My longest trip

[paulapalooza]

This thread is waaay over due, but I have just not gotten around to posting! Anyway, I wanted to share my longest ride on my 79 special. As you can see I live in Calgary Alberta, and my father, his friend and myself took a ten day round trip to Sturgis and back this summer. Both my dad and his friends were on 2006 or newer Harleys but I stuck it out on my custom XS.

Im sure most people thought my bike couldn't handle trips with the modifications I did but here is a pic of my bike with the bags I brought.



Here is the basic itinerary.

Calgary to Livingston, Montana

Livingston to Buffalo, Wyoming

Buffalo to Sturgis (2 nights)

Sturgis to Bismarck, ND

Bismarck to Pelican Lake, Manitoba (our families cabin)

Pelican to Medicine Hat, Alberta (1000 km ride!!)

Medicine Hat back home to Calgary

Here are some pics of the highlights:

Getting close to the top of Bear Tooth Pass


Got to the top of Bear Tooth Pass haha. I was a little sore at that point.


At the Devils Tower near Sturgis


At the chaos of the Buffalo Chip!


It had to rain at some point.


Home safe and sound


The odometer (in KM) at the end.


Well that's it, I'd love to here if anyone else went to Sturgis this year. Thanks for letting me share!

[DiverRay]

Great post! It should probably be in the "ride" list, but that's OK. For future long, and short rides try a "street shield" from national cycles. I've got one on my MNS, and it works great on longer trips! Keeps the pressure off your chest, and you don't feel like you've been fighting the wind with your arms.
The great part is it just fits the stock bars, and isn't big!

[jwhughes3]

Nice!

Nice ride and nice pics - I like the seat... different.

Can you post pics detailing the back rack without the bag? It looks very sturdy and I am curious how you built it.

Thanks
John

[tom clisham]

Cool post

Thanks for sharing

[mack]

Great tour

Thanx for the pic's, looks like you had fun. I always laugh a bit when some one say's,"I didn't know if my XS would make it." If I Had to get someplace with a thin time line. It's the only bike i would take. Been across Canada several times on my 79 SF, turn the key and ride. Not once has it left me stranded. Ottawa to Vancouver 2 1/2 days, rained all the way across.Averaged 85 MPH through out the trip.

[paulapalooza]

Thanks for the replies, it was definitely an amazing trip.

DiverRay, that windshield does look good! I certainly wished I had one on the real long days. The best I had was my full face as well as my half head to deal with different weather.

John, I dont have really clear pics of the sissy bar right now, but I'll do my best to explain it.

Here is the way I modified the rear end of the frame.


The sissy bar is made out of round bar that I bent with a small little pipe bender. Here is the best pic I have of the sissy bar right now.


There are horizontal tubes that fit into the rear end of the frame, then I drilled holes in the same spots as the bolts that hold the rear fender on. I know that isn't really clear, if you'd like I can take some pics in the next few days.

Cheers

[paulapalooza]

John, here are some clearer pics of the sissy bar. Hope it helps.

[jwhughes3]

Great idea

Nice finishing touch to add the bar that way.

Thanks
John