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Author Topic: Will my bike make it?  (Read 6003 times)

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Offline IAmCitizenMe

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Will my bike make it?
« on: April 19, 2009, 07:46:59 PM »
I own a 1978 CB550 Four K. It only has 20,000 miles on it and it is in fantastic condition.
I have a very ambitious dream. I want to take a trip circling the West. Ideally, the trip would stretch about 7,000 miles--including a cruise along the Pacific coast. So far, I have had no issues with the bike, but I wonder if such extended travel would be too hard on it. I'd like to do this by the end of August, before I graduate. I love the old CB's, so should I consider trading for a 750? If anyone has any tips, I'd appreciate it. Graci.

Chris
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Offline andy750

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Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2009, 07:50:39 PM »
It will make it no problem. You just need to jump on and ride. Easy as that! Good luck and change the oil at 2500+ miles and you will be fine.

Have a great trip!

cheers
Andy
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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 Industrial Cafe

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Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2009, 07:54:54 PM »
do it man! it's a life experience you won't forget, and your 550 will love you even more after its done!
Wish I could do something like that (kids and a wife) :(
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everything I say is pure speculation and
I have no idea what I'm talking about  ._.

                                    Marla              .:71CB750:.CAFE

Offline mystic_1

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Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2009, 08:10:44 PM »
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"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2009, 10:31:58 PM »
They will do that trip if in good mechanical shape.  Change oil at proper intervals.  And lube the chain each night after the day's run.

You do know that the bike needs tune up maintenance every 3000 miles, right?

Cheers,
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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 IAmCitizenMe

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Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2009, 11:02:50 AM »
SOLD!
I am going. I want to leave at the end of August when it is still warm and dry enough to hit the Northwest. It has been a life-long dream to cruise along the coast. Maybe next Spring I'll do the eastern side. Hell, maybe I'll just keep going until my bike and/or body falls apart.
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<small><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&amp;source=embed&amp;saddr=St.+Louis,+MO&amp;daddr=Chicago,+IL+to:Columbus,+OH+to:Beaverton,+MI+to:St.+Paul,+MN+to:Riverton,+WY+to:Seattle,+WA+to:US-101+to:US-26+E+to:US-101+to:OR-101%2FUS-101+to:US-101+S+to:San+Diego,+CA+to:Flagstaff,+AZ+to:Albuquerque,+NM+to:Houston,+TX+to:New+Orleans,+LA+to:Louisville,+KY+to:St.+Louis,+MO&amp;geocode=%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3BFe59yAIdZBSe-A%3BFXpytgIdfmyu-A%3BFVg7pgIdmsia-A%3BFQDviwId0MqU-A%3BFayJGAIdDILO-A%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B%3B&amp;hl=en&amp;mra=ls&amp;via=7,8,9,10,11&amp;sll=44.300264,-99.832764&amp;sspn=3.538233,10.788574&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=h&amp;ll=38.5896,-103.74926&amp;spn=18.2494,41.49716" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map[/url]</small>
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Offline IAmCitizenMe

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Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2009, 11:27:11 AM »
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2009, 11:34:07 AM »
Should be fun.

Get yourself a lambskin cover for the seat.  It takes some time to get the iron butt, and this will ease that development.

Cheers,
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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 bryanj

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Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #8 on: April 22, 2009, 08:12:42 AM »
I fyou want to do that mileage fit new tyres and a high quality new chain before you set off
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Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline KeithTurk

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Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #9 on: May 24, 2009, 02:07:38 AM »
We did a trip to Mexico on 4 550's in November... no real issues except the one I was riding lost an engine... ( it was siezed when I bought it )...  2200 mile round trip

Know your points, carb's, fuel system, and electrical...

Have spare Fuel filters, points, and a carb kit...

All the rest of it you can fake....

Even if you don't like the looks you will love having a windscreen and hwy pegs... and the crash bar will protect your scooter...

K
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Offline Operator

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Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2009, 11:48:45 AM »
Yes the bike will make it, I did 4000 miles on a '73 CB350 in a summer. As long as you don't ride it like you're racing death, the bike will be fine

Keep us posted on your progress as you go along.....
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If ever there was a creator of bastard sons, it is the open road, for she has claimed so many young men yearning for freedom......

1973 CB750 K3
1976 CB400F (Cafe Project)
1979 Yamaha XS400 (Currently up for Sale)

Offline IAmCitizenMe

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Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2009, 11:59:40 AM »
Still in the works. Looks like next summer I will be going. I have a lot of "training" to go through before I embark on something this size haha.
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Offline coldright

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Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #12 on: July 22, 2009, 12:03:50 PM »
Make sure to check in with us here in Portland when you get here.
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Offline IAmCitizenMe

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Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #13 on: July 22, 2009, 12:10:22 PM »
I think I may. Portland is one of the few major cities where I don't know at least one person. Not that it would dissuade me from traveling through, of course.
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Offline coldright

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Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #14 on: July 22, 2009, 12:30:56 PM »
Just give a shout when you are getting close and I'm sure that we can introduce you to our fine city. 
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