Grasshopper

Greetings from the Grasshopper!

Have a nice week everyone!

Looks like some really nice riding there.

So after a bunch of tests I believe I have found the problem. It was a combination of things. First the ignition switch wiring was an issue. Fixed that, but was still having power supply issues. I just bought a new battery in April, so it couldn't be that.... right????? Well you learn something every day. As a Canadian you are taught from a young age that winter kills things that go. Batteries in the cold, bad, etc.... But I never really thought about the heat and batteries, it is never that hot here. Unfortunately we experienced a heat wave recently and the temps reached the mid 40's in my yard for a few days in a row. With the bikes under covers they must have been cooking, battery included. Both bikes were affected, but of course only Bagheera died completely. I guess another new battery is in order. It was a very interesting electrical experience at least.

We just had too far to go and it was really hot out. We needed to get home, so took the fastest way to get there. Maybe next time.

I have been trying to figure out why when someone said, the Grasshopper is getting a boat, you thought of this.... Maybe you thought, hey the girl buys a cursed motorcycle so why not a boat that won't float?? Thanks Bob

All the normal things have been checked. I do have experience with this sort of thing, unfortunately. After looking over every wire I discovered a problem at the bottom of the ignition switch, a known trouble area for this bike. I have fixed it now, and that seems to have fix one problem, but there is another.......

. Recovery insurance........lol Sorry, no. That is not really an option for us. We do have a thing here, where you can get a membership and be towed to the nearest garage or have them bring you gas, etc.... Works if you are on a main road. Not so helpful where we were, we don't even have a cell signal back there.

oh I know......our two Hondas at home just laugh at the Himalayans......

. ummmm, wow!!.......great advice so far

Last weekend we decided to take the Himalayans for a ride to a local lake we enjoy. Nothing out of the ordinary, just a nice ride through the forest with a short stop at the lake and then home. That was the plan, Plan A we will call it! The riding was really dusty. After the heat wave we had the back roads were extra dry and loose, a bit tricky to ride on, but still fun. We made it to the lake and it was a splendid day. The bikes were running great. Not too hot yet, still early in the day and no one was around. The lake looked so nice and it was really warm. After a nice break we decided to head home. Got all ready, turned the key, dash lights on.....hit the go button and POOFF!! DEAD, nothing....NO GO So the jackets and helmets came off and we proceeded to try and find the problem. We did all the usual stuff, checked all we could check and still found nothing. Bagheera was dead. The day was getting on and we needed to get home for our dog, so Plan B started. Let's try to tow the bike home. Well that didn't last long, the other Himalayan just didn't have enough power for the loose gravel hills we had to go up. I had never towed a bike with another bike, so it was a good learning experience at least. .....so onto Plan C One person goes home and brings back the 4Runner and we try and stuff Bagheera into the back somehow. Sure, no problem, only 450lbs to lift up and stuff in..... So my partner went home and I waited with Bagheera, removing as many extra parts as I could, to help with the stuffing into the 4Runner. After some time, my knight in a dusty 4Runner appeared to save the day. It was then that I had a feeling that my Gazoo (the 4Runner) would never be the same after that day. But he did look good in rescue mode. Ok, now to make this work. Sure it will fit! We removed the gas from Bagheera and got into a spot where we didn't have to lift too far. We got out our awesome MAXTRAX MKII Recovery Boards, which I have been wanting to use and proceeded to lift and push.... It was hard because we needed the handle bars to lift the bike, but he wouldn't fit in with them on........we also needed to lift him up and over the rear area, how the hell will this work?.......I was getting hot and grumpy by this point. Then the motorcycle spirits came to our aid. After a few people passing, who were nice and all, but would not be useful in these circumstances, we had just the right guy come by. He was an old long hair, with a big old pickup and two dogs. After shaking his head at our idea and smiling to himself, he was happy to help. Eventually the three of us managed to stuff Bagheera into the 4Runner. Damaging who knows what, but at that point I didn't care. Of course we could not close the rear hatch and with the dusty roads, we all looked like we had been caught in a sandstorm when we got home. Everyone was hot, dusty and tired now. The 4Runner was a total mess, layers of dust, dents in things, the rear bumper for one. The floor over the back seats had some holes in them as well. Which is all good, I have been wanting to rip the back seats out for awhile now. Then build in some storage for camping and 4x4 travels. Who needs back seats....lol Bagheera had a few scratches from the drive and his shifter was totally bent in, but I should have replaced it the first time it bent after a fall..... At this time Bagheera's electrical gremlins have yet to be found. I have a few ideas, but nothing conclusive. All part of the adventure with Bagheera, the cursed Himalayan......

Thanks Can't say yet, but stay tuned for my watercraft adventures, due to start this fall. .

Yes, we had a few days of record breaking heat, it was really nasty. Now the forest fires have started around the province. It was hardest to watch our old dog suffer through the heat, but we made it and now the temps are more seasonal, but still on the high side.

It is actually a really warm lake.

I am 98% sure of what the issue is..... But, with that said, I think I will wait to see what happens tomorrow before I do my happy dance and say for sure... Gremlins can appear overnight around here.....lol

It is a dreaded............ electrical issue ....Bagheera is a boy . .....just for the record

Looks like it might be a tent/garage day......surprise, surprise, Bagheera, my Himalayan, is not working....... So let's see..... a broken Himalayan, a tent, some sunshine, shiny tools.....what's missing????? BEER!!! Good thing I have a second bike to do a beer run on.....

Went for a great ride yesterday on Charlotte, my Honda. Took one of my favourite routes around a bunch of lakes with lots of twisty corners. It was on of those days where every corner feels just right and you feel one with the bike. That might be a bit to philosophical for some.....but that's the way I roll..... This trip was for a few reasons, one, to take a nice ride and enjoy a break at the lake in the sun, but also to scope out boat launch sites. There might be a watercraft in my future, besides with all these lakes in my backyard it would be a shame not to enjoy them. Grasshopper's don't swim so well, but they do float.

A dash of yellow to brighten your day! Some Bird's-foot Trefoil

Perhaps something a little different for some, I can not stop listening to her.

I discovered this band last year....fun music!

Looks like another fun ride. Great photos! I'm not sure what all this talk is about the van, but I would have driven my transit on those roads, but more fun on a bike for sure.

Bagheera at the Bay A very still and warm day in the bay.

Got up extra early today to enjoy the low temps for the day, as it is going to be another super hot one today. You can see the sun in the valley on the trees......it's coming this way.............