Big Sur Camping Trip - Lee's Honda Redding CA

[Rednaxs60]

Just finished a two week trip to Big Sur State Park in California - 10 Oct to 19 Oct. The purpose of the trip was to meet up with some other vintage GW riders for a camping evening at the Park. Left Victoria on 10 October for Los Angeles. Rained from Olympia to 30 miles before Grants Pass where I spent the first night. Left the next morning, 11 Oct, to a clear day but cool 2 deg C morning. Lovely ride into Redding CA where, unfortunately, the alternator on my bike gave up the ghost. Had just filled up in town, got back on the highway and the alternator light came on - I have the poorboy/alt mod on my bike.

I was towed to Lee's Honda on Lackspur Lane in Redding. Now to the crux of this post. The service manager, Tim Fleig, met me when I arrived in the tow truck, approximately 1230. I explained to him the issue, and he immediately fit me into their busy repair schedule. He assigned a mechanic, Kelsy Maasen, to do the work removing the faulty alternator. With some fine research, Tim and his staff sourced a replacement alternator that would be installed 12 Oct as soon as it arrived.

Steve Helow, service adviser, provided information regarding places to stay and good dining spots for my overnight in Redding.

The alternator was in hand and installed on my bike by 1:00 Pm the next day. Tim and his staff had me back on the road heading to Los Angeles within 24 hours of my predicament.

Can't say enough about the professionalism of Tim and his staff. The fact that they fit an out of town rider into their busy repair schedule, worked on an '85 GW with a DIY alternator mod is a testament to their professionalism and can do attitude. This allowed me to continue to Los Angeles for my meetup, adn return to Victoria with Sonya who flew into LA for the return trip home.

If anyone is ever in the area of Redding and needs assistance, highly recommend the staff at Lee's Honda - 2230 Larkspur Lane - Redding CA - 96002. Phone 530-221-9247. Web site: www.leeshonda.com

The rest of the trip was uneventful. Met up with the boys from Los Angeles. Had an enjoyable evening camping at Big Sur.

Again, can't say enough about the excellent support that Tim and his staff did for me.

Cheers

[Rat]

It can save a trip when you luck onto someone like that .... even if you only need an oil filler cap ....

Gord (thinking of carrying a spare) Jones

[CYBORG]

It can save a trip when you luck onto someone like that .... even if you only need an oil filler cap ....

Gord (thinking of carrying a spare) Jones

AMEN!

[Rednaxs60]

The only spare I took was an alternator belt. One issue that I had was not knowing what car the old alternator came from. I remembered a post on another thread that mentioned the use of a 1988 Firefly 1.0 litre turbo alternator and that is the one they ordered. Just had to cut off the rear foot. Note to all, have the car alternator info available, makes repair a lot easier.

Have to give the shop kudos for taking on the repair, lots would not.

Cheers

[JBz]

I thought hwy 1 was closed going to big sur. Maybe that is just from the north??? jb

[Rednaxs60]

Hwy 101 had just opened when we went through.

[CBX n GL man]

Nice ride goin thru there, was goin notth trying to make it to big sur on hwy 1 on my guzzi just a couple weeks ago but big landslide was still there.
Detour goin thru fort liggett to 101 was fun tho.
Looks like Lee's honda saved the day for u.

[Rednaxs60]

I thought hwy 1 was closed going to big sur. Maybe that is just from the north??? jb

Just read the post again. #1 was closed, part of it had been opened, but not all. We went north and circled round to get to the campsite. When we left we went south to the Nacimento road and crossed over the mountains. It was an interesting ride on a loaded GW, great views. Reminded me of the reality shows of truckers driving in South America and such.

It was the 101 north of San Fran that had just recently been opened.

Cheers