Author Topic: Riding to Alaska.... from Florida  (Read 3567 times)

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CETME

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Riding to Alaska.... from Florida
« on: July 13, 2005, 10:06:26 AM »
Hey guys... Me and two buddies are riding to Alaska on our motorcycles..... in 2 weeks

1.) 1975 CB550 (mine)
2.) 1985 VF500 Interceptor
3.) 2000 Shadow 750

Any tips? tricks? advice?

Also....I've done a search, and called several places, but I cant find any brake hoses/lines around... mine are completely shot...and god knows I dont want a grizzly or musk ox to run on the highway and me hit him.   Any ideas on how to get a set in less than two weeks?

Maybe we should see if Honda will sponsor us....  ;D

Offline TwoTired

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Re: Riding to Alaska.... from Florida
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2005, 11:33:15 AM »
Sure, how much money are you willing to spend to compensate for the short time span? Overnight shipping?
Are you running the stock hydraulic line set up with the stock lengths?

The parts below are direct replacements with no modifications needed for the bike.
Tom (the shop owner) actually bought a crimping machine and the materials to
make Stainless Steel braided brake lines.  I asked if he would ship out of state
and he said yes.   But, he would have to add shipping charges to wherever it
was.

For a CB 550 (and retaining the lower hard line) you will need:
2 - HJ35-0140 12 Deg Banjo 10MM
1 - HJ35-0130 Srt Banjo
1 - HJ35-0038 10MM Female Fitting
1 - HJ35-0043 Conic Reverser
2 - HJ35-0012 Braided SS Brake Line Clr Cvr   (The 550 needs two)
He said on the phone thats these components are made by a company called Galfer.
http://www.galferusa.com/MOTO.html

You will also need to provide the length measurements needed, Eye to Eye and Eye
to end and where you want the straight banjo (upper dual eye hose).  He'll make them to the lengths you specify.

This should be applicable to any single caliper SOHC4.  I think.

I don't make anything on this.  I just had a hard time finding a source.  And,
now that I have, I'm sharing the source.

Contact:
 South Bay Cycles
Milpitas, CA 95035
408-263-2475
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: Riding to Alaska.... from Florida
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2005, 11:49:14 AM »
Sounds like a great adventure, good luck. I recall a couple of posts re: long trips, here's one that might be interesting, though not specific to your route.

http://glennstauffer.com/smf/index.php?topic=10554.0

I seem to recall another, I will seach some more and if I find, will post it. Take some pics for us earthbound oldies.  ;)
We'll all be someone else's PO some day.

Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: Riding to Alaska.... from Florida
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2005, 11:53:22 AM »
We'll all be someone else's PO some day.

Offline jwalters

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Re: Riding to Alaska.... from Florida
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2005, 07:09:29 PM »
You might want to post the same message on adventure rider's forum.  They have lots of great info on Alaska trips and could help you out with some logistics.  Plus it's a great site, with lots of AWSOME user photos!  I am hoping to ride up there in a year or two on my suzuki bandit!  Good luck, and please post some pictures when you get back.
Here is the link:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/

jesse
1997 Suzuki Bandit 1200S
1972 Honda CB 750 K2 "Cafe Racer"

Offline nomadwarmachine

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Re: Riding to Alaska.... from Florida
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2005, 08:13:03 PM »

I did about 13000 miles in 3 months, covering 38 states in all, on my CB750K2 with nary a problem.  Make sure you have a comfortable seat, and keep up with your regular maintenance service intervals!  I had everything perfectly tuned before I left, and needed to do nothing more than adjust valves/camchain, and change the oil along the way.  Photos are at:

http://www.nomadwarmachine.com

Enjoy the ride and post a trip report!!

CETME

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Re: Riding to Alaska.... from Florida
« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2005, 08:57:46 PM »
i appreciate all the advice guys! Here are some pictures of the bike in its current condition..... I'm sure that most of you guys will think i'm crazy... but despite how it looks, I have total faith in the bike.  The previous owner, who happens to be one of the guys i'm riding with, rode it to Maine and back with no problem.   He then sold it to another guy who kept it outside in his backyard for almost a year where it just sat there. I got it a few weeks ago, with intentions on making this trip on it.....

I started removing the tappet covers to find that on the #3 cylinder, that BOTH rockers were missing the pin and locknut... so the rocker itself was banging on top of the valves....  I got two new pins and locknuts to find that the rockers were a slightly bulged... so I chased the threads with a 6mm x .75mm tap that I had handy, and problem solved.

I removed the alternator cover to find a rusty rotor, and rusty stator.... I wire wheeled them both so they shined new... and applied a light coat of dielectric grease to prevent any further rust..

The carbs seem pretty gooed up, so I'm rebuilding them now... the Clymers and Haynes arent too great at explaining a full rebuild, but I'm sure I'll figure it out..... If anyone has any nifty tips... please share! (i'll also consult the FAQ about this)  This is my biggest project/concern at this point.

The front brakes were adjusted completely wrong, and the hoses are shot... so thats why I posted on replacements... Two Tired, I will give him a call tommorow and see what he says...


Well, enough blabbing, here are the pictures:

http://www.rivalracing.com/CB550.html

here she is... in all her glory


here you can see my little speed shop I own with my brother..

l
ooks like new!


Offline seaweb11

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Re: Riding to Alaska.... from Florida
« Reply #7 on: July 13, 2005, 09:10:21 PM »
I would have to agree with jwalters above. The site he mentioned has some amazing photo essays of their members  "Adventure" rides.

*   AMAZING PHOTOS.
*   EVERY ONE should look at these.

Here is a link directly to their trip photos.

P.S. The 1st one on  the page is a trip by bike to Alaska.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2

Offline ride_a_honda

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Re: Riding to Alaska.... from Florida
« Reply #8 on: July 13, 2005, 09:13:59 PM »
Hi there, sounds like you guys are in for a great trip.

Just a quick question.......the "pins and locknuts", have you found them?
Did they fall off and into the engine? Or were they never installed?

I would hate to have to do an engine re-build midway in a long trip.

Cheers,
Lou.
1973 CB750K2 (build date 09/72) S/N 2063462
Currently being restored, still.......!
So much work left to do..................so little time!

After a short hiatus...I'm back in restoration mode!

cub

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Re: Riding to Alaska.... from Florida
« Reply #9 on: July 14, 2005, 02:26:26 AM »
I would have to agree with jwalters above. The site he mentioned has some amazing photo essays of their members  "Adventure" rides.

*   AMAZING PHOTOS.
*   EVERY ONE should look at these.

Here is a link directly to their trip photos.

P.S. The 1st one on  the page is a trip by bike to Alaska.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2

That was a great site! *sigh* Though now I must buy a bike like that as well and go adventuring...I need more bikes..:-P

Offline Uncle Ernie

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Re: Riding to Alaska.... from Florida
« Reply #10 on: July 14, 2005, 03:48:37 AM »
 Top #1 trip requirement; sheep skin. Got my latest from Alaska Leather- very good nap.  Stop every 100 miles to stretch and drink something.  Don't ever let the sun hit any part of your body no matter how hot it gets.  Hydrate (can't say it enough). Don't over eat unless you plan on sleeping soon.  You will find yourself falling asleep on the biike occasionally- take a nap. If the others have to wait, so be it.  East of the Mississippi, maps put the bigger towns/West of the Mississippi they put the ONLY towns. Don't say, "We should be able to make it there without having to stop..."  Get gas whenever you can or you'll stop alright- 19 miles away from your planned gas stop. :'( (Don't ask me how I know this)  You'll need the special titanium reinforced credit cards available today. 
Have fun!
Dude- your 8 layers are showing!

CETME

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Re: Riding to Alaska.... from Florida
« Reply #11 on: July 14, 2005, 02:29:25 PM »
Hi there, sounds like you guys are in for a great trip.

Just a quick question.......the "pins and locknuts", have you found them?
Did they fall off and into the engine? Or were they never installed?

I would hate to have to do an engine re-build midway in a long trip.

Cheers,
Lou.

Lou.... I removed the cylinder cover and found them.... mangled.. but intact.... When I removed the oil filter,there was quite a bit of metal debris in the oil filter cover, looks like it was from that ordeal there.

Offline ride_a_honda

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Re: Riding to Alaska.... from Florida
« Reply #12 on: July 14, 2005, 08:22:40 PM »
That's good to hear......you guys have a great trip. ;D

Cheers,
Lou.
1973 CB750K2 (build date 09/72) S/N 2063462
Currently being restored, still.......!
So much work left to do..................so little time!

After a short hiatus...I'm back in restoration mode!

Hop on a Honda

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Re: Riding to Alaska.... from Florida
« Reply #13 on: July 17, 2005, 11:02:39 PM »
Do your self a favour and make sure that your not alergic to bees.
I have just had a bad sting on the neck about 3months ago about 1 hour north of Sydney NSW Australia whilst riding my beloved CB750K5 at about 5000RPM in Top gear.140ks?
PAIN agony
I'm on vacation in USA and in June05 we were bring a 42'Game fishing boat from Annapolis via Cape Fear to Charlestown SC and at the most furthest point from land on that hop, and the biggest bee in the bloody world got me on the right tit and the bee dies and I thought I did too.
PAIN again but the bees in the Atlantic Ocean have more pain than ours It was grief untill Charlestown where the boat was berthed and I had many margaritas at the local watering hole.
Ther must be some insect bite  local anesthetic some where to off set the pain.
Good luck in your ride I would rather ride to Key West FL any Day.
Dave
Australia.