Shajota
Hero member
- Location
- Whitsundays Qld
Just to add a bit of Rural Qld flavor to ride reports and for my own amusement thought I?d post a little tale of recent run. I know this is a bit "wordy" and most would prefer pics, but hopefully it is readable and someone finds it interesting.
The other day Chris Kay suggested he might take a ride out west to pass the time. I had a bit of a think and with a low pressure system heading down the coast which was sure to wash out the coming week a trip out west sounded fine to me to. The Central west had some decent rain recently and forecasts suggested we would certainly get some more, but thought it?d be better than on the coast.
So, with all the organization and planning of a detailed military mission Chris and I basically had no idea what the other was doing
I headed off Tuesday and because it was a spur of the moment thing had to leave late morning after getting everything organized! Weather was looking grim when I left but was very hot and humid so no conditions to be wearing any sort of wet weather gear.
2nd fuel stop Middlemount:-
Had thought I might stay first night in Capella but approaching there the rain started getting heavier.
Sheltering for a bit at Capella:-
CK had been trying to text me to see where I was but once I get away from town my phone won?t work which usually suits me fine! After waiting for rain to ease turned left and headed to Emerald because at least I could get phone reception there. Turns out Chris had been delayed so looked highly doubtful we would meet up so new plan was to do a loop back home through Winton, Hughenden and Charters Towers.
Tucked in at Emerald:-
Next morning headed west and decided I?d go straight through Alpha and fill up at Jericho a bit over 220kms away. The only fuel at Jericho is a couple of pumps at a still operating old style garage (which turned out handy!). Filled up and had a yarn with the old bloke who was a speedway racer but more recently into mud racing. Shed was full of interesting things. Anyway after also chatting to another bloke who was telling me about his 1968 Shovelhead which was a piece a shit and he kept having to rebuild, I hit the starter button and no action, flat battery. While I was getting some much needed advice I unloaded the bike, took the side covers off and there sat a battery which had blown up like a balloon. It was still hissing and a bit of acid bubbled out but I was lucky it hadn?t completely shat itself in the middle of nowhere.
Battery a couple days later calmed down a bit!!
Anyway, asked Pearcy the owner what batteries he had and he showed me a small motorcycle battery and a larger mower battery. Thought the mower battery would fit fine although wasn?t sure about the high posts. Fitted perfectly but earth strap wouldn?t reach so the old bloke had some heavy cable and made me a custom one. Started on the button and we put a meter on it and it was charging around 15.5 / 16v, so a bit of a problem. Decided that I would be best to ride to Barcaldine about 90kms away as they actually had accommodation and also had Toll overnight transport from Brisbane as it was on the direct transport corridor to the North West. Pearcy also had a son who had an auto mechanic business at Barcaldine so he gave me his address and suggested I use that to get a new RR sent to. (He also just happened to have a couple of small items he needed taking to Barcaldine!!)
Thought the 90kms shouldn?t damage the new battery too much but took it carefully anyway.
At Barcy, found a motel, borrowed a phone and contacted Redax who then had to organise a new RR and transport by Toll. By then as expected it was too late to get on the truck that day but would be sent next day and expected in Barcy Friday Morning, so would have all day Thursday to see the sights!!. Tree of Knowledge at Barcy:-
Sent Chris a text asking where he was and told him I was in Barcaldine!! After a double take, turns out he was about 4 hours away so said he would be there tomorrow. Next day had the morning to be tourist and quick look in local museum (a coupla pics which might interest):-
Picture of the Tree of Knowledge in 1886:-
Old Pie Cart:-
(To be continued - I know you can't wait :-*)
The other day Chris Kay suggested he might take a ride out west to pass the time. I had a bit of a think and with a low pressure system heading down the coast which was sure to wash out the coming week a trip out west sounded fine to me to. The Central west had some decent rain recently and forecasts suggested we would certainly get some more, but thought it?d be better than on the coast.
So, with all the organization and planning of a detailed military mission Chris and I basically had no idea what the other was doing
I headed off Tuesday and because it was a spur of the moment thing had to leave late morning after getting everything organized! Weather was looking grim when I left but was very hot and humid so no conditions to be wearing any sort of wet weather gear.
2nd fuel stop Middlemount:-
Had thought I might stay first night in Capella but approaching there the rain started getting heavier.
Sheltering for a bit at Capella:-
CK had been trying to text me to see where I was but once I get away from town my phone won?t work which usually suits me fine! After waiting for rain to ease turned left and headed to Emerald because at least I could get phone reception there. Turns out Chris had been delayed so looked highly doubtful we would meet up so new plan was to do a loop back home through Winton, Hughenden and Charters Towers.
Tucked in at Emerald:-
Next morning headed west and decided I?d go straight through Alpha and fill up at Jericho a bit over 220kms away. The only fuel at Jericho is a couple of pumps at a still operating old style garage (which turned out handy!). Filled up and had a yarn with the old bloke who was a speedway racer but more recently into mud racing. Shed was full of interesting things. Anyway after also chatting to another bloke who was telling me about his 1968 Shovelhead which was a piece a shit and he kept having to rebuild, I hit the starter button and no action, flat battery. While I was getting some much needed advice I unloaded the bike, took the side covers off and there sat a battery which had blown up like a balloon. It was still hissing and a bit of acid bubbled out but I was lucky it hadn?t completely shat itself in the middle of nowhere.
Battery a couple days later calmed down a bit!!
Anyway, asked Pearcy the owner what batteries he had and he showed me a small motorcycle battery and a larger mower battery. Thought the mower battery would fit fine although wasn?t sure about the high posts. Fitted perfectly but earth strap wouldn?t reach so the old bloke had some heavy cable and made me a custom one. Started on the button and we put a meter on it and it was charging around 15.5 / 16v, so a bit of a problem. Decided that I would be best to ride to Barcaldine about 90kms away as they actually had accommodation and also had Toll overnight transport from Brisbane as it was on the direct transport corridor to the North West. Pearcy also had a son who had an auto mechanic business at Barcaldine so he gave me his address and suggested I use that to get a new RR sent to. (He also just happened to have a couple of small items he needed taking to Barcaldine!!)
Thought the 90kms shouldn?t damage the new battery too much but took it carefully anyway.
At Barcy, found a motel, borrowed a phone and contacted Redax who then had to organise a new RR and transport by Toll. By then as expected it was too late to get on the truck that day but would be sent next day and expected in Barcy Friday Morning, so would have all day Thursday to see the sights!!. Tree of Knowledge at Barcy:-
Sent Chris a text asking where he was and told him I was in Barcaldine!! After a double take, turns out he was about 4 hours away so said he would be there tomorrow. Next day had the morning to be tourist and quick look in local museum (a coupla pics which might interest):-
Picture of the Tree of Knowledge in 1886:-
Old Pie Cart:-
(To be continued - I know you can't wait :-*)
Most times around about a foot so no drama except for more filling of the boots from the bow waves. Arrived back in Emerald totally water logged and freezing cold.
(but green everywhere)
