leroy
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Posts posted by leroy
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Just hook up one of those "old-style Harley or Indian" shifters .. what did they call 'em? .. suicide shifter? You'd sure notice it if it started to fall off LOL
here's one on a Honda...
http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=109181
The one I am familiar with didn't look like that. It was a floor board mounted rocker type on the left side.
Yep, that happened to me on my uncle's HD. I found out about suicide clutches. I was 16 or 17 (1965 or 66) visiting my Aunt and Uncle. My uncle let me use his 1947 HD 74. I felt like a big shot riding all over SW Ohio. One day I stopped at a stop sign, rocked the clutch, but when I let off of it (it was suppose to stay down until you rocked it back up) to put my foot down I continued into the intersection of a state highway. Fortunately no one was coming. So I had to put the tank mounted shifter in neutral at any stop sign I actually stopped at if I wanted both feet on the ground. Taught me young how to deal with an unexpected situation.
He fixed it the next day so my fun continued.
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I use the helmet in the freezer trick told to me by a fellow, old school IBA. I wear LD comfort shorts and long sleeve shirt, they seem to work for me. Like you I carry the helmet if not in freezer. I've yet to know the BEST way to secure the thermos on the passenger foot plate for the water bit. Any suggestions?pics?
I haven't tried the thermos to the foot peg or board. I have seen many attached there. I'll have to look closer for some ideas. I do know some have had a special bracket made.
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Lived 35 years in SW Oklahoma and now 20 years in Texas. So I know what you mean about the heat.
For what it is worth and everyone has their opinion. After being out of riding for 26 years and 59 years old many pieced of equipment had changed. I researched many sources.
Now after 9 years, 68 years old, and riding 135,000 miles (127,000 miles on my Honda VTX 1300R, 49 states, all provinces you can ride to on paved roads plus another 13,000 miles on my RSV) with 20 IBA certified rides in temps from 17F to 117F with all kinds of weather including snow and hail I have managed to remain if not comfortable at all times I at least remained in a tolerable state.
First off research shows your head is cooler with a helmet in hot sun than not. Also we must conserve our sweat so it will cool us. So yes I do wear mesh but only on local day rides. It may allow too much sweat to evaporate too quickly.
Here is what I wear on every multi day ride:
Helmet is a modular Shoei Neotec (replaced my modular HJC SynmaxII after 5 years) with a helmet liner of wicking material to help keep the liner of my helmet clean and my head dry.
Base layer is of a wicking material such as Underarmor long sleeve shirt (I like loose fit), same material for my under wear (I prefer boxer briefs), also over the calf socks as I wear tall boots.
Gloves, depends on the weather. I always carry at least three weights and usually extras in case a pair gets wet or disappears. Gore Tex is best for rain. I do have a pair of electric that I have yet to wear much and a pair of Joe Rocket battery heated that I have never worn.
Boots are SIDI Gore Tex. I would not leave home on a trip without Gore Tex boots. They breathe and mine are water proof. Yes, really.
Jacket is at present Olympia X Moto (I like the longer jacket) with plenty of vents as are my riding pants. The vents allow me to control the rate of evaporation. The more humidity the more open vents. I am considering Gore Tex outfit as my next, either Aerostich or Klim. Be sure it is large enough so you can add clothes underneath while in the mountains.
I always carry plenty of water. I use a Polar Bear 12 pack ice chest with some of the short water bottles frozen. Also you could do as the LD riders do and attach a 2 quart therm filled with ice to your passenger foot peg with a bit tube. Even then I would carry a little emergency water plus some snacks. You might get stranded in Nowhere, Ok or TX or UT. I had a blow out on the north side of the Wichitas near Saddle Mountain in August. Not really Nowhere but close enough. A two hour wait for a tow but I was hydrated and not hungry.
You can pour water down you jacket and on your head at fuel stops. I have used those "cool" scarfs with some success.
Some people buy ice for their thermos and put the rest that is in the bag inside their jacket. Put you helmet in the ice freezer outside when you stop for a while. I always carry my helmet inside if I don't put it in the freezer so it is not in the sun or disappear.
Also LD Comfort sells a shirt they tell you to soak it down then squeeze as much water as you can out of it then put it on. I tried it but did not like the process of re wetting it after about an hour. Plus when it is dry I found it extra hot. Some LD riders swear by their product.
None of the clothes is cheap but worth it.
If none of this works and you are still very uncomfortable, park the motorcycle and jump into your air conditioned car.
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Don't think i heard them mention shaft drive either. If it is to be, IF, it is to be a new real long distance touring motorcycle, not just a remake of current lineup, I would expect 4 or more jugs, liquid cooled (not just the heads), and shaft drive. I know many of you will disagree.
With today's emissions requirements fuel injection is required and I feel sure it will be liquid cooled, once again IF it happens.
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I am looking at the Clearview shield. The lip will help on the buffeting. I added a Saeng Micro-Swirl Edging to my VTX windshield. It may not look cool but I could get 10 to 15 more mph before any buffeting took place. So the lip on the Clearview should even be better plus they are wider. I hope the vent will be worth while.
My stock is way too tall for my short a$$. So i marked my stock shield at the different heights Clearview sells and rode a few thousand miles to see which height works for me.
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Agree.
My seat was already pretty good for me but Rick's mod made it "more gooder". Of course you don't know how bad your ride is until you get it made better.
I am very satisfied also.
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That's what we did. North to South. Harder that way as gravity is not your friend. Thankfully, Hannagan Meadow is near the top so you can ride across the state on 60/260 or wherever...get onto 191 and then camp at HM. Wake up fresh and go for the downhill run!
Silver City is interesting, for sure!
Nice ride on map below. Follow I 17 north to Camp Verde. Begin trip there and head east on 260. Follow that all the way to Eager on east side of state. Then 191 South. Go all the way to Safford. Clifton/Morenci is where the open pit mine is.
When you do the ride left me know. Maybe we can meet afterwards....
http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=108982
Thanks for the map.
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Wow! You have a limitless list of places to go and see. Just the ride out and back will be awesome.
If you go to Glacier National take the Going to the Sun Road. A very reasonable motel that is old but clean in East Glacier, Pine Mountain Motel and the Whistle Stop down the road has great Buffalo Steaks.
Do keep a mindful eye on your fuel situation. Some distances between fuel stops can at times be a bit far.
Have a great one.
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I was there in 1975 before the bridge so we had to go by ferry. In 2016 I got to revisit the Island. Once you get away from the tourist trap at the end of the 12 mile bridge it is still a nice place to visit.
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Not many choices as far as paved roads but I did like the ride from Fort Providence to Yellowknife.
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Yes. At the bottom of the Devils Highway.
http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=108980
Thanks for the confirmation.
Awesome ride. I hope to return but do it N to S and camp at Hannagan Meadow. The last time I stayed in Silver City at a KOA Kabin.
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James,
I have the Slime compressor in left side with the tire plug kit. Right side has tool kit with additional stuff like a tiny battery back up, 3/8ths socket set for metric and hex, tire gauge, spare headlight bulb, travel mirror with extension to check oil by myself, rags, flashlight etc..
Both sides carry a water bottle or two. Jacket liner and a half bike cover in right. Rest of space on both sides would be for extra clothes (like work clothes for crawling under bike) ... mostly left side. The bike cover is nice to keep the scoot covered while at hotel.
Tour pack has the light stuff, aspirin, cassettes (I mix my own), gum, flashlight, member list for emergencies that are near my flight path, sun block, small individual pack of Tide clothes detergent, tube of hand cleaner, lightweight orange safety vest, scarf for keeping neck warm on those mountain passes, Froggs Togs.
My main clothes I carry on the pinion seat held down with a medium size bungie netting (about $8) that has hooks for attaching netting to passenger bars. Just make sure your carry bag is water resistant at least. I use a soft sided airline carry on travel bag. Like a gym bag but with pockets. That's my main clothes bag for traveling on planes as well as scoots. Everything is in there I need. At hotel, I take this bag in with me. Everything else stays locked up on bike. I can pack for 5 days using this system. This is what my 2nd gen looks like while on the road.
http://www.venturerider.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=108969
In reality, the only emergency you might run in to is a flat tire. These scoots are pretty reliable. The tire plug kit and slime compressor kit takes you to the nearest city for a new tire. The stator is the only other issue I dread on the road. Not much to do about that but be flexible enough to handle it if it pops up.
As far as traveling...depending upon your itinerary, Utah, Nevada and Arizona can be toasty. If you start each day early, you can cover more ground before the heat gets to much. Seriously. There is a reason work crews start at 5am....it's cool enough to begin the day and then gradually warms up. The hottest part of the day is 4 to 5 pm. You want to be in the pool by 3pm if you can. By gradually warming up, your body adapts to the heat better...allowing you to ride into hotter weather than if you started out at 8am and ran until 5pm. I would not recommend you spend lunch in an airconditioned environment too long as that will make it harder on the old bod when you come back out. Also...as much as I like to fuel up right after I stop...that's not good for bikes. Gas expands. So plan on fueling after lunch break. If you want to carry an extra gallon of gas, it can get strapped on top of the pinion clothes bag. Get a good plastic can, wrap it in a white garbage bag and go. No different up there than having a passenger. Actually won't be any higher than your shoulder.
The cooling vest is a good idea, but I've heard your clothes get wet. Guess that's fine too! Highway pegs are a must on a 1st gen. Legs are to protected behind the fairing. Make sure your "heater" is working as well...that's what I call those little vanes covering the rear cylinder. They are needed as they keep a lot of heat off your boots when closed. You can ride all day with them closed, just remember to open them when you stop so they help cool the motor as well as don't melt!
Last, don't over plan it. Ask me how I know! My biggest mistake when I started traveling with the sailboat going across country. Didn't need 3/4 of what I had. And if I needed something, I found out I didn't have that on my list so WalMart became my friend! This is a day trip times X number of days! And... don't make any serious changes to the bike just before you go. Get that done ahead of time. So you can ride around home for a while just in case there is an issue with the new tires, brakes, etc..
Wish I could make the trip with you...but wrong direction for me!!
If you need help with route, holler. We can talk next time we meet for lunch shortly ?
david
Good stuff
Is the picture with the tire along US 191 in AZ near the open pit mine?
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Sounds like a great trip.
Sounds like most if not all things have been covered.
This may or may not have been covered:
I always carry a SPOT. Not only does my wife keep track of me but good for emergency.
Ride the Going to the Sun Road in the US Glacier National Park. Recommended motel is Mountain Pine Motel in East Glacier. It is old, clean, small, and very reasonable.
Take more than one credit card, I suggest 3, and notify them of your trip. Don't carry all in one place.
Take some US cash in addition to your Canadian cash, not all in one place. Not sure how much to advise. When I rode to Hyder, Alaska via the Cassiar Hyw and on to Yellowknife from Dallas, I had $300 Canadian and returned to the US with about $250. I used as credit cards as much as I could. Don't carry all in one place. I put $100 bill in zip lock under the insole of my boot for "deep" emergency.
Sign up for Med Jet and include the motorcycle. I had to use it and was very grateful. Be absolutely positive how your medical insurance will work in the US. Mine was a pain in the a$$ in Canada. They wanted me to pay all the bills then reimburse me. After a 9 month fight Cigna paid the hospital and docs. I should have had Med Jet evacuate me before my surgery. My care in Nova Scotia was excellent just my insurance was the pain.
Carry copies (3 at least) of your driver's license, registration, insurance, emergency numbers, medical information. Put them in different places. Have one set on your person so even if you wallet is stolen you have a copy. Secure your passport in a zip lock or something similar on your person.
Be aware of the distance to the next fuel station. On secondary roads in the west some may be a bit far.
Be prepared for the unexpected.
Have a fantastic trip. You'll enjoy the scenery in that part of the country even if all is by interstate but secondary roads are the best way when time allows. Plus you meet some of the nicest people in our small towns.
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My wife is too dedicated, honest, fair, and sensible not to go to work. Plus we like to spend. So she left the house @ 0600 as usual. I took a ride on my RSV. She returned home from work at 1900. It was a typical day for us.
Yep, just like an American pimp, I got the lady working.
Oh, I did forget to mention diner was ready when she got home.
Seriously, she does work a long hours and is a great wife. I am retired and she is not yet there. So I am the house husband now.
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Battery Stuff http://www.batterystuff.com YTX20HL-BS 310 CCA AGM made by YUASA sold under the Motocross name. This is the one I put in my RSV. YUASA manufactured is the only way to go.
I have been running YUASA AGMs since 2008 in my VTX, never failed. But to be honest although I have it on a tender when not riding I still replace before failure as I don't want it to fail out in the far away places I ride.
I tried the Ballistic lithium in my VTX. I bought the one recommended by their chart. A total waste of money. When the temps dropped below 60 I had it cranked very slow like an almost dead battery. I had to hit the starter more than three times. The colder it got the slower it turned. in the high 30's it took 10 tries to get the engine to turn over fast enough to start. They said that was normal as it had to "warm up" to develope the cranking power. BS! Meanwhile the starter wears out. Maybe they are better now but I would not waste my $.
Just my experience which is limited on the RSV as I put only 8000 miles on it in 8 months. But on my VTX 125,000 in 8 years in all sorts of weather all across US and Canada.
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Later?
The Dallas show was not very promising for folks who like touring cruisers with "real" liquid cool and shaft drive. As far as "real" liquid cool with shaft drive and what I would call a real tourer I only found BMW RT1200 (it is only liquid in the heads) and K1600. There wasn't a Goldwing there. Large local Honda dealer has not seen a 2017 GW yet but assumes 2017s are on their way. So if Honda is still in the touring market there is the Goldwing for a tourer with true liquid cool and shaft.
There were shaft drive, liquid cool cruisers there by Suzuki.
Of course Yamaha still makes the FJR1300 that is a good sport tourer. I probably would buy one if I was not so damn short.
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They are great looking and yours just pops. Congrats
I am sorta stuck on cruisers with shaft drive. But since the touring cruiser list is getting shorter, and even shorter for full liquid cool with shaft drive, every year; I may have to change my ways if I want a new ride.
If I went with a new ride I do believe the Ultra would be on my very short list. Maybe the CVO. I sure like the looks, just not the culture that seems to be expected when a guy rides a Harley.
Enjoy it. As said above, that is what counts.
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Center of 48 is just outside Lebanon, Kansas.
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First off congratulations. Every retirement check you get from your LEO job consider it back pay.
Getting up early in retirement is a pleasure to me, I don't have to go to work. That fact makes it enjoyable. Plus I don't have to get up early and I can nap when I want to.
As was said above do exercise and stay active at enjoyable things. So many don't make it past the first year of retirement.
I have known people who said they were bored so they went back to work. I have not had that problem. I am too busy to go to work. Of course if it is something different and you like it but still get paid that is not work.
I have only missed my full pay check but then my SS kicked in and heck my wife still works and makes good money. She is younger so she is my retirement plan.
Enjoy it.
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I wish I would have stuck with guns, motorcycles, and cars...women got me into trouble.
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Don't know what part of NB you are leaving from or where in Florida you are going but I was just up to NB in August on my motorcycle from Texas. I stopped by the World's Longest Covered Bridge at Hartland, NB. I arrived there after traveling Maine Highway 11 and connecting with US 1 at Fort Kent to Madawaska, ME (NE most town in lower 48 states). ME 11 was a good ride and relaxing.
Last year I visited Acadia National Park, very nice. Many years ago I took US Highway 1 along the coast of Maine. A lot of towns but more interesting than the I 95. If you go I-95 the part that is a toll road will not be cheap pulling a 5th wheel but traffic wasn't an issue.
New London, CT has the USS Nautilus, the first atomic submarine, you can tour plus a submarine Museum.
If you want to avoid the mess of cities in the east move over to the west no later than when crossing into MA from NH. I needed to make time this August so I took I-495 to the west but avoided the MA toll road. I did run into traffic, a lot of construction, and too much rain. If I go to your part of Canada again I will go far to the west of those eastern cities.
Don't get me wrong there is a lot to see in those cities but I just try to avoid them. I live in Dallas so I need a break from them.
When going through Hartford I did not have any traffic issues along I-84 to Scranton. There are also some nice secondary roads that I have been on in the area.
Last year we were at West Point so we "took in" a lot of the sites along the Hudson River. A lot of history there if you get that far west.
Washington, DC is a good visit but a lot to see. So you need time.
If you get to I-81 and like history there are many exits taking a person to many historical sites. For an interstate it is not bad as far a scenery goes. Of course in Virginia there is the Blue Ridge Parkway. There may be a limit on trailers. Any of the highways near I-81 would be good for scenic drives.
Eastern VA I am not as familiar with but there is a lot of history there. Williamsburg, VA I have been told is good to visit but I haven't been there. Also Norfolk, VA has a naval museum. I did enjoy riding across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
If you are on I-81 or near it in eastern TN there is the Smoky Mountain National Park. Also that part of NC is really nice. There is a lot of historical sites in all of these states if that is of interest to you.
I would avoid Atlanta if you are that far west. I-75 in Florida can get busy the farther south you go. Traffic down there shouldn't be as rough as it is later in the year, or earlier. The routes along the coasts can be congested.
I liked my visit to St. Augustine, FL. I think they now have some strict parking rules on RVs so check into it if you go. Disney has some very nice trailer camping. I usually don't care for that kind of setup. However, one year we pulled our trailer to Disney and got a great campsite with a shuttle to the park nearby.
Tampa, FL has a nice aquarium. Also there is a town sort of inside Tampa, Ybor City. I stumbled onto it. It is where they used to make a lot of cigars with tobacco grown from Cuban seeds. It was like a little Cuba. When I was there several years ago I found it very interesting and full of history.
In Sarasota is the Ringling Brothers home and Museum. I guess they are still open to visit. Also I liked the botanical garden in Sarasota. Farther south is Nokomis. It has probably the prettiest beach in Florida. There is a state park, Myakka River State Park, not far away to camp in. I have boated up the river. Many years ago my uncle said you could see alligators all along the river. We didn't see any when I was there. Venice beach south across the bay from Nokomis is nice too. It used to be the best place in the Northern Hemisphere to find sharks' teeth. My cousin found several very large ones over the years. It was on some nature show once. They did some dredging a few years ago and ruined it at least for awhile. I don't know if it is good today.
Near Homestead there is a Coral Castle that was featured on some TV program. Many years ago we stopped by there. It was unique and interesting. The Everglades National Park was very interesting but the mosquitoes were terrible however it was in August.
And of course there is always Key West. I haven't been there but it is on my all time bucket list, just to say I was there.
Enjoy your trip. I am sure more will give you ideas.
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That is BMW's answer to Honda's F6B.
http://powersports.honda.com/cruiser/2016/gold-wing-f6b/colors.aspx#kc32D4ZLjwkhktAW.97
http://www.youmotorcycle.com/honda-gold-wing-f6b-review.html
And I don't care for the looks of either. But each to their own. That is why there is a menu.
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I'm probably heading up that way this coming spring too.
I'm in the Black Hills, plenty of "hooved rats" here too. Always be looking on the shoulders and at night in some places cutting the speed limit in half is still taking a chance, best not to ride at night where wildlife is abundant. The other thing that we should be doing all the time anyway goes x2 at night where deer are present, never ride beyond your line of sight.
Deer are stupid (and delicious if cooked correctly), if they get spooked they just run in whichever direction they happen to be facing, even if that is right into the side of your scoot as your gliding by.
Here you are in the Black Hills, some great riding and I am in Texas. I go to your neighborhood and you come to mine. Gotta love us motorcyclist. Just think there are many people who never get out of their county. Boring!
Have a good one.
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Now the 4th deer I hit I was in a 93 Chevy Cavelier going down a back road shortcut home at 2 in the morning and she came out of nowhere. I slammed the breaks into a nosedive it flew over my car and into the ditch. Broke its back had to go get someone out in the back country up at 2 am to tell them I needed them to shoot it. So he came up with me with his gun and sure enough its back was broken. The guy shot it I asked him if he wanted it. Guess it was just to early for him he said just make sure you report it and gave me his number just in case conservation gave me any hassle about why it was shot because all my car got out of it was a small dent in the hood. Was sure some good eating tho...
Another good reason to have constitutional carry. Never know when you will need a gun.
Hey this is not always true as I have hit 4 deer with my vehicles, 2 out of 4 were facing towards the woods and like jumped a starting heading up from me then all the sudden made a 180 towards the road. I have been in a car where the damned thing literally ran into the side of the car. Never did find that deer guess he was ok and ran off.Remember what CaseyJ955 said, "deer are stupid".
Buy Back The Totaled Bike
in Watering Hole
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Sounds like the brokers have a tight hold on the politicians. Illinois is a weird state for regs. It is hard to believe a California clone is in the middle of the US. But an Illinois highway patrolman, who was very pro Constitutional Carry, once told me "Chicago runs the state and we all know its history".