tight oil cap plus trick & spare rope

[mark ward]

Not bitching, just sharing wisdom.  OLD SAYING (learn from others mistakes, life is to short to make then all yourself.)  Ya, sharing a trip with others can be more fun (at times) and often helpful, BUT! I have made more then a few trips with someone that TALKED like they were in complete agreement with what kind of riding especially trip etc. we were in-for.  EVEN WITH MONTHS OF PLANNING! One guy planning on an Alaska trip, bought a dualsport (F650gs) and wanted to ride to Tennessee/NC with me for a week. We found (& was told aout) some great single lane dirt roads, one was a "shortcut" UP AND OVER THE MOUNTAIN. (very mild compared to what John B. "dragged" me threw, screaming and LAUGHING)  One was just threw a park, along a river, meant for daily cars, NO hills or sharp curves only 2 miles long. When we come out the other side and looked at the GPS to see how far to Robbinsville NC (Deals Gap area & Cherohala skyway start) we either had to go back threw this VERY VERY mild dirt road, or 45 extra miles around the mountain, He chose the 45. he never fully admitted he had never ridden dirt, AT ALL, or that it scared the @*&)*& out of him, but he found a new person to go to Alaska with, that just happen to have only a street bike. that PS. He Highly recommended to others in the local ride club to, THRUST HIM (me) when taking off without "Plans" he's (me) a great leader, very considerate to others riding needs and wants. 1 guy, still a friend, when I met him at the ride-clubs Xmas party, got all EXCITED, when he heard me say I was heading south then west to just go explore, with NO other plans.  (Loudly, YOU LIKE DOING THAT, I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO GO ON A "WILDHOGS" TYPE TRIP ALL MY LIFE.)He even stressed, he was in the National Guards when younger, so knows how to just camp "off road" anywhere etc. We left 3 months later instead of 1,  using a variety of excuses. He wanted WARMER weather, (cold in Mi. nice in the south)Then once on the road trailering to his cousins in NC. (his suggestion AFTER hitting the road @ 4am.) every day he wanted to just make loops from that house. (ps. 2 days before leaving invited another who had to be hm in 6 days, so 4-? weeks shot to hell)   [b]This last trip was "planned"[/b] around taking my cousin on an ADVENTURE ride, we had talked several times about what to expect, (good bad and PLANNING FOR WHO KNOWS WHAT?)(MY 3rd week out)  I told him, "It's your trip, Just go ride & EXPLORE and I will have your back." At his request, I arrived 4 days early (My 3rd+ week out) to help him pack and check his bike over. THEN with a full week off, he DELAYED leaving Friday night, (friends coming over to play music. as they did every week) and he wanted to be hm. mid day Saturday, (night at the latest, so he could "rest up" for work on Monday.) Then every day he wanted to have a destination planned (ok) then when we got to New Orleans, it started to rain, (STORM COMING IN) John T. afford a place to stay the night, yet Eric (My cousin) kept saying he wanted to head in a different.Then direction we crossed the "lake Pontchartrain causeway" (bridge) 28.5 miles FUN & DIFFERANT. Next thing you know we were stopping for gas IN JOHNS TOWN, yet there were NEW EXCUSES, why we needed to keep riding into the dark IN THE RAIN. It took a few days to get him to admit, he felt kind of shy (as I am) about just meeting a new person, and staying there. THE WHOLE TRIP, was him being NERVIOUS about exploring and meeting new people. I even SHIPPED UPS, my extra tent and gear for him, He lOVED the idea of just going off rd. or behind a church etc/ NEVER USED 1 time. MY MISTAKE: I knew this was new to him, and should have just taken the lead, and told him THIS IS THE "PLAN".(and keep a close eye on what would be to much for him.) MANY SAY THEY EAT ANYTHING, AND TURN OUT PICKY.SOME HAVE NO! FEARS ON DIRT, SAND!!! AND TIGHT TWISTY SINGLE LANE MOUNTAIN ROADS, BUT............SEEM PANICKY ABOUT RIDING AT DUSK. (WE ALLLLLL HAVE OUR ITEMS.) (Me? I panic on dirt, Etc. going DOWN AGAIN! yet ride in the DARK AND FOG, like nothing, (but pay better attention to all.) [b]BOTTOM LINE, EVERYONE TALKS A GOOD TALK, ABOUT THERE DESIRES, AND "COMFORT ZONES" GET TO KNOW THEM BEFORE TAKING OFF ON A LONG TRIP, EVEN 4+ DAYS. [/b]  

[john triplett]

Now it makes sense. Should have stopped anyway. I always like to meet fellow riders. I have put folks up overnight and done repairs more than once. I even ended up out in Texas with a guy one time. Hope to meet someday. John T.

On Thu, Oct 17, 2013 at 9:25 AM, mark ward wrote: Not bitching, just sharing wisdom. OLD SAYING (learn from others mistakes, life is to short to make then all yourself.) Ya, sharing a trip with others can be more fun (at times) and often helpful, BUT! I have made more then a few trips with someone that TALKED like they were in complete agreement with what kind of riding especially trip etc. we were in-for. EVEN WITH MONTHS OF PLANNING! One guy planning on an Alaska trip, bought a dualsport (F650gs) and wanted to ride to Tennessee/NC with me for a week. We found (& was told aout) some great single lane dirt roads, one was a "shortcut" UP AND OVER THE MOUNTAIN. (very mild compared to what John B. "dragged" me threw, screaming and LAUGHING) One was just threw a park, along a river, meant for daily cars, NO hills or sharp curves only 2 miles long. When we come out the other side and looked at the GPS to see how far to Robbinsville NC (Deals Gap area & Cherohala skyway start) we either had to go back threw this VERY VERY mild dirt road, or 45 extra miles around the mountain, He chose the 45. he never fully admitted he had never ridden dirt, AT ALL, or that it scared the @*&)*& out of him, but he found a new person to go to Alaska with, that just happen to have only a street bike. that PS. He Highly recommended to others in the local ride club to, THRUST HIM (me) when taking off without "Plans" he's (me) a great leader, very considerate to others riding needs and wants. 1 guy, still a friend, when I met him at the ride-clubs Xmas party, got all EXCITED, when he heard me say I was heading south then west to just go explore, with NO other plans. (Loudly, YOU LIKE DOING THAT, I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO GO ON A "WILDHOGS" TYPE TRIP ALL MY LIFE.) He even stressed, he was in the National Guards when younger, so knows how to just camp "off road" anywhere etc. We left 3 months later instead of 1, using a variety of excuses. He wanted WARMER weather, (cold in Mi. nice in the south) Then once on the road trailering to his cousins in NC. (his suggestion AFTER hitting the road @ 4am.) every day he wanted to just make loops from that house. (ps. 2 days before leaving invited another who had to be hm in 6 days, so 4-? weeks shot to hell) [b]This last trip was "planned"[/b] around taking my cousin on an ADVENTURE ride, we had talked several times about what to expect, (good bad and PLANNING FOR WHO KNOWS WHAT?) (MY 3rd week out) I told him, "It's your trip, Just go ride & EXPLORE and I will have your back." At his request, I arrived 4 days early (My 3rd+ week out) to help him pack and check his bike over. THEN with a full week off, he DELAYED leaving Friday night, (friends coming over to play music. as they did every week) and he wanted to be hm. mid day Saturday, (night at the latest, so he could "rest up" for work on Monday.) Then every day he wanted to have a destination planned (ok) then when we got to New Orleans, it started to rain, (STORM COMING IN) John T. afford a place to stay the night, yet Eric (My cousin) kept saying he wanted to head in a different. Then direction we crossed the "lake Pontchartrain causeway" (bridge) 28.5 miles FUN & DIFFERANT. Next thing you know we were stopping for gas IN JOHNS TOWN, yet there were NEW EXCUSES, why we needed to keep riding into the dark IN THE RAIN. It took a few days to get him to admit, he felt kind of shy (as I am) about just meeting a new person, and staying there. THE WHOLE TRIP, was him being NERVIOUS about exploring and meeting new people. I even SHIPPED UPS, my extra tent and gear for him, He lOVED the idea of just going off rd. or behind a church etc/ NEVER USED 1 time. MY MISTAKE: I knew this was new to him, and should have just taken the lead, and told him THIS IS THE "PLAN". (and keep a close eye on what would be to much for him.) MANY SAY THEY EAT ANYTHING, AND TURN OUT PICKY. SOME HAVE NO! FEARS ON DIRT, SAND!!! AND TIGHT TWISTY SINGLE LANE MOUNTAIN ROADS, BUT............ SEEM PANICKY ABOUT RIDING AT DUSK. (WE ALLLLLL HAVE OUR ITEMS.) (Me? I panic on dirt, Etc. going DOWN AGAIN! yet ride in the DARK AND FOG, like nothing, (but pay better attention to all.) [b]BOTTOM LINE, EVERYONE TALKS A GOOD TALK, ABOUT THERE DESIRES, AND "COMFORT ZONES" GET TO KNOW THEM BEFORE TAKING OFF ON A LONG TRIP, EVEN 4+ DAYS. [/b]

[mark ward]

Ever had to fight to get the oil cap off? (Sarcasm I KNOW we all have)

 

PLUS my tire tools, (irons, wrench's, etc) are in PVC tubes under the highway pegs, with TIGHT wing-nuts holding the caps on.

 

Now WHERE? to keep a $3. adjustable wrench I picked up at a flea market? ( Or Home depot, harbor freight ETC)

 

WHERE to keep for EASY ACCESS, under the windshield fairing area is a wire loop holding the Throttle cables.

 

Ya, I carry ALOT of tools, but wanted EASY access, when I add oil OR??? (on the road or trail, without the tool bag.)

 

 

PS. still loving where I keep the tire pressure gage, on the left side of the fairing, Un-seen by almost everyone. (thief's)

NO digging or putting it off do to.... NEED TO DIG IT OUT OR OOP'S, FORGOT IT.

 

What to do with an extra 100 foot of rope?

 

After  finding out about (buying) static cord/rope, just a 1/16+ thicker then 550 para-cord but 3PLUS times stronger.

 

I had the Para-cord laying around the shop, So I took off the ugly square spongy pad on the Handle bar, cross bar.

 

Added a piece 3/4 copper pipe insulation (tube like spongy pad for water pipes) THEN I kind of braided (single crochet loops) the Paracord down to about 34ft. instead of 100 feet. ( less wrapping) and left about a 8inch tab on each end for tying off.

 

Then wrapped it around the insulation, NOW it is stored for an EMERGENCY and works to hold the lines in place and have some, "cushion"   should I SMACK INTO IT.

 

NO extra space taken (LESS actually) about the same weight, and MORE USES!!!!!!

 

I can always un tie the end pull out loops, cut and retie IF NOT ALL IS NEEDED.