As I go through this next trip, one thing is for sure. The ride only works if you prepare. REs need to be sorted out before you take the plunge. The Indians told me to go over the bike and make sure everything was tight and in place. They were right. They ride from the border of Bangladesh (hot and wet) to the border with Pakistan (very high, cold and dry). Long, long trip. Rough roads. The bike does not need to be re engineered or rebuild, just sorted. Bolts tight, cables lubed and adjusted, wheels aligned and straight, spokes tight, tires serviceable for the distance, slime them if you choose, chain serviceable and adjusted, oil changed, spark plug gaped and tighten to spec in the head, air filter checked and battery checked (replaced) with new leads. Straighten out any wiring issues. I made sure there were no adverse rubbing or chafing going on. I looked inside the headlight housing, under the seat, took the tank off and rinsed it out. Black chips came out from the factory tank liner. Cycle Gear sells a metric tool kit ($30.0 on sale) that has pretty much 95% of all you need. Bit heavy, but in a compact roll. Add the breaker and socket for the rear axle and you have it. Do all of this before you leave, not at the next motel. Locite is your friend. But honestly, I used only a small amount. Exhaust header once tight and a sealer put on the nut has stayed fixed. Never blued.
Chain lube works on a warm chain best, wiped down and let it sit over night. Not much is slung off with Chain Wax brand. At the end of the day that was my first chore.
One bag for the bike, one for me. I took very few clothes. Rode in jeans (three pair, washed only once on the road), with boots, armored jacket, gloves and open face helmet with shield. Carried a rain suit. Wore Aerostich padded underwear. Had two pair. A Godsend.
Off the bike I wore nylon hiking pants, sneakers, Nike T-shirt (dry fast design) and light nylon windbreaker. All easy to wash (Bonners soap) and dry quickly and rolls in to a very tight package, taking virtually no room. Dinner in decent restaurants and felt presentable.
IPhone, Samsung Android (Kindle books) and GPS were my entertainment. Both the phone and Android have maps but the Garmin was mounted on the bar from previous trips so I kept it. Set up a battery hookup to keep it charged.
I bought maps of the route from the Lincoln Highway Association. The Garmin GPS saved me several times as the Lincoln Highway disappeared under some Interstate or inside some town. I never rode one interstate mile unless there were no option. I always found a back road. Same with Santa Fe to Canada. No freeways!!
I am no mechanic and have no desire to be one. I respect what they do and pay them when they do it. I know enough to maintain the bike. Not do a rebuild. This in mind I signed up for the AAA Premium RV/Motorcycle road side service card. If it breaks they can tow it to a dealer. If they can't fix it, I'll rent a truck and take it to one who can. But, I prepare well before I leave, so this might happen, but is much less likely. So far nothing to speak of.
My desire was to travel light and without bother. To enjoy the trip, not ride a pack mule. Two saddle bags and a small tank bag were enough.
Last, the Indians told me. "Take it easy. The bike will do it, but keep your speed down." I never went much over 60MPH. On the back roads there was no need to. I ran the highest octane gas I could find for one reason, the guys at Cycle World told me it has a detergent effect over lesser octane and the engine would not build up deposits as fast. I assume that is the truth. I had not one problem with gas. I will post a good book on cross country routes as soon as I find it on Amazon.
Wow, what nice bike, did you restore it? What year is it? Thought it was an old Triumph when you passed. You rode it from where?
? No need to search for a topic over dinner. Must say the BMW guys (some) thought it was pure stupid. "Not very efficient", was the one I recall. Overall people were most pleasant.
The Book is: Lonely Planet USA's Best Cross-Country Road Trips: 7 Trips.