The Trailer is finally here, or the Tross's trailer fetish.

Trailer update

Today was the day I went down and picked up the new trailer for my BMW K1200LT. Not really knowing what to expect as I didn't get a chance to actually go down and visit, and the sale was done over the internet and by email. But before you say anything I did do my research into the company, etc . The first problem is that I had to work till 9:30 pm the following night. So after work I gotta go over to the locker and dig out the beemer and the 3/4 lid (nice as it's really the first time it will be warm enough to ride with the 3/4), install the battery after charging and a new fuse block for all my accessories. Then into bed for 1 am, then back up for 6:30 am for the ride to my 10 am trailer install. This week seems to be a not much sleep week, as I'm getting ready for my long weekender Penn Route 6 trip. Of course there's construction on the 401 between the two Hyw 6's (north and south) Aruggggg, from last night. The worse part was after waiting in the backup for 30 mins, and as I passed the work zone, they were clearing up the pylons and just finishing. Can't win at all sometimes.

After that and a quick coffee at one of the new 401 rest stops, hey, gotta say I like them, a choice of either Starbucks and Timmies and some of those comfortable couchie seats make for a nice relaxing rest stop. Since I've been down to St Thomas before, from all the times of going down to the Port Burwell run and race, I kind of know the area so no problems finding the place.

That and using Google street view ;-) just to make sure.

Juan (the owner) had just stepped out for coffee, damn, just a couple of mins earlier and I could have placed my order. But it gave me a chance to talk to another customer about his trailer. He just got his installed last weekend and was back to get some longer bolts so his saddle bags would hang better, they were not there(the saddle bags) during the install and with adding longer hitch bolts as the ones installed were just a touch too short. Nice to see the shop stepping up to fix a problem that was not there during the install but showed up afterwards.

While Juan dealt with this I headed over to the dreaded local "Service Ontario" location to get my trailer plate. Nothing says busy as a store that's only open till 1 pm, for everyone who works normal weekday hours to cram in on a Saturday morning. So after a 1/2 hour in line for that plate it's back to third wheel for the install. Up on the bench and on with the hitch install.

I went with a DMC hitch, a nice bit of kit, and the U part of the hitch is removable so you'll hardly even know it's there.

                                                         Not my bike but you get the idea!

DMC also does sidecars and sidecar mounts and trailers. Here's the link, so go and give them a visit.

http://www.dmcsidecars.com/


The hitch is actually a really easy install as it uses the brackets and bolts/nuts already there. Now to the electrics, I'm not a big fan of splicing, so I was happy to see that the wiring kit came with jumper plugs. Unplug the connection for the bulb, plug in the jumper and connect both back and the wiring is done. Connect a power lead to the battery for the relay and your done. Sounds easy but it takes a little longer than it sounds.

                                                                                Before

After

After

  

Juan tested everything before we put it all back together. Juan went though everything with me, paid the bill (which is really the hardest part) and now off for some riding.

                                                         Just outside of Port Burwell

Handling wise, the third wheel trailer is just so much better than the "Inder" on the MP3, except to that Pav copy style, it does look good. But otherwise there really is no comparison. The Inder would not have worked on the beemer on so many different levels, from handling to actually hitching it up, electrics, etc. It was easier just to start new and go from there, and that's how I ended up with this lovely trailer. It's also great to be able to support a local business.

Since I've got to be at work at 7:30am the next day for work I can only take the long way home from St Thomas. I wanted to head over to the Canadian "Twisted Throttle" store, but they close at 2 pm and that's when the install was all done. So I guess it's down to Lake Eire and a trip to Port Burwell and Port Dover. This time I tried to keep more to Lakeshore rd- The waterfront trail instead of the usual race home from the Burwell rally. What a nice surprise the waterfront trail is, you go through all these great little port towns along Lake Eire and some of the views are breath taking. I'll take more pics next time. I can't wait as this will be the start/first part of my big west coast trip in the fall.

Port Dover was it's usual busy biker self. Since Rich was away in Niagara Falls with the kids, I decided to head up to Hewitt's Ice cream outside of Haggersville for one last stop. I've always driven by as it looked busy, but this time I decided to give it a try.

So I joined the rather long line up for some ice cream, then from here it's back up Hyw 6 and back on the slab to home. Sorry I couldn't stop by for a visit (Both Dave and the slowly healing Fish). But considering the construction on the Gardiner I got home rather quick. Overall a great day of riding and I squeezed in as much as I could.

Grand Army of the Republic Highway ride

Things just seem to be coming together for my weekender on Hyw 6 in Penn, from getting the trailer this week to Scoots O swap meet being on the Saturday and the weather forecast being perfect. Even my selection of off days this upcoming week make out for a 4 day weekend, well after I used a single day vacation that is.

Wonder why I want to do this ride?  I've done/seen bits of it going down to PVSC and the Gettysburg runs, plus it's listed on most motorcycle ride sites,  so here's a link that let's you know why it's such a great road:

Pennsylvania/Grand-Army-of-the-Republic-Highway---Route-6-(PA)


4 days off with an early 6 am start, so this should be one fun ride. Looks like the first night I will be staying at the lovely Smethport Motel in, you guessed it "Smethport, PA" I've stayed here before, when we ride down to the Gettysburg scooter run. It's cheap and clean and not much else, but sometimes that's all you want.

It's central enough to some of the things that I want to do that day, Zippo museum, but this time buy some of the things they had on sale and also do Route 666 and pick up a /t shirt.  Good breakfast in town as well. The day after we'll take it as it comes.


Well that's about all for now, 2 updates in less than a week. That must mean it's riding season!!!!!


Cheers,
Tross

May 24, Pie and it looks like the weather is finally turning.

Well those 4 days went fast (May 24), Ride for some Pie, and things.

 I can't really say much good about the month of May so far, the weather has been crappy (well on my off days/riding days anyway), and have only gotten in a few days of riding before the May 24 weekend. I haven't even gotten in my long weekender on the GAR (Hyw 6) in Pennsylvania done. Even the upcoming long weekend in the US has rain on Saturday, but still thinking about it. The week before Niagara the weather channel said it was going to rain all week but it turned out ok. So you never know ;-)

Ride for some Pie

Had a off day and wanted to go out riding and the weather was ok(ie cloudy and somewhat warm). So I decided to head out east and do a pie run to the "Big Apple". Always a good stop with some good pie,       wonder why I can't get it  al' a mode, but you can't have it all, and the pie and coffee special always puts a smile on my face. First to the usual stops at Royal and GP cycles. Nothing in the tent sale worth buying and the same at GP. But you never know as I was able to pick up a Nolan modular that I'd been waiting for ever to come on sale for my west coast trip, but never does, for 25% off at GP cycles last time. They just made it up stairs to the clearance section. With that done it's off east on the 401 till Newcastle and down to Lakeshore rd, get off the 401 at any exit before and your still driving in the city. It's a  great riding road over to Port Hope. If your ever in the area give it a try. The only downside was all the sand and gravel left over from the winter that the rain hasn't washed away. Hopefully by now it's gone but watch out for it anyway. Through Port Hope and on to Hwy # 2 or what ever they call it now. Nice drive but some slow cars off into the back way of "The big Apple".

Nothing I've not said before, good pie, good coffee and a good place to stop. Then off for a bit on the 401 and to decide where to go. It was around 3 pm and was fooling around with the idea either to go to Ottawa or Montreal for the BBQ Barn.

It's just one of those places that I've been going to for 30 odd years when I'm in Montreal. Yea, I'd drive there for 5-6 hours just to eat there. The BMW just wants to make you do it.  I will be going there at least once this year and if everything works out, twice. 

After doing the math and the expense of a room in Montreal, I decided on going as far as Kingston and hit up the Adidas outlet store (I've gotten Adidas vespaware there, so it's worth checking out) and the local M/C dealer, cause hey you never know.  Nothing in the Adidas outlet store ;-( , and looking at the new ($33,000) Harley's, guess I'll be keeping the beemer and the mp3 for awhile. Now for the way back, either the usual Hyw 2 or down through Picton. Since Picton means the ferry (which I've never been on)  it's off to the ferry. Once you get out of Kingston on Hyw 33 (The Loyalist Parkway )it's goes down to 2 lanes right along the river. A really nice drive on it's own. Here are some pics:

                                                                            Selfie

                                                        Reststop just outside of Bath, ON

 The ferry runs every 1/2 hour when not busy. Wait was around 15 mins for me, but I needed to use the washroom anyway.  They are clean, so a good reason by it self just to go this way. The ferry is still free and makes a nice change.

After that great ferry ride, it's back on the pavement and down the loyalist pkwy and off to Picton. I haven't been here since going to the Sandbanks rally in the late 80's. Still the same little town, no real reason to stop. Now back over to Brighton, On. Great roads on the island as there's little traffic.  Looked to see if I could find the old rally site, nothing, but it could be somewhere else, but I don't think so. Wouldn't have minded a pic of the gate that we broke and got kicked out for. O' well. Back to Cobourg for sunset and a coffee and some gas and Crappy tire. I wanted to get a running bulb for the headlight before they closed. The cheap Chinese led's don't like the higher voltage and don't last long. Surprise, surprise,  Crappy tire caries Phillips led bulbs. Not cheap but I could not resist. Wow these are bright and are still working. They come in a pack of 2 so I put the other one in the MP3. Well now it's dark and one last thing. After putting the HID kit in, I can now aim them. Heading just north of Cobourg to a old scooterist short cut to bypass Port Hope, I now get the darkness and a no traffic road that I could just wish for in the big city. Done, and the road turns back into Hyw 2 and into Newcastle. From there it's back on the 401 and on the slab back home for just after midnight. On the road 12 odd hours and enjoyed it.

Niagara 2014

Well it's another year of Niagara. and after a few years of having great weather for the weekend, it looks like we were due for a change. The week before the rally the forecast was for rain for the next 7 days including the Friday and Saturday . I was seriously thinking of taking the BMW for the rain and weather protection. Well things got better and I decided to take the MP3, well, it is a "scooter run". Since I've not had it out since the fall last year, because I got a screw in the tire and bought the BMW, so the poor girl got put to the side. The only bonus was the tire was down to the ware marks so I got my money out of that tire! Unlike vintage scooters where it takes 15 min to change, the mp3 takes around a hour ( remove exhaust, half of swing arm then the tire). I can do that part but I still have to take it to a shop to change the actual tire. So who to take it to and more important, who can squeeze me in during this busy time.  Marco!!! at BSC!!!

Luckily for me the plugs that I put in last year have held. Top up air in the front tires, then head over to BSC after work. Luckily for me I got off work at 10:30 am, but I did start at 4:30 am. Having thought I'd just drop off the scoot for Marco to work on I was pleasantly surprised that Marco said he could do the job while I wait.  Good catching up with Marco, and seeing that the shop is doing well. Here's some pics:

 Of course, I was talking and catching up with Marco too much to take some pics with the scooter actually getting serviced, but O well. Also able to get a veal sandwich across the street and coffee from Marco. I can't wait till the Cafe is finished. Also thanks to Marco for heading down to Vespa West to pick up a new exhaust gasket. I thought I had the right one that I ordered from eBay, but that ended up being one for a 250/300, Cheers.

Finally,  now it's Friday of the run, and now I'm working days instead of nights, and wow what a difference. It's nice not just getting up and off to the run. I actually get to wake up at a decent time, get ready, have coffee and check the scoot. Tom Hall from the mod days decided to join me for the ride down, nice. I'm a firm believer of getting out of the city before 12 noon on a Friday, usually I get out around 10:30 -11 am, as that time seems to be the best.  Hey if you don't believe me, ask Dave Wade, we both left at the same time to head to Crudfest in Ottawa few years ago. He had the pleasure of driving through Toronto on a Friday of a summeer weekend.  He didn't catch up to me until  Cornwall, and I took the slow way, Hwy 2, anyway back to the ride, We take the QEW and Red Hill valley pkwy up to the top of  Hamilton Mtn. The nice part about my job is that when I'm finished I don't have to see another train until I go back. Well I was wrong about that. Having got almost over to the Timmies at Hyw 20 and Mudd rd for a coffee what do I see.

 God dammit, it's a subway train! I can't even get away from work out here ;-). These poor old trains were built in the 80's and are being replaced as we get new ones. I can say I've operated this car on the line. It's a little hard to see something that you've operated going to the scrappers, but hey that's life and makes for a interesting drive! After some lunch me and Tom are off to Ridgeway rd and the side roads down to Niagara. It's a little cool and windy, but no rain so all is good. Headed down to Hyw 3 and one last stop for a warm coffee in Port Colborne @ Mcdee's, just better coffee than Timmies. This Mcdee's has a history as it was the place Amir showed up after putting Matt Walkers vespa in a ditch. It was bad then, but looking back it was funny,hell it was even funny back then, lesson learned, don't lend Amir you scooter.

 After warming up it's off to the site. Turning off Hyw 3to the site, I can't see anyone in the field. Well I was surprised to be the first one, be hey it's happened before. I go to the office to check in and pay. This is where I get the bad news. The field is just too wet to camp on and we'll be in the back on the camping pads. I pay and head back and see a few faces that already have set up. Not the biggest site but it's a dry place to put up a tent. I grabbed some food over at the Diner with a few people that where there, Dave, Rich and a few others.

I hung out a while as people arrived and set up their tents, trailers and crap. Since mom and pa retired to Ft Eire and is 10 min away, I'll take hotel mom over camping. Bad me, after having dinner and catching up with the folks and watching tv. Do I want to go back to cold windy campsite? or keep nice and warm. It's funny as I got older, drinking has taken a back seat. So Zzzzzzzzz. Anyway after a great sleep I head over to the site. A few survivors were awake so off to timmies for the box of coffee and timbits. Now everyone is slowly getting up and heading over to the dinner for a good breakfast. Good breakfast, but bad in the way finger pic. Thought I took more pics but guess not.

Caught up with everyone, on what their plans were for the upcoming season. Should make for some interesting drives this year. The wind had died down so it turned into a rather nice,but cool Saturday afternoon.

Ian sold his racer to Popeye and all the bits,  hey, gotta pay for that party hot tub ;-) After hanging around for a bit, I headed up to Niagara Falls (sorry Dave, but I waited around for an hour then decided to head out) Niagara Falls was it's usual long weekend busy self. Shopped at  liquidation depot on Lundy's Lane. It's worth checking out for all the cheap good crap that they carry.

Here's a pic so you can find it easier. It's worth a stop. Then over to Taco Bell for some Nacho's, Wow what a disappointment.  I've not been there for a while, and it showed! $2.99 for a small tray of around 20 chips and a couple of spoonful's of toppings. I won't be going back. I've gotten spoiled by the "Mighty Toco" over on the American side and their american portions. I headed back as it just started to rain in Niagara Falls and  to the parents to relax and get ready for a return trip to the site. Damm, I fell asleep, again. I must be getting old. O well. Ended up getting up early, go figure. Since everyone bails early from the site to get home, a trip over the border with the scoot was in order. That and to beat the hoards that come down from Toronto if I go over later. I never have a problem going over the border riding either the bike or scooter, which is a good thing. I tend to get more hassle when I'm in the car, go figure. A stop at Starbucks for Coffee, Oatmeal and some free Wi-fi, which is always good when your US data plan is not the greatest. Stop at Harbor Freight to see if anything was on sale. One of the few times I didn't buy anything.  Some driving along the river, overall,  just a nice peaceful day on some roads I don't get to ride on often. Nobody at the border coming back, bonus.

Most of Monday was taking up with doing belated mother's day stuff. Took mom to "Joe's crab shack" in Amherst. Gotta say they have the best crab in Buffalo hands down. Then took her shopping at all the usual places, which means I drop her off and pick her up after seeing a movie. Only 45 min to get through the border on a Monday of a long weekend, so not too bad. I packed up the scooter and off just before 8 pm.
Having only  made it to Port Colborne the clouds decided to open up, O well, I missed most of the rain for the entire weekend. So hiding under a closed staples awning, I opened up that weather app. Gotta say it's one of those things that I wish I had 20 years ago with all my long distance riding. The forecast was for passing thunderstorms, so not as bad as it could be. Looking up with the hairy eyeball it looked like it wasn't going the way the forecast was saying, so waited a bit and headed up north. Learned a lesson there, the weather app is helpful, but you can't totally trust the forecast. Up to old Hyw 20, with the scoot cutting out. Either it was too much moister getting in the air filter or the dreaded "Kill switch" was acting up, or on the outside there was water in the gas. Since I had 1/2 tank I could dismiss the water in gas. Cycled the kill switch a couple of times, and that seemed to cure it. Got a spare switch so maybe I'll get around to change it.

By now it's dark and I'm glad I installed those HID lights. they are amazing. I won't drive another bike/scoot without them. Except the GP,  which has no DC power, so I have to wait for the hopefully sooner than later LED headlight bulbs. The nice part and unexpected while driving on Hyw 20, was as your coming up to the small towns is seeing the fireworks going off, and it happened in every town I went through. Since I'm not in a real hurry to get home I take the scooterist way home, across the lift bridge, and Lakeshore rd back to Toronto. I end up getting on the Gardner around Dufferin and home in 20 min.

Overall a great long weekend, just wish I went back to the site Saturday night but hey the season is just beginning.



Looks like the trailer for the BMW is finally ready and I'm off to London on Saturday to pick it up, can't wait.

http://www.thirdwheeltrailers.com/index.php/trailers_specs

Guess you'll have to wait till next blog for all the details


Well I've booked off a few days off of work to do, finally get to do my Hwy 6 (GAR) in Pennsylvania ride next weekend. It's also looking/working out that I'll be able to hit up Scooters "O's" Garage sale. Let me know if you want anything picked up (with reason, as I'm on the bike). Hey Larry and Sam, what ya doing next weekend?


Upcoming Trips

Updated May 24, 2014

Heros Highway Ride,  Saturday June, 7th 2014

http://heroshighwayride.com/ride.html

Friday the 13th, Port Burwell, June 2014

PVSC Band Camp  June 19th - 22nd  (just checked the date with the club)

East Coast Bike trip on the way to Lammyjammy, got the week off, so why not? 

Lammyjammy July 10th - 13th in Boston, MA
Here's one link:  https://www.facebook.com/events/502678693154904/?ref_dashboard_filter=calendar

Port Burwell  Run and Race,  July 18th - 20th (hopefully)
Burwell Run and Race

Cleveland, Ohio,  Mods and Rockers "Revenge of the Mods" Aug, 8 - 10th 2014

https://www.facebook.com/events/406854949445961/?ref_dashboard_filter=calendar

Curdfest (Ottawa) Aug 15th - 17th  Here's the links:  

http://curdrally.com/     https://www.facebook.com/events/225692490946777/?ref_dashboard_filter=calendar
Modtreal Rally, Montreal, PQ,  Labour day weekend

Route 66 and PCH bucket list trip, Sept 12th - Oct 13th. Gonna be one long trip.

Gettesburg , PA Oct 10th - 13th ? Still on the west coast, so up in the air for this one?

Weekenders:
Scooters O Garage sale.
Hyw 6 Pennsylvania
Ride the Lake Eire Coast

Cheers till next post.
Tross