The plan

[planedick]

So here's the plan for the Spring trip. Going East will be on (or near) I-40. Will be going through AZ, NM, Tex, OK, Ark, Tenn, & NC. Going West on the return I'm planning on using I-70, going through PA, Ohio, Indiana, Ill, Missouri, Kansas, Col, & Utah.

I would be interested in meeting any XSives so inclined along the way. Not asking for accomodations or meals, just meetings, maybe escorting me out of town. LOL Of course I don't usually turn down such offers.

The plan is to leave sometime in May, weather permitting and possibly arrive in time for the NorthEast rally on Memorial Day weekend. If there are any here or along the way who would like to go along on such a trip, the more the merrier. I'm planning this trip will last for about 3 weeks giving me time to visit all the friends in my old stompin' grounds in upstate NY.

Any along the way who could entertain the thought of being a helping hand along should the need arise, could PM me with their phone # for just in case, would be greatly appreciated.

I promise to give all here a ride report with pictures upon my return....

[exquized1]

Wow that would be a great trip too bad your route takes you about 6 hours south of me in Il. You will be going real close to Bug. We have a rally planned for nothern Il. May 13-15th If your close by and in the right time frame we'd love to see you there. I got a truck and will travel in case something goes wrong. Also have 2 parts bikes on hand. I am not good at fixing anything but can bring almost anything you will need. I'll pm you my number.

[Larrym]

Support Strength...

Planedick,

If pathfinder's "path" brings you near Tucson, AZ then I'm here. Can't offer a place to stay like I did for 3phase as I'm currently in a "displaced" position myself. I do have technical support and tools available for ya.

Also the possibility of making a video of you and Pathfinder should you decide to get off the interstate slab. (Sweepers? Twisties? Straight and Scenic???? Your choice.)

Sending a PM.


(So far haven't seen a single XS here other than my own... Your visit would double the population here even if it was only temporary.)

[CatatonicBug]

I plan to be at the XSEast rally in VA, so maybe we could ride from there back to Missouri together. Would be nice to have a travel partner. I literally live within earshot of I-70 in St. Louis.

I don't envy your trip across Kansas though. Get gas at every gas station you see, because there are a LOT of stretches that go a VERY long way between exits with any kind of services.

[cywelchjr]

I plan to be at the XSEast rally in VA, so maybe we could ride from there back to Missouri together. Would be nice to have a travel partner. I literally live within earshot of I-70 in St. Louis.

I don't envy your trip across Kansas though. Get gas at every gas station you see, because there are a LOT of stretches that go a VERY long way between exits with any kind of services.

At least his bike is a standard, which gives him a little more leeway than those with specials.

I know that on the road riding I can get almost 170 miles on a tank, vs the 120-130 I get around town. Wish I could find a venturer tank, that would give me almost another 40 miles on the road and another 30 in town. Every little bit helps. I'm trying to figure out some sort of aux tank that can go in my tailtrunk or in that area somewhere (I've thought about blocking the taillight since the trunk provides those in a far more visible fashion).

[DAVINCI]

So here's the plan for the Spring trip. Going East will be on (or near) I-40. Will be going through AZ, NM, Tex, OK, Ark, Tenn, & NC. Going West on the return I'm planning on using I-70, going through PA, Ohio, Indiana, Ill, Missouri, Kansas, Col, & Utah.

I would be interested in meeting any XSives so inclined along the way. Not asking for accomodations or meals, just meetings, maybe escorting me out of town. LOL Of course I don't usually turn down such offers.

The plan is to leave sometime in May, weather permitting and possibly arrive in time for the NorthEast rally on Memorial Day weekend. If there are any here or along the way who would like to go along on such a trip, the more the merrier. I'm planning this trip will last for about 3 weeks giving me time to visit all the friends in my old stompin' grounds in upstate NY.

Any along the way who could entertain the thought of being a helping hand along should the need arise, could PM me with their phone # for just in case, would be greatly appreciated.

I promise to give all here a ride report with pictures upon my return....

Rich, if you DO make the East Rally, we can ride together up to NY State

[MaximPhil]

Hi Plane Dick,
Hope you can make XSEast.
Phil

[planedick]

Maybe

I haven't made any plans yet that are set in stone. No real time frame, just dependent on the weather and meeting as many xsives along the way that I can. This ride report will be a long one with many pics....

I have a special device I use to fill the tank, and after others have to stop putting in gas, I can put in another half gallon. I have gone 160 mi before switching to reserve and did 180 before filling without running out.

The plan is to make the Northeast rally and as the time gets closer and I'm sure, I will make reservations in the motel with the others.

[The Lorax]

Dick, feel free to give me a holler when you get into Ohio, I am about 10 minutes from I-70 in the Dayton area. I don't have a bona fide place of my own to crash right at the moment, but by my I expect to have usurped my sisters second 2 car garage for a workshop so I can work on my bikes or cars or whatever, so if you need a cave to do repairs or anything while in the area, feel free to give me a jingle, I'll PM my mobile number. also, I do have a truck and tie downs in the unlikely event that something show stopper-esque arises and you find yourself in a bad way, I'll even drive to get you (a reasonable distance anyway). I would love to meet you as you roll throught the area, I've met a few of the guys (and a girl) from the site and everyone seems to be peep of the finest sort, so I am ALWAYS looking to meet another XSive. that's all I got man, sending you my info, have a nice day and ride safe

[natemoen]

What is this special device you use to fill your tank that you speak of?

[planedick]

Special device

I have a peice of 2" black ABS pipe 5 1/2" long that will fit tightly over the tank opening in my standard tank. Primarily it is to hold the rubber covering over the nozzle that we have here in CA to suck the fumes back to the underground tank. Since the opening in the tank is formed somewhat below the top of the tank, it will shut off early. There is a small air hole in this peice of metal near the actual top of the tank so I can fill up the pipe a few times and wait for it to slowly go down as the bubbles from the small hole exit. When you do this be prepared to ride immediately as the cold fuel will expand from the engine heat and don't put the bike on the sidestand or the fuel will leak out and be on the ground . When on a trip, I fuel up while sitting on the bike straight up and immediately hit the road afterward.

[CatatonicBug]

I have a peice of 2" black ABS pipe 5 1/2" long that will fit tightly over the tank opening in my standard tank. Primarily it is to hold the rubber covering over the nozzle that we have here in CA to suck the fumes back to the underground tank. Since the opening in the tank is formed somewhat below the top of the tank, it will shut off early. There is a small air hole in this peice of metal near the actual top of the tank so I can fill up the pipe a few times and wait for it to slowly go down as the bubbles from the small hole exit. When you do this be prepared to ride immediately as the cold fuel will expand from the engine heat and don't put the bike on the sidestand or the fuel will leak out and be on the ground . When on a trip, I fuel up while sitting on the bike straight up and immediately hit the road afterward.

Got any pictures of that setup? I'm having difficulty grasping the concept. Do you leave the pipe sticking up from the fuel fill opening while riding, creating a small "auxiliary" tank on top, with no lid? Seems REALLY dangerous...

We have the same rubber sheath around the gas pumps here too. TKAT sells a neat tool for dealing with that, but I just hold the sheath back while filling, and watch the fuel level by eye.

[planedick]

Visualize

I don't knw what's so hard to visualize. It's just a 5 1/2" peice of 2" black ABS plastic pipe. I just fill 'till the nozzle shuts off which is a couple of inches up in the pipe. Wait for it to go down into the tank and do it again, and again etc until the tank is full to the top. Remove the pipe, close the lid and be on my way. What is worth a pic is the ingenious way I carry it with me. Snaps to the inside of the fairing on the left side, just up a little and forward of the electrical connection plug.

PS If you fill it to the point where the bubbles no longer exit and the gas doesn't go down any more, just rock the bike back and forth and even more will go into the tank!!!

[CatatonicBug]

Oh, ok. So you don't leave the pipe connected to the tank. Not sure I see the reason for the pipe then though. If you use 2 hands - One to pull back on the rubber sheath, and the other to squeeze the pump handle, you can just pull the pump handle out away from the tank when filling, and let up on the handle pressure so it just "dribbles" out of the pump. When the fuel is all the way to the top, you stop.

[planedick]

Duh

It's so you can fill it up more and go farther and to put the fumes back in the underground tank like it's supposed to. You cannot add that extra half gallon your way...