and had taken
several 50-mile rides without them falling off.   So now to buy another piece of expensive plastic.  Grrr.

Still, I had a great time, in spite of the heat.  Sue did well keeping up with her little Suzuki DR200 loaner bike
from Micatech, too !

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Good to see you had sunshine - even if it was a little warm!

[Altritter]

Quote: << the %^&*$#@
right-hand battery cover fell off>>

I can relate. Bob's hit me for $55 for a RH cover last month, plus >$75 to spray it Avus Black. (I'm a disaster with a paint gun, even if I could get the proper paint & equipment.) Mine wasn't lost, but one prong of one of the three lugs that fit around the rubber donuts had been broken off by the PO, and I figured it was just a matter of time. It cost me $$, but saved me the frustration that I know you felt.

[Melena]

Mike,
Sorry about the expensive day.    I think that some sort of elastic cords or small bungee cords are a must to use to hold those covers on.  The zip ties are hard to remember about and then you have to go find new ones.  Bungee cords can be kept right on the bike.  My covers are off right now until I can find the right thing to use.  I'll let you know.

Thanks for those pictures!  Great to see Sue in her natural habitat!    

[Semper Gumby]

I actually saw mine fly off (next to the wall on a 4 lane interstate) and went back and picked it up.  Still scratched but now safely zip-tied in place.  

[NC Steve]

I bought 2 new ones in primer, rattle-canned them Rustoleam flat black, and zip-tied them on. You could do the same with old ones that may have a broken mounting point or two. Black ties on black covers are invisible too.


There's really no reason to ever remove them , as the battery and all electrics are accessed from under the seat or gas tank. The side covers are actually for cosmetic purposes only, and if some for some reason you ever did need to get under them, 10 cents of plastic have them lashed back down again.
Cheap insurance!  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[msbuck]

Love the pics, nhmaf!  Looks like a beautiful ride on a beautiful day.  

My bike is black, so the black zip ties blend in well.