800 mile round-trip next week. Input?

[Diskman01]

*Thinking* of finally taking my '78 E on a long trip. Sioux Falls, SD to Duluth, MN area for labor day weekend.

Any suggestions other than doublecheck everything and replace everything before you go?

Tossing the rear rack on with the seat back, clothes, tools, flat repair, lot of oil and a 2 gallon gas can.

Leaving around noonish on a Friday and hitting the super-slab at 75 the whole way. Already have a 750 FD conversion.

Any input?

[natemoen]

Carry a spare throttle and clutch cable. Carry a spare Reg/Rect if you got one.

[Diskman01]

I have the old clutch cable.. Not sure if I have time to order a throttle.. Regulator is some aftermarket one. I had to look it up once. Maybe Ill add some sheet aluminum to the base for more heat removal this weekend..

Just ordered the Motion Pro throttle cable. ETA says Aug 26th (4 days). Hmm..

Thanks for that one! I forgot about that!

On tap for this weekend:

Oil change, rear MC brake fluid change, fd and middle fluid change (Just did it 2K ago but why not?), add more battery grounds, adjust headlight aim, LED tail (maybe) I converted to electronic flasher last year, add a charge port for my cell phone.

[Bigfoot]

I broke a clutch cable up in Michigan after the lost rally. Luckily Tod had a couple spares. I have a couple ordered now and will not take another trip without a spare clutch and throttle cable.

I carry a tire plug kit with me as well. I have never needed it but have been there enough times when others have to know it can be a great thing to have. I also have a small 12v air pump that i carry on the bike.

[jetmechmarty]

I carry this. I used it once. That was enough to make it worthwhile. If you have tubes, a bead breaker, tire irons, and a patch kit wouldn't hurt. Murphy says, if I have all the stuff, I won't need it.

[trbig]

*Thinking* of finally taking my '78 E on a long trip. Sioux Falls, SD to Duluth, MN area for labor day weekend.

Any suggestions...

Yup... Don't ride ANYWHERE on Labor Day weekend! lol.

I don't feel like I'm qualified to suggest parts since I've been known to take pistons, rings, and everything needed for an engine overhaul on the side of the road. Maybe a bit overkill. I've downsized over time. You might make sure you have the simple stuff needed for the pickup coil fix.

But as stated, being a '78, it's not as easy as throwing a plug in the tire for a flat, so a way to take a tire off would be nice, BUT... my best suggestion is to spend the $49 and join American Motrcyclist Assoc. You get a magazine and lots of discounts for hotels and such, but the best thing about it is the roadside assistance that comes with it. I've used it 3 times now, once for Greg even on his tire blowout last year. ( I was going to say the bike was mine if asked, but no questions asked.) It's good for you and your whole family for every vehicle you and they drive. The wrecker shows up, takes you where you need within a certain mileage range, drops you off, and you never see a bill. They'll even bring you a free gallon of gas if you're a dummy like Greg. And no, I have no affiliation with AMA.

800 miles will be a cakewalk for your bike. It'll be ready for more when your butt is screaming, "No MAS!!!!!"


P.S. Oh.. and one more thing. Get a can of Seafoam. Put a half can in on your first fillup, then somewhere along the way add the rest at another fill. Good stuff. Nope... not affiliated with Seafoam either. lol

[JeffH]

*, lot of oil and a 2 gallon gas can.

Any input?

Not sure why you would need to carry 2 gallons of gas unless you are getting less than 25mpg. Taking I-90 then I-35 there are gas stops at regular intervals and no place with more than 100 miles between gas stations. Unless you have a specific reason or need to carry gas I'd ditch that weight & hassle. If you want to 'be packin' maybe a 1 gal just for the comfort level. If your bike rolls say 100 to 140 miles on a tank then you only 2 gas n' go + 2 gas / rest / break / snack stops anyway. If your mpg can get you between say Fairmont, Fairbault, Pine City then why pack something you will not use unless you have a known problem.

Same with "lot of oil" unless you know you bike is really burning oil badly. Maybe a quart for grins for a "top off" in Duluth for the return.

Go for it. Hope the weather cooperates and that you take the plunge. Oh, you said leave noonish Friday. That gets you into St Paul on I-35E about 5pm or so. I don't know how ugly the traffic gets there but the 35W MSP side gets ugly and isn't much fun on a bike with so many heading out for a long weekend.

Jeff

[Diskman01]

Not sure why you would need to carry 2 gallons of gas unless you are getting less than 25mpg. Taking I-90 then I-35 there are gas stops at regular intervals and no place with more than 100 miles between gas stations. Unless you have a specific reason or need to carry gas I'd ditch that weight & hassle. If you want to 'be packin' maybe a 1 gal just for the comfort level. If your bike rolls say 100 to 140 miles on a tank then you only 2 gas n' go + 2 gas / rest / break / snack stops anyway. If your mpg can get you between say Fairmont, Fairbault, Pine City then why pack something you will not use unless you have a known problem.

Same with "lot of oil" unless you know you bike is really burning oil badly. Maybe a quart for grins for a "top off" in Duluth for the return.

Go for it. Hope the weather cooperates and that you take the plunge. Oh, you said leave noonish Friday. That gets you into St Paul on I-35E about 5pm or so. I don't know how ugly the traffic gets there but the 35W MSP side gets ugly and isn't much fun on a bike with so many heading out for a long weekend.

Jeff

Ya, for some reason I vary between "Wow! I have 100 miles on the clock and I just flipped to reserve!", to "Holy cow! 65 miles and I'm on res?!". Ill probably bring the 1 gal. New 2003 carbs are on the way but will NOT be installed till mid Sept. Will map out the stops this weekend or next week. UNLESS, I take highway 23 up to Hinkley THEN up I-35. The hwy 23 route is long tho AND 55 / 60 most of the way. Nice scenery. Temps are gonna be HOT for the trip tho. Lots of stops and water.

Oil? Round trip to Sioux City (160 miles) 1 quart (last year). But! That was before the final drive swap and after the bike was sitting for a few years. Lately my oil consumption has been zero other than a pesky leak somewhere on the front of the engine. It's strange too. I usually have to top off every other day or so. I have been really putting the miles on around town and on the interstate and my oil level is still full.

Ya, I have travelled this route via I-90/35E for 30 years. I am going to try to skip out of work for the entire day. Then I can hit the slab early. Otherwise, driving in Minneapolis should be fun on the bike during rush hour on a holiday weekend.

I have owned a 1980 Honda CB650 for 14 years. I always planned on making a Duluth trip with that. Deep down I knew that the buzzy little 650 would suck for a long trip like that. Things are falling into shape for this trip with the '11 and I am looking forward to it.

I have a fairing, but I think it's ugly so I rarely run it outside of November drives. I have been sporting a nice large windshield that I installed a few weeks ago. The turbulence with the windshield is livable at speed. With full gear on it should be fine.

You are correct about the fuel stops. Maybe I am worrying too much.

[XJkid]

Heavy haulin'

With all that stuff, you guys must be pulling a trailer. What about all the other stuff (clothes, food, toiletries, etc...). If you are that worried, maybe a pre-flight check list is in order? Don't get me wrong, I carry a spare clutch and throttle cable and a TCI.

[jetmechmarty]

A first aid kit is a good idea.

[Diskman01]

Looks like I will be bolting the full fairing on. I tried my new helmet with the current windshield and the results were less than amusing at interstate speeds. I *really* don't like running the fairing AND it's supposed to be in the upper 90s during the trip. ugh. Any thoughts on running "naked" for 800 miles? Just the full-face, gloves, jeans and boots? Probably be way too hot for leather jacket.

[jetmechmarty]

Just the full-face, gloves, jeans and boots? Probably be way too hot for leather jacket.

I've done it, but wear the leather. Do you know what it feels like to hit a June bug at 65 mph? How about a robin size bird?

[Diskman01]

I've done it, but wear the leather. Do you know what it feels like to hit a June bug at 65 mph? How about a robin size bird?

bumblebees.. cotton t-shirt... 65MPH... Been there... Done that... Kept the t-shirt.

My favorite is when those HUGE grasshoppers commit suicide and jump in front of the bike at speed.. They aim for the edge of the windshield OR a mirror edge. They do that to achieve maximum juicing when they are torn in half. Spraying the riders.

Now I gotta root thru my storage unit for the purple fairing and bracket. If I *do* run the fairing, I can pretend I'm Prince in Purple Rain as I travel thru Minneapolis.

[trbig]

My favorite is when those HUGE grasshoppers commit suicide and jump in front of the bike at speed.. They aim for the edge of the windshield OR a mirror edge. They do that to achieve maximum juicing when they are torn in half. Spraying the riders.

I had that happen last week on the way home from Wisconsin. A big yellow grasshopper cleared the top of my windshield, got just under my raised faceshield on my helmet, and E*X*P*L*O*D*E*D against my forehead, getting juice in my right eye and clear back into my right ear. I had to pull over... it looked like I'd been hit with a mudball with legs.

[BA80]

I've used it 3 times now, once for Greg even on his tire blowout last year. ( I was going to say the bike was mine if asked, but no questions asked.) It's good for you and your whole family for every vehicle you and they drive. The wrecker shows up, takes you where you need within a certain mileage range, drops you off, and you never see a bill. They'll even bring you a free gallon of gas if you're a dummy like Greg. And no, I have no affiliation with AMA.

OK! OK!...............I have my own membership now!