tomorrow... and here's what I've got left to do

1. Balance front wheel - DONE!
2. install seal between inner and outter fairing - DONE!
3. lube all linkage and cables - DONE!
4. Mount iPod
5. Install saddle bags and T-Bag
6. Pickup supplies - DONE!
7. Install side wind deflectors
8. A good washin'
9. Fix my clever lever (throttle lock) - DONE!
10. Put together a tool kit
11. Possibly install some baffles if I get 'em in time. - Didn't order

1 day til launch... I'm *almost* ready

Got my front wheel balanced. Now the bike rides smooth as butta! still have not washed it, still don't have my bags mounted, still don't have anything packed. I have a lot to do tomorrow night.

Road Tested

I will be trying a bunch of new stuff on this trip. From butt powder to new boots and from a rain suit I hope to never use to a fairing from a Harley Davidson.

1. Anti Monkey Butt Powder

I bought a bottle for me and Dad. We'll put it to the test!

2. Sha-Sha Shoes E Boot II. My second pair of Sha-Sha's. First was the shorter flamed boot. I got a deal on these and thought I would give them a try. They look cool. I've worn them a couple times.

3. Cobra 'Fat' Freeway bars. Another place to put your feet = another place to put your BUTT !

I already know I like these from the 120 mi ride we did on Sunday. NICE!

4. Defender two piece rain suit and boot covers. Good reviews, price was right. Hope it never comes out of the bag.

5. Acer Aspire One... how I plan to update this blog from the road. I've been using it a couple of hours now and so far so COOOL! actually usable. 10" screen, decent keyboard, battery life seems good.

A (proposed) Route

Anything could change. Pretty sure we will catch Route 66 in St. Louis, MO. We plan to spend the first night in Springfield, MO and the second in Amarillo, TX. Both of those will be 600mi days. The next several days will be shorter. The road home is up in the air... like a lot of this trip... we are gonna wing it!

View Route 66 Trip in a larger map

4 days... and I'm sick as a dog!

Wasn't feeling up to par yesterday. Just thought it was the hours I had been keeping. Started having that burning in my lungs/soar throat last night. This morning, full blown chest cold or pig flu or something. I went to urgent care and got some antibiotics and various OTC symptom relievers.

My wife picked up my new Acer Aspire One today. I'm working from it right now. Not bad! I can actually type on this keyboard and the screen is pretty nice.

I really want an Acer Timeline, but can't swing it right now and this little netbook will work great for the trip. I'm resting tonight and will attempt to finish everything in the last 3 days.

5 days...

The shake down trip was great yesterday, but I still have a lot to do.

1. Balance front wheel
2. install seal between inner and outter fairing
3. lube all linkage and cables
4. Mount iPod
5. Install saddle bags and T-Bag
6. Pickup supplies
7. Install side wind deflectors
8. A good washin'
9. Fix my clever lever (throttle lock)
10. Put together a tool kit
11. Possibly install some baffles if I get 'em in time.

yikes! that sounds like A LOT!

120 miles and nothing fell off !

I did about 120 miles yesterday and all is well. I did NOT have my saddle bags on. I am hoping they lower the sound of my pipes. Hard to hear my stereo, my pipes are so loud. I am getting old. Dad predicted I'll have a Gold Wing before long. ;-)

My 12" windshield is great, the stereo is great, the crash bars are AWESOME! It is so nice having another place to put my feet.

Too bad I didn't get this done sooner. I'm afraid my ass is in no shape to do 600 mile days! We'll see...