First big trial by fire.

Sunday I rode the annual Father's Poker Run at Little Natches, in easteren Washington state. I dual sported it, meaning I rode the bike to and from the event. I live in Everett, Washington, so it's 120 miles to get there. I put a big fuel tank on it the day before, and I made it there with about a gallon and a half to spare. I had been running 12-43 gearing, but I changed to 13-45 for this trip. That is the equivalant of only one tooth differance, but I could tell it wouldn't pull sixth as well as the 12-43 combo did. In all fairness though, I was riding over a mountian pass, so the comparason may be skewed. At the event the 13-45 gearing didn't do well. It was all 1st and 2nd, back and forth. Lots of mud, roots, rock, big technical uphills. I had M-21's on for rubber. They do OK for doodleing around on, but they could not get me up some of those knarly uphills without an exhausting battle of wheel spinning. 12-45 gearing would have given me more torque to help better contol traction. I had a 12 tooth spocket with me, but I hav'nt changed one in the field yet, and I didn't want any trouble, so I rode with the 13. I had trouble with the footpegs. They were muddy and kept getting stuck folded up. Radiator boiled several times. Sounded like I was frying eggs. Overall the bike got me there and back, so I'm happy, but I have some fine tuning to do.

I'm glad you didn't have any major bumps to deal with! You know, I'd honestly try some engine wetter in there the next time you end up going on a tour. It certainly won't hurt. The Thermo Cap I have is a nice little addition; I can see at a glance what temp my bike is running at, but not everyone likes them. Amazing the difference what one tooth will do!! I love that 12T up front. DO you think you'll leave that on there for the next long run you do?

I bought some water wetter, and I'm going to pull the plastic fan air re-director off the back of the radiator. Next time, when I get to the ride, I'm going to change the sprocket. 13 on the road and 12 in the woods. I'm using tie-wire, instead of staking the nut, so I can swap it easier.

Woo! Mud!!

"I bought some water wetter, and I'm going to pull the plastic fan air re-director off the back of the radiator. Next time, when I get to the ride, I'm going to change the sprocket. 13 on the road and 12 in the woods. I'm using tie-wire, instead of staking the nut, so I can swap it easier."

Changing sprockets at the event is certainly an option but it seems it would take more time to change the sprocket twice and readjust the chain etc. than to just leave on the 12T and go a little slower on the road part if necessary?

BigBird wrote:

Changing sprockets at the event is certainly an option but it seems it would take more time to change the sprocket twice and readjust the chain etc. than to just leave on the 12T and go a little slower on the road part if necessary?

It would have taken me a extra hour to get there, I didn't get up that early.

Captain Midnight wrote:

It would have taken me a extra hour to get there, I didn't get up that early.

+1 It's soooooo important to make sure you get your beauty sleep for these things!

Sounds like a good adventure ... but I am curious ... in what conditions did the radiator start cooking?

texascycle wrote:

Sounds like a good adventure ... but I am curious ... in what conditions did the radiator start cooking?

I was a pretty tough ride. Muddy, rocky uphills. Several times when I rode up behind a bunch of riders stalled on a hill, I shut off the r to wait for them, and it would start gurgling and poping. Sounded like I was frying eggs.