Posts by tmac2272

Pre-Trip 14,000 Mile Service + New Tires

Posted by tmac2272 on Fri 2012-Apr-06 in ANW2012, BMW, Minnesota, Motorcycling | 1 comment

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Preparation : Emergency Kit

Posted by tmac2272 on Wed 2012-Mar-28 in ANW2012, BMW, Minnesota, Technology | 1 comment

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I’ve been in serious preparation mode in the last week, as it’s dawning on me that the trip is 7 weeks away, and we have an SAP implementation in May – it’s going to get busy, fast.  Here are a couple of updates on items I’m working on:

Emergency Kit

It’s a morbid topic, but I need to prepare for a worst-case scenario on the trip. Here’s the scenario I’m preparing for:

1. That I go down in a remote area;
2. That my mobile is broken and/or without service;
3. That the bike’s battery is disabled and cannot provide power;
4. That it is dark/nighttime;
5. That it is raining with temps slightly above freezing;

With this in mind, I’m compiling kit/gear for an effective “emergency kit”.  I’ve received some great input from friends and family; here’s the breakdown on what’s in the kit – green denotes “have”, red denotes “need”:

Photos

Posted from Lake Elmo, Minnesota, United States.

Installation of a Powerlet Apple Battery Harness

Posted by tmac2272 on Wed 2012-Mar-28 in ANW2012, BMW, Electrical, Minnesota | 1 comment

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I continue to be impressed by the quality of Powerlet‘s products. Last night, I installed the Apple Battery Harness (PPC-026-DB) to my Centech AP-1 switch. Although the Powerlet website states the harness is not compatible with the iPhone 4S, I called customer service and the gal I spoke to said that it does work with the iPhone 4S 95% of the time. With her guarantee that Powerlet would provide a full refund if it did not work after installing, I gave it a go.

Electrical Configuration

For those who are interested in bike/tech geekery, I have the Centech AP-1 switch wired directly to the battery, with a DPST automotive relay wired to the ignition switch. There are eight (8) ports on the AP-1. Port 1 is wired to a standard SAE cable, which in turn connects to a Powerlet SAE to Cigarette Socket Cable. Put in automotive terms, I have the functional equivalent of a powered cigarette socket when the engine is running. Port 2 is taken up by the new Apple Battery Harness I just mentioned.

I do have 1 other electrical cable run – another SAE cable – which is a direct patch to the battery. I use this cable to connect a Battery Tender during the winter.

Posted from Lake Elmo, Minnesota, United States.

Trailer Rental Sticker Shock

Posted by tmac2272 on Wed 2012-Mar-28 in ANW2012 | 1 comment

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It’s hard to believe that the trip is in seven (7) weeks. Given this, and the fact that I don’t own a trailer, I figured it was  time that I call U-Haul to get an estimate for getting my bike – and possibly my friend Kamran’s bike – out to Steamboat. Here’s what I learned:

1. U-Haul rents cargo (i.e., open top) trailers with ramps for a period of 5 consecutive days;
2. U-Haul offers one-way rentals only on trailers larger than – and including – their 5′ x 9′ with ramp;

Then I called Hertz Industrial Equipment, and talked to a very helpful rep.  Hertz rents a 6′ x 10.5′ trailer with ramp.  Their cost?  Dramatically lower – as in, US$385 plus tax to rent the larger trailer for an entire month.  Still expensive, but within reason.  I am going to try a couple of local equipment rental agencies to see if there’s a viable option available.

At the end of the day, unless someone wants to offer up a trailer that can handle 2 bikes, I’ll probably be going with Hertz.

Posted from Lake Elmo, Minnesota, United States.

Ride // 2012-03-25 (Sun) // Lake Minnetonka Loop

Posted by tmac2272 on Mon 2012-Mar-26 in ANW2012, BMW, GoPro, GPS, Minnesota, Motorcycling, Video | 1 comment

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