Re: Daily Fixing and Riding Diary on a mainly Ariel 2018

[Steven.Carter]

I'm losing track of the days. Tonenburg is a fantastic venue for a rally. Everything was very relaxed.

Weather was perfect, no rain. I even managged to pack away my tent dry! Don't think I've ever done that.
A ferry we crossed on our Tuesday run, only I seemed to do it in the wrong direction

At the end of the run some needed some extra help to get back, Bruce was very grateful for the photo! NOT.

Myself and Bob stopped on our ride on Monday and got a decent picture of Peter and Chris swinging by. I didn't think it came out but it actually doesn't look too bad.

[Paul Slootheer]

Great photographs Steven, have a safe ride!
Paul Slootheer

[Steven.Carter]

I'm heading back to Amsterdam now, we had a drop of rain heading to our halfway stop over in Germany but now the suns out in Holland. I've a coffee and cake and all well with the world.

[Steven.Carter]

A view of the camp site as we arrived

[Steven.Carter]

Whilst I'm sure there was an odd problem or two with some of the old stuff at the rallies the modern bikes wasn't immune from a snag or three

These three looked very puzzled with Tonys modern bike. Scotts ringing a friend, but where's the back wheel?

When we arrived at Amsterdam all Ariels to have a drip tray

[Steven.Carter]

Our ride around Saturdays route was great, I didn't realise that the countryside around Amsterdam was so great. And only a short ride from the campsite.
I saw this cafe from a distance and thought it would make a good coffee stop but as I got closer I could see the Canal in the way, I need a ferry I thought, then there was one

Huge barges passed by the camp site constantly. Made an impressive site.

But It all came to an end in a bit of a hurry for me. We had a break in at home, nothing taken just the back fence beaten up a bit. Our dogs earnt thier dinner the next day as they probably scared them away.
The German and Dutch rallies were just great. Thanks to everyone who helped organise them.

[Steven.Carter]

One thing I'd conveniently forgot to mention yesterday. A small slight, non event of a breakdown I do have to congratulate and thank my Ariel for looking after me in my embarrassment. She died completely on the M25 just after Clacket Lane services. Here there are 4 lanes with no hard shoulder. My Huntmaster waited to die till it could see one of those safety refuges for me to coast into. I got busy as I'm supposed to ring for help. Fortunately I quickly found a wire had snapped behind my light switch. I need to use a wire that can take a little vibration as it had simply snapped and the connection.


Back to reality, 3 jobs today, one up at Bulford Army Camp then back to Portsmouth and then a School in Southampton. We always get quite a few Schools in late September and early October. Mostly new boilers that should have been finished before the kids return back from thier summer breaks.

[Steven.Carter]

Awfully weekend of weather didn't encourage me out but by Sunday afternoon things improved. Before I left for a run to see my friend in Farnham I did an oil and filter change and topped up the gearbox on my Cyclone. It's always a good idea to have oil in the gearbox, isn't it Adrie I also had it my head that the belt primary drive was a bit tight so I adjusted it and the rear drive chain.
I got as far as Winchester when all of a sudden things went very bad, it felt like the belt was jumping over the pulley. But I didn't have the correct tools and the rain had come on bad again so carefully I retreated back home.

I did get it fixed and set off again this time in the sunshine. Maybe my bike just wanted to wait for better weather
Moral. If it ain't broke don't............

[Steven.Carter]

This morning I had a job in Basingstoke. First chilly day for a while now. Also no pictures as I'd left my phone at home. My bike though cooperated with my problem and didn't breakdown.

Steve

[Keith.owen]

Hi Steve,
I'd value your opinion on something. You have a belt drive fitted to your cyclone - question is if they are worth the expense and are sufficiently reliable. I was thinking about belt drive in context of my Commando (Yes I know this is sacrilege, mustn't mention the 'N' word on the Ariel forum).

Keith