A shakedown cruise seemed a good idea. On Thursday the 26th of June I set off from Springfield, VT headed for Prouts Neck, Scarborough, ME. And did the shakedown prove to be necessary.
The bike was running a little rough, which I ascribed to old gas and carbs left over the winter. I got to the Hooksett toll while Susan drove the rental car. Paid the toll and stalled the bike. No cranking when starter pressed even though it was a new battery.
At that point I became very grateful that I had bought my insurance from Progressive through MCIS Insurance Services (thanks Byron) as it included roadside assistance.
Got a jump and discovered the battery terminals were loose. I figured that must have been the problem. 5 miles later while waiting for Susan to inspect the plumbing at a service station, it stalled again.
Went to Target across street and bought jumper cables. After 5 tries got it running. By this point, most readers will have figured out that I had a charging problem. I did not want to believe that. So, I started off again. Made it about 1/2 a mile when it died.
Susan, ever patient and supportive, waited while I called roadside assistance again. Have to wait an hour. It started raining. Susan had had to park up the hill as there was no safe place near the bike.
Tiring of waiting in the rain, I pushed the bike up a quarter mile hill, moved the luggage into the car and waited for the tow.
Turns out that Manchester, NH is one of the few places on earth with a Yamaha dealer open until 8:00 PM on a Thursday night. Motorcycles of Manchester (Mom's). Steve York agrees to take a look.
Initial diagnosis - stator dead, rectifier maybe, possible carburetion issue. No OEM parts available. But there is a non-OEM stator and rectifier available. But shop schedule full until July 21. No hope if it's a carb issue. Parts might be in Monday the 30th. Bike might be ready Thursday the 3rd of July. Will call Friday.
Got in the car with Susan and drove to Maine.
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