Final farewell foray flounders! My bike broke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[stephenwc]

Hi all

I decided to take one last decent ride on the Silverwing super scooter as a sort of farewell ride before dumping it at the garage on Friday when I collect
my new bike.

Bimbled along Watling Street (on which I live) which is one of our famous Roman roads leading from London to Canterbury, a place of pilgrimage for
hundreds of thousands of people over the centuries. It is likely that Chaucer's pilgrims used Watling Street to travel from Southwark to Canterbury
in his Canterbury Tales.

Some history of Canterbury is here.

On the way into Canterbury I saw this building.



Turns out to be called Westgate.

After the Cathedral, the Westgate is Canterbury's next eye-catching landmark. It has stood for six centuries on guard over the road to and from
London. Hundreds of thousands of medieval pilgrims, on their way to visit Saint Thomas Becket's shrine, passed through this gateway into the city.

It is the last survivor of Canterbury's seven medieval gates.

The West Gate of Canterbury was originally part of the City Walls. The current gate replaced an earlier Roman one. The gate was built, of Kentish
ragstone, by Archbishop Sudbury and was finished in 1380. Sudbury met a violent end just a year later.

Westgate was used as a prison for many years, has been a museum since 1906 and is well preserved. The spiral access stairway is brightly lit and a
rope handrail guides you safely and easily to the Museum displays and souvenir desk above the road.

On display are guns and armaments, from the Civil War to World War Two, used by the defenders of Canterbury. Prison cells can be visited and there is
replica armour to try on for children. You can see through the murder holes onto the road below and explore the turrets from which there are superb
panoramic views of Canterbury.

The gate is somewhat of a traffic problem, buses and lorries only just fit between the arch.




Good roads west of Canterbury, this is Chartham Road.

This is the view from Ashford Road, Great Stour.


Decided to poodle along to Rye, one of my favourite stopping places, for an ice cream.

This photo was taken about half a mile north of the Brenzett roundabout.


I negotiated the roundabout, heard a slightly odd noise but assumed it was from a truck behind.

BIG mistake.

About 500 yards further on there’s a monstrous shredding sound, a few screeching lurches and the bike dies.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!



I worked out that the drive belt had shredded after just 10,000 miles.

They’re usually swapped at 16,000 miles, I think I’ll query that with the garage.

Parked up safely and called the break-down people.


They turned up very quickly and loaded my bike.


So, I never did make it to Rye or get my ice cream. However, I’m safe and the bike is at the garage.

Obviously I’ll have to pay for the replacement belt but the bigger problem is that the bike was due to go in part exchange when I collect my new bike
this Friday.

Wrong. That’s now been put back until Saturday 15th.

Bummer. Unhappy.



Stephen

[Darth Lefty]

Warranty gone?

Got any pics of the carnage?

(also happy b'day)

[stephenwc]

Originally Posted by Darth Lefty

Warranty gone?

Got any pics of the carnage?

(also happy b'day)

Bike's 3.5 years old = no warranty.

Carnage is all contained within the engine housing = mechanic's problem.

It's been a memorable day.

Stephen

[Gojira]

At any rate, it gives you a great story. Glad you are ok in that the mech failure wasn't catastrophic.

[Darth Lefty]

Put a buckle on the belt and wear it!

[tanstaafl]

Maybe she is just trying to get even with you for replacing her?

It sucks to have your bike break down on you, especially on your birthday. On the bright side, only a few more days until a whole new ride!

By the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[pawprint2104]

Missing an ice cream? Did your scooter understand the implications of its breakdown? It's ok to breakdown after, but most certainly, not before a chocolate double dip on a sugar cone!

Sorry 'bout the ride. However, many Happy Birthday returns to you and congrats on the new ride!

[FJRME]

Forget all that. Does this mean you're going to keep us in the dark even longer now???

[Steve1962]

Bummer !!

The wait is longer , but when time comes , the first ride will be all the sweeter for it .

Just glad that you didn't crash and get hurt .

Steve
ps - I was planning to come to work on the bike today , donned all the gear , but when giving the bike a check over before riding it [ always do that ] , I discovered a damaged rear tyre , so I won't be doing any riding until I've got that replaced .

[meskie]

You are lucky to break down near home ,
Mine broke down near Achwitze Krakhow Poland ,
Came back 21 days after me I flew home
It shure was nice to see the Tractor again all in one piece ,Problem was a £2 copper washer . I went to visit Auchwitze another ride what a place to visit but that is another story ...