2012 Kaslo National Road Run

[c.o.]

I rolled into the driveway last night from a five day run on the '48 FL. I was plumb wore out but grinning. It had been quite the few days leading up to the trip but everything just seemed to sort itself out. The repop breather tube that I had installed decided it needed to seperate the the elbow from the stud and was flopping around in the primary after my last trip two weeks ago. I ripped the primary apart and installed an old tube, started reassembling and while threading on the engine sprocket..... the damn nut stripped as I was torquing it down!!! I had two days before I had to leave and nobody had anything remotely close to what I needed. But luck was on my side and a friend came up with the magic part the day before the departure date. All was back together and off I went.

I decided that I was going to make a big loop of it and headed in a northwestern direction. I then turned back south and had a pretty lengthy wait at the ferry landing. It finally showed up and I got myself parked up front!!!!



Here's a shot while we on the water for you scenery fans.



After the ferry landing I had to stop in a little town along the way to look at a vehicle my wife had found on the internet. We got to yacking and before I knew it I stepped out of his shop to see that the sun had almost set!!! I don't mind a little night riding but this was heavy deer country and they just love to see if you can miss them while they zig zag across the road!!! I was only about an hour from Kaslo and decided I would proceed with caution. While weaving through the curvy road I noticed that the dummy light for the oil pressure had come on. I had increased the oil flow for the oiler on the pump and hadn't thought to check it at the last gas stop and got to thinking that I had better do it pretty soon. I rolled into the next little town just as they were rolling the carpets up. I did manage to purchase a flashlight (one of the two or three things I forgot to bring!!) before the lights went out and checked the oil. I had obviously set the oiler a little heavy as there wasn't much left in the tank!!! I knew there was a campground close by and rolled the bike down to it and dealt with the bike in the morning. I rolled into Kaslo the next day about an hour before registration was to close and got myself signed up and a place to pitch my tent.

Here's a few shots I took before I found a campground....







This bike was awesome!!!!

[c.o.]

We got a great dinner that night and I met a couple from the Seattle area that were camped near me. He had ridden his Chief up and his gal rode her modern Harley. They had also ridden with a friend of theirs and the three were an absolute blast to visit with. We had lots of laughs and I got the lowdown on the Chief. He is the second owner and has had the bike for 49 years. It isn't 100% original but darn close to it! Anything that he did replace was for function and all the original parts are on the shelf at home. He knew that bike inside out and backwards and we went over many of the fine points. The fenders are original paint. I think the tanks are replacements because the old ones were leaking.



To be continued......

[BigLakeBob]

Glad to see the nut didn't keep you home (lathe lathe lathe), thanks for sharing the great pictures. Waiting to hear & see more about the rest of the ride. Bob

[cdndewey]

Great shots Cory....sounds like an excellent weekend. Yours are the second batch of pics I looked at and the only bike I recognized was yours.

[c.o.]

Bob... you are absolutely right. At the darkest moment I told my wife that if had a lathe that a stripped nut wouldn't be a problem. She told me that I better get my act together and find one...

Dewey, I recognized a few of the Indians from other rides I've been on but the Milwaukee stuff was new to me. A large part of the group was from across the line.

[EricOlson]

Looking great Cory! Glad to hear the '48 was road worthy in time (pretty much). Looking forward to the rest of the story...

[gary.h]

looks like the day you arrived was the day to be there,some nice stuff that must of left by friday when we got there,,,,,bummer!

[exeric]

Thanks for the pictures Cory, and glad you had such a good time. I think everyone here greatly appreciates it when people take the time to post pictures of their trips, or projects.

[rwm]

looks like you had a fun time. how much do you think it cost the truck behind you to use the ferry? it cost me $200. to go from woods hole to martha's vineyard with a 24 footer.

[c.o.]

I'm glad you fellas are liking the pics. I bought a car for my wife while I was on the bike tour and just got home from picking it up.... thus the tardy reply.

Gary, I saw most of those bikes reappear periodically. The 841 broke down on the first day and was never seen again. We were so far behind the group on the Saturday ride that they were probably mostly loaded and put away.

Rob, the inland ferries here in B.C. are free of charge. Our tax dollars keep them running. The big ocean ferries on the other hand have gotten pretty expensive. I haven't been on one in a few years but I'm thinking what you got charged may be a bargain.