2018 Colorado Rally, July 12-16

[Bigfoot]

Very good!

How’s the lightweight battery working?

Put mine in late spring last year, love it, 280 CCA based on however they rate those lithium units.

Fired the ZRX 1200 up after a few cranks on a below freezing Saturday morning, as I wanted to test how cold sensitive the lithium batteries were. In this case, a sub 2 lb battery spun and fired a crankcase of 15w40 with full choke in normal time.

It's been awesome so far. The bike has the luxury of living in my garage so it never gets really cold in there. It is attached garage but not heated. Gets chilly but not below freezing. I have not bothered hooking up the trickle charger but every time I hit the starter it turns over with absolutely no issues.

[Bonz]

Looking forward to riding with you and all the guys again this summer!

[Bonz]

Hey guys! Any new fellows that want to come join us this summer in Colorado?

There are guys coming from east and west, great opportunity to hook up and meet on the way for the journey! Wonderful riding, worth every bit to get here.

Gonna do BBQ cookout (Elk and Bison burgers at least once) at the K(OA)ampground each night, had a great time doing that last year.

4 months from today we’ll be finishing up the Rally! Wow, the time is going by quickly. Teaching is going great in my second year and the summer isn’t far off...

Getting the parts together for ZRX 3.0 ...(1.0 stock in 2016, 2.0 in 2017 with ZZR pistons and base gasket delete). Broke off part of an oil ring in #3 this fall, found it stuck to the magnetic drain plug at the end of season oil change. It’s apart down to the bottom end in the garage. Scored the Nikasil cylinder coating, the block is done for.

Ready to build back up when the new stock bore JE pistons show up. Got a second really nice used block the other day from eBay. Looks great upon inspection! First used block was ok, but the ZZR 1200 pistons sold with it weren’t useable (ZZR 1200 and ZRX 1200 are identical blocks, bottom ends, pistons swap and ZZR pistons have another point of compression).

eBay seller refunded $$ when he agreed with me upon seeing piston pics. I got to keep the block as part of the refund. He said his most junior mechanic “took that engine apart” and scored up the piston skirts.

Anyone on here have a good hand at doing a port clean up on a head? Would like to clean up the ZRX head while it’s off. Let me know.

Gotta stay out front of the Connies, FJR and other bikes (VMax “Beer Bet” never came to be last summer... ) come July.

[XJOK2PLAY]

Gotta stay out front of the Connies, FJR and other bikes (VMax “Beer Bet” never came to be last summer... ) come July.

Yeah... Good luck with that, Buddy!

[Bonz]

I love it... Good to have you back! I don’t have anything for that hot rod Connie of yours. You’re still a way better technical rider in the twisties than me.

[JeffH]

Cottonwood Pass

Just checking on the status of Cottonwood Pass.
Not looking too encouraging

Knew about the continued 2018 Gunnison County paving project but hadn't picked up on the point that maybe there is some re-do work on the eastern end into B.V.
Boo ........ Hiss .............

Here is what DOT is saying:
Chaffee County, the U.S. Forest Service, Pike and San Isabel National Forests propose improvements to Cottonwood Pass Road. The project would begin at the summit, where the CO FLAP 209(1) Cottonwood Pass ends, and would continue 18.5 miles east to County Road 321 at the Town of Buena Vista western limit. The upper 0.5 mile section is proposed to be widened and shifted into the cut slope to avoid an embankment failure slipout, address failing guardrail, and to provide a rockfall storage area. Rehabilitation is proposed for the remaining 18 miles, including subgrade stabilization; rock scaling, guardrail replacement, selected culvert replacement and installation, signing and striping, pulverization, and asphalt.

It is anticipated a significant portion of the eastern segment will be closed for construction in 2018.

https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/co/cottonwood-east/

Was hoping to enjoy the views and the new pavement. Oh well, maybe 2019?
Seems Cottonwood is whacked. Still lots of great choices. but was looking forward to Cottonwood Pass being finished and open till I read this

Jeff

[Bonz]

Yeah, not looking good for Cottonwood Pass, however you are so right, LOTS of other great rides. 12,095’ elevation and views on Indepedence Pass going over to Aspen will help ease the pain...

[JeffH]

The pavement on CO Hwy 82 going onto Aspen was in real lousy bumpy condition. Highway was sliding off the mountain. Hopefully that has been fixed. Can fix the highway, but not Aspen. Though agree, Independence up from Twin Lakes is quite the scenic ride indeed. No matter what, KOA a great home base for a rally with some great riding and many choices.

Jeff

[Bonz]

When did you most recently ride Highway 82 over Independence Pass? Will check it out for sure when doing the recon rides.

[XJOK2PLAY]

I love it... Good to have you back! I don’t have anything for that hot rod Connie of yours. You’re still a way better technical rider in the twisties than me.

Wow, Bonz...
Here I was, trying to get you all riled up to a good "trash talkin'" and then you go and ruin it by saying nice things about me!

Classy move!

Thanks, bro... but I've seen you ride that ZRX, too.

Biggest disadvantage my C14's got is it's weight, (and it's riders', too!)

Look forward to riding with you again, and all you guys!
Bob

[Jerry]

Just a quick question: Can everyone who plans to be there jump in and confirm? I'll put a list of attendees on the rally page.

I sent Bonz my deposit so I am in. Tenting it this year. Been a couple but I still have my gear from past trips and rallies.

[motoman]

The pavement on CO Hwy 82 going onto Aspen was in real lousy bumpy condition. Highway was sliding off the mountain. Hopefully that has been fixed. Can fix the highway, but not Aspen. Though agree, Independence up from Twin Lakes is quite the scenic ride indeed. No matter what, KOA a great home base for a rally with some great riding and many choices.

Jeff

Very true Jeff......no fix for Aspen. But, for a nice lunch stop, the Hickory House at other end of town can't be beat for quality eats and very reasonably priced for you'all. They also have and sell jars of their world famous barbeque sauce! Myself, have eaten there hundreds of times over the past 20+yrs.
From BuenaVista, makes for a great lunch stop by the time you all take in all the sights comin' across top of Independence Pass. That portion of IndependancePass to Aspen IS a seasonal state highway(82) open from Memorial Day weekend till snow flies. Have been involved with opening that road many times, many years when living in Glenwood Springs.

[motoman]

BTW, Colo. highway 82 thru Aspen is only some 8-10 blocks long.

[Bonz]

Here’s what I know... anyone going to deny their inclusion on the list?. Apologies if I missed anyone, so speak up for Jerry to get your name on the website.

GREAT time to add this to your list for the summer if you have been on the fence about this one!

JeffH- Jeff
Soccer4m- Mike in San Diego
Roo
3Phase- Scott
Motoman and Motowoman- Brant and Anita
XJOK2PLAY- Bob
Bohn Frazier
Bigfoot- Harry
BA80- Greg
rdmcguy- Joe
CaptonZap- Jerry
Jerry- Jerry
Sebastian_99- Sebastian
Sebastian’s brother
Bonz- Howard
Skids- Sid

[Jerry]

Rally page has been updated with Bonz's attendee list. Thanks.

Re Hwy 82: I have not been down there for a while but do get the Aspen paper here at work. North entrance to town was supposed to have been rebuilt this past fall/winter to clear up some of the problems. Round-a-bout on north edge of town was to have been enlarged and repaved an exits improved. One exit leads off the Maroon Bells.

As to the Independence pass side of Aspen, that road has been falling into the canyon for as long as I have ridden it. ('77 - '85, 2003 - current.) Nice late spring ride as seasonal waterfalls appear with the snow melt and with wild flowers blooming it shows off the high country in spring very well.