Planning a ride this year that will include a lot of miles on a gravel road. One concern was the belt.

I always plan for the worse and hope for the best and I like to make things so I made a lower belt guard for the Vision.

I started with two pieces of bent sheet metal and attached them with stainless steel rivets. The front part of the guard is bent up to deflect rocks away from the front sprocket. The new guard is attached to the original guard with stainless steel rivets and I added a small piece of sheet metal at the top to seal the gap.

I mounted it on the bike with the front higher so hopefully any rocks will roll back and off. I have put about 1500 miles on the bike since I installed it and no issues.

Hopefully it works!

lennyb - 2012-01-08 12:05 PM Good idea given your plans and it appears to be well thought out. How about a mud flap for the front fender?

Thank you!

I think a mud flap on the front fender would help a lot. I have seen some reports of front fenders breaking and I'm not sure if extending it would add to the problem.

??

SYNSTR - 2012-01-08 1:18 PM Having spent 4+ decades in aviation, I'd take your beautifly crafted work of art (and REALLY mean that, it's beautifully done)to the airport to a repair shop and replace those pop rivets with driven CRES (Stainless steel)rivets or buy some HILOKS and collars (or have the sheetmetal guys do the riveting and/or HILOKS) and make sure it stays together. Those aluminum pop rivets won't stand up to the pounding. The cost is pretty cheap ( a few bucks) and the peace of mind when you're out in the bush will be worth it. A bit of elbow grease can make that Stainless shine like a mirrior and really add to the overall looks of your ride. Again, really nice work!! That's what would be called a 'be proud job'

Thanks Bill!

All of the rivets are stainless steel but it would be nice to find something that looked better.

Trekwolf164 - 2012-01-08 11:01 AM Great idea best of luck with Alaska to Fla run

Thank you! I can't wait to try this ride!!

lennyb - 2012-01-08 5:33 PM SYNSTR - 2012-01-08 4:59 PM Then I'd recommend sourcing someone to do HILOKS, they are a threaded shank fastener with a screw on, self locking collar, they must work because they pretty much keep you from falling out of a 737. They come in 'pan head' or Countersunk varieties,are 85% Titanium, Swing by the local airport and ask- Should keep in mind that we are talking about doing this in Alaska. Isn't there some state regulation that requires you to use duct tape?? :-)

Duct tape - already packed!

Brian G - 2012-01-08 5:40 PM Good luck Rollin, it looks great and sounds like you have been really thorough in your planning.

Thanks Brian!

Great idea to keep the gravel off the belt.

I mounted a mud flap (medium size) last year and slotted the flap so the flap could slide up or off if needed. 10,000 miles last year with no issues.

jimtom - 2012-01-09 6:26 AM Great job Steve!

Thanks Jim!

I also added the Arlen Ness engine skid plate and Cee Baileys headlight armor. The tour box was made by Happy Trails.

Who makes the mud flap?

Bought the mud flap from Phat Performance.  Looks like the price jumped a few bucks.

TRELL - 2012-01-09 3:37 PM Forget off roading you can't do it on a car tire. Your belt gaurd looks good.

It really won't be off-road riding just no pavement and thank you!

jeffmack - 2012-01-09 11:29 AM Rollin, do you have a date set yet? I leave Key West fpr the Arctic Circle on May28th. Hope to pass you on the way. BTW the 2012 "MilePost" book will be out in print second week of Macrh. Amazon taking orders now.

Tentatively set to start in mid June.

Found a short video on You Tube.

The Dalton Highway - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar06E331uX4&feature=related

.

jeffmack - 2012-01-11 6:55 AM Rollin, I may get home before you get to my neck of the woods. If so, I am in Marietta, Ga and have a bed, garage, tools, grill, and some homemade brew if you are ready for a little riders rest. keep me posted and ill do the same.

Sounds good Jeff. Does your route take you near Milwaukee?

PCNova - 2012-01-11 11:23 AM Wow, I envy you Rollin, you have inspired me today to do great things this year. Wishing you a safe and exciting journey, with memories that I am sure will last you a life time. Shiny side up brother.......................

Thank you!!

I do have a lot of great Victory memories, hoping for more. I hope you get a chance to do the things you want to do.

20 10 Vision - 2012-01-12 9:59 AM Rollin - like many on this site - I look forward to your after trip report, with pics of course, you are living the dream for many of us who are still 'office bound' I've had the good fortune to travel to AK many times for business. I love that state. I recall one time in December, driving a cage, to a customer site and the local news caster said it was a 'balmy' - 0 degrees. I said outloud in the car 'balmy, balmy how can 0 be balmy!' LOL

Getting time away is the most challenging part of the rides.

I'm a supervisor with a smart phone so even when I'm on "vacation" I'm still not really gone. Even on the 49 state ride I was checking and responding to emails and returning calls! I did get a break in Alaska. No cell towers.

lennyb - 2012-01-12 4:16 PM Rollin, You might want to check out latest photo posting and send PM to Claudio. Has some experience on gravel (2 up no less). Also wondering what the canister is that is attached to the left side of the engine.

Canister?

Double Vision - 2012-01-12 4:24 PM Nicely done! Good luck & ride safe!

Thank you!

Tire -

I have a Bridgestone Potenza Grid (195/55R16) on the bike now but the trip tire is going to be a Dunlop Winter Sport run flat snow tire.

I am going to add a tire pressure monitor.

My Dunlop Winter Sport has 10,000 miles on it and still has good thread.

You probably know this but just thought I'd mention it anyway, if you have outside sensors for your TPMS it's a good idea to have metal valve stems.

 Nice picture!  And a good point. I am going to use the valve stem style sensors.

Thomas - 2012-01-13 2:47 PM Rollin' - 2012-01-12 10:12 PMTire -I have a Bridgestone Potenza Grid (195/55R16) on the bike now but the trip tire is going to be a Dunlop Winter Sport run flat snow tire.I am going to add a tire pressure monitor.

My Dunlop Winter Sport has 10,000 miles on it and still has good thread.

You probably know this but just thought I'd mention it anyway, if you have outside sensors for your TPMS it's a good idea to have metal valve stems.

Tires -

I am also going to have my Stop N Go tire plugging kit and the rope style plugs -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCrRXYWm1Hg&feature=related

And a small air compressor -

SYNSTR - 2012-01-14 12:07 PM If you are passing thru Watson Lake Y.T. be sure and 'appropriate' a sign from a locality near home to have put in the 'Forest of Signs' Park there, sort of a tradition going back to WW2.

They have too many signs here, I don't think they will miss one.

Breaker breaker -

Cold, snow and ice today in SE Wisconsin so I was going to install my new no-ground plane CB antenna in the tour box but-

my granddaughter stayed with us today and we had more important things to do. I'll try again tomorrow.

Did you get the 3' or 4' firestix?

Your precious cargo looks like she might be an artist

I'll be in West Allis tomorrow visiting our one week old great nephew.

varyder - 2012-01-21 5:25 AM I may have missed it, where are you mounting the CB unit? I've got the trunk off and I just might keep it off, but I would like to put the comms back on with the CB. What headsets are you using?

All of the CB equipment is going to be mounted in the tour box.

Because there will be 100's of miles of no cell phone coverage I will have the CB with just for emergency's.

radioteacher - 2012-01-21 9:11 PM Rollin, CB is fine....but an Amateur Radio license with a HF radio is the best way to go. Maybe you would like to get a license. If so, send me a PM if you are interested. FYI, Morse Code is no longer required for any license class. Ride Safe

HF radio?

One advantage of the CB is there is a lot of truck traffic on the Dalton Highway.

hdfed - 2012-01-22 7:34 AM Tell me about your luggage rack and PAX backrest...  Info on the place you bought it (them) from?

I bought them at the dealer, they were Victory parts. For some reason Victory stopped making them.

Fuel -

I going to have two one gallon Reda gas cans secured in the T-Bag.

victoryvisiontour - 2012-01-22 9:42 AM Rollin, Are there really stretches between gas stations farther than the Vision's tank can carry you? Or, are the gas cans just for that warm and fuzzy feeling?

There is an area on the Dalton Highway where it is 240 miles between gas stations and I'm not sure what kind of fuel mileage I'm going to get.

I had a 2 gallon auxiliary fuel tank on my Kingpin and I still came close to running out of gas because some needed gas stations in Canada were closed.

So I would say yes, it's for peace of mind and it also lets me try to extend my fuel stops.

jeffmack - 2012-01-22 10:43 AM Yeah man. Extra gas is a good thing on the daulton. Gas gets up to 8.00 a gallon in cold foot. We will be bringing in 5 gallons for the ride up the daulton Plenty of truck traffic if you have a mechanical issue or need help. 4 months and 8 days till we roll for prudhoe!!! Feel like a kid waiting in Xmas! http://wikitravel.org/upload/shared/1/1f/Dalton_Highway_Map.png[/QUOTE]

Jeff, I agree!!! I can't wait.

Speaking of off-road. Off-roadin' with my Jeep was my hobby. It's a very expensive hobby.

This link is story about an easy ride in Utah. I didn't want to hurt my wife's Jeep -

http://www.roadtripamerica.com/forum/showthread.php?21422-The-Shafer-Trail-Moab-Utah

A few pictures of my Jeep - If I ever win the lottery I would do this again. It was fun!

You did some serious off roadin', mud and rocks FUN!  I can see where that sport would be pricey.

I still have a '93 Jeep Cherokee that I bought new.

Last year I was motorcycling along the Mississippi River and in pulled a Jeep group.

Weather -

The person that posted this picture said it was taken on July 30th. It can snow any day of the year on the Dalton.

Gear will be important. Could be hot in the south and very cold north, I added heated grips to my Vision 8-Ball and some simple wiring for my heated jacket liner and heated gloves. Hard wired at the battery and ends at the left saddle bag. It works but I have found that twisting my body isn't as easy anymore and it's a little harder to plug in than I thought. But I like simple -

I had a 2 gallon auxiliary fuel tank made by Tour-Tank on my Kingpin. Very well made and worked great.

I needed it 4 times on the 49 state trip. Sold it after I traded in the Kingpin.

jeffmack - 2012-01-25 5:46 PM Jedi Jeff - 2012-01-25 12:22 PM Steve - While I know you won't have internet access all the time, consider uploading photos and maybe keeping a travel blog as you go. Your account on Victory-Riders.com allows for uploading and/or emailing photos to your personal gallery as well as emailing blog posts. Also think about setting up a SPOT map. I can help you set up a map page on Victory-Riders (and this site) so all of us can follow you real-time. guess ill keep my trip to myself LOL just kidding

 Any trip details? Destinations?

Jedi Jeff - 2012-01-25 12:22 PM Steve - While I know you won't have internet access all the time, consider uploading photos and maybe keeping a travel blog as you go. Your account on Victory-Riders.com allows for uploading and/or emailing photos to your personal gallery as well as emailing blog posts. Also think about setting up a SPOT map. I can help you set up a map page on Victory-Riders (and this site) so all of us can follow you real-time.

Thanks Jeff! I will be using a Spot Tracker.

Another thing I added to the Vision - floorboard footrests.

I like them. Gives me another place to move my feet to and when it's hot I can move my feet away from the engine.

They're made by Tri-City Polaris.

Today in Proudhoe Bay, Alaska. Wow!! I hope it warms up a little.

The ride from Key West to Prudhoe Bay is an IBA ride. The Ultimate Coast to Coast. (you can go either way)

If you complete the ride you get an 8.5 x 11 certificate and this pin -

SYNSTR - 2012-01-29 3:42 PM Have either of you installed a handlebar camera mount? that way you can ride and still push the PHD (Push Here Dummy) button to record your progress, just take lotsa SD cards.

No handlebar camera but I do use a camera with a long neck strap - If I have any money left before the trip I might buy a GoPro camera.

Not that I'm excited but I started packing today.

The first project was to make a first aid kit. On past rides I would bring a bottle of Advil but on this ride a good first aid kit may be very important. It could be a long way to the next Walgreens. I found a small zip bag and added everything I thought I could need.

Next I packed the Happy Trails tour box. I wanted to see what I could put in and how much it would weigh. I added my insulated pants, all of my rain gear, my heated jacket liner and gloves and the CB.  I think I will be adding a support bracket from the luggage rack to the license plate bracket.

A lot of storage area -

20 10 Vision - 2012-01-30 6:40 PM Rollin - I know you like to spend as little time as possible getting fuel. Did you buy one of those 'mccuff' fuel nozzle filler device from one of the sponsors here? I just got mine - but have not had a chance to use it [broken ankle ] It's the 'no spill, etc' ad at the top -

I just need a match -    

I really haven't had a problem fueling the Vision and I think looking for the McCuff would add more time. (broken ankle?!!)

Best of luck for everyones big trips. I'm getting very excited about my "49 states in 10 days" ride starting on May 16th in Needles, CA. ending in Hyder, AK. during Hyder-Seek. Got most of my farkles in place, Using the ROTOPAX fuel cell and First Aid pax (pic below). I had the Tri-City pegs on, but traded them out for the jbhatch pegs so that I would have a backup set of shifter/brake pegs if something should happen ( lost a shift peg on my HD during a LD ride, really sucked). Got a bar mounted CB, with a hidden antenna under the dash (pic below), not the same range, but in an emergency, I can pull it out and stretch it up for better range. GPS is loaded with the full route, and also all the individual waypoints for each states entry point. The guys at work will be tracking me thru my rLink locator. It is cellphone based, so it will be interesting to see how well it does on a trip like this. I hope to use them as a 'dial-up-navigators' to let me know if anything on the route has changed. They will also be making my hotel reservations for me as I go depending on when I feel the need to stop.

I will be doing a warmup ride at the end of March to work out any kinks in the system by running a 'Border to Border' run from Tijuana, Mexico to Coutts, Canada in 24 hrs.

If all works out well, my theory about the Vision will be proven. . .  IBA rides on a Vision is cheating!

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Tires -

I am going to use a Dunlop run-flat snow tire on the rear, because of this I ordered a TireGard tire pressure monitoring system.

Simple system. Easy to install, and easy to remove the wheel sensors if I have to add a tire sealant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0gR8zOhJeA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_Gxylq3pkI&feature=related

bigfoot - 2012-02-01 9:49 PM Once again, I wish you good luck and great weather. I've decided to compete in the "American Motorcycle Rally" for my main chalenge this year.

 Thank you and good luck also on the Rally. I've never done a rally but they look like they could be fun. More to them than putting on miles.

Making any changes to the bike?

A little more detail on the belt guard.

Because of the extra length and weight there is a front support. All hardware near the belt is mounted away from the belt.

Cruise control -

Cruise control - The 8-Ball doesn't have cruise control, I've never had a bike with cruise control.

There are times that I like to lock the throttle. Adjusting jacket vents, taking pictures. I was using a BrakeAway throttle lock but it doesn't work well with the heated grips so for this trip I'm going to use the Go Cruise throttle control.

I like simple - http://www.2wheelride.com/throttle_pro.html

.

Rollin' - 2012-02-05 11:54 AM Ordered more parts yesterday. Trying to spread the costs out. 16 day trips can be expensive!! I ordered a new front tire, the TireGard tire pressure monitor system and a front mud flat. Starting the trip with 2 new tires. The to-do list is getting a little shorter.

Just curious what tire you ordered for the front?

Getting ready - The pace

I'm hoping to do this ride at close to the same pace that I did the 49 state ride. During the 49 state ride I HAD to average 880 miles a day for 10 days, on this ride I would LIKE to average 800 miles a day. It's nice to have an option on this ride.

I'm not getting any younger so I would also like to try a few more 1000 mile days during the UCC. A few more IBA certs while I can and if I can.

To ride 800 miles a day, day after day and 1000 mile days when possible does require some endurance. And to achieve that endurance I need to workout. Every year for the past 10 years I start picking up the workout pace on January 2nd. 60 sit-ups a day everyday plus a little of everything else - everyday!

I made a workout room, it's small but it has what I need and it gives me a place for pictures and other reminders of why I need to stay in shape. Losing a few pounds would be nice also.

More gadgets -

Rubber mudflap - Go-Cruise throttle lock - New and improved TireGard tire pressure monitor - Ben's insect repellant, 98.11% DEET.

Testing -

I have had the Stop & Go tire plugger for 5 years but I have never needed it. Time to see if it works.

Drilled a 3/16" hole in a used tire and did a little practice plugging.

It works!!

I also ordered a new helmet. I didn't know I needed a new helmet until I saw this - The new Shoei Neotec. 

A Shoei with an internal sun shield!!!                 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91hcAkADjRo&feature=youtu.be

.

bigfoot - 2012-02-26 10:10 PM For that trip I think I would go with Ride On. Check out the video. http://www.ride-on.com/motorcycle-formula-mot.html

Looks like a good product but I'm not sure it would be a good thing to use with the tire pressure monitors.

New gear -

Picked up my new Shoei Neotec. A lot of nice features.

Internal sun shield, pinlock visor and large vents.

If you racked up the miles like Steve does, it would be some of the best money spent.  They really are that much more comfortable and well made. 

I bought a Shoei last year and I can't tell you what the second best helmet I ever owned was.  They all run together.  It's a whole different level.  I wouldn't believe it if I didn't own one.

Yes, money well spent! This helmet is very expensive and this ride will be very expensive but I am "all in!"

I was going to buy a Shoei in 2010 before the 49 state ride but they did not make a helmet with an internal sun shield so I bought a Nolen N103. The Nolen is a nice helmet but it did not fit my head as well as the Shoei . It put pressure on my forehead, which was painfull day after day.

Because of some lingering health issues, that I will finally have to deal with (after the ride), I think this?may be my last long ride. Nothing life threatening but it will effect my riding. I hope it's not but if it is? - no regrets, it's been a hell of a ride.

It would be nice to start this ride in 100% physical condition, that's not going to happen. I am going to do everything else I can to make this ride successful so that there are no regreats.

?

My new awesome mud flat. I have a 900 pound dirt bike!

20 10 Vision - 2012-03-16 8:07 PM Looks solid. It will serve you well.

 Yes! Very solid. I also removed the plastic upper fender pins and replaced them with the same hardware.

JGates - 2012-03-17 2:54 PM Looks good, what was the hardware that you used?

It's a stainless steel anti-theft license plate kit called Rattle Stop. Bought the kits at AutoZone.

Because of the extra weight of the mud flap I was worried that the fender might break so I made some changes.

I added a washer to the side bolts and I replaced the the upper plastic push-in pins with more secure hardware and added two more in the upper center.
All of the hardware is stainless steel and was installed with blue Locktite.

varyder - 2012-05-07 11:45 AM Is the fender easily removed and installed as a single unit?

Not sure, but it looks like it should.

 .

Almost ready to go -

Almost ready to go -

Nice set-up!  Looks like you have an interesting dash/handlebar/electronic configuration.

SYNSTR - 2012-05-31 9:06 AM Well, call you the breeze.......looks like it's all out of the slipstream, any tendencies towards being tail heavy?

 I took it for a ride fully loaded and no problems.

The tour bag on the seat is heavy. The rear box has bulky items that are light.

.