2018 Motorcycle Cannonball

[JoeW]

I guess I should start a new thread about this rather than hijacking someone else's. There is no Guzzi content but, it's definitely motorcycle related. Last year, a client/friend of mine and I, plus several important supporters, ran the motorcycle cannonball on a 1913 Indian twin. All motorcycles participating had to be at least 100 years old. We completed, 2612 miles of the 3306 over a two week period. We had an issue with a broken case in Colorado that put the bike in the trailer for 2 days while repairs were being made.
We've decided to do it again in 2018. The run will be from Portland ME to Portland OR. The cut off year for bikes next year it 1928 or older. Many competitors are opting for more "modern" bikes with transmission and brakes but, we're going to try again with our Lucky 13. I hope some people out there find this interesting, I'm having a blast. This is a post run photo of the bike.

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[Scud]

Good on you!  Last year's Cannonball ended in Carlsbad, CA - where I live. I enjoyed seeing the bikes in a downtown parking lot at ht end of the ride.

[RinkRat II]

 I got to see all youse guy's between Four Corners and The Grand Canyon, (Page,Az). Remarkable feat for the old Iron. Any clue on the route next year? All the website sez is Comiing Soon. Continued success!


   Paul B

[JoeW]

All we know now is Portland Maine to Portland Oregon leaving the second Saturday in September. Our "off" day will be in Sturgis SD the following weekend. The actual route is kept a secret, the riders get the next day's route sheet when they check in in the evening. We'll know the actual overnight stops by April or May. Last year's route planners had driven cross country 4 times while researching the best route. it's a huge undertaking.

[roadscum]

I'm looking forward to following your participation, bring it and best of luck. 

In 2010 I was in Maggie Valley at Wheels Through Time as the participants arrived. Wow, an unbelievable experience. 

Paul

[guzzimatic]

I met up with you guys at Cape Girardeau,got to buy a German competitor a beer and chat him up a bit! The best was riding west the next morning,I was worried I might lose the route but there were roadside thrash fests on the old machines every few miles so no problem! One crystalline image sticks in my memory,almost back to Cape and a wave of noise and smoke comes blasting around a corner,full chat! He was flogging the old beast to make up time,perfection!

[JoeW]

I met up with you guys at Cape Girardeau,got to buy a German competitor a beer and chat him up a bit! The best was riding west the next morning,I was worried I might lose the route but there were roadside thrash fests on the old machines every few miles so no problem! One crystalline image sticks in my memory,almost back to Cape and a wave of noise and smoke comes blasting around a corner,full chat! He was flogging the old beast to make up time,perfection!

Cape Girardeau was the beginning of our trouble. That day was hot and muggy, the powers that be decided it would be nice to have the bikes parade down Main street but, didn't think of closing it to car traffic so, as these 100+ year old bikes came in from a long hot day on the road, they were stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. The riders and the bikes both overheated, I nearly punched out some local who was stopping the bikes to allow cars to turn in front of them. Our bike got so  hot, the engine paint on the crankcase blistered. The next morning, the first morning I had to leave before Fred the rider, the bike would not idle properly. In Springfield I discovered there were vacuum leaks in the intake runners which caused even hotter running. Fred also found he was dehydrated that day, i started sending him off after that with vitamin water each morning after that. Plus, checked for intake leaks every night. Lesson learned.

[pehayes]

I drove a "pit crew" support truck for the 2010 (?).  I first had to drive from San Francisco to Kitty Hawk to deliver the bike.  1913 English PREMIER.  Following the crowd and crossing the country at 40mph is a serious emotional drag.  Fun in the evening parking lots though!  And finding local machinists along the way is a real adventure.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[JoeW]

I drove a "pit crew" support truck for the 2010 (?).  I first had to drive from San Francisco to Kitty Hawk to deliver the bike.  1913 English PREMIER.  Following the crowd and crossing the country at 40mph is a serious emotional drag.  Fun in the evening parking lots though!  And finding local machinists along the way is a real adventure.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

Things have changed since 2010. The support vehicles cannot take the same route as the bikes. I think I would have blown my brains out in Kansas if I had to follow the bike. I set the cruise at 75 and usually got a nap in at the hotel before the bikes showed up.

[Carlo DeSantis]

Sounds like the route might be somewhere near Northern Illinois.  Hope to be able to see some of the tour!

Best,

Carlo

[maquette]

I drove a "pit crew" support truck for the 2010 (?).  I first had to drive from San Francisco to Kitty Hawk to deliver the bike.  1913 English PREMIER.  Following the crowd and crossing the country at 40mph is a serious emotional drag.  Fun in the evening parking lots though!  And finding local machinists along the way is a real adventure.

Patrick,

I missed meeting you in Greenville, NC, but still have your business card you left on my 1000SP in the hotel parking lot. The bikes were fantastic and my favorite was the Militaire (sic?). The cool stuff it had, plus it's overall appearance was a sight to behold IMO. Hope to catch one again.

[JoeW]

I know spring has been slow to arrive for most of us this year but. September is right around the corner. I would love to see some Guzzi guys out there so, here ae the stops. http://motorcyclecannonball.com/route/ We won't know the actual route until the night before but, I'm sure you can figure it out. I'm hoping to have the Indian on the road early next month.

[Markcarovilli]

Joe

I'm planning on being at Bowling Green, Ohio....

Mark

[Chuck in Indiana]

Joe

I'm planning on being at Bowling Green, Ohio....

Mark

Dorcia and I are planning on Bourbonnais, IL.
BTW, my antivirus said it had stopped a problem when I clicked on the Cannonball site..

[hidn45]

They'll be within a few miles of my house, depending on the route, maybe less than a few....  Must see!

[JoeW]

I'll let you know what hotels we'll be at as soon as i know. Look for The Guzzi Doctor trailer!

[PeteS]

I know spring has been slow to arrive for most of us this year but. September is right around the corner. I would love to see some Guzzi guys out there so, here ae the stops. http://motorcyclecannonball.com/route/ We won't know the actual route until the night before but, I'm sure you can figure it out. I'm hoping to have the Indian on the road early next month.

Joe, do you guys have a prescribed lunch stop? I see there are two stops in New York, both an easy ride for me. About half way is the Glenn Curtiss Museum, actually only a slight detour, that would be a perfect stop. That and Watkins Glen. The two lane roads in that area are spectacular as well.

Pete

[Roebling3]

I'd enjoy seeing a 1928 Normale in the Cannonball.
Keene, NH will be the 1st overnight stop, out of Portland, ME. There's lots of little known motorcycle history in Keene. It was a favored destination for yclept motorcycle gypsy tours, in the early 1900's. Sometimes more than 100 bikes. Men in suits. Women wearing hats.  R3~ 

[JoeW]

Joe, do you guys have a prescribed lunch stop? I see there are two stops in New York, both an easy ride for me. About half way is the Glenn Curtiss Museum, actually only a slight detour, that would be a perfect stop. That and Watkins Glen. The two lane roads in that area are spectacular as well.

Pete

Pete, while we're don't know each day's exact route until the night before, we find out about the lunch stops in advance. However, most of the time they are hosted by a local motorcycle shop. (Mostly Harley Davidson stores) . Also, and this is the part that possess me off, the support crews are not allowed at lunch stops. There are exceptions, we were able to meet up with the riders at the Grand Canyon. The Curtis museum is something of like to see, what city is that in? Joe

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[JoeW]

Me too, I tried to talk Fred into running one I found but, he wants to ride his dad's bike. Plus making all the miles on the 13 is something we both want. I like to give the guys on "modern" bikes, you know bikes with transmissions and kick starters, a hard time about how easy it is for them. I'll keep Keene in mind.

I'd enjoy seeing a 1928 Normale in the Cannonball.
Keene, NH will be the 1st overnight stop, out of Portland, ME. There's lots of little known motorcycle history in Keene. It was a favored destination for yclept motorcycle gypsy tours, in the early 1900's. Sometimes more than 100 bikes. Men in suits. Women wearing hats.  R3~

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[PeteS]

Joe, The Glenn Curtiss Museum is in Hammondspot, NY at the southern end of Keuka Lake, the prettiest of the Finger Lakes IMO. Its also over the hill from Watkins Glen which is at the southern end of Cayuga Lake. This is just north of the most direct route from Binghamton to Jamestown (interstate I-86) which I assume will be avoided.

https://www.glennhcurtissmuseum.org

Pete

[canuck750]

You are a lucky guy Joe, what an amazing opportunity 

[JoeW]

Joe, The Glenn Curtiss Museum is in Hammondspot, NY at the southern end of Keuka Lake, the prettiest of the Finger Lakes IMO. Its also over the hill from Watkins Glen which is at the southern end of Cayuga Lake. This is just north of the most direct route from Binghamton to Jamestown (interstate I-86) which I assume will be avoided.

https://www.glennhcurtissmuseum.org

Pete

Looking at the route, I'll be slabbing it with the truck and trailer once I hit Albany. Before that, there are no interstate routes for the support crews. Days like that, we usually have to leave before the riders. There are rules about support team and rider interaction during the route. I may be able to swing by the museum. It could be a lunch spot for the riders too. I'll let you know.

[hidn45]

Yes, Hammondsport is only about 10-12 miles off the 86 from the Bath exit.  Used to run that highway a LOT when I worked on the road.....  Nice road the first 100 or so times you drive it.  Parts of it really suck in the winter.  Pretty country anytime, though.

Wondering if they'll run the bikes on 417 thru the Seneca Indian reservation, or maybe they'll swing them down into PA & run US Route 6, which a lot of cross country runs use (Mass. to Cali).  That's home for me....

[Denis]

Usually I go to Davenport but so many of my friends are doing the Cannonball again, I might skip it. On the other hand, my friends won't be there to compete with me for parts!

[JoeW]

The start of the Cannonball is less than a month away. The Indian is coming along nicely though, I do have a few bugs to work out. The powers that be have published the lunch and overnight stops on the route. If you're interested in seeing rolling motorcycle history, here is where you can...
http://motorcyclecannonball.com/
Some people have asked me where they can join in and ride along with the vintage bikes. For the safety of the riders, we ask that you keep some distance from the old bikes if you encounter them on the road. They don't perform as well as modern bikes especially the brakes. Our 1913 Indian had only a coaster and band brake on the rear wheel. I added a front hub from a CL100 Honda, it does a decent job of slowing it down but, will not lock the front wheel.
If you're close to one of the stops, I recommend checking these old bikes out. I'll be at the overnight stops,  look for The Guzzi Doctor trailer. Stop by and say hi.

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[Chuck in Indiana]

Thanks for the reminder. I booked a room nearby.

[Guzzistajohn]

As the truckers say "Portland east to Portland west" had the pleasure of meeting you here at the birthplace of Rt. 66 Springfield, Mo. Have a good run Joe!

[twowings]

Good Luck to you guys! An amazing adventure...

[hidn45]

Looking forward to seeing you all, & to meeting you in person, Joe.

Oddly, they don't have an "Official Checkpoint" listed for the Jamestown, NY stop.  There's a Red Roof Inn across from the Jamestown Harley shop (in Falconer, actually) where the Meet-&-Greet is, but I would highly doubt y'all would be booked there.  Just as an aside - the link they have for Harley-Davidson of Jamestown takes you to the website of the dealer in Jamestown, CA....  ;^)

GO TEAM GUZZI DOC!!