Bob Myers

Rode an IBA ride in June with 6 HD, 2 BMW, and a VTX1800. Everyone was commenting on how my 28 year old bike looked, "all still there and apparently roadworthy" was one comment. When we left the first fuel stop I had had enough of the non-muffled HD's, so the VTX and I leaned out in the left lane and went on. Next fuel stop was mandatory as a corner in the ride, we were fueled and leaving when the HD's got there. Next mandatory fuel/corner stop was 325 miles east of that stop, we were 40 miles back in the return and passed the HD guys going the other way. Next fuel stop the fellow on the VTX ask if I were through showing off, thought I should conserve the "old" bike while it was still so pretty and ran so good. I let him chuckle at me and even lead off when we left. I heard him shift 3 times and cranked mine open. When I passed him I think it scared him, I'm almost sure he pulled over and ran it through the gears again to make sure he was using all he had. Next fuel stop he walked up and patted the bike on the trunk and said" I have a healthy new respect for these old bikes now. Oh, the BMW's, I caught them at the finish point, they were near an ½hour ahead of the VTX and I.

I moved mine back too, and up about ½", made and sold a few sets of aluminum brackets to do that. Having a flat rack like those Europeans would make adding a rectangular fuel tank under the trunk really easy

If the radio will play through the headset then your headset is OK. Does the CB work, can others hear you? What headsets are you using?

Wish I had one of those European trunk mounts

Was just discussing this with wife, we may fly the wing down on Friday and meet with the gang on Saturday for a ride or three. The Motel6 there is 268 miles from me, easy ride after work

Like to see some pics of this with no trunk in place

You folks stay at the KOA between Black Mtn and Asheville, right?

I may do just that, I have a 4 gallon fuel cell with foam. Was looking at taking the pad off the passenger backrest and bolting an aluminum plate to that, and the fuel cell to the plate. And,,,, just as soon as I do that she'll suggest we take the Venture instead of the wing for a ride.

No one in member list named twigg, but thank you for trying

I'm a Member of the IBA forums, running through the rosters I don't even see but 2 other people on 1st gen Ventures. Strange indeed. Their rules, last I read of them stipulate max gallon allotments only for rallys. Simple SS or BB runs don't have a max gallon load. Only that like the rally tanks, they be securely mounted, and have a shutoff. My reasons are for more than just a ss or bb ride. I'd like to be able to ride all week to and from work on a single tank, my range of 140 miles or so falls a more than couple days short

foam and baffles will help the wiggle. I carried a box of parts to UPS in the trunk last week, weighed 28 pounds. Really didn't notice it was there. 2 more pounds for my "wants" of 5 gallons

Yea, that is why I considered making a tank to fit under the trunk. Wife never rides with me on this bike any more so raising the trunk 4 inches would be of little consequence.

Yes, and you would not believe how many times I have searched for that picture and description you posted. I was 98% sure it was on a Goldwing site!! If it won't fit in the saddlebag then I may try to con you out of it. I have actually drawn a plan to build an aluminum tank for saddlebag, just leary of doing so since it'll throw me off balance. I like Brians idea of 2 separate unit, one in each bag even though that be twice as much welding and plumbing, a magnetic fuel pump on each would suffice to drain them down

My goldwing w/sidecar has a 5 gallon in the right saddlebag, no danger of being out of balance there.

Any one add an aux fuel tank to a first gen? Considering either adding one in right saddlebag or build one to place under trunk. Other than raising the center of gravity that strikes me as a better idea than adding 4 gallons of ballast to one side.

From Albany it's only about 205 miles to Guntersville via 127, if you have time stop at Cumberland Mountain State Park south of Crossville, nice place, buffet in the restaurant is fantastic

Wife and I are planning an "around Lake Michigan" ride for September. Tentatively our first night will put us around Waukegan Ill. While that is an easy ride from home for me, I have an extra set of eyes that'll be wanting to look around. Been over 20 years since I have been up in that part of the world, how is that area for crime and ease of lodging? Any particular areas(other than a 50 mile radius of CHicago) that are must avoids? Rest of the trip I will be in familiar territory, we did the UP last year in the car(boring) and will cover some of the same territory again this year. Plan is roughly 250 to 300 miles per day so she can see and do whatever it is women like to see and do on vacation. Personally it would suit me to leave home on Friday and circle the lake and be home on Sunday. Its only 1600 miles, that's an easy weekend ride.

I was thinking the combat I rode was 100 also, but that don't seem right

Ther was a Hodaka dealer here in Lexington back then that had Wombat on the floor, test rode it, scared my 17 year old butt too. Was the quickest most nimble thing I had ever ridden. But, I was accustomed to CL160 for a daily ride then too.

"THe Bread Of LIfe", it is run by some Amish folks who also run a childrens home and employ some of the older kids in the restaurant. In southern Albany, about 5 miles from Tn line on business 127 is a fantastic little diner, Jones Diner. Must stop and eat their buffet, it is like $7 or so. In about 18 miles south of Albany, in northern Tn is the Sgt Alvin York Memorial. If you are a war buff you know who this is and what he is famous for. When you cross I40 you will be in Crossville. The worlds largest tree house is there but the state fire marshall has it closed for now because he doesn't have sprinklers in the treehouse. Also, just west of town, in case you are interested is "Pandoras Forest", a swinger club. Haven't been there yet, but it is on my list.

I'd make it a full day, 8 hours of riding or so and become destinated for the day in Staunton(470 miles from you). From there I'd head east on 64 and jump on the BRP from there. May as well do the whole thing! It's only 469 miles to Cherokee, but it'll take 2 days if you like to stop and peek over the edge of the lookouts. We have ridden it in 13 hours, 4 of which were in the rain. No fun. When you going? Wife and I may like to cruise along with you from Lexington to Staunton. We are planning a Great Lakes trip for September so likely that is eactly when you are planning yours

even though the cables look the same to me, my Nuvi 350 will not operate on 12v from the cable intended for the Nuvi780. It would do what you said, just the "GARMIN" logo, nothing else, unplug it and it worked as it should The cable for the 350 went kaput so I tried the other, ended up buying a new cord for the 350 and it is all well again.

50 east is a fun road, but I'd likely take 42 down to US48 and then to Front Royal. Other than Skyline is there reason to go to Front Royal?

I concur with Gary, the Skyline is best skipped if you can. 35mph, Rangers every few miles with radar and laser looking for a handout.105 miles up hill, both ways BlueRidge is many times more comfortable, better pace, fewer Rangers, much better views, and just like Skyline your Granfathers tax dollars built it but no entry fee to ride it. Now for his directions,,,, leave yourself 8 or 10 hours to ride that 260 miles, you will enjoy 99% of it immensely. Depending on when you are coming through, and what route you are taking we may be up for the 265 mile jaunt up to Fairmont with you.

Yessir she would lose some view to the left, so I have learned to just turn around if it is something she should see. As you have implied, the trip is much more important than the destination