Took the Griso up Mt. Washington

[jdelv]

Just got back from a road trip to VT & NH.  Took the Griso up Mt. Washington.  There were about 9 of us.  After we paid our $16 we went past the toll booth.  While putting on our rain gear the toll booth guy said they just closed the road to motorcycles due to the "soft" dirt section.  But we could go since we paid, just be careful.  Below is a shot of the Griso with a cloud behind it.  You can actually "see through" parts of it.  The motorcycle's "lines" are really visible in this shot.  Last time I went up Mt. Washington was on my vstrom.  But this 4-day trip the Griso rocked.

[lucian]

Nice  I remember as a kid when my dad took us up Mt. Washington on the tote road one summer in a Lincoln continental.The radiator overheated twice on the way up and the brakes were smoking literally on the way down. Must be an awesome bike road. How did the griso like it? I also remember my dad talking to one of the park rangers about the vehicles they used on that mountain road, and they told him the international travel all's they were using were the only current trucks out that would take the daily abuse on that road. They were beautiful wagons. Looks like a nice group of bikes to ride with, hope no one's worse for the wear.   dave

[Red07]

Hi Jon,

Looks like a great time.  I'm sure the Griso handled it like a champ!    

Are you still running those bar risers?  How'd that ever turn out for ya?  You know,... I really didn't like the bar risers at first, but I'm now running a set of 1/2 inch risers.  Actually been thinking about going 3/4" or maybe a full 1".

Randy

[jdelv]

Randy, I love the risers. Perfect reach.  My Knight Design lowering pegs (1") also make a huge difference.  Thanks! 

With the ergo changes mentioned above, a dry sack and tank bag, the Griso is a pretty good sport tourer.  Not so great on the slabs, mostly due to the suspension, not the lack of wind protection.  I did 4 full days on the Griso and loved every mile.  It tore up the VT roads, Kancamangus Hwy, anything I threw at it.  I don't usually take it on long trips, as my vstrom is the bike for that typically.  But maintenance issues sidelined it last minute.

As far as how the Griso handled Mt. Washington?  The road was angry that day!  But slow and steady and it was no problem.  But on that road the road camber, moisture, wind, blind turns, dirt section, etc can put you on your ass really fast!

Like it never even happened:


I do think my fuel overflow vent tube is plugged.  Gas started coming out of my cap at one stop right after filling.  And after washing it I noticed water wasn't draining around the filler hole. I have to investigate immediately, as I'm not really sure yet why it's plugged. 
See pic here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bypa6jiXzRsVYVhHV01YeENMNWc/view?usp=sharing

Oh, I also used the Griso recently to teach my Street Skills Riding Academy track course for street riders at the beginning of the week.  I planned on using the vstrom to teach the course, but again, it had to be sidelined for maintenance issues last minute.  Me on the Griso at the New York Safety Track in Harpersfield, NY.   (http://streetskills.net)

[Texas Turnip]

Thanks for your post as it reminded me some of my trip to the top of Mt. Washington 20 some years ago. The weather was nice going up. LOoked around for 15 minutes and then the clouds and rain came in. It was no fun coming down with a skinny-assed redhead on the back screaming while I'm trying to keep the bike upright.  I made it, but a car went straight into the trees on one curve.

Try and ride to the top of Pikes Peak before the road gets paved all the way.

Tex
 

[PeteS]

My last trip up Mt Washington was also over 20 years ago. The top half was unpaved. I think most of it has been paved now. At least it was dry when I went.
Jon, have you checked your oil. My BMW airhead lost a quart due to engine braking on the way down.

Pete

[kidsmoke]

I've been to the peak of Mt. Washington a half dozen times, only once by combustion engine, and that was bolted to a cage. It's been many years at this point. Not much like it when the weather co-operates and you get a view.

Sounds like a great couple of days. Congrats. Beautiful Bike.

[jdelv]

I checked oil today.  Motul 10/60 is what's in it.  I was down a bit on the measure stick. But I flogged that bike for four days straight. I expected it to be down more oil!

Side note, I also took an air hose to my fuel filler overflow tube and made sure it wasn't pinched.

[dan407]

Randy, I love the risers. Perfect reach.  My Knight Design lowering pegs (1") also make a huge difference.  Thanks! 

With the ergo changes mentioned above, a dry sack and tank bag, the Griso is a pretty good sport tourer.  Not so great on the slabs, mostly due to the suspension, not the lack of wind protection.  I did 4 full days on the Griso and loved every mile.  It tore up the VT roads, Kancamangus Hwy, anything I threw at it.  I don't usually take it on long trips, as my vstrom is the bike for that typically.  But maintenance issues sidelined it last minute.

As far as how the Griso handled Mt. Washington?  The road was angry that day!  But slow and steady and it was no problem.  But on that road the road camber, moisture, wind, blind turns, dirt section, etc can put you on your ass really fast!

Like it never even happened:


I do think my fuel overflow vent tube is plugged.  Gas started coming out of my cap at one stop right after filling.  And after washing it I noticed water wasn't draining around the filler hole. I have to investigate immediately, as I'm not really sure yet why it's plugged. 
See pic here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bypa6jiXzRsVYVhHV01YeENMNWc/view?usp=sharing

Oh, I also used the Griso recently to teach my Street Skills Riding Academy track course for street riders at the beginning of the week.  I planned on using the vstrom to teach the course, but again, it had to be sidelined for maintenance issues last minute.  Me on the Griso at the New York Safety Track in Harpersfield, NY.   (http://streetskills.net)

What risers are you using?
Where did you get them?
Any pictures?


That may be what I'm looking for.


Thanks,

Dan

[jdelv]

What risers are you using?
Where did you get them?
Any pictures?


That may be what I'm looking for.


Thanks,

Dan

Red07 (Randy) had the ones I have made by a friend.  At first didn't like the position and gave them to me. They are about 1/4 inch thick spacers and longer bolts.

[Red07]

Dan,

I may have a few more sets laying around somewhere.  If I remember right, I have one set that is about 1/4 inch and another that is about 3/8 inch.  I am currently using a set that is 1/2 inch.  It doesn't take a very thick spacer to make a big difference in feel. 

I am currently remodeling my basement, so all our stuff is packed in the garage. (Floor to ceiling.  Looks like an episode of Hoarders!). If you want to try them, I will see if I can find them.  Probably have the longer bolts as well.  Nothing fancy, but work well.

Randy

[Yukonica]

???? you have to pay a toll to ride on dirt roads that were supposed to be asphalt????
And $16 U$.... wow! That's like 30 Loonies.
Come to the Yukon where you can ride thousands of miles on substandard roads. Some with great views, others with wildlife to keep your skills tight.
All for free. And you don't have to worry about expensive Canadian gasoline. It's two for one at the pump.
I watched a guy from Frankfurt filling his pockets so he could take some home.......

[Dharma Bum]

Tex, Pikes Peak is already paved to the top.

[jdelv]

Here's a video of our trek up the mountain. A bit long, but it's the ride beginning to end: http://youtu.be/RJtq3cX1SUg

 

[DudenLA]

I love the looks of the Griso.  What a great looking bike.  The ride looks pretty gnarly, too.  If that was in CA you would have been passed by 3 Ducatis and then an ambulance with a helicopter to pick up the wounded. 

Wait, that even happens on a sunny day.     We could use the rain though.

[jlburgess]

I think if you remove the fugly charcoal cannister your vent problem likely will be fixed.  You should be able to blow air up the hose....

[Texas Turnip]

Tex, Pikes Peak is already paved to the top.

Thanks. I t wasn't paved all the way when the National was in Salida. The first time I went to the top was in 1972 on a '71 Ambo. I think it was all gravel. There was two gas stations at the bottom that had signs offering to rejet your car. Now the gas stations are sovenier shops.

Thanks again.
Tex

[sib]

I think if you remove the fugly charcoal cannister your vent problem likely will be fixed.  You should be able to blow air up the hose....

Different hose, different function.  Some folks like to remove everything they don't understand, not a good policy in general.

[jlburgess]

http://postimg.org/image/1wheolj5w/quote author=sib link=topic=77892.msg1224808#msg1224808 date=1438193712]

Different hose, different function.  Some folks like to remove everything they don't understand, not a good policy in general.
[/quote]
Hmm, is the charcoal cannister no longer connected to the fuel tank to use ported vaccuum to suck the fumes in?  That was the way it worked when I went to EFI school.  Maybe times have changed?  I put the link to the schematic up top.  Mine has been removed for 6 years now on the Griso.  I've had tons of problems with different brands not venting correctly so I generally remove them before the problem starts ;-)

[sib]

http://postimg.org/image/1wheolj5w/quote author=sib link=topic=77892.msg1224808#msg1224808 date=1438193712]

Different hose, different function.  Some folks like to remove everything they don't understand, not a good policy in general.

Hmm, is the charcoal cannister no longer connected to the fuel tank to use ported vaccuum to suck the fumes in?  That was the way it worked when I went to EFI school.  Maybe times have changed?  I put the link to the schematic up top.  Mine has been removed for 6 years now on the Griso.  I've had tons of problems with different brands not venting correctly so I generally remove them before the problem starts ;-)

The OP was describing a possible plugged hose for the tank filler overflow/rain moat that surrounds the filler opening.  This is indeed a different hose from the one that vents the tank.

[Lash]

Tex, Pikes Peak is already paved to the top.

That is just wrong.