Topic: Az to: Mount Rushmore, Sturgis, New Mexico, East Coast, NYC, back to Az.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Whats on your list of bring-alongs?

I have already:

Front/Rear tube
mini bicycle pump
Every tool I use on a semi regular basis
Extra chain
Fuel line/filters
Extra regulator/rectifier/coils + fuses

Also, did you run D7EA's or D8's?

[kpier883]

Those pistons look like someone put Comet in your oil

The only motors that I have seen that failed from a lean mixture are dirt track or other race car engines.  I just haven't had a lot of experience with street motors failing. 

Usually, what happens with race engines is they hole a piston, or the center of the piston "sinks"  This is usually from very high compression, heat, and a lean condition.  Detonation heats the piston and the material gets soft.  Then the pounding from more detonation pushes the piston top downwards.  In most cases, the engine holes the piston before the problem is noticed, but in a few cases, the sunken piston will be caught before total failure. 

What you have there is interesting and I hope some others chime in with their thoughts.

How lean were you running?  Did you see evidence in other areas, such as hard cranking when hot, or with excessive blueing of the header pipes? 

I wonder if detonation led to ring failure which then scarred up the walls...? 

Please share what you can because I do NOT want my pistons to wind up like that.  I am running pretty lean on my 750 right now. 

If your bike was lean enough to do that, you should have been getting great gas mileage.  What kind of mpg were you recording?

[Shenanigans]

The D7s were a bit on the pale side, with a very light deposit. Not anywhere near being a nice tan color. The weird thing is that there was no blueing of the headers, it always cranked over fine hot or cold. The only evidence that it was running lean was that it ran out of go with some throttle left at 95 mph+ and that it would occasionally get really hot. IE every part of the motor would boil off water, even the back of the transmission. Dont know the exact mileage but it was pretty good.

A few pages back there was a list of all the tools I took.

[Con Seann3ry]

Just burned a Saturday afternoon reading your tales.  They're inspiring to say the least.  I've dreamed of doing some long distance traveling but haven't found anyone that rides and would be able to.  Since you did part of your travels with a companion and most of them alone I was wondering what your thoughts were on traveling alone.  Was it no big deal or if you did it again would you make sure to have someone else with ya?  Anyways, once my bike is charging I'm going to take it down the west coast along the 101 and have been a little worried about the trip.  After reading your story, however, I feel like I can take on anything.

[Shenanigans]

Its a lot safer with two people. Its a lot easier to find solutions to problems with two people, easier pulling your bike out of a ditch. A little bit safer when in a sketchy area. 4 eyes looking for the exit instead of 2. When a bike breaks down you can always run to the nearest town to get a part with the other bike or go get water and food. Or I suppose go get help in unfortunate circumstances... You can watch each others bikes to make sure nothing is about to fall off or slide into a wheel. Ever see a CB try to eat a sleeping bag? Its also nice to have someone else to talk about the events on the way or have a conversation when your waiting out any long hours. Logically its the more "correct" way to travel.

But there is just something about being alone, maybe it might not appeal to everyone but it does to me. I dont know exactly what it is either. Its a hard thing to try and say but it helps you view everything in a different way... I need a while to think on how to write it haha.

It sounds kinda stupid but seriously go for it, so what if your bike breaks down? You will make it home somehow, if not at least you will make it somewhere. I always hear people say as an excuse something along the lines of "What if I break down in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night?" You dont stop existing if something goes wrong, there will always be an outcome. I dont think anything can really ever go "wrong" maybe just unplanned. You may have to sleep a night on the side of the road then push the bike for a while then hitch a ride somewhere then hike back but there will always be an outcome. Which I think is all that will matter in a year, or 5 years later. or 40. (not that I am going to make it to that age)

And sometimes when the #$%* hits the fan and everything is lousy, it can often be much more enjoyable to remember and look back on something then it was when you were actually doing it...  

[IAmCitizenMe]

I always hear people say as an excuse something along the lines of "What if I break down in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night?" You dont stop existing if something goes wrong, there will always be an outcome.

As a journalist I can honestly say... What a quote!

[seaweb11]

Riding alone means you don't have to stop for food, drink or a pee unless you say so!
It's the ability to be master of the day, go where you want at what ever speed, stop when ever you feel like it, for as long or short a time as you please.

See a cool bar, no conversation needed, want to go for a hike, do-it. Stop early cause your butt hurts, do-it   Run at 100 mph for an hour do-it.

I loved the time I recently had on my bike alone

I NEVER ever even thought about the "what ifs" .  Your on your own, put on your big girl panties and deal with it

[BobbyR]

Both you and Seaweb are my heroes.

[manjisann]

This was great to read! I'd be happy to toss some money your way when you go on your next adventure! Think of it as an advance on writing a book, authors do it all the time. You have a great way with words, and made me laugh several times. If you are ever in SLC and Soos is too busy to help ya out, give me a shout, I'd love to help ya fix something or even just buy ya a burger.

Brandon

[bucky katt]

dont know why i didnt see this thread earlier, i just finished reading the entire tale of your trip and i'm impressed. i wish i'd done something like this when i was your age.

[Skonnie Boy]

This thread inspired me to ride 2400 miles to (among other places) Lake Charles, LA., where I am pleasantly drunk and sitting in my underwear in a cheap hotel, ready to tackle New Orleans tomorrow.

You did freak me about running lean though.  Gotta check the plugs in the AM.   

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

This thread inspired me to ride 2400 miles to (among other places) Lake Charles, LA., where I am pleasantly drunk and sitting in my underwear in a cheap hotel, ready to tackle New Orleans tomorrow.

You did freak me about running lean though.  Gotta check the plugs in the AM.   

Jeeeez, you should have said something before you left. I'm in Little Rock and going crazy adjusting to home life again. I would have rode with you in a heartbeat.

[Retro Rocket]

i wish i'd done something like this when i was your age.

Your never too old Bucky, I'm doing the 4000 mile trip to Phillip island next year and then i want to visit some family in Western Australia next and thats about 10,000 miles....
Might have to lean on the Aussie forum members for a place to stay overnight on that one..

Mick

[Shenanigans]

Epic multi-sohc4-member group trip? *cough cough  

Just sayin'



Have fun for me in New Orleans, I never got a stop by there...

[Retro Rocket]

Epic multi-sohc4-member group trip? *cough cough 


Just sayin'

Wish i could ride on water, i would be in that in a heart beat....

Mick

[BobbyR]

Epic multi-sohc4-member group trip? *cough cough 


Just sayin'

I that case you are talking Documentary. A group of people take 30-40 year old bikes on a long haul. Very compelling story.

[Skonnie Boy]

This thread inspired me to ride 2400 miles to (among other places) Lake Charles, LA., where I am pleasantly drunk and sitting in my underwear in a cheap hotel, ready to tackle New Orleans tomorrow.

You did freak me about running lean though.  Gotta check the plugs in the AM.   

Jeeeez, you should have said something before you left. I'm in Little Rock and going crazy adjusting to home life again. I would have rode with you in a heartbeat.

Its not too late.  Feel like tackling Chicago in a week?  Yeah, neither do I.

Had I known, I would have taken a left around Muskogee, OK.  Dammit.

[754]

Bucky, just remember the $300  750 my buddy grabbed made the 2300 mile trip in a week with flying colors & wobbly wheel..

 The story I really liked was the 500 ride, think it was called.. They had to get a vintage bike for 500 or less, and ride from the central states to Portland, and most of them made it..

[Shenanigans]

With the resources of even a couple of people, people they know, places to stay, it would be easy. Me thinks.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Epic multi-sohc4-member group trip? *cough cough  

Just sayin'



Have fun for me in New Orleans, I never got a stop by there...

A small group of us serious guys should start planning. I'm already setting money aside and told my girlfriend to expect me to be gone twice as long this summer. I wasn't joking.

[754]

Think about this;
 Try to set up,
 An East Coast and West coast ride

 Plan a route to visit as many forum members as possible. They can help out with backyard camping, breakdown pickup, place to work on bikes, side trips to local attractions, etc

 Maybe pool a few parts in reserve, to ship out quick in case of serious problem..

 It would be great fun...

[bucky katt]

Epic multi-sohc4-member group trip? *cough cough 


Just sayin'

I that case you are talking Documentary. A group of people take 30-40 year old bikes on a long haul. Very compelling story.

that WOULD be cool as hell wouldnt it? someone needs to contact the discovery channel. I'm in now that fuzzycycle lives again

[mrbreeze]

SO........whos'es gonna git this sucker stawted ....The BIG run of 2010!!!

[seaweb11]

I stop for beer and photos to often for anyone to put up with me

[Pinhead]

Yeah, a big SOHC4 run would be pretty kickass.