Liz's Trip - Day 1 & 2 - My Adventure Quota Has Been Met

Thursday AM, I was ready to go!  I was riding to work, then heading off on my trip as soon as my
boss let me out.

Frosty definitely knew something was up, and was being very pathetic.

I left work around 3:30, it felt so good to be on the road.

About 30 miles from Syracuse, the bike started running badly.  When I gave it throttle, the engine would bog.  I moved out of the passing lane, just in case I needed to get to the shoulder.

Eventually the bike died. I got it onto the shoulder, and tried to start it - it would start, but die again as soon as I gave it throttle.  Eventually it stopped starting and an odd electrical tic showed up ...the tach needle would bounce up and down when I tried to start it.

Hmmm, fuel or electrical issue?

When I got off the bike, I quickly realized that the wind created by passing semis was going to push it over...and that my phone was almost dead.  I'm on the side of the road trying to keep my bike upright and rummage through my luggage for my battery pack.  Happily, my pannier lid was the perfect size to wedge against the side of the bike.  It gave it just enough support to prevent it from tipping over.

Yeah, ADVENTURE.

I couldn't call AMA for a tow until my phone charged, so I decided to drain my carb while the phone was charging. I was hoping that if there was crud in the carb causing my issue, it might get flushed out.

While I was working on the getting the drain screw loose, a car pulled onto the shoulder - it was my friend Ken! He was on his way to Buffalo and noticed a yellow KLR just like mine on the shoulder, lol.  He called AMA for me for a tow.  Unfortunately, only one company can tow off the Thruway, and they (of course) do not accept any travel club memberships.

While waiting for the tow truck, Ken offered me the use of his BMW GSA1200 for the trip.  I was astounded, excited and a wee bit scared, as I've only ever ridden KLRs, and Sam's V-Strom (twice). I didn't want to jeopardize my meeting Brenda and riding to Ketofest, so I decided to go for it.

Oh, the indignity

When the driver arrived, he asked what the issue was.  I explained the symptom, and that I expected I had crud affecting the main jet. His response was to ask whether I had gas, and whether the bike was rideable.  Really? You think I'd pay you a bunch of money to tow a rideable bike instead of limping it on the shoulder?  He also told us that he doesn't let his wife near his bike.  

Yeah, this is going to go well.

If Ken wasn't there, I'm not sure we would have been able to get the bike on the tow truck.  Even though they routinely tow bikes, there was no motorcycle dolly.  We had to stabilize the bike as the driver winched it onto the flatbed, avoiding stepping on oily areas on the already slick steel deck. (Well, Ken did the stabilizing, I steered)
The drive took the bike to the nearest exit, and unloaded it in a gas station parking lot.

AMA found and sent a company who would get us back to Rome for a reasonable price, we finally got home around midnight.

This morning, I woke up early to retrieve Ken's bike. The garage door of the facility broke the day before, so Sammy came along to lend a hand with opening and closing.  I was doubly grateful he was there, as we also needed to roll a Jeep around to make a space big enough to get the bike out.

I made it home with the Beemer, got it packed, and realized I had to RTFM to adjust the electronic suspension. (Seriously, electronic suspension).

I was back on the road a little after 10am, and made it to my first night's destination around 3pm.

Lara is my oldest (um, longest?) friend.  I've really enjoyed spending the afternoon and evening with her and Paul.  There is always stimulation conversation!

I didn't get much sleep last night, so I am heading off to bed now!