Vintage Tour, Anyone?

[NM Bonny]

I would really like to do some back roads touring with some vintage Triumph owners sometime--either in the Spring or Fall of whatever year(s) it turns out to be. My own participation on my '71 OIF Bonneville T120R would have to be either before or after a bottom-end refresh and 750cc upgrade, depending on how the bike's oil pressure and a leak-down test pan out (once the current refurbishment is complete and I'm able to re-bed the rings and do some shake-down testing).

One idea would be to configure the route based on participants, rather than the other way around. In other words, once a core group was assembled, we'd figure out a mostly back road route that linked the riders together--maybe informed by the guy from each area with first-hand knowledge of its roads...?

Personally, I'd suggest a leisurely pace between predetermined group stops to facilitate morning maintenance and nightly theft safety measures--but 'break out' groups could spider out for optional rides that each local guy might identify. If more than one person had a Go-Pro along, there would be an opportunity for some neat footage that someone who enjoys doing that stuff could splice and edit.

Anyway, just a thought. My friend, neighbor, and preferred machinist died this weekend at age 68, and I'm realizing how much I'd like to start doing this stuff rather than just musing about it. I mean, I can always go it alone but think it'd be more fun in a pack of vintage Triumphs. No politics, no drama, just bikes and wrenches, wind and scenery.

Anyone who is of a mind to would be welcome to whet our appetite with some clips of his area's neatest back roads. Once I get my bike copasetic, I'll start adding videos of stuff around here to this thread--the Sandias, the Jemez, the Sangre de Cristos, the Rio Grande, El Cabezon, maybe The Very Large Array...?

 

[atomsplitter]

Sounds like a nifty idea, and the area around the Sandias is awesome. Sadly I only have modern Triumphs, but it would be cool to go through Tijeras, exit at HWY 14 and then take 536 up to the crest. Last time I did that it was 1971 in a Triumph GT 6+, never did it on a bike, but would love to do it.

 

[NM Bonny]

Sounds like a nifty idea, and the area around the Sandias is awesome. Sadly I only have modern Triumphs, but it would be cool to go through Tijeras, exit at HWY 14 and then take 536 up to the crest. Last time I did that it was 1971 in a Triumph GT 6+, never did it on a bike, but would love to do it.

View attachment 56922

Yeah, for sure. Or continue up HWY 14 to The Mineshaft Tavern for a cheeseburger... or make the turnaround point Santa Fe to take in the whole twisty route. I think the last little bit on the interstate into Santa Fe is very short...?

As for the choice of mounts, I didn't mean to be snobbish; it's just that riding on the freeway with F150s routinely going 90 per isn't much fun on a vintage Triumph with a 1:1 rear end--and I thought there might be some old bike owners like me who'd like some company.

Regardless, I can't speak for others but so far as I'm concerned, you could ride that cool-looking blue-gray job that's in your avatar.

Neat GT6. I recently sold the 'test mule' used for R&D in my side business, a 1967 MG Midget. Below is a shot of the car before I sold it to a young kid in CA, running the world's first blow-through, intercooled supercharged, longitudinally-oriented A-Series (so far as I know, anyway). DIY four wheel discs, modified suspension, 5-speed w/overdrive, and a little too fast for it's 13" tires...

 

[atomsplitter]

You mean this one? It's a 2016 Thruxton R painted in Silver Ice. For doing the twisties it's a great bike (not in the same class as my Speed Triple RS 1200, but still a lot of fun).

 

[rodsridin]

I would make the effort to go along. Haven't been out that way for awhile on a road trip.

 

[NM Bonny]

I would make the effort to go along. Haven't been out that way for awhile on a road trip.

Which Triumph model do you ride, and whereabouts in Lousiana do you live?

I dunno, but an Albuquerque to New Orleans tour might traverse some very interesting backroads--which at least in my original vision of a vintage bike tour should comprise the bulk of the route...

 

[rodsridin]

Which Triumph model do you ride, and whereabouts in Lousiana do you live?

I dunno, but an Albuquerque to New Orleans tour might traverse some very interesting backroads--which at least in my original vision of a vintage bike tour should comprise the bulk of the route...

I would ride my '07 scrambler. My '73 Bonny is about 2 years worth of work away. Also, I was thinking along the lines of riding to NM as the delta region around New Orleans is pretty boring at best. The Texas hill country is a 600 mile stretch from here (Kerrville/Fredericksburg area).

 

[NM Bonny]

I would ride my '07 scrambler. My '73 Bonny is about 2 years worth of work away. Also, I was thinking along the lines of riding to NM as the delta region around New Orleans is pretty boring at best. The Texas hill country is a 600 mile stretch from here (Kerrville/Fredericksburg area).

Okay. Well, at the rate I'm going, my '71 Bonny won't be ready in the immediate future--and I won't know for a little while whether the bottom end is good for a few longer road trips or if I'll need to do a full rebuild (and 750cc upgrade). I just didn't want my sixties to flash by without taking some vintage bike tours...

Good to know about the delta region--precisely why I wanted a route that connected people who could propose to adjust it based on their knowledge of their respective areas.

 

[Sparkdiver]

My '70 Bonnie is raring to go. SE Utah, St George with MILES of beautiful scenic open country and Natl' Parks. Vector in attrst to that.

 

[NM Bonny]

My '70 Bonnie is raring to go. SE Utah, St George with MILES of beautiful scenic open country and Natl' Parks. Vector in attrst to that.

Sounds good - and the color you've applied to the tank by coincidence gestures at the shade I chose for my present build, underway (Mist Blue Metallic, borrowed from a '66 Pontiac GTO, Chevelle SS, et al). Cool drag bike, BTW!

If we made you the westernmost participant (so far) and adjusted the route accordingly per my rider-centered method in the first post, the logical westbound leg from where I am would be HWY 550, a 70 mph posted, beautiful road that ascends from just north of Albuquerque into the Jemez Mountains after passing El Cabezon Peak (see link in first post).

The question then would be whether to continue north for a bit along 550, or to turn west on 64, and then...?

 

[NM Bonny]

Wow… can’t believe it’s been a year since I started this thread!

Anyway, for those who aren’t aware, I did finally get the ’71 T120R roadworthy, and am working out the final niggling details. Below are a couple of still shots and a brief video clip. BTW the speedo is wildly optimistic. I need to recalibrate it—but the tach seems fairly accurate, so you can judge approximate speed in 4th from that (20T tranny sprocket).

If anyone is in the Albuquerque-Santa Fe area, I’d like to take a ‘shakedown cruise’ in March, perhaps out to San Ysidro or Cuba, or alternatively the other direction, up Hwy 14 to Madrid behind the Sandias…?

1971 Bonneville custom cafe racer POV

 

[Sparkdiver]

Hmm, which shall I take out today?
Vector can tow the Knuck behind his R3.

 

[NM Bonny]

Hmm, which shall I take out today?
Vector can tow the Knuck behind his R3.

Sounds like a similar quandry I face...

Actually, the ’51 FL Pan-Shovel needs a bottom end. I’ll be pulling the engine shortly, so with luck it’s ready for Spring or Summer riding…

It is sounding like we need to begin circulating proposed dates and a route…

 

[Vector]

That 51 is sweeeeeet!

 

[NM Bonny]

That 51 is sweeeeeet!

Thanks, man. I call the above bikes “The Evil Twins,” as both are machines with 360-degree cranks, pushrod-operated valves, dry sumps, and kick starters. The ’51’s nickname is “The Paint Shaker,” and now that the Bonny is running, I’ll soon be pulling the Pan-Shovel’s engine to redo the bottom end, which is about to let go.

 

[NM Bonny]

So, I tried strapping on the tail trunk I use on all the Beemer and Pan-Shovel… and it works great on the Bonny. I threw an ice pack in the main compartment, and was able to get a decent load of groceries in there—enough to cook lunches and dinners for the week.

The quick-release straps just loop around the seat support tube aft, and through the side cover triangles up front. I can feel the bag just touching my lower back to reassure myself it has’t gone anywhere—but it’s very secure. Takes 30 seconds to remove or replace at the store.

This tail trunk—with a sleeping bag and tent strapped to its many external fastening loops—and a tank bag, and I’ll be set for backroad camping when it warms up.

BTW - the pads on the DIY front 11.5” disc conversion have fully bedded in… and the brake is simply amazing. The bike stops F-A-S-T with very little effort, good modulation, too. Quite possibly the single best mod I’ve done to the bike.

 

[Sparkdiver]

Love it! Sound pre-planning can prepare one for a much more comfortable X Country adventure. The inconveniences, discomfort and discouragement we encounter over the road csn become our most vital assets. Read:
THE TAO OF THE RIDE
30 years ago, after many runs, this short reading added a fresh perspective...and, NO music, com's, heated grips. Thank you.

 

[NM Bonny]

Love it! Sound pre-planning can prepare one for a much more comfortable X Country adventure. The inconveniences, discomfort and discouragement we encounter over the road csn become our most vital assets. Read:
THE TAO OF THE RIDE
30 years ago, after many runs, this short reading added a fresh perspective...and, NO music, com's, heated grips. Thank you.

Very interesting... thanks.

I would second the strategy of leaving behind the trappings of daily life. I’ll bring a cell phone solely for emergency use—so, turned off unless reassuring the dog-sitter I’m not defunct. But the charging system upgrade I did—sealed battery, Lucas 3-phase alternator, and Honda CBR 900 rectifier/regulator—together with the Boyer Bransden ignition, is extremely unlikely to leave me stranded. LEDs front, back, and in the gauges.

Frankly, the only over-the-road daily maintenance will be tightening engine fasteners due to vibration. The rocker cover bolts seem to loosen a bit, together with the clamps holding the ‘manifolds’ for the Mikunis (look to me like slices of fuel filler hose). I do need to start keeping track of oil consumption to peg how many quarts I need to bring along. It’s leaking very little (surprisingly). Maybe one or two drops when I shop for groceries…

I need to do some practice packing to see what goes where, and still need to find time to sew a tool roll with some leftover cotton duck. I’ve pretty much figured out what tools I need, and the bundle actually fits in the tin tray under the seat, to my surprise.

Just yesterday when I zipped into town for groceries before the wind kicked up, I was cruising down HWY 313 along the Rio Grande, and a squadron of wintering Sandhill Cranes glided across the road scarcely a few yards above me. Pretty magical to hear their chortling mixed with the purring of that vertical twin…