Back of the dragon and BRP

[fudge12]

So the good newsish is that the noise was a couple loose rivets on the cobra exhaust on the FJ, which were easily replaced. And it stopped leaking gas, which I assume was due to crappy gas and no fuel filter.  I'm on the list for the shim kit, so when I get it I'll go ahead and pull the carbs and make sure they're clean and the mounting boots are still good.
And another bit of noise was a crack in the chin fairing, which I'm ABSing back together. Spent the day cleaning, polishing, etc both bikes as part of the post-ride maintenance. Anyone else do that after a long ride?

Other random thoughts, I probably pushed the boy too hard with the long days.  Should have either stopped more often or done a longer trip (timewise) but had to work in the days I had.  The blast is a great little bike, but with the ~120mile range before reserve there were more than a few times I felt uncomfortable.  If I were to do it again I'd either bring a rotopax for extra fuel, or figure out some easy way to transfer fuel from the FJ to the blast.  The FJ is just about a supertanker comparatively, so I wouldn't miss a gallon or so every hundred miles. 

[fudge12]

Good news all the way around from Blackstone Labs.

[FeralRdr]

Thanks for sharing the adventure.  Picts of your '87 bring back fun memories of mine. 

[fudge12]

Thanks. It's nowhere near as crazy as some of the ones I've read (it seems that strife and challenge make for excellent ride reports, as do pictures of a bike balanced on a rock while tires are changed) but I'm totally willing to accept how well this one went, and still impressed with the boy.

[Country Joe]

Great ride report! It's prodding me to plan a longer ride for son and I than just a half day ride in the hills.
Joe