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Travelling, Friends, and Trips
Started by PT-13Pilot at 05-24-2010 7:54 PM. Topic has 10 replies.
  
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 05-24-2010, 7:54 PM
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PT-13Pilot
 
Joined on 08-25-2009
Belle Missouri
Posts 54
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Awsome Weekend Trip On the GL500 w/pics
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Hey Guys,
After putting about a 1000 miles on the "new" GL500 around home, I finally took a trip with it this weekend. Total of 725 miles on the bike in a bit over 2 days, and she ran better than a new one.
An old high school buddy and I went west of Branson, MO on 76, down to Eureka Springs, AR, then rode the Pig Trail on Hwy 23 down to Paris, AR. Then climbed up Mount Magazine and stayed at the lodge there. The ride down pig trail and the view from Mount Magazine is absolutely breath taking. Plenty of motorcycle friendly stops, including my favorite, Turner Bend. And both times I stopped there, and several times at the Lodge, I had some very nice riders riding new Harley's that are way out of my tax bracket swarm the little GL and asked a million questions. And I kept track, I was the oldest, smallest displacement bike seen all weekend. And whether doing 80 on the interstate, or winding through the twisties, never failed to impress me. My worse mileage was from my house to Springfield, MO, all I-44 and was late, so 75-80 the whole way. Got 42 MPG for that tank. Best was leg 2 from Springfield to south of Eureka at 58.5 MPG. All other tanks including the ride home at a more sedate 70 were over 50 MPG, most around 52-54.
I highly recommend this ride and may try to do it again this fall. Just a first of many trips on the GL I hope!
CJ
Here are a few pics from the trip.
Also, we rode past a photographer near Eureka. Should have a few nice action pics when he uploads them to his site.
1982 GL500I
1981 CB900C
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05-24-2010, 8:04 PM
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mcreviver
Joined on 05-06-2007
Williamsport, PA
Posts 887
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Re: Awsome Weekend Trip On the GL500 w/pics
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Nice photos. You've got that 500 looking great. How did you find one with stock exhaust in that rust free condition?
BTW, I'll be starting an annual on a Stearman in another week or so. It has a 220 Continental W670.
Ron in PA
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05-24-2010, 8:28 PM
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PT-13Pilot
Joined on 08-25-2009
Belle Missouri
Posts 54
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Re: Awsome Weekend Trip On the GL500 w/pics
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Hey Ron,
Actually, my exhaust doesn't look that great, but it's solid. The mufflers are solid with some tiny pits, but shined up pretty well. I cleaned and painted the H box with 1200 degree silver paint. And my down pipes have the usual rust in on the behind them, where noone ever cleaned them. I cleaned them and painted them with the same paint I did the H box with, with a brush. Protects them somewhat, and from a distance you don't notice it much. Look at the first picture, you can see where I painted them. Uless you look close in person, they are presentable. Probably mostly because the bike had 6900 miles when I bought it, and after the trip this weekend, has 8700.
Have fun with the -17. The Continentals are a fine engine, but can shake the fillings outta your teeth. After restoring the -13 with the Lyc, I'm sold. Got that one in the shop for some upgrades and have been flying it, the owner doesn't!
CJ
1982 GL500I
1981 CB900C
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05-24-2010, 9:32 PM
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Blindstitch
Joined on 03-14-2009
Greenfield Wisconsin
Posts 9,838
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Re: Awsome Weekend Trip On the GL500 w/pics
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05-25-2010, 1:10 AM
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spanish bandit
Joined on 02-12-2009
southern spain
Posts 4,998
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Re: Awsome Weekend Trip On the GL500 w/pics
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great photos,thanks for sharing
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 ]
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05-26-2010, 6:38 AM
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Blue fox
Joined on 04-18-2008
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
Posts 1,532
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Re: Awsome Weekend Trip On the GL500 w/pics
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You're lookin good, Chris. Bike looks great, I am a bit envious of the ride you took. I'm just getting to know my new GL650 around town right now. I want to be sure it is de-bugged before I take it out on a cross country. Maybe, I'll drop by the airport this summer with it and we can compare notes. Great pics too.
Blue Fox
1983 GL650I, 79-CX500C, 1980 CX500C, 82-GL500I, 82-GL1100, 76-CB550, 81-CB750C, 73-CB350F, 71-CT90,
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05-26-2010, 6:48 AM
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PT-13Pilot
Joined on 08-25-2009
Belle Missouri
Posts 54
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Re: Awsome Weekend Trip On the GL500 w/pics
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Blue,
Thanks for the compliments! Had no idea I'd like the darn thing so much. It's definately staying. Fits what I do most of the time. And even a trip like that was no problem.
And I know what you mean. I like to break in a new ride and make sure she's gonna stay under me a while before I poke my nose out away from home. She didn't skip a beat. Still planning a cooling rebuild shortly, she's 30 years old and deserving. Have everything but the mechanical seal, and bought a new radiator cap and thermostat just because. Now that I'm keeping it, its the last thing I haven't done. Just a flush and refill so far.
Come down anytime. The Stearman is here and supposed to start working on a T-6 shortly that hasn't flown in a while. Also, FYI, I've been invited to bring the Stearman to the Columbia Airshow this weekend, not sure if I'm going to, or might just for a day and put it on display. While I enjoy it, I have to stand next to it fending off people who will climb on it or poke holes in it. Not sure if you're going or not, but I might be there. If I go it will probably be Saturday.
And we're talking about doing that ride again perhaps in the fall. It's so close and all. I'll let you know if we do, you're welcome to come along. You're problem will be to decide what to ride (if you call that a problem!)
CJ
1982 GL500I
1981 CB900C
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05-26-2010, 7:30 AM
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saltwatersurf
Joined on 07-21-2008
Twin Cities, Minnesota
Posts 178
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Re: Awsome Weekend Trip On the GL500 w/pics
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The bike looks to be in showroom condition. Fun pics, thanks for sharing.
Flat Black 1978 CX500 10,000 12,000 , 21,000 wonderful (s)miles
Maroon 1979 CX500 Custom 9800 miles, selling
BlueFlames 1979 CX500 ? 25,000 miles, in boxes
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05-27-2010, 8:52 AM
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PT-13Pilot
Joined on 08-25-2009
Belle Missouri
Posts 54
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Re: Awsome Weekend Trip On the GL500 w/pics
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Here's 3 more pictures from a guy taking pictures of everyone near Eureka Springs. Nice to have a few pictures riding the old girl! And sure he makes some decent money, who wouldn't want a picture riding? He actually took 6 of me, I bought the 3 best.
1982 GL500I
1981 CB900C
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05-27-2010, 4:34 PM
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WayneDW
Joined on 07-28-2006
Minneapolis
Posts 1,654
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Re: Awsome Weekend Trip On the GL500 w/pics
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Thanks for the write-up and pics.
Me and about 12 of my closest friends are heading down to northern Arkansas in August. Please tell me more about "can't miss" routes, sights.
thanks.
Wayne
1983 GL650 Silverwing Interstate
WWW.fossilapostles.com
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05-27-2010, 7:57 PM
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PT-13Pilot
Joined on 08-25-2009
Belle Missouri
Posts 54
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Re: Awsome Weekend Trip On the GL500 w/pics
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Wayne,
I'm no expert on the route for sure, but here's what I thought overall. Met up with my friend in Springfield, went down 160 south out of there to 76 west (bypassing Branson, I hate Branson). I'm missing a couple of hwy numbers here, but head down to Eureka Springs if you haven't been. It's touristy, but not annoyingly so. Lots to do there if you have time, I suggest a ride on the train there, if you like that kind of thing. Lots of good resturants, B&B's, theres even a motel for bikers only with covered parking (never stayed there), and the "Rowdy Beaver" is a nice lunch/dinner stop (hell at least get a t-shirt). From Eureka take 23 south and run the Pig Trail. All of it is good road, plenty of scenic views and places to pull over. Lots of bikes, but strangely we always seemed to be alone when riding, it was awsome. Stop at Turners Bend, you'll know where it is, there will probably be 20 bikes in front of it. And if you guys get a chance, stay at the Mt Magazine lodge, the view and ride up the "mountain" is awsome. http://www.mountmagazinestatepark.com/ Not sure how long you're staying out for your ride, but there's plenty to do in what we did. We just did a whirlwind tour, could have easily made 3-5 days out of it.
CJ
1982 GL500I
1981 CB900C
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Honda CX500 & G... » CX500 GL500 Tra... » Travelling, Fri... » Re: Awsome Weekend Trip On the GL500 w/pics
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