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[Scalyback]

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Kevin's first night ride.

So, having moved froward a month from the clandestine exploration of Besancon's roman aqueduct...




Nobody in sight....




Jump over railing and run in... YAY YAY YAY!




Anyway, last night my brother Phil phoned to say he was staying in a hotel in Besancon. David Gilmore was playing the next evening at Arc en sennans, a local village, and althought the weather was a bit iffy, Phil really wanted to see Kevin and so off we went.



Well, after much interest from various members of the road crew, and with Kevin secured in the hotel parking, we went exploring the city. Usual stuff, bar, wander around the sights, the cat cafe where you are surrounded by many cats whilst you relax (but being evening it was closed), then the roman arch and theatre.

Then it got interesting.

I was just explaining about the roman tunnels which it was nearly impossible to get access to,when I pointed towards the iron gate, only to see it standing open. Ten years I had been waiting for an opportunity like this, and my brother is about 10 years older than me, but we got over the iron railings in double quick time!




Looking out of the gate with the railings beyond.




Roman tunnels. YAY!.


Having explored it all, we ended up with an outside table at a restaurant and had a damn god meal. I had only expected to be out for a couple of hours as Phil is usually tired or busy, but the whole evening was spent enjoying the city and by the time I collected Kevin from the hotel, it had got dark.


the main road out of Besancon was closed for repair, and I had come in on the 100% twisty and dodgy mountain road. Getting back home in the dark with an untried headlamp was going to be interesting.


Exiting the town was easy, but the mountain road was a trial. the 180° degree bends are extremely tight as shown below.
?


The google earth pics is a bit frigged, but you can see how sharp the corners are!.

Anyway, the air was warm, Kevin was faultless and 40 minutes later we arrived home with what you will all understand as an RE grin on my face. The dippable LED headlamp from Pete at dynamo and regulator repairs had proved to be adequate enough to allow us to cruise at a nice 50 MPH on the straighter sections of road. We could have gone faster, but the ride was enjoyable so why not string it out a little?


I forgot my helmet cam unfortunalty, but it really was a wonderful evening and also proved that the LED headlamp was ok. Even better, Kevin is allowed out after dark now!




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REOC 15084

Tabellarius de verbis. Ostensor gaudium[/center]

[scotty]

Ha first the roman tunnels, what next scalyback and kevin conquer the channel tunnel posted from your room in the nick. Went down one in the middle of Exeter, roman water supply was a cut and shut job but very good but unlike you I had to pay still worth the dosh. Good onya.

[jefrs]

LED headlamp? If you're 6V it may be the only way to go but I've used these things and found although they're bright, the way they emit light provides a poor beam of illumination on the road.



What electrical system does Kevin have on the lighting? What volts and how much power (watts) is available?

[Scalyback]

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It seems the stator was replaced. Still Lucas, but 12V and lots of power. The trafficators use much more power than all the lighting system combined!

[Rattlebattle]

My wife and I were holidaying in that area a couple of years ago. We both enjoyed our trip to the aqueduct, albeit in our car. I didn't know you could access the "forbidden" areas.......A nice part of the world.

[jefrs]

If Kevin is now 12VDC (not AC?) and has enough power to run a 60/55W continuously (unlike the trafficators) why not fit one of the super-bright H4 halogen versions.



I have tried LED for spot/fogs and reversing lamps and found they provide a very bright centre spot but practically no spread because their very directional light emissions do not flood the reflector shell. If you look at the lamp, is the entire reflector lit up or just a bright centre spot?



I was using the Neolite but its reflector cup self-destructed and so I reverted to the Minda but with a "120%" H4. For comparison my SUV has high-intensity Xenon HID, the Minda provides very good lighting and most of my night riding is on unlit roads with picture-squew trees and ditches and errant rabbit hazards.



But Note - I think my C5 alternator can provide at least 220 watts. So if your system cannot provide sufficient power, and I know you understand electrics, lighting plus charging, you need a lower-power alternative. LED Cree type lamps are improving but so far they have not rung my bell, and they do run hot. Lighting is one area where I would not want the authentic 6V Prince of Darkness.

[Scalyback]

Kevin was ok-ish with a 60 halogen, but after I fitted the trafficators, he stalled at junctions after about 20 seconds.

I don't really expect to be night riding, but if necessary, then the LED is adequate for around here.

[Scalyback]

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If you want to see the scaley vid of the concert highlights, see the following before it gets knocked off the site.