Prairiehammer

Yep, good stuff there, Puc. Probably won't be as far south as Flagstaff, but I appreciate the heads-up about the "pickers". And the water. And the fuel. And the sunscreen. And...

Russ, we are leaving Illinois, May 31, with over night stops near Table Rock Lake Missouri and then a couple nights near Winnsboro, Texas. Leaving the Ranch near Winnsboro Tuesday, June 3. Wednesday night near Palo Duro. Thursday night near Santa Fe or maybe more northern New Mexico. We have to be home (Illinois) by June 15, so it appears we are going to miss each other on this trip.

I've ridden to Big Bend before. From Kansas via Dallas. Been there done that. Not looking forward to more of the same, but it appears unavoidable. This trip I am planning on leaving Eastern Texas (Winnsboro) and skirting DFW, head across to Amarillo area (Palo Duro Canyon SP) then across New Mexico to near the Four Corners (although, I am not inclined to visit the "monument" there) and on to Page.

Thanks, Dave. Our plans beyond the North Rim are nil presently. I have tentatively thought about hitting Southwest Colorado on the way out to the North Rim, but I want to ride the Million Dollar Highway, which if taken on the way to North Rim would entail a goodly ride North and then back south again to the North Rim. Perhaps we will bypass SW Colorado on the way out and then return via Route 50 north to northern Colorado.

The "twinky" is on the crankcase between the "V" formed by the front and rear cylinders. In this twinky, runs coolant, engine oil and crankcase ventilation. There are multiple chambers within the twinky. These chambers are separated by O-ring style rubber gasket. Usually a failure of the gasket results in coolant in the motor oil, though. Here are some pics of the "twinky" (breather).

Yeah, I am discovering the reservation thing for the North Rim. Even the campgrounds are filling fast. Some are full already. I tried to make a reservation for NP campground in February, but the site wouldn't allow the reservation process to continue because my selected date was more than 90 days out. When I waited until the first part of March to try again, I find most of the campground is reserved already!

I am planning a Southwest motorcycle trip. We (Deb and I) plan to ride to Eastern Texas in early June, visit with an old Army buddy, then continue toward the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Western Texas is looking mighty bleak and boring, so I am planning to just "beat feet" across Texas and most of New Mexico until we get into some interesting country around Santa Fe. Trek across to Page, Arizona and then sweep north and west toward North Rim, Arizona by way of southern Utah. From there I am uncertain what to do or see as we head back to Illinois via the Northern Route (Interstate 80). I do plan to ride the Million Dollar Highway and head for the corner of Wyoming (to put that state notch on my map). Any suggestions for "don't miss" sites and sights? We are planning on camping as much as possible. Campgrounds in the Four Corners region seem Spartan (keep in mind, I am a Flatlander and also appreciate shade trees when camping).

Coincidentally, we are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon (North Rim) in June as well. I'll be following this thread.

Ever heard of this?

Thanks for playing, Paul.

You are correct, the "M500" is a model designation. Monark made that bike using a JLO 250cc engine. Here's a pic of the Monark, non Erlan. http://cdn.blocket.com/static/0/images_full/86/8609665189.jpghttp://www.classicmotor.se/bilder/imagecreate.php?id=662888&w=575&h=9999&c=YTowOnt9&s=0&k=122700876db99f9e52475ec6e742cb39b7b7588a

Actually, Interstate Powersport batteries, wet or AGM are made by Yuasa; so you could buy a Yuasa battery and not have wasted your money.

Not Italian.

BTW, Steve, you forgot to mention the Make. Gilera

All the Italian bikes look alike to me. 1957 Perugina 175. http://www.wheelsofitaly.com/wiki/images/thumb/a/ac/1957_Perugina175cc.jpg/350px-1957_Perugina175cc.jpghttp://www.ffac.it/RD%20Series%20Club/Eventi/FMI%20-%20Magione%202010%20bis/motoperugina175cc3.jpg

It looks Italian. Is it?

You know what they say about red motorcycles.

A 1962 Greeves 25 DCX. The aluminum casting used in the frame finally clued me. And I couldn't find your original pic, either. http://image.invaluable.com/housePhotos/chorley/07/319507/H2603-L30143846.jpg http://galleryplus.ebayimg.com/ws/web/321257553067_1_0_1/1000x1000.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u8iEeCV_rWE/UvuPGYxShHI/AAAAAAAALQs/eKNQk4e8JC0/s1600/800px-Greeves_250DCX_Sportsman_1962_.JPG

Correct. But you couldn't find my original posted pic? http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dZuJfLoVCYg/UbNLBmIrLHI/AAAAAAAAOeE/J93kFkTYHuI/s1600/1955+ya1.jpg

Uno.

It is a 1965 Moto Guzzi Stornello 125 Sport. http://www.msc-sernatingen.de/haldenhof/images/2007teilnehmer/HOFFMANN%20Manfred,%20Salem,%20Moto%20Guzzi,%20Stornello%20Sport,%201965.jpg

Could have just gone out and bought another '99 RSV. Could have saved the paint. Just sayin'.

Don, If you are not happy with the Bushtec paint job, I'll take it. I'm looking for a black Bushtec.

Swoopy2...

BMW-Daihatsu K100/1000TD http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7165/6500666053_1790767fac_o.jpg http://astraone.com/wp-content/uploads/bmw-k100-bmw-k100-diesel-2-a-photo-on-flickriver-37393-900x649.jpg