Topic: The Tail of the Dragon SOHC Tour June 2013 - CB750K4 and CB750K8

[Mooshie]

Glad you made it home safely Andy.  Your pictures are amazing.  Hope Anders heals quickly.
Still waiting on a pic of your bike with luggage!   

[ofreen]

Ok Trip Summary:
Mileage covered: 2912 miles
No. of days: 7

Not bad, but you gotta stop and smell the roses sometimes.

Things to remember: always take ALL your own tools in case you get separated . I left behind a Philips #2 screwdriver and wish I hadnt. Had everything else more or less.

I just pack the tool kit from my airhead R100GSPD. It has everything but the 26mm axle nut wrench.

Get some paper maps in case there is no Wifi or cell reception.

Paper maps are far superior to GPS if you are planning anything off the main drag.

Impressive things to note: riding a CB750 for hours and hours and hours on the highway at 70-75 mph all the time is good for the bike!

This is true. Even when they have 143,000 on the clock. Even when it is 95F+. In a stiff headwind. Uphill.

Quirky things to note: every biker waves in North Carolina and Virginia. No one waves once north of New Jersey. Most common question asked - "what year is that". Second most common question "are you guys in a club?".

They all wave out here when you are in the middle of nowhere, even the Harley guys.

Sounds like a blast, Andy. I have to get out that way someday.

[andy750]

Ok Trip Summary:
Mileage covered: 2912 miles
No. of days: 7

Not bad, but you gotta stop and smell the roses sometimes.

I hear you! This was 1000 miles down and 1000 miles back up so only 912 miles over 4 days - and pretty much most of those miles were curvy ones Just couldnt stop riding!

More photos to follow...

Andy

[BobbyR]

Quirky things to note: every biker waves in North Carolina and Virginia. No one waves once north of New Jersey. Most common question asked - "what year is that". Second most common question "are you guys in a club?".

They all wave out here when you are in the middle of nowhere, even the Harley guys.

Sounds like a blast, Andy. I have to get out that way someday.

People do wave in this area. Sometimes you wave first and they wave back. It is variable. Harley's rarely wave first. I do get those questions about year and comments. In the past few
years, people seem more interested.

You and Anders are my heroes and Ofreen is in a class by himself. Many people don't have very steep and winding roads in their part of the Country.
They have no idea how physically and mentally challenging that type of riding can be. People who come here from some Western States don't like driving here
since you can't see very far. It is also dangerous since you are entering tight blind curves and you hope a car you can't see or hear does not swing wide and take you out.

I knew that by time you has gotten on the Merritt Parkway would would not want to stop. All you could see is home. 

You tamed the Dragon and the Mountains and survived. Congratulations, Mission accomplished! 

[ofreen]

  Carry a spare inner tube (I have done in the past and never used it but on this trip it would have been reassuring). Make sure you have good tires that wont wear out before you start .

I carry a spare tube and little tire irons, along with a little bottle of Ru-Glide and a Slime air compressor.  Also, Metzeler Lazertec fronts and ME88 rears are good for 15-17 thousand miles, excellent in the rain (not bad in snow), and have good enough traction to drag the alternator case on one side and exhaust on the other.

This was 1000 miles down and 1000 miles back up so only 912 miles over 4 days - and pretty much most of those miles were curvy ones Just couldnt stop riding!

Yep, sometimes you have to pay your dues to get to the good stuff.

[andy750]

BobbyR - I thought about calling you for lunch all the way up but as the miles progressed and it got hotter and hotter and my rear end got more and more sore...all I wanted to do was get home. We will have to meet before summer is over!

Ofreen  - I am going to have to try the Metzlers now! I did use them many years ago but never liked them in the rain. Ill revisit them again based on your recommendation.

Thanks for all the comments.

cheers
Andy

[BobbyR]

BobbyR - I thought about calling you for lunch all the way up but as the miles progressed and it got hotter and hotter and my rear end got more and more sore...all I wanted to do was get home. We will have to meet before summer is over!

Ofreen  - I am going to have to try the Metzlers now! I did use them many years ago but never liked them in the rain. Ill revisit them again based on your recommendation.

Thanks for all the comments.

cheers
Andy

Andy, not to worry. Once I saw your route, I know the roads and you have been through an adventure. It was hot as hell yesterday.
I expected you would keep moving. Interesting roads around here, another day another time my friend.
I have been riding a lot out in the boonies on twisty back roads. It proved I still have some Mojo left. 

[andy750]

Mooshie this one is for you! The K4 fully loaded...tank bag (sunglasses, Iphone, water, suntan lotion, battery charger, wallet), small ortilieb bag with one spare summer jacket, Ortilieb bag full of t-shirts, pair of jeans, shoes, toiletries etc. Pelican case topbox (waterproof) holds the rain gear, clear visor, quart of oil, tools.



And after the trip this is how the bike looks...a bit dusty after the mountain road



IRC tire after 1000 miles on the highway at 75 mph



and the stock seat that ended up being a killer - I took the seat strap off as thats where i usually sit and the sides were digging into my leg...note the split seams either side...after 40 yrs not too bad...



cheers
Andy

[andy750]

Ok some more photos to finish this up:

Fading light on the Blue Ridge Parkway





And location on BRP



Morning glory



Its going to be another great day for a ride



Cold morning ride on the BRP



Riders fuelling up at breakfast at the Smoky Mountain Roasters, Waynesville, NC



...before the excellent ride to the waterfall



A blurry yours truly



K4s and the waterfall



From the inside out



Top of the World!



You cant beat an evening ride on the BRP...its the Sunrise Orange SOHC Motorcycle Club 



Chicks love sunrise orange SOHCs 









Its tiring work being a groupie



Ok time for a bath



Yours truly



Where are we?



Somewhere beautiful



Look at that road...



Road or rail?



The view everyday as you approach Maggie Valley after a good days riding



CBX waiting at the Dragon







Part of an interesting ensemble





We made it out alive!

'

Looking ominous





On the road



Rays of sunshine





The road beckons



Dinosaur Land! Not sure Anders shared my enthusiasm for this classic piece of Americana we just happened to stumble across...the nice family (out of camera shot) seemed a little scared by our presence 



Anders has traveled many times to the Dragon before...who would have thought to bring a banana holder!? 



The Honda Chopper meet in Ferguson, NC - nice guys!





''

The only room they had left for my last night of the trip...the Jacuzzi suite 



Thanks for following along and all the support,

cheers
Andy

[Stev-o]

Looks like a great trip and nice job documenting. Guessing you didn't catch up with Chuck at the Choppa meet?

[andy750]

No I missed Chuck but met some of his chopper buddies.

[andy750]

And last pics...from the photographers on the Tail of the Dragon ride





cheers
Andy

[Mooshie]

Andy you DO travel light.  Wow.  What great pics I guess you could have an entire calendar with just this ride. 

[andy750]

Mooshie what more do you need to take?  I wasnt camping on this trip so no tent/sleeping bag so I think that helps. Have a compact tool kit, had the chain lube, spare visor, spare gloves  - the Pelican IM2300 top box really helps here as well.

Anyway looking forward to your trip!

Good luck in the planning!
Andy

[Mooshie]

Let's see extra shoes, sandals, straight iron, tweezers, tripod, make up case with all sorts of odds and ends, pajamas, bathing suit, sweater...

[andy750]

Let's see extra shoes, sandals, straight iron, tweezers, tripod, make up case with all sorts of odds and ends, pajamas, bathing suit, sweater...

Ok so thats the tank bag taken taken care of 

How many pairs of shoes do you need! Riding boots and sandals (which compact down) are enough no? Rather than a big heavy sweater consider taking your jacket liner or a lightweight thermal top (much more compact). My sleeping bag is 9`x5`- 3-season good to 32F.

[Mooshie]

Don't get me started on what is in my tank bag! or my panniers....

[Stev-o]

Let's see extra shoes, sandals, straight iron, tweezers, tripod, make up case with all sorts of odds and ends, pajamas, bathing suit, sweater...

Pajamas?!  You can lighten your load right there. Think lingerie if you must, at least it packs light!

[RAFster122s]

If staying alone, no need for pajamas...
Swimsuits? Skinny dipping can be more fun but, trip to jail no fun...
silk or polypropelyne thermals are quite light and packable as well as warm.
Coconut or silver socks and undergarments are antibacterial and odor killing if you need to extend time between changes... Aerostitch carries both of former.

[andy750]

Don't get me started on what is in my tank bag! or my panniers....

I would love to know whats in your tank bag and panniers

[andy750]

Let's see extra shoes, sandals, straight iron, tweezers, tripod, make up case with all sorts of odds and ends, pajamas, bathing suit, sweater...

Pajamas?!  You can lighten your load right there. Think lingerie if you must, at least it packs light!

Ah the voice of experience! So you wear lingerie on all your trips Stev-o?

 

[RAFster122s]

Mooshie will answer your question when she's back from her kick boxing class...

[Mooshie]

Hmmmmm, I should have known my response would turn into a free for all....

Mooshie will answer your question when she's back from her kick boxing class...

Ha ha.  that made me laugh out loud!

Don't get me started on what is in my tank bag! or my panniers....

I would love to know whats in your tank bag and panniers

One of the items is mace.   
I am going to start another thread for my ride through BC so will make certain to take a picture for you of my luggage! 

[Stev-o]

Let's see extra shoes, sandals, straight iron, tweezers, tripod, make up case with all sorts of odds and ends, pajamas, bathing suit, sweater...

Pajamas?!  You can lighten your load right there. Think lingerie if you must, at least it packs light!

Ah the voice of experience! So you wear lingerie on all your trips Stev-o?

 

Ha!  Actually, my wife does! I go commando. I know, TMI.....

[RAFster122s]

For those who have an active visual memory or visualize things when read, that TMI has scarred their mind's eye...