I just got home from a 5,000 mile one month long ride from portland oregon to julliet illinois on my 02 Savage. I covered 10 midwest states, some twice, and Id like to say the bike never skipped a beat and came home in better shape than me. My last days ride was from missoula montana thru idaho, washington and then home. 550 miles and 8 hrs of riding at 70 plus. For those of you that have not done something like this before, Id like to offer a little advice.
Stick to the major highways crossing the state. most are 65 and 70. the interstates are 75 and cars and trucks travel 85 to 90 Too fast for this small of bike and just about any bike for that matter! These roads just go on and on and it will wear you out.  I rode for hrs at 68 to 70 and this is a comfortable speed to travel long distances.
I began my trip with 10-40 wt oil and I found that using 20-50 made the bike run cooler and quieter.
Tighten everything down each night. If you dont things WILL fall off. Everything wil come loose.  Like my license plate did in wyoming. Blah!
Most midwest states seem to not have helmet laws and most dont wear them. I dont see how. At high speeds bugs and rocks hurt like hell  During thunderstorms with out a face shield your not going anywhere.
Do not begin a long trip on tires that are just ok. My front was new and my back was new last year but was worn bald by the time I got home . I had a flat way out in the middle of nowhere, and there is a lot of nowhere in the midwest. A trucker stopped and showed me a old trick that got me to a place I could get it fixed right. Carry some wood screws and a big can of tire inflator stuff. it works and you dont want to leave your bike alone 50 miles from nowhere
Do not stop where your alone on your bike. I found this out the hard way. A rest stop in Juliett Illinois. Pulled over to wait out a thunderstorm and was beat up and robbed of $400, my helmet, ripped my jacket, stole 2 nice cameras and cut my trip short.  Its hard to ride with one eye swollen shut.
The darn battery is a odd one.  you cant get one just anywhere. I had to get a jump every morning till I reached iowa and had to wait 3 days for a new one. Make sure yours is in good condition
Other than that I had a great time. I saw my rushmore, sturgess, wounded knee, custers battlefield, swam in the missippi and missourii rode thru the badlands of south dakota and was even chased by a buffalo in yellowstone.
One other bit of advice. know where you are. I pulled into a small town unknown to me as being on the crow reservation in montana. rented a room and  left as soon as happy hr was over and me being the only white guy began to look alot like custer to some of them. I just packed and left. Im going to post some pics as soon as I unwind
The bike gots lots of attention and good comments along the way. Ran like a clock.

8)Wicked cool story man! I could picture it all in my head just like a movie!
Congrats on havin' a tale for the grandkids!

Yup.  Lessons learned, both good and bad.  Very cool, bro.

It really sounds like it was a great adventure.

Back in the 70s, I drove a car across Canada, and back through the US. I'd love to do it again, car or bike.

Don't know about Juliet, but isn't Joliet the home of Jake & Elwood, the Blues Brothers?

Savage_Rob wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:06:



darn, now I'll have to watch it again.

Sounds like quite an adventurous trip!!!  Ticks me off that you got beaten up and robbed - that is nasty!!!  Why do people do such things???  Grr!

Glad that the bike held up!!!!

DianeS

Notch your battery box and you can run the most common bike battery in the world, the YB14L-A2. Lets the hose vent on the left side. $24.95 at Wallyworld, every real town has at least one of those stores (and more is the pity, I LOATHE that chain). I buy the CB14L-A2 version for mine, lasted 8 months without starting and fired off on the first try.

Sounds like a decent trip other then getting your stuff jacked. Wish my back was up for it. 20 miles at a stretch on mine is it.
-WD

mornhm - FSO wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:06:


Would you be able to carry a gun in the open, then? Like in the Old West, with a belt and a pouch on your thigh?  8)

At least, it would not be concealed, right?    

And just think on what kind of looks you will get from others if you go into a store or gas station...  

RW