Quote from cleatusj on May 5, 2013, 9:30 am

Thank's Lee and Art plus all the others that had something to do with making this happen. The location offered all one could ask for, trees, water and great roads. I met a bunch of great folks, saw some great rigs, befriended rally dogs and a new rally chicken and came home with the Pinto Pony saddle bags loaded with good cookies.

Quote from Txart on May 5, 2013, 10:18 pm

Had a great time myself -- enjoyed seeing all the rigs especially cleatusj's leaner, listening to the old/long timers talking about bikes and rigs but I think the rally chick took the cake.....

Rosa and I are now at a casino in Marksville, La --- Was given the advice to just drive by the front door, drop out all the money from my wallet and head home -- that would save lots of time!!!! 🙂 looking forward to the national in June --- I think we will head for Colorado and grand canyon after the rally....

Quote from cleatusj on May 5, 2013, 10:43 pm

Here's the 3 pic's I remembered to take that turned out some what well.

Quote from cmaridersa on May 5, 2013, 11:21 pm

Don't forget these guys!
http://www.sovietsteeds.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=28122

Quote from Guest on May 7, 2013, 10:30 am

I am crestfallen that I couldn't make this.....I did get the hack mounted in time but my FIL is in the hospital and not doing well. My wife asked us not to stray too far....so we camped near Marquez with friends.

My son and I made 100 miles mostly on Gravel near Jewett and Buffalo on the KLR/Velorex rig. I switched the front tire from the 21" stock to a 17" that I had lying around and it made a world of handling difference!

Quote from cleatusj on May 7, 2013, 6:16 pm

Glad you got it together, keep practicing and we'll get to meet up somewhere one day.

Quote from Guest on May 7, 2013, 7:17 pm

Thanks Cleatus, I'm riding her every day in/around Austin.

Quote from SwampFox on May 7, 2013, 8:48 pm

Gravel Guy - 5/7/2013 10:30 AM
... My son and I made 100 miles mostly on Gravel near Jewett and Buffalo on the KLR/Velorex rig. I switched the front tire from the 21" stock to a 17" that I had lying around and it made a world of handling difference!...

OK, Gravel Guy: You know the rules: No pics, it didn't happen. We wanta see your rig!

By the way, I'm loading some pics to post here soon.

Quote from SwampFox on May 8, 2013, 8:23 am

Some pics from the TURD/Muster:

Ural riding legend CharlieT got his photo posted on the Holly Park Marina facebook page:

Along with this young fellow:

More to come....

Quote from VLAD on May 8, 2013, 9:35 am

Gravel Guy - 5/7/2013 10:30 AM

 I switched the front tire from the 21" stock to a 17" that I had lying around and it made a world of handling difference!

 

 

What difference did you have in handling?

Quote from SwampFox on May 10, 2013, 7:24 pm

Gravel Guy - 5/7/2013 10:30 AM

I switched the front tire from the 21" stock to a 17" that I had lying around and it made a world of handling difference!

VLAD - 5/8/2013 9:35 AM

What difference did you have in handling?

The smaller front wheel should reduce trail to an extent. Until the Gravel Guy gets back here, I've scavenged a couple pics of his recently assembled KLR rig. I can't tell for sure, but it appears pic #1 is the 21" stock front wheel and pic #3 is the 17" front wheel:

Quote from Guest on May 10, 2013, 9:15 pm

VLAD - 5/8/2013 8:35 AM

Gravel Guy - 5/7/2013 10:30 AM

 I switched the front tire from the 21" stock to a 17" that I had lying around and it made a world of handling difference!

 

 

What difference did you have in handling?

A very busy work week, folks. Forgive me for not checking in sooner. And, I am used to loading pictures straight to a forum, I'll get a smugmug account; thanks for the help this time, Lee!
I bought this little '76 velorex from a Mr. Baker, and the mount for the KLR from this forum (Thank you Richard!), and mounted it according to the Velorex manual bought off Ebay. I also read the sidecar operator's book on this website before riding her.....
Vlad, the first week I rode the rig I left the 21" wheel on for two reasons...1) I ride almost every day and work off my bike (sales) and wanted an accurate odometer to calculate fuel economy. 2) The pictures that Richard sent showed the 21" on, I thought it would be adequate?! I rode about 300 miles the first week over three days, with the toe-in set at about 3/4 inch, and the hack tire ended up about 10 inches in front of the rear.....and it was very hard to steer to the left and if I let the handlebars go on a straight and relatively road at 60MPH....the head shake was instantaneous and horrible....I got home with sore wrists and hands....and I just thought I had to get used to it? I was NOT doing a good job of shifting my weight to help...I think I am better with that now.
So last Saturday I switched the 21" for the 17", and brought the bike a little closer to the sidecar.....I had it leaning too far to the left (away from the car). The handling difference was enormous! On a level road I can let go of the handlebars at 60MPH (either on pavement or gravel) and the bike tracks straight.....and it steers much more easily to the left...in fairness I think my technique is also a bit better. But I am still a rookie!! I rode 100 miles mostly on gravel on Saturday with my son in the chair, and about 300 more miles this week in and around Austin. Finally, my rear KLR shock is SHOT after 41,000 miles of hard use.....so I'm putting a much better and heavier springed RICOR spring under the Kawasaki. I will then take measurements and re-adjust as necessary after shock installation.
I hope this answers your question, Vlad!
Mark

Quote from SwampFox on May 11, 2013, 10:09 pm

cleatusj - 5/5/2013 9:30 AM
... The location offered all one could ask for, trees, water and great roads. I met a bunch of great folks, saw some great rigs, befriended rally dogs and a new rally chicken and came home with the Pinto Pony saddle bags loaded with good cookies.

Here's cleatusj with the loot:

And the saddle bags look good on the Guzzi leaner:

Us sidecarists just about filled up the Pinto Pony:

Here's a lousy cell phone pic of a very good (and big) Pony breakfast:

Even Avanell's Lil' Bit wanted some the action:

Jim showing off his recently assembled rig -- including a few home manufactured bits & pieces:

And old, unfortunately abandoned, house along the El Camino Real:

On the way back to Holly Park we stopped by the Sale on the Trail flea market in Milam:

Where we we watched this 1906 Galloway engine spinning the flywheels to turn the 1880's era gristmill - and I purchased some blue cornmeal:

And Jena found this nifty little 2007 Texaco Christmas train:

And Art & I both "took a shot" at the Henry Golden Boy 22LR being raffled by the local Lions Club -- I think Art took a few more "shots" than I did:

After returning to Holly Park, I tried exploring a little Nine Mile Road, but it was closed for repair.

Good thing the road was closed, as my Sportster rig is no match for a Ural on its "home turf" as demonstrated here by new USCA member schodja:

A few more pics of Friday afternoon's off-pavement ride:

Oldtimer:

Kentsilk & Ana:

Harold & son on the Dneper -- that unfortunately suffered major engine failure later that evening :

Saturday afternoon we were treated to ice cream:

Thanks to Barbara and her family:

Oldtimer & DiDi are not going to miss an opportunity for ice cream:

And Roland says he doesn't need some little old cup or bowl:

A sampling of some of the Saturday evening grilling:

And Jena, Corkie and I stopped for a closer look at the Bucking Horse in on Main Street in Logansport, Louisiana on our return ride home:

Quote from cleatusj on May 12, 2013, 2:27 pm

Great collection of pic's Lee.