Packing Day

[lonewolf3253]

All the work done on the bike, well all the work that "had" to be done before our trip to the rally.
We all know the work is never done.......
Now it's time to pack everything, top off the tank and get ready to head out for CO.
Let's see what all we forget to bring along when we arrive in Estes Park.....

[Mr Jensee]

It's a long ride from where you are to the rally. Be safe and don't take any chances en-route. We want you to arrive alive.

[kjsett]

Pre packing day (leaving on Wednesday) so starting to pull stuff from closets and stacking them up.
Seems like I bring more than I could get along with, but whats the fun of that.
Rented a camping trailer from my neighbor last year and put 4500 miles on it in 3 weeks. So glad he chose not to sell it after all, an '85 Kwik Kamp that was just too heavy for my bike (he had a 2000cc Vulcan to pull it with).
This year, going back to a tent, but this time one of those 6 man instatents by Coleman. The Kwik Kamp was not quik. It took us 2 hours to set up and 2 hours to take it down (everything had to be out for assembly and disassembly). We will see if this is any better. Since we traveled so much, we stayed in the trailer only about 4 nights.
One of my packing issues is that we will be going to a week and a half of business related meetings (3 days) and conferences (5 days) before we head out for Portland Oregon where our daughter is due to deliver the 11th.
So this causes, because of camping, two different sets of clothing, plus out west you have to be prepare for weather dry and 108F (last year), to thunderstorms and in the 30's to low 40's.
At this time, we could be gone 5 to 6 weeks. I wish it was vacation, but family usually isn't. I think the vacation won't really start till we leave Portland and head down the coast. I probably should have reservations for that leg, but then it will be hurry up and get there. We did that last year, no thank you.
So that we can enjoy the rides more this year, I am trying to keep each day down to no more than 8 hours of saddle time (less is better).
So those packing, think of how much fun it is to pack 1 to 2 changes of clothes and head out for your great adventure. Enjoy Estes Park. If you see a beat up 2003 with off colored right saddlebag, pulling a gold colored trailer with 3 golf club hard shell bags strapped on top, followed by a 97 Kawa Vulcan, be sure to wave.
And the Saga continues,
Ken

[HMB Don]

Just finished installing new tires, Dunlop E-3 and American Elite 180x16 on my 1700. New brake pads 60k on the old Galfer pads. This morning did the oil change on both the Voyager 1700 and Goldwing Trike. Most of the heavy work on the trike was done last month.

Now just need to do a good wash job on both. Got the beaded seat covers mounted, luggage tray on both bikes are mounted. Got the Ipod on the 1700 and loaded with some rock'n blues.

Just have to pack the large tube that the trikes carry's with all of the banners, which include Dunlop tire, IAM Local 1414 our plaque sponsor, Galfer brakes, and NorCal Voyagers Club. Anything else I can stuff into the tube, 10" in dia. 48" long.

Yesterday I shipped all of the Stainless Steel Brake Lines for the 1200 & 1700 Voyagers, and Brake pads. The cost of brake lines has increased by $10.00 to $190.00 for the 1200 Voyager. Brake pad cost will be the same $25.00 each for the 1200 Voyager and $27.00 each for the 1700 Voyagers.

Trisha and I will be arriving at the Rocky Mountain Park Inn on Saturday afternoon. Earlier on Sat we'll stop at Rocky Mountain Kawasaki in Longmont to Mount a new front tire on the Goldwing. Like Ken we'll be continuing on, for us it's to another Rally the Motor Maids. Which is being held Moncton NB, Canada. Then to St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada. Making me happy I'm riding my Voyager which likes to eat miles.

[Chris near Kansas City]

Dug the trailer out Friday...yeah....that was it.. ..Friday evening. Going to change the oil this afternoon and start unloading the trailer of all the stuff I store in it for the other 50 weeks of the year. Put a new back tire on the Voyager before Moonshine, so other than the forever leaking fork seal, it should be ready to go. Chance of thunderstorms all week until Friday. Hope to do a test run before that though. Gotta work Saturday, so we're heading for the middle of Kansas as soon as I get home.

Looking forward to seeing everybody again!

Also, feel free to say hi to me, LOL, as I am famous for not recognizing those around me. I think Scott from Altoona was standing beside me at the bike games in Asheville and I didn't realize it was him. Possibly. That being said, Jim Moore if you're reading this, I think I've finally put your name to memory, LOL.

[Highway Rider]

Chris the test will be when we get to Colorado LoL. We are leaving Saturday morning and plan to get to North Platte NE, and then arrive in Colorado on Sunday afternoon. Oil change is all I need to do, so doing that Monday night other then that, pack the bags and hit the road.

Everyone have a safe ride and will see you Colorado.

[Lucasind]

Great post ..... I think it's official ! ....the rally "juices" are flowing ! We also are making a list and checking it twice !.....always end up hauling more stuff than necessary (in my opinion) !
But ..... happy wife ....(you know ) leaving sat. morning first light, destination on first day
des moine .....565 mile day (ouch !) but get the long day out of the way first,while your all fired up about the trip ! Then we plan on second day to n.platte NE. 415 miles (better) then into the rally,leaving monday morning first light with a 200 mile ride . .....Don't really have anything to do on the XII,this bike seems always ready to go stretch her legs out on the hi-way !
(she always begs to go further ,no matter how far I take her ! )
Hoping for good weather ......but expecting the worst on the roll across the country ! We did not make any hotel reservations anywhere along the way,cause good weather can allow you to ride a bit further..... and bad weather may cause you to stop sooner to "hole up" in a room giving the bad weather a chance to pass thru.
Ride safe everyone, and may the good lord bless all of your journeys into estes park. ......tony

[doug of so fla]

[quote="Chris near Kansas City" ]Dug the trailer out Friday...yeah....that was it.. : ... , (so other than the forever leaking fork seal," it should be ready to go. quote]

Chris have you tried the "Sealmate" Tool ?? Or similar item? I have used it on other riders XII's and other M/C's, it worked slick as puppy snot!!! Saved from swapping seals several times. I carry it with me all the time now.. Not a bad item for $5.00.

[Chris near Kansas City]

Yes. Probably should run it around the seal again. Used it a couple times. Replaced the seal, twice I think. I'm to the point, where I just need to get new tubes and nicer lowers I guess. I have a full set of new seals and bushings for whenever I get around to doing it. Put one in on the left before the Ellicotteville rally in 2010. Was leaking by the time I got there. I think I put another one in, but don't recall when. I want to come up with a deflector similar to the GL1800 before I spend the time and money to totally overhaul the forks.