Hack
Well-known member
Too bad a "dealer" couldn't figure our how to fab up something as simple as a clutch cable...
'Could probably find the components needed at the Co-Op or hardware store.
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Ride Report: 2020 BC
- Thread starter shanekingsley
- Start date
Too bad a "dealer" couldn't figure our how to fab up something as simple as a clutch cable...
'Could probably find the components needed at the Co-Op or hardware store.
Hack
Well-known member
If it's on your route and the timing is right...
Try Tooloulou's in downtown Banff for breakfast..
tooloulous.com
Try Tooloulou's in downtown Banff for breakfast..
Tooloulou's Restaurant
Tooloulou's, locally owned casual restaurant in Banff, Tooloulou’s offers a Cajun Creole inspired flair alongside of Rocky Mountain infusion.
tooloulous.com
Oh yeah theres a bakery in Jasper ...Bear foot or something ...must do.
www.bearspawbakery.com
Fantastic food.
Bear's Paw Bakery® Jasper, Alberta is under construction
www.bearspawbakery.com
Fantastic food.
Day 4 Route: Super 8 by Wyndham Moose Jaw SK to Big Horn Motel
Last night I found an ebay seller with the clutch cable located just south of Edmonton. Since that's on the way to Fort St James, I figured I would first check out Blackfoot Motorsports in Calgary and if no luck there then I would head north and grab this used one.
Before I left Moose Jaw I checked my clutch lever and there was a minor amount of increased free play, so I adjusted it again. I think for me the problem seems to be not knowing how much to tighten the adjuster screw. The manual says to loosen it a few revolutions and then tighten it until it stops, then out 1/4 turn. I don't feel like mine comes to a stop, but rather gradually gets more tense to tighten. Anyways, I think I'm getting better at gauging the right tension, because today I rode another 1000km and now there was zero change at the lever - perfect all day.
Before I left in the morning (as I do every morning), I use the fresh dew on my bike to wipe down the windscreen, lights and anywhere there are bug guts. Despite this, there's a ton of wasps always buzzing around mourning their dead brethren and plotting their revenge. Normally bugs don't bother me, but I'm super allergic to wasp stings. Getting back on the bike in the morning or after paying for gas or after lunch or whatever is good times and I must look like a complete tool.
I rode out to Swift Current and it was damn cold and windy this morning. Normally I get around 350km/tank and my first tank of the windy morning was closer to 250km. My second tank between Swift Current and Medicine Hat was around 300km. There were so few vehicles out on the road at 7am, that the road to nowhere seemed to go on forever.
The bales of dried hay made the air feel thick. My voice feels like I've been yelling all night in a smokey club, but it's just the dry prairie air. I need to make an effort to drink more water. Even by 9am there were still very few vehicles on the TransCanada. I was able to park the bike in the middle of the highway and enjoy the view.
I passed by a small town called Chaplin and I guess there is a natural salt deposit there. It was pretty weird to see this out of the blue and sandwiched around all the farmers fields.
So after Medicine Hat I'm making my way north to Calgary - along the way I'm reminded of the lonely workers of Alberta. I fully expect them to rise up against humanity one day:
I stop in at Blackfoot Motorsports and on my way there I can see the faintest outlines of the Rockies in the distance. Blackfoot is a massive place inside - very much reminds me of GP bikes. They have an awesome collection of gear and other stuff. I might pop in on my way home and buy a tire off them since I don't think this Road 5 will get me home. But for now I'm back on my clutch cable hunt. I'm usually pretty easy going and cool to chat up staff and see how their day is going and so on. I also don't get upset if no one comes to talk to me etc... That said, I think one of the parts guys there is paying Leisure Suit Larry or something behind that screen, because it literally took him 15 minutes to look up a part number. I told him I was travelling and couldn't wait for the part and if they didn't have it in stock I couldn't wait to have it delivered. But he just kept wanting to tell me about how he never got to take the ferry when he was stationed up in Terrace BC 20 years ago and now his time has passed and blah blah blah. There were 5 people behind me in line and the awesome parts lady beside this guy served all five of them when I finally said - 'so Mister... you think you can get that part for me or what?' And then he said oh yeah let me check... uh no, we don't have that in stock, but I can order it for you and it will be here by next Monday'.
I called GW Motorsports (also in Calgary) and the parts lady who answered the phone was so helpful and gave me the ins and outs of their ordering process and what I needed to do to get it delivered from Suzuki Canada within 2 days to a location of my choosing. I had ridden 700km to get to Blackfoot and my clutch was still feeling exactly the way it did this morning. I had to decide if I should go and grab the used cable in Edmonton or not. Screw it, I'm going to the mountains:
The feeling was very much like the first time I rode to Deals Gap by myself. I was coming down the Great Smoky Mountain Highway and seeing those mountains for the first time with tunes blasting. Awesome feeling.
I've been to Banff before, by car, bus and train, but never on the bike. I like seeing the bridges that only serve as wildlife corridors:
And sometimes the water, the sky and the road all come together for something special:
Most of these shots are along the Kootenay National Park, which is the highway #93 south of Banff and a pretty nice ride.
Bighorn sheep! Looks like roadkill is on the menu tonight.
I decided to take Kiley's suggestion for a good place to stay and ended up at the Big Horn Motel in Radium Hot Springs. Thanks - I really like this town and this motel!
Tomorrow - off to Fort St James!
Last night I found an ebay seller with the clutch cable located just south of Edmonton. Since that's on the way to Fort St James, I figured I would first check out Blackfoot Motorsports in Calgary and if no luck there then I would head north and grab this used one.
Before I left Moose Jaw I checked my clutch lever and there was a minor amount of increased free play, so I adjusted it again. I think for me the problem seems to be not knowing how much to tighten the adjuster screw. The manual says to loosen it a few revolutions and then tighten it until it stops, then out 1/4 turn. I don't feel like mine comes to a stop, but rather gradually gets more tense to tighten. Anyways, I think I'm getting better at gauging the right tension, because today I rode another 1000km and now there was zero change at the lever - perfect all day.
Before I left in the morning (as I do every morning), I use the fresh dew on my bike to wipe down the windscreen, lights and anywhere there are bug guts. Despite this, there's a ton of wasps always buzzing around mourning their dead brethren and plotting their revenge. Normally bugs don't bother me, but I'm super allergic to wasp stings. Getting back on the bike in the morning or after paying for gas or after lunch or whatever is good times and I must look like a complete tool.
I rode out to Swift Current and it was damn cold and windy this morning. Normally I get around 350km/tank and my first tank of the windy morning was closer to 250km. My second tank between Swift Current and Medicine Hat was around 300km. There were so few vehicles out on the road at 7am, that the road to nowhere seemed to go on forever.
The bales of dried hay made the air feel thick. My voice feels like I've been yelling all night in a smokey club, but it's just the dry prairie air. I need to make an effort to drink more water. Even by 9am there were still very few vehicles on the TransCanada. I was able to park the bike in the middle of the highway and enjoy the view.
I passed by a small town called Chaplin and I guess there is a natural salt deposit there. It was pretty weird to see this out of the blue and sandwiched around all the farmers fields.
So after Medicine Hat I'm making my way north to Calgary - along the way I'm reminded of the lonely workers of Alberta. I fully expect them to rise up against humanity one day:
I stop in at Blackfoot Motorsports and on my way there I can see the faintest outlines of the Rockies in the distance. Blackfoot is a massive place inside - very much reminds me of GP bikes. They have an awesome collection of gear and other stuff. I might pop in on my way home and buy a tire off them since I don't think this Road 5 will get me home. But for now I'm back on my clutch cable hunt. I'm usually pretty easy going and cool to chat up staff and see how their day is going and so on. I also don't get upset if no one comes to talk to me etc... That said, I think one of the parts guys there is paying Leisure Suit Larry or something behind that screen, because it literally took him 15 minutes to look up a part number. I told him I was travelling and couldn't wait for the part and if they didn't have it in stock I couldn't wait to have it delivered. But he just kept wanting to tell me about how he never got to take the ferry when he was stationed up in Terrace BC 20 years ago and now his time has passed and blah blah blah. There were 5 people behind me in line and the awesome parts lady beside this guy served all five of them when I finally said - 'so Mister... you think you can get that part for me or what?' And then he said oh yeah let me check... uh no, we don't have that in stock, but I can order it for you and it will be here by next Monday'.
I called GW Motorsports (also in Calgary) and the parts lady who answered the phone was so helpful and gave me the ins and outs of their ordering process and what I needed to do to get it delivered from Suzuki Canada within 2 days to a location of my choosing. I had ridden 700km to get to Blackfoot and my clutch was still feeling exactly the way it did this morning. I had to decide if I should go and grab the used cable in Edmonton or not. Screw it, I'm going to the mountains:
The feeling was very much like the first time I rode to Deals Gap by myself. I was coming down the Great Smoky Mountain Highway and seeing those mountains for the first time with tunes blasting. Awesome feeling.
I've been to Banff before, by car, bus and train, but never on the bike. I like seeing the bridges that only serve as wildlife corridors:
And sometimes the water, the sky and the road all come together for something special:
Most of these shots are along the Kootenay National Park, which is the highway #93 south of Banff and a pretty nice ride.
Bighorn sheep! Looks like roadkill is on the menu tonight.
I decided to take Kiley's suggestion for a good place to stay and ended up at the Big Horn Motel in Radium Hot Springs. Thanks - I really like this town and this motel!
Tomorrow - off to Fort St James!
ScorpionT16
Well-known member
I think we just missed each other, I was at Radium Hot springs this morning, I'm just south of Nakusp now and on my way to Vancouver tomorrow. Yesterday I stayed at Kootney Park Lodge, was a cabin in the mountains and the owner is from London, ON
Hwy 31 and 31a near Kelso and to new Denver are amazing, if you get a chance.
Hwy 31 and 31a near Kelso and to new Denver are amazing, if you get a chance.
Just relaxing in Fort St James with friends. Went on a 14km hike today it and was awesome to get outside and sweat.
Internet and cellular signal here is very spotty.
Not sure when I’m heading south. Did 5000km in 5 days and now it’s time to slow down.
Ride here from Radium Hot Springs was nothing short of spectacular! Will post pics later.
Internet and cellular signal here is very spotty.
Not sure when I’m heading south. Did 5000km in 5 days and now it’s time to slow down.
Ride here from Radium Hot Springs was nothing short of spectacular! Will post pics later.
Thanks. I have a cousin that will be coming back from the island on the 30th, so I think I will be making my south to meet his family. Maybe spend the 29th in Lilloet, 70 Mile House or somewhere in that region, then head to my sisters early on the 30th to meet up with more family. I was originally going to come into Fort St James via Fort St John the way you were suggesting, but timing became an issue.
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Day 5 Route: Radium Hot Springs to Fort St. James
The Big Horn Motel is a great place and I look forward to staying there again on my way home if everything works out. Owner of the motel is also a V-Strom rider and rode his south to the bottom of Mexico.
When I left in the morning, the weather was showing 9deg, but as soon I left and took the Hwy 93 back to Banff, the temps dropped at elevation since the sun had not yet crested over the mountain peaks. I was freezing. Thank the stars for heated gear, because I pulled it all out and was toasty warm! Today was going to be a day of larger than life scenery. Another amazing day for weather too.
Once in Banff I decided to ride the Bow Valley Parkway. It has a super slow 60km/hr speed limit, but at this time of the morning, there was no one on it and it was beautiful. Way in the distance of the straightaway below, is a view of the mountains between the trees.
Once in Lake Louise I took the Icefields Parkway up and over through Jasper. The roads out this way are filled with scenery that is big, bold and stunning from any vantage point. I scored a ton of sweet pics of turquoise blue lakes, receding glaciers and amazing mountain formations. Since it was early in the morning on a weekday, there was very little traffic. Also got to see a super cute baby bear just north of Lake Louise. Enjoy these views:
I finally looped up and over through Prince George and landed here in Fort St James. The ride from Jasper to Prince George is really nice. It’s a valley pretty much the whole way with mountains on both the right and left sides. There is not too much in the way of tight curves, but every now and then there is a climb or descent with some fast sweepers. There is an Ancient Forest Provincial Park with 1000 yr old cedars that I wished I had time to stop into and go for a walk, but I was trying to finish my day by 6pm to be time for an 8 yr olds birthday!
My friends place looks over the water and is just past the white church on on the right. This now puts me at almost 5000km in 5 days, with pretty much no rain to speak of. Once I arrived at her place, then the clouds in the pic below opened up right on top of her house, but I had just enough time to park the bike and offload my gear. She mentioned to me that it’s been so rainy and cool up there this year that they never had a summer. Little did she know that my role in life is to bring the sunshine...
My clutch needed a little adjustment, but is working great overall. My chain slack was pretty loose, since it was a brand new chain and this is the first adjustment after the initial 100km - so I've adjusted these two things and the bike is doing great. Tomorrow is a rest day and same with the next day after that. Then down to Lilloet or 70 Mile Lake before riding down to Vancouver area to see my sis.
The Big Horn Motel is a great place and I look forward to staying there again on my way home if everything works out. Owner of the motel is also a V-Strom rider and rode his south to the bottom of Mexico.
When I left in the morning, the weather was showing 9deg, but as soon I left and took the Hwy 93 back to Banff, the temps dropped at elevation since the sun had not yet crested over the mountain peaks. I was freezing. Thank the stars for heated gear, because I pulled it all out and was toasty warm! Today was going to be a day of larger than life scenery. Another amazing day for weather too.
Once in Banff I decided to ride the Bow Valley Parkway. It has a super slow 60km/hr speed limit, but at this time of the morning, there was no one on it and it was beautiful. Way in the distance of the straightaway below, is a view of the mountains between the trees.
Once in Lake Louise I took the Icefields Parkway up and over through Jasper. The roads out this way are filled with scenery that is big, bold and stunning from any vantage point. I scored a ton of sweet pics of turquoise blue lakes, receding glaciers and amazing mountain formations. Since it was early in the morning on a weekday, there was very little traffic. Also got to see a super cute baby bear just north of Lake Louise. Enjoy these views:
I finally looped up and over through Prince George and landed here in Fort St James. The ride from Jasper to Prince George is really nice. It’s a valley pretty much the whole way with mountains on both the right and left sides. There is not too much in the way of tight curves, but every now and then there is a climb or descent with some fast sweepers. There is an Ancient Forest Provincial Park with 1000 yr old cedars that I wished I had time to stop into and go for a walk, but I was trying to finish my day by 6pm to be time for an 8 yr olds birthday!
My friends place looks over the water and is just past the white church on on the right. This now puts me at almost 5000km in 5 days, with pretty much no rain to speak of. Once I arrived at her place, then the clouds in the pic below opened up right on top of her house, but I had just enough time to park the bike and offload my gear. She mentioned to me that it’s been so rainy and cool up there this year that they never had a summer. Little did she know that my role in life is to bring the sunshine...
My clutch needed a little adjustment, but is working great overall. My chain slack was pretty loose, since it was a brand new chain and this is the first adjustment after the initial 100km - so I've adjusted these two things and the bike is doing great. Tomorrow is a rest day and same with the next day after that. Then down to Lilloet or 70 Mile Lake before riding down to Vancouver area to see my sis.
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Wow! Fantastic pictures!
Hack
Well-known member
'Took almost the same photo... 'Somewhere between Swiftcurrent and Moose Jaw.
It was 40 degrees C
Just read the whole thread, sounds like you are having a blast!
Mad Mike
Well-known member
I have the same pic of the glacier in your pic from my trip thru there in the summer of 1980 (Columbia ice field?) — but it’s a lot bigger back then. I’ll try to dig it out for comparison.Day 6 Route: Radium Hot Springs to Fort St. James
View attachment 44721
The Big Horn Motel is a great place and I look forward to staying there again on my way home if everything works out. Owner of the motel is also a V-Strom rider and rode his south to the bottom of Mexico.
When I left in the morning, the weather was showing 9deg, but as soon I left and took the Hwy 93 back to Banff, the temps dropped at elevation since the sun had not yet crested over the mountain peaks. I was freezing. Thank the stars for heated gear, because I pulled it all out and was toasty warm! Today was going to be a day of larger than life scenery. Another amazing day for weather too.
Once in Banff I decided to ride the Bow Valley Parkway. It has a super slow 60km/hr speed limit, but at this time of the morning, there was no one on it and it was beautiful. Way in the distance of the straightaway below, is a view of the mountains between the trees.
Once in Lake Louise I took the Icefields Parkway up and over through Jasper. The roads out this way are filled with scenery that is big, bold and stunning from any vantage point. I scored a ton of sweet pics of turquoise blue lakes, receding glaciers and amazing mountain formations. Since it was early in the morning on a weekday, there was very little traffic. Also got to see a super cute baby bear just north of Lake Louise. Enjoy these views:
I finally looped up and over through Prince George and landed here in Fort St James. The ride from Jasper to Prince George is really nice. It’s a valley pretty much the whole way with mountains on both the right and left sides. There is not too much in the way of tight curves, but every now and then there is a climb or descent with some fast sweepers. There is an Ancient Forest Provincial Park with 1000 yr old cedars that I wished I had time to stop into and go for a walk, but I was trying to finish my day by 6pm to be time for an 8 yr olds birthday!
My friends place looks over the water and is just past the white church on on the right. This now puts me at almost 5000km in 5 days, with pretty much no rain to speak of. Once I arrived at her place, then the clouds in the pic below opened up right on top of her house, but I had just enough time to park the bike and offload my gear. She mentioned to me that it’s been so rainy and cool up there this year that they never had a summer. Little did she know that my role in life is to bring the sunshine...
My clutch needed a little adjustment, but is working great overall. My chain slack was pretty loose, since it was a brand new chain and this is the first adjustment after the initial 100km - so I've adjusted these two things and the bike is doing great. Tomorrow is a rest day and same with the next day after that. Then down to Lilloet or 70 Mile Lake before riding down to Vancouver area to see my sis.
Almost. Cable tension and free play seems fine, with ample adjustment room at either end of the cable. So now I'm pretty confident it is nothing to do with the clutch cable and any problem is possibly related to the clutch itself. The only reason I think something is up there is because I pretty much readjust it after each 1000km. Tomorrow morning I'll take another look at the clutch assembly and see where it's at.
But from a riding standpoint, it has been feeling great after each readjustment.
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