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**Steve** · 01-11-2017, 07:53 AM

Good luck on your quest, but be VERY aware that if you are shooting for a BBG1500, you won't have time for chit-chat at any pumps.

And please tell us more about this " '79" Skunk. It was a one year only bike, but in '78.

.

**azr** · 01-11-2017, 11:31 AM

Sure hope you got your bike running better than how it was in the end of your carb tunning video. I'd say the reason it's not running well is because you have pods and a pipe and have not jetted appropriately to compensate for them. Fiddling with your mixture screws is not going to compensate for those 2 things. Have a look around the website, there's lots of info on proper bike maintenance. Good luck with your ride, when ever you do it. I always wanted to do an ironbutt as well, a friend that has done it says "I'd never do it again", maybe I'll pass....

**Jedz123** · 01-11-2017, 01:40 PM

Best of luck on your ride! I usually knock down a few 1K mile days in a season. It's easier to do on new aged touring machine... I wouldn't want to attempt on a GS. Bests of luck!

**Wingsconsin** · 01-11-2017, 03:19 PM

I have a few Certified Iron Butt rides under my belt..
But I have been doing them on a Goldwing so it's almost like cheating --

Read about my first one here -->> http://neverlost-justexploring.blogs...ter-day-1.html

Being certain your machine is capable is the first thing to do.
During the ride --
Staying in the saddle and keep moving is key -
Be certain to maintain clear records for eventual documentation
Gas stops are to be kept short -- fuel in - refuse out.
Eat light - but stop whenever you need to to stretch (quickly)
Drink fluids -- water -- too much Gatorade can unbalance your electrolytes and cause you to feel poorly too.

Once I get my GS850GL running well this summer I plan on trying a SS1000 -
Could be a trick as my range is about 125-135 miles per tank so planning and adjusting along the way are going to be exciting.

Good Luck

**Charlie G** · 01-11-2017, 09:04 PM

The variable traffic of the metropolitan area you've chosen may create problems, but I wish you well and welcome you to the site. I hope on doing one , but I'll head from my place toward Idaho, Montana & North Dakota! 80 mph speed limit up there

!

**Steve** · 01-11-2017, 11:15 PM

Originally posted by Charlie G View Post

... I'll head from my place toward Idaho, Montana & North Dakota! 80 mph speed limit up there

!

Good luck with that concept. Although our bikes do manage some reasonable fuel economy, that will be at more-reasonable road speed.

Actually, even more critical than road speed is WIND speed. We found that a few years ago on the first day of a weekend trip with our Goldwing group. They had made plans to be at a particular restaurant while the 'lunch' prices were still in effect. (They are almost as cheap as GSers.) We got a bit of a late start, so the average road speed was between 70 and 75. Not that bad, but we were also going into a headwind of about 15-20 mph, so the bike thought we were doing about 90. Her bike went on REServe at about 85 miles, instead of the usual 140. Quick calculation at the pump showed about 28 mpg. We were not at the restaurant yet, so we still needed to keep the speed up. We changed direction a bit, so the wind was not quite so head-on and mileage rose to a whopping 30. Later, on that same trip, with no adjustments, our speed was 55-60 through the hills of western Virginia and eastern Kentucky. We had four consecutive tanks well over 50 mpg, with a high of just over 58. Road (wind) speed has a LOT to do with how far you will go on a tank.

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**Charlie G** · 01-12-2017, 12:02 AM

Originally posted by Steve View Post

Good luck with that concept. Although our bikes do manage some reasonable fuel economy, that will be at more-reasonable road speed.

Actually, even more critical than road speed is WIND speed. We found that a few years ago on the first day of a weekend trip with our Goldwing group. They had made plans to be at a particular restaurant while the 'lunch' prices were still in effect. (They are almost as cheap as GSers.) We got a bit of a late start, so the average road speed was between 70 and 75. Not that bad, but we were also going into a headwind of about 15-20 mph, so the bike thought we were doing about 90. Her bike went on REServe at about 85 miles, instead of the usual 140. Quick calculation at the pump showed about 28 mpg. We were not at the restaurant yet, so we still needed to keep the speed up. We changed direction a bit, so the wind was not quite so head-on and mileage rose to a whopping 30. Later, on that same trip, with no adjustments, our speed was 55-60 through the hills of western Virginia and eastern Kentucky. We had four consecutive tanks well over 50 mpg, with a high of just over 58. Road (wind) speed has a LOT to do with how far you will go on a tank.

.

You make a good point about fuel economy and the wind. I had som really strong head winds as I headed through the area I mentioned last summer. My tank milage dropped by 30 plus miles a tank, but soon picked up when the wind died down. I would get about 160 plus miles to reserve with average wind.

**dorkburger** · 01-12-2017, 12:35 AM

Rob, welcome and good luck. I'll be following along.

**Wingsconsin** · 01-12-2017, 10:59 AM

Sometimes on along trip going slower is faster...
By conserving fuel you may take more time to make miles..but eventually the better fuel economy will save you a fuel stop
By eliminating the fuel stop you can make up the 'lost time' .
I have tried it several times on long trips on my Goldwings and in 600 miles I can nearly make up 20 minutes by stretching fuel stops from 200 miles to 230 per tank. Over 3 stops I get an extra 1/2 tank of fuel to burn before I need to stop allowing me to be farther down the road before stopping.
It's also easier on your body to not be fighting the wind, and elements -
Having a route avoiding major metro areas will be a great time saver...
My first SS1000 was across the plains of Minnesota, and North Dakota into Montana ...flat long no traffic runs...tank to tank to tank

**argonsagas** · 01-14-2017, 09:38 AM

I have never managed 1500 on any bike, but did get in 1200 on the GK. Once. Never got higher than that on any bike..

Safety will probably be your biggest concern as you have to stay alert for every mile so consider your diet ahead of time and get well-rested before you do it.

**850 Combat** · 01-15-2017, 05:16 PM

It is a 1978. I bought it from Phaseman, and eventually gave it to Rob, my nephew.

**Caferob** · 02-08-2017, 01:48 AM

Originally posted by 850 Combat View Post

It is a 1978. I bought it from Phaseman, and eventually gave it to Rob, my nephew.

Ive got another post going on the valves I just did but update is, valves are adjusted, carbs are bench syned, installing duane's RR now and should be running good in a day!

I appreciate all your comments and experiences! Please any tips are open ears and open eyes from my side. Yes, ill plan a few small trips before the big one. One of the smaller trips will be up to Forks of Salmon in northern California. An old spot I camped at for about a month after college when dredging was still legal.

**1948man** · 02-11-2017, 07:39 AM

Good luck Rob, Go for it. Get it running like you want it before you launch.

**Caferob** · 02-13-2017, 04:36 PM

Originally posted by 1948man View Post

Good luck Rob, Go for it. Get it running like you want it before you launch.

This is the goal! Thus why I have been working on the bike for the last month or so. Just need to figure out the last little bit and I should be good.

For a pre-trip test, I plan to ride up to Forks of Salmon in Northern California. I live in San Jose, CA now so it looks like about a 6-8 hour ride. Should give me some practice on endurance and what to pack.

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