LA-Barstow to Vegas on Vintage CT90s

[adventureduo]

So im breaking in the top end one day and putting it around in the office complex here at the shop. All of a sudden, the bike dies and i can't get it restarted. I check all the normal scenarios and nothing is coming to light. I end up taking it to my vintage moto friend and he pulls the camshaft/points cover to investigate more. We find that the pin in the aftermarket cam has come loose and basically fallen out! This isn't good.

Being the McGyver Machinist that my buddy is, he makes a whole new pin on the fly from a drill bit. Incredible.


To this day, and this piece was made about a month ago, it's still running strong. Apparently it's a common problem with the aftermarket cam production out there on these bikes.

While im down his way, we run to a auto parts store and grab some fuel filters. He had a source for the small ones, as all i could find were larger versions near me.

 

[adventureduo]

After breaking in the top end, it was time for a fresh oil change and to clean the little plastic filter out. I will also point out, that this filter was cleaned when we originally did the top end. The filter filled fast.


After i cleaned it and blew it out. All good again.


Putting the good stuff back in.

 

[adventureduo]

So i wanted to be able to carry a bit more support gear without having my camelback loaded up to the brim. I have an enduro waste pack that actually ended up working perfectly and cradles the rotopax like it was meant to be. Who needs paniers?




So, each of the three bikes is carrying something crucial. My job is to carry a spare tire and fuel. The spare get's strapped on via truck rubber bungees no problem.

 

[adventureduo]

I guess i left one part out. I told you how we upgraded the front coil springs on the telescoping forks. I forgot to mention that we upgraded the rears as well. I found online a set of adjustable coil-over shocks that fit the CT. They're a bit stiff but should be much better with the full load than the stock versions ever would have.

 

[adventureduo]

So, because the bike came with mirrors originally (no turn signals yet), we have to follow original guidelines for the race (street legal). I can't stand the big chrome versions that it came with so i opted to use a foldable Acerbis mirror that worked out quite well.

 

[adventureduo]

I think that about sums it up. There's a few little things i didn't mention, like greasing up cables, soldering replacing little bushings, playing with the rectifier, but basically you get the gist. I could probably post more for days.

So, We roll out in less than 5 days and we're extremely excited. Please cross your fingers we make it. We will have support and we do have vehicles picking us up at the end and in the middle if need be (we won't accept that option if we don't have too!)

I'll leave you for tonight with some final photos of the bike as of yesterday. Ready to Rumble, or as close as she'll ever get! :wings:

 

[adventureduo]

Some more...

 

[adventureduo]

And the end result. Ready to run

 

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

Way to go, Dave!
Really wish I could have gone with you guys, but this job of mine has totally been getting in the way of my social life...
Definitely looking forward to the ride-report, and it better be "pic-heavy!"

 

[sandalscout]

Awesome, really digging this!

 

[adventureduo]

Thanks guys! We shove off in 4 days and we're excited.

 

[whatcharterboat]

Those are fun bikes, my wife's uncle has one that he bought new, still has and takes it out and rides it in the dirt quite often. Gotta love the trail gear.. One of the main reasons parts are still available is that you can still buy the same basic bike (although with a roaring 105CC motor in the CT110) in other places such as Australia where they are known as "Posties" because the mailmen ride them to do deliveries.

You're gunna like this....google "postie bike challenge"

Hey...thanks for putting such a great thread together.

John.

 

[adventureduo]

Thanks for following our prep for this adventure.

With only 3.5 days left before the "race"... which is technically a ride... the fine details are getting sorted.

We are running 2 GoPros and a VIO POV camera.

1 Go Pro will be the HD2 running the Wifi Backpack on a handlebar mount.


The other GoPro is the standard HERO that will be running a helmet adhesive mount.


The VIO POV is the same camera they use to film troops in Afghanistan and is a heavy duty no frills camera. It will be mounted to a helmet with the goggle mount.


Just as important as documentation of this cool trek, is safety. We've all three opted to not wear oldschool boots like we were first thinking and go with our full fledged riding boots. You have to remember, we'll be closer to the ground where rocks, bushes and other obstacles can twist our legs back and cause more damage.

Today i did some test riding with the "real boots", my sevens, and i could shift alright. It will take some practice to get it right. The other two guys removed their rearward shift lever and are only using the front since our boots are huge compared to these bikes.



Tomorrow i'll start packing my camelback and riding gear more.

 

[psykokid]

You're gunna like this....google "postie bike challenge"

Hey...thanks for putting such a great thread.

John.

I was following along on Nathan "the postman'" thread on ADV where he rode from Sydney to London then shipped the bike over to the US after taking a two year break rebuilding the motor over last winter and then rode from NYC to Seattle..

http://www.thepostman.org.uk/
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=460631

 

[gabepari]

Here is a quick little recap on my LA-B2V ride... (Please excuse the sideways photos, I'm a tard)

The day I picked up my '69, she ran just fine.


But, I can't leave well enough alone and tore it down after just a few weeks of ownership.


While the motor was at the engine builder, I started rehabbing all the parts. When the motor returned I started putting it back together. New fork seals, springs, HD rear shocks.


New wheel bearings, brakes, main wiring harness...


New fuel lines, filters, not a part on this bike hasn't been touched...


One of the many piles of parts, I'm not nearly as good at documenting my projects as Dave


New chain, the original was 43 years old and had 7500 miles... Better safe than sorry


A little heat protection for the new coil wire...


Where does this wire go?


She works!!!