This morning, I was passing by the time/temp sign at the entrance to the university. A short hop down the path and I was in a good position for a picture. A couple of hours later in the day the temperature had dropped to -28°F so I started a new PBC video with that temperature. I think the speedometer in the Ural failed due to the temperature. In the past, it would just read high whenever it was cold but at -28°F, groaning sounds came from the speedometer and not the needle is now stuck at 90mph. This is probably the only way to hit 90 on a stock Ural. I guess I'll check with Mickey in Anchorage and see if it is covered under the warranty.
The valves were a lot quieter today though Charlie6 said that I should have torqued the head bolts before adjusting the valves. Fortunately, adjusting the valves on a Ural is incredibly simple. Having the kick starter to rotate the engine makes it really easy to find TDC. Maybe next weekend between CA and Barrow.
-28F (-33C)? I wouldn't even dare walking or hiking or do anything outdoor related if I wouldn't have to. Do you think this might become a PBC record, or have people ridden in colder temps?
"So have gone back in the records... Prior to this, suburbanryder had the lowest with -23F in 2013-2014 season, Everyday Riding (scooter) -21 in 2010-2011 season, Your -20F in this season, NT8 -15F 2013-2014 season, Everyday Riding (Ural) -14 in 2012-2013 season, and CrazyD877 -13F in 2013-2014 season."
I have more low temperature "opportunities" up here. The groaning noise was from the speedometer itself not the cable. The small battery powered things don't last very well in the cold. The GoPro camera and remote battery don't last very long at all.
-28F? Wow... Did it make shifting tough? I've got a car with a manual transmission - it gets a little tough to work (until the transmission warms up) when the temperatures drop below 10 degrees or so.
The Ural doesn't have synchros in the transmission so it still shifts nicely in the cold. Seems unaffected though I'll see how it is today after being left outside all day.
Ugh, this reminds me of -24F we experienced back in Calgary, though we did not have bikes yet at that time. The MINI Cooper we had became quite stiff though. Same what Lucky said: manual transmission needed to warm up a bit first.
What kind of gear do you use when riding in the cold? A heated vest? What else?
Heated jacket liner, heated gloves, fleece liner over the heated liner, Carhartt lined jeans, Roadcrafter Light and regular leather work boots. Though I did try out my bunny boots and it's still easy to operate the heel-toe shifter on the Ural.
-28F (-33C)? I wouldn't even dare walking or hiking or do anything outdoor related if I wouldn't have to. Do you think this might become a PBC record, or have people ridden in colder temps?
ReplyDeleteLife goes on, I passed several out running and skiing at these temperatures. Compared to that, sitting on a seat plugged into the bike is easy.
DeleteAs far as PBC record, here is what they posted:
Delete"So have gone back in the records... Prior to this, suburbanryder had the lowest with -23F in 2013-2014 season, Everyday Riding (scooter) -21 in 2010-2011 season, Your -20F in this season, NT8 -15F 2013-2014 season, Everyday Riding (Ural) -14 in 2012-2013 season, and CrazyD877 -13F in 2013-2014 season."
So I guess it is a new low temp.
Great job breaking the record!
DeleteI'm impressed with the others as most are on two wheels on ice and snow without studded tires!
DeleteDamn that is cold. I don't think you'd be able to get me away from the wood stove.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a wood stove. When I went out it was only -22°F and it got colder once I was out and about.
Deletethat's some cold......my personal best is -14F.
ReplyDeleteas to the speedometer cable, yeah, cold affects it....which is why I attached a bike speedo to Scarlett, but the cold killed the battery....sigh.
I have more low temperature "opportunities" up here. The groaning noise was from the speedometer itself not the cable. The small battery powered things don't last very well in the cold. The GoPro camera and remote battery don't last very long at all.
Deleteyours is a 2012? still under warranty?
DeleteIn its last year of the extended warranty.
Delete-28F? Wow... Did it make shifting tough? I've got a car with a manual transmission - it gets a little tough to work (until the transmission warms up) when the temperatures drop below 10 degrees or so.
ReplyDeleteThe Ural doesn't have synchros in the transmission so it still shifts nicely in the cold. Seems unaffected though I'll see how it is today after being left outside all day.
DeleteUgh, this reminds me of -24F we experienced back in Calgary, though we did not have bikes yet at that time. The MINI Cooper we had became quite stiff though. Same what Lucky said: manual transmission needed to warm up a bit first.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of gear do you use when riding in the cold? A heated vest? What else?
Heated jacket liner, heated gloves, fleece liner over the heated liner, Carhartt lined jeans, Roadcrafter Light and regular leather work boots. Though I did try out my bunny boots and it's still easy to operate the heel-toe shifter on the Ural.
Deletebrrrrrrr!...
ReplyDeletewords escape me.
bravo for getting out there! looks like a blast, really! :)
It was fun. Really no different than anyone else playing in the snow during the winter.
DeleteI can't help but think you are nearly a celebrity in the area!
ReplyDeleteYeah, right…
Delete"Have you seen that [crazy,idiot,fool,???] on a motorcycle? Yeah the blue one"
Even so, I would think by now they would be so used to you that they just say "There's that guy again."
Delete