Erik and the "Cannonbahl"

[Vance]

yep, they got him running last night and he set off this morning according to a text from John. Hopefully it well today and he has made Sedalia according to the Spot just now. Maybe we'll get an update soon. Don't want to pester the team but I am anxious to hear about them!

[Norwood]

According to Erik web page... a few miles short of destination and more issue popped! Look like a long night wrenching.

[jdubeemer]

According to Erik web page... a few miles short of destination and more issue popped! Look like a long night wrenching.

Erik posted that his camshaft is not turning. That sounds serious. They are in the trailer to Junction City Kansas where there is a rest day on Friday. Hope they can get it running for the Saturday run.

[beemererik]

Hi all, I am in the truck on the way to Junction City. The bike died about 1.5 miles from the finish on a ~290 mile day yesterday. This has been really tough on the bike. It has been extremely hot, wet, and a lot of steep inclines to climb. The headwinds yesterday were brutal. Plus it is carrying me and all of the parts I need for roadside repair. Also a gallon of gas and some water in case I am stranded. The bike has been running extremely well. Flat cruising speed is about 50 with hill climbs about 35 in second gear.

Out of seven segments I have completed five (minus 1.5 miles). There are always little things to tend to. I have only had three big problems up to now.

1. Lost rear axle bearing carrier nut. Very large and unavailable. Vech loaned me one off of his bike and Paul and Gail Thorne delivered it that evening. Thanks guys!
2. Bosch magneto coil went bad. This coil is buried inside of a large assembly. It took a few hours to remove, disassemble and troubleshoot. I had a spare magneto which I did not rebuild myself. It turned out to have an incorrect part inside. So that had to come apart and I mixed and matched pieces to build one good one.
3. Valve train quit working - troubleshooting that today. Requires engine disassembly. The cam/mag/crank are gear driven. Cursory inspection looks like I lost an idler gear. The bigger problem which caused this is either a locked up magneto or camshaft. Will know the cause later this afternoon. I suspect one of the other BMW crews might have an idler gear. But something else failed to cause the cam/mag not to move. This has the potential to take me out of the race as I don't have spare lifters/pushrod/valve train parts. I am the only overhead valve BMW on this run so no one else would have parts.

This has been a lot of fun up to this point to include keeping the bike running. John and Zeke have been a huge help and a great support team. I have also enjoyed meeting several of the club members along the way. Sorry I have not had a lot of time to stop and visit with you. This is a dawn to dusk activity. If I am not riding it seems like we are doing maintenance til at least 10 or 11 at night. Then you are up the next morning at 5 or 6 to get going. I barely have had time to do the short updates to my website.

On a side note:

Bike problems abound in this event. So I am not experiencing a unique situation. A friend of mine on a BMW R62 lost either his transmission or rear drive yesterday. I heard they worked on the bike until 2am and he is back on the run today.

[Vance]

thanks for the update Erik. I hope it goes well for you tonight. Again the task you undertook on that kind of equipment is a big one indeed. We are certainly proud of the entire team and your accomplishment so far. Good luck and keep us posted when you can!

[beemererik]

Well it looks like we are heading home tomorrow. We got to Junction City KS yesterday afternoon and tore the bike down. Once I got into the engine it turned out that I had more problems around the camshaft than can be dealt with on the road. The rear bushing cup disintegrated. The front bushing is worn, and I also have to deal with the cam follower bushing that got dislodged. Nothing that is not fixable, it will just take time which I don't have right now. This has been a huge challenge and a lot of fun. The only regret I have at this point is not putting my R1150R in the trailer. If I had, I think I might have continued on to the West Coast with the group.

[Norwood]

This was the update I didn't want to hear. Man I am sorry for the issues with the bike, have a safe trip home. My helmet is off in respect to you and your crew...

[Vance]

Congratulations Erik! This has been a huge undertaking by you and the entire team. Sorry you will not be able to run the entire route but I hope you know just how proud we are of you and the team. Ya'll have a safe ride back...you have done a fantastic job!

[BMWWANDRR]

Sorry to hear this news, Eric. BUT, my hat is off to you, sir, for your gallant effort. I guess I will redo my route since you're not coming this way.

[jdubeemer]

Well there is always next year. Hopefully you can have that bike ready more than a day prior and have it well sorted out and have a good supply of spares to boot.

[SteveHebert]

Be proud for what you did accomplish Erik. An amazing undertaking!