Topic: Making the 500K3 a LONG trip tourer!

[lassenc]

Hi!

I would like to make the K3 usable for long trips, 2000km each way perhaps.

With cruising speeds at around 130km/h on the german highway.

Which modifications would you advise me to make?

Seats, handlebars, windscreen or what?

[supersport_CB400F]

I took my 400 from the UK down to the South of France about 900 miles distance each way, I done it a couple of times, rode back in 22.5 hours the first time at a good speed  70+ mph, the only problems I found was the seat was a razor blade to sit on after 250 miles, flat standard bars no screen I never had a problem with the bike setup except the seat, it was bloody uncomfortable 

[lassenc]

I took my 400 from the UK down to the South of France about 900 miles distance each way, I done it a couple of times, rode back in 22.5 hours the first time at a good speed  70+ mph, the only problems I found was the seat was a razor blade to sit on after 250 miles, flat standard bars no screen I never had a problem with the bike setup except the seat, it was bloody uncomfortable 

You rode the highways?

[supersport_CB400F]

Normal roads going down to the Mediterranean including Switzerland and then motorway (toll roads for the return journey) 3 days of riding is a good time for the journey on normal roads and the seat was not a problem, you can just stop and have a beer in a café’ when it gets painful. 

[lassenc]

Did you encounter any problems of any kind?

Got any tips for packing the bike with two persons on it?

[supersport_CB400F]

The only problems I had with my bike was it blew out a fuse and that was an easy fix, the other problem was driving on the wrong side of the road, after a few beers it’s easy to forget and drive on the Brit side. 
The only advice I can give you on luggage is keep the heavy stuff low on the bike and travel with the least amount of gear you need or getting the bike on the main stand on ferries can be a struggle

[lassenc]

The only problems I had with my bike was it blew out a fuse and that was an easy fix, the other problem was driving on the wrong side of the road, after a few beers it’s easy to forget and drive on the Brit side. 
The only advice I can give you on luggage is keep the heavy stuff low on the bike and travel with the least amount of gear you need or getting the bike on the main stand on ferries can be a struggle

No ferries are required from Denmark

[TwoTired]

I would like to make the K3 usable for long trips, 2000km each way perhaps.

With cruising speeds at around 130km/h on the german highway.

Which modifications would you advise me to make?

Seats, handlebars, windscreen or what?

It is usable right now for long trips.  Bring chain lube to apply at the end of each day's ride. The machine is tough.  How tough are you?
If you still have a seat with half the foam removed, you will be, er, tender.  The 400's narrower seat is NOT for touring, unless you have a very narrow pelvic bone.

Youth has resilience.  You can take punishment and recover quickly to the derriere abuse, constant wind pressure on your chest, constant helmet lift, and pressure on your wrists and arms.

A good seat and/or some lambs wool will help your bum.
A good windshield will take wind pressure off your chest and keep the wind from trying to take off your helmet.  Some designs are better at reducing buffet and buffet noise, which can also be fatiguing.
Handlebar position that allows you to sit upright without using your wrists and arms to hold up your upper body will reduce hand numbness, lower back, arm, and wrist fatigue.

The difference may be that you are ready to explore, investigate, and party at your destination.  Or, that you just want to lay down and sleep when you get off the bike.

If you make these changes to your bike, all the cafe bigots on this list and elsewhere will ridicule you mercilessly.

Comfort has it's price.

Cheers,

[lassenc]

It's not that caféstyle anyways, and if I were to take a long trip with a passenger, it wouldn't be with a caféstyle seat, thats for sure!

Which fairings are available, that has the look of the seventies?

[Vatch]

twotired has good advice as always.  I second the lamb/sheep skin seat cover.  it will add miles to your butt.  also try wearing a pair of spandex type bicycle shorts under, yes definately under, your riding pants.  they will reduce rubbing on the insides of your thighs, which you may not feel until day 2.  especially important given your seat.  if you can pack the gear so it supports your passenger's  lower back a liitle taht will help too.  you don't lean on it, but it just supports.  If you have no fearing you can easily strap some gear ontop or below the headlight.  below just make sure you have enough clearance with the fender.  pack rear weight low.  I wouldn't recomend wearing a backpack for that many hours in a day. people tend to overpack them.   I've done it, and it adds a lot a fatigue to the shoulders and back.  pack all stuff in plastic inside of other bags,  no fearing and you'll be soaked if it rains. 

I did a 4 week trip years ago  on a yamaha xs400 while following the allman brothers band around, complete with the sleeping bag under the headlight and a fishing pole tied to the side of the bike.  when I got sore I'd pull off and fire up a J,

[Vatch]

you could also swap out the sprockets to favor higher speed at lower rpms. 

[lassenc]

I'm running 17/37, I think.

And I like the gearing, I ran 18/34 I recall, and it wasn't that good with a passenger, wouldn't like to have luggage on it too with that gearing.

[TwoTired]

Which fairings are available, that has the look of the seventies?

In Germany?  I don't know.  In the US, probably the Vetter fairings are open road kings.  They ARE the 70s.

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=7975.msg73068#msg73068

[fourplay]

Oh man this is a good one.

I had my first four, a 72' 500. I was going on my first road trip and it was in November.

Now November in Arkansas can be warm or very cold. Well my day of departure was a cold one. One of my roomates came outside and was wondering what was up. I said it was looking like rain and cold. I know I was only doing a 150 miler, but it looked doubtful for my first trip.

He laughed and said here, use a piece of cardboard. I said you have to be kidding. He said heck no give it try. I cut a piece and placed it between the speedo/tach and the handlebars. Know what ?
It worked like a charm. Later on in the day, the sun came out and it got into the 70's. I will always remember that. Try it it works.

[lassenc]

Don't understand what you mean with the cardboard

[Vatch]

I cut a piece and placed it between the speedo/tach and the handlebars. Know what ?
It worked like a charm.

That's a new one.  Will have to keep that in mind.  I've stuffed newspapers down my shirt for insulation back when I rode with a jean jacket and the weather would turn.  Learned that from bicycle riders.

[clarkjh]

Don't understand what you mean with the cardboard

Kraft paper box, standard packing container for most largish items.

James

[lassenc]

I know, but I don't get the idea of how to place it.

[clarkjh]

Just slice it for the cables and slide it on, use to do this on the 3-wheeler.  It helps cut the wind on the hands but not much for the face.  My personal pref would be a bolt on fairing, but then again I don't like laying down on a bike

James

[lassenc]

Still don't get it :/

[ProTeal55]

He laughed and said here, use a piece of cardboard. I said you have to be kidding. He said heck no give it try. I cut a piece and placed it between the speedo/tach and the handlebars. Know what ?

Still don't get it :/

I think he is talking about placing a piece of cardboard in front of the gauges, yet behind the handlebars, to block incomming wind. It would act like a wall, same as the round "tool bags" that most HD riders put on their bars. They do this to help block the wind/cold before it hits them. I had a similar setup on my last HD, and it did infact work.

You get the benefits of a small fairing, without the look of one..

[lassenc]

Ahh, in that way

[clarkjh]

Thnks teal, that explains it better.

James