| Author | Message | ||
     Jprovo |
As some of you know, I rode a Buell Blast to the 20th anniversary party in East Troy from my home in California. Many people have asked for details of the trip, so I’ll post them here. Day 1, Saturday, 8/16/03, Home to Barstow to Vegas and beyond. I left home at about 7:00 AM, amd made my first gas stop in Barstow. Just outside of Barstow, the freeway was stopped. Over 2 miles of cutting through stopped vehicles and people standing next to their cars with their doors open is now way to start a ride. I ended up riding through the mess, and riding into Baker, Ca (home of the world’s largest thermometer) where it was 94 degrees, dry, and windy. My trip for the day was pretty uneventful for the day until I entered Utah. I chased (and ran from) thunderstorms for about two hours before I hit a good downpour, luckily my gear kept me dry. After about 600 miles of riding, I stopped in Nephi, Utah (about 40 miles from Provo) for the night. Day 2, Sunday, 8/17/03, Nephi to Cheyenne Sunday started out as a beautiful day in Utah. I took a diversion off the 15 onto HWY 189, which was a much more scenic ride along the Provo river.  Jumping on to I-80 I took a final picture in Utah before heading into Wyoming.  Wyoming had some beautiful skies.  After I took that picture, I was dodging thunderstorms. I rode through a few showers, but never got really wet. I ended up stopping in Cheyenne after riding about 500 miles. After I got settled in for the night, it started raining pretty good.  Day 3, Monday, 8/18/03, Cheyenne to Marshalltown Monday I figured I’d stop screwing around with the camera and actually put some miles on the bike. I put about 700 miles on the bike, falling about 60 miles or so short of Waterloo. I called up Dave S. along the way to make sure that I could ride in to Racine with the guys from Waterloo Brag on Tuesday. I don’t remember too much about the day other than the whole state of Nebraska seemed to be mowing the shoulders of the freeway with John Deere tractors, the Semi-trucks were fast. I think I finally broke in my Corbin seat. Day 4, Tuesday, 8/19/03, Marshalltown to Waterloo to Racine I ended up getting to Waterloo HD/Buell Cycle Center about 9:00 am and meeting Dave. Dave is a great guy, I basically hung out and kept him from doing his job until he gave me the key to a XB12S and got me out of his hair. The 12S is a great bike, I just wish I could have ridden it on some twisties. The gang (Craig, Mike Boomer, IA Mike, and Ralph) showed up at about noon and we got on the road. We met up with Alex (Awprior) in Dubuque, crossed the Mississippi (a first for me) a rode in to Racine. In Dubuque, IA Mike told me that my bike was smoking really badly. I ended up putting aver a quart and a half of oil into my little Blast. Throughout the trip oil consumption had been getting progressively worse, so I obviously had a major problem. I decided that I’d get the bike fixed in Iowa on the way back, and as long as it wasn’t fouling plugs, I would keep oil in it and not let it ruin the 20th for me. When we hit Racine, one of the first things I remember is Charlotte walking up, taking a good look at me and saying “HE DOESN’T LOOK CRAZY TO ME!”. It turns out if you ride 2000+ miles on a Blast you are considered to be a hardcore rider (or totally insane). I can’t tell you how many times someone told me that they were not worthy to ride with me. I just had to chuckle, it’s not often that a Blast rider gets to hear stuff like that. Meeting everyone was a hoot, and the get together at the bar was fun. | ||
| Jprovo |
Day 5, Wednesday, 8/20/03, East Troy and Skeeter Duty A couple of times on the way to the factory, my bike started performing skeeter duty and smoking like a chimney, I was pretty worried, but I figured that what better place to break my bike than the factory. The factory tours, meeting Erik Buell, Court, Henry Duga, Kim and many others is not something I’ll soon forget. The factory personnel were very helpful and informative and did their best to answer the questions that Bucking Fubba, Bear from Tilley’s and I had. I got a kick out of the water tank on the Blast assembly line used for seeing air leaks that had plastic frogs and change in it, and was the gal’s “retirement fund”. The 20th was one heck of a day… Day 6, Thursday, 8/21/03, Resting and the Banquet. Thursday was basically a day of rest and the excellent Banquet. The Banquet was great. I spent some time talking to Henry Duga about my concerns regarding the lack of bracing on the Pro-Series intake for the Blast, and listening to stories of Erik’s hooligan hot rods. The presentation by Erik was a treat, I feel grateful that I got to be a part of this. Day 7, Friday, 8/22/03, Back to Waterloo On Friday IA Mike and I went back to Waterloo. Oil consumption was totally out of control. I think the bike sucked down a half a quart of oil in about 250 miles. At HD/Buell Cycle center, it was determined that the exhaust valve guide on the Blast had cracked, moved around in the head and caused general havoc. It was quite obvious to see looking into the exhaust port. While the dealership fixed my bike, DaveS lent me a beautiful S3, and IA Mike’s wife allowed me to stay in their basement.  Day 8-14, Saturday 8/23/03-Friday 8/29/03 Iowa. Due to a snafu, It took a week for a replacement head to be installed on my bike. I would complain, but I really enjoyed myself bombing around Iowa on the S3 and spending time with Mike and his family. Mike and his family treated me like I was family member, and I can’t thank them enough for all they did for me. To all those who wonder what the heck I did in Iowa for a week, believe it or not, there is a heck of a lot to do. I am a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright, so I visited two of his houses, one on Saturday, and one on Monday. Sunday I took a ride with the guys around Backbone state park. Tuesday I explored some decent roads along the Mississippi, and went for a hike to see the Effigy Burial Mounds. Wednesday I went to the National Motorcycle Museum and Hall of fame in Anamosa (we have to get Erik into the hall of fame). Thursday and Friday I pretty much rested and relaxed, because I knew that I had to haul butt home.   Day 15 Saturday 8/30, Waverly to Des Moines to Grand Island I left Mike’s home in Waverly at about 7 am after Mike’s wife Beth cooked me breakfast. Did I mention that the Stevens are great people? I went about 160 miles before I noticed a lot of oil leaving the engine post haste and coating my boots and legs with oil. I turned back and went to Zook’s HD/Buell in Des Moines to have them fix my bike, I got there at about noon. The people at Zook’s were totally taken aback that I had ridden a Blast all the way from California. They brought over their Buell sales manager to show him a “real” Bueller, all in all they treated me very well. After screwing around with the breather system for awhile, they replaced my rockerbox gasket. At 4:00 PM they had me back on the road. I jumped on the bike and rode about 275 miles to Grand Island, NE to stay for the night. Day 16 Sunday, 8/31, Grand Island to Green River Sunday, I got a move on and put about 750 miles behind me. I went from grand Island NE, through the beautiful state of Colorado (I really need some time to explore that state) and into Green river Utah. I slept like a rock that night. Day 17 Monday, 9/1, Green River to Home Monday I finished the trip, around 700 miles. Traffic from Las Vegas to Victorville was a mess. I think I cut traffic for over 50 miles on Monday. I was just glad to be home. Overall, I think the Blast did well, but after a week on the S3, I can understand why people respect the trip I made. Oil consumption was more than reasonable, it consumed about a quart of oil on the way home. BTW Blasters, a set of Avon Tyres lasted the whole trip. James | ||
| Ezblast |
Great Tale James I knew you'd book it back in time to celebrate your Anniversary with your wife - though you must have been walking like John Wayne - even with the Corbin - lol - Great job bro! - We are all proud of ya! I posted a link to this Tale in the Thumper section for everyone there also to enjoy! GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Cjmblast |
Jprovo, glad to see you make it safely, good story !! CJ  | ||
| Bads1 |
Jprovo why didn't you say you were a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright???? There was quite a few place's I could have shown you in Racine,starting with Johnson wax's buildings and several house's.I actually grew up in a house that was built by one of his apprentices,really miss that house sometimes. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Ah, Yes , I'm as jealous as I thought I'd be.Great job on squeezing that whole trip into a few short paragraphs-well written-But I hardly think it could convey how you feel inside.Awesome.So, the next time someone pokes fun at you & your Blast, you can tell them the story of your trip, or you can just smile sweetly knowing you have accomplished what many haven't or wouldn't even try!Good job James & thanks for sharing it with us. Erik | ||
| Ezblast |
DP got one of those S3's for sale - same color and year - didn't check miles - had the bags though - lol - yea they are purty - and a nice way to distance travel - and not that heavy - still I'm a sick pup and to me (with a better seat) the XBR is my idea of a long distance bike;0)- lol - GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Sparky |
Very nice ride report, James. Glad you took the time to take some pics. Welcome back. When you blasted thru Colorado wasn't the Glenwood Canyon section spectacular? I have these indelible memories of winding out my S1 to 90 or so in 3rd gear again & again, thoroughly enraptured by the sound of the Supertrapp echoing off the canyon walls on those stacked roadways and transforming those long tunnels into mile long reverb chambers -- music to my ears. It's little things like this that make long trips memorable. Sparky | ||
| Kinger |
Great story James. Glad you made it home safely. That is quite the trip! | ||
| Blake |
Wow, great story! How refreshing to see someone suffer difficulties and simply take them in stride, even make a good time of it. | ||
| Jprovo |
Dana (Bads1), My wife is the real FLLW fan, hopefully you can show both of us the buildings next time I'm over there. Living a house done by one of his apprentices must have been one heck of an experience. James | ||
| Jprovo |
Sparky, Thanks, for the welcome back, I'm glad to be home. The Glenwood springs area was really beautiful, I wish I had time the time to explore more of Colorado, maybe in the next year of two. James | ||
| Jprovo |
Erik, I really have trouble expressing some of the great experiences that I had on this trip. It's really hard to explain the satisfaction of knowing that you finally out rode that storm cloud that seemed to be doing 75 mph, the grim determination that it takes to ride pass a sign in the desert that reads "Next Service 108 miles" on a bike with a 120 mile range, or the the joy of stumbling across a nice twisty road along a river. Next time you have to come along for the ride. Maybe you can join the Golden State club next time we go to Solvang, or maybe Big Bear. James | ||
| Jprovo |
Blake, Thanks, but I wouldn't had have such a great time in Iowa if it wasn't for my friends. DaveS and IaMike really stepped up to the plate. I hope that I can return the favors to them sometime. James | ||
| Court |
James: Yours is going to stand as one of the dandy Buell stories, based on travel, people and the entire experience. Great read! Court | ||
| Timbo |
James, You have done us SoCal'ers proud with your determination and perseverance. I'm glad the trip was enjoyable overall and you made it home safely. I'm looking forward to our next ride so you can tell us more. Timbo | ||
| Jim_sb |
Excellent adventure, James! I'm glad it all worked out for you in the end. See you soon. Jim in Santa Barbara |
