November 13, 2014 Thursday

Wash Me!

November 12, 2014 Wednesday

Ahead of Showers

Weather Network said "showers", CBC said "rain".

There was light in the east when I got up and still no precipitation. After starting a fire in the cook stove and making a quick breakfast I decided that it would be better to have a ride sooner than later.

Left the Castle at the stroke of eight.

The Gravel was moist but ok so I went down the Under Bunker to Fitch Bay the Bay, through Fitch Bay the Witch, and over to Georgeville.

Dark clouds were squeezing the light out of the sky by the time I got to G'ville and without stopping I continued on to the East road and looped homeward.

When I reached Fitch Bay it was beginning to look as though night was falling and the clouds were spitting on us all the way home.

Arrived back at 8:47.

Now at 9:30 it's been "showering" steadily for the past half-hour; light steady rain, not straight down, blowing from the southwest.

November 12, 2014 Wednesday

Double Feature!

The sun came out at 2:30 and I pulled the carrots out of the garden and cleaned and bagged them.

By 4:30 Bonnie and I were pushing off for a ride.

Down to Under Bunker we discovered that the road grader had gone by during the(rainy) day. Mud wrestling anyone?

November 11, 2014 Tuesday

Reached the Peak

Delayed start, left at noon. Didn't look at thermometer before I left, but it had to be 10C. It was nearly 8 when I returned at six.

One hour and 37 minutes from home to East Burke, nonstop except for border crossing.

Took 91 to Orleans, Maple Hill to Barton, and Route 5 out of Barton as far as Underpass Road.

Underpass Road runs parallel to Route 5, but instead of following the river along the valley bottom as Route 5 does, it climbs all the way to the top of the east face of the valley as it heads south.

It's asphalt is narrow, somewhat bumpy, and very wet in fall and spring. It straight-lines to Sutton and on the way transforms from forest corridor to panoramic views.

Heading south, just before Sutton, Underpass intersects King George Road which forks into it.

King George is a major entry into the network of scenic gravel roads that cover the hilly slopes above Calendar Brook. The Brooke flows through the north-south valley nearly dead center between Interstate 91 on the west and Route 5 on the east: a yam-shaped area about six by twelve miles at its widest and longest points.

On this day I left Underpass on gravel (sand, really) to intersect King George and follow it back to Underpass and into Sutton.

God I just love this town's downtown intersection! More spokes than a saloon fight, and every one with a beckoning siren.

I'd followed Calendar Brook before along its lovely namesake road with more curves than a 22-inning baseball game.

So, "eeny, meeny, miny, moe"... Burke Road it was. Then, with Burke Mountain now almost always in view, I turned south on Gaskel Hill Road, enjoying the blue skies, warm sun, and fabulous southern and western mountain views.

The bottom of Gaskel Hill teed into Route 5 and I turned left (north) and then following my unfailing sense of direction (cue hysterical laughter) I turned right on Bugbee Crossing Road, just a few hundred yards up Route 5.

Off Bugbee Crossing, I couldn't resist a right onto Bumps Road (Closed in Winter) which I converted after a mile or two into a loop back to Bugbee Crossing with a right on West Darling Hill.

Continuing on Bugbee Crossing was taking me further north so I veered around to the south by taking Burke Hollow and that took me all the way down to East Burke and the Mountain.

A serendipitous serpentine scenic route.

Gassed up at the East Burke Sunoco station at 1:37pm.

Across the street I had a bowel, make that bowl, of chili at the general store and learned that the Toll Road indeed did have snow and ice at the top and was probably closed. But the store guy, who also works on the mountain, said that if it was open I could probably get as far as "the pavilion".

The first toll road gate was open, but the second one was closed and locked. I cut the motor in front of the toll collector's cabin and sat waiting for someone to come out. No one did, so I kicked over the Bonnie and we went around the gate.

I made it one switchback past the pavilion before snow and ice made their first appearance. I turned the Bonnie around (carefully - god but that road's steep), parked her on the side, and continued on foot.

Funny how mountains are. You know that if you keep walking up the mountain you must inevitably reach the top. But it's always being much further than you imagined and eventually doubts begin to creep in... could this be one of them Escher-esque mountains?

Well, no. I did make it to the top, but only after the old radiator boiled over and forced me to remove numerous layers of clothing.

It was surprisingly pleasant at the peak. Although the skies were becoming increasingly hazy, there were only scattered clouds and even at it's low level on the horizon the sun felt intense and warm.

The wind was constant, but somewhat variable in intensity. I was fine for some time taking pictures at the peak among the trees without jacket and shirt, but as I climbed the observation tower the wind intensified and as I reached the half-way point it had become a continuous hard blast of cold air. Holding on to pack, camera, and tower frame for dear life I took a few pictures and then climbed back down, totally chilled!

Meanwhile, back on earth...

When I finally returned to earth I was surprised to discover that it seemed even warmer than when I left. Global warming probably accelerated during my absence.

I'd planned on taking 5A north to Willoughby and then over to Barton on Willoughby Lake Road (Route 16), but I missed 5A and wound up taking 5 all the way back to Barton.

From Barton I went up 91 to Newport and took Hinneman Settler Road into Derby Center. It was already dark when I stopped at Derby Village Store to pick up some vittles.

Topped up the tank in Derby Line, crossed the border, and made a beeline for home on the autoroute.

The Hermitage was completely dark and there was only starlight to guide me from the Castle to the Newhouse. Under the clear starry sky it was still ten degrees centigrade.

November 10, 2014 Monday

Snow Drifts

From Derby Line the Valley Road through Holland down to Vt 111 and Seymour Lake. West on 111.

There was a fair bit of snow laying about on the high ground around Holland.

Hoping to see Jeff of Cycles Unlimited I stopped at the shop but it was closed. Too bad, at that point I was thinking of buying a skidoo suit if he any my size.

Went up the east side of Lake Derby and got on the incomparable Nelson Hill Road (more terns than a Long Island landfill) back to Derby Line via Herrick Hill.

Just as I pulled over on the most scenic stretch of Nelson Hill Road, clouds to the south opened enough to send dozens of shafts of soft sunlight down upon the mountains along the south and west horizons. When I looked above Herrick Hill behind me to the North, the sky was nearly black.

There actually were snow drifts along the road below the steep hill that pastures the work horses from the family farm down in the hollow below.

Up to the top of Herrick Hill from which I coasted back down to Derby Line before crossing into Rock Island.

Passed up the quick autoroute trip for the scenic Hackett and McShane out of Stanstead, past Tomifobia, around Fitch Bay the bay, and up the Under Bunker.

Was a bit chilly on the ride, but not at all terribly uncomfortable. I didn't realize how chilled I was until I got back to the house. Fortunately LA had the Dutchwest rolling and after a hot lunch I'm ready to go outside and work.

Fifty-six miles with stops only for border crossings and a quick mail check in Derby Line.

• Three layers (2 long sleeve) beneath coat
• Long johns and jeans
• Two pairs of socks and work boots
• Mittens
• Balaclava

Tomorrow is supposed to be partly sunny, partly cloudy and 12C. My plan is to go back roads to Burke Mountain through Orleans, Barton, and West Burke. Then, unless it's snow- covered, take the toll road up to the top of the mountain.

November 9, 2014 Sunday

November 6, 2014 Thursday

Bathtime for Bonnie

Took the Bonnie down to Ayers Cliff for a good cleaning at Crooks' carwash. Hadn't cleaned her since end of August so the layers of oil and grease and mud from fall riding were getting pretty thick.

After drying off the Bonnie with a dish towel I decided she could use a little blow dry.

Turned into an hour-and-a-half blow job: forty-five miles from Ayer's Cliff to Burrough's Falls, Ways Mills, Stanstead (almost), back to Ways Mills, Kingscroft, Hatley, Massawippi, and finally back to Ayer's Cliff and home.

Hadn't bothered to put on my longjohns just to go down to Ayer's Cliff so I was pretty chilled by the time I got back. I hadn't lit a fire all day at home, but the house felt really warm when I came through the front door.

This entire ride is a riot of turns, curves, hills, corners, dips and rises, and scenic views in all directions.

The views south and west from Langlois are especially wonderful. Like some of the views from chemin Province that I was on yesterday down around Mansonville, these are "conveyor belt views", i.e. when the foreground scenery is sliding by the distant views.

• From Ayer's Cliff, 141 south
• Right on chemin Ways Mills
• Right on Labbe
• Left on Standish
• Right on Langlois
• Right on Fairfax
• Right on Cloutier
• Right on Standish
• Left on Madore
• Cross 141 onto Menard
• Right on Roy from Menard
• Right on Moreau
• Left on Curtis
• Right on Barnston
• Left on 208 in Hatley
• Left on 143 (Massawippi)
• Right on 208 back to Ayer's Cliff

November 5, 2014 Wednesday

Evrone knows its Windy

Around the Lake on another windy and balmy afternoon. Windy as in "wild and windy".

There were showers in the forecast, but none fell on me and the sun was blasting through clearings in the clouds and shining its magic lantern across the landscape.

Took chemin Girl's Camp along the Lake and stopped over at the abandoned cottage long enough to climb down to lake level and take some photos.

After going over Owl's Head I followed the scenic route along chemins Province Hill and Bellevue and then Airport Road over to 243 and the North Troy/Highwater border crossing.

I passed up the chance to drop by Big Falls, and Paddy's Snack Bar was closed. Turned up Vance Hill Road in Newport Center and watched the sun setting behind the mountains from the top before taking Lake Road into Newport.

November 4, 2014 Tuesday

Balmy!

From Ayers Cliff I took the Boynton road all the way to Ticehurst Corners and then Amy all the way to Under Bunker.

Stopped by JP's for a visit.

Very balmy evening - very comfy in light gloves. There were many deer out in the fields in spite of pickup trucks (hunters) parked everywhere.

An easy landing tonight as I raked and mowed the runway yesterday and today. The hill up to the orchard finally dried out - just in time for rain tonight and tomorrow morning.

November 3, 2014 Monday

Millionare Row

Filled the Bonnie in Magog (PetroCan 94) before heading towards Georgeville as the setting sun blazed across the Lake.

Took it slow to watch the show - no traffic - and took ch Magoon out of the village.

Pulled over to watch the sunset at the top of millionaire row before taking chemins Camber, Jones, Merrill, and Narrows back up to Fitch Bay and Under Bunker.

November 2, 2014 Sunday

November 1, 2014 Saturday

October 31, 2014 Friday

Chemin Noel

Down the Under Bunker to Fitch Bay where I took chemin Noel from the east side next to the cemetary.

I had hoped to stop at the gigantic rock formations I discovered the last time but there was a car parked right in front of them - hunter I figured, so I pressed on to P.Snow.

I gave a friendly wave to the gentleman on the P.Snow porch and he waved back. I cut my engine just after and coasted to a stop part way down the hill where stopped for ten minutes to gaze at Fitch Bay, Lake Memphremagog, and their intersection.

October 30, 2014 Thursday

October 29, 2014 Wednesday

Magenta Tsunami

As the sun was setting I left Magog on 247 for Georgeville.

The entire way was a front row seat to a veritable tsunami of magenta breaking over the western skyline of Lake Memphremagog.

Clouds all around the horizon were lit up with reflections of the intense reds in the west.

October 28, 2014 Tuesday

Honey Wagons Everywher

Showers yielded to clearing skies around 4 pm and I convinced myself to take a Bonnie ride.

I finally shoved off at five.

Thought I'd ride out to Bob's, say "hi", and turn around for home, but the sun was already setting by the time I got to Martinville and I chickened out and turned around.

All the farms were spreading manure and the air was heavy with it. The flashing yellow lights of tractors were everywhere and the stretches of road from barns to fields were covered with a slick of cow shit.

The ride back was fabulous - a glorious red sunset overlooked by a first quarter moon. And an eerie, low-hanging fog filled the hollows and crept across the fields.

Considerable fish-tailing on the final approach to the Bonnie Castle as the muddy grassy landing strip is covered in leaves and very wet.

October 27, 2014 Monday

Riding in the Rain

It was after five when I pushed the Bonnie out of the Castle under a heavy, dark-gray sky.

I gassed up in Ayer's Cliff before going up to Katevale via Chemin de la Montagne. Great sunset - I stopped to watch from Chemin de la Summet.

If I'd have turned around for home in Katevale I'd have been ok, but instead I headed for Magog.

October 26, 2014 Sunday

St Cat de Hat

Up to Katevale on ch de la Montagne and then over to Chemin Brule. What a nice road ch Brule is! Found it more interesting going east than going west as I do usually.

October 15, 2014 Wednesday

October 14, 2014 Tuesday

October 13, 2014 Monday

September 28, 2014 Sunday

Three Ponds

Bob and I met up in Compton and headed down to Island Pond via Norton. Took a break in Island Pond before heading up to Job's Pond.

Job's was the only pond in the vicinity between Island Pond and Lake Willoughby that I hadn't visited before. I consider it to be perhaps the most beautiful of all, nestled below impressive hills and dramatic cliffs. For us, on this day, the whole scene was simply vibrating with the intensity of peak foliage.

After blowing our minds on the extraordinary colors along three ponds (Job's, Bald Hill, and Long ponds), we rode down the hill to Lake Willoughby where we jumped on the smooth scenic asphalt over to Crystal Lake and Barton.

More smooth surface between Barton and Orleans on the twisty up and down Maple Hill Road.

From Orleans to Brownington we improvised on the standard Tar Box/Frog Pond roads taking instead Churchill off of 58. That turned into Hinneman Settler Road and we stopped in Brownington to go up in the observation tower before continuing on to Derby and the border.

Absolute Top Dead Peak

There's that one moment of one day each fall when the foliage reaches a moment of absolute peak perfection.

This year, 2014, that moment (in Brownington at least) occurred exactly during the time that Bob and I were looking out from the observation tower.

August 19, 2014 Tuesday

Pull 1x if answr req'd

Have spent several days tracing and diagramming the wiring and "cleaning up" suspect connections.

Experienced "blackouts" several times in the shop.

Finally, it all comes down to there being two ways to restore the power when it blacks out. 1) Playing around with the wires on the switch, as I did on the road on 14 August (below), and also one other time, either in the shop or on the road. 2) Grasping the harness where it comes out from the gas tank and crosses the neck and gently tugging forward and upward.

The latter corrected the electrical fault twice.

The obvious conclusion is that there's an intermittent connection (possibly in the headlamp shell) that gets connected when the wiring is pulled.

I no longer think that the ignition switch could be the problem.

I've already looked at looms. They are still about the same price as when I replaced Bonnie's ten years ago - about $160.

But I think my best bet would be to make my own loom since the layout of the components in Bonnie's electrical system does not match any Triumph factory model (i.e. position of ignition switch and zenner diode).

August 15, 2014 Friday

Lucas!

Spent a few hours trouble-shooting and creating a wiring diagram for the Bonnie. Eventually realized that the problem is NOT the ignition switch, it's the LIGHTING switch - the one I just replaced.

Pretty sure of this because yesterday eveing I thought I'd take a short ride. The Bonnie started right up, but died as I flipped on the high beam.

In the shop I measured 12.6v on the supply side of the ignition switch and 12.6v on the switched side - until I turned on the key and then voltage fell to zero.

Pulled leads off switched side and then I had voltage there with key on.

Replaced switched side leads and then began disconnecting wires until voltage re-appeared at the switched terminals. Hit a bingo when I pulled off the brown/white lead to terminal 4 on the headlight switch. Terminal 4 is the feed to the switch and was the LAST lead I pulled off the switch.

August 14, 2014 Thursday

Ignition Switch?

On a short ride around Derby the Bonnie dies on Nelson Hill. No electrics.

Got back on the road in less than three minutes by moving ignition leads on switch over to the double terminal connecting the battery to the ignition switch. Anyone familiar with the Triumph ignition switch could hotwire one of these things blindfolded.

August 12, 2014 Tuesday

Rather do it myself!

On our way home Bob and I stop at Classic Bike Experience in Essex. After an hour or so there Bonnie won't start - electrics dead.

Dave the mechanic checks ignition timing and fiddles around for nearly two and a half hours before hotwiring the Pazon through a handlebar switch. Also leaves the zenner diode ungrounded and smears grease over the entire bike.

June 30, 2014 Monday

Plugs never fail?

Installed new coils and the bike is still running erratically on one cylinder.

I got the idea to swap spark plugs and the problem followed one of the plugs.

It seems like the ignition problems I've been experiencing for weeks may have all been due to a bad spark plug.

June 25, 2014 Wednesday

Six Volt Coils

Went to Lennoxville and picked up Bob's six-volt coils. They look kinda pinched but they're suppossed to be good.

After cleaning and installing the coils the bike started quite easily and then began missing after about 10 or 15 seconds. After another 4 or 5 seconds it quit altogether. Did this twice.

Classic symptoms of shorted coil windings.

June 24, 2014 Tuesday

Pazon Installed

Bob rode down from Lennoxville yesterday with his spare Pazon unit for me to try.

This morning I pulled off the AAU, points, and condensers and installed the Pazon.

Initial Results

• Harder starting
• Poor idle
• Outstanding performance at higher revs

I took a test run down Vallieres and I thought I was going to pull a wheelie when I hit second.

Back at the shop I checked over the carbs and noticed that the lock nuts on the cable slack adjusters were loose.

Began re-adjusting and re-syncing the carbs and that's when I discovered that the bike would run on the left cylinder alone, but not on the right cylinder alone.

June 7, 2014 Saturday

Wrench 'n Ride

Spent entire morning in shop dealing with issues:

• Removed primary chaincase and sealed alternator wires using Right Stuff (also twisted wire around rubber cap inside chaincase)
• Played with accelerator cables to synchronize
• Checked timing - T.S. a very tiny bit retarded, didn't adjust

Around the Lake

Left around 2pm for a ride around Lake Memphremagog taking every gravel road known to man as far as North Troy.

I missed ch Aeroport from Bellevue so ended up taking a really nice loop along ch de Province Hill back to ch Leadville and then back to Bellevue and Aeroport.

Stopped at Paddie's for supper and then took a walk-around at Big Falls before heading on to Newport and the border.

June 6, 2014 Friday

New Adjusters Tops!

Before leaving for Magog SAAQ I readjusted valve clearances. The new allen head adjusters are so much easier than the original square locking screws. The allen wrench makes it easy guage adjustments while loosening or tightening the lock nuts with a Whitworth boxend wrench.

Got my new registration at the SAAQ at the same cost as last year - $469. That's with the discount of later registration.

Returning to the Bonnie Castle, I felt inspired to finally fix the broken brakelight wire. Lots of fun fishing around and removing the wire cover on the inside of the rear fender.

June 6, 2014 Friday

The Bad & The Good

The Bad

• Throttle cables sticking
• Left fork tube cap not tight - leaking oil
• Feels a bit rough - carbs not synced? or needs timing?
• Alternator lead exiting primary chain case loose, leaking

The Good

• Pushrod towers not leaking
• Rocker spindles not leaking
• No leaks from oil lines

June 5, 2014 Thursday

Gasket Compression

Even though I set the valve clearances wider than spec, the valves were getting tight after several minutes of running.

June 5, 2014 Thursday

Valve Adjustments

Re-set valve clearances, about a thou over spec for intake and exhaust.

June 4, 2014 Wednesday

Work Executed

Work done/components replaced

• Pazon electronic ignition, inc. 1 pair 6v coils
• New brake linings front and back
• New wheel bearings front and back
• New rear chain (Tsubaki) High Quality self-lube
• New rear sprocket (MAP Cycle)
• New front fork oil seals and o-rings
• Removed head and cylinder base
• Replaced worn/chipped tappets
• Reassembled head/rocker boxes using MAPCycle gaskets and o-rings
• Removed pri chain case, sealed alternator leads using "Right Stuff"
• Speedometer restored and set to 60,000 miles
• Tachometer restored
• Changed fork oil, transmission oil, crankase oil, pri chaincase oil

June 3, 2014 Tuesday

May 31, 2014 Saturday

Issues

After installing rear wheel, the speedo gearbox wanted to turn with the wheel.

Eventually I removed the wheel and really tightened the axle nuts while using a 20" length of steel pipe to actuate the brake shoes.

Afterward, the gearbox stayed put, but there was so much friction it made the rear wheel difficult to rotate.

After 3 miles on the road the wheel rotated perfectly except for a slight binding half way around.

After 10 miles, the wheel rotated very freely with no binding whatsoever.

Center those shoes!

May 27, 2014 Tuesday

Metal Bits

Draining the crankcase oil I found the metal bits missing from the two intake tappets I replaced.

I gave the crankcase and oil reservoir screen filters a careful cleaning, installed a new oil filter, and topped up the oil.

Before refilling the oil I replaced the inside oil line - it was chaffed from rubbing on the frame (center stand I think) and I had one already measured and cut from the last time. Replacement was 3/16 short of ideal length, but should be ok.

Also refilled fork oil and drained and replaced gear box oil.

Chopsticks

May 18, 2014 Sunday

May 17, 2014 Saturday

May 8, 2014 Thursday

April 26, 2014 Saturday

April 25, 2014 Friday

Parts Order

Placed a third order with MAPCycle.

April 25, 2014 Friday

April 24, 2014 Thursday

Rocker Boxes

Stripped, cleaned, and polished the rocker boxes.

Interesting Discovery

Pulling out the rocker spindles I discovered that I didn't even fit the intake spindle with an o'ring the last time I put it together. Back to Triumph Mechanic School for me! (As if I ever left). I even kinda remember being so pleased about how easily one of the spindles went in at the time. Moles are cool people, but I should really get some glasses.

April 23, 2014 Wednesday

Brakes

Took apart rear brake and cleaned all the grease and oil off the backing plate. There was plenty. I'm hoping that this will be less of an issue in the future as I recently began curbing my excess exuberance in applying chain saw bar oil to the rear chain.

Also pulled apart front brake for inspection - linings are almost down to the rivets. Going to replace linings front and back.

Cleaned, wire-brushed, and polished many parts and continued cleaning and polishing engine and frame in general.

Measured the lengths of all the control cables and recorded them in my database program.

Ordered K70 and Tsubaki chain from BikeBandit.

April 22, 2014 Tuesday

Shop Time

Cleaning and polishing parts and sorting out re-assembly order and orientations for rear axle parts.

Got old speedo cable off the knackered gear box using a torch to heat up the screw-on fixture.

April 20, 2014 Sunday

Straightening Up

Put away tools that were scattered all about and cleaned up work areas and parts.

April 17, 2014 Thursday

Disassembly

Removed front fender, tire, forks, and triple-tree.

Removed all parts from rear wheel, including brake drum, sprocket, bearings, spacers, etc. etc.

April 11, 2014 Friday

MAP Parts Order #2

April 9, 2014 Wednesday

Tear-Down Begins

I'd previously removed gas tank, carbs, and seat.

Today I removed the back wheel and chain guard, exhaust system, coils, and rocker boxes.

Speedo gear box is trash - broken metal where cable threads on and I can't remove the old cable because male threaded portion just turns in the body of the sending unit.