Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge My first trip!

Well folks the time is here, my first MC trip on my America! In the last week I have purchased a new rear tire, heated grips, 18 tooth sprocket, headlight and brakes. I also adjusted my windshield for a little better protection and added some new alpine star boots to my gear.

I will be heading to Knoxville to meet my best friend and try to ride the skyway and the dragon. Then it will be off to Atlanta on Saturday in the cage for the international MC show and the super motocross Saturday night. Sunday I will be heading home via the Blue Ridge parkway.

I have changed my oil, added the heated grips and brakes all by myself. I have restored cars, raced R/Cs and even machined and engine or two so doing my own wrenching is not a big deal to me. But working on this bike has been a real pleasure and very easy to do. The only head ache I have had so far is I had a stripped allen head on one of my bar ends. It was some work but not that bad.

I would like to thank all the members here, this is a great resource. I did have a couple of questions and I found all the answers here using the search function.

I purchased most everything from New Bonneville and it has been a real pleasure! I will be ordering a few more things from them.

My only concern is the rain forecasted on Sunday. I don’t care to ride in the rain, matter a fact my entire MSF course was in the rain. But I am a little worried about the America, I hope that things doesn’t quit on me. Dean

Sounds like a great trip Dean. You might want to hit the electrical connectors with some dielectric grease. In the past members have had some problems in the rain with their bikes cutting out on them, and dielectric grease is a good preventive fix for that. Also if you haven't thought of it, wrapping everything up that goes in your saddlebags in plastic garbage bags prevents stuff from getting wet in case water leaks inside.

Good luck on your trip. Ride safe and take pics.

Dean, I gotta tell you I have ridden in some rain that beat the tar outta me, like bee stings...could hardly see the road ahead of me. This rain was harder than I think I have ever drove my car in. My Speedie ran flawlessly. At Pat's New York rally, everyone I meet faced extreme rain and noone complained about their scoots faltering..noone! So take heart and... ride safe... Gordon

Dude I was in the Forest Gump sideways rain & she didn't skip a beat!

Although the problem hasn't cropped up as much lately on here as it used to 3 years ago, I stand by my recommendation. In the past I've seen enough reports about cutting out in the rain to suggest some dielectric grease as preventive maintenance. It's only $3-5 for a tube of it, and it takes about 30 minutes to grease the key spots.

sounds like an awesome trip.. I'm soooo jealous.. still too much white stuff on the ground up here

Have an excellent and safe trip

Take some good pictures. Be safe!

Gerry

Sounds like a good trip, good luck and have fun.

Salmaglie is exactly right in his advice to you.

For peace of mind, it would not hurt to grease all the electrical connections.

Have a great trip Dean!

There, I just made a sacrifice to the weather gods for your ride. Can't go into details as it's tooooo complicated and the police are now pounding on my door. So gotta go and your welcome. Oh have a good ride

And at all costs...avoid the clap.

Dean,
Have a great trip out on Sunday and don't wory about the rain if it does then just ride safer, we know about rain in UK.
Took some time over your web pages and you have some good kit there and some good interests. Hope to see some pictures of individual/bespoke add ons for the America, get it right and there are hundreds of "customers" here to susidise your hobbies...
Cheers, Mike

Oh MOTORCYCLE trip, next time be specific. I "flashed back" to 1970 for a minute there.