Topic: Pre-Cross country trip tips?

[stockscreamer]

hello again everyone! I am debating on wether or not dump some money on shipping my bike from here in Nevada to Indiana (800) or putting about half that into her and taking it across country under her own power..My first question is does anyone know of a cheaper route to go as far as shipping it? I just got offered a killer job over their and will be heading over that way prolly about mid January.. If no one has any better means or leads on shippment methods, id be more than thankful for ideas/hints/tricks as to what to bring with me if i took and rode her their.

My list of things to be sure to bring are as follows
set of plugs (4)
some slightly thinner main jets (4)
quart of oil
all tools neccesary for replacing jets and plugs and some other tools that may be handy.
5,10,15 amp blade fuses

Is their anything major i have left out? like i said i just got a GREAT job offer but dont want to have to sell my baby just to get it : ( thanks guys look forward to hearing from yall!

[dave500]

is the job permanent?could you store the bike in a rental storage locker while your gone?

[stockscreamer]

Yes it will be a permanent job the company is in the middle of doubling in size, since my good friend is well vested in the company hes pulling me in while they are upsizing and i will likely take his job within a year as QC. I can certainly make due without having the honda for transportation, but he has already done so much for me i would rather do as much as i can on my own. The storage deal would end up being more hassle than its worth really but i appreciate the idea, i hadent thought of that yet..

If anyone is interested and is in Indiana area i could more than likely get you in to the company as well, im going in January because thats when they start getting stupid busy. Like i said before the company is doubling in size so as long as you can pass a piss test, show up for work everyday and be productive you WILL be moved up. They are one of the few production company's that are actually starting to care about there employees because they realized if they keep us happy we will keep them happy.

[MrGardman]

Stock, maybe pack an inner tube and some small tire tools in case of a flat. Possibly an extra master link, if you don't have an endless chain, would be good also.

[stockscreamer]

I will have brand new front and rear tires and tubes put on before the trip along with a new chain and sprockets but for what they cost and weigh i will definatley add both a spare tube and end link to the list awesome addition mrgardman thanks just the kind of little things i would like to not have to worry about!

[bollingball]

Go change a tire and do a 3K tune up. Then take all the tools you used to do that and take them with you on the bike. Cut a length of wire 14 gauge that will reach from the head light to the tail light. What is the 10a fuse for?
Ken

[stockscreamer]

Points, condensors, plugs, oil, exhaust gaskets, tires, sprockets, chain, and fork oil will be fresh and new before the trip starts. I still have the complete original tool kit that came from the factory with the bike i will be taking those and about half a backpack of tools. wire is a good one! i have about half a roll of 12 gauge wire leftover from my sound system build ill just throw the whole roll in with the other stuff. The 10 amp fuse replaces the 7 amp which i think is tail?? Just havent ever seen a 7 amp blade fuse so i bumped up to 10.. Thanks bollingball.

[wvshooter]

If the bike has been reliable around town there shouldn't be a problem between Nev and Ind. Do what others have said and it should be a great trip.

[ofreen]

Be sure to post a ride report if you do it in mid January.  It could be very interesting.

[luap]

why cant you put the bike in whatever is moving the rest of your stuff

[stockscreamer]

If could i totally would but i will either be flying out or riding out. Im giving my truck to my mom because she could use it more than i really. Its just shy of hitting 200,000 miles on the ticker so i whole heart'edly trust the Honda making it over their before the truck with a 200,000 miles and E40D trans. 

[jamesb]

i went on a vacation a few years ago on my cb550 i put a new chain on it,changed the oil, in line fuel filter,checked out my points,and went over the bike completely tightened everything. packed what tools i would need wrenches for axle bolts in case of flat tire. extra coils,points and condensers,bulbs,extra clutch cables,and fuses.and headed out on a 1,200 mile plus vacation. i didn't have one problem.it's better to be prepared for the worst and lug all the extra stuff on a trip than be stuck in the middle of nowhere.good luck on your journey 

[stockscreamer]

AHA yes coils i will be ordering a pair of those when i send out the order for the other parts now that you have reminded me! I will likely just throw the coils that are on it now in the goodie bag. I just replaced the clutch cable months ago that should be fine but i have to order some new grips so ill go ahead and get an extra set of throttle cables. I know your 550 would be slightly different mpgs but do you mind me asking how much fuel you went through? Thanks james.

Josh

[jamesb]

i was almost 40 pounds heavier then and i got about 45mpg if i remember correctly. i still have my log book  if i can find it and will know for sure but it seems that 45mpg was the average.that was a lot of highway riding at 65 plus mph needless to say she was very tired when the trip was over. the only thing i didn't have with me was extra inner tubes.

[stockscreamer]

Okay coolness so i should expect about 150-200 dollars in fuel cost give or take. Im pretty light imho never go over 170 lbs and ill prolly have about 75- 100 lbs of "cargo" with me im pretty confident the 750 will pull me along the long road nicely, also planning to stop every 10-12 hours for snack and nap time. I was kind of thinking about not bringing tubes but then i figured why not, i will have the tools to change it out if need be, and i fabbed up a nice sparkplug to air hose and chuck connector a few years back so i could even pump them up when repairs are finished.. Im pulling out all the stops i can to make sure i make from vegas to my destination hence me asking all the great knowledge keepers of this site for some insight : )

Josh

[Schnell]

Yes, I'm sure you'll want to stop every 10 to 12 hours for snacks and a nap!
Unless you've got an iron butt and wear a catheter, stops will be much more frequent.

[Xnavylfr]

Unless you have inflight refueling , you'll probably be stopping about every 4/5 hours for gas and it NEVER fails , if you don't do your business when you stop for gas, you get 25/30 miles down the road and nature make a sit down call.. WHAT YOU GONNA DO?



Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[DustyRags]

Pampers Diapers commercial. 1970.

[anders288]

You're going to ride a motorcycle from Nevada to Indiana in January. How much winter riding have you done?

A SOHC honda can't power heated gear.

[jamesb]

i was getting to ask that myself. January can really suck in the Midwest. i think we are going to have a cold winter this year.

[BeSeeingYou]

Yer gonna need wheels in your new location.....you won't be riding your bike year round.  Just get a minivan or pickup in Nevada and haul it all that way or rent a cargo van from U-Haul.   If you insist on this rather dumb idea maybe you will get lucky with the weather and have a nice trip or maybe you will ride into a nice ice storm like they tend to get in those middle states in winter.  Sorry for the tough love but maybe you aren't clear on what happens here in the midwest in January.  

[scottly]

Have you ever seen the movie "A Christmas Story"? Everyone, including Santa, tells Ralphie "You'll shoot your eye out, kid", as a reason why he shouldn't get the Red Ryder BB gun he desperately wants.
In your case, "You'll freeze your nuts off, kid." 

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I lived in KY for many years. Cold and DAMP in January. I've seen an honest -22F. That is probably the WORST month to TRY to ride. You'd better give yourself a few extra days in your planning. You may have shorter days riding or days with no riding. Take quite a few light layers of clothing and a really good wind/rain resistant jacket (but not for rain in January).  Full face helmet with neck protection and some damn good gloves. Don't worry about packing all that #$%*! You shouldn't need it if your bike is in good shape before you leave. Your tool kit and chain lube. Whiskey might be a good idea to defrost frostbite or some bone-chilling riding. 

[CoachDoc]

You're risking frostbite and/or hypothermia. I love long haul riding more than the next guy, but you've got to be nuts to do it in January. U-Haul rents a nice little motorcycle trailer for $14.99 per diem. I'd find out what the additional charge would be for dropping it off at a different location, then take your truck and pull the bike. I've used these trailers a few times and you'll forget it's even there. Gas mileage will be about 25% lower than normal. Here's hoping this works out for you one way or another.

[Retro Rocket]

What is this ice and snow you foreigners speak of...