I had to replace the rear tire on the 6th day as the mileage estimate I'd heard about didn't work out. The 130/90 Kenda Challenger lasted only 4,007 miles and had about 20" of threads showing down the middle by the time I got to a shop in WA state to change it. Ran 38 psi. Rode about 100 miles on hiway 20 bald or with threads showing. Luckily I found a dealer in Burlington at I-5 that not only had a tire in my size (another Kenda
) but they got me right in and out within an hour or so, once I got there. Didn't overcharge me either. Skagit Motorsports is their name.During the delay I got a call from George that Dan needed a speedo cable so I asked the guys at Skagit for the Everett Honda dealer's number and sure enough, they had one. Called George back and they picked it up on their way north. As I headed south I met them for lunch, but not before the WA state patrol felt it necessary to welcome me to his state...in writing. This $206 greeting, the traffic mess all around Seattle (and) their 60 mph six lane freeway speed limit is enough to keep me out of their state for awhile. The cop was on a BMW as well, standing next to it in the center divider holding one of those instant on radar guns.
I thought it was a 70 zone, the last speed sign I saw was a 70 and I wasn't going any faster than the group of cars I was with but I was the only motorcycle. When my V1 lit up I was doing an indicated 72 mph, which I thought was fine for the 70 zone I thought I was in. Cop said I was doing 82. Never asked for my insurance or registration, just my license and the year of the bike. Didn't even have to sign the citation. I have 15 days to respond...Total mileage for the trip was 3,435 in 8 days thru 5 states, CA to OR to WA to ID to MT to ID to WA to OR and back to CA. Had a couple 600 mile days. Total fuel cost was $342.63 for 101.22 gallons for a trip average of nearly 34 mpg. Used about a Qt and a half of oil mostly due to a cam chain tensioner leak that had oil all over the rear bottom of my front fender. At the end of the trip my plugs, valve adjust, chain and carb synch had over 15,000 miles on them. Starts and idles just fine. Mileage at end trip's end was 85,793.
I'll post some pics and the rest of the story in P-2. Not too many pics and none too great as my old camera failed me. Guess I'll have to go digital now...
