Coast to coast in the U.S.

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Old Fogey
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Re: Coast to coast in the U.S.

#106

Post by Old Fogey »

When Cyborg and I were going through the Rocky Mountan National Park, we rounded a corner to find a female moose standing right in the middle of the road. Fortunately we were sight-seeing and going slow. She just looked at us as if to say 'who the hell are you?' and went over the side down the mountain. I hate to think what damage could have been done, probably to both of us, if we had been travelling quickly.
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Re: Coast to coast in the U.S.

#107

Post by mr west »

So we yesterday finally we arrived in Duluth.. It was great to visit the US Brig Niagara on which Amanda used to live and work about 8 years ago. Its really like a floating museum, even though the ship has sunk and been rebuilt so many times. We had a nice chat below deck with with her old friend, who has now grown a huge beard and became the Captain! Didnt spend too much time around the festival though, as it was just too crowded.

Americans loves their trucks. A pick up truck with a huge engine seems to be the everyday car for most people...
The videos on the country music TV channel feature huge trucks and there are even songs about that money cannot buy everything in life, BUT it can buy you a boat... And a truck to pull it...
99.9% of the trucks just carry the driver and the bed is empty though. So while pulling up to a gas station I was laughing in my helmet when I saw a truck pulling a boat at the next pump. As I took a picture of it, a guy came out confronting me.. I guess he thought I was gonna steal it, but after calming him down, the conversation quickly turned to his swedish roots and vintage stereo equipment... So after making friends I just filled up some "recreational gas" and we went on the way again. We are entering the mid west and theres a lot of swedish and norwegian descendants here. Today we might just pass close to Mora or Malmo, which I guess are named after their swedish counterparts?
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mr west
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Re: Coast to coast in the U.S.

#108

Post by mr west »

Old Fogey wrote:When Cyborg and I were going through the Rocky Mountan National Park, we rounded a corner to find a female moose standing right in the middle of the road. Fortunately we were sight-seeing and going slow. She just looked at us as if to say 'who the hell are you?' and went over the side down the mountain. I hate to think what damage could have been done, probably to both of us, if we had been travelling quickly.
When they give you that look, it can be quite intimidating! Happened to me mountainbiking in sweden...
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Re: Coast to coast in the U.S.

#109

Post by mr west »

When we go 60-80 mph the mileage im getting is around 35-40 mpg. Is that normal for the 78/79 model? I was expecting more. I guess our instruments catch alot of wind sticking out on the sides, so maybe thats why?

Oil consumption: still zero!
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Re: Coast to coast in the U.S.

#110

Post by Whiskerfish »

Yea the bike was built back when we had a national speed limit of 55 mph so above the the economy really suffers. 35-40 is about right for thruway speeds. They generally do pretty good up to about 65 mph then it really starts to drop off.
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Re: Coast to coast in the U.S.

#111

Post by mr west »

Would do you guys say about this tire...? Should i get a new one right away?
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Re: Coast to coast in the U.S.

#112

Post by Whiskerfish »

I would. Looks like a possible belt failure and sooner or later I would expect it is going to strand you. I have had a catastrophic rear tire failure but it was only about 45 mph. I do not want to experience one at thruway speeds double up and loaded heavy.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
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Re: Coast to coast in the U.S.

#113

Post by Sagebrush »

That tire is an accident waiting to happen. Best would be to replace it ASAP. I bet the date code on that tire old.
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Re: Coast to coast in the U.S.

#114

Post by Brant »

Looks like its fixing to split open !
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Re: Coast to coast in the U.S.

#115

Post by mr west »

As usual rain stopped at check out and we were on our way.. Going through Minnesota you get a feeling of how big this country his. All flat, so the sky is huge all around. Storms over there, sunny over there... You can see miles and miles away in all directions. We hit rain here and there but nothing that doesnt dry up quickly. The driving is becoming really contemplative, and i find myself zone out in a relaxed but concentrated state.. When its time to fill up gas I realise how far apart gas stations are here... 130....140... When the trip meter says 150 its really time to fill. But the station we found just closed!! Amanda locates the next station 20 miles ahead. This will take some real economical driving to reach... And wouldnt you believe that just as i turn for the station the engines dies! Luckily we have some speed to just roll in neutral the last 20 meters to the pump. I fill up over 5 gallons and we decide to try to make to Sioux Falls as there is a bike service there that is open Sundays and we cross or fingers that they would have a spare tire for us... Going 40-50 mph Im hoping I could manouvre through any rear tire failure as its just flat, straight, no traffic and soft grass on the sides of the road... At 10 pm we reach the motel, which turns out to be the funkiest so far... Bad smell, wierd neighbours, strange stains on the walls... I like it!
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Re: Coast to coast in the U.S.

#116

Post by Whiskerfish »

Might want to really examine the front tire as well, and check the date on that.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
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Re: Coast to coast in the U.S.

#117

Post by minhoj »

mr west wrote:Would do you guys say about this tire...? Should i get a new one right away?
Yes! Change!! Take care of your "load"
We are enjoying your story and all the pix a lot.
Take care

OT to mrwest:
Clutch hub and bearing didn't help the vibration (even the bearing was in bad shape)
Primary chain and adjustment shoe didn't help either
Now I found a leaking head gasket, waiting for parts now...
Maybe that will help
I had to cancel the run "Mälarn runt" yesterday, very sad to break the 16-years-in-a-row :(
/minhoj

Don't own a GW myself but my friend is wrenching and parking his in my garage...
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Re: Coast to coast in the U.S.

#118

Post by mr west »

Front tire we changed in NY as that one was really dry. Will try to change the rear one first thing today!
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Re: Coast to coast in the U.S.

#119

Post by TNTbefree »

Close call on the fuel situation. When I take a long trip, I pick up a 2-Cycle 50:1 Pre-Blended Fuel can and throw it in the bag for emergencies. I know, it's for 2 cycle engines, but it is small, sealed up tight, and works when needed.
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Re: Coast to coast in the U.S.

#120

Post by 82aspy »

that rear tire is a replace right away deal, at least for anything other than very low speed puttin' about town stuff, at best
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