17th June
I woke early with further signs of allergy symptoms – a swollen lower lip today. I take some Benadryl to knock the reaction down – this is becoming a daily occurrence, and it occurs to me that I’d be well advised to get some medical advice on the subject in case I find myself in the middle of nowhere with more serious symptoms. I go to the local ‘Doc in a Box’ and get referred to a clinic at 1600. I extend for another night at the Hampton Inn. At 1600 I see Dr Sylvia Owen – who rides a Dakar!
She confirms that my immune system is ‘fully revved up’ (a medical expression apparently 
) and that it’ll be almost impossible to pin down exactly what’s causing it. Pollen levels have been extraordinarily high this year and all allergy sufferers are, apparently, having a hard time of it.
I’m given some sample drugs (non-drowsy anti-histamines) to try and a prescription if they work out OK. I’m also advised to carry Benadryl with me and use it early when symptoms appear. Dr Owen thinks it unlikely that my symptoms will escalate, but says that allergies are unpredictable. I leave her with my card and return to the hotel. Medical costs so far today: $170 (£90) – still missing the NHS…
18th June
I try one of the sample pills this morning – as well as two Benadryl as I’ve got a rash on my left forearm… I pack the bike and I’m on the road for 1000. Today I’m going to ride through the Mackenzie Pass – a scenic by-way – and then ride on to Mount Hood, before returning to Jorge & Sheila’s house for the night, in preparation for putting new fork seals on the Adv tomorrow.
It’s a beautiful day…
…with the sight of the Sisters Mountains to the west dominating my view as I ride along the US20. Over the past couple of days (since Jorge balanced the throttle bodies) I’ve noticed a harmonic vibration through the handlebars at 70mph (4000rpm in 6th gear). Today I notice that the vibration is missing. After a while, however, I start to feel that all is not well. At first, I think it’s the road surface which is causing me to feel an irregular vibration. Pretty soon, however, I’m beginning to think more in terms of the final drive and/or drive shaft. I slow down as I’m heading up the 242 – a scenic road which has yet to open fully after the winter snows…
…and the vibration slows in concert – clearly it’s related to road speed, which reinforces my suspicion as to its cause…
I’m miles from ‘civilisation’, so decide to continue to the next town. The vibration is getting progressively worse and is soon a graunching noise. Whatever damage is being done, I’ve got to continue. I ride down the narrow cycle lane at the side of the road with my hazards on, doing about 15-20mph, for 15 miles or so, until I get to Idanho, where I stop at the Country Store…
I put the bike on the side stand – a quick inspection is not encouraging…
…there’s dark grey coloured oil leaking over the rear disc and onto the wheel rim. I put the bike on its centre stand and the leak stops. I wipe the oil carefully off the disc. I’m clearly not riding anywhere else today. Bugger.
Almost immediately, I’m joined by 2 more BMW owners – ironically, there’s a BMW rally at St John this weekend – I’m probably going to see many more passing. This is Thomas Krise – a bit of a ‘wheel’ in the Airheads Beemer Club…
and his riding buddy (whose name – typically – I’ve lost) on his 1971 R75/5…
After finding out what has happened, they are unable to offer much more than sympathy. Hearing I’m from the UK, Thomas asks me if I’m aware of UKGSer.com. I tell him I have a certain familiarity with the site
. ‘Can you answer a question – it’s been driving me nuts – there’s a pretty blonde girl holding up a sign on one of the start-up pictures – What’s a “Tosser”?’ 
I ring Jorge and tell him the happy news. He rings around and I call him back in 15 minutes. Good news – he can borrow Greg’s (Deacon) bike trailer and will come and collect me at about 2000 this evening. We discuss what to do about the repair. There’s an outside chance that there’s a final drive available (Snaildarter – Fred – has changed his for a lower geared one – Jorge is going to see what he’s done with the original). I’ve a nasty feeling that it might be the driveshaft, though – although the oil leak supports the idea that it’s the bevel box which has failed. We settle on a plan to: a) Get it to a BMW dealer – whoever can do the job, Portland & Seattle are looking favourite, although everyone’s books are full at the moment – and b) Contact BMW GB to allow them to comment on the event – the bike’s only 3 months out of warranty and has been serviced in accordance with their recommendations…
I settle down in the small café section (one table & 2 chairs) of the Country Store, read for a while, then type up my journal. Looks like being a long afternoon…
However, during the wait, I meet some interesting people, including Jim Tully…
…who farms Christmas Trees and is riding to Bend for a family get-together, and stops to see what the Adv with Brit plates is doing here. After giving me some tips on good roads in the area, he departs on his FJR.
Then a very nice man arrives…
…and we strap the Adv to the trailer, before heading off into the sunset. Portland BMW have agreed to drop everything (almost) and look at the bike tomorrow morning – there seems to be no limit to Jorge’s influence (or patience, when it comes to dealing with travellers in distress). What a top bloke
I woke early with further signs of allergy symptoms – a swollen lower lip today. I take some Benadryl to knock the reaction down – this is becoming a daily occurrence, and it occurs to me that I’d be well advised to get some medical advice on the subject in case I find myself in the middle of nowhere with more serious symptoms. I go to the local ‘Doc in a Box’ and get referred to a clinic at 1600. I extend for another night at the Hampton Inn. At 1600 I see Dr Sylvia Owen – who rides a Dakar!
She confirms that my immune system is ‘fully revved up’ (a medical expression apparently ) and that it’ll be almost impossible to pin down exactly what’s causing it. Pollen levels have been extraordinarily high this year and all allergy sufferers are, apparently, having a hard time of it.I’m given some sample drugs (non-drowsy anti-histamines) to try and a prescription if they work out OK. I’m also advised to carry Benadryl with me and use it early when symptoms appear. Dr Owen thinks it unlikely that my symptoms will escalate, but says that allergies are unpredictable. I leave her with my card and return to the hotel. Medical costs so far today: $170 (£90) – still missing the NHS…
18th June
I try one of the sample pills this morning – as well as two Benadryl as I’ve got a rash on my left forearm… I pack the bike and I’m on the road for 1000. Today I’m going to ride through the Mackenzie Pass – a scenic by-way – and then ride on to Mount Hood, before returning to Jorge & Sheila’s house for the night, in preparation for putting new fork seals on the Adv tomorrow.
It’s a beautiful day…
…with the sight of the Sisters Mountains to the west dominating my view as I ride along the US20. Over the past couple of days (since Jorge balanced the throttle bodies) I’ve noticed a harmonic vibration through the handlebars at 70mph (4000rpm in 6th gear). Today I notice that the vibration is missing. After a while, however, I start to feel that all is not well. At first, I think it’s the road surface which is causing me to feel an irregular vibration. Pretty soon, however, I’m beginning to think more in terms of the final drive and/or drive shaft. I slow down as I’m heading up the 242 – a scenic road which has yet to open fully after the winter snows…
…and the vibration slows in concert – clearly it’s related to road speed, which reinforces my suspicion as to its cause…
I’m miles from ‘civilisation’, so decide to continue to the next town. The vibration is getting progressively worse and is soon a graunching noise. Whatever damage is being done, I’ve got to continue. I ride down the narrow cycle lane at the side of the road with my hazards on, doing about 15-20mph, for 15 miles or so, until I get to Idanho, where I stop at the Country Store…
I put the bike on the side stand – a quick inspection is not encouraging…
…there’s dark grey coloured oil leaking over the rear disc and onto the wheel rim. I put the bike on its centre stand and the leak stops. I wipe the oil carefully off the disc. I’m clearly not riding anywhere else today. Bugger.
Almost immediately, I’m joined by 2 more BMW owners – ironically, there’s a BMW rally at St John this weekend – I’m probably going to see many more passing. This is Thomas Krise – a bit of a ‘wheel’ in the Airheads Beemer Club…
and his riding buddy (whose name – typically – I’ve lost) on his 1971 R75/5…
After finding out what has happened, they are unable to offer much more than sympathy. Hearing I’m from the UK, Thomas asks me if I’m aware of UKGSer.com. I tell him I have a certain familiarity with the site
. ‘Can you answer a question – it’s been driving me nuts – there’s a pretty blonde girl holding up a sign on one of the start-up pictures – What’s a “Tosser”?’ I ring Jorge and tell him the happy news. He rings around and I call him back in 15 minutes. Good news – he can borrow Greg’s (Deacon) bike trailer and will come and collect me at about 2000 this evening. We discuss what to do about the repair. There’s an outside chance that there’s a final drive available (Snaildarter – Fred – has changed his for a lower geared one – Jorge is going to see what he’s done with the original). I’ve a nasty feeling that it might be the driveshaft, though – although the oil leak supports the idea that it’s the bevel box which has failed. We settle on a plan to: a) Get it to a BMW dealer – whoever can do the job, Portland & Seattle are looking favourite, although everyone’s books are full at the moment – and b) Contact BMW GB to allow them to comment on the event – the bike’s only 3 months out of warranty and has been serviced in accordance with their recommendations…
I settle down in the small café section (one table & 2 chairs
) of the Country Store, read for a while, then type up my journal. Looks like being a long afternoon…However, during the wait, I meet some interesting people, including Jim Tully…
…who farms Christmas Trees and is riding to Bend for a family get-together, and stops to see what the Adv with Brit plates is doing here. After giving me some tips on good roads in the area, he departs on his FJR.
Then a very nice man arrives…
…and we strap the Adv to the trailer, before heading off into the sunset. Portland BMW have agreed to drop everything (almost) and look at the bike tomorrow morning – there seems to be no limit to Jorge’s influence (or patience, when it comes to dealing with travellers in distress). What a top bloke
