On the Road Again

Finally had time to roll out the /5 today. Darian helped me wrestle the sidecar out of the trailer and we had it attached in about 15 minutes. The pin attachment makes the hook up easy but I imagine that it also gives a tiny bit of movement to the sidecar. I did a quick run in Dillon and gave everything a bath. I was hoping to install the Heinrich fuel tank today but couldn't get ahold of the painter. Maybe tomorrow. Once I get the tank back I will measure the tool box opening and forward the dimensions to a guy who has an old Heinrich cover. Hopefully his is the same size, and he won't want a fortune for it. We'll see. A new reproduction cover is over $400.00 so I don't really want to go that route.

Darian hopped in and we went for another ride into town. The 32:9 final drive helps a lot as the take off now doesn't require any clutch riding. The new 900cc top end seems to perform better the more I run it. Seems to have more power and definitely more low end torque. Put her down the Interstate and 75 MPH wasn't a problem. I increased the lean out a bit after the 2nd ride. Then went around and checked all bolt connections and torqued them all down to maximum. Hoping to drive the rig over to Roberts MT. next weekend for Bob's Motorwerks annual Summer Solstice party/campout. Quite a ride from here but should only take 5-6 hours to ride over (with breaks). Expected to develop push rod tube seal leaks after a few miles (as they are too tight), but so far so good.

Bob's Solstice Party is an annual event but we have only been over to one of them about 8 years ago. I hear it gets a little bigger each year. I heard rumor that 6 or 7 European riders are expected to show up this year. I hope Rex Mongold shows up as we have never met in person. I have seen him on the road 3-4 times over the last few years but we have yet to meet face to face. He has not posted in his Blog since April so I hope all is well with him. The lower photo shows the Russian Engineered Rube Goldburg side car attachments. Pretty scary looking set up but it has stayed put for over 1200 miles so far. I keep a close eye on everything and it appears to be sound. The front lower mount is shoe horned in behind the exhaust header with minimal clearance to the frame. The R90/6 (which donated the 900cc top end) hauled the side hack for a number of years with the identical attachment so I do have a certain amount of confidence in the rig. The cheapo paint job on the hack is showing some bad spots upon close inspection but it should hold out for a couple of years. I'll add some photos tomorrow if I get the Heinrich tank back.