Author Topic: Thinking of taking my first loooonnnggg trip (Read 5150 times)

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #25 on:** March 03, 2006, 06:07:21 PM »

Quote

I'm thinking the oil pan may be where its coming from. Stinks because I'll have to pull exhaust if I want to retorque the bolts on the pan.

If you confirm that's where the leak is from, rather than just re-torquing the bolts, I would replace the gasket as well. Just a thought.

Vatch · « **Reply #26 on:** March 04, 2006, 05:46:19 AM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on March 03, 2006, 06:07:21 PM

Quote
I'm thinking the oil pan may be where its coming from. Stinks because I'll have to pull exhaust if I want to retorque the bolts on the pan.

If you confirm that's where the leak is from, rather than just re-torquing the bolts, I would replace the gasket as well. Just a thought.

Agreed. I'd do it sooner rather than later. If you're seeing that much oil on the swing arm it's most likely getting on your tire too. And oil on the tire is never a good idea.

Sounds like it was a good ride. Yeah, windshields detract from the looks of a bike, but on long rides save you a lot in fatigue department.

Jonesy · « **Reply #27 on:** March 04, 2006, 05:52:26 AM »

I went through what you are about to last year. I hadn't ridden my bike more than 30 miles at a time and I went on a trip across Michigan to Baldwin (I live in the Royal Oak area) which is a about a 5.5 hour trip one way on back roads. I was also going with 2 other riders, so I had help if I broke down. Here's what I brought:

-Mini can of chain lube (I have an o-ring chain and shut off my auto oiler)
-Spare spark plugs (Pre gapped)
-Spare points (dyna-s guys can skip this one, however if you're like me the old points plate and breaker cam would get you home if the dyna unit quits, but that's unlikely))
-Tool kit (Honda issue with a feeler gauge thrown in for the aforementioned points)
-Clean shop rag (clean up with a and keep stuff from bashing around in the toolkit)
-Tire gauge
-Bottle of oil (My tach cable sheath cracked and leaked out a good portion- glad I had it!)

The tire levers and spare throttle cable are good ones to have too. (I had new cables and felt I didn't need them). I go by the motto "rather have it than wish you had it!"

Murphy's law- If you bring it, you won't need it, but if you don't, you likely will!

Glenn Stauffer · « **Reply #28 on:** March 04, 2006, 06:12:58 AM »

Quote from: seaweb11 on February 27, 2006, 09:03:03 PM

Spare throttle cable, Spare throttle cable, Spare throttle cable........

Can't agree more. I met up for a fellow on a ride some time back and no sooner did we set out when his throttle cable broke. Neither of us had a truck at home and we were both about 100 miles from our houses and it was a Sunday, so it wasn't looking good. Started looking like we'd have to ditch his bike somewhere and he'd come back for it with a new cable later in the week. We lucked out in that there was a Harley enthusiast living in a nearby house who had a supply of spare cables none of which would fit out of the box, but with a bit of cutting and welding, he fashioned a cable the right length with the right ends and we were back in business. Of course, by then the day was mostly shot and the ride we planned turned out to be two solo rides from home to a meeting place and back.

Always carry appropriate spares.

Gordon · « **Reply #29 on:** March 04, 2006, 06:30:40 AM »

One good thing about the push-pull throttle cable setup is that if your pull cable breaks, you can swap it out with the push cable. Maybe not as ideal as having a spare one in the toolkit, but it works.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #30 on:** March 04, 2006, 06:20:18 PM »

If your bars are the right height, the wind supports your body. I've only had a windshield for a week- hated it. To each his own I guess. I'd imagine it's hard to find a gasket fot a bike on a Sunday...

Lumbee · « **Reply #31 on:** March 05, 2006, 05:48:01 PM »

...made it back in one piece. Today was an absolutely perfect day to ride. I stopped by a fellow chopper heads place on the ride home and he immediately found the source of my oil leak. Turns out the overflow tube on my oil tank was not there (the one that goes from the oil tank to the back of the motor). Not sure if I neglected to put it on when I rebuilt the bike in the fall, or I lost it sometime between now and them. At any rate we put a new tube on and had a nice dry ride home. I thought that overflow tube/valve would only spit oil if the oil tank was overfilled (which mine was not). What gives?

..thanx again for all the tips and moral support...

dusterdude · « **Reply #32 on:** March 06, 2006, 11:22:34 AM »

good deal,glad you made it through ok.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #33 on:** March 06, 2006, 01:01:12 PM »

Quote

I thought that overflow tube/valve would only spit oil if the oil tank was overfilled (which mine was not). What gives?

That's what I thought also. Hope someone chimes in with an explanation.

Lumbee · « **Reply #34 on:** March 06, 2006, 01:37:42 PM »

...I lost 2 quarts over about 400 miles (10 hours), pretty good flow of oil leaving the motor. As I said both the oil overflow valve and the valve on the back of the motor were open. I wonder if the oil might have been coming from the valve on the motor and not the oil overflow valve...

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #35 on:** March 06, 2006, 02:04:41 PM »

Quote

As I said both the oil overflow valve and the valve on the back of the motor were open.

What valves are these??

Lumbee · « **Reply #36 on:** March 06, 2006, 02:09:33 PM »

...I'm using the wrong term...they arn't valves...I guess they'd be called nimples? Its the what the overflow tube attaches to on the oil tank...

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #37 on:** March 06, 2006, 03:30:20 PM »

Gotcha.

neilbron · « **Reply #38 on:** March 08, 2006, 01:31:51 PM »

Quote from: Vatch on March 03, 2006, 06:09:28 AM

Envious here too. I got out for a quick ride yesterday when it hit 41 deg. F.

Some other advice, if you've got some of those stretchy black bicycle shorts they do wonders for the butt and inner thighs, especially after the 1st day (a tip from my Beemer riding brother). Helps a lot with chaffing. Just remember to wear them under your pants .

Have fun!

NIce one. As a keen cyclist I use my cycle shorts on long trips - it definitely avoids the "wedgie" problem. The dirt bike shops sell these style shorts but without the chamois insert for motocross/enduro riders etc.

You may be interested/alarmed to know that another option in the dirt bike world is - wait for it - G-strings!

Now that is too far out for me!

Cheers,

Neil.

dusterdude · « **Reply #39 on:** March 08, 2006, 01:45:16 PM »

neil,way too much information

78 k550 · « **Reply #40 on:** March 08, 2006, 07:22:00 PM »

Quote from: The great "Lumbee" on February 27, 2006, 09:12:38 AM

places, where I could rent a truck and haul myself and the bike back.

That's what friends are for.
If it is in good running condition and you do most the work yourself. I wouldn't hesitate to take mine on a trip like that. I say tool's money and a cell and your good to go.

Paul

byidesign · « **Reply #41 on:** March 09, 2006, 10:07:55 AM »

If you have all your {route}stops planned, and reasonable time limits, then someone will know to
call ,or start looking if you become{much} overdue, it beats being off the road in a ditch, and nobody
knew what your plans were.
maybe not too "macho" but better safe........

Chris Schneiter · « **Reply #42 on:** March 09, 2006, 10:52:34 AM »

I'll never forget my first "long" trip...250 miles in one day..I go a lot farther than that now...CB750 seats are so thick, I've never had a problem with a sore butt....BUT MY LEGS!!! I don't know what the problem was, but my positioning with my legs right under me, I cramped up so bad, I had a hard time walking when I got back...I found a really simple chrome bar with folding pegs that clamps on the frame up between the manifold and the engine mounts. I just fold 'em out, and ride all day..Another thing I added was a "Street Screen" 17" windsheild from JC Whitney..doesn't look bad, but cuts down fatigue like crazy...you can see it in the picture of my bike. PS..I think the Cherry Bomb is great! What does it sound like? I've got aftermarket 4 into ones anyway, and I've toyed with the idea of debaffling them..

Lumbee · « **Reply #43 on:** March 09, 2006, 11:01:53 AM »

...I've got highway bars on mine too...makes a big difference. Yes, the wind beat me up good...I've still got a "pinch" between my shoulder blades. Is the windsheild u'v got a "universal" type or is is specifically for our bikes?

...cherry bomb sounds good...if def. got the glasspack growl of u'r uncles old chevy...

Chris Schneiter · « **Reply #44 on:** March 09, 2006, 01:16:41 PM »

My windshield is just a universal one from JC Whitney..It wasn't expensive..It has clamps on the handlebars and two on the trees, and mounts on rods that slip into the clamps. Very easy to remove the shield for cleaning and repair. Be careful when mounting though..I had just gotten a custom paint job when I mounted it. I thought the shield looked cooler when mounted back further, so I left the rods sticking back too far...I then took my bike with 1 week old paint and 1 day old windshield in for new tires...while it was up on a stand, the front end swung, and DANG! a ding in my new paint job from the rods on the shield! JC Whitney has a huge selection of shields. I like this one because it's streamlined and unobtrusive. I didn't want one of those big Copbike looking ones.
I've been intrigued by louder, mellower sound on a multi cylinder bike since I heard a Valkerie with straight pipes a few years ago. My 4 into 1s sound like an angry indy car right now..

Lumbee · « **Reply #45 on:** March 09, 2006, 01:41:01 PM »

thanx ces...I'll check out JCW's website on the wind shields...

on the exhaust...check out this thread...

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=7773.0

...this guy is putting an automotive muffler on his bike...

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Author Topic: Thinking of taking my first loooonnnggg trip (Read 5150 times)

Vatch

neilbron