N Z National Rally and Most miles covered North to South

Just covered 3145 miles for the round trip. Kerikeri-Cape Reinga-Dunedin [ rally venue ]-Bluff and home again. Dunedin was exactly half way At 1572 miles. Only problems were and buggered ignition switch in Dunedin, the screaming shits when I got to Omarama, and loosing my $700.000 glasses to a car in Havelock. Some very slight weeps from tappets covers and head gasket which were solidified by some road film and a slight weep from my selector shaft. No leaks were worth even thinking about and wont be looked at till the next overhaul or service.
i went up to the cape then down to stay the night with "Blaizstation" in Wellsford, then together made the trip to Dunedin in three steps. Wellsford to Wellington, next day ferry to Picton then on up the Wairau, Shenandoah, Lewis pass to Kaiapoi where we stayed with Blaizes brother. Next day via the inland route via Geraldine to Dunedin.
Because of the ignition problem in Dunedin., I suggested our honourable president and UK Chairman Tim Harrison with wife Linda riding on Mark's "Land Yacht" [ a v4 honda of some description], accompanied by our new temporary editor and Forum member "Ianb".
All-in-all a very enjoyable trip but on occasions we were glad to reach our destinations. Headwinds and crosswinds make you weary.
BTW, that IWIS chain might need adjusting some time soon. Its done about 5,000 miles so far.
I will keep the intimate details for our coming newsletter before adding them here.

All the best for the new year everyone.
Dereck

PS that bloody lazy plugs symptom became obvious again while riding the Queen Charlotte drive to Picton From Havelock. Beginning to wonder if the expensive NGK Iridium plugs are worth the trouble. No doubt I will figure it out soon but too bloody tired and disinterested right now. Back to work tomorrow.

Re: N Z National Rally and Most miles covered North to Sout

Good effort Dereck, just home today myself and just shy of 3000 miles with our various side trips.
Only a primary chain adjustment and topping up of oil while on the trip.
The presidential cavalcade is continuing around the East Cape but Mark's multi award winning Commando is in a van, a stuck inlet valve slowed progress coming up the Rimutaka's.
iain.

Re: N Z National Rally and Most miles covered North to Sout

Richard Renwick came into the shop today saying Pete Bell had asked him about going down to Pukekohe. Ill need a break so will not go down this time. Certainly was good to get home. Busy day at work and lots of people asking about the trip. I chucked a couple of older but new N7Y plugs in tonight but couldn't get up the courage to go for a test ride. I certainly need the break. I think its time mark not only got new front pipes but got rid of the noisy bloody megaphones. He wont get regulated to the back of the queue all the time then.
Dereck

Re: N Z National Rally and Most miles covered North to Sout

It was nice meeting you Dereck. You should fire up those new plugs and take the long way into work. I am sure you could stretch the commute out to 10 mins.

Re: N Z National Rally and Most miles covered North to Sout

I took 3 ltrs of oil away with me and only used 1 1/2 litres. The trip from Wellington to home did not use any oil.
While in Dunedin looking for my electrical problem I discovered the 2 bolts holding my "Ludwig" head steady had come out. I had noticed a funny rattle when riding to Kaiapoi from Picton during the heavy rain and didnt think much about it as the bike was behaving so well. When we got to Kaiapoi , all we could think about was getting our wet gear off and standing in front of the fire to warm up.
On the ride down to Mosgiel from Middlemarch on the Saturday, I had been following an ES2 which was doing 78 clicks on many occasions. If I had know I didn't have a head steady I might have shit myself. I had tightened the other iso's to 5 thou just before leaving Kerikeri. 40 years ago my head steady broke on my 750. It handled like riding a rubber band. Go fiqure.
Dereck