roadventure
GT Reference
I recently returned home after an 8000 mile ride on my 2014 California Custom (dressed out as a touring).
I started at Ocean City, Maryland and followed U.S. Route 50 to Sacramento, CA and continuing on to Fort Bragg, CA on the Pacific Coast. I then rode up Route 1 & 101 into Oregon, Washington and headed east again mostly via I-90 & I-70. But this is not about where I have been. It is about how the trip was handled by my bike.
I have to say I was a little nervous starting this ride on this bike since I had only about 3500 miles of riding experience with it when I left (6700 miles on the odometer at departure).
I had what I would consider two failures on the ride:
The NO OIL issue is still a mystery. I was able to get to Harrison's EuroSports in Sandy, UT with the addition of some 10W30 automotive oil. They could not find any problems. They drained the 10W30 out and replaced with 10W60 and a fresh filter. It did belch oil from the overflow tube twice afterwards, but everything was fine after that for the remainder of the ride.
Prior to leaving I had a tip from another member here about using SEAM SEAL brushed on the inside of the saddlebag seam to prevent leakage. My bags DID leak before leaving home. After applying the SEAM SEAL though, they have been "bone dry". And, I did ride in some severe rain for almost 6 hour continuously on one day. I also ran into shorter, less intense rain on five other days. No leaks at all. After getting home I did a good wash down of the bike and again, no leaks from the washing or rinsing with my garden hose.
After 8000 miles with this bike I have begun to gain a respect for what (in my mind) was a big risk purchase. I am going to contact Piaggio about the exhaust system cost and request reimbursement for the repair cost. If they respond in my favor I think they will have gained another supporter and loyal future customer.
I started at Ocean City, Maryland and followed U.S. Route 50 to Sacramento, CA and continuing on to Fort Bragg, CA on the Pacific Coast. I then rode up Route 1 & 101 into Oregon, Washington and headed east again mostly via I-90 & I-70. But this is not about where I have been. It is about how the trip was handled by my bike.
I have to say I was a little nervous starting this ride on this bike since I had only about 3500 miles of riding experience with it when I left (6700 miles on the odometer at departure).
I had what I would consider two failures on the ride:
- broken right side exhaust cross-over pipe. (weld broke)
- oil leaking from overflow hose and observation of NO OIL showing on dipstick
The NO OIL issue is still a mystery. I was able to get to Harrison's EuroSports in Sandy, UT with the addition of some 10W30 automotive oil. They could not find any problems. They drained the 10W30 out and replaced with 10W60 and a fresh filter. It did belch oil from the overflow tube twice afterwards, but everything was fine after that for the remainder of the ride.
Prior to leaving I had a tip from another member here about using SEAM SEAL brushed on the inside of the saddlebag seam to prevent leakage. My bags DID leak before leaving home. After applying the SEAM SEAL though, they have been "bone dry". And, I did ride in some severe rain for almost 6 hour continuously on one day. I also ran into shorter, less intense rain on five other days. No leaks at all. After getting home I did a good wash down of the bike and again, no leaks from the washing or rinsing with my garden hose.
After 8000 miles with this bike I have begun to gain a respect for what (in my mind) was a big risk purchase. I am going to contact Piaggio about the exhaust system cost and request reimbursement for the repair cost. If they respond in my favor I think they will have gained another supporter and loyal future customer.
