Days 3 thru 6

the pace moves awfully fast on these rally's. Riding 250 miles at 40 mph, then doing the events, then working on the bike makes for a long day. The attrition rate has been higher than 2014, and everyone is having problems keeping the bikes going. The organizers added 30 minutes to our grace period at the end of each day, which will help bikes make it in if they are having problems.

The days seem to blend together, with the exception of day 4. At about 165 miles the bike started losing power. I tried adjusting the carb on the fly, but at mile 170 wound up on the side of the road. Checking the valves, I found the front intake flopping loose, so l pulled the intake dome and the spring had completely collapsed. I tried to remove the tappets and run it as a single, but with the intake, not sealing, my day was over. I got my first ride on the bus. Along night later the bike was up and running, with complete scores on days 5 and 6.

Each day brings a new challenge with these bikes. It's amazing how much difference a few years in design and development was made during this period. It's completely different from the experience I had with the 29 Indian. So far we have lined 3 brake bands, changed 3 head gaskets, 4 intake seals, 1 intake seal, solder a leaking fuel tank, and nursed a poorly designed clutch.

But we're still in it, and heading for California. It's 6 am, and time to make the donuts.