Author Topic: Countdown to launch -- with pics (Read 17201 times)

rodekyll · « **on:** June 10, 2016, 03:34:57 AM »

As some of you know, I am barging my trike from Sitka to Seattle in order to join up with the folks at the National rally. It leaves in a few hours. I've just finished packing it. Even with the extra space I had to leave my cold weather gear home. As I write this I'm having some angst about that, but the armored and insulated textile top and bottom equal the bulk of all the other clothing I want to bring. So something had to give . . .

. . . In the future I'll be able to cut back a lot on the misc. luggage, but since this is the shakedown cruise I need to have more tools and equipment on hand than I normally carry.

. . . in the last few minutes I've broken a weld on the power seat fulcrum bar. Crap. I can block it in the optimum positon, but I don't have time to go over all the welds. If that one is bad the other three are too. The seat is still adjustable, but it's no longer rock solid. I hate it when that happens.

. . . T minus 12 hours now, almost exactly. I've finished packing and stowing. A light rain is falling. We're strapped in and ready for launch.
Here's what it looked like just before I loaded it. It was too dark when I finished to take another pic. It's green.

I'll have a post-loaded pic or two in the morning.

dsrdave · « **Reply #1 on:** June 10, 2016, 05:08:40 AM »

Looks great, good luck on the trip.

Dave Swanson · « **Reply #2 on:** June 10, 2016, 05:39:38 AM »

That rig will certainly get a lot of attention at John Day! Looks good!

Mike Harper · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2016, 05:59:24 AM »

Good luck, and don't forget your glasses.

Wildguzzi.com · « **Reply #3 on:** June 10, 2016, 05:59:24 AM »

rodekyll · « **Reply #4 on:** June 10, 2016, 06:02:08 AM »

Thanks, Mike. That's the same bike under all that crap.

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #5 on:** June 10, 2016, 06:09:44 AM »

Happy trails Dude!

kidsmoke · « **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2016, 06:51:35 AM »

Impressive. Such a well executed project. Safe travels.

ratguzzi · « **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2016, 07:08:09 AM »

Very cool!
JB

RANDM · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2016, 07:25:22 AM »

Roll The Dice - be safe, travel well.

Maurie.

chuck peterson · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2016, 07:32:02 AM »

Looks great...might be time to warn the inhabitants of the lower 48

lucydad · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2016, 07:46:48 AM »

killer of roads,

Travel well, ride safe, have fun! Dang beauty of a bike! Love the green and red.

Let me be one of the first Chee-chakos to welcome you to "outside". Remember, if you cut ALASKA into three pieces, texas would be the fourth largest state.....

AJ Huff · « **Reply #11 on:** June 10, 2016, 09:11:14 AM »

That is one awesome monster of a trike. Love it!

-AJ

Groover · « **Reply #12 on:** June 10, 2016, 09:56:34 AM »

Well done. Looks like a fun and very functional ride. The icing on the cake too, is that anyone would recognize you on the road (that know what your bike looks like of course)

Safe travels!

MGPilot · « **Reply #13 on:** June 10, 2016, 10:05:51 AM »

James in Seattle, here.

Neighbor down the street is a partner in a welding shop & is a motorcycle rider. Could probably lean on him for a weld if you want.

You have my phone number.

Matteo · « **Reply #14 on:** June 10, 2016, 10:10:03 AM »

See you soon Dave, I am a man of leisure again so I will be around when you get here.

Cross-tie Walker · « **Reply #15 on:** June 10, 2016, 10:26:19 AM »

Awesome! Look forward to seeing you in John Day

rboe · « **Reply #16 on:** June 10, 2016, 10:33:34 AM »

I LIKE it!

Consider a couple John Deere decals now.

I'm very keen on a road report once you get some miles in. Dang, another reason I'm regretting not being able to attend the rally.

JJ · « **Reply #17 on:** June 10, 2016, 10:56:40 AM »

A very cool rig and safe travels to Oregon!

I wish I was going, but I started a new full-time job 4-11-16...so I am slaving away!

Be to sure to introduce yourself and say HELLO to Jim "Jimbo" McDermott (- AZ MGONC Rep) and Andy"Tempe Farkle Labs" Barrett (Stelvio) who will be riding to the rally from Arizona!

normzone · « **Reply #18 on:** June 10, 2016, 11:49:11 AM »

Hey, I recognize that fairing style !

That is rocking awesome - the tires look appropriate for Alaska, but will you grow weary of them on our tame highways?

How is road and wind noise? I'm assuming you're an earplugs rider as I am - I never used to be, but now that I am I'm always appalled when I hear real world sounds on the exceptions rides.

Arizona Wayne · « **Reply #19 on:** June 10, 2016, 12:00:51 PM »

Hope all goes well for you, Rk. Hope to meet you at the National.

Shorty · « **Reply #20 on:** June 10, 2016, 12:08:35 PM »

Here's hoping your chariot serves you well. Have an epic trip.....

Texas Turnip · « **Reply #21 on:** June 10, 2016, 12:44:30 PM »

Looking very good. See you in John Day. Look for the skinny dude with the plastic pocket protector shining his bike.

Tex

rodekyll · « **Reply #22 on:** June 10, 2016, 01:01:28 PM »

Quote from: normzone on June 10, 2016, 11:49:11 AM

Hey, I recognize that fairing style !

That is rocking awesome - the tires look appropriate for Alaska, but will you grow weary of them on our tame highways?

How is road and wind noise? I'm assuming you're an earplugs rider as I am - I never used to be, but now that I am I'm always appalled when I hear real world sounds on the exceptions rides.

That fairing will be replaced by a frame mounted unit as soon as I get around to designing one. I put this one on just because I needed something up front.

I don't know about the tires or wind noise yet since I haven't had the trike on the open road. I'll be discovering all that as I go along. :)

Quote from: MGPilot on June 10, 2016, 10:05:51 AM

James in Seattle, here.

Neighbor down the street is a partner in a welding shop & is a motorcycle rider. Could probably lean on him for a weld if you want.

You have my phone number.

Hi, James! I might take you up on that. I just don'thave the time. I know what broke it -- I reversed two wires on the motors and got them fighting each other. So it was partly my welding and partly my wiring that got me there.

Headed to the barge now.

oldbike54 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 10, 2016, 01:29:26 PM »

Quote from: Texas Turnip on June 10, 2016, 12:44:30 PM

Looking very good. See you in John Day. Look for the skinny dude with the plastic pocket protector shining his bike.

Tex

Are you bringing a stranger ?

More like look for the old hippie whose bike has never seen water except for when it's raining

Next year you are gonna have to mount a side car to haul my narrow butt in

Wait , hmm , doubtful the organizers would let us in as a pair

Good luck David , keep us apprised .

Dusty

steveford · « **Reply #24 on:** June 10, 2016, 02:37:51 PM »

Awesome looking rig Dave!!! Looking forward to catching up. Have a great trip down to the Rally.

injundave · « **Reply #25 on:** June 10, 2016, 03:52:36 PM »

Congratulations on a very interesting and nice-looking project. I hope it goes as well as it looks. Happy trails.

Xlratr · « **Reply #26 on:** June 10, 2016, 03:59:40 PM »

Looking fantastic! I really like what you've done there. Hope you have a great trip!

johnr · « **Reply #27 on:** June 10, 2016, 07:28:25 PM »

Impressive bit of machinery you have given birth to there RK. The 1st time on the open road? That's one hell of a shake down cruise. I hope it all works out and you can send most of your tools home before too many miles have passed. I hope it goes well for you.

rodekyll · « **Reply #28 on:** June 10, 2016, 07:47:16 PM »

Yes, the first open road trials. Yes, I'm nervous.

<---- bad case of nerves

They called me back to the warehouse to look at a fluid leak.

It was a little ATF burped out of the overflow. Considering the choices, I was relieved. It's I na container now and out of reach. The homestead looks lonely without it overfilling the Quonset hut. I'm elated that the project is at this point, but at the same time -- after three years of immersion in it -- I'm going to have a hard time figuring out what to do with myself.

John A · « **Reply #29 on:** June 10, 2016, 08:08:09 PM »

Best wishes for a good, long trip!🏍

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Author Topic: Countdown to launch -- with pics (Read 17201 times)

Wildguzzi.com

lucydad

oldbike54