Wednesday, May 28, 2014

All Better Now

Just one day later and all is good with the world, or at least the smoke is gone. This morning is was cool and very sunny before these clouds moved in. This is our typical Summer weather. I'm not sure what's in the forecast but I'm sure it really matters. As long as it's not snowing, it's all good.

On my trip to Talkeetna last weekend, I noticed that the Gerbings heated liner wasn't working though the gloves worked fine. Back in February, I had the same problem with the wiring for the heated gloves. The connector hanging out of the bottom of the jacket liner failed at the junction with the strain relief. Since the Radio Shack replacement plug (size "N" 5.5mm O.D x 2.5mm I.D.) came in packages of two, I already had a replacement. I used a double layer of heat shrink tubing to reinforce the connection to the replacement plug. Hopefully, this will work for a while.

The heated gear wasn't needed but I brought it along in case I ran into extended wet riding. As it was, it was only rained  for a couple of hours and the heated gear was never needed though I did test is since the connector felt questionable.
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12 comments:

  1. SonjaMMay 29, 2014 at 6:51 AM

    I am glad to hear that the smoke has gone. What a difference a day makes. Clear view and bright skies. The air looks as if nothing ever happened.

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    1. RichardMMay 29, 2014 at 4:14 PM

      I was dreading another smoke-filled summer and was pleasantly surprised to see that it was gone almost as quickly as it had shown up.

      Delete
  2. UnknownMay 29, 2014 at 9:30 AM

    Richard:

    Sometimes having a twin pack is nice just so you have spares for "next time" you need a part. Can't you shorten or lengthen the wire so it is in a place where it won't bend ?

    As long as there is no ice or too warm that's when it's the best time to ride. I am finding that when it is hot I like to take the car for the a/c. Last week it went up to 25°C and I was sweltering so naturally I left the bike at home

    Time to buy another twin pack of connectors. When you have them on hand you won't need them. The next time take a ball point pen apart and cut the plastic tube to fit the end of that connector so that the strain is diverted lower on the wire and not at the end of the plug

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast

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    1. RichardMMay 29, 2014 at 4:19 PM

      There are simply wire ties where they go through a grommet on the liner and I moved the tie so that the wires don't hang down below the liner. This should help avoid sharp bends.

      One of the reasons for multiple layers of shrink tubing is to distribute bending over a larger length of the wire. One of the shrink tubing is over the wire and the end of the plastic part of the plug. So no more failures at that point.

      Delete
  3. redlegsridesMay 29, 2014 at 4:09 PM

    good to hear your repair needs are so easy lately....i wouldn't think you'll need heated gear till say....September?

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    1. RichardMMay 29, 2014 at 4:21 PM

      When I left on Friday, it was 36°F so I thought that bringing the heated gear wouldn't hurt. Healy had flurries in the forecast but it was never happened.

      Delete
  4. Walter CronenburgMay 30, 2014 at 3:01 AM

    "double layer of heat shrink tubing" - sounds like someone finishing a job properly! The good thing about heat shrink tubing is that you can just use a lighter on it at the side of the road. I always carry a few different lengths and sizes with me. And a few Ty-Wraps stuffed up the frame, of course!

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    1. RichardMMay 30, 2014 at 7:58 AM

      Walter,
      Thank you for stopping by and commenting, and I added your blog to my list. On this bike, there has been a lot of opportunity for repair as the 30+ year old plastic insulation doesn't fare well with our cold temperatures.

      Delete
  5. David MasseMay 31, 2014 at 7:03 AM

    Richard, nice to see clear skies. I remeber smoky haze a few years back in Lake Louise. Amazing how far it travels.

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    1. RichardMMay 31, 2014 at 9:09 PM

      The wind picked up this afternoon again and there are now a couple more fires in the interior...

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  6. TrobairitzMay 31, 2014 at 12:57 PM

    Glad to see the smoke is clearing out. Hard to believe it is fire season already.

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    1. RichardMMay 31, 2014 at 9:10 PM

      They are predicting that this may be a really bad year for fires in AK. Too much dry brush built up over the last couple of years.

      Delete

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