So this is happening

First tank down. Still feeling out the mileage with the bike loaded. Cece only drank 3.4 gallons to get to Barstow.

I'm on my way to Burma Shave

 

Buying a bike and prepping it for a cross country trip turns out to be not very trivial. After ordering nerf bars, a skid plate, and center stand from Happy Trails there was a bit of a snafu with my order. You'd think when you call and tell a customer service guy that you need them by Wednesday for a cross country trip he would: a) Tell you that the center stand and skid plate were back ordered. And b) actually get the parts shipped on Monday since I'm paying for 2nd day delivery. After calling on Thursday wondering why my stuff didn't arrive on time Jen found and overnighted a skid plate to me. Unfortunately no center stands were available. So I ordered a different one that'll be delivered to NYC.

After spending a long Friday night installing the skid plate, nerf bars, cigar lighter, and a new chain, Cece's as ready as she's going to get.

And in case you didn't get the title reference.

Say hello to Cece

Here's the bike that will be taking me across the country. She's a 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 previously owned by my neighbor's son, Shawn.

So here's the plan

I generally have a rule about posting things to the internet. But, enough people have asked that I email them pictures that I decided to start a blog. So what exactly is happening over the next month?

And VG's out

After filling the gas tank this morning I noticed a large puddle beside the bike as I was about to kick her over. When I got off I found the tank had developed a very healthy leak. Between this and the fact that I still haven't been able to get it registered I have to make the call that VG will not be making the trip.
Now I have to find another bike in the next couple of days.

So, this is a thing

So things aren't totally derailed, just a little delayed. VG had her first ride on Sunday. It was just up and down the street. But still, milestone. Thanks to Jason for the video.



Now I just have to rebuild the rocker boxes to figure out what's blocking the oil flow.

And everything starts to derail

So, after getting everything buttoned up and fluids added it was time to tickle and kick VG for the first time and take in the sound of a 40 year old twin running without an exhaust. That was the plan anyway. After three days of checking, cleaning, re-rebuilding, and kicking all I was left with was a very sore leg. As a last resort I trucked her down to Trophy Motorcycles on Tuesday to let Issac's guys take a turn.

At the same time I was looking for a two into one exhaust to put on VG. I wasn't too worried since I've seen a bunch around the web over the last year. They seem to have all evaporated. Issac couldn't source one within the US. So, I broke down and ordered one from Feked in the UK yesterday. I was greeted this morning by an email saying due to manufacturing problems there's a 8-10 week delay in shipping said exhaust.

Now I'm starting to look into backup plans. F800GS or KLR650 maybe....