Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

General Discussion => Trips/Ride reports => Topic started by: Rich Mintz on June 02, 2013, 07:39:44 pm

Title: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 02, 2013, 07:39:44 pm
I'm about to set off on a 250-mile ride -- in the garage prepping the bike now. Will keep you posted here.
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: GreenMachine on June 02, 2013, 08:26:57 pm
May the Gods protect you on your voyage Sinbad..
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 02, 2013, 08:56:01 pm
Mile 25, 0:40, Bloomingdale, Staten Island

http://instagram.com/p/aEasOPJrrM/
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 02, 2013, 09:33:44 pm
Mile 52, 1:20, Molly Pitcher Service Area, NJ Turnpike

http://instagram.com/p/aEfB6Ypri9/
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 02, 2013, 09:48:07 pm
About to leave and I notice I've lost the nut that holds in the crossways bolt securing the front of the gas tank (!). That explains the rattle I've been hearing. Repairman at the service area is looking for a match...
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 02, 2013, 10:22:07 pm
Emergency repair made by a resourceful mechanic. Back on the road! (Pic later)
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 02, 2013, 11:20:52 pm
Mile 101, 3:05, Haddonfield, NJ

http://instagram.com/p/aErDmQJrnz/
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: mattsz on June 02, 2013, 11:41:54 pm
Rich - did you switch your saddle bags so they angle the current way, or am I thinking of someone else?
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 03, 2013, 12:36:47 am
Mile 157, 4:20, Middletown, Delaware

http://instagram.com/p/aEz_QRJrnH/
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Arizoni on June 03, 2013, 01:11:45 am
Keep 'um coming. :)
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 03, 2013, 03:41:06 am
Mile 162, 4:35, Maryland line
http://instagr.am/p/aE2agAprrY/

Mile 163, putting on rain gear
http://instagram.com/p/aE2nRrprro/

Mile 210, 5:40, approaching the Bay Bridge
http://instagr.am/p/aE8jDaJrkf/

Mile 255, 6:45, arrival safe and sound (if a bit wet)
http://instagr.am/p/aFE2ZDJrhu/

Recap to follow...
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 03, 2013, 03:50:11 am
A brief recap:

Trip on the whole was pleasant... I got a little wet and my backside is sore, but I arrived safely and the bike is in good order.*

The asterisk* is because I ran into a bunch of minor mechanical issues, which I'll write up on the UCE board. Nothing that prevented me from finishing the trip.

I tested my rain gear - over pants and the waterproof lining of my mesh jacket. Neither was waterproof, but I got much less wet than I normally would. If I'd fastened everything correctly I would have been much closer to dry.

I learned that pipes are hot (and melted part of a glove finger - hooray for protective gear).

I learned more about what spare parts and tools are good to have on hand. I had some of what I needed, but not all.

And I got to experience a rosy dusk between rain showers as I rode over the bridge spanning Kent Narrows on the Eastern Shore. Those are the moments that make up for all the rain and the hassle!

Now to the UCE board...
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Arizoni on June 03, 2013, 06:05:10 am
Glad to hear you and the bike made it and thanks for the pics. :)
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 04, 2013, 01:26:48 pm
Heading home

Mile 26: http://instagram.com/p/aIwp0zprot/
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 04, 2013, 01:58:10 pm
Annapolis: http://instagram.com/p/aI0Et7JrsE/
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 04, 2013, 02:42:41 pm
Mile 57: http://instagram.com/p/aI5jGuprhm/
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 04, 2013, 03:10:00 pm
Mile 74: http://instagram.com/p/aI8t2XJrk7/
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 04, 2013, 03:40:06 pm
Mile 102: http://instagram.com/p/aJAQN1JrpZ/
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 04, 2013, 03:55:40 pm
Mile 104: http://instagram.com/p/aJBYBUprqe/
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 04, 2013, 04:57:01 pm
Mile 135: http://instagram.com/p/aJI-WDJrjV/
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: DanB on June 04, 2013, 05:44:22 pm
Thanks for sharing these!  Cant wait to hear about the latest emergency repair kit (pan head screws)
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 04, 2013, 06:04:44 pm
Mile 168 http://instagram.com/p/aJQvDTJrsf/
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 04, 2013, 09:10:52 pm
End of the road, at about mile 270 in NYC.

Today's emergency repair was minor: I realized at a stop that all 3 of the little screws that hold in the headlight and its metal ring had wiggled loose and fallen out.  So the headlight assembly was hanging out the front by its wiring!

Fortunately this happened as I was pulling into a civilized place (Middletown, Delaware) and God provided a hardware store less than a mile ahead. I bought metal screws to fit the two threaded holes (at 4 and 8 o'clock). I'll deal with the top unthreaded hole another day.

Also noticed: small bolt running crossways under the front of the seat, behind the top of the engine, is loose. Will tighten ASAP as this is engine related.

Also also: exhaust sound seems slightly muffled at high throttle but I don't know why. Didn't notice any difference in engine performance, drive, or handling.

Finally: for the first time I did notice a bit of front end wobble in the 65-75 range. But this may not be "the front end wobble problem," it may simply be "this is the fastest you can safely drive this bike fully loaded."
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Arizoni on June 04, 2013, 11:25:11 pm
Glad to hear you made it home all right.

That bolt running crossways is probably the engine head steady bolt.
When it's loose, engine vibration is usually quite noticeable.  It being loose also changes the dynamics of the frame so it could be the cause of the front end wobbles you noticed.

Thanks for the photos.  Things sure are green back there. :)
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on June 05, 2013, 12:26:31 am
Here's the real end-of-the-road pic, mile 275, around the corner from my apartment, saddlebags off:

http://instagram.com/p/aJ576kprlx/

Upon arriving at home:
1. Drop bags
2. Unlock door and walk in
3. Pull down pants
4. Remove knee guards
5. Pull up pants
6. Bring bags inside
7. Close door



Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: D the D on July 02, 2013, 03:57:54 am
Good show!  More than I'd want to do in this weather.  Going over to Eastern Shore has got to be more interesting than the stretch of 95 from Baltimore to Del too.  Heck, it's boring just to go up 295 or 95 from DC to Balt.  Did you take 301 to 40 or go on up to 95?
PS:  Replace those Headlight screws with OEM screws.  Panhead screws are for Harleys.  :P
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: Rich Mintz on July 02, 2013, 05:39:34 am
My typical route is 301 to 299 (thru Middletown) to Del 1 to US 13 to 295 over the bridge.
Title: Re: NYC to Washington DC
Post by: D the D on July 02, 2013, 03:04:22 pm
Gotcha.