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07-12-2009, 10:25 AM DanTheCXMan Joined on 06-28-2009 Windsor, Nova Scotia Posts 145 New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo Hi Folks, Thought I would give you an update on my trip thus far. I am writing from my mom's house in Camden, Delaware, about two-thirds of the way on this trip to my home in Nova Scotia. I have had no serious problems so far, which I think is a dramatic testament to the skill and ingenuity of Japanese engineers and production workers. Judging by the plates which expired in 2001, I don't think this bike has been driven for the last eight years. So I fly in, hop on it, and drive 2250 miles in 4 1/2 days. Remarkable. The only truly scary moment was during the first full day of travel (Wednesday) when, in the middle of absolutely nowhere in northwestern Oklahoma, with 105F heat, the bike simply sputtered to a stop and died. It felt as though I had run out of fuel, but I had around half a tank. I looked over the bike and could find nothing obviously wrong. Checked the oil level and found it to be a little, but not significantly, low. Added about 1/2 quart. Let the bike cool down about 10 minutes. Then just for the hell of it, I turned on the key and pressed the start button. Miraculously, it fired right up. I drove on and never had so much as a hiccup again. Odd. I can only guess that some crud went through the fuel, or for some reason the circuitry decided the bike just needed to shut down. Whatever. Earlier that first morning, I got to see some incredibly beautiful scenery around northern New Mexico/southern Colorado. For any of you traveling, the drive from Raton, NM to Trinidad, CO is incredible. I had the good fortune of a perfectly clear, cool morning, so when transiting the mountain pass and coming over the peak, the view of the distant Rockies was absolutely breathtaking. Highly recommended. A stop at Old Oakie's near OK City saw me do a sorely-needed oil & filter change, gearbox oil change, and greasing. Also fiddled with a few things here and there, and had new tires mounted the next morning at Maxey's Honda in OK City. All the debate and discussion about what tires to use was essentially decided for me by what tires were in stock at the dealership! I ended up with Dunlop 404's, not sport bike tires, I suppose, but they are doing the job well. The lesson learned is to PLAN AHEAD by finding a shop that will mount tires bought elsewhere, and have the tires shipped to them ahead of time. I had considered this, but just didn't get it all put in place. Nonetheless, I am happy with these Dunlops. I must tell you Old Oakie is the nicest, most personable and helpful fellow you could ever meet, and his wife Betty insisted I enjoy a bowl of ice cream with fresh peaches. Yummy! A quick story to illustrate my point. While waiting at the bike shop for the tire installation, I was informed of a delay with the bike ahead of mine...meaning mine would be a good hour and a half to two hours longer than expected. As a result of my tight, tight schedule, it looked as though I would not have time to go to nearby Midwest City and meet my 92-year-old great uncle who had just entered "assisted living". My heart sank, I walked outside to think things over and who was walking up but Old Oakie, saying he had a feeling I might experience a delay and how I could drop him off at work and take his truck to go visit my relative! Now there's a generous soul. Back on the road, I got to Little Rock, AK that night. I mention this, because for all of you who don't like to spend a lot on a motel, the Motel 6 at Exit 153A is so-so, but adequate, and is undergoing renovations and has on on-site laundry. But what is absolutely golden is the huge new public library across the street. It is called the William F. Laman library, and is not to be missed. For the biker/traveler, the main attraction will be the gigantic computer room, where non-residents can pay $2 for 2 hours of computer time. Documents can be printed for 15 cents per copy. And the key benefit for me was that it was open until 9 p.m.--I got off the highway just before 8 p.m. The next day, I left early, stopped for breakfast in West Memphis, then went down U.S. 78 to meet up with my cousin in New Albany, MS. Visited there for a couple of hours then continued on to join the Natchez Trace parkway at mile 308, near Tishomingo, MS. I hadn't expected to get to do any of the Trace, so this was a treat. For any of you planning a trip anywhere in this part of the South, the Natchez Trace is not to be missed. That evening saw me reach Chattanooga, TN, where I stayed at yet another Motel 6. I had a glorious swim in the pool and did my laundry. This Motel 6 #700, Chattanooga East, at the Bonny Oaks Drive exit. I like that it is right at the exit, there is a Shell station next door, and a Waffle House. Nothing like getting everything done in one spot. And the pool was lovely after a long day's ride! My last day saw me go up I-75 to I-81 to I-66, where I missed an old shortcut I used to take through DC. Ended up in the Mall area, but eventually made my way back to New York Avenue to leave town on U.S. 50 East. Rolled into my mom's right after 8 p.m., having made a 697.5 mile day's run, the longest yet, in 13 hours total time. If I had known that was what it was going to be, I would have driven around the town a bit so I could call it 700 miles!! I would have made better time, but I experience two major traffic snarls. One near Bristol, TN/VA, where a fifth-wheel travel trailer flipped, the other on I-66 in DC for no apparent reason other than just too damn many cars on the road. Here's my fuel economy for the trip so far; most days I was driving between 60-75, with a few irresistable bursts higher and some slower speed work through towns and such. Not sure how this will show up on the post, but I thought it would be good to list the miles traveled for each fill-up. 1. Filled up in Angel Fire, NM to start trip at 19,201.7 miles on odometer, trip meter reset to 0. 19,119 on bike at pick-up point. 2. Raton, NM, 135.2 miles, 54.6 mpg. 3. Boise City, OK, 127.3 miles, 53.3 mpg. 4. Woodward, OK, 185.6 miles, 47.6 mpg. (The break down occurred between stops 3 & 4, and there was a bit of fuel leaking from the petcock afterwards, so this may be one factor in the mileage drop...not sure). 5. Oklahoma City, OK, 154.7 miles, 41.43 mpg. 6. Muldrow, OK (near Ft. Smith, AR), 179.6 miles, 43.3 mpg. 7. North Little Rock, AR, 167.8 miles, 50.6 mpg. 8. New Albany, MS, 222.0 miles, 51.4 mpg. 9. Decatur, AL, 157.8 miles, 50.4 mpg. 10. Chattanooga, TN, 140.3 miles, 47.6 mpg. 11. Bristol, TN, 212.4 miles, 54.9 mpg. 12. Staunton, VA, 227.2 miles, 53.7 mpg. 13. Centreville, MD, 222.4 miles, 53.1 mpg. I should note that the last day was almost entirely in the 65-75 mph range...and the bike seems to run better every day. I'll see if I can post some photos later. Ciao for now, Dan Possibly Member #34 1982 CX500 Turbo 1983 GL650 Silver Wing (acquired 2 Feb 2010) 2000 SK50 DIO (sale pending)    Report

07-12-2009, 11:30 AM DaveF Joined on 06-11-2008 Lawrenceville, GA Posts 1,232 Re: New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo This sounds like a great trip!  Thank you for posting this. My Web Site 1982 GL500 1983 GL650    Report

07-12-2009, 11:34 AM spanish bandit Joined on 02-12-2009 southern spain Posts 5,010 Re: New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo dan,really enjoyed that,awsome trip.put photo,s up when you can. when your engine died........i can tell you right away what the problem was...me being an expert...LOL its your bikes way of telling you....YOU had motel 6,pool etc...i need a break.lol when i feel the need,i do it,llego,ve 60,s ----------------------------- 2008.1982 honda gli silverwing [uk model ] 2010.1981 honda gli silverwing [uk model ]    Report

07-12-2009, 2:11 PM DanTheCXMan Joined on 06-28-2009 Windsor, Nova Scotia Posts 145 Re: New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo Thanks, SB. Now, maybe you can tell me how to upload photos on this site---I tried the FAQ and a search, but couldn't find out how to do it. AND LISTEN TO THIS EVERYONE!!...I was just outside in Mom's driveway, washing the bike. Decided to take the side covers off so I could figure out how to get the seat off...saw this little plastic box which I had earlier glanced at and assumed to be an airbox of some type. Lifted the top off and...found the original leather-covered OWNER'S MANUAL and tire pressure gauge!! WOW!! AWESOME!!! What a great, unexpected bonus!! Sadly, I checked the manual for the location of the tool kit and it was supposedly in the same place as the manual...found the little metal tool compartment, but alas, it was empty. Well, I'm happy enough to find the original owner's manual, which even has the original owner's name in it...a fellow from Yuma, Arizona. Feels great to have some of the history of the bike. Cool. Dan Possibly Member #34 1982 CX500 Turbo 1983 GL650 Silver Wing (acquired 2 Feb 2010) 2000 SK50 DIO (sale pending)    Report

07-13-2009, 10:46 AM jim from Michigan Joined on 12-27-2006 Holland Michigan USA Posts 164 Re: New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo Great trip report, thanks! I was reading that intently and all of a sudden you mention the Laman Library. I have not been there, as I live in MI, but am fairly sure its a distant relative... quite interesting to find it mentioned on a CX list! Thanks Jim Laman Jim in SW Michigan (home)/Evanston IL (office) 78 CX500 91 ST1100 00 VTR1000    Report

07-13-2009, 11:11 AM DanTheCXMan Joined on 06-28-2009 Windsor, Nova Scotia Posts 145 Re: New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo Your very welcome, Jim. If you are ANYWHERE NEAR Arkansas, I would say the library is worth the trip. Besides the computer lab (which is huge--I would estimate well over 100 computer terminals) on the second floor, there is also a beautiful art gallery, snack bar, and I don't know what else. The place was HUGE. There was even a separate children's library with its own entrance. You should go in, show your i.d., and get the VIP treatment! Dan Possibly Member #34 1982 CX500 Turbo 1983 GL650 Silver Wing (acquired 2 Feb 2010) 2000 SK50 DIO (sale pending)    Report

07-13-2009, 8:55 PM jim from Michigan Joined on 12-27-2006 Holland Michigan USA Posts 164 Re: New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo Someday I'll get in there.. and to Nova Scotia, but not on the CX. I have an ST1100 for trips like that. Jim in SW Michigan (home)/Evanston IL (office) 78 CX500 91 ST1100 00 VTR1000    Report

07-14-2009, 5:22 AM Don in Oz Joined on 03-10-2006 Melbourne, Australia Posts 546 Re: New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo Dan, A great travelogue - makes me want to get back to USA, and carry on where I left off nearly a year ago.   Your turbo is certainly a good one, and responding to your TLC already.  I hope you NEVER have to take it anywhere near a dealer for mechanical work - most of them have not got the expertise that the original Honda-trained mechanics had. Good luck with your final phase of the trip. Where are you headed in NS ?  straight to Windsor?     I have a friend, NW of  Pictou, who I visited about this time last year.  Don. GL500I, CX500TC (2), CX500EC (2), 1982 CX500C. GL1000, 1976 CB550F, CT110 (2), XL125S (2), 1973 CB175K6. Kwaka Z250C1 (2). Suzuki GS450SX, DR250SJ, GS125ESD.    Report

07-16-2009, 8:15 PM mcreviver Joined on 05-06-2007 Williamsport, PA Posts 888 Re: New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo Gee Don, Do you think you might have missed a few roads in the USA the last time you were here??? You probably saw more of it than the rest of us on this board will in a lifetime. Except maybe Gene. Well, come on back........we can use the economic stimulus. Ron in PA    Report

07-17-2009, 9:59 AM DanTheCXMan Joined on 06-28-2009 Windsor, Nova Scotia Posts 145 Re: New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo I'm home. Went from Camden, Delaware to Brattleboro, VT the first day, which was well short of halfway. But I thought I was going to take three days to do the DE to NS run...then when I got settled in my motel room, I started looking at the next day's run--and figured out that if I left early, and went late, I could go all the way in one day. SO, yesterday was a 748 mile day, and that is counting losing about an hour at the border crossing and another 1/2 hour for road construction in New Brunswick. Don, I went straight to Windsor. However, I NEVER take the new toll road at the Cobequid Pass. For anyone coming to Nova Scotia, I highly recommend the "old" road, which you catch at Exit 7. There is sign advising it is the Wentworth Valley Scenic Loop. Yes, they have let this old road fall into a bit a disrepair, but it isn't that bad. They also lowered the speed limit in order to encourage people to take the toll road (and so they can lie and say the toll road saves 20 minutes, when in fact it saves only 5 minutes, and is exhorbitantly expensive at around $4 for a mere 30 miles). But you can easily get away with doing 10-20 km/h over the limit without getting stopped...I think the cops know about the politics behind the change. Don, the next time you're visiting your friend near Pictou, you'll have to put Windsor on your must-see list. If I still have two bikes then, we can go for a ride. The nearby Martock Valley/Chester Road is a beautiful drive. So, to summarize my trip, I went a total of 3,430 miles in 9 days, with 3 of those days not on the road but at my mom's...meaning, I averaged 571 miles/day. My fuel economy averaged 50.9 overall, with the highest reliable calculation being 56.0 mpg; there was a 57.4, but it was only based on 138 miles of travel, so I recognize it could be a little off. A good part of my travel was on Interstate highways with 65-75 mph being quite common, though I did take a number of backroads where I could. And of course, there were a number of irresistable bursts up to ???mph. The bike is running GREAT, and I am completely in love with it. WHAT A MACHINE! Dan Possibly Member #34 1982 CX500 Turbo 1983 GL650 Silver Wing (acquired 2 Feb 2010) 2000 SK50 DIO (sale pending)    Report

07-17-2009, 10:48 AM RichNCT Joined on 03-02-2006 Connecticut, USA Posts 3,463 Re: New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo Great report, great numbers.  We're pleased everything is working out so well for you.  Refueling on The James Bay Road, 2009 Born to be relatively wild (for a grampa x 3) GL650I, CX650E, CX650T    Report

07-18-2009, 2:51 PM Gene McCall Joined on 03-02-2006 Murfreesboro Posts 1,147 Re: New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo Dan, good ride & good report, better than Don & I we have only put out bits and pieces of our trip last summer. Wish we had known of you it would have been good to meet. Ron, be careful what you say, Don could be on the way even as we speak. He has finished his Round Australia trip and he is probably looking for new challanges! Don, if you come back to the states maybe we could take a few weeks and hit some spots in the states, remember we did by-pass Yellowstone! Maybe we could go on 2 wheels each and not 3. Gene My pictures are Here I didn't get this old by being timid, just not being stupid! 2000 ST1100 Hack 1983 GL650    Report

07-18-2009, 5:17 PM WayneDW Joined on 07-28-2006 Minneapolis Posts 1,655 Re: New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo Way to go Dan! thanks for sharing. Wayne 1983 GL650 Silverwing Interstate WWW.fossilapostles.com    Report

07-18-2009, 5:23 PM CXSarnia Joined on 01-11-2008 Sarnia, Ontario, Canada Posts 2,628 Re: New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo Dan, I'm impressed with the confidence you had (have) in a 27 year old motorcycle.  It speaks volumes for the brand, and the bike! Great report, I envy you for the freedom to do what you have done!  Hat's off to you ! (or should I say Helmet?) 2009 DN-01 Spakin' New! 1982 CX500 Turbo & Parts bike 1981 SL185 Yamaha Exciter 198? V45 Magna 1979 CX500 Deluxe 1982 CB750K Daily rider September 1999 1982 CX500 Custom - project Originally bought April 1982 safetied and on the road 09/2008    Report

07-20-2009, 4:23 PM Don in Oz Joined on 03-10-2006 Melbourne, Australia Posts 546 Re: New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo Dan, A great trip and report - and my "un-believers" piece of advice was NOT needed at all - well done.  I've looked up Windsor - long way from Pictou, but not far in the context of what you have just done, and not far either compared with the trip Gene and I did this time last year.  You inspire me to get my turbo out and ready for this coming summer of riding - and I have another complete parts turbo in my LARGE trailer ( in a thousand pieces) that needs re-assembling.   It's only trouble being that I can't find the previous owner who took the top end off the engine, to ask WHY.  This means I will have to take the whole engine apart down to the crank bearings, to see whether they are the reason for the dis-assembly.   Enjoy your steed. Don. GL500I, CX500TC (2), CX500EC (2), 1982 CX500C. GL1000, 1976 CB550F, CT110 (2), XL125S (2), 1973 CB175K6. Kwaka Z250C1 (2). Suzuki GS450SX, DR250SJ, GS125ESD.    Report

07-21-2009, 4:44 PM gopher Joined on 11-06-2008 Sk.Ca. Age 56 Posts 608 Re: New Mexico to Nova Scotia on an '82 Turbo Well done Dan! 1981 GL500I    Report

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