| Subject: trip report |
Author:
Jim Scoggins
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Date Posted: 08/ 24/ 01, 7:20am
1986 8V92TA PT40 44,750lbs, 1999 BMW K1200LT
We left Stafford, VA on 16 June and returned 24 August after 5968 miles. We were volunteers at Bryce Canyon National Park, UT. We visited Fort Valley, GA, Bonifay, Fl, Slidell, LA, Houma, LA, Odessa, TX, Carlsbad Caverns, Las Vegas, NV, Omaha, NB, Moscow, IA, and Dewitt, IA.
Two different fuel checks for fuel mileage:
5439.5 mi/870.93gal = 6.25 mpg
4186 MI /662.55gal = 6.32 mpg
I noticed slightly better mileage while at altitudes above 4000'. For instance my motor cycle went from 44 to 53 and the slightly better coach mileage of 6.31 included higher altitudes. These figures also include climbing the western hills including eastbound on I-70 to Denver mountains in WV and MD on I-68.
Checked tire pressure at 8000' prior to leaving. Next morning, I was down 3 psi in each tire at 4000'. If one sits a while at altitude air has to be added on the way down. By the way, the 60cubic foot nitrogen bottle trick for topping off tires that Gary (MINKERLODGE) Minker showed me worked like a charm. I won't leave home without it.
Visited Las Vegas and saw the Rita Rutner show. It was great to see a comedy show that was fairly priced, really funny, and no obscenities. We stayed at Circus Circus. Last year we stayed at Oasis resorts and will do so again in the future. Circus Circus is essentially all asphalt (hot) and at the wrong end of the strip for what we like to do.
There are 102 great motorcycle roads in the world. Twenty-one are in the United States. One of those is Utah 12 eastward from Bryce Canyon. Got a speeding ticket but got a local discount because I worked at the park!
I did an EL Cheapo 134A conversion of the chassis air before I went on the trip. Worked well in LA, TX, NM, AZ, NV, and other, hot humid places.
My cruise control has resumed the with the surging. This aggravates me to no end. Another trip to Fort Valley.
Had two small new problems with the coach:
After we got back from Las Vegas, awoke in the morning to wet carpet in front of the bed. My first thought was the new tank I put in had failed. After I got every thing apart I discovered that it was leaking around the seams of the on board water filter. Closer inspection revealed that it had leaked before and someone had repaired it before by gluing around the seams! Duh! The lights came on. I had wondered before what the dark stuff I had seen on the bottom of the water compartment. Charcoal. Some body had made a mess trying to repair before. Anyway, being at Bryce Canyon on Sunday dictated little choice but to epoxy around the seams and reinstall. I'm going to remove it, do some replumbing to by pass the filter and just use my current external filter.
The bathroom heater went out. Have not had time to trouble shoot yet.
I stopped by HWH in Moscow, IA to see if there is some newer application piston jack to replace the swing down front levelers. They are a pain. If extension reach is a problem, at this point I would even be willing to have to slide a 6 X 6 block under them prior to use. The service manager did a bunch of measuring and said they had the stuff that would fit. However, he was hesitant to proceed: The rear jacks gimbals back and forth 30 degrees and he was concerned that damage could occur up front if someone drove off the jacks. To me that is less of a problem than that presented by the swing down jacks now. Anyway, the boss of the company and designer of the jacks will be back next Monday and I am going to talk with him about the whys and wherefors.
Saw a few Birds on the road. Notably, a gang of three northbound out of Las Vegas at the end of July. Snooty bunch. Did not wave :>)
As always, the Beemer did it's job flawlessly.
That completes my report.
New subject:
I met a Bluebird guy once who was big into jeeps. I forgot his name. He had an older FC but then got a 98 or 99, I think. I need his advice on jeeps. Anyone know who he might be.
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