Day 7 Challenges

 Today started out pretty cold.  We all bundled up.  As we traversed the rest of Michigan, a little Wisconsin, and entered Minnesota, the temperature slowly rode to 80+, sunny all the way.

Yesterday, I thoroughly enjoyed the Rapide and was bombing along today when mid-day it all went pear-shaped again. The engine died all of a sudden and I had to pull over.  A loose battery tie allows the battery strap to touch the terminals and short circuit burned the wiring to the electronic ignition.  This was not repairable at the side of the road.  I had to do the walk of shame to the chase trailer, load up the Rapide and deploy a TrIumph.  This one turned out to be a major surprise.   It is a heavily modified Triple pumped up to a whopping 1,000cc.  Even better it had updated suspension and a comfy seat.  Triple megaphones complete this awesome beast.

The dynamics of this bike are totally different.  The first thing you notice is torque, not just power.  Even better, the steering and handling are a big step up from the standard T160.  This was a thoroughly enjoyable ride.  Below is part of the lunch lineup

Something significant happened yesterday that I did not find time to mention.  At the start of Day5, we had the full complement of Vincents on the road.  This lasted barely an hour.  The front axle on Ian's Rapide loosened and backed right out.  The wheel collapsed to one side.  Fortunately, very fortunately the mishap occurred at a very low speed.  Ian had slowed right down for a stray dog that appeared just at the right time.  He was able to stop the bike without further carnage to man or machine.  It is not just bikes.  One of the trailers blew out a wheel bearing.  Some of the crew were dispatched to find parts.  That put this trailer, and its essential content (beer), delayed for 6 hours tonight.  

So we are back to being down two Vincents.  The rest is medical and I will not site names out of respect for personal privacy.  One of our men took a day off because he was not feeling well.  Another has a bad leg and was having difficulty starting the Vincent.  So he trailered it in favour of his electric start 850 Norton.  There are many others suffering pain and fatigue.  Make no mistake, this is a grind on all the people, including the crew.  There is a list of things to fix.  Some things can be done now.  Others need parts or time that will be available during our break at Deadwood.  In spite of it all, there is a wonderful esprit de corps that keeps everyone going.

Today ended on a positive note as we were greeted by local Minnesotans. Doug Cooper and his friend Dave.  We are posing with my Rapide.

The Magic Vincent

 The Vincent motorcycle is many things.  We all know its reputation for performance and durability.  The dynamics and feel of the machine may be unique in motorcycling.  It can chew up miles at a relaxed pace with the engine beat legendarily marking off the passage of lampposts.  These qualities make it a calming device for the rider.  Many credit the machine for giving them an "attitude adjustment".  But, actual curative ability?

Yesterday I was complaining mightily about shoulder and neck pain.  The hope was that getting back on the Vincent would be the cure.  Our late-night clutch replacement was a total success and I was able to get back on the machine.  Suffice it to say, it performed superbly.  Even better, I got through a miserable wet ride in total comfort.   I had no butt soreness, and the left shoulder and neck got a break.  

The Soggy Bottom Boys

I will keep it short today.  The group is making adjustments on the fly such as shorter fuel and lunch stops.  We need to keep it moving to avoid late arrivals.  As was my case, that makes fatigue and mechanical problems even worse.  We agree that having one long evening is better than many longish breaks.

Result of a failed motocrossing experiment

Day 5 - Hotel Daze

Where to begin?  Today we headed for West Michigan and followed much of the Lake all the way up to Petosky.  The ride started out boring on Interstates.  Once on HWY 31 North, we ran into traffic, stop lights, and construction.  It was rough.  At lunch, we decided to change to route to HWY 22 on the advice of a couple of loc,.al bikers.  This turned out to be a very good move.  One section of 22 north of Traverse City was one of those fantastic motorcycling roads - so nice it even has a T-shirt.  

Unfortunately, we were so far behind that we arrived very late at 7:30 p.m.  The crew, taking a direct route, had arrived at noon.  I was scheduled to install the V3 clutch but was so tired I could hardly see.  Yes, it had arrived due to the heroic interventions of Greg McBride.  Ryan, the head support guy tried to do his thing at reception by checking us all in.  The management was miserable and that was a nada.  He then asked for the V3 clutch to have it ready for me.  They refused to acknowledge that it had even arrived, never mind handing it over.  This was a sign of more, worse things to come.  But, back at the field hospital, work began.

The old standard clutch was extracted and the new V3 dry was installed.  Alas, it was missing a few very minor things that were fetched at a local auto parts store.  We had no installation instructions but there were enough kibitzers to form a panel of advisors.  The trick was trimming a push rod to the exact, perfect length.  When all was done, Ryan gave it a riding test and pronounced it very acceptable.  We made a few final adjustments and packed up for the night at 11:00 p.m.  But, the Rapide will put our Vincent count back up to full complement.   Thanks go to Richard for staying up for all of this and to Ian for his hands-on participation and good humour.  The whole crew stayed up late too to keep the canopy and bike stand up for us.  Thanks also go to V3 (Neal Vindian) for an incredibly good product that is a true bolt-on.

Scooter, a support crew stalwart, offers us a breakfast of champions, sugar donuts.  

If there was ever a time when I needed the comforts of a great hotel, this was it.  Alas, this place was still blaming COVID-19 for appalling facilities and service.  This was a place that looked great from the outside.  They have a huge bar and restaurant neither of which was open.  They had no food or drink service at all.  We had to order our own dinner from outside. There is nothing wrong with that by the way.  I enjoy our outdoor meals under the canopies.  It is just not what people wanted this time.  

I am in huge physical pain.  The Triumph is a lovely machine.  It served me well and I am grateful it was available.  But, it really strains the shoulders and neck.  The handlebars make you like a sail in the wind at high speed.  You have to hold on tight.  The clutch has a relatively hard pull.  I woke up in the middle of the night in screaming agony.  Any attempt to raise my head or change position was agonizing.  My cure has been a soak in steaming hot water.  So, I got up to do that.  The bathtub plug failed to hold water.  I covered the drain with a face cloth and a shower mat.  It worked.  Ahhhh, blessed relief.  

I am looking forward to being back on the Vincent.  For my money, it offers the most comfortable perch for sport-touring ever devised.  That is a strong statement, but absolutely true.  The seat is perfect, the handlebars perfect, and the footrests ditto.   Plus, it has the lightest clutch pull in the business.  Hopefully, the Vincent's comforting charms will nurse me back to health.

Thankfully we have a shorter ride coming up, only 240 miles.  I will collect some pictures from others and add them to this post later.  Tomorrow I am officially going on strike.  No more work!  I need to get back to partying, something this group also does so well.

Fan Appreciation Day

 We are ticking off the states one by one and will be in Michigan for all of today. This tour is getting a lot of attention on Social Media, in a good way.  People have been riding out to meet us en route or at our hotels.  The Norton Owners Club is following us like hawks.  Of course, Richard Asprey is president of that club's North Texas chapter and well known for Cannonball Run exploits.  We had a Cannonball vet with us for dinner last evening and a lovely couple caught up for us at lunch in Blissville, Mi. Then there are the inevitable random folks we meet along the route wondering what this is all about.  Most are left in disbelief that we are actually going to California on 70-year-old motorcycles.

We have been getting better about staying together on the road, a real challenge with 10 motorcycles.  Technology is is a huge enabler.

Meet our Road Captain, David Belleville, of Los Angeles California.  His helmet and bike, a K75 BMW, are festooned with communications gadgets.  There is a cell phone and a GPS, of course.  He talks to both with a Sena helmet device.  Several others have similar setups including Greg McBride, and Richard.  They can all phone each other and act accordingly if riders at the back get held up or have problems.  Everyone is also responsible for pulling over if the rider following disappears in the rearview mirror.  That works its way to the front and things get sorted out quickly.  We have not lost anyone yet!

Near the end of our ride yesterday, a secret side trip was made to the country home of Suzi Haines, "President For Life" of the International Norton Owners Club.  What a character she is.  

Suzi poses with her 97,000-mile Norton Interstate.  Yes, she put all those miles on herself  She is holding a Triumph Racers in America Book that she asked me to sign.  In the book is a complete photo essay on the 1967 Triumph works racer that I campaigned in 1983 to the Canadian Vintage Road Racing Championship.  Suzi owns the ex-Buddy Elmore 1966 Daytona winner.  There was an excited discussion about all that only hard-core motorcyclists can have.  The following scenes are around Suzi's place.  Check out the details.  

With her first motorcycle, BSA Bantam.

1. A storied garage and shop, much larger than the house, as befits a true enthusiast.
2. Some of the group went straight for the shady porch.  
3. Bob Reimer, Ventura, California, a Norton expert, closely inspects Suzi's Norton.  

So, how are we doing on the mechanical front?  The Rapide that Ian was riding had shifting problems right from the start that progressed into unrideable status.  That meant that we were down 2 Vincents.  A second backup bike was brought into play, another hotted-up Triumph T160.  Last night I fixed that with the help of Bob Reimer.  Meanwhile, a new clutch has been ordered for my Rapide.  It should be waiting for me to install it at the hotel tonight.  That will put the Texas contingent back up to full compliment.  Bob Reimer has decided to wait for the 1-day rest stop (Deadwood, SD) to deal with his Vincent (sheered Magneto pinion).  It is a long job that cannot be handled in one evening.  

This brings up an interesting point.  Our schedule is so packed, that we really only have 2 or 3 hours each night to deal with anything serious.   The crew only gives what a friend of mine calls "a spa treatment".  They top off all fluids, wipe down the bikes, and check for anything about to fall off.  Anyway, if it cannot be done in a couple of hours, out comes a backup bike.  The show must go on ....

Day 2 and 3

Hello, Followers.

I had intended, and tried hard, to post daily.  I am beginning to wonder if I am the best one to do this. I ride all day and work on the bikes as soon as we arrive at our hotel.  Then there is partying on top of that (great parties by the way)   This is leaving me exhausted.  This morning it was all I could do to have a coffee, grab a shower, pack up and get to the starting line.

Let me just summarize the hard news.  We started with 8 Vincents.  During Day 2, two went down including my ride with a blown clutch.  The other casualty was a California guy, Bob Reimer, whose magneto died.  The California group (profile pending) has their own backup bikes.  The Texas-based group, my guys, have backup bikes too.  We both went down at lunchtime on Day 2.  I ended up on a lovely Triumph T160 triple.  My California friend ended up on his own Norton 750 Commando.

The show went on.  Last night I stripped the bike.  We need parts and/or a new clutch.  Today, a new V3 multi-plate, bolt-on replacement was the way to go.  One of the guys happened to have a brand new V3 back at home.  It will be delivered to us on Monday.  Once installed, I will be back on a great Vincent.  We are doing everything we can to keep the ride on schedule and "Vincent".  The resourcefulness of this group is without equal.  

The territory we covered was amazing.  It is all mountainous, green and gorgeous.  A fantastic video has been put on Greg McBride's Facebook page.  Look him up.  It will give you a real view of how wonderful this event is.  As a newbie to this sort of thing, I am blown away.  How about coming back from your all-day ride to an air-conditioned shop trailer?  How about an outdoor Chinese buffet in the parking lot under the lights?  We are having the time of our lives, mechanical issues be damned.

The following is some eye candy,

From my hotel room, an early morning shot of the parking lot.  The white California truck and trailer, and the Norton mother home, etc. are all there.  Al the vehicles shown are part of Vincents Across America,  There are as many support people as riders.  As I said, this a major production. 

Gas stop.

My kind of selfie

Vincents Across America Launched

 The start of Day 1.  The crew had all 8 Vincents lined up and ready.  

After a brief riders meeting we were underway.  From Maine we were soon in New Hampshire on beautiful, newly paved twisty roads through White Mountains.  We stopped in New Boston, close to Alex Noftsger's old stomping grounds.  

In Massachusetts, the roads were much the same through the Berkshires.  The weather changed to decidedly chilly with clouds threatening rain.  All the bikes reached the destination, Pittsfield, Ma.  Richard and I got separated and had done s different ride than the main group.  We arrived 40 minutes ahead of them to find the crew was already set up with tents tables, and bike stands.  They descended on my Rapide while Richard and I opened a bottle of wine to celebrate this first victory.   

The rain finally arrived just as the main group pulled in.  Ryan had already checked us all into the Holiday Inn and placed our bags in the hotel.  Incredible.  Everything was laid out for us.  After a freshening up in the rooms, the party began in earnest.

Me, a helpful barmaid, Greg McBride, Ian Blake, and Helen Jones (Ian and Helen proudly from Wales).  We were all seated at a table for 20 and enjoyed great food and company.

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Test Day

Today we had a visit from Carleton Palmer.  Then, 6 Vincents rode from Portland south to Porpoise Cove a favorite seafood eatery.  Sounds simple?  Just 30 miles, right?  Alas the route along US#1 had big traffic and was littered with stop lights.  This would be a challenge for any Vincent, never mind a group.  We kept getting separated and lost.  We found a better way home along faster open roads with beautiful Maine seaside scenery.  Lunch was open-air, clam cakes, lobster roles, delicious.  

The bikes and riders were certainly tested.  Two of the six were Richard's friends from the UK who were both completely new to Vincents.  We had to go through starting procedures and all the Vincent quirks that have become normal for the rest of us.  Having not ridden for a year, I had to exercise muscles that had sadly fallen into disuse.  I see a long soak in hot water tonight.  Everyone passed with flying colours.  There were smiles all around.

Once back at the ranch, the crew had set up 4 stands.  All the bikes were put on the stands and thoroughly inspected for loose nuts and bolts, leaks, etc.  They even interviewed each rider to search for any running faults.  These went on a clipboard and were added to the work.  Pedals and controls were adjusted and problems were fixed.  It was minor today.  All 6 bikes took a real pounding but brought their riders home.  This degree of professionalism was a shock to me and more so to our UK guests. 

This will happen after every day.  All the bikes will be fettled and readied for the next day.  Everything is there, power, lights, music, shelter, and food.  It is a rolling party, but with discipline, procedures, and rules.  The biggest rule is to have fun.

My Ride

 The ex-Robin Vincent-Day Rapide.

Getting To Know Everyone

 Richard, crew, fans enjoying the sun and refreshments.

Staging Area

 Everything needed, full shop, parts tools, materials.  I was shown the ropes by Ryan, a top shop man at Big D Cycle.

 Here is the itinerary :

Events, pictures, and progress will be posted regularly here.

 

Days	Date	Day	Start	End	Mileage for the day	time by car
Thursday	8/24/2023	1	Portland ME	Pittsfield MA
Friday	8/25/2023	2	Pittsfield MA	Corning  NY	271	4H 32 m
Saturday	8/26/2023	3	Corning NY	Mentor OH	284	4 H 1 m
Sunday	8/27/2023	4	Mentor OH	Hastings MI	289	4 H 32 m
Monday	8/28/2023	5	Hastings MI	Charlevoix MI	318	5 H 49 m
Tuesday	8/29/2023	6	Charlevoix MI	Iron Mountain MI	297	5H 4 m
Wednesday	8/30/2023	7	Iron Mountain MI	Rochester  MN	321	5 H 49 m
Thursday	8/31/2023	8	Rochester  MN	Chamberlain, SD	408	5H 15m
Friday	9/1/2023	9	Chamberlain SD	Deadwood, SD	274	3H 35m
Saturday	9/2/2023	10	Deadwood, SD	Deadwood, SD
Sunday	9/3/2023	11	Deadwood, SD	Red Lodge MT	388	5H 42m
Monday	9/4/2023	12	Red Lodge MT	Idaho Falls ID	295	5H 59 m
Tuesday	9/5/2020	13	Idaho Falls ID	Boise ID	293	3H 59m
Wednesday	9/6/2023	14	Boise ID	Ontario, Oregon	349	4H 40 m
Thursday	9/7/2023	15	Ontario, Oregon	The Dalles, Oregon 97058	369	4H 17m
Friday	9/8/2023	16	The Dalles, Oregon 97058	Coos Bay, Oregon	308	5H 57 m
Saturday	9/9/2023	17	Coos Bay, Oregon	Garberville, California	331	5H 24m
Sunday	9/10/2023	18	Garberville, California	Monterey, California	359	5h 58 m
Monday	9/11/2023		Monterey, California	Ventura CA	274	4H 26m
					5428	Total Milage

 

 

Vincents Across America is a coast-to-coast motorcycle group ride.  Starting from Portland Maine on August 24, the group will travel to Portland, Oregon then down the Pacific Coast to Ventura, California for the start of the Vincent Owners Club International Rally on September 11.

This is the initiative of Richard Asprey of Texas.  Riders are veteran members of the club.  Most will be aboard classic Vincent 1000cc motorcycles manufactured in England from 1946-1955.  Vincent is an elite marque among vintage motorcycles.  They are renowned for speed and durability.  Richard Asprey Speaks

This epic, 18-day ride is supported by facilities developed by Richard for his three successful "Cannonball Runs" on century-old Norton motorcycles.  There is a chase truck with parts and tools as well as two experienced Vincent mechanics just in case.