Topic: Coast to Coast, Cross Country Trip

[rusty_tank]

I'm toying with the idea of riding cross country, heading from Portland, OR to up state NY on my 78 CB550, roughly 2700 miles. My bike is in great shape, rebuilt engine, etc. I'm thinking about taking a sleeping bag and just camping along the way. Naturally I'd like to hear from anyone on this but I'd also love to hear from experienced folk who've done something like this on their old bike.

Cheers guys.
I look forward to hearing from you!

[HondaMan]

Wow, you have ALL the storage equipment! I did it many times with a backpack on the sissy bar, and once in a while a tank bag. Sometimes I used a little nylon pup tent (today would be a "backpacker's tent"), sometimes just a tarp that I would tie between the bike and a tree or a picnic table to keep the rain off at night. I took along Nestle Ice Tea mix to sample the water at gas stations along the way, and foods that were sealed in metal foil so critters wouldn't hassle me when camped.

You'll have no troubles carrying the stuff you'll need with those bags! Take along some extra points (or a new points plate, or a good used one), at least one change of oil and a filter, and a camera with extra "film", whether digital or not...and tools, chain lube, spare tire tubes, and sparkplugs. That ought to do it!

Maybe a pillow... 

[Vinhead1957]

There is a guy on the Harley's and more forum that sort of did that in reverse on a 550 Suzuki.  Alpha dog .   Nice guy he might have some good info for you. He got me started with my project. Dos and don'ts and the aluminum polishing/powder coating cult!  I do know he carried extra gas because of the spans between stations in the great West.

[rusty_tank]

Thanks for the reply's HondaMan and Vinhead1957.

HondaMan: Thanks for the comment on the bags, but they're not mine. I was at my buddy's place (prosolar on the forum), he's got the bags so I thought I'd mock up my bike. Man did it get me in the mood to travel! I'd probably purchase those same style bags if I do the trip.

Thanks Vinhead1957 for the info on Alpha Dog. I appreciate it

[stickman]

Hi Rusty Tank,  Do you know yet what month you will be traveling and are you taking
the most direct northern route or planning a more southerly(warmer) route?  Stickman

[kpier883]

This might inspire :
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=41994.0

[BeSeeingYou]

    Don't go overboard on "spares".   Cell phones and internet make it a bit easier these days.  I have done one 6,000 mile trip, several 2000+, and one of 1500 on my 79 XS650.  Granted these trips where done when the bike was new thru about 15 years old but I never had a breakdown that left me stranded.  I think the grand total was one new rear tire, one drive chain, and one repair of a leaking petcock.   All these trips were west of the Mississippi River but the shorter one.  Even with the small 3 gallon tank getting gas was never a problem and I never ran out so there is no need to haul a tank of gas along.  An oil filter sure but I would not bother to bring oil along...it's not hard to find when and if you need it.  You are not going to the back of beyond in a third world country.  I would bring some spare fuses, some bit's of wire and maybe a small multimeter.  A tube and irons are a great idea as long as you have some experience with changing a tire.  If not get some practice...it's all too easy to nick the tube and put a hole in it during the process.  My bike has points and I always carried an extra set but never had cause to use them.  Make sure your bike is in good kit with decent life in the tires and drive chain, a clean fuel system, brakes system in good shape.  Battery in good shape.  Take a 3-500 mile shakedown trip if you can manage it.  Then just go and don't worry about it......have a good time.
      Stay off the interstate and take the two lane highways...much more interesting.  If you have friends along the way plan to stop and visit...these also make great maintenance stops with access to workspace, tools, and transport.  On my big trip I had three friends spaced along my route that I stayed with, one in Lake Tahoe where I changed the tire and chain.  Barring that  hook up with forum members along your route.  For camping a Thermarest sleeping pad is top notch.
     On one trip my buddies Commando starting have issues with the head.  We made it to a friend in Billings MT and had another friend back home with the same bike ship his head to us air freight.  The guy in Billings had a MG convertible we used to tool around the mountains with for the few days we were stuck there.  You can have fun in unexpected ways.
     And a small camera tripod to get some good pics.

[Viktor.J]

Thats a amazing picture, god damn !

I want to do something similar, but in Europe so I will follow the do's and dont's in the thread !

[rusty_tank]

@stickman:
That's a great question man. So, this whole idea hinges on a job opportunity in up state NY that starts in May. If I get the job I'll be giving this trip some more serious thought.
The most direct route, which is the only one I've looked at thus far and yes I totally know it's not that exciting, takes me south east then cuts east following I-80 for a looooong stretch through the mid west. I've been looking at weather trends regarding the end of this month. It doesn't look terrible. Keep in mind I'm a year round rider living in Portland, OR. I ride in the rain all the time and it hasn't been above 60 here for about 6 months.

I'm posting the route that maps.google came up with. This is my starting point.

Maybe it would be better to look at going even a bit farther south and cutting east, then heading up north around Kentucky or Virginia. Hell I don't know, I'm just riffin here
About how many days would something like this take? Guesses? Maybe a week?

[70CB750]

What srusts58 says, plenty of great ideas.  Make sure you use you bike toolkit to do your maintenance - it will help you find out if you are missing anything.

Good luck and you can call on me in VA.

[andy750]

Sure you can definitely do it on any bike.

As for route Id go via Thermopolis, Wyoming and head Devils Tower, WY and then the Black Hills, SD via the Badlands. Take the North-east entry into Iowa (great country road coming out of SD into MN runs parallel with the boring Interstate 90 and then head into Iowa on one of the country roads heading out Illinois towards Chicago - again on a country road. Once in Illinois keep heading East on straight roads that parallel I-90.

Going through Nebrasksa and Iowa as you have on your map is also fine but I find the Northern or Southern routes of this more interesting for a day-to-day riding. An another alternative is to think about coming through Oklahoma/Arkansas (Ozark mountains - great riding!) and then along Blue Ride Pkway etc. Hard to go wrong with any route .

Any route can take 10-12 days at ~500 miles/day. More or less depending on mileage/day of course.

I have done the x-country route (East-West, West-East, South-East etc) on a CB750K4 and its a great way to travel. For more inspiration check out our 2004 Easy Rider Trip from LAX to New Orelans to Boston (16 days) -http://www.easyridertrip.de/trip.htm

Somewhere in New Mexico



Monument Valley



cheers
Andy

[rusty_tank]

You guys are awesome
Some real inspiration here. Well I hope it works out. If not, no biggie and I'll try to get another trip in this summer.

Thanks again guys. I'll keep ya in the loop!

[Lostboy Steve]

I fyou make it to NJ hit me up!

[rusty_tank]

I fyou make it to NJ hit me up!

Yea NJ!

[BobbyR]

You make it to NY you have a hot meal waiting.

[rusty_tank]

You make it to NY you have a hot meal waiting.

Thanks brotha

[Bankerdanny]

The Michigan route of the Relay Rally 1.0 as 1,400 miles. My 550 ran like a champ and got 47-50 mpg loaded up with way too much crap on top of 200+ pounds of me. I wouldn't have hesitated to ride it another 1,400 miles.

I would recommend three things: (1) find a small windshield. Highway speeds are much more comfortable if the ind is not trying to blow you off the bike (2) a throttle lock. Being able to rest your right wrist along with your left is worth while and (3) consider something like an Airhawk pad or a fleece for some extra comfort for long days in the saddle.

[markreimer]

Absolutely!!!!! I've done trips from Winnipeg to the Pacific for the last two summers. This past summer I did over 8,000km in 12 days. I had some 650 mile days in blazing hot weather and my cb750 didn't miss a beat.

I just posted all about the first half of my trip on my blog with photos here:
http://markreimerphoto.blogspot.ca/2013/03/go-west.html

Before I left, I made sure to do these things:

- checked (and subsequently replaced) the fork seals
- new front brake pads, stainless steel piston and brake line
- new sprockets f/r and chain
- oil change
- set valve clearances
- I have e-ignition, no need to worry about that
- checked my spoke tension (DO THIS! i found a few spokes rattling around. yikes!)
- replaced swingarm bushings
- checked rear brake pads
- made a USB charger adaptor that ran out of my headlight to power gps/phone
- I probably did a few other things that I just can't remember right now, but it's really all standard stuff.

On the road I brought along spare tubes, fuses, every tool I would need for most work (never ended up needing anything other than wrenches for setting chain tension, changing oil, and straightening the forks after a little spill  )

The best part was the huge number of people who stopped to share stories about their old Honda's. I had to laugh at all the Harley riders who said I was insane to take this bike on a trip that far from home. Guess I proved them wrong when I pulled back home, bike still running strong!

[scottly]

I figure 300 miles average a day is a realistic figure; gives you some time to stop and "smell the roses".

[RAFster122s]

Clean socks are wonderful to have. The Coconut socks and silver socks and underwear will keep the odor as well as any rashes down. Monkey butt is not fun. Staying dry helps keep it away.   
Good gloves and gear to protect you if you have a spill are smart insurance.
Heard of guys packing lots of tshirts and then wiping the bike down to remove the dirt and oil and then tossing the shirt at the end of a day (so to speak.)

Proper tire pressure plays a role in the fuel economy as does clean oil and properly adjusted engine.

Small windscreen will help with fatigue and cramp buster or the cruise controls aren't a bad investment either.

A Spot GPS to check in with those who are tracking your trip gives them and you peace of mind. If you need help, the Spot GPS can get it for you.  Worth the investment.

[heyitsrama]

http://www.chinonthetank.com/2010/06/cross-country-cafe-racing/

this dude has a link to some other guys blog. REALLY nice read, spent an hour on that and the pictures. Chinonthetank also has a lot of info in the blog regarding repairs/trips

[gschuld]

The Chin on the tank guys in Philly are great guys.  There's a decent group of guys involved.  Adam and Ed in particular have taken some fun trips on their vintage Hondas.  Philly to north east Canada and back, Philly to Denver Colorado and back, down south, etc.   Adam and Ricky also have a nice repair/mods shop in north/central Philly specializing in vintage Japanese bikes.  Fun guys to ride with... and always with entertaining stories.

http://castandsalvage.com/  shop site

http://www.chinonthetank.com/features/waiting-out-winter/  a very cool video about their shop.

I've always been impressed with how well my bike holds up to multiple day rides.   

I've got an extra bed on the Jersey Shore if you make it out my way...

George

[Roach Carver]

THIS CANT BE DONE ON AN OLD BIKE. GET A NEW GOLDWING.   


just kidding.

[jackseattle]

Do it!  You won't regret making the trip.

If you go through WY, hit Jackson on the west end, go north to Yellowstone and then head east on US 20/14.  Teton, Yellowstone, and Bighorn.  If the passes have opened, it's an amazing ride with very few others on the road after Yellowstone. 

[Kframe]

Member B.O.X.N.I.F.E. on this forum did an epic trip on his '74 CB550 with a writeup here and also appropriately over on the ADVrider forum.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=60285.0

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=527702

http://kerncountykid.blogspot.com/

Most recently, in 2012, Trevor was seriously injured by a drunk driver and I don't know his current status.
But quite an epic trip, IIDSSM.