Stage 16 : Tacoma

Cool, clear skies met us Sunday morning for the final leg of the journey. All the riders were gathered at the start, watching each class leave and wishing everyone well. A mixture of emotions, but I think everyone was ready to get to Tacoma.

The ride stated with some nice 2 lanes, then headed up into the mountains. Everyone stopped together at the 1st gas, warming up, laughing, and taking pictures. Then headed to Mt Rainer.

The road up the pass by Rainer was spectacular, and as we crested the pass, people were lined a bridge over the road cheering. Beautiful scene with Mt Rainer towering in the background. The road down was just as beautiful, and now the pressure seemed to lift as we rode on into Tacoma. I caught Hans about 10 miles out, and we rode In together. It was kind of fitting, fore we had first met almost a year ago by chance at George Yarocki's trying to build these two bikes for the Cannonball. So we rode in together, both bikes with perfect scores.

We assembled again for the last time, and rode by class to the grand finish at 2:00. Riding up the hill and thru the banners brought a lot emotions, memories, and relief from this 2 year quest. A special moment.

The challenge of taking a wore out 84 year old motorcycle and restoring / rebuilding it for a 4000 mile rally is enormous, but so are the rewards. Thru hard work, perseverance, and a little luck, you can get amazing results.

Stage 15

Stage 15 ride across SW Washington started with a run up a canyon to the high desert. Then we entered huge farms of apples, pears, onions, and grapes. The farm rides were laid out on 1 mile squares, and they ran us around these roads like a maze. If you got your mileage off, it was tough to get back on course. And for the first time, they had a secret check in this maze.

Got thru all the miles with no penalties, and still a perfect score. Tomorrow is the final day of this adventure, and should be a beautiful RNA by Mt Rainer.

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Stage 14

Best day of riding yet. Absolutely beautiful scenery, roads, and conditions. Early morning canyons, to the high plateau, then along the salmon river down into Hells Canyon. 300 miles of some of the best riding I have ever done.

The bike is really running well. Seems to have settled in, and is still on a perfect score. 2 stages remain, with some 400 miles. Fingers crossed for Tacoma.

Stage 13

Crossed into Idaho this morning and had a beautiful ride along the high plain. Then a long decent thru another canyon to the snake river.

Bike did not the short storm, heavy rain with hail, and almost drowned the mag. Fortunately, it didn't last long and we were on our way. It really ran well with yesterday's adjustments. No major adjustments for tomorrow.

I just can stop thinking how lucky I am riding this old Indian thru this country, it is something special.

Headed northwest.

Stage 12

Long, hot day today covering 300 miles. Trying to maintain about 48 mph, so it adds up to a long day. Bike was missing this afternoon, so I cleaned carb again and added a filter, set points and valves, and changed plugs. Oil consumption is still consistent, although using a little more on interstate. A lot of interstate these last 2 days.

Stopped at Bonneville salt flats. Pretty interesting place for sure. Salt bed is long, flat, and very hard. I've heard it's pretty fast to. Took group photo of all the bikes

Utah

Headed to Utah along Colorado river. Beautiful canyon run down to Moab. Then northwest to Springville. Hot and long days are taking till on these old bikes. They are also running us on more highways and interstates, which makes you push these motors to much.

Another good day, and got the bike serviced and prepped for tomorrow. Looking forward to the Bonneville Salt Flats!

Colorado

Made a successful pass thru Colorado. Leaving Golden, we immediately started climbing. The cold air definatley helped keep the bikes cool, and after about 6500 ft of climbing, we crested Loveland Pass. Very special moment for me.

We continued to a lunch stop in Leadville, and on to Junction City. 280 miles on probably the toughest day.

Bike is still running well, with only small areas of concern. Still on perfect score, and pushing west.

Loveland Pass

Stage 9

Burlington to Golden. First half a steady climb with a strong headwind, but all went well. After lunch in Colorado Springs, we headed up into the mountains. Did 2 8500 ft passes, and rode some beautiful canyons. The bike is definitely feeling the altitude, and tomorrow will be interesting. 3 passes over 10,000 ft. Spot malfunction has been cured.

Dinner at David Uhls studio, and we each got a signed print. Again, it seemed the whole town turned out.

Tomorrow we are headed up.



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Burlington Colorado

Crossed into Colorado after a long cold day in Kansas. Temps were 37 degrees when we pulled out sat morning. Heavy, wet fog also hung around till about 9, making it difficult to see.

Bike is still running well with no known issues. Fuel quality remains a problem for everyone. Still listening close to each new noise and following maintenance procedure. The next couple of days in the Rockies will tell the tale. Monday we do Loveland Pass at 12,000 ft, on top of an almost 300 mile day.

The crowds at the stops are unbelievable. It seems the whole town turns out. And all along the route people are parked watching us go by, and turn out to see the bikes.

Today our destination Golden Co. Headed West.

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Kansas

Stage 6

Tuff day today for me. It was scheduled as the longest so far still 300 miles, and right off the bat Erik Bahl and myself miss a turn and add about 30 miles to our day. Worse was the 45 minutes we lost, that put us in the back, to close to the chase truck. We ran hard for about an hour and made up some time, then the rain started. And rain it did.

About 15 minutes into the rain, I am sitting on the side of the road, trying to dry a magneto. In the pouring rain. I decided I was only making it worse, put everything back together, and it still would not run. I got it firing, then dumped the float bowl looking for water. Just before the truck came along, I got it started.

The next 30 miles the rain continued, and the bike was barley running. I finally stopped for gas, and it would not start again. Then I noticed fuel leaking from my rear aux tank, and when I tried to tighten the peacock, it broke off, pouring gas everywhere. After siphoning the fresh 2.5 gallons on the ground I rigged a shutoff and got the bike started. It ran about 1 mile, then died.
I finally figured out the line was air locked from the missing rear tank, and after venting the line, I got going again. Again just in time.

The bike made it on in to Sedalia Mo. without any penalties. Still running a perfect score. The weather made it rough on everyone, with both chase trailers full and people still on the road.

We went over the bike pretty well, and are ready to try again tomorrow.

Headed west.

Stage 6 AM

Getting ready for a long day across Missouri. 300 miles will be the longest day so far, but everything is going well so far. To much rain though.

Yesterday was a great ride thru Land Between the Lakes region, then on the Great River Road. Crossed the Mississippi River at the Cape. Bike still good, with carburetor starting to misbehave. Will figure that out today.

Headed West.

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Photos Stage 5

Stage 4

A long rainy night in the field by Coker Tire. Nothing major to my bike, just maintenance. All motor mounts about to fall out, and gas cap leaks were fixed. Valve tappet gaps are the same as Daytona, which is good news. Other riders having bigger problems, so we tried to help where we could. Monday morning started by riding over Signal Mt and into Red Boiling Springs. Then into Clarksville. Good ride thru some beautiful country, at 48 mph on a 29 Indian. Pretty cool. Another big turnout at Clarksville Harley Davidson for evening reception and dinner. Heading west tomorrow. Days starting to run together.

Day 3 : Columbus to Chattanooga

Rolling into Chattanooga. Huge turnout of local support, and really appreciated by all the riders. Another good day for #96, with only small issues. Rear aux gas cap leaking, but a new gasket was made and hopefully will solve problem. Felt good riding thru familiar territory. 2 states down and heading north.

Day 2 continues

After a delayed wet start, in Albany, we got headed to Columbus. Bikes were hauled out of the storms, and on the road around 12:00.

Yesterday my crankcase vent was stuck, and I was blowing oil everywhere. I kept turning up the oil pump trying to keep some in the sump. After fixing my stuck disc, things were much better today! Stopped thru Plains, but didn't see Jimmy. Rode on thru some beautiful South Georgia back roads to arrive in Columbus on time. All miles complete so far.

Day 2 AM

Day 1

Day 1 complete and in the book. Short day of only 140 miles, but good to get it done. Big start on the beach at Daytona, with lots of people. Coming off the beach thru a line of people was pretty cool!

Hot, then rain set the stage for the ride. Bike is good, with only a few issues. All minor and handled. 250 miles tomorrow to Columbus.

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