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Been out riding the past few weekends, piling up miles. Just back from RI and Cape Cod last weekend for a few days "in the office" and prepping for this 10-day trip next.
Fluids & filters done. Tires are a problem - I've been looking around for months with no luck. I'm thinking this ride will be about 5,000 miles round-trip and I've been stressing more and more about my tire situation every day.
Monday I started checking dealers along my route and found stock tires available in Lexington (my first overnight stop). Kept checking and found American Elites (preferred) in Arkansas, right there in the town we have our house in. Tuesday morning I get new rubber. Feeling much better...
Then last night as I complete a quick clean-up on the bike and pull it in the garage I notice a "flashing light" on my rear spark-plug boot. Seems the plug-wire has worn and the spark is jumping to the rocker-cover. So today I'll be running around to secure and install a set of wires, then I should be good to go.
At least I'm already packed and my work-related demands are under control. Looking forward to heading-out on the road! First stop is Lexington, KY for dinner with Dad.
So, local H-D dealer has the SE 10mm wires in stock. I grab them by juggling conference calls to and from the dealer (hour each way). I wrap-up the work day a bit early and head into the garage for a "quick" swap of the wires.
Right... Holy-$hit what a pain in the a$$... Coil is blocked by the my CoolFlow fan, which means the battery has to come out (it blocks access to the mounting screws). And to route the wires cleanly the tank needs to come off; ordinarily not a problem when planned, but I was all fueled-up and ready to ride before this bit of electrical calamity reared it's ugly head.
Anyway, here's a view of the patient open on the table...
The CoolFlow fan screws are in a crazy-tough spot to reach. I installed the fan two-years ago so I knew what I was in for and dreaded getting in there again. Thank heavens, beside the difficult-to-reach bolts, everything else went smoothly. I'll admit, the whole experience has me longing for a naked bike.
Couple of hours later I was ready to roll...
Tomorrow is Day 1... Bright and early, off to Lexington, KY. See y'all along the way!
If you go to OK look for a town called Spavinaw. There is a BBQ place called Bradfords that was outstanding. We where last there in 2019 not sure if it is still open but the wife and I will go back next time we make it to the Ozark area.
After my pre-ride fiasco, I’m pleased to report smooth sailing into Lexington. Roads were damp as I headed out due to overnight rain but I avoided any weather issues along the way and by the time I hit West Virginia it was fantastic riding.
I am again reminded about how great a ride I-68 to I-79 is. Did this run only a few weeks back. Another pleasurable experience.
Covered about 675 miles in 11 hours, running from fill-up to empty. Each stop for fuel included a restroom break, a drink and a few minutes to stretch my legs. Got into Lexington about 6:30PM, in plenty of time for dinner with Dad (and a few Bourbon Barrel Ales).
Same approach, solo-run to meet-up with friends in Bentonville. Moved off the interstate for a bit to explore some local towns in southern Indiana and Illinois. About 700 miles over 11 hours.
Overall uneventful, save for a tractor-trailer blow-out a few hundred yards ahead of me. Traffic scattered as the rig pulled to the shoulder, disaster averted.
These past two days, coupled with the past few weeks of similar riding, have provided me a new appreciation for interstate riding. Finding that its ALL good.
Stopped twice along the way to grab pictures. This first one I stopped and turned around to go back for...
I couldn't see what I was getting because of the bright sun and screen glare so I missed capturing the vast expanse of colorful equipment lining a few acres of field.
This next shot was planned well in advance of the state line...
This is my first visit to Arkansas. Dude pulled-up behind me and I initially wondered if he thought I need help on the side of the road. Turns out hes looking for the same picture.
Dinner locally in Bentonville at The Preachers Son. It was a quick pick and we got lucky - excellent meal, service, atmosphere. On vacation!
Looking forward to a week of exploring this part of the country.
Last edited by Old Sport; Jul 4, 2021 at 10:29 AM.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
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Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Ozark-bound... Here we go!
New wires... What a P.I.T.A.!
