Rpoc

[cheesy]

Originally Posted by TominMO

Major coolness points for them when they arrive at camp.

They're cool to the other kids. Soccer moms talk to grandpa about the rig.

[cheesy]

Slowly working on plans to do the Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail on the Ural in late September. Less buggums to fight then.
http://transwisconsintrail.com/wordpress/?page_id=91
I found out that there are no maps for it, just .gpx files. So, I ended up installing the .gpx files into both my Garmin Nuvis. The 57 was a piece of cake but the 50 was an absolute PITA. Actually, the problem with the 50 was Garmin Express, it just took me awhile to figure that out. I went through Garmin's Basecamp software instead and was able to install the file right to the SD card of the 50. So, woohoo.
Now that that's done, I'm figuring out what to take, what to leave home, and whether or not to do the route both ways, (doubtful) or take state and county roads back home(likely).

I'm booking a week for it.

[TominMO]

Don't know how this slipped my mind. I must be getting old or something. I also had a genuine WW2 German Zundapp 750 with sidecar, which I bought while working at the US Embassy in Romania. It was black.

[cheesy]

Very cool.

[Emerikol]

I did the TAT years and years ago on my DR. I planned 10 days to do the trail up (I went to Spokane, WA to see my little sister and her family), and then ride interstate back to GA. It was enough, but just barely. If I were to do it again, I would plan on at least 14 days for the trip, and take the interstates to Oregon to pick up the trail, and ride it from west to east. The issue riding from East to West as I did is that you start getting into the more technical and tricky parts out in the midwest after a few days on the trail already, and you're a little more exhausted and worn out by then. Other than that, it was a really cool experience!

[cheesy]

I have about all I need to ride the TWAT, save for a small stove top coffee percolator. I still have the one that hung off the back of my bicycle when I got hit. It has taken a bit more of a beating since then and has been patched up so many times that it's more JB Weld than aluminum. I think I need to hit a few antique stores for another one.

[franque]

You should get a Moka pot! I've got one in stainless that I love, there's just a bit of a learning curve to get it how you like it. Make sure you take a lot of pictures!

[cheesy]

I have a couple Moka pots. Love 'em, but I prefer a plain old percolator when camping.

[cheesy]

I've been having some front brake issues, like grabbing a handful of brake lever and have said lever bottom out on the handlebar. Then the next time it's fine. Checked the pads and I still have something like 3mm left, so halfway through their life.

Checked the rotor. Somehow, somewhere, sometime ago, I bought a metric micrometer. Goody, I don't have to do conversions in my head. Service limit on the friction plate is 4.5 mm. I was finding 4.2 to 4.3. Explains a lot. So, I need a new piece of metal.

A new rotor from IMZ is over $200. However, I scoured a motorcycle swap meet a few years ago and came up with two rotors from a Gixxer for ten bucks that have the same friction plate as the Ural. The hubs are different but Brembo has a bobbin kit for just this purpose. Drill the bobbins out and replace the friction plate. Done.

While I had the wheel off, I replaced the bearings. Good thing, they were on their last legs, too.

[cheesy]

The new Kenda K760 showed up yesterday. After Busters' walk, breakfast, and a couple more cups of coffee, I'll get to it.
It's one aggressive looking SOB.

[cheesy]

Well, sh!t. You’ve heard the any twenty minute job is one broken bolt away from a three day ordeal. Feast your eyes on this this rust out.


The tire on this rim was one of the original four I changed when I bought the rig, so it’s been on the rim a while and fought me at least an hour getting it off.

I have another wheel so it’s not the end of the world, but Jeez… The Kenda has been a bear to mount, even with the Baja No Pinch Tire tool. Add in that the tire casing is a tad smaller than the Duro, now my tubes are too damn big. Gahhhh!

I threw in the towel about noon and ordered some new tubes. Then put Mrs. C and Buster in the DeSoto and did a Cheeseburger Run.

[cheesy]

Finally got that SOB mounted. What a pain in the butt. We are smack in the middle of corn humidity season, which hasn't helped. It's been at least one trip to the shower every time I walk away from a task. The MOOB sweat* has been particularly bad this year.

While I had the wheel off, I swapped out the bearings. Somewhere in my garage, there is a pilot bearing puller. I haven't seen it since the move. It would be the catsass for pulling Ural wheel bearings. Instead, I resorted to whamwhamwham!

No road test yet. A cold front came through with wind, rain, thunder, lightning and some branches down. Just chillin', enjoying the cooler temps.


*If you know, you know.

[cheesy]

Clearances are good, no interference with the driveshaft save for the whiskers on the lugs and those will be gone soon. I've been told that they sound like Jeep tires on pavement but I can't tell the difference from the Duros.

Without rotating, I should see between 2 to 3K miles, less if I drift a lot of left turns.

[Emerikol]

Looks pretty nice! A whole lot more chunky than I would have expected, but if the feel good, send it! In other news, I got a recall notice on my Gear Up in today's mail. All four wheel assemblies need to be replaced because the spokes weren't tightened properly at the factory. It's going to take the beast out of service for a full day.

[cheesy]

Wow, get up to 50-55 and that puppy is loud. Also, it’s a tad smaller in OD than the Duro so I see an extra 200 rpm at 55 mph. Kinda like adding an extra tooth on the ring gear. We’ll see how it goes.

That rim recall was a long time coming.