Strangely, what was ready first was the luggage. We had two Eclipse tank bags and two sets of Eclipse soft saddlebags from back in the days when we used to tour with the two original Visions. There was also an Eclipse tail bag inherited from Mike B.
All the luggage was retrieved from the shelf above the garage door and it turned out that one of the tank bags (actually the newer one) was shot, but the other was fine. Of the two sets of saddlebags, they were all there except for the rain covers (no longer available), and the fact that one bag had a bent stay. There were only one set of mounts (currently on the Norton). The better set of saddlebags was prepared for the trip and the new mounting hardware was ordered as it was still available.
Grace had a small tent from her last cross-country trip that would be inadequate in the rain, but if it was raining I'd head for a motel anyway. After putting the sleeping bag in a compression sack, the tent and sleeping bag would fit together in the right saddlebag. The tail trunk was for things rain gear and spares, tools, etc. The tank bag was for stuff that might be used during a day's ride like maps, books, journal, etc. That left the left saddlebag for clothing.
After packing that I stilled need a bag for stuff to wear on the portion of the vacation before the trip like khakis, dress shirts, nice jacket, etc.
Once Susan and I arrived in VT, we got large plastic bags to go inside most of the luggage to assure that it would stay dry in the event of rain as there were no rain covers for the saddlebags or the tail trunk.
The rest of the preparations are more mechanical, so feel free to skip as you wish.
I acquired bike in July of 2012. First round of parts were ordered July 2012. Fixes applied during July 2012 were:
- Nylon bolts & nuts for windscreen - replaced with stainless as OEM no longer available and the nylon nuts and bolts always broke anyway
- Battery - Yuasa YB14LA2
- Gaskets for fork drain
- Drill out bolt on thermostatic valve cover - done by Dan Turco & Sons
Services performed July 2012 10,500 miles
- Oil change
- Differential change
- Brake fluid change
- Coolant change
- Fork oil change
Parts installed July 2013 after being ordered in 2012
- Right side bolt for left side of fairing
- Gasket for drain plug on fuel tap
- Stem for right front turn signal
Parts no longer available through OEM channels and not being sought
- Caps for bleed screws - not available separately
- Wire guide for inside fairing - not available
- Boot for right mirror - not available separately
Parts no longer available through OEM channels and being sought
- Plate for fairing - 11U-28336-00-00 (found online in the Netherlands OEM but expensive)
- Cap for plate - 11U-28349-00-00
Plan for June 2014
New battery, new tires and tune up, shakedown cruise, then hit the road.
June 24, 2014
Turco & Sons for new Pirelli Sport Demon tires (one size over on rear) mounted and balanced, plugs, oil and filter change, shaft oil change, install DC outlet (to power phone and or GPS). Additionally, asked for "make sure all set for a long trip to Calif." Result "Check all brakes, coolant level and air filter, all looked real good." Unfortunately, didn't check charging circuit.
Ran a little rough on the way back to Springfield with a stop at the farm, but I accredited that to old gas and needing some carburetor flushing. Added fresh fuel and a half can of carburetor cleaning stuff. Took Perry for a ride around Springfield without incident.
June 26, 2014
Shakedown cruise to Maine has electrical failure. Some rough running as well that I ascribed to the charging failure.
June 26 to July 3
Motorcycles of Manchester replaces stator and rectifier after electrical failure on the way to Maine.
July 3, 2014 Manchester, NH to Scarborough, ME
Runs ok at idle and when throttle fairly open. Surges a lot in the mid-range. Steve Y at MoM suggested this could be due to air leakage in the boots between the carbs and the intake manifold. I'm afraid he may be right.
Parts now being sought because of potential manifold issues
Joint Carburetor 1 11H-13586-02-00 not found anywhere
Joint Carburetor 2 11H-13596-02-00 is available from partzilla
Replacement non-OEM set found on a website of a company in West Virginia with a blank "About Us" page. Also found on Amazon.uk from Tourmax - but not reliably in the U.S.
Strategy for patching intake manifolds with Black RTV Silicone and pieces of an inner tube was also found at http://www.adr3naline.com/tag/1982-yamaha-xj550-2/
Just going to have to see what the score is when I go back to Turco on Tuesday.
I'll leave the bed made up for you...and I'm tidying up the garage just in case .
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