Same old bike—but a NEW adventure!

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

For those of you that don’t like wordy threads, close this one and pick a different one😉 For those of you that don’t mind my story telling, stick around and I’ll weave you a tale of a motorcycle that I’ve owned since the week I met Kelli, many trips across mid America, and now a special trip with my favorite princess...

 

Way back in 1998, I got the itch to purchase a new motorcycle.  I was the perfect candidate for A Harley but at that time it was nearly impossible to purchase a new one.  I went into our local dealership and they said that they could put me on an order list and I should have my bike in about 18 months!  NO DEAL KIMOSABE!  18 months when you are in your early 20’s seems like forever and so I kept hunting around.  I came across this Kawasaki Vulcan at our local Rice Dealership and struck a bargain.

 

 

I spent the next two years adding all the accessories for style but mostly for function as I was driving it all the time!  I put on 12,000 miles the summer of 1999!  

these two pics were taken that year with me and my younger brother.  Believe it or not we took this little bike and rode two up around the Great Lakes! It was the adventure of a lifetime for us...

Notice the old “Discman” in Nate’s right hand😂 Good Times.

 

”Big gap in the story here-I’ll come back to that later...”

 

 

As happens to many bikers that get married and have kids, the motorcycle became a very occasional means of travel until 2012.  I used it to travel on a construction missions trip to northern IL and the chain/sprockets were so worn, I wasn’t sure I’d make it home.  I was going to fix it up that winter but life got in the way. finally in 2018, my daughter Claudia asks me, “Are you going to get this motorcycle running before I become an adult, get a career, get married, and move on with life or what?”  

 

 

Well said.

 

 

So, I decided to do some upgrades in the process.  Back in the early 2000’s, aftermarket parts were readily available for these bikes but Kawasaki discontinued this model in about 2006 and now it is nearly impossible to find much for them.  I’ll detail this later but these are a few of the parts that I recently put on it after much searching to find them:

Kuryakyn Procharger

Cobra Slash Cut pipes

Mondo Belt Drive

Kuryakyn Passenger floor boards

and a host of tune up items...

 

That brings us to yesterday.  Claudia and I packed up for a Daddy/Daughter run to the great river road on Western Wisconsin...

She is so excited and so am I.  I never thought back in the late 90’s that one day I would be road tripping with my teenage daughter on this same motorcycle!!!! 

[Pullstart 62,912]

Josh, you’re a story teller indeed!  I like a good story!  Safe travels again, Buddy!

[JCM 9,177]

I have a local excavator contractor who owns a HD  Shovelhead around an 81 or 82 that he bought new, i'm thinking a Super Glide in Black,that was my first thoughts when I looked at your bike. I do remember when you had to get on the waiting list to get one new. NICE ride, be safe.   

[tunahead72 2,424]

@PeacemakerJack Thanks for posting this!  As I type this, I'm looking out my dining room window at my '81 Honda CB750K that's been under cover in my driveway for the past year-and-a-half, and thinking about my now 23-year-old daughter who asked me a very similar question a few years ago.  I believe it's time to uncover the bike and see what needs to be done to get it running again.

 

Thanks for the inspiration!  Can we assume that you enjoyed the heck out of your trip, and that you'll send us all photos?

 

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

3 hours ago, tunahead72 said:

 I believe it's time to uncover the bike and see what needs to be done to get it running again.

ABSOLUTELY AGREE!!! What are you waiting for?  I am so glad my girl finally talked me into it.  My only regret is how did I let a few months turn into years before I got it going...

 

 

3 hours ago, tunahead72 said:

 

Thanks for the inspiration!  Can we assume that you enjoyed the heck out of your trip, and that you'll send us all photos?

 

You had better believe it.  We are sitting on a bench in downtown LaCrosse, WI enjoying a “lunch” of homemade ice cream in waffle cones from the Pearl.

 

We spent the morning on the Minnesota side of the river traveling south with awesome views the whole way.  

 

Now back on the WI side for awhile...

Claud took a pic of this bridge over the river and ended up with a selfie in my rear view mirror😁😉

 

More detailed report later.  Suffice it to say that we visited the worlds largest work boot.  Had there been a huge pair of shorts to go with it, well, we would’ve of needed a giant Kevin to go with that ensemble....😂

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

Claudia and I had a great time finishing out our short trip late last night.  Claudia’s only regret was that we didn’t take more time and so next year we will plan a 5 day trip instead of 2.

 

smoothies and lemonade is great when it is 95 degrees outside...

I visited this Cabela’s in Prairie du Chien in 2001 on the same motorcycle with Kelli and my parents.  It was surreal to be here with Claudia!

it was a great couple of days with my sweetie and I thank God for the opportunity to live in a FREE country where this is possible...have a great 4th of July my friends

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

Time to write another chapter to this story and what a start we had!  After arriving home last year, Claudia asked, “When can we do this again?”  It didn’t take long to begin planning our “second annual Daddy/Daughter road trip”.

 Let’s take a couple more days and have a bigger adventure—that was the goal!  Well, yesterday was a “bigger adventure” for sure.  We decided to investigate Michigan on the back of the bike and see if we could visit a couple of neat museums as well as checking out miles of picturesque countryside.  

After taking care of some business at home we left at around 10:45 headed for Manitowoc, WI.  The plan was to take the SS Badger (car ferry) across Lake Michigan.  It was about 85 degrees and sunny but the old bike seemed to be running good. A stop at Culver’s for lunch and we would be boarding by 1:00pm.

 

 I stopped to take a quick picture of the boat right before pulling into the parking lot and when I let out the clutch—NOTHING.  I couldn’t have burned out my clutch, what broke?  A second or two of investigation revealed that the rear drive belt was roast!

Snapped in half! Now what were we going to do?  I promised my girl that we going to take the trip across the lake but our first hotel was in Cadillac, about an hour and a half from the ferry dock. The ferry trip was non-refundable and we were about 250 yards from the loading point.  I decided that at the very least we would make the trip across and if nothing else worked out, we could return the next day on the ferry.  

 

Claudia helped me push the bike on the boat and get everything strapped down and then we settled into her first big boat ride!  It was a blast going across the lake on such a historic boat.  Meanwhile, I had reached out to @pullstart to share the news with him. Our plan was to hang out with him and the family on Tuesday afternoon but I wasn’t sure we could make it there now.  He was immediately sympathetic and started to throw out some ideas of what could be done…then we slipped into the cell hole across the lake.  

I had some wonderful one on one conversation with my lovely daughter and we wandered around the various decks of the ship.

 By the time I was back into cell reception, Kevin suggested that he borrow a bike trailer from a local, load his “Couch on 2 Wheels”(Harley Dresser), meet us in Ludington, swap bikes, and we could be on our way!  We both were overwhelmed by his generosity and took him up on the offer.  It would take a little while for him to make it to us and so we got to walk around downtown Ludington before he arrived and sample some of the local food!  

Before we knew it, he was there, we moved over the luggage to the large touring bike and were on our way.  It was getting dark by this time and as we rolled along, I realized that I had made a rookie mistake, I didn’t check the fuel gauge before rolling out of town.  I knew where I was at on my bike but hadn’t looked to see where Kevin’s was at.  The fuel gauge kept dropping as we drove on through the wooded darkness of west central Michigan and I was starting to sweat.  Meanwhile a storm was brewing overhead.  We finally found a gas station and pulled in, only to realize that it was closed and the pumps were turned off.  A quick search on the GPS indicated that we had to push on to our final destination if we hoped to find fuel.  As we sat under the awning, praying and thinking about the next ride into the darkness, it began to rain.  We put on some rain gear and headed into the darkness.  Nearly out of fuel, in the woods, at night, yea—IT WAS A BIGGER ADVENTURE all right!  After passing no less than 6 fuel stations that were shut for the night we arrived safely in Cadillac at a station that was open.  Hallelujah!  We both were very relieved and our hotel night clerk took pity on us and upgraded our room to one with a jetted hot tub.  She said that it looked like we could use a warm up!  
 

Many thanks to Kevin for his huge sacrifice to make this trip a possibility.

Today is a new day, and we will continue to write another chapter…(ya’ll stay tuned now😉)

[Pullstart 62,912]

My offer is small.  It’s just an old bike with close to 90k on the ticker.  Making memories and not being stranded in the Manistee National Forest in the dark and rain is what it’s all about!  Have fun, see you some day...  but your bike will have a new belt before we know it!  
 

You forgot to mention the rareness of this belt... 

 

 

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

About the belt…this bike originally came with a chain drive.  After replacing several sets of chain/sprockets and dealing with the noise/adjustment/lube—I was ready for something better.  My cousin found a company that was making belt drive kits for our Vulcan 800’s.  He got one and I really liked it, so I tracked one down a couple of years ago and installed it.  It uses a 225 tooth 30mm wide timing belt for an engine.  Those aren’t in stock most anywhere.  So it makes it more challenging to find the product, to say the least😩

[Bill D 1,926]

10 minutes ago, PeacemakerJack said:

About the belt…this bike originally came with a chain drive.  After replacing several sets of chain/sprockets and dealing with the noise/adjustment/lube—I was ready for something better.  My cousin found a company that was making belt drive kits for our Vulcan 800’s.  He got one and I really liked it, so I tracked one down a couple of years ago and installed it.  It uses a 225 tooth 30mm wide timing belt for an engine.  Those aren’t in stock most anywhere.  So it makes it more challenging to find the product, to say the least😩

Buy a couple when you do find them, and keep the spares with you at all times.

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

I plan to do that from my local Gates supplier when I return home!

[Pullstart 62,912]

3 hours ago, PeacemakerJack said:

I plan to do that from my local Gates supplier when I return home!

You know Josh... if you didn’t want to help change tires on the lever steer... there were better ways of telling me!  

 

 

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

DAY TWO:  today was thankfully not quite as adventurous as yesterday (thank God!).  

We woke up and had a delicious leisurely breakfast at the hotel restaurant and rolled out about 9:30am headed for Traverse City. It is the middle of their National Cherry festival right now and there was a ton of activity all through the town.  I loved the cool architecture of the various homes and buildings.  We parked the bike close to front street and spent a couple of hours walking up and down checking out the stores.  

We sampled some of the delicious cherry based garnishes at “Cherry Republic” and realized that you could find all kinds of souvenirs in this town should you so desire.

 However, we are still on the front end of our trip and traveling with a bike, limits your cargo capacity😉.  Our stomachs started to tell us it was lunch time and around that time was saw a sign up ahead for BBQ.  The place was called Sparks BBQ and the food was EXCELLENT!  If you ever are up in Traverse City around mealtime—I highly recommend it.  After our stomachs were full it was time to hit the road again.

 We hopped on the Couch and headed out on M22 “the loop”.  

 

The scenery was breathtaking as we drove along the coast through town after little town culminating with a hike up Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes.

 Claudia wasn’t a fan of the hike but she loved the views from the top.  At this point, we turned our noses southward and headed towards Kalamazoo.

(One of Claudia’s favorite things to see was the doe and fawn that crossed the road) We have a pastor friend in that area that we hooked up with and had lodging there.  All in all, we logged about 350 miles and were very thankful to have such a solid touring bike to ride!

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,330]

15 minutes ago, PeacemakerJack said:

All in all, we logged about 350 miles and were very thankful to have such a solid touring bike to ride!

  I get the attachment to the Kawasaki…but has this given you the itch for a touring bike? 

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

@Sparky my Kawasaki is gonna be with me for life unless Claudia can convince me that she absolutely MUST have it (she’s been trying to convince me that it is hers once she has her license).  But, for touring, it is hard to beat a touring bike.  I’ve been thinking about it for several years now—A Road Glide, Kawasaki Voyager 1700, or the top of the list a Victory Cross Country Tour.  🧐

 

I know—I’m too young to be that old!😂

[Achto 27,603]

20 minutes ago, PeacemakerJack said:

A Road Glide, Kawasaki Voyager 1700, or the top of the list a Victory Cross Country Tour.

 

I have a friend who was a hard core Harley rider. 5yrs ago he put down his cross bar and shield and switch to Indian motorcycles. Claims that the ride & power is so much better that he will probably never go back. He has a few Indians now, a couple Chiefs and a Scout. 

[WHX?? 48,828]

OOhhhh  I like them tires Kev!

He filled us in on the whole story yesterday Jack so will I tell you we had a few laughs on your expense... I called the Kawi a lemon Kev called it a banana!! 

I told him he might not get the bike back you get used to that cruise control and plush seating arraignment for Claudia! 

Should have warned you about staying off the back of the ship on that Missouri boat ride. The coal ash from her stacks is quite unpleasant! 

 

 

 

[Pullstart 62,912]

See ya in an hour or so Josh!  I grabbed the belt and we’ll be ready to get the Lemony Banana back on the road ASAP!

 

 

[WHX?? 48,828]

18 minutes ago, pullstart said:

Lemony Banana back on the road ASAP!

Make him help mount tires too... and whatever other real greasy chore you got ! 

 

When Cindy and I did that trip Jack we took the boat ride then up and across the big bridge to the UP. then wound our way down. Did some rough camping along the way and was great. You should have stopped somewhere north for one of MI's famous pasties!

Edited July 7, 2021 by WHX24

[19richie66 17,508]

What a way to make memories with your kids. She’ll never forget it. Be safe out there.

[rjg854 11,385]

especially the part about being safe, lots of nuts on the road.

[Pullstart 62,912]

@8ntruck... I know you have metal fatigue analysis experience... any idea on what would cause extreme premature failure?  This should last 60k miles, but made it less than 3k.

 

I’m sure @PeacemakerJack would like to know!

[lynnmor 7,308]

2 hours ago, pullstart said:

@8ntruck... I know you have metal fatigue analysis experience... any idea on what would cause extreme premature failure?  This should last 60k miles, but made it less than 3k.

 

I’m sure @PeacemakerJack would like to know!

 

Since this is actually a timing belt for an engine, my thought is that a camshaft only requires a couple of horsepower to spin it and you are putting way too much power thru the belt.  I would go back to chain drive or rework it to use a high horsepower belt. 

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

12 hours ago, Achto said:

 

I have a friend who was a hard core Harley rider…he has a few Indians now, a couple Chiefs and a Scout. 

If I could afford a new Indian Challenger, it would be at the top of my list. Indian is building some awesome machines for sure!

 

11 hours ago, WHX24 said:

When Cindy and I did that trip Jack we took the boat ride then up and across the big bridge to the UP. then wound our way down. Did some rough camping along the way and was great. You should have stopped somewhere north for one of MI's famous pasties!

Thanks for the tip Uncle Jim—Claudia is definitely spoiled and it is now time to get a touring machine.  She is for sure a fan of the comfortable seat/backrest/etc.  I like the controlled wind flow around the riders that is found on a touring bike like Kevin’a and his doesn’t even have lowers.  We are hoping to make it into the UP on Friday.

 

10 hours ago, 19richie66 said:

What a way to make memories with your kids. She’ll never forget it. Be safe out there.

We pray for safety every day Richie…lots of craziness on America’s roadways these days.  This already has been a memorable trip that I’m sure neither of us will forget any time soon!

[PeacemakerJack 10,738]

DAY THREE: started lazy and ended full throttle!

After getting up and loading Kevin’s bike, we headed in search of Breakfast.  As a result of our missions travels in Ohio lately, our family has really gained a taste for Bob Evans.

 Found one of those in town and enjoyed a delicious breakfast then it was on to Farm and Fleet to pick up a couple of needed rain gear items. 

Kevin had suggested a drive up to his place from Kalamazoo that was really scenic.  We arrived at the Pullstart Stables about 11:00am and was created by the Gang!  Claudia reconnected with the girls and they left us grease monkeys in the garage heading for the swimming pool. 

I expect that Kevin will upload some detailed videos of the repair to his YouTube channel.  Suffice it to say, that in his garage with all the right tools and motorcycle stand, it was efficient to make the repair.  It took us about an hour and a half to get the bike back up and running.  Then is was off to town for lunch and test the repair.  Everything looked good so it was time to load up the gear, say our goodbyes, and hit the road.

I can’t say a big enough thank you to Kevin for all that he did to get us back on the road, lent us his bike, and helped me do the repair including getting the needed part. He rescued our vacation—thank you Kevin!

 

Leaving Kevin’s house it’s was Hot and humid and we had about 160 miles to travel.  Ironically, about 30 minutes into the trip, it was like someone turned the thermostat down by about 15-20 degrees. At a fuel stop, we layered up and pushed forward.  It was overcast but thankfully there was no “liquid sunshine”.  

Once we had settled into our hotel, it was time to grab supper and stretch our legs.  Downtown Bay City is neat and there was a fair amount of activity for a summer midweek evening.  We logged another 215 miles today without incident and had a great time!