Topic: Belfast-2-Belfast-By-Bike

[The Lone Builder]

 In 1982 I visited South Africa and came across a little town called Belfast in Mpumalanga (Along the N4, about 200km west of Pretoria). On the same trip I also found a town/suburb called Drysdale - my surname (About 60km south of Pretoria); it now seems to have disappeared!



Being young, adventurous, and probably a ltttle(?) foolish, I immediately thought, "Now, that'd be fun, Belfast to Belfast on a bike!" The idea of riding a motorbike from Belfast to Belfast, the destination being Belfast, N Ireland, the town of my birth, was born. It took a while to realise this dream, but I recently started on the adventure.

I will be riding a CB750 K2, which I have owned since 1978, and which I have just rebuilt/restored with the help of many of you on this forum.

On the request, nay, at the demand of many friends and acquaintences, I started a blog. This didn't work at first, so I had to set up a website. I will try to update this topic each time I update the blog, but for anyone wanting to follow the story, the link is below:



https://belfast2belfastbybike.com/

Up to now I have completed the little loop at the bottom, which was done as a sort of trial run. I am now completing some mods to the bike and, all being well, will be back on the road next week.

Sean

[spotty]

is that the drysdale near geelong in victoria australia

good luck and looking forward to following the journey, ride safe and carry a BIG lock for the bike

[MoMo]

Good luck with the travel, admire your sense of adventure....Larry

[andy750]

Excellent trip! Good luck!

cheers
Andy

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Are you doing a round trip? Shipping the bike etc?

Very cool. Good luck and be safe.

[ttr400]

Hi Sean,

Fantastic, hope you have a great trip. pity you could not call by me in JHB. could have given you tips for trans Africa travel.

Kevin

[The Lone Builder]

Hey all,

Although the thread didn't go far, I did complete the trip. It took me a year all but a few days, of which about 7½ - 8 months were on the road. I fell over on a step in Khartoum and broke a bone in my foot which took about 2½ months to heal, and then there were the inevitable visa delays and breakdowns that slowed things up.

Well after a bit of a rest which included leaving Zimbabwe and resettling in France, I'm ready for Stage 2. I have found 16 places named Belfast in N America and Canada, and the plan is to ride to and through them all this summer starting on Prince Edward Island and finishing in Washington State.

I be happy to hear any tips and suggestions of things to see and places to go as I go, and if anyone is available for a coffee, beer or whatever, I'm yer man! 

But for now I need some advice regarding insurance for the bike. Obviously it'll be foreign registered and, like it's owner, being elderly, this is proving to be a problem. So if anyone has any info or advice on how I can go about this, and the levels of cover I need, please share.

Stay well
Sean

[BenelliSEI]

Several years ago, I sold a 1981 CBX to a fellow from Australia. When he visited me in Ontario, Canada, he went on line and arranged insurance with a company in Las Vegas, Nevada! Completed on line, printed the “pink slip” in a few minutes. He spent six months riding in Canada and the USA then shipped the bike home.

[grcamna2]

subscribed 

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

In the US you "should" only "legally need" liability coverage which protects the other guy and not you or your bike. Minimum requirement.

I use Geico for my liability. I would never be able to collect much on a standard policy for a 45 year old machine. Just keeping it legal to get my license plates. I am covered by other medical health insurance.

[Stev-o]

Hey Sean...that sounds like a great trip!   Since you are bringing your own bike, you’ll need international motorcycle insurance that covers you & your bike.  Check out this website...

https://motorcycleridecoverage.com/motorcycle-insurance-for-visitors-in-the-usa/

[The Lone Builder]

Thanks guys, I'll check those out.

Be assured, I'll be back with more questions.

[Stev-o]

I use Geico for my liability. I would never be able to collect much on a standard policy for a 45 year old machine.

Hey Jerry...for my vintage Corvette, I have "agreed value" rather than a standard policy. And the agreed value is twice the amount of actual value, so no worries if it is stolen or totaled. And only $400/year...cheap for a car but not necessarily a bike.

[andy750]

Hey Sean,

Good to hear from you again - I followed your Africa trip on your website and loved every minute if it . You will be passing through Belfast, ME which is a few hours from me. I can give you a good route down through Maine and over the Green Mountains of Vermont if you like. If you want to visit Boston I have a garage, lots of CB750 parts and a place for you to stay. I sent you a PM with my email address.

Looking forward to your trip reports!
cheers
Andy

[The Lone Builder]

Hey Andy,

Likewise, how're you keeping.

Boston sounds good and it's on the way - or can be as there's no fixed plan! 

Things may be a little delayed as I thought I was eligible for a visa waiver, but because I passed through Sudan, I'm not and have to apply for a visa. This requires an interview and it seems there is a 73 day wait for an appointment!!

I did consider "making a mistake" but decided the riskof being turned away or imprisoned was not worth it. Hopefully it'll come through in time for this year; if not then it'll have to be next.

Will keep you posted.

[The Lone Builder]

Hey Sean...that sounds like a great trip!   Since you are bringing your own bike, you’ll need international motorcycle insurance that covers you & your bike.  Check out this website...

https://motorcycleridecoverage.com/motorcycle-insurance-for-visitors-in-the-usa/

Steve,
That site was very helpful; especially the page on insuring a classic bike. At least I now understand all the options and add-ons. I sent it on to the Horizons-Unlimited website, because there are always questions on there about travelling in the USA.

[newday777]

Howdy Sean
I'll be following this thread now and I'm in southern NH, just west of Manchester.
Maybe we can get the New England peeps to meet up with you in southern Maine for a ride along. Mike Reike, Allan F, Frankenstuff, Anders(and maybe others??) are all within @50 miles of each other. I'd love to ride my 750 across the country again like in the 70s, but my old broken back says no deal to that ideal.....
I have a shop full of tools and a lift if needed and a few spares too and a place to stay. Lots of great riding in all of Maine, NH and Vermont while you are in the area.
Keep us posted here.

[The Lone Builder]

Sound like a plan 

[Stev-o]

Hey Sean...that sounds like a great trip!   Since you are bringing your own bike, you’ll need international motorcycle insurance that covers you & your bike.  Check out this website...

https://motorcycleridecoverage.com/motorcycle-insurance-for-visitors-in-the-usa/

Steve,
That site was very helpful; especially the page on insuring a classic bike. At least I now understand all the options and add-ons.

Glad I was able to help....

[The Lone Builder]

  An update; the trip has had to be postponed until next year!

When applying for a US vias travel waiver, you have to answer questions about previous travel to "unfriendly" countries. Sudan is one of those, and I passed through Sudan on my last trip.

So this meant I had to apply for a real visa - I did think about it, but the possibility of being held at the airport, or thrown in jail, while my bike was sitting in customs at another part of the airport, and then being sent back without it, made me think twice.

Thing is to get a visa, you have to be interviewed in person. This is not only a pain to organise and pay for, but there is also a considerable waiting time. Long and short, of a very tortuous process, is that my interview is in October 2023 in Dublin - Brussels was Feb 24! So, sadly won't see you this year guys.

Maybe the next time I'll do the sensible thing and plan ahead ..... probably not though 

Stay well all.

[newday777]

Well that's too bad Sean.  😢

[rluser]

I see you are planning to travel through central Ohio, so I suggest a stop at the AMA Hall of Fame in Pickerington.  That is on the southeast side of Columbus and about 50 miles northeast of Belfast, Ohio.

[newday777]

I see you are planning to travel through central Ohio, so I suggest a stop at the AMA Hall of Fame in Pickerington.  That is on the southeast side of Columbus and about 50 miles northeast of Belfast, Ohio.

I guess you didn't read all the replies?
He just posted this morning he's having to put off the trip for this year (2 replies above)

[The Lone Builder]

I see you are planning to travel through central Ohio, so I suggest a stop at the AMA Hall of Fame in Pickerington.  That is on the southeast side of Columbus and about 50 miles northeast of Belfast, Ohio.

I'm sure it'll still be there in '24.

I'll put it on the list. The list? That sounds like forward planning 

[grcamna2]

I see you are planning to travel through central Ohio, so I suggest a stop at the AMA Hall of Fame in Pickerington.  That is on the southeast side of Columbus and about 50 miles northeast of Belfast, Ohio.

I'm sure it'll still be there in '24.

I'll put it on the list. The list? That sounds like forward planning 

I hope you enjoy the journey All the way 

[newday777]

Hey Sean
How's the visa going? Did you get it? I have a few 750 buds that will probably be interested in riding up to meet up with you in Maine.
BTW my mum was born off the coast of Rockland Maine, just south from Belfast, on Vinalhaven. Be sure to plan to stop in Camden(old seaport fishing village from the early 1800s that still has some sail ships based there) Rockland is another great coast road stop.

Edit, I do have a lift, tools and a bed if needed as well as spare parts.

[BenelliSEI]

Sean…. I am located in southern Ontario, Canada, N.E. of Toronto. Not sure how you will be travelling in Ontario, but I will send you a pm with my contact info. I have a good workshop, with several cb750s and lots of parts. If you feel you need a “maintenance day” please plan a visit and a stay at our farm. I’m retired, so any date works for me! Good luck planning and traveling! John D.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Hey Sean,

I organized and managed the 2011 SOHC4 World Tour. http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/board,125.0.html

If I can be of assistance please reach out. PM or email my links would be more direct as I will be traveling to different areas of the world until May or so. I am based in Colorado. You have a bedroom and garage if you're traveling west through this beautiful part of the country. I've traveled extensively by bike through western US and Canada plus most of the States and can provide detailed info on many roads and places keeping you on the best roads and off the Interstate highways. I'll trade you that info for Irish info so I may learn more of the Irish heritage of my Great grandfather's country over a few pints.

Isn't retirement great 

Jerry Griffin

[70CB750]

If you make it to Northern Virginia, let me know.  Pit stop - food, bed, repairs