Well, got my bike out of the shop yesterday. All seems in good shape. Rode over to Doug's house. We straightened a bent shifter lever and replaced a foot pad.
The front brakes had been dragging a bit, they seem pretty good now. All parts of the bike are working very well. I installed a 12v outlet on the bike to keep phones and computer charged.
I still have to fit the saddle bags and the small rear luggage rack. Then I have to figure out what goes with us. Only so much fits on a motorcycle.
The list of what goes is long, have to shorten that up a bit. We all have to sit down and figure out who will carry what. Tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, (did I mention this is strictly a camping adventure?) and any thing else we decide we can't live without. I know I'll have to bring at least half a ton of aspirin and tylenol. We're also still trying to decide on the type and amount of food to carry and what to buy on the road. My guess is we won't carry too much food, just enough to get by if we don't have time to shop.
Clothes....I know we will be running into some pretty cold weather along the way. We'll be crossing the rockies with the highest elevation around 11000 ft. I suspect that will be quite chilly. See...the leathers will come in very handy. As will long johns I bet. Can you put snow chains on a motorcycle? Are we nuts? My guess...No and Yes.
One of my other guesses is that this trip will be brutal. That's ok. Some of my best times have also been the most difficult. The Grand Canyon trip jumps right to the front of the brutal line here. Doug was along for that one also. Brutal, but awesome!
I assume this trip will be right up there.
Well, once again, it's late and I have things to do yet, so I must be off.
As we get closer I'll write more about the logistics and maybe a bit about the planned stops.