One thing on my mind as we leave this morning is that check engine light and battery indicator on the instrument panel. With no option, we pointed the handlebars north and headed for Fairbanks.
Everything seemed ok ( other than the trouble lights), and yes, they mean trouble, but with no Harley dealer - or other motorcycle dealer in Tok - nearest place was Fairbanks.
All was going well until I saw a sign that read "Fairbanks - 102 miles". A little further down the road just south of a place called Delta Junction, things started going whacky. The speedometer was the first indication. 65 - 0 - 65 and back and forth for a while, so I slowed down. Next thing was that the ABS indicator lights up and starts flashing, the check engine and battery lights are out, speedo shows 0mph , even though I'm still moving, so I look for a place to get the bike safely to the side of the road and wait or the inevitable. Cough, cough, odometer begins to flash then stops. Then the engine dies. All is dead. No battery, no electrical, nowhere to go.
Now I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead Harley. Ed is far ahead by this time as soon as the comms are out of range, that's it. I couldn't be luckier than where this HOG decided to die as it's not far from the Delta Junction Regional Airport and fortunately there was cell service. Otherwise, I'd be hiking it who knows how far looking for a signal - can you say "Can you hear me now?" I call Ed to let him now what happened and leave a message as he's probably in a dead zone - what a surprise.
Ed calls back a short time later and I let him know what happened and since he's already between me and Fairbanks, tell him it's best to go ahead as I have a tow truck on the way. I'll call him once I get to the Harley Dealer.
Me and Big Red. Looking north, south and a candid with Big Dead Red waiting for the tow truck.
While waiting 3+ hours for the tow truck, many people stopped and asked if all was alright and if I needed help. A road ranger also stopped and gave me a much needed bottle of water in this 80 degree heat. Now, that doorag isn't for the biker effect, it's to protect my cranium from turning the color of my shirt!
I called the Harley dealer earlier to find out how late they are opened, and they said 6PM. Well, the tow truck arrives after 4 and it's a 2+ hour ride to Fairbanks. I give them a heads up that I may be late and the service guy says he'll be there until 7. Lucked out again - if you can call it that. So, 5+ hours after breakdown we arrive in Fairbanks at the Harley dealer, pay for the tow - OUCH!, and get it into the shop to be tucked in for the night.
Ed luckily already got a room within walking distance, but will al my gear and bags, couldn't make it in one trip. The service guy offered a lift which I gladly took.
Forgot to take a pic of the Big Red in the tow truck, I'd loved to have sent it to Harley as a testament to the reliability of their motorcycles. Maybe I should change the bike name from Big Red to Big Dead.
Will wait for a call in the AM to see what the damages are.
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