Planning XC trip on my Uly

[jl551c]

Hey all. I"m planning on riding my 06 Ulysses across county in late May/early June this year from my house on the central coast of California to the Adirondack Mountains of upstate NY, near where I grew up. Giving myself 2 weeks. Any tips, mechanical or otherwise is appreciated. Here's a little background:
+ 06 Ulysses. I bought this bike a few months ago. It had 9000 miles on the odo. It looked like it had been sitting idle in an outside Phoenix carport for some time. Maybe a couple of years. Still has D616's on it with lots of tread left, not sure how old the tires are. Fan didn't work, so I replaced the fan and it works great now. (I only paid 4K for it, so I took a chance). I've added the comfort kit, Hawk muffler, changed oil and filter twice. I cleaned up the K&N filter. I've put about 2500 miles on it since buying. Only problem was a 21 code, but since I put on the Hawk that's a non-issue now. It has the low seat. I'm currently relocating the ECM and yes, i did get some scuffing on the ECM, (thanks for the advice Lunatic and Tone). I need to either re-map the ECM or buy a Race ECM. Previous owner says front fork seals were replaced recently. The engine looks clean with no oil leaking. This is my 3rd Buell. 03 XB9R, 07 Lightning SS that I still have, and now this 06 Uly, so I'm not unfamiliar with Buells, but since I've never had a non-stock ECM or non-stock exhaust till now I'm unfamiliar with ECMspy. The suspension has been dialed in for my weight. The bike has low miles, but I'm a bit concerned about it having been in the Arizona furnace for 10 years and the effects it might have on the tires, belt, etc. The bike did have quite a bit of fine sand in and on it. After removing the fan I did notice it was pretty "gravelly" when spinning the blades. When I applied voltage to the removed fan it did spin, but was still gravelly.
So, any advice is appreciated. Right now the plan is to go up 395 to Bishop, CA. Across Nevada, Utah, Northern Colorado, Nebraska, S.D, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan UP and into Ontario then dropping down into Upstate NY.

 

[jl551c]

Here's a pic of my Brave Ulysses

 

[BuellyBagger]

Might suggest a change of tires if it sat for some time, but I wouldn't go so far as to say it'd be necessary, I'm sure some one whos more of a tire expert will chime in. If the belt looks good you're likely safe. Couldn't hurt to take along a spare though. Lots of room for tools in those cases at least. Heck if you're planning this kind of trip you're likely a more accomplished rider than I am, so best I can say is good luck!

Sounds like your route won't bring you through my part of nebraska, but if ya end up near by give a shout on here!

 

[jl551c]

BuellyBagger, is a trip thru the Sandhills worth seeing? I understand all things are relative.

BTW, I don't know how to rotate that pic of my Buell....

 

[ToneTheMoan]

Sounds like a fun trip to me, wish i could do it! So roughly what sort of mileage are you likely to be doing? LOTS is my guess! lol

 

[BuellyBagger]

Well, there is a 2 lane that winds through the Sandhills that they hold an annually road rally on. Long meandering curves, little to no traffic. I've never personally been out there, I did fix a roush 5xr mustang for a guy who ran in it. Might be a neat ride. http://www.sorcrace.com (road race event sight)

 

[jl551c]

Tone, probably 3500 miles. I've driven my truck CA to NY a few times on major highways and it's about 3000+. I don't intend to spend much time on major highways. I prefer the secondary roads, plus I"m not doing a direct point to point ride, more of a zig zag, so it'll add some milage.

Bagger, I"m tempted to try the Sandhills. I"ll research some more and see if it's something I want to do.

At this point my biggest concern is what the weather will be like in Northern Colorado in late May or early June and also the wide open empty space of Nevada. 174 miles between gas stations.

 

[ToneTheMoan]

That sounds like a good ride to me! enjoy every mile mate! :eagerness:

 

[BuellyBagger]

I know my uly gets pretty amazing mileage running constantly 80 to 85 mph on flat straight empty roads. So you should pretty easily be able to stretch fuel.

 

[user_deleted]

just an offer: i'm in southern PA. amish country and hillbillies....great riding. thinking you'll need a servicing on that uly by the time you get east here. if you drop down into PA from NY state and stumble upon this area swing by and i'll be happy to do an oil/primary/filter change on your bike for you free of charge to get you on your way. just pay cost of the perishables. have outside wash bay but you'll have to do that yourself. LOL

 

[wickedchop]

just an offer: i'm in southern PA. amish country and hillbillies....great riding. thinking you'll need a servicing on that uly by the time you get east here. if you drop down into PA from NY state and stumble upon this area swing by and i'll be happy to do an oil/primary/filter change on your bike for you free of charge to get you on your way. just pay cost of the perishables. have outside wash bay but you'll have to do that yourself. LOL

They don't really come any more "STAND UP" than you John.......Thumbs up man

 

[user_deleted]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ thanks very much wally. appreciate the kind words. hope all is well with you.

 

[riverotter]

I would be pleased to ride a leg with you if you end up navigating your way up through Minnesota. There are some beautiful rides in the southern part of the state (and north too, but that's a bit MORE out of the way). I'm in St.Paul, and am always looking for a reason to add some miles to the odometer. I put 850 miles on in less than 36 hours last spring and my Uly ran like an absolute champ. I carried an extra clutch cable, belt, roadside pump/patch kit, and a quart of Amsoil, but felt a bit overpacked. After both reading and watching "The Long Way Round" and "The Long Way Down", I realized that half the fun could actually be the unplanned stuff that happens along the way. Whatever you decide - safe travels!

 

[riverotter]

Oh...and don't forget to pack some earplugs for that Hawk (I've got one too).

 

[riverotter]

Whoops - just saw that you are in fact planning on making your way through MN. It's a beautiful ride to the U.P. through MN/WI. That could be a fun run. I'm a teacher, so it would have to be June 4 or later for me to ride through with you, but that would be a blast. FYI - I picked up a Madstad windshield setup this past season and found it to be a notch above the stock windscreen setup for keeping things a bit calmer. It may be worth a look for the distance you're planning on (Palmer products in the U.K. makes a nice one too).
-Dan

 

[jl551c]

Wow, Lunatic, riverotter and others, you're too kind. I may just hit you all up. I'll be in NY most of the summer. The Adirondacks are fantastic for riding. I may just take a ride thru PA Lunatic and riverotter I'll keep posting my progress, so when I'm headed that way we'll be in touch. Americade is in early June, and 10 miles up the road from me in Lake George, but I'lm not sure if I'll get there in time. I need some good intel on North Colorado to determine when I can ride thru. The high elevations are iffy.
On another note, I always ride with earplugs. 22 years on and off Aircraft Carrier flight decks and a shooting habit have done a number on my ears, but I think a few months with a Jardine have done the most damage. I ride with a Shoei Qwest and although I love the fit and air it's got a lot of wind noise.
On another, another note, I started sorting out the ECM relocation. I built a bracket to hold some tie straps and when tightening down the shock reservoir screw the retaining nut came out of it's epoxy. After a quick freakout I JB welded it back in. I'll give it 24 and try again tomorrow. I'll take some pics of my back yard rigging so you can see how it turns out.

 

[jl551c]

Riverotter, I've watched Long Way Round and Long Way Down 3 times. I have the movies. I've also read Ted Simon's book, Jupiter's Travels, Neil Peart's book and so many others about long distance travel. If Ted Simon can ride a 70's triumph around the world in 4 years, I can ride XC in the US and Ted didn't have an online forum to help him. Ted actually changed a piston on the side of the road! Truly inspirational. I think my favorite movie though is "Why we Ride". It's fantastic. There's a war veteran in this move that was riding a yellow Uly just like mine, (with two of his legs blown off)! Wish I could remember his name. He road around the world! But hell, I'm not getting any younger. Now's the time. I'm 54 and still heathy. Want no regrets later in life.

 

[TPEHAK]

Before the trip replace front isolator, replace belt, replace front and rear wheel bearings, change primary and engine oil, replace battery, replace tires, replace front and rear brake pads, change front and rear brake fluids, replace front and back brake rotors, readjust clutch and primary chain, replace plugs, according service manual inspect the rest and replace if necessary.

 

[jl551c]

Before the trip replace front isolator, replace belt, replace front and rear wheel bearings, change primary and engine oil, replace battery, replace tires, replace front and rear brake pads, change front and rear brake fluids, replace front and back brake rotors, readjust clutch and primary chain, replace plugs, according service manual inspect the rest and replace if necessary.

TPEHAK, Thanks for your input, I'll have to get out my service manual to look up front isolator, I"m not familiar with that. Most if not all of the other things you mentioned will definitely be changed. Some have already been done like battery, brake fluid and oils. Fluids will need change again before the trip. The good thing is that I have 3 or 4 months to get all this done and then ride with the changes to make sure everything is OK. I'll need to look into the archives about the wheel bearings for proper replacement. I recall quite a bit of discussion about bearings in the past, something about newer model bearings. As for tires, I'm still researching. The Pirelli Scorpion Trail II tires are looking good for reviews.

 

[user_deleted]

to each his own but seeing as how your bike only has 11,500 miles on it would be highly unlikely that you need front mount insulator, new rotors, new drive belt. if the lever and pedal do not pulse under braking the rotors are fine. visual inspection of the drive belt for cracking or fraying threads confirms if it needs replaced. highly unlikely @ 11,500. i would definitely flush F&R brake systems and refill with dot-4 and replace the wheel bearings when installing new tires. i have bearing sets new here if needed.