Preparing DOHC CB750 for lengthy travel

[cdaiscool]

So, I wanted to make this a thread/discussion about how to adequately prepare the bike for travel. While the bike should be in top condition before even leaving for the basic journey, a trip into the yonder for a while should have a few extra preparations. Since I'm going to be partaking in a journey such as this during Winter, I feel this can help others prepare an older bike as well. Granted, I have no experience with such things, but feel this will be a living document; one that can be changed as things are noticed.

I feel as though this should NOT be about the ride, the rider, etc. The other thread should be good for that.

This includes:
-Oil change. Synthetic oil will allow the bike to hold the oil better, break down easier, and generally be easier on the old metal inside these motors.
-Chase down/resolve issues. For me: coils, reserve (petcock), stop light, and chain. Yours will vary.
-Tire fixing. This needs some discussion: slime vs tire plug. Mechanic near me recommended a tire plug kit, others may want to go with slime. I have tubeless; for those with tube, check out what you may need to do. Patches, slime, or something else.
-Tool kit. While everyone has a basic tool kit they may have, I currently do not. I will be taking some small kits of tools and safety wire.
-Cam chain tightening.
-Check things that have serious amounts of vibration; verify all is tightened down.
-Verify/obtain insurance papers, if you aren't sure where yours are currently.

I am currently roughly 1.5, 2 months away from my ride. I am riding as much as I can, while trying to be honest with potential repairs I may need to make between now and then. Fixing something on the side of the road would just suck. Fixing something that could have been repaired before you left would just suck more.

Gurus of the site: any other suggestions?

[shinyribs]

Disclaimer: I'm NOT a guru whatsoever.   The tool kit is a great idea. I'm not sure about a DOHC bike,but for a SOHC I would say a 10mm,12mm,14mm,a phillips and an adjustable wrench. Some spare lengths of wire,pliers and a few crimp connectors and electrical tape.

Do you have a sissybar or any sort of luggage compartments? If not you can ride with a book bag like I do for change of clothes. The temps vary and so will the amount/type of clothes you'll wanna wear.

All in all,it is great to be prepared. Agreed 100%. But faith in your machine is paramount. I tinker with my bike constantly cuz I just cant sit still,but I have havent actually had a break down in the 10K-ish miles I've had it going. I'm not saying not to worry about things-be prepared,for sure!-I'm just saying not too worry too much. Keep an eye on tire pressure and keep that chain lubed and you'll be OK. These are dependable bikes. Have fun dude! I'm so jealous of you for doing this.

[cdaiscool]

I have a sissy bar, but the one I have is way too wide. At the back end, its probably 4-6" from the frame (haven't measured since July). At the front, its probably around 1". So I am curious as to whether there's something that'll either make that fit, or I can get one that's a lot tighter to the frame. I don't really want to use basic screw rod to make it work. Not when my seat is held in with 2 of the bolts, and riders will invariably be pushing against the sissy bar.

As for trust, I agree in that it is paramount to a trip of this caliber. I am riding the crap out of the bike, trying to put on as many miles as I can between now and then. I've got some stuff I'm trying to get right now for working on it this weekend (e.g. the coils) and then I'll be riding it even more.

Jealous? Of me? Come on man. You've got badass bikes, awesome stories, and live in the mountains! I'm freaking jealous of YOU. But, if you're jealous of me, then let's plan to meet somewhere, you can ride with me for even a part of it, and you can head back when you need to. Make the trip work for you! I have no destination, I'm completely fluid in it.

[sgtslag]

Upgrade the suspension, if you plan on touring on your 750:  Progressive Front Fork Springs, and Progressive 412 Rear Shocks.  This will not only improve the comfort of the ride, but it will also improve the safety by dramatically improving the suspension, keeping the wheels in full contact with the road surface.

Get yourself a comfort seat cover for long hours in the saddle:  link.  Try the least expensive option first, and work up to the most expensive.  It really is a trial by fire thing, as what works for one person, won't work for another.

Equip your bike with saddlebags, a trunk, and a tank bag, if you can.  You will want storage space, and bikes don't have much of that no matter how well equipped!  Saddlebags should be vinyl, not leather, as vinyl is waterproof, and resistant to mildew, mold, etc.  Vinyl cleans up easily, and it is much less expensive than leather.  I'd recommend those with quick-release tabs, to avoid wasting too much time unbuckling the flaps every time.  LeatherUp sells some at reasonable prices, or Willie & Max sell great stuff at higher prices.  A magnetic tank bag is really nice to have, as it can be used to store water, a GPS, carry your phone, maps, as well as other smaller stuff.  Magnetic bags are easier to use, and powerful magnets secure it to your metal fuel tank.  If you get one with a clear map cover, you can place your highway map inside it, for quick reference on the road.  Cheers!

[cdaiscool]

I've tried saddle bags, but found they would hit the tire and was wearing a hole in the bottom. Is there an easy way to mount them, perhaps some sort of metal frame, that can keep the bag from hitting the tire?

My dad said he's got a sheepskin seat cushion for me the next time I come up, so I'm going to try that out. The seat I have is really comfortable already, so I suspect with the cover as you recommend it will very likely be comfortable.

I'm planning to get a tank bag this week or next week; once I find a sissy bar, I'm planning to get a good sized sissy bar bag, and hang a sleeping bag over the back of the sissy bar. Alternatively, I am going to try tracking down the luggage rack the previous owner custom-made for the bike, and put that on and then see if I can get the sissy bar I currently have to work with that. Otherwise, I may fabricate some spacers to make it work. That way, I'll have a way to carry some more. I agree, space is definitely at a premium and am trying to maximize that to my best ability. I'm trying to do this on a reasonable budget. My attempt is for keeping everything at/below $400, or $500 if absolutely necessary.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[shinyribs]

+1 on the tank bag. Those things are awesome. And if you find one with a clear window it makes using your GPS easy. Handlebar mounts are cool for GPS's or cell phones,but you can get bugs/weather on it like that. Not cool.

I'd love to ride along with you as much as I can ! I'm in SW Virginia. Lynchburg-Roanoke area. If you happen to pass through this way holler at me for sure! I believe Tools so graciously gave you my cell number already


P.S.- All my bikes are actually slow and my stories are all BS

[free2ride]

sgtslag wrote

Saddlebags should be vinyl, not leather, as vinyl is waterproof, and resistant to mildew, mold, etc.  Vinyl cleans up easily, and it is much less expensive than leather.

this is good to know -- I was looking at a leather bag with a rain cover -- proly more expensive too.

I have that tank bag you're talking about -- and it is definitely worth the investment [the clear map cover is great for printed google maps]. course, if you have a GPS it's superfluous [my two bit word for the day].

[sgtslag]

Yes, there are brackets to prevent this from happening.  Willie and Max sell one:  link.  I used a similar product I found on e-Bay, for less money.  Do an Internet search for "motorcycle saddlebag mounting brackets".

Most saddlebags come with loops on the bottom:  use these to secure the bags to the mounting brackets, to prevent them from flopping around, full or empty.  I used some inexpensive carabiners, from a local hardware store.  Cheers!

[Piute]

      Some flat peaces of steal cut to liength that can be bolted onto "( anywere )" frame that hold baggs out,To simple ,makes for easy complication.(if to long (over 9-10 inches)they may have to touch & bolt together(stiff plastic inside back of bag helps).NOBODY see's them (unless there looking to see how.

[shinyribs]

Another option on bags. Major cheapo option and probably not the best for a long hauler. You can get actual saddle bags ( think horse,not motorcycle) for very cheap. I got these shipped to me for $30. I just sling them over the fender,flop the seat down and ride. If I have to park somewhere iffy,i can take them in with me.If I dont want them on the bike I just leave them off.No tools.

[cdaiscool]

Hmm, I wonder if I used a Willie and Max generic bag holder, how well those would work with it.

So, I need to diagnose my no-brake-light issue. I haven't had the opportunity to look more into it (been too busy with life  ) and want to dive into it next weekend with some knowledge. Neither front nor rear brake turns it on. I'm pretty certain that both went out at the same time. I suspect the wiring under the seat may have gotten crunched and pinched a wire.

Also, horn and turn signals no longer work. I am not certain if these died at the same time as the lights, but its possible. When turn signals went, both sides went at the same time. They worked temporarily (read: around 1 minute) when I put a new flasher unit in, but then they just stopped again. I am unsure if the flasher unit is bad, messed something up, or who knows what. The brights DO work on the switch, so the switch itself isn't shot (unless its something regarding the horn and light switch portions only).

I'm going to comb over the wiring diagrams and see where all 3 meet and investigate there. Or, I may test at the switches, verify those have power before and after (when activated) then just keep testing until I no longer get light. That should work as well; we'll see, though.

Haven't decided if I'm going to remove the rear turn signals or just replace the right-side that's missing. I figure if I figure out all my wiring issues (HA!) then I may use 'em; however, right now, not too keen on leaving the 1 side there.

Alternatively, I've found that my clutch doesn't like to fully return. I sometimes have to push it back out. I noticed this after the bike fell over after a hard rain. It fell on the left side, and the clutch was dug into the grass a bit. What could I check or adjust to fix this?

[Piute]

   Lube that cable overnight ,There is a tool that makes it simple but Cheap"O" piute just remove,then rubberband a baggy on(hole of course) add oil Hang let set over night over a bucket ,

[cdaiscool]

I will definitely do that, thanks!

Got caught in some traffic, stalled the bike twice, and it then developed a hesitation in mid throttle. Wide open, it was happy. Anything less, and it was harsh. I am wondering if something got busted loose and its running lean. I am pulling the tank this weekend and cleaning the petcock (I think the petcock is plugged because I do not have a reserve tank currently; I hit 4.0 gallons and run out of gas). If that is, then I suspect that while I am in this meeting the junk blocking the petcock will fall off and the bike should run well again. Or so I hope. Its 31 degrees outside and its 60 miles from home...

[Piute]

      I don't have a reserve either ,I've ran out 3 time now ,(total of all other time in my life)
  Reason I carry a can most all the time now,,
Tired of buying them,,BUT I can get about a mile if I lean N kinda swish the gas to the left side,What ever works right
                                                  STORY time:
       Ya know you have God on your side when your out just checking out lost roads (nothing but nature around)
   Your bike dyes ya get off look at (ready to kick it) check the gas tank emtie ,ya look behind and there's a car ,Guy says whats wrong out of gas ?YES SIR, Then with a smile he says I just filled my ATV and have some left here in trunk,THX. take this(trying to hand him some cash) NO THX.nice looking ole bike keep in on the road,Was a great day even though I ran out.

[robs750]

As far as luggage you may consider finding a luggage rack/backrest so you can mount a sissy bar bag like some in this link.........

http://www.motorcycle-luggage.com/bags/SissyBarBags.html

[cdaiscool]

I'm trying to track down a sissy bar now. I've got a Wanted post up, and am currently working on getting everything together.

Piute, the 2 times I ran out: 1st time, happened in the parking lot of Lowe's, as I was going past the gas station in the same parking lot. Seriously lucky on that one. 2nd time, about to get on the highway and forgot reserve wasn't working. Knew I was low, wanted to use some of the reserve, and it died 1.8 miles from nearest gas station. Walked it up one hill, rode via gravity down, then walking the 2nd part of highway a package delivery guy (a courier) stopped and randomly had 1 gallon of gas on him. He gave me some, asked that I leave him some. So I only put a little bit in. I took off, went up the last hill, and 4 blocks from the gas station - at a red light - it died again. I was so pissed. Yet I got it up the hill using the guy's gas.

tl;dr: I'm watching my miles now; after 100 miles, I stop for gas.

[Piute]

      When i was a kid O.K. a few years ago ,Once I was taking a road trip on my old Schwinn varsity ten speed,
  It had a rack ,But what I did was took some old back packs and strapped one to each side of the            bike ,they didn't match but both were green sort of ,
 We went on a 2 wk.trek and had a great time all over Shaver Lake in Oregon,
                                      Not for fashion but for works


           What I use now on bike but will show better pic.cause going back on the 750.

[masiste]

 That is very cool. If you want to ride  away like that, goods idea would be a set of side bags. Those ones that go against the rear wheel area.

  Also, you should ride south towards FLA, avoiding snow and really bad weather.

  I am in the west coast, otherwise I would be tempted to join in.

  Cool.

[masiste]

 Just read about other members advice, Guess I am not the first one talking about bags. Cool, we all think "Ridder".

 What about a small trailer. Seen those in big cruiser bikes. or even scoring a side car. That could be very cool. Once at a Hotel or friend's place, you could unbolt the cart ( or trailer) and enjoy free rides.

[cdaiscool]

I'm working on figuring out my bag situation. I think a sissy bar will give me more storage, and can get probably mostly anything I'd need in that regard. However, as it gets close, if it turns out I can't then I'm going to go with bags. I have some leather ones I'll use for now, and then upgrade later as cash permits.

Also, I'm not doing an extra hardware change - aka, no trailer or sidecar. That's a bit over-the-top, me thinks.

However, I AM going south. I haven't a clue where, precisely; my plan is to just ride and see where I end up. I will probably ride hard to get out of the snow belt, but beyond that I'm at a basic loss.