450 brain picking

[klparriott]

I tend to leave this friday on a trip that well take me from washington state to north carolina. I well hope fully be putting three 1200 mile days in to get there. I just finished building a 1982 gs 450 for this jurney. I have hard tailed it, stretched it 6 inches, running pods, geared her one up in the front and three down in the rear and many other small things. I posted a pic of the build in the tunning and performace section on this board under oil cooler gs450 if you would like to take a peek. So down to buisness I rejetted her to 25 pilot and 145 main have the fuel screw out three turns she seems to be doing pretty good there but if any one has pods on there 450 I would like to know what you are running and how it is doing. Really dont want her to be skinny and melt. Then I have also read on here that the elictrical is a big ball breaker as well. I placed my rectifor and regulater along with everything that is on the stock elictrical plate under my seat. Was wandering if i moved the regulater and rectifor to some where they got more wind cooling them of if it would help with the overheating problem. Any info any one has is appriciated. I would really enjoy making it there and home. I appoligize about the grammer and spelling

[tom203]

Three 1200 mile days ? huh? with a week in between each of those days? Hopefully, you have given your bike some good test rides.

As far as your regulator and regulator question goes, I'd carry a decent spare, like a used Shindengen R/R. I'm surprised you haven't upgraded already (or have you ?)- this is a big failure point and could contribute to stator failure and these bikes don't run well without a charging system.

[tkent02]

I well hope fully be putting three 1200 mile days in to get there. I just finished building a 1982 gs 450 for this jurney. I have hard tailed it, stretched it 6 inches, running pods, geared her one up in the front and three down in the rear and many other small things.

Yeah, the pictures will be worth the wait. A long time ago, I went from South Carolina to Seattle pretty much wide open throttle all the way on a Honda 750. It took more than three days.

[Steve]

Just ONE 1200-mile day is a killer, I can't imagine doing three in a row.

Even most of the guys at IBA don't do that, and the few that do, are not doing it on a raked-out, hard-tailed 450.

Have you taken it out on any shake-down cruises? It is much nicer to find out some of your limitations while still close to home.

Depending on where you are in Washington, one shakedown loop would be starting in Seattle, go down to Yakima, across 12 to I-5, back to Seattle. About 375 miles.

For a longer shake-down, continue past Yakima to I-84 in Oregon, then west to I-5 and back to Seattle. About 585 miles for that loop.

Even with the comfort and convenience of my Wing (air shocks, comfortable seat, cruise control, stereo, HUGE windshield, etc.), I seldom plan on more than 500 miles per day on a multi-day trip. If I need to be somewhere, I have been known to do 750 in one day, but I did not ride the day after.

.

[tkent02]

Thanks, Steve!

[Eric]

From the other thread:






I hope you plan on putting on turn signals and mirrors, and moving the tail light to a place visible to anyone to your right on the freeway.

Turn signals aren't required by law here in Washington, but they are in quite a few states. And most states (including Washington) require mirrors. Be prepared for some expensive tickets.

How much have you ridden it? I know I wouldn't think of riding more than a couple hundred miles without at least a windshield. And a rear suspension. That just looks painful.

[Steve]

Where's that little popcorn eating smilie dude?

Here ya go, Tom.

Turn signals aren't required by law here in Washington, but they are in quite a few states. And most states (including Washington) require mirrors. Be prepared for some expensive tickets.

Most of the time, reciprocity agreements will allow you to get by with something, as long as it is legal in the state in which the vehicle is registered.

Still a good idea to have turn signals, though.


One other thought on the trip: with a tank that size, you will be spending a LOT of time looking for gas stations. You would be surprised how much time is involved in slowing down, stopping at the pump, filling up, gearing up and getting back on the road. With a larger tank, the only adjustment is the longer time it actually takes to fill the tank, but that is offset by not having to do all the other stuff as many times.


EDIT: Hey, it appears you are getting a break. I just looked at a map. If you go from Blaine, WA (far northwest corner) to Wilmington, NC (far southeast corner), it is less than 3100 miles.

Better yet, if you start in Spokane (near eastern edge of WA) and go to Asheville (near western end of NC), it's 'only' 2415 miles.

Either way, you won't have three full 1200-mile days.
Unless you travel the way I do.

.

[pete]

Pretty sure this was linked in your other thread, but here's the adventures I had getting my 450 right with pods and a custom exhaust:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...ng+jetting+450

[klparriott]

I have mirrors on and adding a 31/2 fuel cell on the back of siisy bar. I well have totall of 6 gallons wich can take me almost 300 miles with no stops. As route I well be trying to take mostly two lane hwys and hopefully not just setting on the freeway the hole way there so distance I was told it was going to be is 3600 but well not know tell day before I leave. thank you pete for the link feel that I have been on the right track fallowing what you have done to your 450. Not to worried about blinkers got insurance wich is not required in wa. state but figured if I got stopped that would be more of a hasle then anything else. I have done 1400 miles on my hardtailed evo before so I do understand what i am getting my self into.. I have friends that do this every year and this is my first year but have wanted to go for the last six. so if all goes well hopefully it well become a yearly thing with a new build every year

[tkent02]

You have until Friday, you still have time to put some shock absorbers and a real seat on it.

[tom203]

I was young once -I think- so go for it and good luck! hopefully you got decent cell phone- keep us updated, might be a member on your route if problems arise. Don't watch "Easy Rider" this week!

[Broncoman75]

Well I wish you the best of luck, but you must be a machine if you can ride that far in a day. My math says that 1200 miles/day at a generous 75mph will take you 16 hours a day of riding w/o stopping. Take the backroads at say 60mph and you are talking 20 hours of riding without stopping.. I really hope for your safety and that of the other people on the road that you consider stretching your trip out a bit as I don't see how you can practically ride that 1200 miles in one day, let alone 3 in a row.

[klparriott]

shocks, windows, hard bags and chase cars are against the rules and thre or four hours a sleep a night is pletty I well try keep an update just for ****s and grinns for all you non believers lol hard mounted as well and no motors over 550cc

[Steve]

Sorry, but rules like that are rules that I can live without.

.

[Bookmon]

not that I have ever been close to doing it. BUT I HAVE read many a crash and burn tale of sadness woe.
Don't do it. The laws of bike riding physics will win and you shall be pavement fodder.
You might be young and get away with it this time.... but eventually, you will lose.