Bought a bike and road it home

[Andrew]

Last fall I bought a KLR from a fellow STN'er, the bike was on the other side of the counter from me. The issue was how to get it home. The first idea was to have it ridden by another (no fun for me) In the end it was decided to ride it hem myself. Yep Fly& Ride.
  Well parts were ordered, tickets purchased, plans made, vacation hours put on the calendar  On May 24th I hopped a red eye to the right coast.
Friday I arrived and was picked up at the airport to be wished to the home of a fellow STN'er. We drove to the DMV paperwork was completed (I could now ride the bike legally) We returned to the home and work commenced.
  Repars cosseted of new tires & tubes, brake pads, oil change, Thurmo-bob installed, seat recovered, fork springs replaced, rear shock spring replaced, frame bolts upgraded and a few more that skip my mind at the moment. Saturday the repairs were completed and a short test drive to the gas station bike felt good and ready to go.
  Sunday was clean up of the garage as well as diagnose & repair of another bike (well not 100% repair -needs an new choke cable).
  Monday started out, packing and prepping. once all was done handshakes and hugs were exchanged and off on the BIG RIDE!!!!
Monday happened to be Memorial Day so parades and other festivities were under way every ware. First off was to get out of NJ (not an easy task on an underpowered bike surrounded by inattentive and downright dangerous drivers) THe plan was to get to the top of Skyline Drive by night fall. On the way I stopped by Gettysburg )lots going on there (who expected that on Memorial day )  
Crossed the river on a ferry

Participated in a parade (well it felt like it)

Some funny road signs on the BRPW
Day 2 on the road took me own Skyline drive and almost half the way through the Blue Ridge Parkway. Many wonderful sights and the temps were a bit cooler up on the hills. In the late afternoon the clouds were closing in and a hotel was in order.

[Andrew]

Day #3
  I slept in a bit, got on the road around 10am. Found a real good loop off and back to the BRPW, lots of twists and a few Good sights. Once I got to the end of the BRPW I made it over to Cherokee with the plan of riding 128 (the dragon) on day #4

  Day 4 began lat as usual. I made my way over to 128. Along the way I stopped at a auto parts store for some high temp sealer as the exhaust leak was beginning to grate on my nerves. Knowing there was no way in heck I would be lucky enough to find an exhaust manifold gasket I decided to find a tube of ultra high temp silicone (Copper colored stuff). I planned too do the exhaust that night when the bike was cool.
  The dragon was lots of fun did a few laps.
Then over to the Smokies

   While there I found a dirt road that was calling me

  just about a mile in I happened upon a black bear. Not a huge bear, the bear stood on all fours about even with the headlight of the KLR. Before I could get the camera out the bugger hit the bushes and was gone. I know no pic = did not happen. But I know this did happen. The train lead me back to the dragon, so one more trip down 128  
  I had enough of 128 and decided to head west. Somewhere after Nashville the sky turned dark and rain came down. This was not too much of a concern but when the lightening started up I felt I had enough and off to the next available hotel. As with most side of highway logging there is always a crappy chain restaurant next door. Not wanting to walk or ride in the rain I gave in and to dinner I went. Loud people and crappy food Yep had some of each :thumbs down: But on the bright side the rain stopped for a brief time after dinner, You guessed it on my knees with the exhaust manifold in hand. Love the look of fellow travelers in rented cars pulling into the hotel and staring at me while all into the deal Tomorrow will tell how well the sealer worked if all good onto Memphis tomorrow Hay county up for a visit

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Hey! I know that bike!

Have a great trip home, Andrew  

[ConPilot1]

Must've been that KLR of your sisters' that was for sale?

[greench440]

Are we going to see you in Arnold?  

[Andrew]

Are we going to see you in Arnold?  

Should be back in CA by then,

[Andrew]

Today I call the booze days. I went and toured Jack Daniels and George Dickel distilleries.


 Never ten a fan of JD and after seeing the distillery I still am no fan, amazing use how much they churn out. Now George Dickel is another story, small and done with quality in mind. Of coarse I picked up a bottle, strange thing is it is a dry county yet I bought a bottle of booze

  Road a lot of back roads but eventually ended up on 40 and out to Memphis to catch a photo at Graceland


On the ride I did see this road sign
As if there is a non dangerous intersection

Going to head north, just not digging the heat (although today was cool)
The KLR keeps running well, appears the exhaust reseal did help but still not 100% It will wait till I get home I suppose without a new gasket there is no hope of a true fix so just going to hang in there till home.

  One week till the WCRM and plenty of ground to cover

[endo]

Great FUN!  Congrats.

I bought my ZZR from a dealer in Iowa.  Flew in, signed the papers and rode off.  It was a great adventure and makes me wish I could join you...

[MK96xj]

 

I will wave when we pass eachother this week.

[Skee]

 

[scottzilla]

Nice.  

[Andrew]

Today (Saturday I think) I started out north on the river road
Road a bit of the levy

Continued on into Kentucky
 

Hopped on a ferry across the Mississippi



After a while I made it into the Ozark's and spent a lot of time riding around the gravel roads, I tried to get lost but the dam GPS kept that from happening


I am somewhere near Springfield now and plan to make it across the corn desert of Kansas tomorrow With my sights on Pkes Peak for Monday

 

I will wave when we pass eachother this week.

Been looking for anyone on a bike but all I have seen were HDs and GoldWings But If you see me just wave

OK here's an interesting comment by a kid at a gas station today "is that some kind of crotchrocket dirt bike?"
My reply "No it's the new Dirt Glide by HD, I am test riding it for the factory"  I don't think the kid (20 something) grasped the humor in what I had said he just looked at me with a confused sort of blank stare  (meth is a real bitch)  

[viffergyrl]

OK here's an interesting comment by a kid at a gas station today "is that some kind of crotchrocket dirt bike?"
My reply "No it's the new Dirt Glide by HD, I am test riding it for the factory"  I don't think the kid (20 something) grasped the humor in what I had said he just looked at me with a confused sort of blank stare  (meth is a real bitch)  

 

 

[coho]

Today (Saturday I think) I started out north on the river road

Nothing quite as awesome as being on the road long enough to forget what day it is.
I love that feeling.  

[sagerat]

Ahh, a long roadtrip aboard a Kawi thumper.  BTDT.  They are noble steeds and I loved the 54-58 mpg.  

Happy trails, Andrew.  

[Andrew]

Starting out late today, sky is dark and I have seen lightening to the west. I am betting I will be taking another shower today, although this time I will be ATGATT......  more to follow

[naustin]

   Cool!  Be safe.

[bluepoof]

Looks like today is chock full o' Kansas.    Keep up the faith -- the Rockies beckon!  

[Andrew]

Yes Blue, today was the Great State of Corn  Drone Drone Drone an I there yet? Done drone drone .......  

OK the day started out late as usual, LATE. being that the TV weather chanel was saying rain and lightening I was not in the mode to head out into it. Well once on the road I realized just why I do not like the TV. The hardest rain was when I was putting the luggage on the bike :face palm: The rest of the rain amounted to light drizzle, not eleven enough to have put on the rain gear  
  I did see and pass two sport bikes, tailgating an 18 wheeler, seriously WTF TAILGATING A PETERBUILT !!!!  Well at least they waved

On to the Pics

Saw this yesterday, normally I never see satellites on the ground, Not sure where I was but it was at the center of town  

about 100 feet away


This morning looked real wet, but alas just a tease

Anyone up for a drink



Starting into The Great Corn State


I did see a few statutes that caught my eye



Sorry no pics of the Colorado state line, road construction and big White truck on my 6 prevented me from pulling off.

Hopefully Pikes Peak tomorrow

[bluepoof]

Sorry no pics of the Colorado state line, road construction and big White truck on my 6 prevented me from pulling off.

I hate that!  Don't they know we have obsessive-compulsive photos to take??