2 weeks off?? Time to road trip

Well the goal for rebuilding the bike was to take it on some stellar trips. Finally was able to get a couple weeks off from work, so the plan is to ride south through BC, hit the Cascade mountains, Seattle, and the Pacific highway down through Cali. The goal being Reno for the Air Racing Championships, which I've wanted to check out for years, but something always comes up.

Made a fairing to keep most of the bugs/rocks/misc road junk off me. Got a 12V power point, gunna set it up under the rectifier. Made a rack for the back to mount a couple ATV dry boxes. One box will be tools and spare parts, and one box will be clothes and gear. Strapping a tent and sleeping bag to the one box, and a jerry can to the other.

My afternoon project today: valves and float levels. I'm off from the 4th to 20th, so I'm waiting on the oil change until the 2nd. Largely gunna play things by ear and just enjoy the trip. But if anyone is kinda along the route and wants to ride, grab lunch, or provide shelter for an ambitious XJer, I would be more than grateful.

 

Haters gonna hate, but:



All maintenance items done, put my makeshift fairing on, GPS mount, installed a power point with it's own fuse and power switch, made a rack for a couple of dry boxes, even put the highway bars back on. Threw a bunch of reflective tape on in an attempt to be the bunny.

I know, I know, looks hokey. But I'm not gunna throw down a ton of money when I can use scrap materials to get the same effect.

 

If I were me (and I am), and that were my bike (it's not), I'd hold that fuel can down with a proper webbed strap instead of the bungie cords. Bungies stretch just enough to let the can slide off (not that I've had that happen (I have), just sayin').

 

Thanks K-moe

 

Pilot,
Wow, wanting to do the same thing, just getting away.
Have a great time.
Stay safe.

 

Envious of your adventure.
You go right ahead and be that bunny!

When you get back, inquiring minds are interested in the 'on the cheap' dry boxes. . . . dimensions, etc. and how they hold up on your trek.

 

Thanks Stumplifter. I made em with spare aluminum I had from the gauges and tail fairing, and the dry boxes usually hold my ammo, the only thing I got extra were a couple padlocks to keep em locked up, and locked to the bike.

They're mounted to the tail fender aft mounting bolts, and the suspension top bolts. They rest on the rear foot pegs, which takes most of the load. I'll get some pics when I get home!

 

I'm on lunch right now but when I'm home tonight I'll shoot some things your way. I rode the north cascades last summer and it was BEAUTIFUL- Ill grab the map to provide the route I took for reference if you're at all interested.

 

Mtn, yeah that would be awesome! I was planning on going with a couple buddies, but since we all work in aviation, and all our vacation gets awarded differently, looks like I'm rocking this trip solo... wish me luck!

Unrelated note, an oil leak I had was slowly growing bigger, so I decided to put my mind at ease and helicoil a few valve cover bolts. Since she was all apart, I took some pics for the curious. The free advertising for Len and XJ4Ever is unintentional, but I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for his services (and the forum)


So you can see there are only the 4 points that the rack is connected to, however the supports going front to back and the left right (pictured later) really make it quite sturdy.


The front outward bends were necessary to avoid rubbing/ripping the seat.




There's the left-right support.






Close-up of the power point.

It was all 12Ga aluminum (I know, aluminum is usually measured in mm, but the guys that sold it to me sold in in gauge, and my micrometer is broke).

I took the setup out for a test run yesterday once the rain lifted. 90min jaunt to Vanderhoof and back, speeds of up to 130kmh, each box had 25lbs of weights inside, and she still handled great. Even took a couple Prince George potholes without flinching. Got caught out in the rain on the way back, and everything inside was still bone dry. Definitely hopeful for the trip, but will advise how it goes.

 

is the bottom of the box resting on the foot peg?
i'am not real keen on the brace under the fender

 

I'm with Polock. The tire will rub on your under-fender brace. The factory rack for the 750 tour pack is plenty stout without needing any additional bracing in that area. I think your homemade unit can do without.

 

There's a couple in here:
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=44832.html

 

And here's the thread I made from the trip, definitely lacked in posting, was too busy riding!

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=4 ... art=0.html

 

It's a beautiful ride no doubt, this was taken in the north cascades.

 

Thanks for the input guys. I'm home tonight and will take the cross brace off just incase. I had my roommate jump on the rear seat and it didn't rub, nor did it during the test rip, but I get your points.

Mtnbike, thanks for that, looks unreal!! Way to put my excitment into 6th gear!