Prospect purchase

[fintip]

Wow! I would say way to outdo me, but it is honestly just super different. I could make it in 3 days, but I'm just going to enjoy the West Coast because I've never been there. Sounds like it was amazing--great to hear it all worked out!

Out of curiousity, what was the deal with your wheel bearings? Were you just feeling resistance, a wobble, or did it lock up, or what?

So you didn't cross the Darien gap after all that and just keep going on to Tierra Del Fuego?

[fintip]

Put up a thread for the electrical discussion:

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=7617.0

[SkyFive]

I'm pretty excited. A little nervous, hoping someone doesn't get money to the guy before my friend does...

Nervous? Try these

[fj11.5]

bloody nervous now 

[93fj1200]

Wow! I would say way to outdo me, but it is honestly just super different. I could make it in 3 days, but I'm just going to enjoy the West Coast because I've never been there. Sounds like it was amazing--great to hear it all worked out!

Out of curiousity, what was the deal with your wheel bearings? Were you just feeling resistance, a wobble, or did it lock up, or what?

So you didn't cross the Darien gap after all that and just keep going on to Tierra Del Fuego?

I made it in 3.5 days because I had to.  I had been invited by the Santa Muertes of Mexico City to accompany them on a journey called the Cabo a Rabo (Head to Tail) of Mexico.  We were leaving on Sunday so I needed to arrive on Saturday.  It was a very cold and wet trip until I left Waco.

When the bearing went, it was a grinding noise that would started at 40-55 kph when I left Culiacan heading towards Mazatlan.  As soon as it started making noise I stopped, thinking it was the brakes grinding and disconnected the calipers but the noise continued.  Then it started pouring and I knew then it was the bearings and being Friday after shop closing, I had no choice but to continue on.  Thankfully, this portion of the 4-lane highway had a shoulder to it as most highways in latin america do not.  I drove the 200 approximate kilometers to Mazatlan at that speed in a downpour.  Arrived and called my friends in Santa Muertes and they set me up with a cheap motel and a mechanic with garage-parts the next morning. $24 for hotel, $30 for new bearings and was on my way again by 11:30 am.

It is not possible to drive across the Darien Gap at this point in time....too many guerillas and drugs trafficking there.  My wife is Colombian (married here in Panama on 14 of February).  She has her flight to Cartagena and I am thinking about going there with my bike on a short pleasure cruise on a boat called the Stahlratte that ferries bikes and passengers from San Blas Islands in Panama to Cartagena for $900 which includes 4-5 days on the boat or beaches in between and all food included.  You only need to pitch in with working on the boat or cooking.  You need to buy your beer, rum or pop for one dollar a bottle..nothing more.

Been quite an experience down here in Panama.  Have met most of the bikers here in Panama.  It is a lot different than other places.  There are a few of what I would call real bikers but most are just people who use their bikes as a way of showing they have money.  It is funny but my $1,600 FJ1200 gets more attention than just about any other bike I have seen.  Everywhere I go, the people want to talk about it and take pictures of me with them and the bike.  I would recommend making the trip through Mexico and Central America to anyone.  I never had any problems with the police at all especially when I was with the Santa Muertes.  Hahaha.  I have even passed a lot of them doing over 170kph in the desert in Sonora.  Contrary to popular belief, it is the Mexicans that the police bother the most.  Normally they leave the foreigners alone.  There is a lot of toll booths and speed bumps there too. Can get expensive for the toll booths but the prices for motorcycles will be halved soon. Anyway, if anyone is down my way, let me know.  I have mechanic friends and know where there is great beaches and there is plenty of cheap beer everywhere. 

[fintip]

Awesome trip. Really amazing.

I was joking about the Darien gap... You'd need a Rokon to do that. One of my earlier plans long ago involved driving down to South America, which is when I learned about the Darien Gap... And scratched that plan. Haha.

Sounds like one hell of a story. I definitely intend retrying a full Central America trip again some time.

Driving 45kph for 200km in a downpour sucks... 4 hours?

I rarely meet people as crazy as I am... Congrats. Bet you were a bit nervous after that 170kph pass, haha!

Also, congratulations on getting a Colombian girl! I hear they're fantastically beautiful, and that's certainly been my experience. As for me, if I ever get a bike of mine onto Colombian soil, I'm driving all the way to Tierra Del Fuego, whether I have to beg borrow or steal to make it...

Hopefully I'll catch you in some distant country one day, you sound like a hell of a guy to ride with.

Keep the rubber on the road my friend.

Kyle

[fintip]

Ticket to seattle purchased... Got it for $120. Arriving the 23rd, 8 days!

Aaaaaand... My XJ is sold! Buyer is coming by in less than an hour with cash in hand. I got $1500 for it! (I would have taken $950 in a pinch; listing it for $1450 originally, I got 4 phone calls with serious buyers who came to look at it on a moment's notice in less than 24 hours, and 7 overall contacts (?!?!?!). I ended up relisting it for $1500 and putting some new pictures up by the end of the day, and within an hour a girl called who ended up texting me later that evening saying she had decided she wanted it.)

(She's cute, too.

Apparently I'm a good ad-writer.

Hwy 1, redwoods, Yosemite, Grand Canyon... Here I come!  

Now to buy some cold weather gear...

[Tiger]

  Superb... way to go...Now let the real adventure(s!!) begin buddy

Keep us all posted... 

John.

[Pat Conlon]

Kyle, what bike did you decide on? Is there a link? Do plan on picking it up in Seattle and tour?

If so...Has anyone checked the bike out for you?

Pretty ballsy to take a unknown, used bike on a long trip. It's a long way back to Austin.  

[fintip]

I did have a friend go look at it, and I gave him a detailed procedure of stuff to check out, and talked with the owner for a long time.

Link: http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/mcy/3290840975.html

I am not sure if it is still up, as the whole of the seattle craigslist has been down for me all day for some reason.

And what's life without a little adventure?! 

[racerrad8]

Just go to post #1 of this thread as the ad was posted at the very beginning.

Randy - RPM

[Pat Conlon]

Okay, first post...got it. Thanks Randy.

Yep, it sounds like an adventure all right. Your route should take you by Sacramento so if needed, a stop in Oakdale at RPM could be a option for you..... Rain gear and a heated vest are a must.

Have a safe trip.
Check in and let us know how you are doing...

[Mark Olson]

I did have a friend go look at it, and I gave him a detailed procedure of stuff to check out, and talked with the owner for a long time.

Link: http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/mcy/3290840975.html

I am not sure if it is still up, as the whole of the seattle craigslist has been down for me all day for some reason.

And what's life without a little adventure?! 

just catching up on this post , you are a crazy bastard  hell ya . make it happen .

there is a wiring connector under the faring on the right side of the 86 that will get loose and cause the problems you are having.

If it were me I would check all connections and install new battery and tires , flush all fluids .

bring a clutch slave repair kit cause it is gonna start leaking 100 miles into the trip.

I am in sacramento ca. 

there are fj'ers all along your trip route if you get in trouble , just throw a shout out.

good luck and I look forward to hearing of your adventure.

[pdxfj]

A heated jacket liner/vest is a requirement.  It's getting downright chilly here in the NW..   

Also swing into Big 5 sporting goods or someplace similar and get a "Turtle Fur Neck Warmer".  I think Cyclegear also carries them.

Rain gear, waterproof boots and gloves are also necessary.  The rain has set back in and we've had quite a bit of it come pouring down the last few days.  We went the entire summer and then some without any measurable rain which is a first in quite a long time.  Too bad you couldn't have done this just a few weeks earlier.

[fintip]

Previous owner claims to have already rebuild clutch slave when I asked about it.

Mark Olsen, know what the connector you have in mind is called or what it does that could cause this? Color maybe?

It does seem like a good route for FJ support if things get hard. I'll be posting about it as I go, and will be glad to go on day trips with people as I pass through their area!

Stopping in at RPM might be too much of a temptation to pass up?

As far as gear. I am only a little lost.

I have a scarf someone's mom handmade in Mexico, I believe it's wool, I was guessing I'd try that first and see if I can get away with it. I would like to have a really heavy coat instead of an electrically heated one if possible, but is that basically guaranteed to be inadequate? Hoping for heavy but not heated gloves. Basically I'd like to avoid the hassle and cost of heated gear if at all avoidable, but I also do NOT want to be miserable while driving, so an extra 100 or even 200 dollars is worth the difference between comfort and misery on this long of a trip.

So: Warm gear on a budget, what's a minimalist approach?

(Also, I keep rain gear on the bike at all times, and use it often. Just used it today.)

As far as doing the trip a few weeks ago... You're telling me. Ah well, no time like the present, haha. I'll probably be trying to fly past Washington and Oregon and try and get to California ASAP, where it should be a bit milder, I think (right?).