My USA Tour So Far

Hi From Evanston, Wyoming.

Hope all is well at your end!

Before setting off out west, I had the usual pre-trip service done, by GT Motors in Lansing Michigan. the Metzeler Tourance rear tyre, was worn out, after 9989 Miles.

Larry replaced it with an Avon Road Rider. I have never used that make before, but I had forgotten to order a new Michelin Pilot Activ, and Larry had the Road Rider in stock.

As you know, for my certificate, Iron Butt Ride last year, I only managed to do 1172 miles, in the 24 hr period, due to evading bad storms. So this year was going to be different.

I planned a route from Pete & Barbs, to the Ohio Turnpike / I-80 and carry on to Evanston Wyoming giving a total of 1604 miles in 24 hours.

Well, the weather stayed dry for the whole trip, apart from western Nebraska, it must be low-lying, because it was full of swirling mist banks that, not only wet everything through and make you cold to the marrow, but also play optical tricks in the beam of the headlight.
Anyway, no sooner had I set off, in Ohio, when I hit a stretch of road works, where the whole of the other 2 lanes, were closed for maintenance so it was one lane only – in each direction – over large areas of I-80, that continued in ALL the darn states it passes through !!!

Needless to say, I could not cover the distance in the time available, so, from 10 am to 10 am I managed to get into Rawlins, with 1392 miles on the clock; better than last year, but not by much…………..

Anyway I said bugger this, and went and had a decent breakfast before getting back on the bike to head for Rock Springs, about 130 miles away. You have to fill up there, cos after Cheyenne & Laramie, Wyoming has very few gas stations.

That part went reasonably well, but, after filling up at Rock Springs, there is one place, called Little America, where you can also fill up, but its a sort of kids place with all kinds of junk on sale, so I passed on that, and shortly after Little America, it was road works again, exactly the same as the other states.
However, I persevered and did do the 1604 miles – just not in the 24 hrs as I had hoped for.

On checking the fuel receipts, I filled up 14 times. Once in Ohio, 4 times crossing Indiana (a wide state) 1 time in Illinois, 4 times in Nebraska (another wide state – I thought Nebraska would never end!) and 4 times in Wyoming.

Once at the motel in Evanston, I removed all the bags, and put the bike on its center stand so I could check the oil level; I had checked tyre pressures and the oil level at Pete & Barb’s the previous morning before departure.

I unpacked then set off to find a place to buy a beer. Close by, I found a place and bought a six-pack of Newcastle Brown Ale and a small bottle Brandy (due to lack of a small bottle of whiskey) to try to neutralise all the coffee I had consumed trying to warm up after a ride that was colder than I had anticipated! I also found a diner to get something to eat and sample the local brews. The bar staff were very pleasant too.

Back at the motel, the engine was cool enough to let go of the dipstick, I checked the oil. All the oil I got, during repeated attempts, was a brown drop on the little knob, at the bottom of the stick. And, once again, oil splashes all over the rim of the rear wheel, and oil drops hanging from the cluster of breathers.

I emailed Larry in Lansing, and he reckons the main rear seal has gone. So, I am faced with having the engine taken out, gearbox removed and the seal replaced.

On a positive note, its a good time to replace the clutch plate as that has to be removed to get at the seal. so it’s basically a freebie.
Apparently a new Guzzi shop has opened up, in Sandy, Utah, only 89 miles from here; Evanston Wyoming, is practically on the Utah border.

It is 0755 here at the moment,; I will call them at 10 am and see what they say. I hope to hell they are not fully booked for the next week or longer!

At least here, I am in a reasonably priced, good motel, with excellent, secure wifi. It makes everything sooo much easier to deal with.
I will keep you updated, as soon as I know anything.

Meanwhile, here are some photos from hereabouts.

The Motel

Out and about on foot

Last thing I expected to see in western Wyoming

Can you believe this? THE JAMAICA BOBSLEIGH FEDERATION?

The cars are for Christine – she loves this sort of thing 🙂

Have you ever seen or even paid a FINE-O-METER?

There was a storm warning yesterday evening. And the threat was certainly there – but nothing like I experienced last year in this area.

But, the following morning – another beautiful day dawned so I went for another walk.

I walked the 1.7 miles to Wal-Mart at where I was able to buy heavy oil, a small funnel and all the bits and bobs I will need to carry on with this oil leak.

On the way back into town I stopped for lunch and a little refresco

And, then I spotted a group of Harley riders setting up tents for a weekend event