Getting the Trike ready for 43 day Trip

[DK Custom Products]

Last year was the first time in quite a while that we did not take a big trip.

It feels pretty good to know we're gonna be out on the road for a while this year.

I've started prepping the Tri-Glide. I started out replacing the heim joints in the panhard rod, which morphed into a larger project. See details and photo's on it HERE.

We discovered a flaw in the HD design and made a fix for it.

Also, made a couple of fun videos while the body was off.





Next up was replacing the worn stock rear tires with some Goodyear Comfortred tires. I have a bit less than 500 miles on them, but can already say that they ride much nicer than the stock tires. We'll see how they hold up in miles, and in the rain, snow and sleet.

Yesterday I pulled the front wheel...



...to replace the worn Dunlop American Elite (rear tire reversed) with the Avon Trike Tire.

As you can see in the photo, the tread on the Avon is deep. Just shy of 5/16" deep. Not sure what it was on the Dunlop, but it was not that much rubber!



The only other thing I did on the TG yesterday was pull the filter element from the Outlaw 606 Intake, clean it, re-oiled it, and put it back together.



Oh, while I was working in the bike room (it has a metal roof), it got quite loud as we had a HEAVY rain and Hail storm.

Those little white dots on the driveway are hail that had not yet melted...it was 80 degrees outside during this storm.



I still have quite a bit to do in the couple weeks left before leaving. I'll be updating this thread on the prep, then starting a Ride Report once we're on our way.

Kevin

[Capt.Bob]

Kevin, Your itinerary sounds like a lot of fun. How much of those 43 days do you think you will spend in hotels/motels? I know you have family to visit but am interested in what percentage of the 43 days that you anticipate having to live "off the land" so to speak? I am interested in taking an extended solo tour and have wondered just how much I can tolerate paying and staying in hotels/motels and eating out on the road for an extended period of time? What do you think you plan to budget for the non-family travel days? That is sort of a tricky part of the equation that I am not too facile with. Thanks, Bob

[Ed H]

Kevin, Your itinerary sounds like a lot of fun. How much of those 43 days do you think you will spend in hotels/motels? I know you have family to visit but am interested in what percentage of the 43 days that you anticipate having to live "off the land" so to speak? I am interested in taking an extended solo tour and have wondered just how much I can tolerate paying and staying in hotels/motels and eating out on the road for an extended period of time? What do you think you plan to budget for the non-family travel days? That is sort of a tricky part of the equation that I am not too facile with. Thanks, Bob

I have been on many long trips.

What I do is just go, prior to dark I check on my GPS where a motel/ hotel is in relation to where I am. Then call for price with AAA, AOPA, senior discount etc. Ask if they have free breakfast, eat there, take a few items with you to snack on. Do not do lunch, snack on items you took with you.

Usually the hotel/motel can advise you where to go for supper. Can be done with little $$ spent.

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin, Your itinerary sounds like a lot of fun. How much of those 43 days do you think you will spend in hotels/motels? I know you have family to visit but am interested in what percentage of the 43 days that you anticipate having to live "off the land" so to speak? I am interested in taking an extended solo tour and have wondered just how much I can tolerate paying and staying in hotels/motels and eating out on the road for an extended period of time? What do you think you plan to budget for the non-family travel days? That is sort of a tricky part of the equation that I am not too facile with. Thanks, Bob

13 of those nights we'll be staying with family...14 of those nights we already have reservations at motels. These are areas where we know the pickings are slim, so we made reservations well in advance (and saved $).

The other 16 nights will be at Super 8's (Mary's fav "home away from home") that are chosen, like Ed mentioned, by the GPS showing what's nearby when we get ready to call it a day.

We probably won't eat out more than 10 times the entire trip...and 6-7 of those will probably be Subway.

What we do is healthier, usually quicker, and less expensive-

Get checked in at the motel, then-

Go to local grocery store and get fixings for dinner (almost always includes salad), for breakfast, and for lunch the next day.

One of the reasons Mary likes Super 8's is almost every room has a fridge and microwave.

We have dinner, and fix sandwiches for the next day.

We have a soft cooler that we use to carry them, plus condiments, so we are not buying them each day. Each night we freeze the blue ice for the soft cooler.

It's all quite efficient, and truly takes less time than waiting at restaurants, or even fast food joints.

Most motels will have fruit out in the morning, which is a good start to the day.

Motels will range, depending on the area, from $65 to $110 a night.

Gas will generally be about $40 a day.

Food will average about $20 a day.

Another expense we have is paying someone to take care of the 15 chickens, 2 cats, 6 fish and greenhouse while we're gone...even though they get the eggs and produce out of the greenhouse, we still pay them another $10 a day.

So, we're looking at $135 - $180 a day (little to nothing when staying with family). But, some of that we would have been spending anyway, if we were at home.

Kevin

[MDO]

This is a basic article if you've never toured before. Just remember, it all may not apply to you.

https://www.fixmyhog.com/post/15-tip...36&vsoid=A6136

[DK Custom Products]

This is a basic article if you've never toured before. Just remember, it all may not apply to you.

https://www.fixmyhog.com/post/15-tip...36&vsoid=A6136

Really great article!

Kevin

[MDO]

I have a couple little things I like, but I always gas up when I stop for the night, so I can just go in the morning after checking tire pressure. I am a stickler for that.

I also like the little motels, like Motel 6 or Super 8, where I can park right outside the door of my room.

Also, I try to be close to a food stop because after 500 miles of highway, you don't always feel like climbing back on your ride to go eat!

[MDO]

Last year was the first time in quite a while that we did not take a big trip.

It feels pretty good to know we're gonna be out on the road for a while this year.

I've started prepping the Tri-Glide. I started out replacing the heim joints in the panhard rod, which morphed into a larger project. See details and photo's on it HERE.

We discovered a flaw in the HD design and made a fix for it.

Also, made a couple of fun videos while the body was off.





Next up was replacing the worn stock rear tires with some Goodyear Comfortred tires. I have a bit less than 500 miles on them, but can already say that they ride much nicer than the stock tires. We'll see how they hold up in miles, and in the rain, snow and sleet.

Yesterday I pulled the front wheel...



...to replace the worn Dunlop American Elite (rear tire reversed) with the Avon Trike Tire.

As you can see in the photo, the tread on the Avon is deep. Just shy of 5/16" deep. Not sure what it was on the Dunlop, but it was not that much rubber!



The only other thing I did on the TG yesterday was pull the filter element from the Outlaw 606 Intake, clean it, re-oiled it, and put it back together.



Oh, while I was working in the bike room (it has a metal roof), it got quite loud as we had a HEAVY rain and Hail storm.

Those little white dots on the driveway are hail that had not yet melted...it was 80 degrees outside during this storm.



I still have quite a bit to do in the couple weeks left before leaving. I'll be updating this thread on the prep, then starting a Ride Report once we're on our way.

Kevin

Kevin, I'm really interested in how you like the Avon. Their AV71 Cobra is on my short list with the Michelin Pilot for a replacement front tire, but I can't get the dedicated trike tire on my Freewheeler, as they don't have it in a 19" size. The regular AV 71 is impressive though.

[Old Road Dog]

Want to save 30-40% on motels?Get the Corporate Lodging Card(CLC).You'll need a CC to link too.Make up a fictious company name if you don't have a business. I stay in motels every night as were not allowed to use the sleeper.Im only limited by the size of the motels parking lot-I usually have 97 foot combination.And you don't have to stay in dives either.Drury Inns for example have free happy hours with free hot food ,and a hot breakfast.I dont use alcohol so I give the drink card to another driver.Thats a minimum $10.00 saving on dinner.Also, all the major chains have reward cards.Some like Red Roof-stay so many nights and you get a free night.Best Western you get free nights plus you can cash in the points on mecrchandise.When traveling try to stay at motels on loops or the part of town in travel direction. That way youll avoid inbound city traffic.If you need a shower truck stops will sell you one.For every 50 gallons of diesel fuel I buy I get a free shower + a penny a point.You don't have to rough it.Unless you want to.Me? I did enough camping in the Army to last a lifetime.

[trikermutha]

The comfort treads are rated for 80K miles. I have used them on several cars now and they do hold up well.

[Trent]

Hey Kevin... Lookin' forward to savin' ya the cost of at least 1 dinner meal when you are here in Meridian.. Free Bourbon too! Or any other Likker you are in the mood for.. Ha ha!!

[DK Custom Products]

I have a couple little things I like, but I always gas up when I stop for the night, so I can just go in the morning after checking tire pressure. I am a stickler for that.

I also like the little motels, like Motel 6 or Super 8, where I can park right outside the door of my room.

Also, I try to be close to a food stop because after 500 miles of highway, you don't always feel like climbing back on your ride to go eat!

Want to save 30-40% on motels?Get the Corporate Lodging Card(CLC).You'll need a CC to link too.Make up a fictious company name if you don't have a business. I stay in motels every night as were not allowed to use the sleeper.Im only limited by the size of the motels parking lot-I usually have 97 foot combination.And you don't have to stay in dives either.Drury Inns for example have free happy hours with free hot food ,and a hot breakfast.I dont use alcohol so I give the drink card to another driver.Thats a minimum $10.00 saving on dinner.Also, all the major chains have reward cards.Some like Red Roof-stay so many nights and you get a free night.Best Western you get free nights plus you can cash in the points on mecrchandise.When traveling try to stay at motels on loops or the part of town in travel direction. That way youll avoid inbound city traffic.If you need a shower truck stops will sell you one.For every 50 gallons of diesel fuel I buy I get a free shower + a penny a point.You don't have to rough it.Unless you want to.Me? I did enough camping in the Army to last a lifetime.

All good advice!

Kevin, I'm really interested in how you like the Avon. Their AV71 Cobra is on my short list with the Michelin Pilot for a replacement front tire, but I can't get the dedicated trike tire on my Freewheeler, as they don't have it in a 19" size. The regular AV 71 is impressive though.

Will be posting how I like it/what I experience in the Ride Report.

The comfort treads are rated for 80K miles. I have used them on several cars now and they do hold up well.

Great to hear!!!

Hey Kevin... Lookin' forward to savin' ya the cost of at least 1 dinner meal when you are here in Meridian.. Free Bourbon too! Or any other Likker you are in the mood for.. Ha ha!!

Yep, we're looking forward to see you guys! Mary and I were just talking about that the other night!

Kevin

[DK Custom Products]

Update- a few more things done today, see this thread-

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thre...d=1#post576610

Kevin

[DblTrbl]

Looking forward to following this adventure. 2017 was a bust since you didn't have a long trip to post and narrate.

Safe travels to you both and anyone that may join you in your travels.

[DK Custom Products]

Looking forward to following this adventure. 2017 was a bust since you didn't have a long trip to post and narrate.

Safe travels to you both and anyone that may join you in your travels.

Thanks man.

Kevin

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Don't forget me Kevin ... I've already got some marching orders when we meet ...

[DK Custom Products]

Don't forget me Kevin ... I've already got some marching orders when we meet ...

I don't even know what that means.

But you are not forgotten!!!

Kevin

[GARYD]

Really great article!

Kevin

1. If you keep the spare key FOB on the bike someplace, put a piece of paper on top of the battery in the spare so you don't run it down and the bike can go into lockdown.

2. Each year buy a cheap ($1.50) tire repair kit for the rubber cement and throw the rest away. I learned that the "hard" way.

I do take advantage of the motel on the outbound side of a city.

I use to like staying at little mom & pop motels. I found them, in most cases, to be cheaper/ cleaner/ friendlier. There use to be a website for them, but the one I find now doesn't cut it. Now at my age I stay at motels that have a fitness room. Super 8 is usually the best/cheapest.

[DK Custom Products]

1. If you keep the spare key FOB on the bike someplace, put a piece of paper on top of the battery in the spare so you don't run it down and the bike can go into lockdown.

2. Each year buy a cheap ($1.50) tire repair kit for the rubber cement and throw the rest away. I learned that the "hard" way.

I do take advantage of the motel on the outbound side of a city.

I use to like staying at little mom & pop motels. I found them, in most cases, to be cheaper/ cleaner/ friendlier. There use to be a website for them, but the one I find now doesn't cut it. Now at my age I stay at motels that have a fitness room. Super 8 is usually the best/cheapest.

The spare fob is in the Tour-Pak while riding, but at night it is in the motel room. We do carry a fresh, new battery with us, should it be needed. Knock on wood, I've had good luck with fob batteries....usually get 2-3 years out of them.

Yeah, I learned that lesson the "hard" way too. lol

Mary likes the Super 8's. In the instances where there are none, we try and find a small motel where we can park right outside the door to the room.

Kevin