« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Will my bike make it?  (Read 5984 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline IAmCitizenMe

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 388
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
Logged

Offline andy750

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,938
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
Logged
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

  • Like a well oiled
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,372
  • [Brian] I've got something to say about that!
    • Undead Asphalt
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) :(
Logged
everything I say is pure speculation and
I have no idea what I'm talking about  ._.

                                    Marla              .:71CB750:.CAFE

Offline mystic_1

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,071
  • 1970 CB750K
Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2009, 08:10:44 PM »
Logged
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."
- John Augustus Shedd

My build thread:  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=68952.0

Offline TwoTired

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,805
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,
Logged
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

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 388
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.
<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&amp;source=s_d&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&amp;output=embed"></iframe>
<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>
Logged

Offline IAmCitizenMe

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 388
Re: Will my bike make it?
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2009, 11:27:11 AM »
Logged

Offline TwoTired

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,805
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,
Logged
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

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,989
  • CB500 Number 1000036
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
Logged
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

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 390
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
Logged

Offline Operator

  • Someday I will live up to being a
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 856
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.....
Logged
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

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 388
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.
Logged

Offline coldright

  • That's Ms.
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 934
  • to you
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.
Logged

Offline IAmCitizenMe

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 388
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.
Logged

Offline coldright

  • That's Ms.
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 934
  • to you
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. 
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »