Engine resto's

Gun · Post by **Gun** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:56 pm

I have two bikes that i've been working on, one opperational, one in process.
I was originally intending these to be city drivers, and i figured my lack of mechanical knowledge would suffice for some round the town drivers... however a buddy of mine has convinced me that a massively long road trip on these bikes is necessary. (one bike is a cb160, so good thing we are staying away from freeways eh? :p)
we will be covering about 4000 miles, from oregon, to victoria island BC, to banff national park in canada, down to yellowstone, through logan utah (for the cruise-in vintage car/hotrod show), across to sanfransico (not looking forward to that great basin drive in early july) and back up the coast to oregon. phew!

that being said, i'm going to need a higher level of engine reassurance in my opinion. I was wondering if there was anyone in oregon that I could pay to go over my engines for me.
1965 CB77
1965 CB160
I'm aware that I may have to commission two different individuals to do this, so please contact me if you have time in the next few months to do either engine.

I'm thinking of changing my sprocket ratio for improved driving at 50-65 mph. should i worry about that or is the 15-30 fine for that? take in mind i will be replacing both sprockets and my chain in april regardless, so there isn't extra hassel. I'm just shooting for optimum ease of ride.

I'm going to start a trip log that involves the planning of this trip as well, but really do need to find someone capable of the cb160 engine repair.
if LM or Davo have the time, I would like to send my cb77 engine to them... but i imagine they are pretty busy.

Vince Lupo · Post by **Vince Lupo** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:02 pm

Not that I'm in a position to comment on the mechanical issues, but I think I can offer a few thoughts about doing long trips on motorbikes.

Have you done a long trip on bikes this size? One of the things to consider is that the bike is not only going to be carrying you, but also all your stuff -- saddlebags, back seat bag, tank bag, the extra weight of tools, etc etc. Of course, you look at the photo of Robert Pirsig and his son Chris with all their stuff lashed to the back of their CB77, and you wonder how they made it from Minnesota to California.

So, if I were going to lean towards the CB160 or the CB77, I'd go with the CB77. Now, then the question is how this bike is going to do in those mountain ranges -- I've been through most of those areas you want to go on a motorcycle, so I'm somewhat aware of the elevations, grades, etc etc (and I'm sure you are, particularly since you're from Utah and are now in Oregon). If you've never done a long ride on either one of these bikes, I'd suggest loading them up with all the aforementioned luggage, and do a 'dry run'. How comfortable is it? I've done Canada, Rhinebeck, NY and Mid-Ohio with my CB77, and I have to tell you that there isn't much room to move around on the bike -- two foot positions, and no other seating position (if you have a back seat bag). Not that I'm dissuading you in any way -- I'd do a cross country trip on my bike in a second -- I'm merely laying out some 'food for thought'.

One other thing I'd recommend is getting an AMA membership and MOTOW, which is the motorcycle equivalent to AAA for cars. Worst case scenario is that they'll pick you up if you have mechanical difficulties and you can throw your bikes in the back of a Penske truck to make it back home.

If I think of anything else regarding long motorcycle trips, I'll post again. Plus, if you need any thoughts on places to see/stay in some of those areas, I can sure try to help you out in that regard. Wisely, I think I'll leave the other stuff to Ed and Davo!

BTW, this photo is from my 11,000 mile, 31 day trip from Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Alaska, down the coast (and Vancouver Island), across the lower 48 and back to Toronto. Also I had more hair then!

The most fun was the blown piston the first day out somewhere near Thunder Bay, Ontario (about 850 miles northwest of Toronto). Had to spend a week there waiting for the replacement Wiseco piston and for the bike to be fixed. Second most fun was the ride afterwards from Thunder Bay to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to make up for the lost time -- 1100 miles in 21 hours straight. Take that you Iron Butt riders!

Gun · Post by **Gun** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:30 pm

Thanks for the reply vince!
any and all input is welcome as I know this trip is nuts.
Here's the breakdown of what we are running.
the CB160 will run with the rider only. A 110lbs female, wearing small pack most likely.
The CB77 will carry me, 145lbs, with most of my stuff in a hiking pack as well as tools and other needs. I used to be a speed backpacker, so i really hope that experience helps out when it comes to traveling light, I did 2 week trips with a 40lbs pack on several occasions.
The Kawasaki Vulcan is 800cc's and will be carrying my scarecrow of a friend at 6'0" 135 lbs. (this gang is looking fearsome!)
On that we plan to pack on all of the cb160's riders material, as well as his stuff. He's really going to be the work horse that makes this trip happen. He's the only one with distance experience on a motorbike.
I really am not looking to push these old hondas anymore than 4000 miles is going to by itself. So the more we can slap on his bike the better. He fancies it invulnerable, and i'd be delighted to test that theory out. :P

Rough list of the locations we intend to camp/spend the night at:
Leaving Bend, OR
Astoria, OR
Courtenay Victoria Island, BC
Kelowna, BC
Banff, AB
Kalispell, MT
Gardiner, MT
Jackson Hole, WY
Logan, UT
Park City, UT
Reno, NV
San Francisco, CA
Eureka, CA
Back in Bend, OR

The stretch from ParkCity/Salt Lake City to Reno, will likely get broken up as it's a terrible drive. might be more interesting on a bike, but in a truck, i can't stand it (and i'm air conditioned and sitting relaxed in that!!) I imagine it will be a character builder!

I'm am very open to location/restaurant/motel/road suggestions along this path.

I'm going to have to do a bit of studying to make sure i adjust my carbs properly for the different elevation as we'll see quite a bit of variance.

Gun · Post by **Gun** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:32 pm

oh and the rough layout
though i think i'm taking lethbridge out of the act unless someone strongly suggests otherwise

Vince Lupo · Post by **Vince Lupo** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:25 pm

Hmm, that seems like a lot of stuff to be packing on a Vulcan. So you're going to need foul weather gear, plus warm clothing, regular clothing (x2 on the Vulcan), extra footwear in case something gets wet, tools, oil, lube, maybe some extra cables and I could go on. I think you might want to compile a list of what you should bring, both for necessity and safety. I'd even physically lay it out and try packing to see how this is all going to fit. Plus, how fun is it going to be for the Vulcan rider to be carrying two people's things (I'm thinking of the weight and bulk)? And hopefully you're not planning on camping, otherwise figure all that extra equipment too! Don't like the idea of wearing a heavy backpack for that long a trip leaning forward like that, if that's what you have in mind, but maybe I'm just getting old....

How long are you giving yourself for the 4000 miles? You're all going to have to base your pace on the 160 (not to mention the fuel range), as that's the smallest and slowest bike, particularly in the mountain areas. And you'll want to allow for spending a couple of days or more in a spot that you like, maybe Vancouver Island?

Somewhere out on the Web is the story of two guys who did a coast-to-coast on SuperHawks some years back, and it might be worthwhile to track that down and maybe even track them down.

Is there a ferry from Nanaimo to Vancouver? I know there's one from Victoria, but it's been a while since I've been out there. The ride from Vancouver to Calgary is 750 miles, and if you're going in the summer time, be prepared for slow moving motor homes. I actually managed to do it in one day back in '87, but that was on a hot CB900f and I was by myself. Banff is very touristy, but Lake Louise is gorgeous of course. Calgary to Lethbridge is nothing exciting (hope I'm not offending any Albertans), though east of there near Brooks is Dinosaur Provincial Park, which is very interesting indeed. Vancouver Island is beautiful, as is the city of Victoria -- don't forget to have 'high tea' at the Empress! I'll have to look at your route a bit more to come up with more stuff.....

eyedragaknee · Post by **eyedragaknee** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:02 am

Credit card, cell phone, Advil...and monkey butt powder

Gun · Post by **Gun** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 10:08 am

we are giving our selves roughly 3 weeks.
with an added day at victoria island where my girlfriend has family, as well as a few other spots.
we will indeed be camping! haha. i know i know. my 40lbs + pack won't be strapped to my back though, i'll have it strapped on the seat.
one of the reasons we are planning 5-6 months early is that we do want/need time to practice pack and all that. I'm glad that we have your experience as a resource, good to hear about things like the motorhomes etc...
we know this isn't the ideal set up, but my buddy canceled a move to australia and has a bug to do SOMETHING. I think we'd all rather try this and fail than not try it. If we succeed... that'll be a story. If we fail, an entirely different one.
Right now, one thing is for sure, if these two 44 year old bikes aren't in tip top condition, they aren't going to get very far.
I think we'll experiment in the cascades out here with the cb160 and how much it can handle, especially with hills. but first things first! I need to find me someone who knows the cb160.