Trailer & Tools for the Cannonball

[BoschZEV]

aMEN Robbie, I RODE THE 38U BOBBER OVER 200 MILES TODAY

Well, that's a start. Do somewhat more than that 15 times in succession on a bike that's 10 years older and you've done the Cannonball.

[Larry May]

The "Cannonball" is turning into yet another bad joke. Just get on your old bike and go for a ride....

aMEN Robbie, I RODE THE 38U BOBBER OVER 200 MILES TODAY

[Peter Cooke]

"I've spoken with Dave several times since you asked this question but forgot to post the answer. No, he's not involved with the "Australian Cannonball" planned for 2021."

Thanks very much for that.

[BoschZEV]

Do you have any more info on this? I'm assuming Dave Reidie is involved?

I've spoken with Dave several times since you asked this question but forgot to post the answer. No, he's not involved with the "Australian Cannonball" planned for 2021. I'll be seeing him in Melbourne in a few weeks for in-person discussions and to view his outstanding collection.

[Shaky Jake]

My old box truck had a D.O.T. placard on the back. I'd flip it to infectious waste when i parked for the night.

Good idea.


Kevin

[BoschZEV]

Magnetos, magnetos, magnetos, valves ,valves, valves. Other than these six it would have to be inner tubes and generators. ... I use Michelin and have never had a problem

Jerry must be a mind reader because this is exactly what I would have written. Although, I might have put generators ahead of inner tubes because I, too, use Michelin.

Without looking for the data I collected at the Irish Rally to cite a specific number, at least half the ride-ending breakdowns I observed were due to electrical failures of one kind or another. It's not that electrical components or wiring are intrinsically unreliable, it's that most motorcyclists have an aversion to electricity. The same person who wouldn't hesitate to swap connecting rods in a motel parking lot at midnight working with nothing more than a screwdriver and crescent wrench in order to have the bike ready to ride in the morning would be reduced to tears if the battery stopped charging. The generator has to be properly refurbished and all electrical connections reliably made. It's not that crimp connectors are intrinsically unreliable, but the way they are often installed leaves them prone to failure. If crimp connectors are to be used, a proper crimp tool, not the kind that comes in a kit from the auto parts store, and "marine" connectors with heat shrink insulators is the way to go.

Magnetos are high on the list of failures. Unfortunately, this is because too many "professional" rebuilders don't know what they're doing. That not just a broad swipe, it's based on a lot of "data." However, without disassembling magnetos to see the quality of someone's work with my own eyes -- what counts is the inside of a magneto, not how pretty the rebuilder has made the outside look -- I can't make recommendations of "good" rebuilders so all I know are some of the "bad" rebuilders whose work has darkened my doorstep (note: I do not repair magnetos for others, only for myself and a few close friends, so this isn't an attempt to generate business).

Repairing flats is no fun, but the technique is best learned by practicing in the comfort of one's own garage rather than on the side of a road. Also, even if you carry a spare tube to swap in case of a flat, I highly recommend learning how to properly repair a hole because the odds of someone nicking the new tube in the heat of battle are not zero. If you look at my list of tire tools and don't know what a stitcher is, or wonder what the isopropyl alcohol is for, you don't know how to properly repair a tire. By proper I mean make a repair that is permanent, not one that you'll have to redo 20 miles down the road.

[Jerry Wieland]

Magnetos, magnetos, magnetos, valves ,valves, valves. Other than these six it would have to be inner tubes and generators. Make sure you pre air up all inner tubes and check the seams especially tubes from Tedd's and Coker. I use Michelin and have never had a problem.



Jerry

The 2020 cannonball will be my first. Another question for you, you mentioned breakdowns earlier. What were some of the more common breakdowns you’ve seen. And any good suggestions to do now while my bike is completely apart?

Thanks for all the info

[d_lasher]

The 2020 cannonball will be my first. Another question for you, you mentioned breakdowns earlier. What were some of the more common breakdowns you’ve seen. And any good suggestions to do now while my bike is completely apart?

Thanks for all the info

[BoschZEV]

I ride alone and really enjoy it,

I do most of my riding alone and also enjoy it. However, I don't normally set out alone a 3000-mile trip on a 90-year old motorcycle.

While there are a few people on the Cannonball who ride as teams, always keeping together, it happens that most of the people ride alone during the day. It's quite normal not to see any more Cannonball motorcycles on the road than "normal" ones, other than at mandatory lunch or dinner spots, plus in the motel parking lot.

Basically, you ride alone on the Cannonball. The major difference is there's an enforced discipline of having to have your 90+-year old machine ready to leave each morning at 8 am, day after day for two weeks, and arrive ~200 miles later each evening by 6 pm. That a few others had tour busses and hordes of mechanics as support was as completely irrelevant to my own riding experience as it is when someone pulls up next to me on an expensive motorcycle I can't afford myself.

Other than the aspect of riding alone during the day, the Cannonball certainly was a different riding experience than I ever had before. I'm very glad to have done it. As I may have mentioned earlier in this thread, I'm currently involved in a big project that will have me very busy next fall so signing up for the 2020 Cannonball wasn't something I could even consider. Meanwhile, I hope the information in this thread helps a few others as they prepare for their own Cannonball experiences.

[Larry May]

Nothing at all against the Cannonball but your suggestion works best for me. I don't play well with others. It's my problem though, not theirs.

I agree with John, I ride alone and really enjoy it, sure I have problems some times but always work them out, plus it is a whole lot less expensive, this is just MHO however, what ever is good for you, go for it, thanks, Larry

[rwm]

My old box truck had a D.O.T. placard on the back. I'd flip it to infectious waste when i parked for the night.

[BoschZEV]

how to safely and conveniently carry assorted bottled spirits, of the single malt variety.

Kevin, rather than throwing away those plastic oil containers after you empty them into your Indian, do as I do and recycle them as shatter-free Laphroaig decanters.

I did install a plastic cup dispenser in my van after the 2016 Cannonball though, because I found that the waxed paper coffee cups from the hotel would start to leak after a couple of strong cocktails.

This reminds me of the time I ordered a Courvoisier at a Holiday Inn in Rock Springs WY and the waitress returned with it in a styrofoam cup and asked if I wanted her to microwave it to warm it up.

on the subject of security, I’ve been thinking about painting ‘Bob’s Diaper Service’ on the side of my van to deter thieves.

That's an excellent idea. Don't tell anyone, but one of my secret security measures was having 'Billy Bob's Septic Tank Service and Rodent Disposal' painted on the side of my trailer. The logo is a rat clinging to a brown "raft" floating in a cesspool. It cost extra to have it painted in color, but the artist captured the hue and texture of the "raft" perfectly so I think it was worth it.

[Shaky Jake]

Nice job on the trailer Charles. Good info, thanks for posting. I’ll print your tool list and put it in my moto-van, so I know what I can borrow from you. It will be a handy reference. Are you planning on having a beer fridge?

Seriously though, one of the things I’m struggling with in my support vehicle is how to safely and conveniently carry assorted bottled spirits, of the single malt variety. I did install a plastic cup dispenser in my van after the 2016 Cannonball though, because I found that the waxed paper coffee cups from the hotel would start to leak after a couple of strong cocktails. The struggle is real, but we must do what we can to maintain a civilized existence.

Oh, and on the subject of security, I’ve been thinking about painting ‘Bob’s Diaper Service’ on the side of my van to deter thieves. What do you think?


Kevin

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[BoschZEV]

i'm sure you have thought about security to keep your tools and trailer safe.

I certainly have, but the measures I've taken aren't for discussion on a public forum.

[nuklhd]

BoschZEV, i'm sure you have thought about security to keep your tools and trailer safe. Nothings foolproof but I think about a couple of few years ago was it Shelby who had his chase trailer stolen on a cannonball?