CB desert sled - Page 35

Motomuffin · 05-13-2013, 04:19 PM

Glad you made it back safe and sound... Sorry for the troubles.

Luke · 05-13-2013, 11:59 PM

Well safe and sound are definitely the watchwords after this race. Rest in Peace, Jimmy; and Heal Well, John.

My story is about all told, all there is to add is the pictures. I don't think I took any, these are all Allan's.

Here're the gas tanks plumbed in. They would have been necessary: I got under 20mpg at the desert 100, but over 30 on the test ride in SoCal. Not good, but good enough.

Side note, the bike's paperwork is still tied up at DMV HQ in Salem, but I was able to get a trip permit for the race.

A little more wiring. Nothing major, just adding power ports for the GPSs. The plan was to run two gpss, and for the roadbook sections just stuff the pages in my handlebar map bag. There wasn't enough time to figure out a roadbook holder.

Two GPSs are a nice luxury. One displays the turn-by-turn directions and the other shows the map. If one stops working the other can be set to display both; it's just harder to read.

Rider's view.

Cory and I waiting in the Mexicali border parking lot while we all take turns getting visas. Also showing off the Doubletake mirrors (that they were nice enough to rush ship; thanks!)

Tech inspection; after waiting in line with the cars for a while, was told that bikes just cut. Ok, let's do it.

I didn't know they had a Jr class.

The starting zoo next morning.

Most of the Vintage bikes: from L-R an IT465, XT500, and SL350

The rest of Vintage bikes, mine and an XR500. We started on the same minute.

I took the slow start

And we're off

Team Lameco started behind me:

And that's it for the riding pictures. The breakdown was in the first transit, right in front of the chase rig. Which, if you're going to break down, is really the perfect place to do it.

We got nowhere on the side of the road, so packed it up and trailered to the Bay of LA. Working on the bike at the BofLA hotel has become a bit of a tradition. We tore it down to the head gasket, soaked the pistons and rings in WD-40 and were able to free it up. We figured that was it and put it back together. By 1:30 it started and ran, so we called it a night.

Fitting the new head gasket. The 650 has a reputation for blowing them so we had a few spares. They needed a bit of work to fit, though.

The though was that it had just overheaded, so we richened the carb needles and retarded the timing.

Setting the valve clearance. The tool is a honda part that came with my first cb650 years ago. I have no idea where the bike is now, but the tool works great on hondas and ktms too.

Next morning, I rode out for a test ride, made it out the parking lot, 50 ft down the road and that was that.

Once again:

After an hour or so of disassembly, we pulled this out of the cylinder

This was the drain pan after draining the oil into it, letting it settle, and pouring it out. Looks like finding gold, doesn't feel like finding gold.

Here was the sump, as removed:

And that's all folks.

Luke · 05-14-2013, 12:08 AM

Before the race I had been looking for parts bikes for a donor motor, but I needed a 81 or 82 year only. I had most of the parts to put another motor together, except the head- I looked and only saw rusted out junk on ebay. Even then, there would have been no time to put it together.

Naturally, on the way back I found exactly what I needed. A low miles salvage bike of exactly the right year that had been garaged, with most of the parts in far better shape than anything I had bought yet. Oh, and the seller lived less than a mile from me. It's in the bed of my pickup in Rick's last pictures.

Mr. Fisherman · 05-14-2013, 02:29 AM

I think I have Thursday open.....

DustyRags · 05-14-2013, 07:16 AM

Man, that's frustrating. Better luck next year!

Kootenai Rider · 05-14-2013, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke

And that's all folks.

Luke, you just need a hug in this picture. Sent you email...

Luke · 05-14-2013, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DustyRags

Man, that's frustrating. Better luck next year!

What's really frustrating is that I don't know I can do it next year. I won't go back unless NORRA makes some major changes to how they run the race.

1 in 20 odds of getting run over by a buggy are not ones I'll take again.

Entrepre-neer · 05-16-2013, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke

What's really frustrating is that I don't know I can do it next year. I won't go back unless NORRA makes some major changes to how they run the race.

1 in 20 odds of getting run over by a buggy are not ones I'll take again.

Your CB build inspired me to get off my ass and do my own CB scrambler.

If you ever want to bring your CB to a NASA RallyMoto over here in the eastern states I'll cover your entry fee. (making the 40 hour drive to get here is up to you

) I'd love to see your bike in action.

...and there's no chance of being run over by buggies...

Luke · 05-17-2013, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Entrepre-neer

Your CB build inspired me to get off my ass and do my own CB scrambler.

If you ever want to bring your CB to a NASA RallyMoto over here in the eastern states I'll cover your entry fee. (making the 40 hour drive to get here is up to you

) I'd love to see your bike in action.

...and there's no chance of being run over by buggies...

And at 900cc I've been outclassed.

That's quite an offer, thanks! Bit of a hike to get there, though. Maybe there should be some sort of FrankenRally meetup, somewhere vaguely central. There are a lot of project bikes I'd like to see.

In other news, the title showed up today. With the wrong VIN on it

Looks like I'll be writing more letters to Salem.

drc42 · 05-17-2013, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Entrepre-neer

Your CB build inspired me to get off my ass and do my own CB scrambler.

If you ever want to bring your CB to a NASA RallyMoto over here in the eastern states I'll cover your entry fee. (making the 40 hour drive to get here is up to you

) I'd love to see your bike in action.

...and there's no chance of being run over by buggies...

And I will buy the beers

Entrepre-neer · 05-17-2013, 11:00 AM

[QUOTE=Luke;21427673]And at 900cc I've been outclassed.
QUOTE]

I think you meant outmassed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke

Maybe there should be some sort of FrankenRally meetup, somewhere vaguely central. There are a lot of project bikes I'd like to see.

That's a brilliant idea. I'm due for a Colorado trip. Plenty of unmonitored miles of dirt roads and mountain passes to play rally racer on. My Rallymoto offer stands either way and I'm sure Doug will come through with the free beers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke

In other news, the title showed up today. With the wrong VIN on it

Looks like I'll be writing more letters to Salem.

I just went through a vin correction on an old truck I'm trying to sell. I've had it for 10 years and never noticed...

. Only took 6 weeks to get a corrected title back......

05-13-2013, 04:19 PM	#511
Motomuffin CSMC Joined: Mar 2007 Location: Portland Oregon Oddometer: 480	Glad you made it back safe and sound... Sorry for the troubles. __________________ must you stay? can't you go?

05-14-2013, 02:29 AM	#514
Mr. Fisherman oneandahalfassed Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Eyejamnotta Sanchez Oddometer: 9,804	I think I have Thursday open..... __________________ *Round Way Round, 2 months and several thousand miles on a WR250X*

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05-13-2013, 11:59 PM	#512
Luke ^OP GPoET&P Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Idiotville, OR Oddometer: 3,749	Well safe and sound are definitely the watchwords after this race. Rest in Peace, Jimmy; and Heal Well, John. My story is about all told, all there is to add is the pictures. I don't think I took any, these are all Allan's. Here're the gas tanks plumbed in. They would have been necessary: I got under 20mpg at the desert 100, but over 30 on the test ride in SoCal. Not good, but good enough. Side note, the bike's paperwork is still tied up at DMV HQ in Salem, but I was able to get a trip permit for the race. A little more wiring. Nothing major, just adding power ports for the GPSs. The plan was to run two gpss, and for the roadbook sections just stuff the pages in my handlebar map bag. There wasn't enough time to figure out a roadbook holder. Two GPSs are a nice luxury. One displays the turn-by-turn directions and the other shows the map. If one stops working the other can be set to display both; it's just harder to read. Rider's view. Cory and I waiting in the Mexicali border parking lot while we all take turns getting visas. Also showing off the Doubletake mirrors (that they were nice enough to rush ship; thanks!) Tech inspection; after waiting in line with the cars for a while, was told that bikes just cut. Ok, let's do it. I didn't know they had a Jr class. The starting zoo next morning. Most of the Vintage bikes: from L-R an IT465, XT500, and SL350 The rest of Vintage bikes, mine and an XR500. We started on the same minute. I took the slow start And we're off Team Lameco started behind me: And that's it for the riding pictures. The breakdown was in the first transit, right in front of the chase rig. Which, if you're going to break down, is really the perfect place to do it. We got nowhere on the side of the road, so packed it up and trailered to the Bay of LA. Working on the bike at the BofLA hotel has become a bit of a tradition. We tore it down to the head gasket, soaked the pistons and rings in WD-40 and were able to free it up. We figured that was it and put it back together. By 1:30 it started and ran, so we called it a night. Fitting the new head gasket. The 650 has a reputation for blowing them so we had a few spares. They needed a bit of work to fit, though. The though was that it had just overheaded, so we richened the carb needles and retarded the timing. Setting the valve clearance. The tool is a honda part that came with my first cb650 years ago. I have no idea where the bike is now, but the tool works great on hondas and ktms too. Next morning, I rode out for a test ride, made it out the parking lot, 50 ft down the road and that was that. Once again: After an hour or so of disassembly, we pulled this out of the cylinder This was the drain pan after draining the oil into it, letting it settle, and pouring it out. Looks like finding gold, doesn't feel like finding gold. Here was the sump, as removed: And that's all folks.

05-14-2013, 12:08 AM	#513
Luke ^OP GPoET&P Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Idiotville, OR Oddometer: 3,749	Before the race I had been looking for parts bikes for a donor motor, but I needed a 81 or 82 year only. I had most of the parts to put another motor together, except the head- I looked and only saw rusted out junk on ebay. Even then, there would have been no time to put it together. Naturally, on the way back I found exactly what I needed. A low miles salvage bike of exactly the right year that had been garaged, with most of the parts in far better shape than anything I had bought yet. Oh, and the seller lived less than a mile from me. It's in the bed of my pickup in Rick's last pictures.

05-14-2013, 07:16 AM	#515
DustyRags Idiot Joined: Nov 2012 Location: The Beast (across the bridge from SF), California Oddometer: 119	Man, that's frustrating. Better luck next year!