Author Topic: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!  (Read 13185 times)

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Offline andy750

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TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« on: July 15, 2014, 07:08:41 am »
Writing this on behalf of TTR400 (Kevin from South Africa). He arrived by plane with bike on 4th July and came to visit me in Boston for a few days before starting his Grand Tour of the USA

He has a very tricked out CB400 with many parts he designed and made himself (if you dont know TTR400 products look here - http://www.ttr400.com/). The bike is amazing! Kevin is pretty interesting himself with many interesting stories to tell about motorcycles, travel, landrovers etc etc.

His route:
Boston to Skyline Drive, Virginia - Blue Ridge Parkway (all completed) - he is now in Nashville as of this morning heading to Memphis - then probably over the Ozarks.

He is very interested in meeting fellow SOHCers. He has a laptop - limited wifi where he can get it. Also has a oay as you go phone - call him (617-596--0947) if you are on the way, and to meet for a chat or help him out in any way. He is a great guy to meet!

Some photos:
Kevin and his bike



the amazing bike





All the local Boston SOHCs were keen to meet him



cheers
Andy
« Last Edit: July 22, 2014, 10:42:52 am by andy750 »
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline 70CB750

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2014, 07:22:28 am »
I would love to meet him, but looks like its too late now.

Offline andy750

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2014, 08:04:13 am »
I would love to meet him, but looks like its too late now.

Yeah sorry Prokop looks like he missed you. I just heard from Kevin this morning for first time since leaving Boston. He is having a great time of it by the sounds of it. Hot on the heels of Schnell it seems
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline MotorFist

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2014, 08:59:16 am »
PM sent to Kevin for a place to stay and/or wrench in Southern Idaho.  I would love to do something like this once my kids are out of the house...
77 CB400 (Hers)
68 CB160
72 CL350
70 A65 Lightning
72 DT250
16 TE300

Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2014, 09:50:41 am »
I'll offer up an overnight in Colorado again and hope it doesn't disappear again.
As of today 3/13/2012 my original owner 75 CB750F has made it through 3 wives, er EX-wives. Free at last.  ;-)

Offline Kevin

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #5 on: July 17, 2014, 06:00:30 am »
Thanks for the update Andy!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
A couple of 400F's and a
'98 Suzuki Intruder VS1400 ~ for long rides

Offline andy750

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #6 on: July 17, 2014, 06:42:15 am »
Thanks for the update Andy!


Hey Kevin good to hear from you! I wish I had remembered you were in Cambodia when I was there last November - next time I hope! Hope all is well. Kevin is heading your way....eventually  8)

cheers
Andy
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline ttr400

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #7 on: July 19, 2014, 05:46:01 am »
Hi Guys,
Just managed to get conected, but it's a bit hit and miss with this conection. bummer that i missed making contact with the members on my route, was close to a couple of you. Nashville, the Ozarks etc.
Just rode through 3 days of heavy rain in OK state.
I am curently near Santa Rosa on route 66 having a greast time so far. milage sice leaving NY 5400 km's. heading west towards Moriarty. thanks for the offers of staying over etc, if i get in any of your area i will try to make contact.
Will update when i can.if any members are in this neck of the woods give me a call on my cell phone. Andy posted the number.
Kevin
CB400F- 492 Yoshi Racer.
Cb400F- 466 Yoshi Cafe.
CR750 D Mann Replica.
VFR750R- RC30 - 1988.
www.ttr400.com

Offline bluezboy

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #8 on: July 19, 2014, 06:05:58 am »
 What a great bike you have and your trip looks like a fun one. If you end up in the South, Atlanta, we have a nice bed for you. Safe travels! Bluezboy

Offline ttr400

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #9 on: July 19, 2014, 06:42:45 am »
Signal strength a bit better now, took me 10 mins just to get to this page.
Route update: west on 66 from Santa Rosa, north on the 84 to Las Vegas NM, 64 to four corners.
Kevin
CB400F- 492 Yoshi Racer.
Cb400F- 466 Yoshi Cafe.
CR750 D Mann Replica.
VFR750R- RC30 - 1988.
www.ttr400.com

Offline ttr400

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #10 on: July 19, 2014, 07:02:05 am »
Bluezboy, thanks for the offer, but i won't be getting back your way.
Couple of pics from the skyline drive and the start of the tail of the dragon.
Kevin
CB400F- 492 Yoshi Racer.
Cb400F- 466 Yoshi Cafe.
CR750 D Mann Replica.
VFR750R- RC30 - 1988.
www.ttr400.com

Offline ttr400

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #11 on: July 19, 2014, 07:11:14 am »
Try Again.
CB400F- 492 Yoshi Racer.
Cb400F- 466 Yoshi Cafe.
CR750 D Mann Replica.
VFR750R- RC30 - 1988.
www.ttr400.com

Offline andy750

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #12 on: July 21, 2014, 01:36:20 pm »
Hey Kevin

Some great shots and I hope you are enjoying New Mexico! Arent the roads great! Dont forget to go via Taos and the roads around there before the 4-corners. Keep the updates coming!

I sent this to Schnell for his thread...same to you ;)

A great place to visit is Las Vegas New Mexico - home of the jail shown in the movie Easy Rider and where they filmed the parade scene. Take rt 104 to get there from Amarillo for an amazing ride - justt gas up first as lots of nothingness. Then go back roads (Rt518) to Taos (again shown in Easy Rider - the hot springs scene - super nice riding around there and good way to get into southern Colorado - any road is good! If feeling adventurous take Rt 522 from Taos.

Durango, Southern Colorado has a good hostel to stay at. Rt 149 to Gunnison in Colorado is not to be missed!
cheers
Andy
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline ttr400

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #13 on: July 22, 2014, 07:49:37 am »
Thanks for the tips Andy, decided to take a detour to Roswell via fort summer. nice ride down but roswell not what i expected, fort summer billy the kid country, nice ride on route 20 did not see another vehicle for a 100 kms or so. took route 380 west through lincoln. got back on track up to santa rosa and to las vegas on the 84. i did end up on the 518 on my way to 4 corners, some nice riding. headed up into Uta and then back down into Arizona through the Grand Canyon nat park. I am now in Flagstaff. anybody around from the forum in this area?
Plan to do some of route 66 through to Kingman.
Milage to date: just over 7000km's.
Average fuel consumption: 26km's per litre, or i think 62 mpg.
Chain required adjustment at around 5000km's, i was suprised it went so far. (EK brand with 520 sprockets)
Small oil leak at cam cover, but not bad.
Sevice and oil change well overdue. going to look in flagstaff to see if i can do an oil change.
If Mooshie is around i do plan on going through Santa Barbara up to San Fransico.
Kevin
CB400F- 492 Yoshi Racer.
Cb400F- 466 Yoshi Cafe.
CR750 D Mann Replica.
VFR750R- RC30 - 1988.
www.ttr400.com

Offline 70CB750

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #14 on: July 22, 2014, 07:55:06 am »
Scottly is near there somewhere, afaik.

Offline andy750

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #15 on: July 22, 2014, 09:22:44 am »
Kevin you absolutely have to meet Mooshie!!

Sounds like you are having a lot of fun and I bet you are enjoying Utah - dont forget to go to the Navajo reservation and drive through the desert trail - cowboy (movies) country. . The stretch of Rt66 from Kingman to LA (go via Angeles Crest Highway) is really very cool - wide open desert and some cool 1950s style gas stations (closed). You will also be crossing the famed Mojave desert - not to be missed!

The ride from Santa Barbara up to SFran is really very good! And it just gets better after SF and Mendocino - you will pass through the town where they filmed the HItchcock movie "The Birds"

And def go see Scottly!!


good luck!
Andy
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline scottly

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #16 on: July 22, 2014, 10:18:57 am »
Hey Kevin, I'm about 75 miles southwest of Flagstaff. You are welcome to use my shop to do your oil change.
Scott
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
Helmets save brains. Always wear one and ride like everyone is trying to kill you....

Offline andy750

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #17 on: July 22, 2014, 10:37:55 am »
Just a note about Kevins phone -   its a cheap Walmart pay-as-you-go phone that one of the guys in Boston gave Kevin so if you call its local US rates (NOT South African rates!)

cheers
Andy
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline scottly

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #18 on: July 22, 2014, 04:22:08 pm »
Just got off the phone with Kevin; he is in Kingman. Suggested that he try to find member Kayjohn there. Also suggested he travel across the Mojave in the early part of the day, as the forecast for tomorrow is HOT. Also pointed him towards APE and Big Jay in Rosamond.
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
Helmets save brains. Always wear one and ride like everyone is trying to kill you....

Offline knowsnothing

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #19 on: July 23, 2014, 07:51:08 am »
Hey Kevin,

Damn you are making good time.  It was nice to meet you in Boston and get a bit of drool on your bike.  I need pictures man, pictures.   

-Treeve
1978 CB750k Green - 811 engine
1978 CB750k Blue - for sale
1974 CB375F Faded Black - had to have that 6th gear
1976 CB400F Red - in many pieces
1973 CB350F TBD - in many pieces

Offline Pat_at_APE

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #20 on: July 24, 2014, 04:09:46 pm »
Kevin was kind enough to stop by and see us at APE today.  Wow, what a trip he's on!   His bike is really something to see even after the thousands of miles he's ridden across and x-cross the USA. 

Safe travels my new friend!  I'm jealous!

Pat at APE

Offline dusterdude

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #21 on: July 24, 2014, 05:20:23 pm »
Cool!!!


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mark
1972 k1 750
1949 fl panhead
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1998 cbr600 f3

Offline andy750

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #22 on: July 24, 2014, 06:11:48 pm »
Excellent news Pat! Great photo ;)

cheers
Andy
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline andy750

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #23 on: July 25, 2014, 10:44:21 am »
Update from Kevin via his Facebook page

"Well finally managed to get back online, it's been a chalenge to say the least, did get on to the sohc4.net forum a few times and there are a few posts there. this is my 3rd attempt today to post on facebook. update so far. from pennsylvania headed into maryland to west virginia via gettysburg, rode through the blue ridge park way and skyline drive, all mountain passes some great riding roads. headed south into Virginia through the great smokey mountains and the tail of the dragon route 129 into (deals gap) Tennessee. moving it along west to nashville, Memphis,little rock Arkansas, north up to the ozarks, Oklamhoma 3 days of pouring rain to Amarillo, Texas. picked up route 66 to santa rosa.(new mexco) turned south on the 84 to fort summer (grave site of billy the kid) took a deserted road route 20 to Roswell, headed west on route 380 to lincolm and white sands missle range. headed back north up to las vegas (new mexico) went up through the santa fe nat forest to 4 corners, into Colarado (briefly) and then west into Uta, turned south into Arizona and the Grand canyon nat park to Flagstaff. Got bitten to death by some un invited bugs in a more than my usaul cheap $50 or so motel bu at least Flagstaff was a nice town. picked up route 66 again to a great little town called seligman, real 50's kitch, still on the 66 to Hackerry getting pretty hot out in the desert around the 100 deg F, was over a 100 down in Roswell. eventually got to Kingman.

Yesterday headed to Needles in California still on the 66,got on to the I40 and the 66 to Barstow, this is through the Mojave desert..........Holy crap around 115F no shade to be found and i thought it gets hot in Africa, man the little 400 motor was dam hot i am sure i could have fryed an egg in seconds on it, remined me of the heat in eastern Syria. by the time i got to Barstow it was only mid day and 107 f, but i was finished and pulled in to the route 66 motel and cranked up the aircon.

Today went to visit the guys at APE at the willow springs raceway. Kevin saw your crank and rodswhen Jay was showing me around the workshop. (awesome shop) headed west on the 138 to Carpinteria near Santa Barbara, man it was windy as hell serious cross winds etc. California is much more expensive than the other states i went through, packet of smokes from 3.50 in virginia too 7 dollars in california. plus petrol around a dollar a galon more.

Milage to date: Just over 8000 Km's average fuel consumption 26km's per litre (62 mpg US).
Hoping to meet up with Lisa from the motorcycle forum (sohc4.net) tomorrow before heading towads San Francisco on the coast road route 1.

More to come, will try to post some pics when i get a better conection.
Also if anybody has sent emails, i can not get conected to my email for some reason.

Kevin
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline MotorFist

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Re: TTR400 rides the US by CB400!
« Reply #24 on: July 25, 2014, 11:16:28 am »
Thanks for posting the update Andy :)
77 CB400 (Hers)
68 CB160
72 CL350
70 A65 Lightning
72 DT250
16 TE300