Author Topic: (Mini) Southern Spine raid trip report (Read 9002 times)

Chuck in Indiana · « **on:** June 04, 2017, 01:54:12 PM »

Brad (the Kid) and I hadn’t done a ride together since the 3 days of freezing rain at the Michigan rally a couple of years back. We decided to go south this year, and the Mutton run looked like a good start. Unfortunately, Mr. Hagen let a little near death experience

sour the trip and the great mutton run was called off.
It was probably a good thing.. the Weather channel people were almost orgasmic telling about the storms that were traveling through the south at the time.
At any rate, the Kid rolled in with Spot on the trailer, and we loaded up.
The Mighty Scura packed and ready.. I thought.

2017-06-04_01-44-04 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Being seasoned aviators, we decided we could miss the worst of the weather by going north and visiting an old friend in Mooresville, NC while the system blew through. So… off we went, headed for Charlestown, WV for the first night. Neither of us had more than 25 miles on the bikes this year, so it would be a shake down run for both. I’d recently reset the CO trim on the Mighty Scura from +40 to +20. On my first fill up, it got 50 mpg. (!) A little (ahem) lean.. it had ran fine on no alcohol premium in 40 degree weather, but after filling up with alcohol fuel and 90 (!) degree temps it was not happy. Doh! Well nothing to do but press on. Can’t fix it without Guzzi Diag.
Made Charleston in the evening, and walked to a Hooters. Sorry, no pictures..

Woke up in the morning, and the weather people were spouting gloom and doom again. Looked at my aviation wx app on the phone and we decided we’d run through about 30-40 miles of heavy rain on the trip down to Mooresville, so suited up accordingly. For an interstate, I64 south of Charleston is a beauty.. sweeping curves, elevation changes and scenery. Right on schedule we ran into the rain and we got to find out how well our new Conti attacks would handle it. Really well..
Made Jake’s place on the airpark, the sun came out, and there was a double rainbow.. a harbinger of things to come.

I was a little slow on the trigger on the phone, and you can barely see the double.

2017-06-04_01-43-25 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
We mentioned that we were planning on going to Wheels through Time, and Jake said he’d like to go, too, called Ross.. another old friend from 30 years ago and made plans for the next day.
It was awesome. I’d heard about it, of course.. but wasn’t prepared for the scope of it. They weren’t terribly busy so we got an (almost) private tour by the docent and Dale himself after he realized we were all gearheads and antiquers.
:smiley:This little jewel was found in the basement of the Wright Bros. shop..

2017-06-04_01-43-12 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Typical “street”

2017-06-04_01-43-01 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Inside the shop

2017-06-04_01-42-41 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Henderson mc engine converted to aircraft use and put on a home made ice sled. (!) “Hey! Hold my beer and watch this!”

2017-06-04_01-42-30 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
To be continued..

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #1 on:** June 04, 2017, 02:48:47 PM »

Harley powered.. yes, it flew.

2017-06-04_01-42-18 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
The first jet ski. You can see the hood for the engine cpt below on the left..

2017-06-04_01-41-53 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
The world’s most rare motorcycle. 20 years ahead of it’s time. Found in a secret wall in an old home. Google Traub motorcycle for the story.

2017-06-04_01-41-31 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
The Kid decided he would look really good in this..

2017-06-04_01-41-08 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Ho hum. Just a perfect Crocker.

2017-06-04_01-40-53 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Garage

2017-06-04_01-40-38 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Dale and the docent fueling up a very early Harley, one of the many he ran for us..

2017-06-04_01-38-35 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
There was much much more. My favorite sounding bike was a Henderson inline four.
Don’t touch that dial.. more later.

LowRyter · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2017, 03:44:21 PM »

Did Dale do burnouts in the building on his Crocker?

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #3 on:** June 04, 2017, 03:52:03 PM »

As we’d expected the storms had gone through overnight, and it was time to roll. The plan was there is no plan.

One thing on the list was the Blue Ridge Parkway. Brad had never been on it at all, and I hadn’t done all of the part from Asheville south. Our very own Mayor of BBQ, Chad, had invited us to ride in for a free beer. (Guzzi content) I’d never met Chad before, but when I was deciding what to do with the Aero engine, he offered to *give* me his V65 for the project. (!) Here, he’s giving Brad some what to do where to go information. Nice guy.

2017-06-04_01-38-12 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
The beer and food were excellent.

If you are in the area, I highly recommend stopping in.
http://sweetencreekbrewing.com/
I need this shirt..

2017-06-04_01-37-59 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
A little ambiance..

2017-06-04_01-37-48 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
The Kid is a serious home brewer, and Chad showed him the operation. Impressive..

2017-06-04_01-37-32 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
After talking to Chad, we decided to ride the blue ridge down to the Blue ridge Motorcycle Campground.
But first.. Spot sprang a leak on the left valve cover. “She’s just testing you to see if you are worthy, son..”

2017-06-04_01-37-18 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
He snugged up the valve cover bolts, and we meandered down to the campground.

2017-06-04_01-35-26 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Didn’t know what to expect, and it was wonderful. You can rent a cabin with heat, electricity, and bedding for 45 bux a night.

2017-06-04_01-37-04 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
More later. It’s beer o’clock, and I need to fix dinner.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #4 on:** June 04, 2017, 06:26:30 PM »

Ok, erp.. I’m back. The campground..

2017-06-04_01-36-26 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Cabins nestle up to this river in places.

2017-06-04_01-36-11 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

2017-06-04_01-35-59 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Security is handled by this ancient Winerunner.. the owner says he gives her 2 baby aspirins in the morning and she does ok.

2017-06-04_01-30-33 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Continued riding..

2017-06-04_01-35-43 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Uhhh..Kind of pretty.. this was on Moonshiner 28. And oh, cruiser doods.. when you are holding up a beater pickup pulling a trailer with lawnmowers on it..maybe you should consider picking up the pace a little?

We stopped and enjoyed the falls while the rolling roadblock rumbled out of hearing.

2017-06-04_01-35-05 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

Markcarovilli · « **Reply #5 on:** June 04, 2017, 06:44:59 PM »

Very nice and looks like you have great company....

Mark

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #6 on:** June 04, 2017, 07:09:53 PM »

Oh, yeah.. the best.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #7 on:** June 04, 2017, 07:13:46 PM »

Another

2017-06-04_01-36-45 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
I’d lead the entire trip, and noticed his headlight go off. Gave him the news. “Oh well, I’ll just run the high beam.. it’s kind of a pain to change out the bulb.”
Local knowledge said we should go to Caesar’s head in South Carolina and check out the view. This is on 276, and coming into Caesar’s head from the south were the gnarliest twisties of the whole trip. Some serious knee draggin stuff. Yeah baby!

When we pulled into the parking lot, I said.. hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but your high beam just went out. He gave me the roll eye and said it was probably from the turbine like smoothness of the Spot motor.

Some views..

2017-06-04_01-34-54 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

2017-06-04_01-34-41 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
“I see one place I could make a successful forced landing..”
Pretty freakin spectacular.

2017-06-04_01-34-30 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
By this time, the left valve cover was leaking more, and we definitely needed a headlight bulb so.. had to go into a town. Yuck. Brevard in rush hour in 90 degree temps is to be avoided if possible. Bought a bulb and some high temp gasket maker. Back to camp to pull the fairing and install the new bulb.
“Just testing you, son..”

Brad said, "Why don’t we pick up some stuff and grill out? I’ll bet they have a grill." Asked the owner, and he said, “Sure.. here’s everything you need. Grill, charcoal, aluminum foil, matches.. gotta love this place. Ran to Waynesville, bought some pork chops and veggies, and the right valve cover just let go. Oil everywhere. Pulled into an Oreillys and bought a quart of oil. A young kid came out, oohed and ahhed over the Guzzis.. “Never have seen one. Gorgeous.” I work at a bike shop a half mile or so from here, and can probably help you make a gasket if necessary.” My faith in the younger generation took several steps up. Nice kid. Knew what he was talking about and not addicted to a phone. I told him we could probably handle it but thanks. Really appreciated it.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #8 on:** June 04, 2017, 08:08:11 PM »

Our original “plan” was to leave the next day and spend some time on the Bourbon trail in Kentucky on the way home..but.. we were having such a good time we decided to stay another day. Asked the owner, and he said, yeah.. but I’d have to move you to one of the cabins on the river. Nice. Don't throw me in that briar patch.. :smiley:I did dinner while Brad pulled the fairing again and had a look at both valve cover gaskets. The right one looked like it had been pushed toward the middle between the two bolts and wasn’t sealing anything. The left was almost as bad. Strange. I’ve never had this issue or even heard of it on the 2 valve engines. At any rate, I started dinner

2017-06-04_01-31-23 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

2017-06-04_01-31-08 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
While he sacrificed a t shirt and had at it.

2017-06-04_01-31-41 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

2017-06-04_01-30-18 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
The plan was to clean them up as well as possible, glue it in place with the gasket goo, and let it set up over night. It’s not like we were going to find new gaskets. We didn’t even have phone service.

The Kid said it was the best dinner he’d had the whole trip after putting it back together. Again.
Anyone that followed the Lario and Aero engine builds knows I like Sierra Nevada, and have since I used to be a home brewer. They were fairly small then. Chad said we should check the new brewery out.
So.
Up the parkway toward Asheville..
Headlight working and no oil leaking..

2017-06-04_01-34-09 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
to the SN brewery via Bat Cave road. Our friend Jake had told us of that one.

2017-06-04_01-33-56 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
The beer business must be doing ok..

2017-06-04_01-33-38 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Spectacular.. if you like brewing..

2017-06-04_01-33-23 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
This ain’t no micro brewery any more. Lots of hoppy malty goodness going on there.

2017-06-04_01-33-05 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr

2017-06-04_01-32-54 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
After the grand tour, we walked out to the bikes, and Brad said, “would you look at that? WTF?" One of the bolts that holds the driveshaft coupler was backed off a thread.

2017-06-04_01-32-40 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Most people would have never seen it, but an aircraft inspector just “sees” that kind of stuff. Now the question is, “Why?” That bolt is just not likely to have backed out on it’s own.. but the Kid is a pretty competent mechanic. He said, I can only guess that I never torqued it properly. I told him that it was no doubt the final test.

“You are worthy.”
My grand dawg Belle gave me this for Christmas this year, and I kept it for the proper time to re gift it. This is the morning we left..

2017-06-03_08-49-29 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
He said I had him for a second..

Since we were out of time, we ran to Frankfort and toured Buffalo Trace before stopping for the night at a fancy hotel. The next day we ran 421 from Frankfort to Madison, In. a decent road that I hadn’t traveled for years.
Put the (trouble free) Spot on the trailer..

2017-06-04_01-29-45 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Brad said, “Kind of sad.. it’s the end of the trip. It’s been great.”
I fixed shrimp on the Barbie for dinner, and we had our own bourbon tasting instead of doing the bourbon trail.

2017-06-04_01-30-01 by Charles Stottlemyer, on Flickr
Oh. That rain and general nastiness that was forecast?
Never happened.
Like the Turnip farmer says, “If you listen to the weather channel, you’ll never ride anywhere.”

leafman60 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 04, 2017, 08:23:45 PM »

Great report and great pictures! Thanks for posting.

Wheels Through Time has much more character and soul than the very sterile presentation of the museum in Birmingham. You can tell Dale is an enthusiast whose heart is in this place and he knows about the items on presentation. I love the period settings throughout the museum that show the bikes in a natural environment of their day.

Nothing like the mountains. My stomping grounds.

Thanks, Chuck.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #10 on:** June 04, 2017, 08:32:20 PM »

Oh, almost forgot. I told Brad how much I had liked the Trail Attacks on Darth Quota and I was going to try Attacks on the Mighty Scura. He put a set on Spot, too, and said they were the bestest

tires he'd ever had. They are "round" and smoothly transition from edge to edge. We ran over a thousand miles of slab and they didn't flat spot. Fine in the rain.
Rok straps. Won a pair of them at the Ohio rally last year. I'd used the Helen Twowheels straps with my bags for years and years. Cinch them down, ride 50 miles, cinch them down again, etc.
Cinch the Rok straps once and forget about it.

Believe it or not.. Sedici Niccolo gloves.
https://www.cyclegear.com/gear/sedici-niccolo-race-gloves
Brad had bought a pair too. (Great minds think alike) Both of us agree they are the best gloves we've had, and a good buy at a hundred bux. I used my be polite to Vulcans Aerostitch glove covers in the rain, but he just wore the gloves and his hands didn't get wet or turn black.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #11 on:** June 04, 2017, 08:33:09 PM »

Quote from: leafman60 on June 04, 2017, 08:23:45 PM

Great report and great pictures! Thanks for posting.

Wheels Through Time has much more character and soul than the very sterile presentation of the museum in Birmingham. You can tell Dale is an enthusiast whose heart is in this place and he knows about the items on presentation. I love the period settings throughout the museum that show the bikes in a natural environment of their day.

Nothing like the mountains. My stomping grounds.

Thanks, Chuck.

My pleasure, David..

Howard R · « **Reply #12 on:** June 04, 2017, 08:45:19 PM »

This thread is really stirring up some memories. I've been to Wheels Thru Time more than once, including when Dale was, err, "exercising" the Crocker.

It seems all the best people stay in cabin #4. Somewhere I have a photo of my good friend Bill Sharp on that very same porch.

I'm originally from SC, and every time I get to BRMC I tack on a couple of extra days to visit relatives in Spartanburg. You're right, 276 south on a Sport 1100 (especially the far superior blue color

) is a real treat. Next time you (or anyone else) happen to be in the area, check out 151 from US23 in Candler up to the BRP. That one will let you make sure your own tail light is still working, several times. Another one worth exploring is Town Mountain Road, aka 694 on the BRP just north of Asheville.

Coincidentally, I'm just finishing up my own bourbon excursion. Though I did not include your middle two participants, my verdict is the one on the left.

Howard

Jim Rich · « **Reply #13 on:** June 04, 2017, 09:37:18 PM »

What a great report, Blue Ridge, moto museum, microbrew and bourbon. Fantastic Thanks for putting it up for us.

pete roper · « **Reply #14 on:** June 04, 2017, 10:12:07 PM »

I don't know what the problem is with the newer rocker cover gaskets Chuck. I'd only ever seen that issue on CARC bikes which have different rocker covers but I still don't understand why that should make a difference. Now it seems the problem is creeping backwards in time!

The one sure-fire answer is the new coated metal Valpolini gaskets, MG sell 'em. Fit and forget. Really.

Pete

nobleswood · « **Reply #15 on:** June 04, 2017, 10:12:49 PM »

Great story Chuck. Thanks!

Tom H · « **Reply #16 on:** June 04, 2017, 10:47:07 PM »

Great pics and story!!!

Thank you,
Tom

Moto · « **Reply #17 on:** June 04, 2017, 11:06:45 PM »

Great report! Great trip!

Thanks for taking the time to write it up!

Moto

Unkept · « **Reply #18 on:** June 05, 2017, 12:23:54 AM »

This made a great early morning read. Thanks for sharing, I'm glad you both had a great trip!

-Joe

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #19 on:** June 05, 2017, 06:43:06 AM »

Quote from: pete roper on June 04, 2017, 10:12:07 PM

I don't know what the problem is with the newer rocker cover gaskets Chuck. I'd only ever seen that issue on CARC bikes which have different rocker covers but I still don't understand why that should make a difference. Now it seems the problem is creeping backwards in time!

The one sure-fire answer is the new coated metal Valpolini gaskets, MG sell 'em. Fit and forget. Really.

Pete

Thanks, Pete. I told the Kid that the only time I'd read of that problem was on the CARC bikes. (?) He doesn't do message boards.. I'll pass the info along to him.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #20 on:** June 05, 2017, 06:50:48 AM »

Quote from: Howard R on June 04, 2017, 08:45:19 PM

This thread is really stirring up some memories. I've been to Wheels Thru Time more than once, including when Dale was, err, "exercising" the Crocker.

It seems all the best people stay in cabin #4. Somewhere I have a photo of my good friend Bill Sharp on that very same porch.

I'm originally from SC, and every time I get to BRMC I tack on a couple of extra days to visit relatives in Spartanburg. You're right, 276 south on a Sport 1100 (especially the far superior blue color ) is a real treat. Next time you (or anyone else) happen to be in the area, check out 151 from US23 in Candler up to the BRP. That one will let you make sure your own tail light is still working, several times. Another one worth exploring is Town Mountain Road, aka 694 on the BRP just north of Asheville.

Coincidentally, I'm just finishing up my own bourbon excursion. Though I did not include your middle two participants, my verdict is the one on the left.

Howard

Thanks for that, Howard. I'll pass that on to him. Great minds really do think alike.. our verdict was the one on the left, too.

I would think that anyone that wants to ride in that area is really screwing up if they *don't* stay at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground. It was awesome. And cheap. (Guzzi content)

leafman60 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 05, 2017, 07:34:12 AM »

Quote from: Chuck in Indiana on June 04, 2017, 08:32:20 PM

Oh, almost forgot. I told Brad how much I had liked the Trail Attacks on Darth Quota and I was going to try Attacks on the Mighty Scura. He put a set on Spot, too, and said they were the bestest tires he'd ever had. They are "round" and smoothly transition from edge to edge. We ran over a thousand miles of slab and they didn't flat spot. Fine in the rain.

VERY interesting that you mentioned the Continental Trail Attack tires. I have a new pair in my garage awaiting fitment to my hot rod H-D. I have been looking for an alternative to "cruiser" tires that would help on those severe lean angles that the Harley is capapble of pulling now.

I have gone through several dual sport tires on my Stelvio and I decided to give such tires a try on the H-D. One issue is that the vertical profile of the dual sport tires tend to be a little shorter than 160 MM Michelins I've had on the H-D - 60 series as opposed to 70 series. That makes me give up about 16 MM of ride height from my 2 inch jack-up of the H-D suspension with Ohlins and I don't want to lose that. The answer I've found are some billet shock extenders to recoup the height I'll lose with the Trail attacks.

I hope the Trail Attacks don't return too much mileage. Your comment about not flat-spotting worries me a little. I do not want a tire hard enough to give too much mileage. I know this sounds weird to most tire buyers but I want traction not mileage.

We will see.

twodogs · « **Reply #22 on:** June 05, 2017, 07:57:26 AM »

Great report, we were there in 15 WTT when Dale rode up on a hack and asked us all about the v7c and 1200 sport and was really happy we rode in from Ia. then he told the wife she needed water and took us in and grab some water then showed us around a bit, wife loved it, we will go back for sure. Cheers.
Bruce

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #23 on:** June 05, 2017, 08:07:12 AM »

Quote from: leafman60 on June 05, 2017, 07:34:12 AM

VERY interesting that you mentioned the Continental Trail Attack tires. I have a new pair in my garage awaiting fitment to my hot rod H-D. I have been looking for an alternative to "cruiser" tires that would help on those severe lean angles that the Harley is capapble of pulling now.

I have gone through several dual sport tires on my Stelvio and I decided to give such tires a try on the H-D. One issue is that the vertical profile of the dual sport tires tend to be a little shorter than 160 MM Michelins I've had on the H-D - 60 series as opposed to 70 series. That makes me give up about 16 MM of ride height from my 2 inch jack-up of the H-D suspension with Ohlins and I don't want to lose that. The answer I've found are some billet shock extenders to recoup the height I'll lose with the Trail attacks.

I hope the Trail Attacks don't return too much mileage. Your comment about not flat-spotting worries me a little. I do not want a tire hard enough to give too much mileage. I know this sounds weird to most tire buyers but I want traction not mileage.

We will see.

Not to worry, David.. I had the trail attacks in the canyons of SoCal, and they were solid performers. That's why I liked them so much.

twowings · « **Reply #24 on:** June 05, 2017, 04:20:39 PM »

Thanks for the RR, Chuck...I've never seen the South...looks pretty!

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #25 on:** June 05, 2017, 06:30:40 PM »

Quote from: twowings on June 05, 2017, 04:20:39 PM

Thanks for the RR, Chuck...I've never seen the South...looks pretty!

No.. it's freakin gorgeous.

You truly *can't* take a picture of some of the views. Also the only place east of the Mississippi that has what I consider to be real "twisties." No, we didn't do the Dragon. The Kid said he couldn't care less about that, although I told him we should do it since we were in the area. I've done it several times, and it's really no better than many of the roads in NC, SC, and northern Ga.
If you have time.. make plans. Stay at the Blue ridge campground (no affiliation, of course

) pet the dawg, and enjoy.

Mayor_of_BBQ · « **Reply #26 on:** June 08, 2017, 06:26:44 PM »

Great to meet you Chuck! It was also really cool to see two rare (even by Guzzi standards) Moto Guzzi in our parking lot!

Come on back anytime, the blue ridge will be here waiting!

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #27 on:** June 08, 2017, 08:22:31 PM »

Quote from: Mayor_of_BBQ on June 08, 2017, 06:26:44 PM

Great to meet you Chuck! It was also really cool to see two rare (even by Guzzi standards) Moto Guzzi in our parking lot!

Come on back anytime, the blue ridge will be here waiting!

Great to finally meet you in the flesh, too, Chad. The brewery and food was awesome! I'd recommend it to anyone heading to that area. Oh. And thanks for the beer..

pete roper · « **Reply #28 on:** June 09, 2017, 12:09:23 AM »

Did someone say 'Beer'?

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #29 on:** June 09, 2017, 06:07:35 AM »

<giant with a blue beard> "Do you sell beer here?" "Why, yes we do," said the bar mistress.
"That's good, for I fear we will need quite a lot of it.."

News:

Author Topic: (Mini) Southern Spine raid trip report (Read 9002 times)

pete roper

Moto

twowings

pete roper