Topic: The SOHC 750 for long touring??? Share road trip experiences.

[ElCheapo]

Has anyone here clicked off serious touring miles on their SOHC? I was thinking of a tough ride out to the four corners area (New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona). Now this is the best part of 1500 miles round trip for me plus touring miles. So does anyone have advise based on long hauls with their SOHC. My motor has about 10,000 on it and is running strong. The bike is mechanically sound with the exception of a few spokes I need to replace in the rear.

I have never done runs longer than 4 maybe 6 hours and those where on much newer bikes. Like brand freaking new. I did do San Diego to Las Vegas in 3hr 45mins  . But I have no intention of running this rate on this tour.

I was considering doing the camping thing and make an adventure of it. Make use of truck stop showers which are pretty nice.

[andy750]

El Cheapo,

Go to Hondarestoration.com and click on Stories....this details my 2001 road trip from Boston - San Franciscio to Mexico (around the whole country) and back to Boston....16,000 miles in 2 months, averaging 350 miles/day (sometimes more, sometimes less)...the bike was a 1974 CB750 that had 28,000 miles on it -stock, no fairing. No problems apart from punctures. The bike survived to be shipped to England where it was then driven around Europe (Holland, Germany, Swiss-Italian-Austrian Alps - some of the best roads in the world and then over to Prague, Czech Republic before bring driven back to England...this was 2003 and 6000miles, 3 weeks....the bike then foud its way back to Boston, USA where a year later it was shipped via Fwd Air to Los Angeles.....and so began the SOHC Easy Rider Trip (see www.easyridertrip.de)...LA-Grand Canyon, Monument Valley-Texas, Oklahoma -New Orleans -Boston -5500 miles in 16 days.....

In all these trips there were never any mechanical problems only punctures. Basically these bikes can surviive any kind of road trip...and Ive driven in some really beat up roads (esp in the highlands of Mexico where for 200 miles I vibrated my way along what looked like a dried up riverbed! but was in fact a very very bad road).....

Whatever you decide to do you can do it on a CB750 (or any Honda for that matter IMHO).....good luck!
Andy in Boston

[Bob Wessner]

Hardly in the same category as Andy's ventures, but years ago I took my K0 750 from Michigan to the far eastern tip of Long Island, N.Y. and back plus some roaming miles, I would say close to 2,000 round-trip. The following year round trip from Michigan to the Smokey Mt's and back. No problems other than some torrential rain in the Smokey's on a couple of days.

[ElCheapo]

You guys are restoring my faith in my bike. I guess I figured I better have the goods to do a valave adjust on the road and all that. Punctures - I did not even think of that. Maybe I should get more savvy at tire removal in bad situations.

[Bob Wessner]

Take along some better tools, including impact driver, than are in the tool bag if you have the space. As for the tires, being able to change a tube on the road is a good idea (include tire irons in the kit), chain lube of course, some work gloves and a clean rag or two, and a small flashlight. On second thought re: the tire change, I'd consider a tow to a shop if you could, changing tires at home in your garage kind of, well sucks.  Can't imagine the job in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere.

And don't forget sun screen and some artificial tear drops. You would be surprised how the little drafts behind a windshield or face shield can dry your eyes after a few hours of riding.

[andy750]

On the two occasions I drove through Mississipi on I-59 I got a rear tire puncture only miles apart (but 3 years in time!)....on the first occasion it was a front tire puncture at night and I had to thumb down a pickup truck and ask him to call the police for me (I had no cell phone in 2001 coming back from Mexico).....busy interstate traffic and 10pm at night and me at the side of the road with thumb out!!!!.....police came, called the tow guy who it turned out was a Harley rider...offered me a place to stay, and had his son give me a ride to the Harley shop (in the backwoods) in the morning (after having taking me out for beers the night before), paid for the new innertube AND gave me a shop t-shirt (that I still have today)......second time (and only a few miles from the first time, but 3 years later coming back from the Easy Rider trip it was daytime and riding with 4 other SOHC riders....our fellow SOHC buddy came from New Orleans in his truck with a new tube (we had the tools) and we changed the tire by the side of the highway....was ok and got me back to Boston but i wouldnt recommend it.....if you can get some help from a local shop - theres always a shop somewhere...even when I was in Wyoming at Devls tower and I woke up after camping to discover a flat front tire and had to use a bicycle pump I borrowed from a passing cyclist to get me the 20 miles back to Sundance (only it got me 10miles and then I had to thumb for an air pump for the rest of the way) and the local Harley guy there (very old guy who said nothing but was very helpful)......

Punctures are simply the beginning of adventures......but  would follow Bobs advice and pack the tools he mentioned...come in very handy during such adventures.

Cheers
Andy in Boston

[HondaMan]

Has anyone here clicked off serious touring miles on their SOHC? I was thinking of a tough ride out to the four corners area (New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona). Now this is the best part of 1500 miles round trip for me plus touring miles. So does anyone have advise based on long hauls with their SOHC. My motor has about 10,000 on it and is running strong. The bike is mechanically sound with the exception of a few spokes I need to replace in the rear.

I have never done runs longer than 4 maybe 6 hours and those where on much newer bikes. Like brand freaking new. I did do San Diego to Las Vegas in 3hr 45mins  . But I have no intention of running this rate on this tour.

I was considering doing the camping thing and make an adventure of it. Make use of truck stop showers which are pretty nice.

Fix the spokes, put in some 20w50 oil and points and hit the road. Bring some extra sparkplugs and chain oil with you.
I have ridden my CB750K2 1197 miles in a single day out here at 80+ MPH all day long. Many more days at 900+ miles with and without friends. Longest 2-up ride with 580-lb payload was 987 miles. The CB750 can take it without breaking a sweat. Remember 2 things, though: 1.) 20w50 oil is a must on long hiway rides (change that filter before you leave home, too), change it at 1000-1200 mile intervals. 2.) Don't place a load in front of the engine, like a sleeping bag on the front forks (popular in the 1960s and 1970s because of the movie Easy Rider). This WILL overheat the center 2 cylinders. At least, it will burn out the plugs, at worst, the exhaust valves. I've seen it and done it, both.

This is the bike that made all that possible, and the bike is unchanged since those days - except it got smoother after the K1 models. I've camped it, motelled it and "stayed with friends" it, and camping is the best way to go. For a day you won't forget seeing the morning, stay at the KOA camp in Buena Vista, Colorado, on your way to the 4 corners via hiway 285. It's the ride of a lifetime, every mile.

[ofreen]

I've been on many, many long trips on my 750.  It rolled over 101,000 miles the other day, and I'd still take it anywhere and not worry about it.

[mrbreeze]

You know..I love my 750 to death but just can't see taking it on a real long putt.It gets pretty uncompfortable after 100 miles and I just don't see how you could change tires on the side of the road without doing some kind of Mcgiver #$%*.Maybe I'm getting old and don't have the old sense of adventure like I used to but I think I would be better off with a full bore road bike for the long haul and keep my 750 closer to home.(Yeah...you youngsters start piping in with all your stuff!!)

[wheelie]

I'm leaving for a two (or three?) nighter this friday. Figure I'lll take a ferry over to Bainbridge Island from Seattle and hop onto 101 and take it around the peninsula down to Long Beach, WA or maybe all the way to Canon Beach. OR. Can't wait.
I'm not timid at all about the road-worthiness of my 78K.

A good friend knows when you believe and will always bring you home.

[toycollector10]

That's a great story andy750...I live 'down under'  but I have never met a citizen of the USA that I didn't immediatly take a shine to. I find Americans to be very generous and considerate people...

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Some other things:
Tires good shape, proper pressure AND BALANCED
Fork oil proper level and Good shocks make a great difference on a long haul
Check your brakes !!
Other than that don't worry about the bike - PLAN YOUR TRIP AND GO !!!
Small Cooler & 12 pack - my formula for hydration was 1 beer at each gas stop and all leftovers at the end of the day.
I-70 only when necessary and not past Denver !! Colorado back roads are fantastic !!!
Stop in Colorado Springs for food, rest, beer, and a visit before hitting the mountains.
Jerry
Colorado Springs
ps when are you going? I might be able to cruise with you to 4 Corners - tour guide

[Bob Wessner]

On the two occasions I drove through Mississipi on I-59 I got a rear tire puncture

This reminded me, on the long ones I packed a spare inner tube (never had to use it, thankfully), but it was always the rear tube I took. It seems I read once many years ago, you get most punctures in the rear because the front tire just kicks up whatever in time for the rear wheel/tire to roll over it and take the hit. 

[andy750]

"I have ridden my CB750K2 1197 miles in a single day out here at 80+ MPH all day long. Many more days at 900+ miles with and without friends"

Wow Hondaman I have to say Im very impressed! Ive never come close to riding that kind of mileage in a single day. Most Ive done is about 650 miles and that was a loooong day, and I dont go slow either.
Cheers
Andy in Boston

[Vatch]

I'm taking my 650 for an 850 mile run this summer.  Rode 275 miles on Sunday.  Body was a little stiff the next day, but not that bad. 

[GroovieGhoulie]

Took the 400 on a 400-mile trip a few months ago.  Did it in about 9 hours, but that includes a 2-hour stop to visit friends, and a few stops for fuel and food.

Bike did it no problem, but now the camchain is noisy as hell. 

[bwaller]

I rode most of the way across Canada (Montreal -Vancouver) in 1975 on my K3 in four days at 85 miles per & flat bars. One day just slightly more than 1000 miles, oh to be 20 again! By the way my girlfriend had moved there a month before, and I was umm anxious to see her!

Before we moved back east two years later the two of us rode the same bike down the west coast to LA, into Arizona and meandered our way back north to Vancouver, 4500 miles total. Best trip ever. Some great $7 a night flea bag motels. I always looked for a place with a wide door and pulled the bike right inside!

I'm gonna do that ride again someday... on the same K3 too by the way.

[Ceej]

this is a great topic, Im hoping to do some touring/camping trips this summer as well.

How do you guys pack?  Saddlebags, tailbags, tankbags? All of the above? How about tents and a sleeping bag, any recomendations on what to get and how to pack it?  Bag suggestions would also be aprecaited

[techy5025]

May I recommend this site for answers to "long distance" riding
questions....gear, etc.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/index.php

Lots of trip pics....these guys are serious.    Check out the
"Striking Viking" who is just back from a TWO year around the
world...and more...trip.

Jim

[Lumbee]

...heres how I pack...my old sporty saddle bags thrown over the seat, then the overnight bag on top.  I have to say the wind beat me up pretty bad on this trip.  Only about 900 miles over a 3 day weekend.  450 on Friday, and 450 on Sunday.  Kept it at a steady 68mph.  Had a knot between my shoulder blades for a month afterwards.  I now have a 77F with a windjammer farring.  Havn't toured on it yet, but look forward to seeing how much difference it makes.  I've considered one of the universal clip on windsheilds for the 78 pictured here...

If you notice I have hiway bars/pegs, which make a world of differnce to me.  I'm figity, so I like being able to change foot postions.

Basically one side of my saddle bags was all tools, socket/ratchet set, mini fashlight, multimeter, screwdrivers, extra chain, allen set, duct tape, channel locks & regular pliers, couple zips ties...ect...

...if you can't remember the last time you changed your throttle/clutch cable bring an extra one...

oh, and cell phone and credit card...

[Vatch]

Basically one side of my saddle bags was all tools, socket/ratchet set, mini fashlight, multimeter, screwdrivers, extra chain, allen set, duct tape, channel locks & regular pliers, couple zips ties...ect...

Are you suggesting the Honda tool kit is not adequate in some way? 


If you can roll something up tight, like a sleeping bag, it can be fitted under the headlight (or on top for that matter) provided you leave enough clearence so your fender doesn't hit it.  The finish doesn't like that. 

[Lumbee]

Are you suggesting the Honda tool kit is not adequate in some way?

...absolutley not...Uncle Honda gave us everything we need in the stock tool kit...


...to change the spark plugs, and remove the points cover...

[dusterdude]

mark,which bike you takin to the beach

[Lumbee]

...as if you have to ask (again!)...the chopper of course.  A buddy at work is gonna let me borrow a 12ft trailer, so I'm thinking of taking the 78F also.  I've got an old rear tire that the rubber is starting to crack on.  Always wanted to see how long I could do a burn out before the tire blows???   

[dusterdude]

damn,i know i never see your replies.cool deal.