#818 Cannonball prep

[Austin125]

Great to hear it is all getting going again. Not having the right size hardware sucks. With 6 motorcycles around the house, anytime I need to get a particular size, I get 20+. So for M5 and M6 (and a fair amount of M3 and M4) I have something to fit the bill. And I don’t mind getting stuff a little long. I can always cut it down a few.
On the fuel side, not out to get a battle started, but I’m in favor of the Giant Loop-style soft bags. Strap them wherever. Weigh less when empty. Not some fixed, chunky size that needs mounting/dedicated space. And unless you are Noraly/Itchy Boots heading across all of Africa, reliable enough to get the job done.
For this “one time” event, I would think a flexible fuel bladder could be pretty handy. You are already adding a fair amount of weight with navigation gear and windscreen items. I vote for minimizing where possible.
But then, I’m not going. I understand. This peanut gallery will leave it at that.

 

[BaldRider]

Good thing I had to buy a pack of 50 M5 bolts for the 2 I actually needed.

Gas bladders are a bit floppy and, since I won't be carrying anything else on the rack, I've got a nice flat spot to either strap down a plastic fuel can or mount one.

 

[BaldRider]

I forgot I started this thread so I’ll bring it back from the dead.

Today, I did a bunch of things. Most of it was maintenance (valve check, fresh 10w50, lube chain, reprogram PDM60) but I did get some other things done.

I bought a second final drive/hub assembly and put a 39T sprocket on it before swapping out the wheels/tires. I also went back to a 14T front sprocket. I’m thinking this might be the combo I have been looking for. I’ll have the original hub with the 38T with me so I can put that back on when I get out of the mountains and swap in fresh rubber.

My Achilles heel is that I am slow. Any parking lot maintenance is going to drag out. It took me 3.5 hours to do everything today. It’s one of the reasons I am no longer planning on swapping front sprockets.

Oh, and I got a new CareBear for the trip

 

[G19Tony]

I will be following your adventure. I sure wish I was going this year. I will make it for 27. Good luck!

 

[BaldRider]

I will be following your adventure. I sure wish I was going this year. I will make it for 27. Good luck!

I didn't realize you weren't going to make it. I'll need all the luck I can get.

 

[G19Tony]

I didn't realize you weren't going to make it. I'll need all the luck I can get.

Bring your patience with you on those long hill climbs.

 

[BaldRider]

My patience is wearing thin, particularly with one specific tech inspector. Apparently, my RokStraps didn't secure the fuel cans enough.




They better not give me a hard time about my zip-tied 2x4.





I was going to drill through the 2x4 and bolt it in place but the zip ties work really well.

 

[BaldRider]

I woke up at 4am and rode down to San Bernardino, then up to Big Bear and down the other side of the mountain into the high desert (~130 miles). I averaged 95.6mpg climbing from 1400 to over 7000 feet in 44 miles with my complete cannonball payload.

The good news is that everything works. The aux lights make visibility in the dark so much better. It doesn't feel like there is a flashlight strapped to the front fender anymore. I'd have a video of today's run but I am working with a new camera rig and it was...not great execution.

I'm riding down to Dana Point and back (~200 miles) tomorrow. Right now I'm trying to eliminate small annoyances that are going to drive me nuts day after day and getting my rear end used to being back in the saddle.

 

[BaldRider]

Did my run this morning. Got started before 0430. The bike is 99.3% dialed in.

The only issue I am having now is that I lost a ton of weight and am developing saddle-sores that was never an issue with the Corbin seat when I weighed 43lbs more. I have an airhawk pad I’m going to try out as something needs to be done.

Oh, and the backpack I am currently using interferes with the backrest. I need to find a small hydration pack that will hold the 100oz hydration bladders I have. I did have one but it was a cheapo that I ended up tossing out because the bladder was difficult to clean. Otherwise, I need to get rid of the backrest which I really don’t want to do.

 

[dmonkey]

What riding gear do you plan on wearing in terms of jacket or suit? For other long distance motorcycle events, I've seen folks wear running vests with a hydration bladder on the front of each shoulder strap rather than on their backs. I don't know if they make them big enough for 100oz though...

 

[BaldRider]

My standard aerostich. I’d rather not have anything hanging off of the front if I can help it

 

[dmonkey]

Makes sense. I've easily fit a 1L (34oz) platypus water bag in the tall right side chest pocket on mine, but that's still not much compared to 100oz bladders.

 

[BaldRider]

I could also put a small bladder in the pocket of my aerostich. They sell them specifically for that.

A quick trip to REI this afternoon solved my backpack problem. Now I just need to ride with the airhawk to see if that makes a difference and test my backup camera since the camera I have been using all weekend has been nothing but problems. I'm not doing the cannonball for YT but I'd like to get usable footage.

Since I'm not going to get another seat, we can say my mods are done unless I think of something else I want to throw on or take off in the next two weeks...like the kickstarter.

 

[Oldfatguy]

I could also put a small bladder in the pocket of my aerostich. They sell them specifically for that.

A quick trip to REI this afternoon solved my backpack problem. Now I just need to ride with the airhawk to see if that makes a difference and test my backup camera since the camera I have been using all weekend has been nothing but problems. I'm not doing the cannonball for YT but I'd like to get usable footage.

Since I'm not going to get another seat, we can say my mods are done unless I think of something else I want to throw on or take off in the next two weeks...like the kickstarter.

Were it me, I would keep the kick starter…..just in case. 🫢

 

[Kritou]

Did my run this morning. Got started before 0430. The bike is 99.3% dialed in.

The only issue I am having now is that I lost a ton of weight and am developing saddle-sores that was never an issue with the Corbin seat when I weighed 43lbs more. I have an airhawk pad I’m going to try out as something needs to be done.

Oh, and the backpack I am currently using interferes with the backrest. I need to find a small hydration pack that will hold the 100oz hydration bladders I have. I did have one but it was a cheapo that I ended up tossing out because the bladder was difficult to clean. Otherwise, I need to get rid of the backrest which I really don’t want to do.

I cut the straps off my Airhawk early days and just knotted a wide piece of knicker elastic around the saddle. Makes fitting, removal and adjusting on the fly much easier

 

[BaldRider]

Here's how Booger sits now except for it is missing the Airhawk since I took this around Dana Point yesterday.





I rode another 60 miles (2 hours) this morning before work and the Airhawk seems to be helping. Also ordered some gel bicycle shorts to see if that also helps.

 

[Bermuda Trails]

Here's how Booger sits now except for it is missing the Airhawk since I took this around Dana Point yesterday.


View attachment 11780


I rode another 60 miles (2 hours) this morning before work and the Airhawk seems to be helping. Also ordered some gel bicycle shorts to see if that also helps.

looks wicked mate, Question are the sores you are getting from "pressure" or rubbing? Bicycle linings are designed mainy for pressure as such ( on a bicycle you are meant to sit on your "sit bones" rather than your cheeks as such. You might be better off looking into cycling / running related lubs.
I 100% recommend this stuff. it is really really good at its job,

Bum Butter Anti Chafing Cream

Bum Butter is a natural anti chafing chamois bum cream for cyclists and runners that prevents sores, soothes irritation, and reduces friction. Its antiseptic and female-friendly for ultimate comfort.

www.bumbutter.co.uk

 

[BaldRider]

looks wicked mate, Question are the sores you are getting from "pressure" or rubbing? Bicycle linings are designed mainy for pressure as such ( on a bicycle you are meant to sit on your "sit bones" rather than your cheeks as such. You might be better off looking into cycling / running related lubs.
I 100% recommend this stuff. it is really really good at its job,

Bum Butter Anti Chafing Cream

Bum Butter is a natural anti chafing chamois bum cream for cyclists and runners that prevents sores, soothes irritation, and reduces friction. Its antiseptic and female-friendly for ultimate comfort.

www.bumbutter.co.uk

It is from pressure. I don’t have an issue with rubbing, at least as far as I can tell. I’ll get some of that stuff, too. I’m getting everything and hoping something works

 

[BaldRider]

Final 100-mile shakedown run is in the books. Got up early and took a few hours to hit the road that varied from 2886ft to 7185ft.

I bought a new Airhawk to replace the one I'd had on a shelf for years. Between that, chamois butt'r and compression shorts, my discomfort is gone. I know 100 miles isn't 500 miles but that's all the time I've got left. A fresh bottle of Aleve should get me through this.

Oh, and I still hit a top speed of 61mph with the one-tooth-larger rear sprocket. I could have gone faster if I really wanted to but that's fast enough.

Not sure I could look more ridiculous. Screenshot from driveway security camera:

 

[Bermuda Trails]

Final 100-mile shakedown run is in the books. Got up early and took a few hours to hit the road that varied from 2886ft to 7185ft.

I bought a new Airhawk to replace the one I'd had on a shelf for years. Between that, chamois butt'r and compression shorts, my discomfort is gone. I know 100 miles isn't 500 miles but that's all the time I've got left. A fresh bottle of Aleve should get me through this.

Oh, and I still hit a top speed of 61mph with the one-tooth-larger rear sprocket. I could have gone faster if I really wanted to but that's fast enough.

Not sure I could look more ridiculous. Screenshot from driveway security camera:

View attachment 11805

Dude wicked. Good luck and looking forward to reading / watching your epic adventure