Dori came to visit over the Christmas Holiday and one thing she wanted to see was the Grand Canyon. We left on Sunday the 20th with high expectations. About 80 miles out we got onto a twisting road over some mountains when we started smelling smoke. Eventually we figured out that the rear tire (new and diff brand) was rubbing...still not sure of on what, there was a lot of rubber on the rear wheel, bags and diff. But it looked like it was a ridge that was scrapping off so we continued. While we knew it would be cold we had heated gear and were not camping. When we stopped for the night, about 4pm, it was almost dark, there was a lot of snow on the ground and ice on the road, not so good and not expected.
In the Morning the bike started fine but it took awhile to get to proper idle speed. We were still about 60 miles to the Canyon. About 20 miles into the ride and finding more ice and snow, my warning overload went off and cancelled further movement North.
We turned around, road West to the Calif border, but didn't cross, and turned South. We went to Lake Havasu and checked out the London Bridge. Yes, The London Bridge that you sang about as a kid. It was bought and moved there in 1971.
We then road home. Got back after dark, after losing the accessory circuit with our heat....but was fixed at next gas stop...just a fuse. And then with less than 20 miles to go I thought the rear tire had worn thru and blown out. But after stopping and checking found that it was the road surface causing the swerving. Whew home, now to find out what is rubbing.
