Pic Heavy 2016 Ride Report - 40 Days Following the Front Wheel

[consitter]

Day 4 report coming late.


Had another great day of riding in the Ozarks. Just got in from dinner and sitting with friends all evening. Will start catching up with pics tomorrow night.

Kevin

We'll forgive you--this time.

Sleep well my friend.

[55il]

Kevin and Mary have a safe and fun time. I really enjoy your ride reports and photo's. DJ

[DK Custom Products]

Day 5-

We left the Ozarks today, and had a bit of an adventure.

So the pics in this post will be just of today...I will catch up on the pics from the days of riding in the Ozarks soon.

Here we are this morning, packing up...






...yep, all that stuff went in the trunk and Tour-Pak, with room to spare.






We crossed into Missouri, and were soon passing thru Branson.





About 120 miles down the road we saw a storm ahead, plus we had just got sprayed with oil by a truck, plus I felt something not quite right with the bike...





We pulled in to get gas, and I looked the bike over. Sure enough, the top motor mount bolt was just about ready to drop out.





We are so very fortunate that the bolt and the spacer were still there.

Cleaned them up and put them back in.




This same bolt and spacer had fallen out when the bike was almost new. Dealer replaced it under warranty...





...I used teflon tape AND red thread locker. I'm thinking it will hold this time...I hope!





As we were leaving we saw the truck that had passed us and sprayed us with oil (or diesel?). Besides covering the Tri-Glide with a film of oil, it did the same to dozens of cars.

Those puddles under the truck were from the truck just sitting there...it was leaving a trail of the same along the road on the interstate.




More in next post.

[consitter]

Man, I hate to hear that you're having trouble. I don't see how you were able to get the wrench into that tight of a spot.

I'm telling you, the truck spraying me with oil would've really pissed me off. I would've had a hard time keeping my mouth shut and not saying something to the guy. You're a better man than I, Kevin.

[DK Custom Products]

Day 5 Continued-


Soon after getting back on the interstate it started raining. This is the last pic Mary took before tucking the camera away. It rained pretty good for about an hour, with the temps dropping from the low 80's to the mid 60's.







But after that the sun was back out and it was back up to 80 the rest of the day.









Somewhere a ways back we crossed into Kansas. Lots of straight roads, but we had gotten off the interstate and were on some secondary roads that were well maintained and had some elevation changes every now and then.


Click HERE to see a short video.






A look back....











...a look to the side...









...and looking ahead as I am kicking back with my calves on top of the lowers.









There is a WHOLE LOT of straight road in Kansas!









Here we are at the Super 8 in Salina, which is where I am typing up this RR.





Kevin

[consitter]

Wow. Don't know if I could handle all that straight road...as far as the eye can see!! Good thing the road had those rumble strips...

I've finally found a good way to keep my shoulders and neck from hurting after twisties. I moved my backrest up a little over an inch from it's maximum recline. That has worked wonders for me. Makes it soooo much easier going through the curves.

Thanks for all the great pics!!

[55il]

Wow, I can't believe the amount of oil coming out of that truck.... expesive repairs for sure but a big mess for you and Mary.

Motor mount bolt.... it seems you have had several issues with this '14 ever wish you had your '11 back.... just kidding.

Ride save and have fun. First thing in the morning over coffee is getting on the PC and reading your updates. Thanks DJ

[Gorilla]

Kevin for piece of mind I suggest you do the safety wire of the bolt. I did and have not had a problem.

[DK Custom Products]

Wow. Don't know if I could handle all that straight road...as far as the eye can see!! Good thing the road had those rumble strips...

I've finally found a good way to keep my shoulders and neck from hurting after twisties. I moved my backrest up a little over an inch from it's maximum recline. That has worked wonders for me. Makes it soooo much easier going through the curves.

Thanks for all the great pics!!

Cool, glad you got the triangle set up good not (hands, butt, feet) so that you can ride without shoulder pain.

Wow, I can't believe the amount of oil coming out of that truck.... expesive repairs for sure but a big mess for you and Mary.

Motor mount bolt.... it seems you have had several issues with this '14 ever wish you had your '11 back.... just kidding.


Ride save and have fun. First thing in the morning over coffee is getting on the PC and reading your updates. Thanks DJ

Yeah, big mess. Rain ended up washing most of it off.

Yeah, I've had a quite a few things taken care of under warranty on the '14, but I did on the '11 also, including a new top end.

I ride a lot, and sometime really hard, so the warranty is a good thing for me.

Kevin for piece of mind I suggest you do the safety wire of the bolt. I did and have not had a problem.

That is a great idea...I know a lot of folks have had problems with that bolt. I've had 6 twin cams (2 currently) and never had a problem with any of them on this bolt...except this one...twice.


Kevin

[DK Custom Products]

Day 6-


Leaving out of Salina KS for Denver CO.


A look back...we got a bit of a light rain as we were leaving.







But it cleared up nicely and was in the mid-70's.







Somewhere along the 70 there was a mile long back up...





...It was stop and go for about 30 minutes, until we got passed the 18-wheeler that had crossed the median and was facing oncoming traffic.









Back cruising at 80 mph. The speed limit is 75, most of the traffic was going 85, I chose 80 due to a Strong headwind...even so, we still only averaged 26 mpg.









Entering Colorado...









...it was still a lot of straight road...







...with a curve now and then.









Taking a look behind us.











Leaving out of our last gas stop before Denver....looks like we're headed for rain.







More in next post.

[DK Custom Products]

Day 6 continued-

It looks like we might be able to thread thru the rain.



That's looking even better...maybe just a few sprinkles...



...well, it was more than just a few sprinkles, but not bad at all before it cleared up.



A double rainbow off to the right.



Not clear skies ahead, but dry road and it does not look like rain....rofl



Whoa, where did this come from?



Last pic Mary took before tucking the camera away from the rain AND Hail!



Click this LINK to see a short video of a bit of the rain and hail we rode thru.

It was probably only 10-15 minutes...but it seems like a long time when visibility is limited and the hail is hitting your hands thru the light summer gloves. lol

Last pic Mary took of the day...camera battery was out, and we were too close to stop and change them out.



It was a great ride. Tomorrow we should see some snow!

Kevin

[55il]

Kevin, I don't think there is anything worse than hail or a sandstorm. But if we ride this is what the adventure gives us. Hope today is a dryer day. Be safe DJ

[desertclassic]

Looks like fun. We have serious straight roads, no green, lots of wind, sand and tumbleweeds. I can get bored real fast on stuff like that, so I take as many of the side roads as possible. If I am in a hurry, the big slab will get you there quickly. Ride safe and watch for those crazy tornadoes this time of the year. Jim

[Ed Hobgood]

Kevin, looks like you have a good start on your trip. Hope you can get some dry pavement under you. The last trip we made thru Colorado we got into hail also, covered the road but was gone quick. Ride safe and have fun!

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, I don't think there is anything worse than hail or a sandstorm. But if we ride this is what the adventure gives us. Hope today is a dryer day. Be safe DJ

Yep, hail & sandstorms can be interesting...and hurt. Today was a dryer day. Thank you!

Looks like fun. We have serious straight roads, no green, lots of wind, sand and tumbleweeds. I can get bored real fast on stuff like that, so I take as many of the side roads as possible. If I am in a hurry, the big slab will get you there quickly. Ride safe and watch for those crazy tornadoes this time of the year.

Jim

Thank you!

Kevin, looks like you have a good start on your trip. Hope you can get some dry pavement under you. The last trip we made thru Colorado we got into hail also, covered the road but was gone quick. Ride safe and have fun!

Thank you, we will.

Kevin

[DblTrbl]

how did your paint job hold up in the hail?

Thank God for full face helmets!!

[DK Custom Products]

Day 7- Part I

Some of you may have read that I got some new technology that I thought would help me do my ride reports on the go, getting them done in a more timely manner....well, so far it has not worked out that way.

We'll see if I get the hang of it soon. In the meantime, this is Part I from today.

Traffic going thru Denver on the 70 this morning.



Breakfast on the go, from the backrest pocket!



A look at downtown Denver from the 70 at 65 mph.



Climbing out of Denver, up into the Rockies...



...wasn't long before we started seeing some snow.



Really fun road, with great views.



Mary was already getting the photo of the snow melt when I stuck my finger out to show it to her. lol



That is a whole lot of snow....and we're fixin to ride under it....



....in a really long tunnel. Over 1.5 miles long, it the highest tunnel in the world, at over 11,000 feet elevation.



And on the other side there is More Snow!



Will continue more of today's ride tomorrow.

Kevin

[DK Custom Products]

Day 7 to Moab, UT Continued-

Looking back at the snow we just traveled under!



And there's still more ahead.



I didn't know Mary had taken a picture of this sign....and I bet she didn't know I was wondering how fast cougars could run. hahaha



Beautiful Country....



....and nice, fun roads. We're headed down now, toward the high desert. Getting close to Fuzzys' stomping grounds.



Interesting layout they put together between the canyon walls...



....double-decker roads on one side of the river and the railroad on the other side.



We're in the High Desert now. It was in the low 70's in Denver, and the 50's crossing the Rockies, but it's in the low 90's here.



A ways after Grand Junction I exited 70 to get some gas...my shift lever was not where it was supposed to be. I was still able to shift enough (sort of) to get to the gas station.

Time for Another roadside repair! Wow. More in the last 2000 miles than the last 80,000!



If you've been reading some of my posts over the last year or so, you know I've been growing more and more dissatisfied with the "quality" of dealership warranty work in our area.

When I got this TG, new, the shift arm was loose on the shifter shaft. I took it in, they said the fixed it. When I went to pick it up it was just as loose.

They said it was the best they could do without replacing the shift arm. So I waited while they got a new shift arm. As you can tell by the photo below, they did not install it correctly. The bolt should not have been touching the splines, but it was and decided to start slipping. (btw, I am Not a stomper when I shift)



More in next post.

[DK Custom Products]

Day 7 Continued-

Since I was at a gas station in the desert, without a spare shifter shaft available, I removed the shift levers, re-installing them 180* from their original position. This gave me some good splines to tighten the shift arm onto...and I did it correctly, unlike the dealership. This should last a good bit, but over 50% of the splines are ruined, so I will be picking up a new shaft at my earliest possibility.



All better! Ready to Roll!



Back on the road, chewing up some miles.



Entering Utah...



....the speed limit in most of Colorado was 75, here it is 80, and most are doing 85. We settled in with the flow, and ate up a lot of straight desert road.



Of in the distance it looked like there was a bit of rain....



...but where we're traveling, well, a picture is worth a thousand words.



Getting close to Moab!



Arrived & checked in at the Virginian Motel. It is an older, but nicely maintained motel, our room has a small kitchenette. This will be our home base for a couple of days as we explore the Arches & Canyonlands National Parks...



...after unloading & changing, we head down the street to the grocery store to get fixins for meals for a few days.



Kevin

[DblTrbl]

Last year when I got my trike back, I was heading home and went to downshift and there was no lever. Luckily, I had the full Hannigan floor boards and the leaver, bolt and washer were laying on top of it. I was able to put it on hand tight which lasted the next 5 miles or so until I got home and ad a drop or two of blue locktite and hit it with an allen wrench.

Seems that service in a lot of areas is declining.