Ducati Monster Forum

well for the summer at least. :P

I will be riding from NYC to Grand Junction Colorado for a summer internship up till August.

I need to be in GJ on the 28/29th of May, so i have about 4-5 days to get there and I'm wondering what the best route to get there is.

I was thinking about NYC to Indianapolis to Kansas city to Denver to Grand Junction, taking about 4-5 days. I might end up borrowing my dads E-250 and throwing my bike in the back and just drive there with all my belongings ( i was going to mail them).

How does that route sound? Im not sure of the weather conditions ill be going through since the weather has been absolutely nuts lately.  Anything to see and do on the way that can fit in my time frame?

---Updated----
Blog

Part 1: http://kuixihe.com/node/44 (http://kuixihe.com/node/44)

DitR is calling you...

Im already looking into time off for that weekend. :D

damn, no advice but that sounds like a awesome road trip... and then being in colorado for the summer with a bike... freaking jealous now haha.

That's a decent route, and with those as stopover points you won't be pushing yourself too hard. New York to Indy will be your longest day at around 12 hours of drive time, and that's assuming you don't have to sit in construction or traffic. I prefer the I-70 route to the I-80 route as you avoid both Cleveland and Chicago.

I would definitely take the van. The weather across the plains states can be iffy at best that time of year, and this year's tornado season has been more active than most.

make the beast with two backs it! Ride!!!!

If you keep us posted could take you through some pretty pristine Missouri roads when you get out this way.  I found one a week or two ago that could have easily been track quality asphalt with nary a straight road in sight for 30 or so miles. 

Advise on Kansas:  ride/drive it at night or do it first thing in the morning.  It's like 5 hours across (if memory serves) and it is a DULL RIDE.  You won't want to be fully cognisant for that leg.

Indy south of Indianapolis is ok if you want to take some of the local highways (mom and I did a trip out to NYC a few years ago that led us through some ok country), but most of Indiana and Illinois is pretty shitty as well (grew up in Central IL).  St. Louis to KC, however, is a pretty fantastic ride and if you want a layover in Columbia, we have good local beer and food stuffs :)

seriously thinking about it!!!! I was going to ride it in 6 days until my dad offered to loan me the work van which isnt used anymore. One of the reasons i dont want to ride is because its a straight long boring road out west. It would be easier to just drive.

i was hoping to drive in the middle of hte night. drive off around 3am, and stop around 4-5pm. check out the local scenery and then repeat.

A) Plains thunderstorms. This was last Friday. Gets interesting about 25 seconds in. 4/27/2012 Cloud, Co Kansas Tornado and Hail Video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ7jn4YIqRw#)

B) Any money you might save on gas would be spent on the tires you'd have to buy to replace the ones you rode out on.

I would avoid the northerly route if I were you.  Swing through Knoxville area via the dragon and run to Nashville on the back roads.  I'd then swing to the AR or MO route.  AR has absolute incredible roads and you will enjoy the hell of the pig trail.  You can then jump on I-40 and haul ass to CO.

well...not like you haven't ridden through deathly provoking storm situations before....

not golf ball sized hail atleast. should that be added to the list??

my only experiance with driving across KS ended in 100 mph crosswinds. the car was being blown all over the road.

not to mention the tumbleweeds.

also, if you have the van, you have a place to sleep for a couple of hrs and then get back on the road.

If you take 70 your welcome to crash in Columbus at my place. 

So here is an act of heresy on the Monster forum. I lived up the road in Rifle CO back in the 80's and had a kick ass GPZ 750 at the time. I ended up selling it after a year because there are not that many paved roads to ride it on. Conversely, there are a ton of forest service and BLM dirt roads all over the place in western Colorado. Park the Duc and pick up a dual sport bike like a Suzuki DRZ 400 or something. Otherwise you will miss out on 95% of the territory out there. I found myself riding along on the pavement wondering what was up and over the next mountain - but could not get there on a street bike

i may take you up on that!


I want to pick up a dual sport, but CASH!!!! im bringing my bicycle and I'm going to try and do some of the 14 summits of Colorado.

Anyone down to summit some mountains this summer?

Kui, you have balls and ass of iron.  Get some cruiser tires and do it.

ive got PR2s!


Reasons to ride it there : none, except for the epicness.
Reasons to take the van: I can bring my bicycle, i wont get hit by hail. I can drive the van to the 14ers and do some summiting which will be easier than riding there...


The only thing is that its a massive Free candy van. E250 v8 so its going to cost me $500 to drive. EACH WAY! possibly more on the return leg since summer gas prices are going to hit.


Heres the planned route. any suggestions highly welcomed. Im going to skip Indianapolis since my friends lives too far away from Indianapolis to vist.

Depart: NYC               Thursday  0500  
Arrive: Columbus OH    Thursday 1600

Depart: Columbus OH   Friday 0500
Arrive: Kansas City MI  Friday 1700

Depart Kansas City MI  Saturday 0500
Arrive: Denver CO       Saturday 1600

Depart: Denver CO       Sunday 1200
Arrive:  Grand Junction  Sunday 1700

when in Kansas City, you should stop by that BBQ joint that TBJ was at that Anthony Bourdain reported on...LOL

Oklahoma Joe's, and yes. You should.  [thumbsup]

I just have an apartment but your welcome to crash man (there is an extra bedroom).  If you like wings we have a great wing chain in Cbus. If not, plenty of other places to go.




or you could always try and get a hold of Juuuuuuud [evil]

All the best, Kui!

Hmmm...I may have to ride down to KC after work Friday and meet up with you...I am up in Des Moines.

driving west into KC at sunrise was awesome. there are a couple of buildings taht catch the sunlight and glow golden for miles and miles on the way in.  [thumbsup]

heman you should check out advrider. Lots of routes and experience posted on that site. I say do the ride. YOLO right?

+1

DOO EET!!

DrDesmo did the trip (starting in Boston) in a similar Free Candy van, and he survived to tell the tale. Course, you'd then be stuck with the Free Candy van having to make the trip back to NYC...

If it were me, I would drive... having both a car and a bike available during the internship along with the added safety of driving for that distance makes it worth it.

Hiking could be an issue, find a friend! Don't know what I'd do but I'd sure want to ride. You might find enough joy riding various bikes. Have a safe trip and enjoy being the crazy bastard what rode his Ducati from NY.

well its been decided. I'm riding.

my dad rescinded the offer to loan me the van for whatever reason. I just said okay and left.

 Hopefully I won't get face palmed by bad weather or mechanical problems!

Hows the weather en route there? Im assuming its going to get pretty cold somewhere along the route so ill need to gear for both cold and hot conditions?

Heres the planned route.

NYC-> Colombus OH
Route Time: 9:15 via Google Maps
Expected TIme: 11 Hours
Depart NYC 5am- Arrive 4pm.


Colombus OH -> St. Louis MI
Route Time: 7:45 via Google Maps
Expected Time: 10 Hours
Depart 6am- Arrive 4pm

St. Louis MI -> Somewhere after Kansas city
Route Time: I dont want to ride more than 8 total hours this day.

Somewhere in Kansas to Denver CO
Route Time: Under 10 hours hopefully.

Denver CO to Grand Junction
Route time: whatever i need to get there!

You meant St. Louis, Missouri, right?  St. Louis Michigan is practically straight north of Columbus and Google says the drive is 7 hours (or more by two wheel).  I'm off that weekend and have been spending most weekends in St. Louis with friends anyway, so let me know if you want a caravan/lodging.

As far as weather is concerned in the midwest, just wait 5 minutes.  It will change.  Most of the really nasty shit should be done by end of may, but you never know.  Just pack your rain gear

He man, maybe you should just build a shell to cover you bike like this

(http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5240/5818764300_7c24201a8c_z.jpg)

It will protect you from harsh weather AND solve your parking problems :D

Yup Missouri. The St. Louis with the arch.

I signed up for Coughsurfing.com and someone was kind enough to accept my newbie request there.

Im hoping to check out the city a bit because Next stop after michigan is Kansas city then im going to make the 1 day trek to Denver unless i can find a place in between, then ill skip kansas city and shoot for somewhere midway between denver and kansas city.

If you want to meet up for some lunch/dinner that would be cool.

Ill be coming in with rain gear then!

Now you've done it.
Buy a spare bike, and tow it behind you the whole route.  ;D

The weather is going to be what the weather is going to be.
There's not a damned thing you're going to be able to do about it.

If its too hot to ride, pull into a rest stop, and ride at night.
If its rainy, just watch the storm clouds, put on extra layers of rain riding gear, and ride only during the day.
If you see a supercell form on the horizon, pull over, turn around, and go back the way you came, and head north at the first crossing road. For some reason, super cells tend to turn south more often than not in the spring.
If there's hail, get off the road, and under something. Overpasses are your only friend in the middle of nowhere.

But most importantly, when you get to Denver, don't park next to my bikes, because I don't want my bikes to have whatever disaster happens to yours happen to them, too.  [evil]

I know the ride you're going to do very well, I've done it quite a few times over the years, both on bikes, and in cars.
Whatever you can do to your bike before the trip, do it.
Valve adjustment, new tires, new brake pads, chain, sprocket, whatever is currently questionable. Get it done, and out of the way NOW. Don't try to work on your bike in the 3 days before the trip, you will only risk breaking something that needs 5 days to get to you.
Every gas fill up, lube and check the tension on your chain. If it needs to be adjusted, do it.
Bring real tools to do the adjustment, too.

And the most important thing, don't risk running out of gas.
If you can plot out your fuel stops ahead of time, that works really, really well.
That way you never have to wonder if there's going to be a gas station or if you're going to have to push for 10 miles.
That feeling really sucks.

BC.

ahahhaahh  [clap]


Seriously though.... so far this is the check list.
Goretex jacket
goretex pants
goretex boots
goretex gloves

Sockets + socket wrench
Allenkeys ball end Metric
Chain Adjuster
Chain Lube
1 quart of oil

And i usually carry a steel canister with 1 Liter of gas for long trips, 1 liter should get me far enough to the next gas station...i hope.


Now i have to ask. what hte hell is a supercell?

When you see it, you'll know.  It's like Satan's asshole opening op directly over which ever city he wants to anger that particular day.  Nasty storms, these.

me, I'd be renting a UHaul and doing the trip in comfort ...

Yes, but He Man's young and still needs bar stories.  [beer]

Yes he is...  [laugh]

this^^

besides. Ill be updating from my phone to let you guys know if im in shit. maybe i should get someone who posts often to text and post updates to let people know im okay... supercell..damn that shit looks scary.

Bed for you here if you get blown off course going through  Ohio and end up in Cincinnati - I have enough bar stories for both of us and I'm willing to share ...

Sorry you forced into that decision, but I think it's for the best. Whatever happens, the stories will be worth it!

I am doing a similar trip but in the other direction.  From Phoenix to Boston.  Also for an internship, hahaha.  When you leaving?  Maybe we can meet in the middle for lunch, haha.

nice! Whats ur route?

Tempe, AZ to Albuquerque, NM (410 mi)

Albuquerque, NM to Stroud, OK (600 mi)

Stroud, OK to Effingham, IL (550 mi)

Effingham, IL to Erie, PA (550 mi)

Erie, PA to Boston, Nashua, NH (590 mi)

That's my route.  I'm planning to stay at motels so I'm trying to stop outside of major cities.

what day will you be riding? we will be crossing paths  in Effingham IL (im heading to St Louis)

I think I'm going to leave on May 21st.  So I would be there on the 23rd.

bummer! id be leaving the 25th!

Maybe we'll cross paths on the 24th.  I'll be around Erie, PA at the time.

if you leave a day later maybe. or invent a time machine.

Question for some of you guys:

how fast can i make it through Kansas on I-70. Can i do 100mph on it? or are there cops?

There are cops.

The speed limit's 75 and you can get away with 80 in most places (ie between towns), but anything more than that and you're asking for trouble.

If you want, I can possibly get you a place to crash in Topeka. It's an hour west of KC and has almost none of the nightlife or glamor (still has some pretty damned good barbecue  [drool]), but it'd keep you from having to deal with the morning rush hour and get you closer to Denver. 

[laugh] [clap] [laugh] [clap]

legit question!

there are hardly any cops in north and south carolina on i95 and i pretty much did 95 the whole time till i made it to gerogia.

Buckethead, that would be great, I wanted to get a bit further than Kansas city so i was a tad closer to denver for the next morning. Nightlight and glamour? Whats that? (im stuck in school 80 hours a week!

FYI Kansas troopers have no sense of humor so don't push past 80

 :-[

i have to do 420 miles of straight road at 80mph? THE MISERY!!!!

More than that.

You're forgetting that I 70 in Colorado east of Denver is just as bad as western Kansas, if not worse.

From Topeka, where it starts to flatten out, to Denver is 530+ miles.

But by that time, you'll have taken I 70 across Illinois and Indiana, which are equally as exciting.

There are cops, there are State Troopers, and then there's the group of lawmen that patrol the I-70 corridor through Kans-ass into Colorado.
These guys and gals use every possible trick in the book to get speeders.

Their favorite tactic is to drive in the left lane of the highway, doing about 60 mph, and actually tagging the opposite direction of traffic.
They have caused accidents when they have suddenly barreled into the median to go get their targets, and they take no responsibility for their actions.

If you had a Valentine 1, and a car, then yes, you could do 100 mph for vast stretches of I-70.
You just have to be wary of the 10 miles outside of the few major cities you would be passing through, and any sudden hills that are blind, as they like to park just past the rise, and nail you as you crest the hill with LIDAR.

Normally I recommend taking I-80 instead, just to avoid Kansas entirely.
But there's way more tolls on I-80 between NYC and Chicago, in comparison to the NYC to Indianapolis route you will be taking in order to hook up with I-70.
I usually recommend driving I-70 at night, just so you won't fall asleep due to scenery boredom, but you need to keep an eye out for evil storm clouds from Satan's Red Wing loving butthole, and lots of gas stations close at night.

Anyway, enjoy the ride, and make sure you wear earplugs.
For God's sake, don't ride a single leg of the trip without earplugs in.
And I don't mean headphone earplugs, either.

BC.

You chose the route.   ???

yea, but im almost having no choice. I have to be there on tuesday the latest, and i can only leave friday (finish finals on wednesday night. Thanks for the heads up on the cops. A midnight ride might be in order if gas is available!

if you do that ride at night watch out for deer!!!!!!!!!!

im actually trying to avoid riding at night by waking up early.

i put some 300 mile days in to make it easier instead of just average it out.

I advise you not to rush things for long distance riding. Just plan some safety days in your schedule should anything happen or bad weather days where you can just relax and enjoy the neighboring towns and what they offer to see.

I guess its a good think I'm not passing by Kansas.  Any other place you would avoid?  This is my route
http://g.co/maps/8qu2t (http://g.co/maps/8qu2t)

Also, why no headphones earplugs?  I was planning on using headphones during my trip.  Is its just the noise problem?

Two reasons... well, really one reason with both short and long term effects.  Wind noise on a motorcycle is loud enough to damage your hearing especially at highway speeds. 

Short term effect: You get off the bike after a 500 mile day and your ears are ringing.  With earplugs, I don't get as tired (why wind noise = tired is somebody else's argument) and can remain alert on the bike longer.

Long term effect: What?  Speak up, son!

From personal experience, those headphones with the foam that act like earplugs are nowhere near as comfortable under a helmet for 14 hours than cheapo foam earplugs from the hardware store.  I get better sound with helmet speakers, and my ears don't hurt.  Plus the headphones ones don't block as much of the wind noise as you'd like.

I don't mess with the music controls while riding, though.

I just found it amusing asking if there were cops in Kansas.

They're everywhere you know. ;)

So what is the solution to protect your ears from wind noise yet be able to listen to music?  Were you suggesting use ear plugs with in-helmet speakers?

Yep.

Custom earplugs with integrated headphones...

Are an option, but ridiculously expensive last I looked.

Seriously, foamies will cut down the wind noise to the point where in-helmet speakers will actually work better.

And yes, you NEED earplugs on a ride like this.

I wear earplugs even on short rides with my setup.  BoomTubes are LOUD!!!!

Same. If I one of my earplugs isn't seated correctly, that ear will be ringing by the time I get to school, which is less than 2 miles away.

Even with the "medium" baffles, yes, BoomTubes live up to their name.  [evil]

I ran with no baffles for a while....

I run these

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0036RDVU0 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0036RDVU0)

They block as much noise as my custom (non musical) molded ear plugs and sound good enough. I can listen to music at the same volume riding as walking.

The trick is to pull off the foam donuts (they're tapered) and flip them around. That keeps them from working their way out of your ear.  I also loop the wire over my ear so they run down the back of my ear. That way if something catches the wire while riding it tugs on your ear instead of pulling the out of your ear.

Great solution for $20

Big Ear quoted me 3 or 4 hun :o

yes

He Man's going to jail, isn't he?  [laugh]

If he rides 100 in Kansasss he will. ;D

Use the same ones and do the same thing.

100mph, ill do a 101 and show you all how its done!!!! ;)

Stupid Kansas. So.....my internet was retarded and half this post didnt get posted.....

so.... i meant to say. I have iasus helmet speakers and i wear earplugs. its not that bad. Its decent, but  i didnt like it too much, so i picked up some shitty headphones and  took those big howard lite flared earplugs and took a metal rod, heated it up and stuck it through the earplug then glued it to an earbud.

works pretty damn good and ur music or watever is barely at 20% loud crystal clear.

I also found out you can download auido versions of movies and tv shows. Howard stern.... AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE! or anything that getsy our imagination runing. Better than music!

Just saw this thread.  You're riding the across country?  With your bad Duc luck?!


 [beer]


 [popcorn] [popcorn] [popcorn] [popcorn]

Just a heads up: there are at least two major stretches of I-70 in Kansas that were under construction when I went through a couple of weeks ago.

One just west of Salina for about 12 miles, and one for the last 14 miles to the Colorado border.

It's 1 lane either way with a 60 mph speed limit and limited access to exits.

Shouldn't slow you down too much as the road surface is pretty decent and the traffic still moves at a pretty good clip, but just thought you'd want to know ahead of time.

The NMMR (& other local hooligan clubs from this board) can hook you up with lodging if you're interested.  Save some $, have some laughs, meet new friends, & keep your baby in a garage...

It's the DMF couch-surfing-lodging plan!  (BTW... I'm in 'Burque. Post something in the NMMR board if ya want. We're nice folks!)  [thumbsup]

i like he-man's coughsurfing plan better.

This is exciting and I am not even going ...!   GOOOO HE-MAN!   [popcorn] [clap] [popcorn]

So I tried wearing earplugs for the 1st time ever.  I like it  [thumbsup]  But I don't think I can go 5 days of riding w/ no music and my helmet doesn't really have room for in-helmet speakers  :(

Wear earplugs feels like flying in a plane.  All I hear is a low rumble.  It also drowns out the engine and exhaust noise which I enjoy hearing while I ride.

try my approach with modified earplugs.

 [thumbsup]

We don't bite...unless you want us to ...he he he he

but your always welcome with any of us i'm sure  [Dolph]

I'm actually staying with some family in 'Burque.  I will definitely drop a line or two in the NMMR section.  I'm only spending a night in 'Burque on the way out to Boston.  But on the way back (in August), I'm going to stay in 'Burque a few days.  Maybe I can meet a few of you and go on a ride up Sandia Peak?  That's the one w/ the tram right?  I've driven up it to go hiking.  I've always been jealous that I don't have my bike to ride it.

When in August?  There's always DitR!  (Ducati's in the Rockies!)

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=56504.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=56504.0)

Weekend of Aug 18th.  DitR sounds like a blast.  Too bad I'll still be in the east coast at that time =(

You could do DIMBY that same weekend.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=55317.msg1027501#msg1027501 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=55317.msg1027501#msg1027501)

What is DIMBY?  And yes, I did go to the link.  Just didn't have time to look through 13pages of posts.

a gathering of misfits, it's a good thing and now that you've expressed interest you must be there

Hey!  I fit (something somewhere somehow I think)

Alright Im couch surfing the whole way.

Colombus OH with a DMFer
St. Louis with someone on couchsurfing.org
Topeka Kansas with someone on couchsurfing
Denver with another DMFer
and then off to Grand Junction!

then hopefully DiTR!!  [evil]

Sounds like a solid agenda.  [thumbsup]

Really sorry I couldn't hook you up in Topeka.  :-\

i skipped a lot of reading so this may not be a round trip kind of thing and the following may not apply:


if you are looking for a return trip path, I can help you find couches (or even spare bedrooms) in Houston, Dallas, Austin, Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville and Atlanta and out-in-the-boonies-North-Carolina.    (I would imagine it difficult for you to get as far south as Houston, Austin, or Atlanta on your way back East, but you never know...  )

He Man -

You still planning on crashing here?  Let me know your dates over PM again if you don't mind. 

Thx!

Adam

Hey! waddup with that avatar Dr. D?!

 :P


you're my hero, Kui...

Murphys Law:

Im going to be late to all my arrivals by one day. A top of that, I've lost contact with the person im staying with in Topeka and St. Louis. :-X

This one is going to be a mission just to get there...

No problem.  See you Monday?

Cheers,
Adam

hey be safe out there...and don't forrget to post up some pics  [Dolph] [thumbsup] [beer]

yup. see me monday!

Beers, snacks, and the senna documentary await! Going to try and get some of the denver crew by too  [thumbsup]

Cheers,
Adam

http://kuixihe.com/node/44 (http://kuixihe.com/node/44)

Your blog ate my comment so ill post it here


You couldn't find a bigger gps?  ;)

your comment is there  ;).

and off ....i....go!!!!!

I will tell you guys. This is a scary ride for me.


I am heading to Columbus Ohio. metallimonster, i will be giving you a call later today around 10am!

Wish me luck guys and gals!

Good luck, post pictures please
Don

Have a safe trip!

Safe. and sound. and tired. this is my whole route.

https://www.google.com/maps?saddr=11232&daddr=39.92304,-80.78695+to:39.829309,-80.922431+to:39.6209446,-81.2314534+to:39.56145,-81.40358+to:columbus&hl=en&ll=39.806426,-81.308441&spn=0.572848,1.352692&sll=39.696093,-81.256256&sspn=0.286885,0.676346&geocode=FaxcbAIdVrqW-yn7Q5Vev1rCiTFu-SUGj8uy5Q%3BFWAtYQId-kkv-ymBdLr2auA1iDG45mHP-NpnBQ%3BFT2_XwIdwTgt-yn7uyAkIA82iDEScPePUGxJrw%3BFVCRXAIdo4Eo-ynnWoHGFd9JiDG158PQTGQAIg%3BFeqoWwIdROEl-ylRwH8WPtFJiDF0IXju9ZpWOQ%3BFVjCYQId9okN-ylx3pC5wYk4iDEztbHP-GYy5A&t=m&mra=dpe&mrsp=3&sz=11&via=1,2,3,4&z=10 (https://www.google.com/maps?saddr=11232&daddr=39.92304,-80.78695+to:39.829309,-80.922431+to:39.6209446,-81.2314534+to:39.56145,-81.40358+to:columbus&hl=en&ll=39.806426,-81.308441&spn=0.572848,1.352692&sll=39.696093,-81.256256&sspn=0.286885,0.676346&geocode=FaxcbAIdVrqW-yn7Q5Vev1rCiTFu-SUGj8uy5Q%3BFWAtYQId-kkv-ymBdLr2auA1iDG45mHP-NpnBQ%3BFT2_XwIdwTgt-yn7uyAkIA82iDEScPePUGxJrw%3BFVCRXAIdo4Eo-ynnWoHGFd9JiDG158PQTGQAIg%3BFeqoWwIdROEl-ylRwH8WPtFJiDF0IXju9ZpWOQ%3BFVjCYQId9okN-ylx3pC5wYk4iDEztbHP-GYy5A&t=m&mra=dpe&mrsp=3&sz=11&via=1,2,3,4&z=10)

http://kuixihe.com/node/45 (http://kuixihe.com/node/45)

well. Unforuntely my bike decided to take a crap. I lost power  as i left columbus and ive managed to trace it to having no spark. The engine is turning, i have gas. All the spark plugs check out (main, and the regular ones). So im thinking the little box is fried. Both cylinders are not firing.

You checked fuses?

Disconnect kill switch?

yup. Kill switch is disengaged. The motor will spin, but will no combustion occurs. It jusr turns. Pulled the plugs. No spark.

its worst than i thought. i pulled the timing sensor. and the layshaft gear/sprag gear is not spinning, hence no spark.

so the motor is basically dead until i figure out what is causing it to not spin.

So the starter sounds like it's turning, but the motor is not?

Solenoid?

the starter is moving. the flywheel is moving, and the clutch pressure plate is spinning. but the sprag gear is not spinning.

what about the sprag clutch? if the sprag clutch is damaged should the prssure plate spin?

which solenoid would you be refering to? Right now im pegging it as a mechanical problem because the sprag gear is not spinning.

You may want to think about pulling the left side cover.

You can lay the bike on its right side to save the oil that's in there.

You'll need some sealer to put it back together with no leaks.

i alraedy have teh bike leaned up against the wall and the side cover is about to come off once i get a steering wheel puller from autozone.

my only issue is how to get to the sprag gear since i dont have a cluthc holding tool. and im not sure if auzone has one.

Sprang is the one behind the flywheel?

you can improvise with the holding tool -- an impact wrench to get the nut off won't need it.

if it's the sprag bearing, you may have to order it... :-/

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=57441.msg1065198#msg1065198 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=57441.msg1065198#msg1065198)

So, any progress? Or is it time to rename the thread,"He Man moves to Columbus?"   ;)

[laugh] [clap] [laugh] [clap] [laugh] [clap]

Too soon. Too soon. :)

I've been there. The BMW's gearbox took a shit south of Indianapolis on a trip (oddly enough) out to NYC a few years back. Nothing worse than being stranded with only your wits and a few tools in an Auto Zone parking lot. Good luck.

He Man's an engineer. Bubble gum, zip ties, and duct tape, and he'll be fine. I've done trips with El Matador and DesmoLu; I've seen it happen   ;)

Another alternate rename can be, "Damn you guys for talking me into riding to Colorado rather than putting the bike in the van!"

The van option went away on him, otherwise that would be entirely appropriate  ;)

...and he has the goodwill of a DMFer in Columbus to bail his sorry ass out.

Nice work Metallimonster.  [thumbsup]

Good save!

Apparently the Ducati gods have not been appeased by our (my?) Summer's sacrifices as of late. I had to get bailed out by my dad after my battery completely died at the gas station while I was filling up getting ready to leave town, but I suppose that's to be expected of what appears to be the seemingly  stock battery on an 05.  Still a few hours left on the holiday weekend so everyone be safe.

No it show be changed to "He Man moves in with Metallimonster" or really "He Man moves in with Metallimonster, his fiance, and his retired dad!"

Seriously though, He Man is one of the coolest guys I've ever met.  All in all we had a great weekend.  I got to take him to the Horseshoe to see were the Buckeyes play and he got to come to a family bbq yesterday where he learned how to play cornhole. It's been my pleasure to help him and make a very stressful situation better and hopefully he'll get the parts he needs in about 15 minutes!  It wasn't how I envisioned my weekend going but it sure was fun.

The ducat is officially dead.

taptaptap bent valve.

 [thumbsdown] [thumbsdown]

belt skipped??

Wow sorry to hear that, hope some goodness pops up.

Sorry about the engine He Man.
NYC doesn't want you to escape, for some deranged reason.

Are you going to switch to a flight to get out here, or are you going to rent a car/truck to finish the rest of the trip?

BC.

Balls.  [thumbsdown]

Pack it up in a U-Haul van?

+1.  ?

That's a real bummer. 

 :(

Cheers,
Adam

Damn that sucks Kui.                                                       

That sucks.  What now?  Bent valves is pretty far from 'dead'.

I say it is time to open the motor and go whole hog in boring it out and doing the heads and go nuts on the motor performance wise....


oh hell...who am I kidding...it is Kui's bike.

Sorry for the loss man...time to Tap-Rack-BANG it goodbye it sounds...

does anyone have a spare head with valves laying around?

how much do you want for it?

I did the same thing to my monster, kui.
This isn't the end of the road, just a decent speedbump.

is the piston ok?

I don't have the time to input as many "frowny" faces as I'd like.

I'm telling you, someone didn't treat Toastie right or something, because my girl is stuck in St. Louis with a brand new battery that she doesn't seem to want to charge :( (Keep in mind my bike is currently in a buddy's garage only 120 miles from where I live).  Good luck to you.

if it was for a 900, i would have spare valves and/or heads for you.   But i think you are on a 1000.

Chicken grease got in?    Eh, I got stuck coming back from pa when clutch just gave out..   expensive shit happens.

He Man,

Wow, sorry to hear about the mechanical mishaps.    :P x11ty billion.

I'll be in grand junction near the end of the month (of June).  I KNOW you'll have made it out by then.  I'll buy you a much deserved beverage.  Until then, keep the gremlins and dragons at bay and keep us CO peeps posted!


 [beer]

He Man -

If you fly out to GJ for this weekend for your training, I'm about 90% sure I'm heading to Ouray for an overnight w/ the Falco.  Keep me posted, I'll swing up to GJ on my way home.

Cheers,
Adam

Are you sure?  If nothing moved on the belt side all should be good.

i hope u guys are atleast laughing at the extent of my misfortune. It takes a lot of patience to not want o kick something right now. But i like having a good story to tell. I didnt have time to properly give the bike a rundown. Im in grand junction right now. Jarv. Where do u live? When i landed there was a multi 1200s in the terminal. I signed up to win it... I will pay to rent a bike if someone is willing!

personally, I am not laughing at you, but more trying to keep the mood light for you to be able to laugh, because I know how much suckage this is...


don't kick anything or you might end up being like one of the MooseHumper Limpers or something...


I hope you do win it!

Does it have to be Ducati?  There is a Vstrom 1000 on Denver CL for $4000

http://denver.craigslist.org/mcd/3029740670.html (http://denver.craigslist.org/mcd/3029740670.html)

I mean, if you're wanting something like the Multi.  That TL/DL motor is nice.. 90 deg L twin, four valve, watercooled.. sound familiar?

So who wants to make me a shirt that says "He Man came to visit and all I got was this S2r1000 in my garage"?

serisouly though I'm glad you made it to Colorado and you can leave the bike for as long as you need bud!

that's pretty awesome, first person to get one should be He Man.   


Can you give Brian at BMS a shout?   He's good, but in Boulder - that's probably not close to wherever you are.

I'm in Columbia, Missouri the entire boring ass state of Kansas away from ya and I wouldn't let you rent the 400 pound paper weight, lest you end up on the side of the road like I did. If you're driving through MO on the way back I can assure you there are some beers with your name on 'em. You've earned it :-).

I'm caught somewhere between saying "Hell no, I don't want your luck to cover my bike in chicken grease," and "Forget about the cash, just come pick up my 848 and its yours for a week".

I mean, really, you luck can swing pretty mad in either direction, one day to the next.

Send me a PM, and we'll see what we can work out.
I know you like zee Eight-Four-Eight.
I can tempt you with zee Eight-Four-Eight, can I not?
It is very Red, and very pretty, but it does not like to be covered in zee cooking grease...

 [Dolph]

BC.

Its all fun and games. Im in grand junction renting a car thats 60 a day! Not too stressed out and will be hoping to set up soon.this is the most pita ive ever been in.

I need so.e advice though. Ship the bike home? Or fly into columbus and attempt to repair it? I dont k ow the full extent of the damage since i did not have time to comb over it.

The head(s) need work...and most likely some parts.

Gotta be someone in Columbus that can handle a valve job...if you supply the parts...

it ain't rocket science.

Actually, I know someone about an hour south of GJ that would be willing to help if you get the bike shipped to GJ...

I approve of this scenario

[thumbsup]

I bought my bike from Motohio which is just outside of Columbus. You could drop them a line.

was it an adjustable pulley that readjusted itself? (I didn't think they could adjust that far, but I've never played with 'em for the purposes of finding when they'll contact the piston...)

I bought the nut from motohio atually. they were very nice.


as far as the damage. the crank shaft spun when the belts stop moving.

there is a key on the crank shaft that gets the timing gear to spin, the gear came off that key, so the timing stopped but the piston kept moving. When i pulled over to fire it up. only the clutch plate was spinning. the timing gear was not, hence no spark.

lazyjinglin717,
I dont have a place to work on the bike or tools to work on the bike. And I dont know what needs to be done. so i dont know how much help your friend can offer (unless they are a mechanic!).

if i need to pull the head off and replace the piston and the valve then id need special tools to get the head off no?

from that it sounds like perhaps the alt nut backed out so things could move away from the center of the crank (laterally), allowing that small gear on the crank to either quit contacting / spinning the layshaft gear and/or the woodruff key fell out and it ceased to spin all together...  unless i'm misunderstanding what you are saying.

Well, he's retired now...

Mechanic? Not officially, but he's got a belt-drive lathe in his garage and knows how to use it... He also taught me how to fix broken motors and such.

The only special tool you need that I know of is the one referenced in this thread http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=57161.15 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=57161.15)

He's coming down this weekend to pick up the monster I bought for him.  If you are interested, I'll send you his phone number and you can talk.

yes thats exactly what happened. once the smal gear on the cranked back away from the wooddruff the timing stopped and the crank kept going. so the pistons were moving bu the valves were not

sure thing, maybe he can give me some good advice.

bummer dude.    during reassembly, put the double jambnuts a la Nichols on there to prevent such future catastrophes.   That blows.

Damn He Man,

It was only a few weeks ago that I saw your bike running perfectly fine. Good luck with the repairs. I'd ship it over to CO to work on it or buy a used bike there if finances allow. You don't want to be in Colorado in the summer and not have a motorcycle to enjoy it.

+10000000

+11ty billion. Fixed it for ya.  :D

that's crazy

i have heard of the alt nut backing off but usually there are shavings in the oil before catastrophe.  LT Snyder mentions it in his book.

for christ sake... what a bummer...
seriously, at this point, I'm thinking of putting a tack-weld on every single large nut inside my motor and worrying about replacing threads when the time comes!

Loctite would most likely be a more appropriate solution.

i know lol... hyperbole for effect [thumbsup]

I figured

i had a killer quote to ship the bike out to here but couldnt get the scheduling right! im hoping another person will bid on uship for the right price. would love to make it to DiTR and spend 15 days riding home!

Damn. If I still had my truck and trailer, I would pick it up for you and then drop it off at BMS a month or so before Ouray...

its all good. i will find a way to get my bike here one way or another. I havent had much time to really put into this, but after looking through tons of manuals, i realized that i installed something wrong.

i dont think this is right for the gear to not be flush
(http://kuixihe.com/gallery3/var/resizes/Trips/Move-to-Colorado/P1020665.JPG?m=1338227597)


By that same account, i knwo for a fact i put this in the wrong way.
(http://kuixihe.com/gallery3/var/resizes/Trips/Move-to-Colorado/P1020650.JPG?m=1338152202)

the starter gear is way to forward because that thick spacer is on backwards. i need to swap that round and replace the stator magneto and then im going to swap the whole head rear head off.

it won't run right with that cover off either.


#helpfulcomments #uselessbastard


just trying to add some levity to the situation.


It appears you do have the two dots where they will line up right now, so that's good.

hell it wont even start without that timing sensor!