I'm entering the 2012 Cannonball

[darrylri]

It would probably be worth the ride back to TX to see Monte buy a beer.    

I will write some more stuff next week, after all the family obligations are over.  I need to make plans to overhaul the transmission and the front forks.  I need to get serious about buying spares and making a list of tools to bring along.  I have to outfit the Sprinter to carry everything.  Lots of topics for discussion!

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

So chase/support vehicles are not allowed?

[montmil]

The Sprinter is a Mercedes van. Gaining popularity in the US for it's large increase in headroom. Some bike racers even fit a bunk bed above the front seat area. A couple bike mags reviewed the van in their pubs.

http://www.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=Sprinter+van&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&oi=image_result_group&sa=X

Monte

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Neat van!

[darrylri]

Chase vehicles, and apparently, even ride-alongs are welcomed.  The As Monte says, the Sprinter is built by Mercedes.  While they were sinking a ton of money into Chrysler, the Sprinters were badged as Dodges here, and that'w what mine is.  

Most of the pictures in that link are the newer model, introduced in 2006 I think.  Mine's an '05 model high top, with the mid length (148") body.  The 2.7l inline 5 turbodiesel motor delivers an amazing 23-24mpg while cruising on the freeway, and a friend who has the long body (170") and travels extensively with it says that it doesn't matter how much you load it up, the mileage stays the same.

As I mentioned in my blog, these are the thing to use for hauling a vintage bike or two to a meet in Europe.  I haven't done anything to the inside yet other than throw in a couple of wheel chocks, but it's something I have to start thinking about seriously.

[suecanada]

I wish you all the best for all stages involved in this great adventure! The physical end of things sure will be important so lots of exercise this winter?? Gotta keep alert out there.  I've just read about a device that is experimental so far but will monitor brain waves for neuron activity and give an alert if the "synapes ain't snapping" like they should. Its called "Body Wave". Will be a godsend for nuclear power plant workers, long distance truckers, aircraft controllers and long dist. motorcyclists (like me!) if it ever hits the marketing stage! Weighs 170 grams and can be strapped anywhere on the body.

[montmil]

... I've just read about a device that is experimental so far but will monitor brain waves for neuron activity and give an alert if the "synapes ain't snapping" like they should...

[smiley=ROTFLMAO.gif]

Sue, you are a sweetheart. But let's think about this...

Darryl is planning to plop his rather vintage body onto a 12-horsepower very vintage classic BMW and head out a 3800 mile romp. I'm pretty danged sure his "synapes ain't snapping" done stopped sparkin' a l-o-n-g time ago.

Only a crazed, but very confident, fellow would attempt this feat. I've already PM'ed Darryl and shared with him that if he's game for the Cannonball, I'm going to pony up some money to support his efforts. It's an expensive undertaking. We should not allow him to do this "alone". Let's ride with him, vicariously, and share in his winning attitude.

Monte

[darrylri]

I'm sure I've still got at least a couple of synapses that are still snapping... somewhere around here...  I must've left them in my pants pocket, hope they haven't gone through the wash yet.  

Follow (and comment!) on my blog.  I'm going to try to video a bunch of this (maybe even some test runs).  And I hope to sell some T shirts and maybe get some sponsor names on the side of my big, yellow Sprinter.

[darrylri]

Well, this started a long time ago, but I did FINALLY get my website set up to accept money.  

As you may recall from this ancient post, I have entered my 1928 BMW R52, a 500cc sidevalve machine with 12hp, 3 speed transmission and no rear suspension, into the 2012 Motorcycle Cannonball.  This time/speed/distance event will run from Newburgh, NY (outside NYC) to San Francisco over 17 days, from September 7 to 23, with one day off in the middle.  Otherwise, the 75 entrants will be averaging about 275 miles/day on their bikes, all of which were built no later than 1929.

If you would like, you can help sponsor my Cannonball entry, Team Boxer Rebellion, by visiting my website.  You'll see that I have stickers for sale, you can put your name up on the side of my chase van, or you can outright donate some money.  

Any help is appreciated.  As you can see from the blog I'm writing over on the VBMWMO website, I've already encountered some mechanical expenses, and just the cost of fuel and oil is substantial.  

Thanks so much in advance for your support in my quest to ride every one of the almost 3900 miles!

[montmil]

I'm in! PayPal makes it so easy, it doesn't even hurt. [smiley=beer.gif]

Come on, folks, join the race. We've gotta help Darryl compete and complete this marvelous adventure.

Go Team Boxer #52  [smiley=cowsleep.gif]

[darrylri]

Thanks so much, Monte!  Your Team Boxer Rebellion stickers will go into the mailbox tomorrow and out on Monday.

[Bengt_Phorqs]

So Mongo is now acting like Jay Gotrocks and actually ponied up some of his social security funds?  Un-freakin'-believable.  My money is on the way.

Who else out there is in for the ride?

[darrylri]

Thanks Bengt!  Your name will be riding along on the big yellow van going both ways across the USA.

In August I'll have the signage made up and I'll post photos of the van for everyone to see.  

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Darryl, what's the haps with the Cannonball?  Give us an update on how your planning is going, please.

[darrylri]

I've been blogging on and off about things over here, so if you want more detail, that's the place to go.  

I have been through the transmission, new bearings and shimmed out correctly, but it still whines some in 3rd (top) gear -- I will just chalk that up to straight cut teeth.  While out testing, I lost my kickstart lever, and it turned out to be difficult to source a replacement, but I hope to get it in the next week or two from Germany.

The final drive has also been rebuilt, and I stepped down a tooth on the pinion, which cuts my top speed a bit but gives the bike more oomph when climbing a grade.  

I have a second complete set of cylinders/pistons/valves that is currently being finished, just in case.  I'm also waiting for my spare magneto, which was rebuilt in Germany, to arrive.  I was over in der Vaterland last month and also got a complete set of gaskets for the engine/trans/final drive and a spare clutch plate.  

The front end of the bike is apart at the moment.  I had never been through that, but was waiting until I returned from Germany with a set of tapered roller bearings for the steering head.  Sure enough, the original loose ball bearings were in the steering head (26 little balls in each bearing, just waiting to jump out!), but then that required a spacer.  I got that done, but decided the front wheel needed new bearings, which I'm picking up this morning.  

I've been working hard on getting my Sprinter outfitted for the trip.  It needs to not only be able to carry the bike, but act as a workshop.  I've laid heavy, waterproof vinyl flooring, built a fold out worktable and installed an overhead flourescent light.  

Tomorrow UPS is supposed to deliver a big 1500 watt inverter, and I will have to tear apart the cab to install it.  That should easily be able to drive the lighting, a small pancake compressor and any electrical tools we might need.  I will have power strips on either side of the van to make it easy to use a drop light.

I have had a couple of wheel chocks in the van, but they have been loose; I'm going to mount them so that they are fixed when I need them and can be removed when not.  

I need to get the bike back together and do some riding!  I'm leaving CA for NY on 8/31.  My 5 person team will assemble at the house of some friends of mine in Amenia, NY, not too far away from the start in Newburgh.  

I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous!