I have fixed the wiring and spot painted various parts of the LiteStar, added some lights, improved the interior and replaced various parts that did not work. The most expensive replacement was the insturment cluster from the BMW motorcycle. Now the tach and speedometer work, the lights work, the interior looks good and most of all the engine runs.

            Now I think that the LiteStar is ready for its first trip away from home. Previously, I would drive to town and maybe drive through the countryside a little ways but not too far. I felt more and more comfortable with the handling of the machine and confident about the dependability of the mechanics. There was one problem with the machine and that was with the engine overheating. I would drive along for about 5 miles and the fan would come on. I would drive another 3 miles and the warning light would come on and I would have to slow down and wait until the warning light went out. Then I could speed up again for about 4 miles. This was not good. My immediate solution to this problem was to prop open the access panels on each side of the LiteStar in hopes that more air would be scooped in and cool off the engine. I also took off the access panel on top that provides access to the gas tank. On this first voyage it also helped that the temperature was about 55 degrees F.

            The reason for the trip was to get RAT points. To understand what a RAT point is you must visit the RAT site at http://members.aol.com/ratrunbmw/index.htm
            RAT stands for Road Anomalies Tour and I've found a few of them.
             

            
           
          Click on image for larger picture.          		 Trojan Horse (gocart ride) in Wisconsin Dells 
          Wis. 
          No such thing as the Zanadu Dome house. It was bulldozed to make way for a pitch and putt golf course.
           
          Click on image for larger picture.          		 Sign says "Bunker Hill, Unincorporated" 
          Bunker Hill, WI
           
          Click on image for larger picture.          		 Road to Woodstock, WI
           
          Click on image for larger picture.          		 No such thing as Kickapoo, WI 
          However, there is a Kickapoo High School.
           
          Click on image for larger picture.          		 Front door of Kickapoo High School in Viola, Wisconsin. The Kickapoo River runs nearby.
            
           
           
              Created: 12/13/1998 Modified: 01/12/1999