'83 GL1100 Aspencade getting back on the road

[BIGmackie]

Tires are brand new, wires were addressed when the engine came out. I'm lacking spare parts...

If you guys sign off on this as a good idea, that gives me confidence. Now I've just got to convince the wife that it's a good plan.

 

[dan filipi]

That would be an awesome trip this time of year especially after all the rain we've had, lots of green!

 

[BIGmackie]

I'm thinking about taking the 101 down the Oregon coast to hwy 1, then taking the 8 out of San Diego to Tucson. It looks like it would be the trip of a lifetime, 1800 miles in 3-4 days.

 

[dan filipi]

If you do make the run let me know so we can meet up somewhere.

 

[mcgovern61]

I kept hesitating to take my bike further than 40 minutes from home after restoration. But last summer I did a road trip out to Ohio and then down through Kentucky to Indiana and back to New Jersey at an average of 75 MPH for 2800 miles and the bike ran better and better every 100 miles! These bikes like the road!!!

 

[BIGmackie]

Road trials: The finale

Today began much like any other Firday should have, I had a few errands to run, so I took the Wing. 200 miles later I came home...
The end.

I actually had to run to the bank in Burlinton, about 26 miles away, and with gas costing what it does, I jumped on the (becoming) trusty wing and headed to town. After all my errands were done, I took scenic route 9 North, then east on 542 towards Mount Baker. I turned around in Glacier because it was getting really cold and I wasn't dressed for that kind of weather.

I only took these three pictures the whole trip:
The wing at a distance:


Self portrait, I look bad. It was cold:


The Wing up close, you can see from all the greenery how green it is:


These were all taken in Glacier at the turn around. From here I took the 542 West all the way to the I-5. It was about time I did a highway test. Only did about 30 miles at 70 mph, but the wing ate it up like it was nothin'. From there I stopped off in Burlington for gas, the ODO read 150.3, but it was probably more like 148. From there it was just another 36 miles to home. 186 on the ODO when I pulled it into the garage.

That puts me at somewhere over 300 miles of test miles and I've only had 1 problem (sending unit/ my stupidity). I did the math on this trips gas milage, 35 MPG; not any better than before. I did have ATF in this tank and I could feel a difference in the lower RPM. I think the lesser gas milage probably has to do with the freeway driving and a bunch of stop and go stuff running errands. I'm going to say that testing is complete, from now on I'm riding for fun, not science. I will still continue to refine this beast as time goes on though.

As far as the trip to AZ, I'm still waiting on the go-ahead from the wife...

 

[dan filipi]

Nice how these bikes eat up the freeway eh?
Right at home.

35 mpg is about right with stop and go, that's what I get.

 

[slabghost]

As far as the trip to AZ, I'm still waiting on the go-ahead from the wife...



Gotta do a road trial two up. Purely scientific you know. Gotta have wifey on a long shakedown to check performance ,mileage, and your ability to find suitable sustenance.(Take her to dinner) 200 happy miles and she might like the idea much better. :smilie_happy:

 

[mcgovern61]

Sure is fun isn't it! :music: :music3:

Glad to hear your confidence is building in the bike! Have fun with it and be sure you can depend on this machinery.

 

[BIGmackie]

Gotta do a road trial two up. Purely scientific you know. Gotta have wifey on a long shakedown to check performance ,mileage, and your ability to find suitable sustenance.(Take her to dinner) 200 happy miles and she might like the idea much better. :smilie_happy:

This idea is pure genius! Except the reason I'm heading to Arizona is that's where the wife is right now. She did finally give me permission to pull the trigger on this thing, so I'll be leaving Washington on the 29th and hoping to get there the 1st or 2nd of May.

I'll post up the planned route as soon as I figure it out. I'll post up a ride report in a different thread after everything is over and I've recollected my wits.
for now, back to work.

 

[BIGmackie]

working the night shift has given me lots of time to play during the day. Here's the "finished" product:



The butt shot:


Another angle:


The view from the other side of the road:


The paint is not anywhere near perfect. I'd call it a 30 footer. She's rolling great down the road these days and I think actually feels better with the bags on the back. I'm calling this done for now, but it's an eternal work-in-progress. I don't think I'll be done tweaking this thing until I get rid of it, I die, or it decides to push up dasies.

I'm getting ready to hit the road to AZ this friday, fingers crossed that everything goes alright. I've assembled quite an extensive tool kit along with extra fluids and a healthy contingency plan.

Wish me luck. As previously stated, I'll post a ride report once all is said and done.

Here's the route:

 

[dan filipi]

That's a beautiful ride.
We might pass each other actually, I'm heading North on Saturday for the sidecar rally in Los Osos.
Where will you be Saturday morning, maybe we can hook up.

 

[BIGmackie]

Where will you be Saturday morning, maybe we can hook up.

Part of the beauty of this trip is that I've got no clue where I'll be on Saturday morning because I've go nowhere to be!!

That being said I'm leaving in the afternoon-ish on Friday and would like to make it to tillamook area before sundown. I'm not staying in a single hotel the whole way out, so it's gonna be a great stray away from the hustle and bustle of real life. The phones only gonna be for emergencies.

I took a long hard look at the Los Osos trip to see if I could make it there in time, but I don't think it'll be in the cards. If things change I'll be sure to update you.

 

[BIGmackie]

Anyone still paying attention here? I made it safely to AZ, it's been the best adventure of my life! I'm gonna start the return trip on the 8th and I'll post some pics if anyone is interested.
Here's a teaser:

 

[toytender01]

Been through the tree,,,Had a 62 corvare at the time so was able th drive through. The last time I stopped trere I was in a 95 one ton dulley, was not able to drive through then. Great ride if you took the old highway through the giant redwoods...love that run. Need more pics,,,,,Be safe and enjoy and be safe and take lots of pics and be safe... Wish I could go with you but be safe

 

[dan filipi]

Oh I am interested!

More pics and tell us about the trip so far!!
Stuff you've seen, your route, how was the weather.


opcorn:

 

[joedrum]

great mackie im glad its going good ....thats a long trip and your on a great bike.... :mrgreen:

 

[paddy.shadow]

I are jealous :mrgreen:

 

[mcgovern61]

Of course we are still interested!!! This is exciting! How is the bike running?

 

[BIGmackie]

Of course we are still interested!!! This is exciting! How is the bike running?

More details to come, I'm still in AZ relaxing. Bike is running like a well oiled machine, and I'm planning my return trip thru Montana. Should be fun!