Triumphrat

nagibe · 07-20-2008, 05:49 PM

Hi everyone,

I'll be heading over to the AMA vintage MC days in Ohio this weekend leaving from NYC.
This will be my longest trip on my bonnie (about 1000k round trip). I just
did a tune-up about 3 months ago. I'm having my brakes replaced tomorrow.
No problem with broken spokes since I had my hub rebuilt with custom spokes. No oil
leak and I just did a oil change last week. Is there anything that I should
eyeball or have a mechanic look at before I embark on this long journey?
My wife will be traveling with me. We're a slim couple and we won't be carrying much
stuff in our saddle bags. Even though mapquest says 8 1/2 hrs
I figure about 11-12hrs since I'll be taking long breaks to stretch eat take a squirt etc.
My only concern is a mechanical failure or maybe a blow out like the one I had
last year coming back from Maine. What should I take with me
in case I blow a tire and what tools should I bring with me if any?
I know I'll be completely destroyed physically
by the time I get there but that's why advil, beer and my heating pad was invented
so I'm good to go.
We are so psyche up:-)

propforward · 07-20-2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nagibe

Hi everyone,

I'll be heading over to the AMA vintage MC days in Ohio this weekend leaving from NYC.
This will be my longest trip on my bonnie (about 1000k round trip). I just
did a tune-up about 3 months ago. I'm having my brakes replaced tomorrow.
No problem with broken spokes since I had my hub rebuilt with custom spokes. No oil
leak and I just did a oil change last week. Is there anything that I should
eyeball or have a mechanic look at before I embark on this long journey?
My wife will be traveling with me. We're a slim couple and we won't be carrying much
stuff in our saddle bags. Even though mapquest says 8 1/2 hrs
I figure about 11-12hrs since I'll be taking long breaks to stretch eat take a squirt etc.
My only concern is a mechanical failure or maybe a blow out like the one I had
last year coming back from Maine. What should I take with me
in case I blow a tire and what tools should I bring with me if any?
I know I'll be completely destroyed physically
by the time I get there but that's why advil, beer and my heating pad was invented
so I'm good to go.
We are so psyche up:-)

Sounds like you have pretty much thought it through, and you should be in good shape. If you really want to prepare for a blow out you can take wrenches and tire irons and what not, but I take the towing coverage option and a cell phone personally. One of those emergency tire slime kits might be OK though - I'm sorry I haven't researched them enough to make a recommendation.

As for what to eyeball - go round and check all the fasteners, check chain state, brake pads, make sure foot pegs and brake / gear shift lever are secure, check clutch cable - check vacuum connections and maybe take some spare vacuum blanks just in case.

In any case - ride safe, take pics and let us know how it went. Have a great time!

nagibe · 07-21-2008, 12:51 AM

I'll just bring my bike strap and a cell. If I blow a tire
then I'll just rent a U-haul or whatever. I'll taking my little DV camcorder with me. I'll post my video when i get back.
I checked a few things today including
the chain. I also gave my bike a good wash and polished
the chrome REAL good:-) Tomorrow I'll have the mechanic
look at the clutch cable. Thanks for the advice.

CommandoRdster · 07-21-2008, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nagibe

I'll just bring my bike strap and a cell. If I blow a tire
then I'll just rent a U-haul or whatever.

That sounds like a plan! If you've never fixed a tire on a motorcycle before,the roadside is a poor place to learn a new skill.

Have fun on your trip.Sounds like a blast.

Cheers!
Bruce

NinaT595 · 07-21-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nagibe

Hi everyone,

I'll be heading over to the AMA vintage MC days in Ohio this weekend leaving from NYC.
This will be my longest trip on my bonnie (about 1000k round trip)

Actually that's 1000 miles round trip- don't sell yourself short

.

We do this ride every year. It should take you about 10 hours to get there barring road work & traffic jams. Bring PA/NJ/OH maps & check out the PA DOT website to see if there's any road work planned for your route (if you're taking I-80 there probably will be...I-80 through PA will take you about 6-7 hours all by itself even if there's no closures. I haaaaaate I-80!). The maps will come in very handy for avoiding the inevitable traffic on the way home on Sunday.

Keep yourself hydrated. I'm not kidding. I arrive at VMD feeling considerably less beat up once I started using a camelback but be sure to grab some water whenever you stop to fill the bike's tank/empty yours. I like to use this trip to lube my chain, too

. You might want to think about earplugs for the ride as well.

Leave early in the morning. You'll be glad that you did

.

Good luck & have fun!

Nina
should be T509
-----------------------------------------------------
The road to Hell is paved...so ride it.

nagibe · 07-21-2008, 12:38 PM

Yeah I don't look foward riding on I-80. Forgot to include
on my list ear plugs thanks. We're planning on leaving
bright and early around 8ish. l'm begining to have second
thoughts about going to Ohio and instead ride down to
Virginia beach.(800 miles) We're still talking it over. Either way I'll be on my bike this weekend going somewhere.

Baltobonneville · 07-21-2008, 04:49 PM

Take your tire pressure gauge and maybe one of those right-hand valve stem adapters, because you can't get some gas station air chucks on the rear valve stem very easily, or at all.

Here's a link for the right-angle adapter:

http://calmoto.com/SHOP/71111239258.html

nagibe · 07-21-2008, 05:33 PM

i have a mini foot pump. It's light and very small. It's
a great little device.