So many people chimed in on my last thread about my cross country trip to LA from Chicago. Much advice was given, and I am heeding the advice. After my bike was taken out winter storage she is still a virgin. I bought her with 3 original miles on her, and proceeded to only put on 400 last summer. So my mechanic and I decided a shakedown of at least 1200-1500 miles will have to be put on to make sure there are no surprises that will leave me stranded in the desert. Sounded like a good idea (best idea that was ever presented)
Upon leaving the garage to start my 1500 miles of shake down over the next 2.5 weeks.
10 miles: My rear drum brake arm snapped. It snapped the bolt connecting the rod to the drum. Then the arm was bent beyond repair. So I turned around and back to the garage for 2 weeks as we wait for parts.
10-300 miles: My license plate was stolen Illinois plates $26
300-600 miles: My bike was waiting to have a new kickstand installed, so in the mean time I was using the center stand every time. Lower front end means you have to lift the bike up even higher, more strain on the back and more on the lever you stand on to get it on the stand. It slowly weakened until it was permintly bent.
It was leaning slightly to one side, but was still solid. Just a bitch to get her up.
750 miles: Center stand fails, can no longer put bike on stand. And no side stand. Had to lean it up against a wall and position a car 1-2 inches away so it would not fall. Another day to the shop, this time its an emergency (its my daily driver, without it I cant get to work).
We fix the kick/side stand. We shorten the arm to work with the bike with its lower stance, reweld it on and spray it black to match the frame. reinforce the arm so I can easy kick it out with my foot and then get off. My mechanic decides to attach a "bung?". So it wont hit the frame. Sounds of idea, keeps it from coming near the exhaust, so my foot wont step on the exhaust when im putting the stand down. Also changed the rear sprocket to a 30 tooth for improved highway ride, 3600rpm at 60mph and 48-55 mpg of city-highway. With a couple top speed runs thrown in. (tach said 6400 rpm~ 106mph)
760miles: "Bung" makes the kickstand hang too low, now it scrapes the road on knee dragging left turns.
1200 miles: Went back a week later after ringing up another 500 miles of riding. We decided to get new carb boots, these old ones are all cracked and leaking. Plus I want a tune up before I leave. Another license plate is stolen, the kick stand still rubbing, my rear LED brake/running light is on the fritz ( the running light wont work), carb boots, and need a quick tune up. What else can I add to the list?
How about the moment I get on the expressway to head to his shop, my clutch cable snaps and leaves me stuck in top gear.
I have 26 miles before I get to the shop, plus 2 street lights. 99% of the drive is freeway driving, but if I get stuck at one light I have no idea how to stop. Managed to downshift with some force, gear by gear all the way to first gear and slow the bike to 2-3 mph before griping the brakes and letting it stall. Still had to push it 1 block to the shop.
Now she is fixed, she has a new clutch cable, new fork brace made out of half inch round bar
Added a new license plate frame that has 4 bolts to hold on plate, plus it has new brake/ running light. Shes only a couple days away from being ready to be picked up. And I'm ready for my trip and now the bugs have been worked out.
Ive taken alot of advice and have purchased a travel tool set to bring, plus I was worried about running out of gas so I purchased 2 camping fuel bottles to use as a reserve. Talked to a few BMW cross country riders that love to use them, they give them an extra couple miles if they are traveling to Mexico or just in between long stretches.
All im looking for now is a tank bag. Something that I can fit these 2 bottles in, another one for water, small bag for food, and for my iphone to sit in a GPS compartment. Not too big. I will still be bringing a backpack with room as well. Any help is appreciated.
Upon leaving the garage to start my 1500 miles of shake down over the next 2.5 weeks.
10 miles: My rear drum brake arm snapped. It snapped the bolt connecting the rod to the drum. Then the arm was bent beyond repair. So I turned around and back to the garage for 2 weeks as we wait for parts.
10-300 miles: My license plate was stolen Illinois plates $26
300-600 miles: My bike was waiting to have a new kickstand installed, so in the mean time I was using the center stand every time. Lower front end means you have to lift the bike up even higher, more strain on the back and more on the lever you stand on to get it on the stand. It slowly weakened until it was permintly bent.
It was leaning slightly to one side, but was still solid. Just a bitch to get her up.
750 miles: Center stand fails, can no longer put bike on stand. And no side stand. Had to lean it up against a wall and position a car 1-2 inches away so it would not fall. Another day to the shop, this time its an emergency (its my daily driver, without it I cant get to work).
We fix the kick/side stand. We shorten the arm to work with the bike with its lower stance, reweld it on and spray it black to match the frame. reinforce the arm so I can easy kick it out with my foot and then get off. My mechanic decides to attach a "bung?". So it wont hit the frame. Sounds of idea, keeps it from coming near the exhaust, so my foot wont step on the exhaust when im putting the stand down. Also changed the rear sprocket to a 30 tooth for improved highway ride, 3600rpm at 60mph and 48-55 mpg of city-highway. With a couple top speed runs thrown in. (tach said 6400 rpm~ 106mph)
760miles: "Bung" makes the kickstand hang too low, now it scrapes the road on knee dragging left turns.
1200 miles: Went back a week later after ringing up another 500 miles of riding. We decided to get new carb boots, these old ones are all cracked and leaking. Plus I want a tune up before I leave. Another license plate is stolen, the kick stand still rubbing, my rear LED brake/running light is on the fritz ( the running light wont work), carb boots, and need a quick tune up. What else can I add to the list?
How about the moment I get on the expressway to head to his shop, my clutch cable snaps and leaves me stuck in top gear.
I have 26 miles before I get to the shop, plus 2 street lights. 99% of the drive is freeway driving, but if I get stuck at one light I have no idea how to stop. Managed to downshift with some force, gear by gear all the way to first gear and slow the bike to 2-3 mph before griping the brakes and letting it stall. Still had to push it 1 block to the shop. Now she is fixed, she has a new clutch cable, new fork brace made out of half inch round bar
Added a new license plate frame that has 4 bolts to hold on plate, plus it has new brake/ running light. Shes only a couple days away from being ready to be picked up. And I'm ready for my trip and now the bugs have been worked out. Ive taken alot of advice and have purchased a travel tool set to bring, plus I was worried about running out of gas so I purchased 2 camping fuel bottles to use as a reserve. Talked to a few BMW cross country riders that love to use them, they give them an extra couple miles if they are traveling to Mexico or just in between long stretches.
All im looking for now is a tank bag. Something that I can fit these 2 bottles in, another one for water, small bag for food, and for my iphone to sit in a GPS compartment. Not too big. I will still be bringing a backpack with room as well. Any help is appreciated.
