Dear all,
I went on this trip out of sheer ambition to prove myself (MLC) that I am not too old for riding the beast. Set out in good weather (the hottest day this year). Every time the fan kicked on, the blast of hot air increased my legs' temperature for which I was glad to feel as it will tell me that the cooling system was working. After reaching midpoint and spending the night in a charming B&B, I set earlier on the last (9h) leg to reach Oban. Then near disaster struck. At 60mph, a metal shovel without handle appeared on my path, quick swerve to the right but the front tyre clipped it, swung around and met the tip of my left boot with such force that my foot was twisted 90 degrees but not dislocated just a mighty jerk.  Bike wobbled but managed to stay on, could not lower gear and have to stop. Check foot, not breakage only badly bruised. The boot though was ripped open. Thank goodness.

I soldiered on and reach the famous Backpackers Lodge in Oban. All around ok and cheap for late arrival.
Met 9 BMW riders from Germany. Exchanged approval looks on theirs and the K100 as it is rare to see them (K100s) so high up north.
The new day brought the rain and wind but good visibility.
Started first time and sweetly made may way down south with cross winds, rain, thunder and a sense of gladness coming back home.
After 1135 miles in three day,s I tallied total riding time 30 hours, sleeping 12h, refuelling and resting 6h.
This my friends is the best ride of my life! so far. The beauty of the landscape and the friendliness of its people will stay for a long time in my mind. And even more, because this machine just kept going at a sustained 80 to 90 mph for over 2 hours at times!
The pains and aches were the downside as my head, neck, shoulders and wrists were giving up on the last 100 miles. But my grin went wider when reached home just before midnight.
I'll post some photos in due time. Keep riding!
ps. oil level the same although a bit thinner, engine in one solid block like a brick without leaks. It is for sale. Any interest please write for more details. Thanks.

Thanks for sharing that vicmac. A lot of us love reading stories like that.

Look forward to the pictures.

Well, you certainly packed in a fair few miles on that journey.  You were very lucky to have escaped the shovel incident without more serious damage, either to yourself or the bike.

I am looking forward to my first long ride on my K on this coming Sunday: I have arranged to be 200 miles from home and in Dorset by 10:00.  I have some training to do, and then ride home again.  I have done a couple of 100 mile rides since I bought her last month, but 400 miles in a day will be a serious challenge for my arthritic joints.  I don't think the bike will even break into a sweat on a trip such as this.

I have just installed two new front discs and high-friction EBC front pads, along with a new additional wind deflector on the top of the screen, so I am really eager to see how I get on.  Your journey will be something of an inspiration.

After such an enjoyable journey, may I ask why your K is for sale?  Will it be replaced, and with what?

nice !..... good to put in a big ride every now and then vic

I have often done 400 miles in the one day. And often done it on the K. It takes it in its stride. Just make sure you are comfortable and I mean really comfortable. Adjust your levers so the are exactly where you want them. I have my throttle/brake level so my little finger can use the brake lever if I want. My clutch lever is also level so I can rest my hand on the top of the lever. Get the tyre pressure not just right but how they feel right to you because then the K feels like its on rails. Adjust the handlebars so you find your optimum position. Clean the bike before you go, not because of vanity but because in doing that you will see any little thing that mifght be amiss. Like a screw in a tyre as I once found. I also found it necessary to make sure my riding gear is well ventilated, including the helmet. A silk balaclava is great, washable and carry a spare for return trip because it will feel fresh. Socks should be wool and not nylon which is sweaty. 200 miles on one tank is feasible but better to factor a stop at about 120 to 130 and a fresh up stretch of the delinquent muscles. That way about 90 minutes is left and it suits the body. Gas up before you park up and you are rightly set for the return.

This week end all my friends were undecided about riding and I finally took the decision to go on my own.
Riding with people on solo bikes when you are pulling a sidecar is not always easy. They are faster, can easily pass slower vehicles, .... and I really enjoy riding around speed limit when I am pulling the chair.
I decided to head up to Sydney.
I can just hear the Aussies saying "What riding from Halifax to Sydney and not stopping to see us?" Don't worry, it was Sydney in Cape Breton Highland.
In 2006, the Cape Breton Highland got accredited to organize a north American version of the Tourist Trophy (TT from Isle of Man) After a year of hard work, the provincial government finally put a stop to the event invoking a law preventing to race on open roads. Please read TT cancelled
Since then, every year they organize the Cape Breton BikeFest which is mostly attended by Harley riders.
One of the reason to go was to meet an Internet friend from Florida (K1200lt rider) who spend his summer in Cape Breton. it happen that he's also involved in the organization of the event.
In total I put 1,200km on the bike (in a day and 1/2), and as vicmac, I could feel my age and every bone in my body. Having tendonitis in both shoulders doesn't help when steering with a 170kg rig..
Even if I rode/drove the CB causeway many times, if was the first time that I saw it closed to let a ship go through. This is an interesting rotating bridge.


 I participated to the Bras D'or lake scenic ride and was lucky to be with a couple of other rigs as well a trikes.




 Other than the gas consumption being high, the bike ran flawlessly and i made it home safe but tired.


CF

Glad you weren't seriously hurt, Vicmac.  That shovel incident could have very easily ended far worse than it did.

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:I have often done 400 miles in the one day. And often done it on the K. It takes it in its stride. Just make sure you are comfortable and I mean really comfortable. Adjust your levers so the are exactly where you want them. I have my throttle/brake level so my little finger can use the brake lever if I want. My clutch lever is also level so I can rest my hand on the top of the lever. Get the tyre pressure not just right but how they feel right to you because then the K feels like its on rails. Adjust the handlebars so you find your optimum position. Clean the bike before you go, not because of vanity but because in doing that you will see any little thing that mifght be amiss. Like a screw in a tyre as I once found. I also found it necessary to make sure my riding gear is well ventilated, including the helmet. A silk balaclava is great, washable and carry a spare for return trip because it will feel fresh. Socks should be wool and not nylon which is sweaty. 200 miles on one tank is feasible but better to factor a stop at about 120 to 130 and a fresh up stretch of the delinquent muscles. That way about 90 minutes is left and it suits the body. Gas up before you park up and you are rightly set for the return.

There is some really good advice contained in your post - thanks.  I have already cleaned the bike over last weekend, and tweaked things like dropping the gear lever one spline.  The levers are already right for me, and she will be gassed up ready to go.  All levels have been checked, and the tyre pressures set to 38/40, which many folk seem to recommend.  I shall take your advice about when to time the fuel stop

Many years ago I did a 500 mile day, and that was with a pillion on a Kawasaki GT750, but this will be a bit of an adventure now that I am nowhere near as young as I was.  I know that some riders manage to get to the UK in one day from places like the south of France, but that is usually a blast on the autoroutes.  A 500 mile day on ordinary roads, two-up, was quite an undertaking for me all those years ago. 

I am looking forward to the trip, especially as I shall be on roads I used 35 years ago when I used to ride my Suzuki GT750 back home to Plymouth from my work in London.  Flying along the A303, passing Stonehenge, in the early morning will bring back some sweet old memories.  I reckon that the K will just eat up the miles and spit them out.  I love the K for its supreme flexibility: it just goes if you open the throttle, and it does not care what gear it is in.  That kind of quality makes long distances easier in my book.

 I reckon that the K will just eat up the miles and spit them out.  I love the K for its supreme flexibility: it just goes if you open the throttle, and it does not care what gear it is in.  That kind of quality makes long distances easier in my book.
 

I put 300 miles on the K over the weekend. small but I took the back roads home and enjoyed a 4 hour run on some nice back roads. The torque and not needing to constantly change gear is good. I think you will enjoy the trip.

One could do the 200 miles in one but the body dehydrates and if that happens you tire very quickly. The fuel stops are really something to work out for oneself but pacing yourself is important.

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote: I put 300 miles on the K over the weekend. small but I took the back roads home and enjoyed a 4 hour run on some nice back roads. The torque and not needing to constantly change gear is good. I think you will enjoy the trip.

Even pulling a heavy chair doesn't require shifting.
I was amazed on my week end trip how torquy the bike is. Apart from starting and stopping, I never had to shift down to 4th gear. Considering that braking and accelerating is a big part of negotiating curves with a sidecar, the power was always there when it was needed.
the gear shifter must have been optional on these bikes.

Good to hear you instinctively saved the Brick from damage, Didn't want to lose on the sale price i suppose?

Nice report thanks for telling the tale.

So now I have this RT 3 weeks and sussed out a few things....

Already swapped top box and carrier from the LT. Fitted new pannier clip.

Ordered from Motorworks......
New coolant hose from radiator to expansion bottle [perished and leaking slightly].
Rear brake pads...
Clutch cable [always keep a spare in place]
High pressure fuel pipe [bike ones are stamped 1984, too old for me] and will make them longer to allow the tank to lift clear without disconnecting them.
Coolant level sight tube so I can see where it is. I could clean the old one but its original too so prefer brand new one.

Changed oil and filter a week ago. Cleaned up accessible electrical connections, bulbs etc

Will change air filter when doing fuel lines and coolant pipe and replace coolant at same time. Also change the fairing storage box fixings to make the fairing parts quickly detachable.


Remaining jobs...for comfortable higher speed trips:

Replace tyres and balance wheels [tyres in the shed already]
Rear shock bad [was told about his when buying it] so will swap over the Koni from the LT. [Did 4 hours last night in wet, not a good feeling on a bad shock]
Fork job [seals first and then head bearings]. [Strip from spares bike so I stay mobile]
Rear disk [off spares bike].
Replace brake fluid.
Replace pannier hinges. [prone to splitting....]

No cosmetic work in that. Its cheap and easy enough to keep the K going reliably, costs a bit more if you want visual perfection.

good news 92   nearly there !