2017 XS/XJ Vintage Yamaha gathering in NC. Meet Report

So, I made the decision on Thursday night to ride the 230 miles up to Robbinsville, NC to go to the Vintage Yamaha Meet at the Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge. As some here know, I have my bike up for sale, and I thought I could generate some interest at the meet.
I packed up that night, and headed out early Friday morning. My 1983 XJ750K ran flawlessly in the cool damp morning air. Too bad I was on the slab for the 1st 180 miles. Miles of droning interstate isn't what these bikes were designed for. I stopped for fuel just outside Marion NC, and calculated my mileage @ 43.8mpg. Not bad- carrying a huge tent, sleeping bag, tools, and the saddlebags and trunk loaded with gear,
My next stop was along the Tuckaseegee River outside Bryson City, NC. The River parallels I-74 for several miles so access to the river is easy. I have a small retractable fishing rod I keep in my saddlebags at all times (ya' never know). I started with my spinning rod, and caught 2 trout within 20 minutes or so. The river was wide-open so I returned to the bike and got my fly-rod out. In the 1.5 hrs I was on the river, I caught 5-trout ranging from 9" to 13". ... and missed a couple more...(they hit pretty light in the afternoon).
I wanted to get up to the lodge to get a campsite, because they weren't answering the phone that morning. I rolled into the lodge about 12:30pm and was delighted to see about 10 vintage Yamahas parked out in front of the office. I apologize in advance for being terrible with names. I may mention the few I remember, as I got a chance to spend a little more time with. Several XS/XJ members greeted me almost immediately... since my bike was one that they hadn't seen before, and didn't recognize. They were full of questions " did this come this way?, or what color is that? and the look you get when they ask "how long have you had it?" After about an hour, I was directed inside to get registered and get a camping space.
I quickly pitched my son's huge 4-man tent (overkill)... and got back to the guys(and ladies) out front. Several more riders had arrived...and I was looking over all the vintage bikes I'd not seen in many years. I was amazed at the condition of some of these 35+ year old bikes. They brought back memories of what my bike looked like when I bought it 30 years ago. There were a couple XJ's like mine, several XS11's and a rare 750-triple. Some riders brought more modern machines, and those were as interesting to peruse and discuss.
Iron Horse rang the dinner bell about 6:30 ish and I got in line for the Beef Brisket, Texas Toast, and Cucumber Salad I'd ordered when I checked in. Their dinner system works out pretty good, and the line went quick, the food was hot, good proportion, and very good! We'd been talking Yamaha all afternoon, so Dinner conversations were more about meet, greet, jobs, and other interests. Some more conversations on the back porch...and it was time to turn in.
Saturday morning came early for me.. waking up @5am , getting a quick shower, and packing up everything but the tent. Breakfast came at 7:30 and was every bit as organized as dinner. My eggs and sausage were piping hot, and the coffee was a welcome wake-up. The riders split up for several different rides. I was with a group of 4: Mike? with his 750 Triple, Mr Bill on a XS11 Dresser, Me on my XJ750 Dresser, and Lee on his (Honda) VTX1800R. We chose to do the Cherahala Skyway 1st and then The Dragon.
The Cherohala is an awesome ride, both from twisty and scenic standpoints. The ride is loaded with great road in good condition. Plenty of pull-offs for pictures and breaks. It isn't a technical ride at all, and suitable for even novice riders. More experienced riders can make it as fun as they want...
We stopped in Tellico Plains, TN (end of the Cherohala)...for lunch and took a quick tour through the gift shop and museum. We departed and hit 360 for the ride north to the top of The Dragon.
We got to the "top" of the Dragon about 2:45pm. It wasn't crowded at all, and we had a free ride most of the way. Traffic was light, and we were able to run our own pace throughout the trip. There had been accident earlier in the afternoon in the opposite direction- so we didn't meet anyone coming the other direction until the very end. Which- coincidently is when we ran into a cloudburst of steady rain for the last 5 minutes or so- until we got to the Dragon Store and Gift shop. We shopped for a few minutes and took some photos... then headed back to the lodge. Our entire trip covered about 163 miles (according to google-maps).
Unfortunately... I couldn't stick around...and needed to get home. It was another 4-hour drive on top the 8 hrs I'd already been on the bike. Goodbyes were short and I left the lodge having met some great guys.

Oh... and I've a different attitude towards The XJ.... Now I'm considering a full restoration....

 

Great recap! Sounds like good time and I really enjoy seeing the pics and updates from people that made it: Would love to do that trip someday, it's on the bucket list.

 

A few Pics:

Here's some of the bikes lining up for Saturday's Ride in front of the Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge.
This is most of the group preparing to ride:


That's Mike's 750 Triple (blue), Mr Bill's XS1100 (black dresser), and my XJ750 (green) in the foreground. Several other Yamahas are under the porch cover.

 

Here's a couple pics from Killboy.com. They are a company that takes pictures of everyone that ride's the Dragon, Cherohala Skyway, and Moonshiner 28. You can go online- find your bike- (It makes it easier to find your pics if you remember what time you were there)- and then you can order Prints, Shirts, etc...using the photos. It's a pretty good deal, as you really can't photograph yourself while riding.

Here's Mr Bill and I.....

 

That sounds like an awesome trip! That big fairing and those cases must have been nice! I did LA to Vancouver in June and just stacked everything on the back seat for 3700 miles.https://photos.app.goo.gl/6Kqlq0aXCvC817e93