1980 GS550E Electronic ignition .... issue

[ukjules]

280m to bendidoem. I had to see it !
Anyway on route and pulling off toll road for last 100m I ended up on the
Cv 70 road. Google it.

It is simply the best road I have ever seen . Awesome , fabulous views.
All this near benidorm !
Hire a car an d with 3 miles you'll be on it heading up a mountain

A fabulous bike ride and pic is ok bike near top.
Sunny and hot now too.

Big issue with hotels again and again. chasing about in the
twilight to find accommodation. I so wish I could just wild camp..
It would make this trip truly magnificent. Not done it yet though.


Almeria next. Then Granada.
Thing is I am Tiring now. This is no holiday.
Travel like this is not a holiday.

 

[tatu]

View attachment 47776

280m to bendidoem. I had to see it !
Anyway on route and pulling off toll road for last 100m I ended up on the
Cv 70 road. Google it.

It is simply the best road I have ever seen . Awesome , fabulous views.
All this near benidorm !
Hire a car an d with 3 miles you'll be on it heading up a mountain

A fabulous bike ride and pic is ok bike near top.
Sunny and hot now too.

Big issue with hotels again and again. chasing about in the
twilight to find accommodation. I so wish I could just wild camp..
It would make this trip truly magnificent. Not done it yet though.


Almeria next. Then Granada.
Thing is I am Tiring now. This is no holiday.
Travel like this is not a holiday.

you'll be fine, have you tried to ask people in the places you like the look of?

 

[ukjules]

It is a case of ask about and you will find.. Hammering through on motorways you miss so much. I am now in almeria. I was told to come here by someone on tossa 're Mar. They were wrong. A port and I am now 6m south. A wonderful place. Aguadulce. I am wobbling. I am too far out , bike too old, no aa cover , no puncture kit ... I am in desert .this is different to Amsterdam. This is no holiday serious . But I will push through to Gibraltar. I'm damned if I'm going over Sahara though ! I am not adventurous enough for that !

 

[Gorminrider]

well, you've got the internet so can't you hunt up some campground possibilities ahead of you? or aren't there any side roads to creep up and guerilla-camp? I know-it seems it'd be easier to do that in the wilds of Canada (but not so easy-people and their STUFF clusters along the hwys) ..still, openstreet map is your friend when it comes to small roads...I am watching all the time in the last hour before sunset and will check out several likely prospects before dark.

 

[tatu]

It is a case of ask about and you will find.. Hammering through on motorways you miss so much. I am now in almeria. I was told to come here by someone on tossa 're Mar. They were wrong. A port and I am now 6m south. A wonderful place. Aguadulce. I am wobbling. I am too far out , bike too old, no aa cover , no puncture kit ... I am in desert .this is different to Amsterdam. This is no holiday serious . But I will push through to Gibraltar. I'm damned if I'm going over Sahara though ! I am not adventurous enough for that !

Bike too old? I would rather be on something like you've got that you can repair than some modern whizzy thing that if it doesn't start you wouldn't have a clue where to start looking, Too far out? Haha... no such thing, embrace it, heaps of places to chuck a tent up in the Sahara, but also lots of safe campsites in every town, with water, maybe just now is not such a good time to go there though. AA cover? More haha, you got us, no puncture repair is madness, got tubes? pump? you need to rectify that one. Only expensive places to stop in Gib. You got the internet! crikey dude! look Amreria.... http://www.booking.com/searchresult...,A&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&group_children=0

When I stopped in Marbella there was a brothel North side of the road, delightful place, friendly cheap, bike was safe, I thought it was strange that there were so many pretty girls paying attention to me even when I rolled in three sheets to the wind, just never caught on till months later . No girls look twice at me,should've suspected, but it was a very nice place. (the hotels there were cheaper and more available than camp sites) When I did my Sahara bike trips there were no such thing as credit cards, mobiles, internet, Dry your eyes and get a puncture repair, tubes, bike pump (good one) and levers. Hotel booking.com will spew up any number of places. Stay out of the big towns and use the cheap hotels, try to book in advance like even a day.

 

[tatu]

Bike pump/ puncture kit, http://www.marbellacyclecenter.com/ https://www.google.co.uk/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=Uxf7V7TAKaPA8gfogoGACA&gws_rd=ssl#q=bicycle shops in southern spain&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=39244003,-1077293,452930&tbm=lcl&tbs=lf_msr:-1,lf_od:-1,lf_oh:-1,lf:1,lf_ui:2,lf_pqs:EAE&fll=36.101943051791736,-5.076819931249929&fspn=2.430898969128819,4.818240859206767&fz=8&oll=39.890361,-2.8575816499999997&ospn=7.68937831945658,12.803049465487081&oz=6&qop=1&rlfi=hd:;si:7297722149338103627 Though any tyre place will have puncture repair stuff.
Inner tubes/ advice... http://www.ironskullspain.com/ http://www.marbellaperformance.es/
Bike shops in Gib.... https://www.google.co.uk/?gfe_rd=cr...A&gws_rd=ssl#q=motorcycle++shops+in+gibralter

If you can't get the size tube you need get the nearest size, includes diameter an inch or two out of size will keep you going.

 

[ukjules]

A day off the bike today and tomorrow.
I cracked as could not take any more stress.

Saying that I did do 40m just me and bike not loaded to
the desert and where they shot the westerns with Clint Eastwood.
It was shut ! But looked impressive when I sneaked a look .

Pic of bike in desert. I had no idea that it was like this here ?
With the Sierra Nevada moountains in the backgroind who need sto do the American
Deserts ? (I will though ).

Advice so well appreciated.
I keep a list of issues I mull over at the end of the day .

My main one is if I get a puncture.

I'm read up tour notes this eve Sat having a beer looking at the sea !
Boiling heat here.

 

[Charlie G]

 

[ukjules]

're focused . Heading to Granada tomorrow then Seville ,
Gibraltar then poss meet mate in Malaga.
Then to Algarve... Then to santander , home and take stock
For next trip.

Bike:
Needs a top up of oil every 250m
Plugs cleaned. Think I need to lean it up as starts without choke.
Plugs ok bar one though after 250 mile slog

Concerns as always :
Clutch cable and puncture..
Both addressed with gear being sent to home base

Not much good but it will mean if disaster happens I'llawait parcel drip.
Will look for tubes , levers and cables in all towns though.

One thing :
Anyone else who done this feell like a ww2 bomber pilot
when dressed ready for another 250m hop ?
Bike geared up ... It is wearing until you get going .
Especially in this heat.

Also due to my hapless navigation even a trip to
Hardware store to get a tent footprint for rough terrain
Is a major ordeal. I'd be lost forever without the GPS 30 m from hotel !
Anyone else have these efears.
To address I have ordered to base camp UK a handlebar GPS holder for
Use when shopping bike unloaded.

Booked hotel this eve so no stress as have somewhere to stay
In Granada. Will take some pics.

Now where was that place in marbella ?

 

[tatu]

Best get a throttle cable while you're at it too, (but not too bad if you have a push/pull type) the best place to store them is taped alongside the one in use, so in the event of failure you just disconnect and reconnect the ends, 2 minute job. (I used to tape up the handle bar end to stop water and dirt going down)

I had a look at Marbella on google maps and it's changed a lot from how I remember it, (though zooming in it shows plenty of small hotels that don't appear on the hotel.com, useful info right there) it even shows stuff like burger king, amazing...

 

[ukjules]

Good ideas.loaded up and bomber pilot style reached
Granada. Rain and almost ran out of petrol.
A bp garage in the middle of Sierra Nevada saved me.

The wind was terrible ! And the endless greenhouses
of white fabric along the coast were getting boring.

Apparently they grow half of eu's fruit here.

I am not prepared for terrible weather so this journey will end
before that happens .
I was cold for the first time since Zurich.

I might be in peril with parts but I now have a
Footprint ground sheet so can camp on the rocky ground
In case of disaster.

Think I prefer Wells in Somerset to Granada.

One more days bad weather then good weather for weeks on
My route.

Looking forward to Gibraltar and the Algarve.
I have never been to portugual.
Are there idyllic beaches there ?

 

[fastbysuzuki]

Looking forward to Gibraltar and the Algarve.
I have never been to portugual.
Are there idyllic beaches there ?

Gibraltar is ok but hotels are expensive. Take a trip up the rock in the cable car loads of military history in the tunnels
its mad busy on the roads if your into guns there is a 500 ton gun hidden away, look carefully for the signs.
the Horseshoe pub on Main Street does a great steak and kidney pie.

As for the beaches in Portugal the Algarve has some great beaches. If your thinking of going to Lisbon watch your pockets.

 

[ukjules]

Herbs outside the local Harley Davidson garage stealing the show
The challenge here was so helpful it has to be noted.
I only asked to see if he could order parts but
with his help we found a spare clutch cable kit and lubed
the chain.

Iron skull motorcycles , torremolinos.
Top top man who owns it.hires them out too.
I told him.I had no wish to do so as had a real bike.

Anyway I can only stand it here for 2 days and would have been 1 da
if I had a rucksack only but I leave tomorrow for Gibraltar.

The way to do it is stay in la linea and walk over the border.
I will do this and the hotels are cheaper.
?45 per night.

I should continue to casablnaca I know but I wont.
Algarve next. Is it any different then Spain ?
Are there wonderful areas and places like I am in that sell
big hats and donkeys ?

80m tomorrow and lighter as sent stuff back to base in parcel.

 

[fastbysuzuki]

Algarve next. Is it any different then Spain ?
Are there wonderful areas and places like I am in that sell
big hats and donkeys.

Don't know if you will find hats and donkeys in Portugal. Albufeira is as near as you will find anything like that.
always wanted to travel though the centre of Portugal from the Algarve to see the real side of the country never made it yet.

 

[tatu]

Gibraltar is ok but hotels are expensive. Take a trip up the rock in the cable car loads of military history in the tunnels
its mad busy on the roads if your into guns there is a 500 ton gun hidden away, look carefully for the signs.
the Horseshoe pub on Main Street does a great steak and kidney pie.

As for the beaches in Portugal the Algarve has some great beaches. If your thinking of going to Lisbon watch your pockets.

Casablanca! nothing like the film, I'd go if'n it were me, lots of other places to get to too. I know its maybe not really the time to venture into those muslim places but I would still go, I got turned back at gunpoint when I tried to get down to Mauritania and they weren't fooling about but all that's over now. Thing is, you can never go back so my advice is do all that you want, it's no good think 'cool this is good I'll come back because you seldom if ever do. Likely you would cross at Cueta eveyrybody bar no one is out to rip you off, that is why they are there, best try to keep it to a minimum. Lots and lots of drugs and junkies hanging about that boarder crossing, Cueta is actually Spain like Gib is Britain, so you can travel there anyway just that crossing into Morocco is a bit different, but hell you've come this far....

 

[tatu]

View attachment 47849View attachment 47849

Herbs outside the local Harley Davidson garage stealing the show
The challenge here was so helpful it has to be noted.
I only asked to see if he could order parts but
with his help we found a spare clutch cable kit and lubed
the chain.

Iron skull motorcycles , torremolinos.
Top top man who owns it.hires them out too.
I told him.I had no wish to do so as had a real bike.

Anyway I can only stand it here for 2 days and would have been 1 da
if I had a rucksack only but I leave tomorrow for Gibraltar.

The way to do it is stay in la linea and walk over the border.
I will do this and the hotels are cheaper.
?45 per night.

I should continue to casablnaca I know but I wont.
Algarve next. Is it any different then Spain ?
Are there wonderful areas and places like I am in that sell
big hats and donkeys ?

80m tomorrow and lighter as sent stuff back to base in parcel.

Really? What the hell you want a donkey for?

Casablanca! nothing like the film, I'd go if'n it were me, I enjoyed it, festering flea pit, lots of other places to get to too. I know its maybe not really the time to venture into those muslim places but I would still go, I got turned back at gunpoint when I tried to get down to Mauritania and they weren't fooling about but all that's over now. Thing is, you can never go back so my advice is do all that you want, it's no good think 'cool this is good I'll come back because you seldom if ever do. Likely you would cross at Cueta eveyrybody bar no one is out to rip you off, that is why they are there, best try to keep it to a minimum. Lots and lots of drugs and junkies hanging about that boarder crossing, Cueta is actually Spain like Gib is Britain, so you can travel there anyway just that crossing into Morocco is a bit different, but hell you've come this far....
You will not have a carnet to get the bike through but I blagged it, and if I can sure anybody can too.

 

[ukjules]

Made it to Gibraltar.
Took the a7 and was not a bad ride along the coast.
Zero UK bikes for literally the entire trip past Holland.

Not wildly impressed with Gibraltar.
The rock is impressive , caves etc and have to be seen.
I wish I could really really look into the tunnels and roads within the rock.

But walking about late afteenon
I just could not stand boozed up English ..... Anymore...
( I as one of them mind a few nights back ....)
so the eve I spent in a small Spanish bar in la linea
back over the border where im staying.

Impressive to see planes land there and you have to
walk over the runway to get to gibralter.

I know kow to get to Morocco now.
I can ferry and be there in 1 hour.

I'll decide tomorrow but probably won't.

You are right I'm sure I prob won't be back.
I must certainly will be to Normandy and the Somme.
Next spring straight away .

Agreed albufei is the place to go .
Again I think I am done with beach resorts so
I might miss poetugual and head back through central Spain .

Is Seville worth a look ?

 

[Charlie G]

No Parking?

 

[tatu]

View attachment 47889

Made it to Gibraltar.
Took the a7 and was not a bad ride along the coast.
Zero UK bikes for literally the entire trip past Holland.

Not wildly impressed with Gibraltar.
The rock is impressive , caves etc and have to be seen.
I wish I could really really look into the tunnels and roads within the rock.

But walking about late afteenon
I just could not stand boozed up English ..... Anymore...
( I as one of them mind a few nights back ....)
so the eve I spent in a small Spanish bar in la linea
back over the border where im staying.

Impressive to see planes land there and you have to
walk over the runway to get to gibralter.

I know kow to get to Morocco now.
I can ferry and be there in 1 hour.

I'll decide tomorrow but probably won't.

You are right I'm sure I prob won't be back.
I must certainly will be to Normandy and the Somme.
Next spring straight away .

Agreed albufei is the place to go .
Again I think I am done with beach resorts so
I might miss poetugual and head back through central Spain .

Is Seville worth a look ?

Being beered up is fine, it's how you behave and Brits have a less than shining reputation in Spain, never been to Seville, google says its a splendid spot.

I know this is your thread, but I found this photo of my back tyre when I got back to UK after my Spain/Morocco ride. I hope you don't mind. Back in the day when a Pirelli Phantom would only give 2k miles, I had to nurse this tyre.
I was unable to get a new one and was waiting for it to burst, then the plan was to put the new spare tube and pack it with the old one. It was jut bald when I left Gib and it was 1490 miles to my house in UK which I did in one 30 hour hit. Every fuel stop it was noticeably worse but in the end it was ok. I would've stopped but it rained from Madrid to Paris and the road was just running water.

 

[ukjules]

234 mile run to merida north.
Now this is the most awesome place yet in Spain.
If you like Roman ruins this is the place !
Amphitheatre , theatre, circus , aquaduct ...

I am now Sat in a jazz bar and have extended
my stay here for 3 days.
Not Granada , not Barcelona , not sevill this is what Spain
Is about , small towns , heat and squares to sit in.