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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | 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. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 63
Calgary, AB, | Rollin' - 2012-01-09 8:21 AM I also added the Arlen Ness engine skid plate and Cee Baileys headlight armor. The tour box was made by Happy Trails. Both look like good ideas, given the certainty of some stretches of gravel. Couple of questions, does the installed engine guard allow access to oil drain w/o removal and where do you source that guard, and on the headlight cover, does it appear to be substantial enough to prevent a crack if hit (I've been thinking about one of these even for local riding. Are you shipping the bike to AK then starting, or riding up from Wisconsin.? Just wondered if you're trying to ride both ways up and down then on to FLA, as it may be a bit early to go north and allow that start time. PS If you ride through Calgary area, let us know, maybe a few riders that would be interested in heading south about then. Enjoy the ride, it's a nice trip, (but I've not done it on a bike YET) 
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | ridenfun - 2012-01-09 10:58 PM Rollin' - 2012-01-09 8:21 AM Both look like good ideas, given the certainty of some stretches of gravel. Couple of questions, does the installed engine guard allow access to oil drain w/o removal and where do you source that guard, and on the headlight cover, does it appear to be substantial enough to prevent a crack if hit (I've been thinking about one of these even for local riding. Are you shipping the bike to AK then starting, or riding up from Wisconsin.? Just wondered if you're trying to ride both ways up and down then on to FLA, as it may be a bit early to go north and allow that start time. PS If you ride through Calgary area, let us know, maybe a few riders that would be interested in heading south about then. Enjoy the ride, it's a nice trip, (but I've not done it on a bike YET) The skid plate does not block the drain plug. I think the headlight guard will save the headlight. I was planning on riding north to Alaska first but I think ending in Prudhoe Bay will be a better ending so I think I will be starting in Key West. Basic route - 
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | Found a short video on You Tube. The Dalton Highway - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar06E331uX4&feature=related .
Edited by Rollin' 2012-01-09 11:47 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Can't wait to see the America's trip! The southernmost point on the continent, to the northernmost point. You may want to accessorize for dual sporting first, but it sounds like it would be a fun ride.
Start at the tip of South america and run to to the top. Git'R Done!
Edited by pollolittle 2012-01-10 9:11 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 623
| 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. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | 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? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 623
| No, I wish. will be out in Iowa on the way out. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 72
| 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....................... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | 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. |
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Tourer
Posts: 430
| 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 |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | 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'
Reading this from my desk at my office. I am living for the dream.
Ride Safe |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | 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. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 281
| Nicely done!
Good luck & ride safe! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | 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.  |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | 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? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | Double Vision - 2012-01-12 4:24 PM Nicely done! Good luck & ride safe! Thank you! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | 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. 
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Central Wisconsin | 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.
Edited by Thomas 2012-01-13 2:49 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | Rollin' - 2012-01-12 11:04 PM
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?
Steve,
Look at any of his photos (in the Latest Gallery Additions right now) that show the left side of the engine. There appears to be a black thermos type canister attached there. Looks like there could be some gold printing on it, but can't tell how it is mounted. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | My guess would be a thermos - what else could it be. I'm ready for another long ride... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 804
Perry Hall, MD | varyder - 2012-01-13 7:35 PM
My guess would be a thermos - what else could it be. I'm ready for another long ride...
Not sure, but it kind of looks like something Scotty used on the Enterprise. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | 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.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | 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 - 
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | 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. |
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The Off-Pavement Vision
