Flat tappet swansong?

Soon it will be winter proper here and in the steaming fleshpots of Bungendore that means it gets as cold as fuck. It also means that work dries up so its a good time for us to take holidays.

With our current government seemingly determined to drive the middle class into penury and ignite a class war an overseas trip is probably out of the question this year and J use is stupid busy at the moment and can't get the time off.

So......

Some time in July she has to go to Darwin. It'll probably be for the week. I've yet to ride to Darwin so it would seem like an ideal opportunity to not only test the mettle of the big green G as a long distance tourer. I'd also like to lay to rest the idea promulgated on so many forums that the 8V motor is 'Fundamentally Flawed' in flat tappet form.

If you use Google Maps and punch in Bungendore New South Wales as a start point and Darwin, Northern Territory as a finish you'll see that its about 4,000 Km each way, (There are basically only two routes!)

Recently Mark Salkeld rode from Sydney to Perth and back on his now sadly departed A5 engined 2008 model. Oddly enough it didn't break! I have no reason to believe mine will either, it hasn't in 70,000 Km so far!

I reckon a trans-continental jaunt before I stick the roller top end on will not only be an interesting experiment that will give some interesting data about wear patterns, (I have to lift the heads to fit the valve spring shims, well I don't, but it'll be easier if I do and I don't fancy doing the rope trick on the G and I do want to se how the guides are at 80,000Km/50,000 miles.) I'm not getting any younger and you only live once. I reckon now may be the time!

Of course if anybody else would like to tag along I'd be more than happy to share the ride........

Pete

PS it would help if you like deserts.

Pete Roper wrote:

PS it would help if you like deserts.

I love desserts!

Wait. What?

You're in, you're out...

Is that "just desserts" beetle?

The longest ride I've ever done was 6 hours. It was on the '200kph lounge chair'/supertanker FJ1100. The ride there and back I stopped for fuel once.

Riding 4000km in the big G would mean around 16 fuel stops and at least that many whiz stops. However my arse would cry 'enough!' well before the 3rd fuel stop, even with the Corbin.   

Darwin is about half way between Bungendore and Singapore, amazing   

Mark? Do you have a set of leather keks? While I don't wear leather very much any more on long trips I find my Alpine Star trousers add at least three hours a day, unless its stupid hot obviously.

Pete

PS, yes Phang, its a bloody long way!

No leathers. I've asked for set for my birthday. Who knows?

When I did my trip up the west coast of the US on the GRiSO Pinko in 2010 I put in a couple of longish days with Chuck from Indiana on the Darth Quota and the Seattle push with Steak, Pete and Greg. My biggest issue was not my arse but my knees! Pinko was bog-stock and the footpegs are just too high for my old legs. The Green Horror has lowered pegs and is a far happier, but not perfect, thing.

Compared to my Cali 14 'Touring' though its a joy! While all logic dictates that the 'Cruiser' riding position should be ideal for long distances for me the GRiSO is a much happier thing. Travelling two-up both Jude and I prefer the Mana to either of the Guzzis!

Pete