Here is a progress update for the Forum. July 30, 2013
I can only pick up the truck this coming Monday morning. August 5th.
I have been bustin butt all day. Having a home brew at the moment. It's 10:30 Monday night, and I just got outta the shower. BK bacon burger gut bombs for supper, but boy are they good!
The least expensive way for me to get them from Florida to Michigan was to go to the Toyota dealer and rent a pickup truck. Unlimited mileage, 1 week (7 days) for $350.00!!!! It gets 20 miles per gallon, so that is pretty
darn good also.
A friend gave me a piece of crap trailer which I have just finished welding back together. Tuesday I put in new wheel bearings and deck. I'm adding plenty of eyebolts so I can properly secure everything. Two in the truck, two on the trailer. Parts bike in the truck.
I have home stays with Contra dance friends of mine in any of a dozen or more cities along the way. Whilst in Florida, I will stay with Suanne, a dancer whom I have never met. I'm taking a day and going sailing with her. She's gorgeous, my age and single.
Never in my life would I have thought about doing this. It just happened.
But, It would not have happened without the Forum and all the great guys on it!
Thanks to all who have helped, especially Bruce and Jeff.
Robb.
That sounds like a brilliant adventure- I hope all goes well and you have a great time.
This forum and the Norton owners club have both inspired me to some amazing trips.
Don't be lead astray on your journey....! A Michigan boy could become transfixed by the Siren's song and run aground when put into harms way of that easy Florida lifestyle....!
Hi,did a bit of checking last night,Grand Rapids to Melbourne Florida is a total of 1333.3 miles.Thats an epic trek,2666 miles at 20 to the gallon is 133 gallons
of fuel.Robb you are a hero,I hope your efforts are worthwhile.
cheers Rick
Many thanks for the encouraging words. I've put on 1,450 miles so far.
The bikes are loaded, the trailer is holding up well.
I leave for Chickamauga, Georgia this AM, about 9 or so.
Chickamuga is home to a horrific Civil War battle and a National site.
I have a dancer friend who lives there.
All sorts of weird thoughts crossed my mind as I travelled there with 12,000 USD in my pocket.
Gerrard really was sorry to have to sell them. He's a good guy who was going to restore them.
Anyway, I'm on the way home now, having spent Thursday night in Chickamauga, GA where a huge Civil War battle was fought.
Things are going well, so I am really happy. You guys should hear the comments. "Are they Indians or Harleys?" How old are they? What's a BSA?
Do they run? How fast are they?
One elderly guy knew exactly what they are as he "borrowed" one over there. LOL!!
I have one frame that is not WD prefixed, and a rear section with the welded on field stand lug. Anyone got any spare vallanced fenders? I'll swap some parts for them. (forks) I also have a couple of REME tags!!
The gorgeous girl is Suanne a contra dance friend of mine.
In back, as you can see, are the bikes. I stayed two days with her
on Seabird Island, Port Orange, FL.
The seller Gerard is a great guy, and was really grieving selling the bikes.
I have just awoken form a 4 hour nap having arived home at 4:30 PM Aug 10th.
There were no driving incidents which is great!!!! I have not compiled costs yet(natch) as I am still buzzing from road vibration.
The two in the trailer run. I call them "shiney paint" and rusty fenders.
I will give you details tomorrow. Rusty fenders is supposed to be the quickest. It has a speedo, a REME tag, and maybe orig grips under the tape. Neither bike has been messed with. I do believe it has a legit Florida title too. I have to check the numbers.
Not a lot of spares really. Add a tank, tool box, front fenders and controls and you'd have a decent bike to build from the parts pile. Jury is out on that......
I stayed with friends all the way there and back. The only expense was some food and coffee. I took Suanne out for a nice dinner in Florida, and Judie in Chickamauga out also. Damn near took her dog home as she is moving.
More later. Tomorrow I unload and return the truck.