Took a while to be sure, with consideration of whats on round home and hoping all goes well with the bike.

I've also been in contact with smithy & groverK for some info for this bike gathering newby. Thanks, guys.

I'll be joining the group at Beresfield BP at 9am saturday. Looking forward to the weekend.

Cheers,

Bill

Welcome along Bill.

getting ready to be off

Christ Gerty's looking good, we'll see you tomorrow mate, have a good ride down.

When you reckon on passing through Stanthorpe Charlie.  Seeing you will have Blakey with you Maccas will be a definite stop.

tis a sad tale of woes rick

just received a message from blakey, that he cant get the Monday off, after all  ....bugga ! ...I blame Campbell bloody Newman  (our state premier )
but I recon he has a conscientious side and sees the need for the commitment to the workplace (good on him ...actually,  lots of others now don't have a job )

so all going to plans should be up that ways  (about 2 - 2.5 hours travel I guess  allowing for tin can drivers ) about 10 .30 -11.00 Qld time  11.30 - 12.30 nsw time

disappointed that we tried hard to get a good contingent together from up here  to match the irish eccentrics ....but its looking like 12 bikes or so again .

I hope the southerners have a better success rate and swell the ranks up in Guyra

still looking forward to the meet with our friends with great anticipation  ...for me its been a while , or so it seems

Can't make it.

On long run up between Tabulam and Drake, bike slowed down as if it were being starved for fuel. I let it sit for a few minutes and got it going again but after a km it died again.
Got to 15kms west of Drake after 10 stops but with hot weather out on N E HWY, it didn't seem likely that it would run out there.
Turned round and rode through thunderstorm which made the air a lot cooler and it didn't stop once !!!!!!!!
Even at Casino (34 degrees) it didn't miss a beat.

I'll have to look under the tank to see that the shield is in place.  What else should i look for?

I'll go to Grafton early in the morning when it's still cool and will be at Coutts crosssing. What time??

My mate Eric was in front and so is somewhere out Glenn Innes way. If he calls in, can he come and stay out at Riverdale tonight

The forum seemed so quiet in this part of the world tonight.

Then I remembered you were all gone walkabout down there but sorry too at what happened werewasi.

Hope you have lots of good photos after it. The way you are looking forward to it the memories may not be the best.....!!!!

Safe travels. We don't want to be reading of any mishaps

werewasi wrote:Can't make it.

On long run up between Tabulam and Drake, bike slowed down as if it were being starved for fuel. I let it sit for a few minutes and got it going again but after a km it died again.
Got to 15kms west of Drake after 10 stops but with hot weather out on N E HWY, it didn't seem likely that it would run out there.
Turned round and rode through thunderstorm which made the air a lot cooler and it didn't stop once !!!!!!!!
Even at Casino (34 degrees) it didn't miss a beat.

I'll have to look under the tank to see that the shield is in place.  What else should i look for?

I'll go to Grafton early in the morning when it's still cool and will be at Coutts crosssing. What time??

My mate Eric was in front and so is somewhere out Glenn Innes way. If he calls in, can he come and stay out at Riverdale tonight

could be the hall effect sensor? I think they fail to function when hot.

I was thinking Hall Effect Sensor too, especially as it ran when it got cooler. Only other thing crossing my mind was fuel tank venting problem but Hall Effect is my money.

Definitely wasn't the tank because the first thing i did was lift the lid and left it resting on the lock.

Can you explain a bit more about the location of the H E because previously I've had Rs where the thing was located on front of block. If it does fail when hot, is this just temporary always and if you let the bike cool down, will it start working again. If so then there's no point in my pulling stuff apart and trying to fix.

I am puzzled as to why the bike ran faultlessly (as soon as i turned back) even after the thunderstorm when the temp was back up to 34/35.
On the way UP over the range, the engine was pushing out a lot of heat and I thought asbestos pants might have to be ordered. Can i do more to shroud the top of the engine. Last owner had a foil blanket fitted apparently.

I'm a bit pissed that i missed meeting up with the boys. Eric got to Glen Innes and when i didn't turn up just headed for home !!!!!! Yes, that's what mobile phones are for but he's an MZ boy and so they're too high tech.
Neither of us felt like an early (and cooler) start (this morning - Sunday) to go down to Coutts crossing and meet up  

Anyway I love that RS, Haven't had a bike for years that i've enjoyed riding so much. Coming down the range from Drake must be the next best thing to flying. I rode it as hard as i could just to get it to fail again but wouldn't do it. Wondering if the altitude (1000m) had anything to do with it but doesn't seem possible with fuel injection.

Tks Nigel,
I'll go out in the morning and do a self tutored course in H E 101. I expected all that H E stuff not to be on a bike that was running a chipboard and had CDI.

No, didn't get to the tight twisties before it conked out because they are all AFTER Drake. From Tabulam to Drake is just easy curves and I was doing 100kph. In fact after it first stopped, when I went slower, say 60kph, the engine lasted longer but the climb must have got to it. If it had run like it did the moment I turned back downhill, then I would have kept going to Tenterfield. I was almost annoyed that it kept running and I didn't have to dump it at Drake and go back in the ute to pick it up. 

I have got the K disease real bad. There has been an addition to the family. Arrives on a truck fr Sydney soon. Apparently its hetro so could will put it in a dark garage with the red one and ...........

Charlie 99 wrote: disappointed that we tried hard to get a good contingent together from up here  to match the irish eccentrics ....but its looking like 12 bikes or so again .

Don't be down. It happens us too as some of us end up with other commitments on the day and sadly some get a bike problem and the whole reason for the success and the atmosphere is the lack of formality. You guys have a great get together there this weekend and for me its a case of green eyes and wishing we were a lot closer so we could gate crash it because its set up for a perfect weekend. Remember too that the way you guys meet up was an inspiration for us. I missed plenty of ours too due to lack of a K, was 5 months between the LT going off road and getting the RT.

Thanks Craig and Kay for your hospitality, and thanks everyone for you company and friendship. Great few days.

Bill

Well thanks to all that made the trip this year, I hope that everyone enjoyed the weekend as much as Kay and myself,  I really thought that  the evening  bbq  and drinks was  excellent.   A  great  social time was had with forum members sharing stories and extending friendship to others they hadn’t met before,.

We all managed to wake early on Sunday, ride day without any hangovers and got away on time.

The weather was very similar to last year, hot and humid down in the valley, then on the return to Guyra   the storms hit ( no tornadoes ) but very heavy  rain and great light show. Rossko I’m not sure if your still the rain god !  not  complaining about the rain as it cooled things down and was a pleasure to ride in. The only down side was back at Riverdale with most tents  receiving a drink of water ! a bit of a mop out for most , and a few fresh sleeping bags , then it was time to relax with a few more ales after another great adventure.

This is just the short version more later.

 
here's a few pics

Ed and Tom

Warren C

Gaz 80

Charlie 99

Lunch at the Ulong village

Back at Riverdale

top weekend guys ....thanks to the generous hospitality of mr and mrs smithy ....with lashings of bbq treats  a warm welcome and a great ride out with new and old friends

the camaraderie was excellent ..as usual ...(I really find it extraordinary that us older folks on mighty and old machines just "click" so well )

just home now ...but recovering from the exhausting heat challenges along the way ....a few fluids need to be consumed before this old bloke can sensibly post some pics ..

surprise for sean on the way home (many months of secret planning involved and group contributions of skill and generosity from many,  a tad late in delivery but very appropriate for our old mate "saxon7 " now "guest ")






cheers to you all, back later I hope .

awesome weekend away in the Northern Tablelands.



Bill resting up with the Barrington ranges in the background.


this little Krew gathered at Beresfield BP, and made our first pitstop at Roadies Cafe in Gloucester.
Tom , Bill , Ed , Warren C , and our GS friend Dave.


a quick break at the top of the Barrington Tops range.
It was a cool run up to Gloucester , but started warming up as we reached the lookout. not as hot as what was yet to come over the next two days.


Bill contacted me midweek , and was saying he was encountering problems with fitting his tankbag . 
it is made for steel tanks . I referred him to Rick G's fix on the problem ,gluing steel washers to his tank, and as you can see , bag is fitted . I think he was still having some issue though.






lunch at the Royal Hotel in Walcha . NO PLAYING with the bike boys...... a bit on the warm side by now , an enjoyable none the less.


sunday morning muster at Riverdale. 8am sharp.


the run up the hill to Ulong. Smithy and Kay enjoying the twisty bits.
Kay , smithy and Charlie were our photographers for the day. some great shots captured.


Tom and his K75 at the Ulong lookout


thought I was still flying on my Brick


Charlie , Craig and Kay heading out of Bellingen , off to Dorrigo to see Juan.
this was another great scenic experience as we travelled through the Bellingen Valley.




in the pink.




the bikes nestled in for the night after a top day out.


a great job by the chef   , Warrens given it the thumbs up, what do you think guys?


my sleeping quarters on sunday night, a real privilege to be left to watch over the bikes for the night.


a quick morning workshop session on Ol" Blue, thanks to all. no problems all was good.


Warren and I headed home via Walcha , where we then went our own ways . 
Warren found these cattle better to manouvre through than the bunny that played traffic control with him on sunday arvo.


I had a great run across through the Oxley Highway from Walcha to Port Macquarie ( or Wauchope if you can pronounce it ), 
but this storm made it a bit hot and humid as I made my way along the coast for the 2 1/2 hour ride home. 
I was hoping to outrun the storm , but it hit me 5 mins down the road.


made it to the Museum at 4pm, which is closing time . Never mind , another day perhaps.
As an extra , I fitted a longer leg support to the drawbar of the Kart. this was to trial it as a camera mount , as can be seen by the RAM mount on the upper portion.
I am yet to download the footage to youtube . I did experience some shake in the camera , which I expected .
 But good advice from the krew back at Smithy's , will be to brace the pole at the top of the Kart.


all in all , a great few days spent with good company. thanks everyone .

Charlie , how's Ed's form, he takes a selfy over the bbq and now he's the chef   A big thanks to Charlie and Warren for there great chef skills, nice try Ed.

a great job by the chef   , Warrens given it the thumbs up, what do you think guys?

thanks smithy and Kay for a top week end and it was great to catch up with other like minded individuls of the K and non K inclination. Im already looking forward to next years excursion !!!

Like everyone else, I'd like to thank Craig and Kay for the hospitality over another great weekend for the forum members down under.

I had a good trip up on Saturday via the Old Wallabadah Road (how did our non Aussie friends go pronouncing that one?) into Nundle for a morning tea break.





Tom and I had lunch at this pleasant little cafe on the way back home as well. Then a quick look at Chaffey Dam which is the water supply for Tamworth.



Once up on the New England Tableland I pulled into the little village of Bendemeer for a cold drink at the Old Bowery Inn before heading into Guyra to make a brief stop at Sean's place and have the pleasure of meeting his partner Kerry   for the first time.



A great evening was had on Saturday meeting a couple of members that I had not met before and we all had a fairly early night as our Sunday ride day was going to be a full day and the forecast was for hot weather.

Our first brief stop on Sunday was the village of Ebor at Fusspots for koffee. We were already looking to park the bikes in the shade as the temperature was rising.


The ride loop was through some great mountain country and as predicted it was hot, building up into a mighty storm as we approached Smithy's place on the return journey. My decision to get some beers at the pub in Guyra was a fortuitous one as I was able to run the bike up onto the footpath at the pub under the awning just as the hail started to hammer down. There are worse places to have to wait out a severe storm. Once the downpour eased I headed out of town to Smithy's with beer and ice on board.

As you will see on other posts a stirling job was done on the barbecue by Charlie and Warren (although there seemed to be other claims to fame in that regard). My tent was awash from the storm but luckily I had left my sleeping bag on top of my airbed and it remained dry. Once the tent was mopped out I managed a warm dry night.

On Monday morning Tom and I headed home back down the route that I had followed up and I think it was the hottest riding day that I have experienced. Once we dropped off the high country it was like riding down into an oven. On the stretch through Scone down to Muswellbrook the ambient temperature was around the 43 degC mark. I was home around mid afternoon where the temp was still at 39-40 degC - off with the riding gear and straight into the pool to cool down.

Thanks for the kompany on the way home Tom.

Cheers

smithy wrote:Charlie , how's Ed's form, he takes a selfy over the bbq and now he's the chef   A big thanks to Charlie and Warren for there great chef skills, nice try Ed.

a great job by the chef   , Warrens given it the thumbs up, what do you think guys?

the true champions of the hotplate , Charlie and Warren, well done guys . Everyone was well looked after over the weekend , thanks to our hosts Kay and Smithy.


some the the Krew enjoying the social evening, do you guys need a hand?


As mentioned there were a few wet lodgings encountered on our return Sunday evening. Tom had a few things to wring out , as did Gaz. 
considering I was absent of a tent on my arrival , Smithy was so gracious to afford me a whole cabin to myself. this however did not miss out on the deluge. So again I moved my bedding and ended up in K heaven . surrounded by K bikes and many many K parts, just the thing dreams are made of. slept well both nights . thanks Smithy.

This is what the forum is about in my book!!!!

bloody internet second try

some pics of the event not covered before

at the smithys place ...all settled in and ready


young smithy getting things started after the arrival



come ride day ...we kinda took over the petrol station ...if just for a short while






far down the hot track we made a stop at the Ulong services club ,,,,a sweet stopover for a well deserved lunch

 



after all set up ready to be off over the hills again but ed playing at monkeying around  (care of seanii )


 

as many reached the top of the Dorrigo pass "waterfalls way " many sprinted home to avoid the incoming weather

meanwhile sean, kerry and I lounged out at "juans café " again ...nice carrot cake too


the pictured Harley followed me out into the weird lightning storm ...trying to keep up ...yeah right mate ...keep at it ...

met up with ed and warren at ebor for a  wet ride home ....

followed by a very wet towling down and appreciated dinner

great fun

next morning  a glorious day  greeted us



wow what a warm day to come

we visited sean to award him with our planned  contribution from the forum   for the spontaneity he showed during his membership and at the time planned escape back to Germany ...we could let this go without mention







heading home, the heat was "all devouring" of every bit of energy ...especially heading down into the coast regions again

for me but a mere 1400k s or so but very glad to be home (many of our mates did far more on this trip)  and all appreciated for the effort  and camaraderie

 

again blokes and blokettes

thanks for a fantastic time "out and about"

Great reports, photos and accounts on what sounds like a top few days out on the K's down under.

Very envious...if only Australia was just a tad closer and if only there was a ferry (via Plymouth UK and Cork, Ireland) that could get us all over there once in a while!

Particularly like your pics Smithy - especially the double rainbow camping one and the action cornering shots - good angles guys!

Thanks for sharing.    

charlie99 wrote:bloody internet second try

some pics of the event not covered before


we visited sean to award him with our planned  contribution from the forum   for the spontaneity he showed during his membership and at the time planned escape back to Germany ...we could let this go without mention

Yes , Charlie , as many are aware Sean has taken a break from the Knuthaus for the time being, so it was a very emotional drop in at Seans before heading home. 
I'll share this part in a new post "Seanii's showKase".

Thanks for the reports and great photos. Once again it looks like all had a great time...wish I was there.

It seems I have missed another great outing with company to be had. Somewhat jealous of you all.

Me 2 sorry I missed it

Looks like a top outing. Will try not to miss it next year.

Top weekend guys, thanks for the photo's for a flavour of the riding down under. The distances always amaze me.

Is that an Ed selfie or a Security Cam still of a felony in progress? (I have been known to steal an odd sausage from the grill myself  ) 

Nice to put faces to the names and see that the comraderie of the forum is truly a global phenomenon !

88KE said (I have been known to steal an odd sausage from the grill myself  ) 

More like all the odd sausages if you ask me.....not to mention the odd steaks too.

And the day after.......

Perhaps those more experienced with their Ks can tell me if these figures are reasonable/expected.



For those who are more used to miles and either type of gallon, sorry, but you'll catch up with the rest of the world some day.

Bill

In Queens English of miles per gallon that works out about 46.8 miles per gallon or 10 miles per litre. 2,094km gives you 1,309 miles and I use a rule of thumb for trips of 10 miles per litre or 130.9 litres. You are 3% over that as you used 126.92 litres so my take is that it sounds about right.

That's all assuming you guys have the same size litres as we have unlike those in US who shrunk the gallons after they crossed the Atlantic.

You didn't by any chance do a similar table for beer consumption? Petrol 6.06 litres per 100km. Beer ?? litres per 100km?

Another to put their hand up and say how sad I am to have missed this.

Top ride blokes and good to see a bit of rain falling where it is needed.

Surprised there have been no comments on the minor oil leak from Warrens pump after our roadside repair.
Especially after me claiming a 100% success rate.

I would expect a little better than an overall of 6.06/100 but that still is in the good category for me when I compare it to my K100 figures which were 5.6/100.
My K1100 averaged 4.7 for the trip from Stanthorpe return, I have had figures as good as 4.2 after I put the 2,62 gears in the rear drive but since I put the K1200RS cams in it has definitely got a bit worse on fuel and ride-ability like as in it stood up on me twice on Sunday when giving it a handful in 2nd gear.  I much prefer to keep both wheels firmly planted despite being a senile delinquent.
I am in the process of removing the cams now and have already sold them to a friend who is puting them in a K100 16 V engine in a 4 wheeled thing he plays with.

rosskko wrote:Another to put their hand up and say how sad I am to have missed this.

Top ride blokes and good to see a bit of rain falling where it is needed.

Surprised there have been no comments on the minor oil leak from Warrens pump after our roadside repair.
Especially after me claiming a 100% success rate.

Hey rosskko you also missed the sKones, made for Monday morning breakfast! sorry only crumbs left. Maybe one of the Krew will post a pick for you.
I didn't have a close look at Warrens bike so cant comment.

Just for you Rosskko. You probably wouldn't have felt like any of these for breakfast anyway.

smithy wrote:

rosskko wrote:Another to put their hand up and say how sad I am to have missed this.

Top ride blokes and good to see a bit of rain falling where it is needed.

Surprised there have been no comments on the minor oil leak from Warrens pump after our roadside repair.
Especially after me claiming a 100% success rate.

Hey rosskko you also missed the sKones, made for Monday morning breakfast! sorry only crumbs left. Maybe one of the Krew will post a pick for you.
I didn't have a close look at Warrens bike so cant comment.

Warren mentioned on saturday during the run up to Smithy's ," the sealant may need further attention , may not have cured properly"
sounds like it did the job , but just needs a little bit more goop.
and yes those Skones were a real treat on monday , they filled the soul for the trip home. 
I didn't get lunch til I reached Long Flat on the downhill side of the Oxley Highway, around 3pm. 
By now the impending storm was sending the humidity and temp higher.

Long Flat Pub , a mecca for bikes on weekends. Glad it's monday.

indian036 wrote:Perhaps those more experienced with their Ks can tell me if these figures are reasonable/expected.



For those who are more used to miles and either type of gallon, sorry, but you'll catch up with the rest of the world some day.

Bill

Bill - interesting stats. 

I compared your numbers with the fuel consumption figures that I get from my daily commute (68 mile round trip mix of rural lane, highway, city street and motorway riding). On average, I get 5.5 litres/100km (204 miles or 328km for an average 18.2 litres of fuel) or about 11.2 miles per litre (broadly similar to Olaf's estimated 10 mile/litre). Yes we are cross threaded here in Blighty - stuck with miles but buy fuel by the litre!

If you exclude your 9.43 (low gear) and 6.81 (least reliable) consumption figures, you get an average of 5.6l/100km which is bang on what Rick says his K100 delivers. 

The hidden lesson from your stats is don't buy fuel from Nana Glen unless you have to...initially I thought "highway robbery" - we get a lot of that here in the UK, particularly at motorway service stations. I then did the math and note that your average fuel price equates to £0.85/litre and even Nana Glen only tips the scales at £0.93/litre. Compare that with our wallet busting (mostly due to government taxation) current cost of £1.23/litre (2.26 Australian Dollars/litre)....it was averaging £1.28/litre and spent some time at £1.31/litre back in June (equivalent to 2.35 AUD/litre and 2.41 AUD/litre respectively) for most of the year but the current glut of crude oil on the global market has driven the price down (for now).

rosskko wrote:

Surprised there have been no comments on the minor oil leak from Warrens pump after our roadside repair.
Especially after me claiming a 100% success rate.

Rosskko - Yes I kept quiet about that - the bike didnt miss a beat though!

Craig I'll be up next year to clean the oil stains off your garage floor .....

bill I would forget those "out of reasonable" figures .... I would put them down to low grade fuel, amongst other things and not realy a good fit into the standards of consistency .

interesting to note  born again ...those prices are pretty similar to new Zealand ...in comparison to aussie ...last time I did some travelling over  there (was a little while ago ) aussie fuel was 139 c / l ...where as nz at the time was well over 179c /l for the "standard type " low grade fuel

I imagine that they are closer to you guys than us  keep in mind that we have just gone down (slightly in price over the last month or so but normal prices have been in the 159s for middle grade fuel ...and 179 for premium grade )..

there may be some "duty - tax " legislation that makes the difference between us ?



oh forgot to add ....more scone pics ...along with some loose nuts ....(thanks rossko  we were thinking of you ) 

just delish, straight from the oven by  chef craig ....mmmmm




fluffy without  being too undercooked ...nice mix of flour content (not too powdery-flowery  )  and still hot ...mixed well with the olive oil based margarine - butter ...and a sweet cup of tea  @ 6.30 ish am

"fluffy without  being too undercooked ...nice mix of flour content (not too powdery-flowery  )  and still hot ...mixed well with the olive oil based margarine - butter ...and a sweet cup of tea."



Stay tuned folks for a new thread on "Flower Arranging - Flower types to match your K" and "Origami For Fun and Profit"...

I'll guess Charlie knows where you live................... .

I do inge .... 

he knows what to expect ....but die laughing in the process

What's the change rate value spark plug nipples vs scones these days.....2 to 1?