North Island invasion of South Island

[Woodman]

Unless you tie it off...

great advice, always always always tie them off.

[Underground]

Theres plenty of straps in the I I but theyre all fooked ,but can still be used like a rope though , B B has plenty of ropes so you dont have to take anything on either of them unless youre really fussy

[junkmanjoe]

my last ferry crossing was when all them cars got damage its so rough, i loved it...glasses sliding on the tables, cool.

[Pampera]

All of us are travelling on the Arahura heading south and the Aratere north. The Kaitaki has recently introduced a fixed clamp arrangement for securing motorcycles – as the result of work by another motorcyclist in my design team at KiwiRail and the efforts of a former fellow rail engineer, now working for the InterIslander division of the company. I understand the other ships may introduce this system as well. Since we are not on this ship we won’t be seeing them!

I must have made 50 – 60 crossings with motorcycle over the years and usually carry my own tiedowns and use these and a combination of what is there on the ferry deck. There will usually be a mix of mainly hooked ropes and a few “Aerofast” tie downs. InterIslander have given up on the tie downs because of theft. I don’t mean a few, I mean pretty much the entire set put out in the morning, stolen throughout the day, every day they did it. This is our fellow motorcyclists guys.

Anyway, does not matter. You leave your gloves on with the ropes, so you don’t get dirty hands. Helmet and jacket off, only tyre changing seems to build up more of a sweat than tying bikes down in the hot vehicle deck! I always take my own tie downs to provide the basic securing because I am useless with knots. I have a set of four “Aerofast” roof rack tiedowns, these are half size with a small cam and no ratchet, they fasten in a loop and you pull on them to tighten. Wound up the set of four is about the size of the palms of both hands. I slap rubber bands around them to pack them up.

It does not matter whether the bike is on side or centre stand. I always find it easier to put a big BMW on the centre stand though, this allows the bike to be stable while assembling the tiedowns. There are rubber wedges for jamming under car or truck wheels and one of these under each of a big bikes back and front wheel works well with the ropes or tie downs to secure everything. Smaller bikes are easily tied down trailer style, with the stand up and suspension compressed.

Bottom line is you can certainly manage with what is provided, so long as you take your time. You don't need the internet to help, just show up!

For what it is worth, Arahura is “soft” ship, it rolls gently back to vertical so accelerations are lower and cargo less likely to shift!

Michael

[buggsubique]

Well, turns out I'm free to join you blokes for this ride after a small sequence of minor miracles.

Joe, whazza cost of them cabins at the motorcamp - or are you tenting it?

Probly can't escort dudes around Marlborough on Thursday now, but will be able to join up with the main body on Friday AM as you pass through town.

Ohh, very exciting!

Now to try and get my H4 lights mod sorted, and try get to the bottom of why the alternator output wires are running so hot...can't be fooked breaking down in Reeftown or Big River!

[Paladin]

Well, turns out I'm free to join you blokes for this ride after a small sequence of minor miracles.

Joe, whazza cost of them cabins at the motorcamp - or are you tenting it?

Probly can't escort dudes around Marlborough on Thursday now, but will be able to join up with the main body on Friday AM as you pass through town.

Ohh, very exciting!

Now to try and get my H4 lights mod sorted, and try get to the bottom of why the alternator output wires are running so hot...can't be fooked breaking down in Reeftown or Big River!

Great news Matt!!!!!!

No freekin way are we tenting it, we're not quite THAT hard LOL!



Will look fwd to meetin u in person mate!

[Underground]

Well, turns out I'm free to join you blokes for this ride after a small sequence of minor miracles.

Joe, whazza cost of them cabins at the motorcamp - or are you tenting it?

Probly can't escort dudes around Marlborough on Thursday now, but will be able to join up with the main body on Friday AM as you pass through town.

Ohh, very exciting!

Now to try and get my H4 lights mod sorted, and try get to the bottom of why the alternator output wires are running so hot...can't be fooked breaking down in Reeftown or Big River!

Be good to get the twins together at last I've just booked a room at the old nurses home ,I think its a twin (theres that word again) so if you get stuck theres a bed in there.
Hot wires ? sounds like it could be a poor connection or earth ,or mabe even the reg rec ,is the battery boiling ?
Actually should start an @ owners thread to discuss this stuff

[BMWST?]

....... and try get to the bottom of why the alternator output wires are running so hot...can't be fooked breaking down in Reeftown or Big River!

not the rectifier/regulator is it...known prob with lotsa bikes(incl the @)

[buggsubique]

off topic i know... but don't think so...but possibly. all the test I've run say the reg is ok... have a great faultchecking pdf file for any bike.

[junkmanjoe]

Joe, whazza cost of them cabins at the motorcamp - or are you tenting it?

the ones at reefton are $17 per person per night.
i booked a 3 bed cabin. have a full house...with rum/coke and chippies, dirty tui girls.. blowup sheep, ya know just the lads out for a good time.

[junkmanjoe]

mark can you plz.
make a map of the roads you wish to travel.

and if its snows and my balls get cold, its your fault.

[Padmei]

The lack of CHCH riders attending is quite conspicious. Is it OK with you Nth Islanders if I extend a warm invitation to Sthn riders to join us for hijinks & gravel & mud?

[pete376403]

For what it is worth, Arahura is “soft” ship, it rolls gently back to vertical so accelerations are lower and cargo less likely to shift!
Michael

Apparently not since the last refit in Singapore. If what I've been told is true (and I have no reason to doubt the source) several hundred tons of steel were cut out of the vehicle deck in an attempt to get more trucks in, which has made the ship bow-heavy, even after dumping a lot of concrete into cavities at the stern. Net result the ship now carries LESS freight than before becuase of the 'ride quality". (that was a few months ago - they may have fixed it since then)

[pete376403]

off topic i know... but don't think so...but possibly. all the test I've run say the reg is ok... have a great faultchecking pdf file for any bike.

Check for bad connections in the charging circuit. Any resistance will be a cause of heating in the wires, etc. Pull the connectors apart and make sure they are shiney bright. (and if you were riding a Suzuki GS I'd say check the oil level, as engine oil is used to cool the alternator)

[marks]

mark can you plz.
make a map of the roads you wish to travel.

and if its snows and my balls get cold, its your fault.

I would but I don't know how - instructions anyone?
we will take a lot of left and right turns and it will be fun
if your balls get cold its because of those open backed leather chaps all DR riders wear...

Listen all you DR riders - this is not appropriate riding apparel for this trip

The lack of CHCH riders attending is quite conspicious. Is it OK with you Nth Islanders if I extend a warm invitation to Sthn riders to join us for hijinks & gravel & mud?

nah
fuckem all











oh
ok