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MOTOBRICK RIDING => Photographic Ride Reports => Topic started by: TimTyler on August 08, 2016, 12:17:52 AM

Title: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: TimTyler on August 08, 2016, 12:17:52 AM
After Tuesday I have no work for the rest of my life. Of coarse, when the phone rings that will change but, for now... GasBuddy says it's just $170 in K75 fuel all the way to RI, which is good because travel funds are low. It would appear that the stars are aligned for the moment. It might be time to visit the family back east.

As previously mentioned on the Motobrick.com, my valves are on their last legs (aka, shims) so this would be my last ride of substance before an engine overhaul or replacement. Otherwise the bike is running great. Freshly tuned and lubed throughout, with new Shinko 712 rubber front and rear.

Time to plan a route. Lots of camping and very-cheap motels. Wonder if I can make it to Newfoundland? Maybe catch the Finger Lakes BMW Rally on the way home?

(photo credit: CRASH (http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?action=profile;u=377))
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on August 08, 2016, 11:12:36 AM
Tim, On your way through you're welcome to crash on the futon in our family room.  Looking forward to seeing you again. 

Maybe even get some of the Canucks to come down.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: bocutter Ed on August 08, 2016, 11:31:26 AM
Maybe even get some of the Canucks to come down.
I can get as far as Fort Erie ...

Was thinking of making the trek sometime next week when cooler weather is expected.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: TimTyler on August 08, 2016, 11:54:05 AM
Tim, On your way through you're welcome to crash on the futon in our family room.  Looking forward to seeing you again. 

Thanks! Rochester is on my list, hopefully to catch a screening at the Dryden Theater.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: Martin on August 08, 2016, 05:02:59 PM
Did you mind retiring Tim, I was pushed into semiretirement and it sucked for a while, working now two days a week. I got used to it and am now looking forward to full retirement.
Good luck Martin.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: TimTyler on August 08, 2016, 05:16:09 PM
I am not retired. I'm self-employed and waiting for the phone to ring.

I actually got a call this morning to work three days mid-month in KY so it looks like I might ride in that direction.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: Martin on August 08, 2016, 05:30:22 PM
 :2thumbup:
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: TimTyler on August 08, 2016, 06:19:19 PM
Crap - Just got booked for a couple of days next week.

Wrecker Ride is on hold until the end of the month.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: Elipten on August 08, 2016, 10:50:13 PM
As my father taught me.

The only thing worse than working, is not working.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: TimTyler on October 15, 2016, 12:47:57 AM
OK. Let's give this another try :)

There's a nasty wind storm passing through Olympia tomorrow, and then I've got a few weeks free from responsibility. The K75 has fresh tires and fluids and should be ready to roll.

Looking at maps, I'm trying to find an easy to follow east-bound route that I haven't ridden before. Hoping to stop and visit friends in Rochester, Ithaca and Kingston, NY, and anywhere else along the way I'm welcome.

Here's a map off all the riding I've done from 2012 until early 2016. (https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=129845801b0a637f3b)  You can zoom in on that map.

I'm thinking that US-20, officially The Longest Road in the US, is the way to go.

I'm a little concerned about temperatures, especially in the passes, but I do have heated grips and a jacket liner, and the brick engine has always kept my legs warm. I'll just try to remember those sweltering hot Debauchery June days in Utah. Let's see how things look in the mountains after all this rain makes its way to the Rockies.

Ultimately the K75 will become my east coast bike and I'll fly home to Olympia early in November. I found some one-way fares as low as $160!

Of course, now that plans are public, the universe will respond by ringing my phone on Monday with work opportunities. Then again, now that the universe knows I'm expecting that, maybe it won't!  :neener:
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on October 15, 2016, 07:59:04 AM
When do you think you'll be coming through New York?  I would suggest Rte 20A from Hamburg, NY to Avon, NY.  Less urban traffic and a little bit nicer scenery, plus it runs about a mile from my place.  It would be fun to ride with you, especially since I am planning a blast into New England and the Cape the week of Oct. 22.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: TimTyler on October 15, 2016, 12:28:41 PM
When do you think you'll be coming through New York? 

Hoping to leave this Tuesday or Wednesday and I'll probably reach the Rochester area on the 6th or 7th day depending on weather. The days are short now and I don't plan to ride at night.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on October 15, 2016, 12:41:43 PM
Sounds like you'll be in the area around Monday(24th) or Tuesday(25th).  Hoping to have the red brick ready to go by then.   Keep us posted on your progress. 
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: TimTyler on October 18, 2016, 11:18:47 PM
I'm rolling. Trackable at https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=ff5d56d9bbad55320

Decided I wanted to stop at the pipeline protest in ND so I'm taking a more northerly route. Was going to take more old roads tomorrow but they'll be snowy and icy so I-90 and I-94 it is.

Today was very cold and very wet. Had all the cold-weather gear on plus heated grips and jacket liner. Glad I upgraded the alternator last spring.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: D.Bachtel on October 19, 2016, 12:07:50 AM
It's cool to follow with spotwalla! Thanks for taking us along.
Go Tim go.


Don in Nipomo
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: billday on October 19, 2016, 08:52:09 AM
Brrrrrrrrrrrr!

Hope you put up some pics from the pipeline protest.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: D.Bachtel on October 19, 2016, 10:25:11 PM
Ten hours of tracking and it looks like you ended up in Glendive....
I probably would have made a right at Livingston.

How many miles today Tim?


Don in Nipomo
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: TimTyler on October 20, 2016, 10:00:49 AM
 :mbird
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: D.Bachtel on October 20, 2016, 12:07:25 PM
Well look at you, up early and riding into the rainbow!
Thanks for taking us along.

Don in Nipomo
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: poach on October 20, 2016, 11:33:06 PM
Excellent pic Herr Tilor...excellent.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: TimTyler on October 22, 2016, 10:54:16 PM
I have not been taking a lot of photos. Bad weather, interstate highways, short daylight... I have lots of excuses.  :dunno

The vibe at the pipeline protest camp was weird. Lots of paranoia and confusion. Although I originally intended to stay another day I decided this morning to move on. I'm glad I did: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/more-80-dakota-access-pipeline-protesters-arrested-some-pepper-sprayed-n671281
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: Laitch on October 22, 2016, 11:19:31 PM
When gas was cheaper, I used to dry laundry like that, too.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: K1300S on October 23, 2016, 05:11:22 PM
good thing you got out of there.

"Four of those arrested Saturday had attempted to attach themselves to a sports utility vehicle parked on private property close to the construction equipment. Two fastened themselves to the exterior of the car, one bound himself to the steering wheel, and another fed his arm through a hole in the door and had his hand stuck inside a bucket of hardened concrete."

yikes.

Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: TimTyler on July 16, 2017, 10:23:10 PM
Back in RI helping my dad transition into managed care.

Uncovered the K75 which had been sitting under a tarp and bike cover with a battery tender since last fall. I sprayed it down with WD40 before covering it up and I was surprised to see it looked almost the same when I unwrapped it this week. There was a critter nest in the airbox and acorns tucked in all the nooks. Tire pressure had only dropped 2 psi!

I put in fresh Mobil-1 15w50 without a new filter and then she started up without issue.

The idle RPM stayed below 800 until I burned through the old gas and Stabil, and then a fresh tank of fuel brought the bike back to life. :)

The front suspension seemed mushy compared to the Versys I've ridden for the last 9k miles, so I swapped out the K75's Bel-Ray 5w for Bel-Ray 7w and it feels much better.

It feels great to be riding this bike again.

Heading west in a few days to visit old friends in Kingston and Ithaca, and the west back home to Olympia.

When I get home I'll probably remove the tragkorbs and rack and chop off the back end like all the other posers.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: Martin on July 16, 2017, 11:19:23 PM

 :yow Tim I sincerely hope you are just joking. :nono Good to see you back on the Brick.
Regards Martin.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: Chaos on July 16, 2017, 11:46:29 PM
 :clap: I'd go the raked out forks and apehangers route
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on July 17, 2017, 12:10:34 AM
Tim,  If you need a cylinder head, I have one here on an engine I will probably never use.  I need to make sure it's ok, but it's yours if you pay the shipping. 

If you're interested I can pull it off and get the specifics to you.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: TimTyler on July 17, 2017, 08:45:52 AM
Martin, assuming you mean "joking" about chopping off the tragkorbs?

The Versys is better suited to the kind of extended loaded touring I like to do, with off-road maneuverability and luggage capacity. The K75 will be perfect for sport-commuting and riding around Mt Rainier and the Olympic Peninsula.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: TimTyler on July 17, 2017, 08:53:14 AM
Tim,  If you need a cylinder head, I have one here on an engine I will probably never use.  I need to make sure it's ok, but it's yours if you pay the shipping. 
If you're interested I can pull it off and get the specifics to you.

Thanks!  :2thumbup:  If I tackle that job it won't be until the end of the year, so lets talk later.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on July 17, 2017, 10:36:53 AM
Keep me posted.  In the meantime I'll start pulling the head and getting some measurements.  Will post you with clearances and shim sizes after Labor day.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: Martin on July 17, 2017, 12:51:41 PM

chop off the back end like all the other posers.
Tim this was the part that got me worried, I thought you had turned to the Dark Side.
Regards a relieved Martin
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on July 17, 2017, 01:17:52 PM
Martin, that brick, as it is, has more character than any three cappuccino hacks combined.  To chop that machine would be a crime against sanity.

BTW, Tim uses it to travel from cafe to cafe.  It's just that they're usually 2-300 miles apart.  I would guess that makes it qualify as a cafe racer.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: Martin on July 17, 2017, 01:37:15 PM

Gryph I've been waiting for somebody to go down a different route than the coffee scrambler one, old hat done to death.
Regards Martin.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on July 17, 2017, 08:43:29 PM
I can hardly wait for the first K100 chopper project.  I'm pretty sure the cappuccino racer thing is close to running it's course, and a cappuccino bike would be a great starting point for a chopper.  It might be the only way the cappuccino builders can sell their creations so they can move on to new challenges.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: TimTyler on July 31, 2017, 06:39:59 PM
Made it back to Olympia without issue. Rode 1050 miles on the last day, from Culbertson, MT near the ND state line.

Got about 45mpg when my speed was under 70mph, and about 40mpg when I was going faster. Added a few ounces of engine oil after North Dakota.

Hosed the bugs off in the driveway on Sunday and then stripped off the windscreen, tragkorbs and Hepco-Becker rack. Today I bolted on a Pelican case and the ol' PVC tube I use to carry tools.

Got some fresh hand grips (http://amzn.to/2uRRCHN) and a brake-tail-turn light (http://amzn.to/2uRSWdX) coming in the mail from Amazon by week's end.

Need to order a new rear Shinko too. This one is squared-off from 95% highway riding.

Here's the final westbound route. (https://spotwalla.com/tripViewer.php?id=154ce59667c8615095&hoursPast=0&showAll=yes)
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: billday on August 02, 2017, 07:26:07 AM
That is the best looking K on Motobrick. In my opinion.
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: viffergyrl on August 02, 2017, 02:03:08 PM
 :2thumbup:

Hi Tim - That was an interesting trip! Thanks for the pictures - wish I had followed along.

Cheers!
Kris
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: TimTyler on August 06, 2017, 01:39:38 AM
Thanks, Kris!

I updated and old post of mine with some recent photos and modification notes. (http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,3186.msg87047.html#msg87047)
Title: Re: Coast to Coast K75 Valve Wrecker Ride
Post by: The Dude on August 07, 2017, 01:35:15 AM
Awsome trip.
I like how your's evolved beyond standard and into what suits you.You could crash it and it would just add more street cred.A little slide perhaps ah,who cares!
The Versys''"instant gratification" and a perfect tool for checking out the horizon but anyone could buy one of them.