Ride from Seattle to Champaign

[Planecrazy]

Sounds like a trip you'll never forget! Nice job!!

Regards,

[skreemer]

Holy smokes man that's quite a Saga... I'm sorry I wasn't able to be much more help on the return trip.

add your counter shaft nut to the list of maintenance items to check befor you go on a long trip... (Mine has a flimsy washer type deal that folds against one of the flat sides to keep it from spinning off...) on bike bandit it's part #470084-001 and they are $1.09

[p_s]

Holy smokes man that's quite a Saga... I'm sorry I wasn't able to be much more help on the return trip.

add your counter shaft nut to the list of maintenance items to check befor you go on a long trip... (Mine has a flimsy washer type deal that folds against one of the flat sides to keep it from spinning off...) on bike bandit it's part #470084-001 and they are $1.09

No problem. I'm happy I made it all the way back on the bike instead of in a truck. You should have seen that washer--the grooves for the splines were really beaten up. I think if I had done a better job of bending it in the first place the nut might not have come loose.

So for now I'm rebuilding the top-end from this bike and putting it on another engine that has a good countershaft. The leaky valve seals were irritating me anyways, and it'd be nice not to have to carry oil on my next long trip, although topping off the oil was the least of my problems.

I got in touch with the titled owner of my parts bike and he is willing to get a title for me--my bike has a twisted downtube and I can't mount engine guards, but the frame on the parts bike is perfect. Yet another winter project.

[Craiger]

Thanks for the story, Paul. I really enjoyed it and the pics. You told it well. Looking forward to meeting you in October.

[gbw]

Thanks again for taking the time to post the story. I also like/hate the way you posted it in little bits and made me wait until the next installment. Do you work in TV? You should be able to get that published in a magazine or something.

[terrylee2u]

Very good story and well told... it sounds like it was quite an adventure...nice you got to complete the trip on 2 wheels...

[Craiger]

Thanks again for taking the time to post the story. I also like/hate the way you posted it in little bits and made me wait until the next installment.

I really liked that. Made it feel like I was reading a book. A good author knows how to hook you and leave you wanting more.

[skreemer]

Thanks again for taking the time to post the story. I also like/hate the way you posted it in little bits and made me wait until the next installment. Do you work in TV? You should be able to get that published in a magazine or something.

Now that's a reality show I would watch... Crossing the country on an older bike with nothing but internet contacts, your own savvy, and a handfull of tools.

Though I will admit to watching Alton Brown's "Feasting on Asphalt"... both seasons.

[gbw]

Now that's a reality show I would watch... Crossing the country on an older bike with nothing but internet contacts, your own savvy, and a handfull of tools.

Though I will admit to watching Alton Brown's "Feasting on Asphalt"... both seasons.

Agreed. That would be good TV. I also enjoyed Ian McGreggor's Long Way Round. Rented the DVDs. Even my wife who is not a big motorcycle fan enjoyed the series. They rode around the world but had quite a support staff following along.

[Craiger]

Agreed. That would be good TV. I also enjoyed Ian McGreggor's Long Way Round. Rented the DVDs. Even my wife who is not a big motorcycle fan enjoyed the series. They rode around the world but had quite a support staff following along.

They're running Long Way Down right now on Fox. I've been watching it for a few weeks. Pretty cool stuff. They've been traveling from Scottland and heading to the southern most point of Africa.....15,000 miles in all.

[p_s]

If you like this stuff, you should check out the Adventure Rider Ride Reports:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=2

And if you look, there are people that have crossed the world on 30 year old scooters, mopeds, and bicycles. I'm nowhere near that level, but it was still a good adventure. A friend is planning a month-long trip to Alaska next summer. Maybe by spring I can convince my wife that another long trip on an old motorcycle is a great idea.

Thanks for reading and all the feedback.

[alton_blair]

Thanks so much for sharing the story. I bet next time you could bring a laptop and make a post titled "HELP" and have all kinds of people comming to your rescue.

[HammerHead]

Paul,

Great story. Once started, I couldn't put the book down. Being one of those overweight relics you refered to earlier I still love a fast bike and can't wait to try a cross country excersion myself. But I plan to do it on a GW. These days 400 miles on a GS can only be done once or twice a month.
Again Great story. I loved every line. Those guys that have to work 8 to 5 are dreaming the dream of a great cross country ride which you have helped in that dream.
Thanks again for the time spent on the trip and the pics. It was Great.

[twiggy2cents]

i didnt read this because i dont have the time but i also live in champaign il too!

[p_s]

Thanks for the kind words, HH. That sure is a nice collection you have. I'm starting a real job in a few days with the usual 2 weeks of vacation, so no cross-country trips on the horizon--at least for a while. (2 weeks would be plenty, but the wife is not into bikes.) I did end up getting a title for my parts bike & building one bike & one engine with the best bits from both. I also bought an AGM battery.

Hi, Twiggy. Hopefully I'll see your GS on the road sometime.