4-Day Trip to the Great Salt Lake: 2010

[SpudRider]

I had an enjoyable afternoon riding down the Wasatch Front, and looking at the two motorcycles. Leaving American Fork, I retraced my path north to Salt Lake City. After dining on West Temple Street, I rode back to Bountiful to spend the night. The next day I planned to visit the Utah State Fair.

Spud

[Weldangrind]

Thanks for the reviews Spud. How was the power on the PP 400? I still can't wrap my mind around that engine design; I'm guessing that the bottom end is all NX250, just like the one Oengus found. The clutch cable is in the same location as my XR250R, but the water pump fittings are located where my oil filter is. Here's a shot of an NX250 that I found:



I like the flat black look on the Tmec, although the decals have got to go. Did you get a price on the Tmec?

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Thanks for the reviews Spud...

You're welcome, W&G.

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

…How was the power on the PP 400?…

The power of the LXT 400 was good; the bike performed exactly as described by the LXT 400 owners on our Dual Sport Forum; I can't add any additional information to the several reviews currently posted by them. I hope this bike proves itself reliable, and parts become available for it.

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

…I still can't wrap my mind around that engine design; I'm guessing that the bottom end is all NX250, just like the one Oengus found. The clutch cable is in the same location as my XR250R, but the water pump fittings are located where my oil filter is…

I’m betting the bottom end of this Xingyue engine is an amalgamation of parts from several Honda XR bikes. For example, over the span of almost 40,000 miles, I have discovered the Zongshen engine in my 200GY-2 motorcycle combines parts from the Yamaha TW200, XT200, and XT225 motorcycles.

As with the clutch plates inside the Lifan clones of the Honda XR engines, the Chinese frequently make minor changes in part configuration, or part size. Indeed, forum member Madbare discovered his Zongshen 200GY-2 crankcase cover would not accommodate the countershaft bearing from a Yamaha TW200. Since the right crankcase cover of the LXT 400 exhibits similarities with both the Honda NX250, and the Honda XR250R, it might be uniquely modified by Xingyue, and available only from them. You might note Xingyue also changed the angle of the water pump outlet; it is now more vertical. Only time, and more research will reveal the secrets of this Xingyue engine.

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

…I like the flat black look on the Tmec, although the decals have got to go. Did you get a price on the Tmec?

No, I didn’t ask the price, primarily because the dealer told me the price fluctuates with each shipment from China. Indeed, he told me he doesn’t know whether the bikes will be supermotos, or dual sports, until he opens the crates! Checking the dealer’s website, I don’t see the TMEC 200 currently offered for sale; however, I think this vendor was previously asking about $1,200 for it. I do see adds from other vendors on the internet, who are selling this bike at inflated prices.

Spud

[SpudRider]

The next day I decided to visit the Utah State Capitol Building before I visited the Utah State Fair. After riding up Capitol Hill, I parked my Zong on the broad sidewalk in front of the Capitol for a quick photograph.





After moving my Zong to a proper parking space, I ascended the steps to the Capitol and looked southward, down State Street (U.S. Route 89). Some have claimed this thoroughfare is the longest State Street in the world, stretching about 15 miles straight to the horizon.





The Utah State Capitol had been closed to visitors for several years while undergoing renovation. Therefore, I decided to go inside, and revisit the restored Capitol Building. The murals, frieze, and dome of the rotunda contain beautiful paintings portraying different events in Utah State history.

Trappers showed J.C. Fremont the Great Salt Lake in 1843.



Brigham Young and the first Mormon emigrants entered the valley in 1847.



The dome of the rotunda commemorates the seagulls that descended to devour the Mormon Crickets who threatened to destroy the emigrant’s first harvest.



Father Escalante was the first white man to “discover” Utah in 1776.



Ogden is named after the famous trapper, Peter Skene Ogden.



The frieze below the rotunda dome commemorates the driving of the golden spike that completed the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869.



The arrival of the Pony Express, and other historic events are depicted in other parts of the frieze.









A nice bust of “Ab” Jenkins commemorates the numerous world speed records he set on the Bonneville Salt Flats, west of the Great Salt Lake. His “Mormon Meteor” used to be proudly displayed in the lower floor of the Capitol; its owners have since moved it to another location. :(







The chamber of the Utah House of Representatives was open for visitation, so I stepped inside for a quick photograph.





Leaving the Capitol, I took a final photograph before I headed downtown.



After descending Capitol Hill on State Street, I pulled onto the sidewalk for a quick, obligatory photograph of the Zong in front of the Salt Lake Temple.



The Mormons spent 40 years building the Salt Lake Temple; it was completed in 1893.



Spud

[Weldangrind]

Spud, I appreciate the time it takes to detail your adventures and share them with us. Frieze was a new word for me; I had to look that one up.

Thanks.

[SpudRider]

The bridge crossing the railroad tracks on West North Temple Street was being repaired; like everyone else, I needed to detour around it to reach the Utah State Fair Grounds. After paying my admission, I entered the main pavilion and headed over to the annual Butter Sculpture.



The Dairy Farmer’s of Utah Butter Sculpture is made from more than 700 pounds of low-moisture, pure cream butter. This year’s sculpture was entitled “Uncommonly Good First Date.”









After the fair the butter is stored in buckets, and frozen until next year’s creation. I enjoyed touring the exhibits, and seeing the different livestock.



As I left the fairgrounds, I was careful to avoid getting into trouble with the Utah Highway Patrol! 8O







Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Spud, I appreciate the time it takes to detail your adventures and share them with us. Frieze was a new word for me; I had to look that one up.

Thanks.

You're welcome, Brother Derryk. Thank you for the kind words.

Spud

[katoranger]

I think that TMEC bike has some potential. I like the frame design.

Spud, keep the pics coming. Sometimes something other than bikes is nice. Never thought I would see a butter sculpture on here.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by katoranger

I think that TMEC bike has some potential. I like the frame design.

Spud, keep the pics coming. Sometimes something other than bikes is nice. Never thought I would see a butter sculpture on here.

Thank you, Allen. How do you like the vintage patrol car?

Spud

[FastDoc]

Utah is an awesome state with a lot to offer, from culture to adventure. Thanks for sharing, Brother Spud.

BTW I liked the cop car. I also like antique ambulances. Back when they were Cadillacs. 8)

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Utah is an awesome state with a lot to offer, from culture to adventure. Thanks for sharing, Brother Spud.

BTW I liked the cop car. I also like antique ambulances. Back when they were Cadillacs. 8)

Thank you, Doc.

Spud

[Weldangrind]

That's a '50 Ford. I just gave up a '49 Business Coupe that I have no time for. :(

Livestock? What is that? How many of them do you need to qualify for rancher status? "Yep, I've got 500 head of fuzzy critters."

[katoranger]

That car is nice reminder of the past.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

That's a '50 Ford. I just gave up a '49 Business Coupe that I have no time for. :(

Livestock? What is that? How many of them do you need to qualify for rancher status? "Yep, I've got 500 head of fuzzy critters."

Some ranches are smaller than others.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by katoranger

That car is nice reminder of the past.

Indeed, it is.

Spud