The Lindbergh Ride, 2022

[HEP301]

I was happy to welcome home the Excelsior crew! Posting a few local pictures that show the current surrounding area of the ghost of the Excelsior factory.


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Cortland and Lawndale pointing southwest - photo taken to give some prospective of the location where the factory once stood. Currently the half block is being occupied by the McCormick YMCA.


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Let’s not forget John – thanks for taking pictures along the way.


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Photo of back of YMCA facing northeast toward Cortland and Lawndale.

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Trailhead of the current 606 trail, but where the Excelsior factory railroad spur use to connect to the main line. All four of these Excelsior motorcycles passed through here 98 to 102 years ago.

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606 trail facing East

Good luck on your trip and thank you for doing this! I feel inspired to work on my project and getting it out in the world.

Chris

[gharper]

2-4 hours sleep for us, a long night in the shop! We've been spoiled having access to Alex's great shop. From here on out, its under the canopy or in the parking lot!

LoDing up this morning and headingbyobthe site of the X factory for a few pictures, then south into indiana.. looks like more rain today...... 20220904_082112.jpg20220904_082102.jpg

[joe fxs fxr]

Glad to hear you are getting down the road. Thanks for the updates. Good thing Lindbergh didn't have to deal with aftermarket parts that don't fit right.

[gharper]

Made it to our afternoon stop, Wallymart parking lot in Gurnee IL. 130 miles today with 10 or more stops, mostly to deal with oiling issues, always too much. In addition, Stewart's clutch was slipping so much the primary case was smoking like a semi on Wolf Creek pass! He opted to trailer In at about 40 miles, thinking the original clutch.plates need to be cleaned, degreased and roughed up again. His reproduction plates made up to the wrong stack height which made it difficult to get adjusted properly.

We had rain half of the day, never fun for riding!

Back to Alex's shop for maintenace,, long night coming up.

[gharper]

Well, as luck would have it.... heavy rain in Madison, then Stewart stalls, thought he was out of gas..... No, contact point came off the spring steel wiper in the mag. Tried to re-peen it but very little steel there but gained a little. JB quick weld to the rescue, for now.... 20220903_092526.jpg20220903_100423.jpg20220903_100330.jpg20220903_082057.jpg20220903_100423.jpg20220903_092526.jpg

[gharper]

Trailered to Madoson today and met up with our photographer John Olsen this evening for dinner. Of course that was after a few last minute parking lot adjustments.

We head out tomorrow morning , parking and unloading near the UW Engineering building for a few pictures. This is where Lindbergh was attending engineering school in 1921. A few blocks later we stop at the house where he was living with his mother at the time, maybe for a couple more shots.

From there we skirt south of downtown and head east on the Lake Mills Rd, same road he started out on. 20220902_181950.jpg20220902_182057.jpg20220902_182157.jpg

[jcrawford]

HAPPY "X" TRAILS to you and your riding mates Gene, and I wish you all success on this fun endurance adventure!
Cheers to you all.

[exeric]

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Don't forget plenty of this stuff !

Enjoy every minute of the journey, and have fun. See y'all in the South.

[gharper]

Thanks Chuck!!! That was anthill gor us, first time all 4 running andvroling along yogether! Much more yo follow!

We've received great compliments and good wishes fir our upcoming journey.

Bikes aRe all on display in building B, just south of the food Pavillion, until noon. We load up this afternoon and head to Madison for our start tomorrow morning.

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[chuckthebeatertruck]

Yesterday afternoon at Davenport I hear this odd sound. . .and watch FOUR Excelsior’s roll by the grandstands with grinning riders.

well done, lads, well done.

that was a treat.

[gharper]

Today we sorted spares, trying to eliminate duplication where possible. Truck is FULL and trailer is close with all 4 bikes, tools, lift, chairs, cooler etc. L to Rt: Stewart McClellan, Hans Coertse and Alex Bernhardt with 4 beautiful Series 20 Excelsiors. Loaded and ready for Davenport!
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[Steve Swan]

Stunning! i wondered the same thing... coming together must feel like old home for those gorgeous machines!

[RichO]

Gene, Best shot ever! Best of luck on you trip. Excelsior nut, Rich O.

[gharper]

We've all arrived at Alex's shop. Stewart from Canada, Hans from So. Africa and myself from Denver. We couldn't wait to line them up! I wonder when was the last time there were 4 Series 20 Excelsiors lined up side by side!!?? 20220830_195332.jpg

[gharper]

Thanks Skirted!!! I'll look forward tobseringbyounin Dixon, we will be tired and need service our bikes that evening but look us up. We're staying at one of the 3 hotels for the road run.