2009 Iron Butt Rally... on a 33 year old rotary Suzuki

[Slonishku]

11 days and 11,000 miles hoping this thing stays properly adjusted the whole way... yeah, that's the carb. Or a scale model of the mining vessel "Nostromo" from Alien.

[Slonishku]

Here are a couple of progress pics... the bike two weeks ago, and the bike today. The fairing is obvious. Other visible changes are new forks, repositioned brake calipers, steel braided brake lines, tubeless alloy rims with (fatter but still skinny) tubeless tires, and the HID projector stolen from Flash Gordon.

Keep in mind, a lot of the improvement in appearance is due to the rust-masking effect of the fairing!  




Today:




Edit: Bad HTML Kung Fu

[Tony T]

Did you give up on the aux fuel cell or is hidden in the flaring?  


 

[greench440]

I love the Flash Gordon headlight.  

[DNA]

I love the Flash Gordon headlight.  

 


Have you loaded it up and done a full scale test with GPS at night yet?

A nice 500 mile night ride with fuel stops will really sort out (reveal) a lot of logistical issues. That is the time I really hate the most 1-4AM.

-DNA

[Slonishku]

The aux tank is going back on tonight after I get the Pro-Oiler installed. The aux tank is set up to be easilly removed, held in place with cargo straps. The whole tank sits on a wood platform. Under the platform are four heavy steel brackets. The front pair have a notch cut out of the bottom of each and rest on some heavy iron saddlebag mounts for support. The rear pair have semicircular coutouts at the bottom of the legs to hold onto the rear subframe ends. Pretty stable so far...

The anti-slosh foam is in place, now I just have to figure out the overflow hose, etc.

[2wTraveler]

I have a feeling we are going to be hearing stories about the 2009 IBR for many years to come  

[Davo]

The anti-slosh foam is in place, now I just have to figure out the overflow hose, etc.

Oh that's easy, just attach it to the tank and run the other end away from it................ yeah I know I just can't help myself at times  

Well done so far, its been a journey alright.

[Slonishku]

Argh! I just was installing my Pro-Oiler and realized that Pablo supplied me with the smallest resevoir bottle they make! GRRRRR!  

They make several resevoir sizes from 125ml up to 500ml and they gave me a 125ml bottle. With a 90-sum odd link 630 chain, I doubt that is going to last an awfully long time (by IBR standards).

The supplier is in Belgium, so I doubt I'll get another by my departure date, about 2 weeks from now. Oh well, still better than spray on chain lube. I'll just have to keep the resevoir mounted in an accessable place.

EDIT: See my next post. Pablo is coming through, and responded to my issue with lightning speed. I should have known better than to get too concerned- Pablo had always been quick to respond.

Nom nom nom... eating crow now...

[jwhite518]

I tellya, that bike is coming along real good. I am a fan for sure. Anybody riding that thing in the IBR gets a serious dose of respect.  

[birdrunner]

Argh! I just was installing my Pro-Oiler and realized that Pablo supplied me with the smallest resevoir bottle they make! GRRRRR!  

They make several resevoir sizes from 125ml up to 500ml and gawd dammit, they gave me a 125ml bottle. With a 90-sum odd link 630 chain, I doubt that is going to last an awfully long time (by IBR standards).

The supplier is in Belgium, so I doubt I'll get another by my departure date, about 2 weeks from now. Oh well, still better than spray on chain lube. I'll just have to keep the resevoir mounted in an accessable place.

I'd bet that Pablo will get you one w/in a week.

[CLAY]

Argh! I just was installing my Pro-Oiler and realized that Pablo supplied me with the smallest resevoir bottle they make! GRRRRR!  

They make several resevoir sizes from 125ml up to 500ml and gawd dammit, they gave me a 125ml bottle. With a 90-sum odd link 630 chain, I doubt that is going to last an awfully long time (by IBR standards).

The supplier is in Belgium, so I doubt I'll get another by my departure date, about 2 weeks from now. Oh well, still better than spray on chain lube. I'll just have to keep the resevoir mounted in an accessable place.

Call Pablo- I bet he can get you one well within the two-wek limit.  He's a great guy to work with.

[Slonishku]

Pablo is coming through! I wrote to him last night and he has already gotten back to me with measurements for the larger sized bottles. He just wants me to check that whatever he sends out will fit properly so as not to be wasteful.

[Slonishku]

We have liftoff! Liftoff of the RE5, on its way to be looked over by the expert himself, Jess Stockwell, the new face of Rotary Recycle. Jess has generously offered to give the RE5 a thourough going over out at his shop in Eastern Tennessee.

How is it getting there? That's the truly amazing part. I was trying like hell to arrange transportation when my wife says "Sweetie, just throw it in your truck. I'll get going Friday morning and have it to Jess on Sunday."        

How is that venture going? See for yourself! Here's a link to the live STM SPOT tracker of her priogress!

ftp://http://jasonjonas.org/spot/tripViewer.do?id=2408&p=Gillon

BEST     WIFE     EVAR!!!

[greench440]

I noticed your spot was moving east earlier today.  I thought it was a shakedown run.  Good luck.

[Black Ice]

We have liftoff! Liftoff of the RE5, on its way to be looked over by the expert himself, Jess Stockwell, the new face of Rotary Recycle. Jess has generously offered to give the RE5 a thourough going over out at his shop in Eastern Tennessee.

How is it getting there? That's the truly amazing part. I was trying like hell to arrange transportation when my wife says "Sweetie, just throw it in your truck. I'll get going Friday morning and have it to Jess on Sunday."        

How is that venture going? See for yourself! Here's a link to the live STM SPOT tracker of her priogress!

ftp://http://jasonjonas.org/spot/tripViewer.do?id=2408&p=Gillon

BEST     WIFE     EVAR!!!

Your wife kicks ass.  

[Bounce]

Your wife kicks ass.  

mainly his when he's not where/when he's supposed to be.

[jwhite518]

BEST     WIFE     EVAR!!!

 

Steph rocks!

[Andrew]

Just put the bike in the back of the truck and I will bring it across the country for you??? OMG

I am shocked and stunned, thats the nicest thing I have ever herd

Alex you are truly a blessed man  

[Slonishku]

Well, the bike is safely in the hamlet of Estil Springs, TN in the garage of Jess Stockwell, the new owner of Rotary Recycle. He gave a slightly grim initial assessment, but I don't share his pessimism at this point.

On the other hand, I now have to figure out how to make the 1-2 hour trip from the Nashvill airport to Estil Springs. No major car rental places near there, and no one seems to rent pickups one-way.

I'm considering renting a U-Haul one-way to Spartanburg. The trouble is, I cant see how one would safely tie down a motorcycle in a U-Haul. does anyone have experience with doing that?

Alternately, is there anyone in the area who would be willing to haul the bike and I to Spartanburg from Estil Springs for about $350?

Man, lots of moving parts!!!