tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61678803832068509302024-03-08T15:14:15.588-08:00Tales Of The Bonneville Boys VGrumblerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02003774128193899393noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6167880383206850930.post-58350354986864957072009-11-29T12:18:00.000-08:002009-12-20T11:11:43.540-08:00Boonevilles To Lassen NP by Jack Jensen<br>Grumbler's note: <i>It was during the 70s when Jack and I happened to own<br />
Triumph Bonnevilles. During this trip, mine was a black '72 T120R while his<br />
was the '73 T140RV. One of our longest rides was up to Lassen NP.</i> <br />
<br />
First Day: My coworkers who are gathered around us had mixed expressions <br />
of envy and skepticism as we're warming up our Bonnys with our packs and <br />
sleeping bags tied down to our bikes behind us. <br />
<br />
Most of the guys I worked with have dirt/trail bikes for their Saturday <br />
afternoon "Weekend Warriors" rides in the hills of Santa Cruz Mountain. <br />
I used to ride with them, one or two winters ago, on my '59 Bonneville <br />
flat tracker with GP cams. I had to admit that we did have fun slinging <br />
"mud".<br />
<br />
Our Bonnys were up and down for upgrades, maintenance and preparations <br />
during early spring... Now, August has come and almost gone. <br />
<br />
Sheesh! We've been trying to go on this run with our two weeks paid <br />
vacation that was promised to us since the beginning of summer. Business <br />
was thriving and we're swamped with extra work, our bosses wouldn't let us <br />
go till now. If it wasn't for the weekends overnighter runs we would have <br />
gone "bananas". <br />
<br />
Destination: Lassen National Park, Reno, Carson City and Lake Tahoe. Hmmm... <br />
I wouldn't mind trying my luck on the Blackjack or Poker tables in Nevada. <br />
Return trip: Spit in the palm for a day or two in the Sierras. We had <br />
plenty of time to explore the CA/NV border. <br />
<br />
We both had installed "Kerker's Two into One" exhaust systems, did some <br />
serious rejetting in the carbs and ignition work last winter. The bikes <br />
had increased in mid/top end performance but our Bonnies lost some bottom <br />
end torque. <br />
<br />
It was a fair trade off since I've added two teeth in my drive sprocket <br />
when the warranty ran out on my Bonny. Originally, I wanted to drop one <br />
tooth, from 20T to a 19T on the counter-shaft sprocket but then I would <br />
have to R&R my clutch pack and 5-speed tranny to change the sprocket. <br />
Another time. <br />
<br />
My drive chain had to have "half-links" due to the longer drive chain. <br />
Not so good. "YA get what you pay for." Right. Hey! Give me a break! <br />
I'm learning. <br />
<br />
With our navy watch-caps on and secured with our goggles. We pulled our <br />
clutches in, clicked in first, eased the clutches out while twisting the <br />
throttles a hair, and headed out onto North Branciforte Dr. We had still <br />
practiced our freedom of choice of not wearing helmets. <br />
<br />
As our bikes straighten out, I gave a "Good-bye Wave" by popping a wheelie <br />
in second gear for about 100 feet or so. It was easy to do with all the <br />
added weight packed behind me. <br />
<br />
Eventually I would master the "Wheelies" without the extra weight in back <br />
and stay up as long as I keep shifting up the gears during maximum <br />
torque/HP range. But that's another story to tell. <br />
<br />
Soon, we're cruising north on #17 with the city limits disappearing behind <br />
us. It was widely known that, this stretch of highway was infested with the <br />
"State Boys" during the rush hours. <br />
<br />
Every "work week" there were always bumper to bumper traffic moving at a <br />
snail pace headed northbound to San Jose in the mornings then it would <br />
reverse in the evenings. <br />
<br />
During the tourist season it's worse. The people from the "Over the Hill" <br />
would spill over the Santa Cruz/San Jose pass to spend their hard-earned <br />
money on the Boardwalk and to cop some rays on the pristine beaches. <br />
<br />
It wasn't difficult to pass cars quickly then slide back behind others as <br />
long as that there wasn't a "Smokey" in line of sight and at our back door. <br />
By mid morning the traffic thinned out. None of this weaving in and out <br />
was needed anymore. <br />
<br />
The 2 into 1 mufflers had a gradual upswept angle towards the back of the <br />
bikes on the right side of our Bonny's. That was a plus if one wanted to <br />
bank further than the stock duals without scraping the chrome or brackets <br />
off. The left bank was free from any exhaust plumbing. At times we would <br />
burn the ends of the footpeg rubbers off when we banked to the extremes. <br />
Every other month I would replace the footpeg rubbers with new ones. <br />
<br />
The center stand had to be removed to install the 2 into 1. We've already <br />
ditched them before. They tend to slam up and down of the bottom of the <br />
frame as we're roller coasting the steep bumps and dips on the highways. <br />
<br />
Also, when the shocks were compressed it had improved our bankings on <br />
the curves. Heck! Every little bit helps. <br />
<br />
We were abreast of each other when we connected on I-680 then I-80 <br />
towards Sacramento. That's when we noticed that our 2 into 1's had <br />
a medium to high pitched resonating exhaust sounds as we rode side <br />
by side. <br />
<br />
But, Ahh! I did missed the distinctive tones from the stock mufflers. <br />
<br />
While on I-80, our rear muffler brackets kept getting loose, either you or <br />
I had to pull over to tighten our securing nuts and bolts or readjust the <br />
brackets every other 20 miles or so. It was very time-consuming and <br />
irritating. <br />
<br />
About an hour and half later we found ourselves at a "Truck/Cafe Stop" <br />
on I-80 just before Sacramento, had lunch, gassed up and did a visual <br />
check our bikes. <br />
<br />
I noticed that my securing nut and bolts of the muffler bracket(s) were <br />
gone. The muffler was hanging on with just the rinky dink front brackets <br />
on the frame and at the exhaust headers clamps. "Uffda!" As my ancestors <br />
would have said. <br />
<br />
Riding bikes takes some mechanical application, a half way decent tool kit, <br />
hardware and "elbow grease". One is expected to do repairs from time to <br />
time. Especially when one did "aftermarket custom" work or changes on the <br />
bikes. <br />
<br />
We've already wasted a couple of hours or so on the mufflers. Heck! That's <br />
life... We weren't in a hurry but we would rather be riding than twisting <br />
nuts and bolts. Right! <br />
<br />
After scrounging around in my tool bag, found some spare hardware, twisted <br />
nuts and bolts, we were back on the freeway and took a freeway loop to <br />
bypass the Sacramento business center and found ourselves on US #99 then <br />
onto #70, Feather River Highway, towards Oroville. <br />
<br />
Gawd! It felt so good to ride without stopping for repairs. Our mufflers <br />
brackets seems to take hold as we clicked on the miles and climbing higher <br />
into the foothills. <br />
<br />
By sunset we arrived at Oroville... We had planned to reach Lassen Natl. <br />
Park on our first day. But, No! We had "fun" wasting time on twisting nuts <br />
and bolts today. <br />
<br />
We decided to make camp on a hill overlooking the "Oroville Dam Project". <br />
There were abandoned ranch houses, buildings, barns, etc, at the floor of <br />
the valley below us. I thought to myself will they still be there when the <br />
dam fills up? Hmmmm... <br />
<br />
We had to keep a low profile on the hill because it was privately owned. <br />
We were surrounded by occupied ranch houses at a distance of a half mile. <br />
Therefore, no camp fire to draw unwanted attention. <br />
<br />
I had my trusty old GI Korean War single gasoline camp stove to cook our <br />
supper... You guessed it... Our usual, canned beans and hot-dogs, warm <br />
water from our canteens, and this time we topped it off with "Twinkies" <br />
for dessert. <br />
<br />
We're dogged tired and our asses were still buzzing from freeway flying <br />
all day. The intense vibration from the Triumph's bench seats would seep <br />
through to our tail bones between 65-70 mph. We really couldn't <br />
reposition ourselves as we've had packs and sleeping bags behind us. <br />
Needless to say, after supper we crashed in our sleeping bags. Sleep is <br />
good, almost as good as riding. <br />
<br />
Second day: Early morning, we checked the fluids in the bikes or we would <br />
have to take the packs and sleeping bags off later in the day's ride to <br />
check the engine oil level. One bad design of the bike if one had to carry <br />
a pack and sleeping bag. Heck! Triumph were designed as "Sport bikes." <br />
<br />
"Oh, hell!" My muffler was hanging close to the ground again. This time <br />
the nuts and bolts rounded out the factory welded slotted bar that were <br />
welded on muffler. Therefore no way to secure the bracket to the muffler. <br />
Yours was loose but soon it'll end up like mine. <br />
<br />
I had used some old rusty wire that we found nearby or from our tool bags <br />
and temporarily wired my muffler up. So we can ride to a hardware store <br />
and figure out what will remedy our problem. <br />
<br />
We spent most of the early morn installing/retrofitting plumber's tape to <br />
secure the mufflers on our bikes. Not as pretty as the chrome job. BUT! <br />
"Chrome don't bring you home." Right! <br />
<br />
I really don't remember if we had ate "brunch" or not by the time we <br />
finished our handiwork. But I'll tell you, we're outta there and flying up <br />
the Feather River Highway towards #89 trying to make up for lost time. <br />
<br />
We would stop briefly to check on our mufflers after a few miles. Then <br />
later on we would eyeballed each others mufflers as we ride side by side to <br />
make sure they weren't loose. It's a "GO!" <br />
<br />
Mucho miles later and just passed a 5,000 ft elevation marker, we stopped <br />
at a road side rest stop with facilities. After tending to our "needs" we <br />
sat down at one of picnic tables near the cliffs and had a "smoke break." <br />
We're sight seeing the valley below southwest of us and the steep canyon <br />
walls to the east. Breath taking view... But the ride was much better! <br />
<br />
After we loosen up our joints and expanded our minds we roared up the #70, <br />
soon connecting to #89. That's when I noticed that I'm losing power in <br />
fifth gear. Down shift one... Fourth gear is my main cruise as we <br />
ventured higher into the mountains. <br />
<br />
I had expected that due to the fat jets in my carbs. They work fine at <br />
"Sea Level" but after 5,000+ ft then they'll be richer. Your Bonny seems <br />
to take the "climb" a bit better than mine. I had to downshift earlier or <br />
stay in gear longer to keep up with you. <br />
<br />
After riding through series of steep bends and curves for couple hours we <br />
saw snow on the road banks from the last winter snow plows and upon the <br />
north side of the slopes. Heck! It was getting a lot colder and we must <br />
be reaching crest soon. Lassen Peak is tad over 10,000 ft if my memory <br />
serves me correct. <br />
<br />
We motored into the one of park camp grounds, found a camp site and quickly <br />
scrounged around for firewood. Since it was a Tuesday most of the weekend <br />
campers were gone and we were able to find some "left behinds" of partial <br />
burnt logs, some kindling and "what nots" at other camp sites. The Rangers <br />
don't think to kindly of us if we tried chopping down trees. <br />
<br />
We had a decent fire going. We had enough firewood that'll last two or <br />
three more hours. A dude rode into the park on a Honda CB350 with his <br />
pack strapped on his bike. We invited him to share our campsite and fire. <br />
He was most grateful and wanted to share his grub in return. <br />
<br />
As we were eating our supper while sitting on our sleeping bags near the <br />
warm campfire "Honda" would talk our ears off about how he didn't need <br />
anything bigger than a 350 CC on this trip. <br />
<br />
A real jerk! But we kept our mouths shut and let him rant and rave about <br />
the money that he'd saved by getting his "beloved" Honda. Then he compared <br />
our camp gear and said we wasted good money on them. By that time, I was <br />
seeing red and went into a "self preservation shut down mode." <br />
<br />
After hearing an ear full of his BS all evening I decided to turn in. The <br />
camp fire was dying, we added the last of the wood... I moved my sleeping <br />
bag as much as I dared toward the campfire and snuggled into my bag. <br />
"Honda" and you were still up but I can see that you were ready to crash as <br />
I was zipping my bag over my head... <br />
<br />
I woke up in the middle of the night, crawled out my ever so warm <br />
"5 LB Coleman" sleeping bag and went to an outhouse. The dude was <br />
not in his sleeping bag when I returned. I then hurried back to my <br />
bag. Dang it! I was freezing as I slipped back into my Coleman bag. <br />
Soon, I was warm. <br />
<br />
Dude returned with some wood to put in the smoldering camp fire. He was <br />
fanning and blowing on the coals trying to restart the fire but he failed <br />
miserably and crawled back into his "money saving" sleeping bag. <br />
<br />
I can see that his bag shaking something fierce as I slowly zipped the top <br />
of my bag over my head. HEH, HEH. <br />
<br />
Third day: We broke camp real early. Our Bonnys wouldn't kick over. Oil <br />
was thicker than molasses. After the several "switched off" cranks the oil <br />
in our crankcase loosen up. Honda was stirring in his sleeping bag but <br />
didn't say anything. <br />
<br />
We had to keep the bikes running way above idle almost racing just to keep <br />
them from stalling. With all the noise we made and roared out of the <br />
campsite, the dude was still in his bag. <br />
<br />
We passed another elevation marker as we left the campground stating it was <br />
7,000 ft level and we're still climbing. Right away, I noticed my bike had <br />
lost a lot power and black smoke was billowing out of our exhausts. <br />
<br />
I couldn't stay in fourth or I would go below my 3,000 RPM torque range. <br />
I'd downshifted to third then powered it up to 6500 rpm and shift back up <br />
to fourth again. Slowly I would lose rpm back to 3,000 in fourth again. I <br />
would repeat this for several miles. Must be the combination of fat jets <br />
and high elevation... Wished I had brought my smaller jets along. But <br />
then, I wouldn't need them cause we'll be going down soon. <br />
<br />
My left bank started missing and shortly afterwards I was running on one <br />
bank. We pulled over and checked the plugs and they were gas fouled to the <br />
max. After seeing mine, you pulled yours, they were black and sooty. We <br />
replaced them with one range hotter plugs which we just so happened to have <br />
in our tool bag. <br />
<br />
We're back on the road! "Happy days are here again." (It's that same dang <br />
song again.) <br />
<br />
A few miles before we crested the pass, a Buck and a doe jumped in front of <br />
us on the highway. We had plenty of time to slow down and let them decide <br />
which way to escape. Skittish animals aren't they? Especially when two <br />
noise makers like us barreling up the road towards them. <br />
<br />
We stopped at Old Station/Cafe on #89/#44 junction to have breakfast, <br />
hot coffee and warmed up from our freezing early morning ride over the <br />
pass. I couldn't believe it could get that cold in August. <br />
<br />
It was getting warmer as we descended down the eastern slopes. The <br />
elevation was tapering off about 4,500 ft level as we're heading towards <br />
Susanville on #44. Seems that we're on a plateau. The bikes were running <br />
top notched and with plenty of power to spare. <br />
<br />
After ten miles or so we pulled off to the side of the highway, drove onto <br />
a forest road a bit and had a "smoke break." A lumber truck rumbled by and <br />
gave us a friendly "toot" as we waved back. We wondered if he knew? <br />
Heck! We didn't care and we continued enjoying the scenery. <br />
<br />
We've must have taken our sweet time to get to Susanville cause we arrived <br />
just in time for lunch at Dairy Queen. (Hmmm... I wonder why?) We stuffed <br />
our faces and still looking for more to eat. Must have been the "High".<br />
HEH, HEH. <br />
<br />
Then we went out a Honda Dealership, checked out their show room floor, <br />
bought some NGK spark plugs, installed them in our bikes and put our <br />
hotter plugs back in our tool bags. <br />
<br />
As we would all say, we farted around some more and soaked up more of the <br />
country life. "Yeah, right!" Enough of this... We looked over to our Bonnys <br />
and said... "Let's Ride!" <br />
<br />
We rumbled out of town but keeping an eye on the city speed limit. No need <br />
to delay our departure by getting pulled over. The "locals" were smiling <br />
as we're leaving... I couldn't tell if it's the hospitality or they're just <br />
glad to see us leave... HA! HA! <br />
<br />
On #395 heading towards Reno, the barren mountain range was on our right <br />
and there was a dry lake to our left that had spanned for miles along the <br />
highway. Boring! <br />
<br />
To break the boredom we twisted our throttles, blasted by 70 mph, reached <br />
100 mph, held it for several seconds, eased back to 80 mph and held it <br />
there till we reached CA/NV border about an hour later. <br />
<br />
We slowed down to the posted speed limit as we crossed the line. A few <br />
clicks later NV State Trooper flashed us over. What the f...! <br />
<br />
We killed our motors, swung our kick stands out and got off our bikes as <br />
the "Trooper" walked slowly towards us. We go through the rituals of <br />
handing over our M/C licenses, registrations, call in for any outstanding <br />
warrants that we've might have, then hands back our licenses. <br />
<br />
He took his aviation sun glasses off, eyeballed from you to me and said, <br />
"No helmet, no ride." <br />
"Huh?" we replied. <br />
"State of Nevada has helmet laws." <br />
"But sir, all we planned is to go to Reno then head to Truckee, CA." <br />
"Not without helmets, best you turn back and 'do' have a safe ride." <br />
<br />
Hmmm... Change of plans... We yanked out the road map as his cruiser <br />
pulled out, passed us slowly, drove a little ways and made a U-turn and <br />
parked on the other side of the highway, waiting for us to make a decision. <br />
<br />
Seeing this, we decided to get the hell out of here before he loses his <br />
"good manners." We high tailed it while he followed us as far as the <br />
border. "Trooper" dropped back and made a U-turn and settled back to <br />
where he first spotted us. <br />
<br />
We ended up at Hallelujah Junction a few miles back. Had some cold ones <br />
while we're remapping our route. After several corrections, we yelled, "We <br />
have a plan!" <br />
<br />
Our gas tanks topped off and we blasted out of the junction headed south on <br />
#49 to Randolph then connected to #89 to Truckee and Tahoe City. <br />
<br />
That route, mostly paved, had tight bends, some hair pins and we seemed to <br />
be right at "home" with the Bonnys between our legs. There were more than <br />
plenty of S- curves, 50-60 miles worth. Took us better than an hour and a <br />
half to travel that route. Of course we stopped for "breaks" from time to <br />
time. <br />
<br />
I should thank the "Nevada Finest" for redirecting our course or we would <br />
have never found this stretch... Hmmmm.... Fate? <br />
<br />
Our bods were weary and sore from all the day ride today. It felt so good <br />
to lie down on my bed in our motel room in Tahoe City. A short nap was <br />
very inviting and off to "La-La land." <br />
<br />
We cleaned up and went to dinner at a nearby restaurant. We actually had <br />
sat down at a table and ordered full dinner specials. <br />
<br />
Later, I inquired at the front desk about if there were any bus service to <br />
any of the casinos on the NV side of Lake Tahoe. Seems that we've "missed <br />
the bus" but they could call a taxi for us... "Nah... I'll pass on that." <br />
I said. <br />
<br />
After discussing our options we decided to ride back our rooms and get a <br />
good night sleep for our last day ride... That's what this is all about... <br />
"It's the Ride not the Destination." Right! <br />
<br />
Fourth day: My bones and muscles were like petrified wood when the morning <br />
sun was filtering through the drawn curtains. I slowly rose from the "Dead" <br />
then dragged myself to the curtains and took a peek outside to see if our <br />
bikes were intact... "Yep." <br />
<br />
I made a pit stop at the bathroom and went back to my bed. A bit later, <br />
you got up and went to the door and opened and looked out and closed it. <br />
Then you made a bee line back to your bed. Without question, we wanted to <br />
sleep more than to ride. <br />
<br />
We checked out around 11 AM and had a quick breakfast, of course junk food <br />
at 7-11. Motored out of Tahoe City, got back on #80, passed Truckee and <br />
now headed west towards Sacramento. <br />
<br />
As we flew down the slopes, I could see the smog in the valley. Hmmm... <br />
"Back to the cesspool." I said. About 90 minutes later we made a pit stop <br />
about 10-15 miles east of "Sac." Traffic was congested but clipping at 60+ <br />
MPH. <br />
<br />
Another hour of riding we left I-80, connected to I-680 headed for <br />
Fremont/San Jose. We're weaving in and out through the traffic jams during <br />
the rush hour, again. <br />
<br />
Tired, my eyes burning and wouldn't stop tearing from the merciless thick <br />
smog. We made another pit stop in San Jose and headed for highway #17. <br />
<br />
We then broke free from the "wolf packs" as we motored by Los Gatos <br />
headed up the "Hill." At last! Escape from the "Big Cities" and <br />
headed for smog free city of Santa Cruz. <br />
<br />
We encountered a Jag as we approached Mt. Herman Rd and raced him to <br />
Scotts Valley. Kind of gave us a charge when we arrived home. <br />
<br />
We felt good that we made fantastic time from Tahoe City to Santa Cruz. We <br />
rode about 260 miles worth that afternoon. In spite of the rush hour <br />
traffic and "wolf packs" we still made it in less than 5 hours. <br />
Overall, we had rode 800+ miles in 4 days and 3 nights. <br />
<br />
Home sweet Home! We took our packs and bags off the bikes and cleaned <br />
ourselves up. We're starving and the night was still young... You betcha! <br />
<br />
We rode our Bonnys to Denny's, probably ordered Chicken Fried Steak Dinners <br />
and discussed options for our next run... We're picking up our weekly <br />
payola at work tomorrow and still have another week of vacation left. <br />
"Die Hards" aren't we? HEH, HEH.Grumblerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02003774128193899393noreply@blogger.com0