Black Smoke on the Highway, A Fire in the Sky

Tom Mahady · Post by **Tom Mahady** » Sun 06 Dec, 2015 3:50 pm

Beautiful evening at Maleeya's. Next morning, bright and early, great cooked breakfast at the Porongurup Tea Rooms. Heading home to Perth, a bit of noise coming from the motor, so taking it easy. We filled up at Mt Barker, resumed our journey and decided to stop for coffee at Williams. The clutch was acting up; gears were hard to change. So we chose to keep going instead. Keeping my eye on the temperature gauge, the motor stayed at the same temperature so we sat on around 100km/hr.

All of a sudden, just before the Jarrahdale turnoff, the bike made a bit of a noise and conked out. Thinking that the clutch had just given up the ghost, we pulled over and got off the bike. I noticed there was oil on my right boot, something must have popped and that was the noise - maybe. Walking around the bike and taking a look, I said to Marian, "Look there's a flame underneath the tank!" The flame very quickly engulfed the tank. Getting away from the bike as quick as we could, it took only a minute or so for the whole bike to go up. We were very lucky that the bush beside us didn't go up also and no one was hurt.

Thanks to Cookie, Chris, Peta and Rachel who stopped, contacted emergency services and alerted passing traffic. Their assistance was invaluable.

Some photos attached.

Cheers
Tom and Marian

reklaw · Post by **reklaw** » Sun 06 Dec, 2015 4:06 pm

That could have turned nasty, were you on the GS and has the autopsy revealed the cause?

Tom Mahady · Post by **Tom Mahady** » Sun 06 Dec, 2015 4:27 pm

I don't know whether you could do much of an autopsy. What's left could fit inside a suitcase. I think if they try carbon dating.

The only warranty is the insurance, thank God.

Bozo · Post by **Bozo** » Sun 06 Dec, 2015 4:38 pm

Tom

Sad to hear about the bike.

Bozo

Colin Della · Post by **Colin Della** » Sun 06 Dec, 2015 4:58 pm

Good to hear no one was hurt. Your not having much luck with the GS's.

bmwlefty · Post by **bmwlefty** » Sun 06 Dec, 2015 10:32 pm

Real shame about the bike. Glad you are both OK

Swampy · Post by **Swampy** » Sun 06 Dec, 2015 11:02 pm

Tom and Marion the bike is replaceable, You two are not, So very glad to hear that neither you were hurt and are home safe.

Best Wishes

Swampy

Paddy7 · Post by **Paddy7** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 8:45 am

Sensational Tom,

You are a Legend!

And I thought the 28 parrot I hit going home up the inland road through the Wheatbelt and wiping out my right hand mirror was a bugger

Thankfully you and Marion were unharmed.

What's a few more dollars?

Patrick

goodguy · Post by **goodguy** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 9:14 am

Thankfully both ok, hopefully insurance will cover costs, that is one spectacular photo.

BMWMCCWA

Black Smoke on the Highway, A Fire in the Sky

Black Smoke on the Highway, A Fire in the Sky

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