Alaska trip planned, how to not break down?

Hi guys,

I've owned my maxim since February this year (for $1500 from a guy who took real good care of it) and have been riding it constantly since I got it, love the bike. I've put 15,000km on it already this year, commuting every day and trips on weekends.

When I got it, to be safe, I got a "full" service/checkup done at a stealership, which was $500 and seemed to only involve plugs/oils/filters.. :roll:

So I've been doing all my own maintenance since, good oil often (tied quaker 20w50 dino motorcycle oil but it leaked and burned???, back to yamalube 10w40), plugs, filters, synth gear oil, etc.

Anyways so I'm planning on taking a long trip next month, from Vancouver BC up to whitehorse, Yukon, and into Alaska a bit. Details are here if you are interested:advrider link

What tips have you guys got for maintenance to do beforehand, things to check on the road, tools/spares to carry?

So far I've got new rubber and did a full service.

Planned before I go:
-front brake is very soft and wearing one pad much faster than the other, needs to be rebuilt?
-rear brake is not smooth, sticks, grabs suddenly sometimes, new drums?
-lots of upper cylinder/valve noises lately, get that checked
-wheel bearings checked
-inspect and lube all cables
-try to find a suitable windshield!
-front & rear shock inspect & lube
-petcock rebuild - kit ordered
-new valve cover gasket - gasket ordered (how hard is this to do?)
-shop manual ordered, XJ CD ordered

I get about 200km range on the tank so I'll be carrying at least another 5L can for 280km range. I will also carry:
-spare spark plugs
-sockets and allen keys
-wire and electrical tools
-tire plug kit and tire fix in a can and pump
-small bottles of oil, gear oil, carb cleaner
-ear plugs!


Well that's the plan so far, wish me luck
Thanks in advance for any advice or tips you guys might have, I will be sure to update how the trip goes here.

josh

 

OK- Good Luck!

I have nothing really to add, but am mad with envy for your opportunity. Sounds like a great trip. I guess I might add 1 thing to your list- a decent first aid kit can be invaluable. You never know when taping up a cut, or a broken finger, might be useful, epecially when you're going to be far from help/relief.

 

Thanks! Yeah I'm using lots of vacation days and money to do it, but it should be more than worthwhile Route and more details are on the ADV page.

Yup I'm kinda mr.safety so I've got good armor gear, multiple first aid kits+added stuff (good painkillers, even MRE rations!)

And because I'm going north, I will be carrying bear spray, in a holster or mounted somewhere safe yet accessible on the bike.

I saw a BMW adv bike coming down from alaska recently and he had 3 cans of bearspay mounted in custom mounts in 3 places on the bike :lol:

 

You'd be amazed at how handy a roll of good electrical tape can be... for anything, repairs or otherwise. I use it in my triathlons to tape powerbars & other food to my handlebars so I can eat while riding.

 

Good luck on your trip coaxial.
I'm planning on a trip starting this weekend and I'm going thru the same check list of things to do, things to carry with me! I'm only heading up to Prince George then over to Edmonton if everything goes well.

 

Good luck from Alaska...The weather has been pretty much crap recently, but hopefully you'll bring a bit of summer with you when you get here.

 

I'd pull the Rear Wheel and work-out that Rear Brake sticking before going too far.
You can get into a lot of trouble in a hurry if the rear Brakes up and decide to lock-up on you.

Pull the Rear Wheel.
Use Disc Brake Kleen to spray-out all traces of Brake Dust from the Wheel-Drum area.
Get that whole area squeaky clean.

Take the Brake Shoes off the Brake Housing and do the same Spray Cleaning of the Brake Housing.
New Brake Shoes if you need them.
Before putting the Brake Shoes on, though ... lube and refinish the shaft that activates the Brake Shoe spreading Cam.

Undo the Pinch Bolt.
Knock the shaft out through the inside of the Housing.
Clean-out the Bushing that Shaft rotates in.
Spray it Clean.
Wipe it dry.

Roll-up a sheet of 1,000 Grit Finishing Paper and Clean and refinish the Inside Diameter of that Bushing.
Remove all traces of rust and inspect it for its new finish.

Take the Shoe Spreading Cam and its Shaft component and do a refinishing of the Shaft portion that rotates within the Bushing.
Use a 1/2" Wide strip of 400 Finishing Paper and apply a new, clean finish to the shaft working the strip of 400 Finishing Paper in a "Shoe-shine" fashion until the Shaft has its bare metal surface restored with no trace of rust.

Apply a new finish to the Shaft by using 800 Grit Finishing Paper in the same Shoe shining fashion until the Shaft is restored to a shining and smooth finish.

Once the Bushing and Shaft are restored ... lube the Shaft and Bushing with a high quality synthetic waterproof grease.

This Overhaul will prevent the Rear Brakes from binding and restore the control over the Rear Brakes necessary for safe handling.

 

Insurance? Might want to make sure you have some for the bike and you. Especially if you have an accident far from home, i.e. Alaska.

As for extra parts to pack, if anything take along an extra TCI. If yours craps out, you'll play hell trying to find one in a pinch. If you can't take one with, find someone on here with an extra one that's willing to sell and take his/her phone number with you. You can have it shipped to most post offices care of general delivery.

As others have said, jealous! Have a safe and great trip!

 

I take lots of long trips and the only way to not break down is to not go at all, but wheres the fun in that. You've done your homework and when it comes to long distant travel on the 2 wheels there is no better resource than advrider. I frequent that site. Make sure you read the ride report posted by 2 kids that left California on a Ninja 250 and Suzuki 500. They put on 6000 miles before ending in Ankorage. It's probably the best ride report I've read.

The thing that I've found in my travels is to make a list of what you want to take with you. When you get all that stuff together you'll find you couldn't fit it into a pickup never mind a bike. Make this list at least a week before you go. Then, every night look at that list and really think about what you can cross off. I'll garentee that the night before you leave the list will be much shorter. I only pack 3 changes of cloths. You don't need more. I also always pack 2 cans of beans or something. you never now when you won't be able to find a store or restaurant open, especially in that neck of the woods. It needs to be something that you can eat right out of the can. Trust me, you'll thank me for that advice.

TAKE YOUR TIME. Remember its the journey not the destination. If you over plan your trip you will miss alot. It's about the rode not the miles. Do short travel days in the morning and enjoy the places you stop.

My last 1800 mile trip this spring only had one 200 mile travel day. If your traveling alone get an XM radio. It will help to maintain your sanity.

Lastly. Buy a SPOT locating device. It's only 150 bucks plus a 90 dollar a year service fee. It could save your life. I don't leave home without now. It also makes it nice for your family at home to follow your progress on Google Maps. It's great.

Good luck and enjoy the journey. Remember:
The differance between adventure and ordeal is attitude.

Fair Winds brother
The Buff

 

Coaxial-

I wanted to thank you for posting the link to the ADV Rider site. I was completely distracted by it at work yesterday, and am afraid I may have found a new passion. My wife (who so far has refused to get on my bike, even around the block) will not be amused, but life is for living and experiencing, and this looks like an excellant way to do it. Too freaking cool. Thanks again.

S-

 

I would be first and foremost concerned about the top-end noise; you can check valve clearances when you have the cover off to replace the gasket.

 

I hear you gamuru. The biggest fear i have about travelling far away (more than 200 miles or so) is the electrical. Finding a TCI is one thing. Finding a TCI while 500 miles away from home is another. Your about to be in for some money spent. Of course this can be said for several other parts as well, but some things you can work around a bit like starter crapping out, or charging system, you may still limp back toward home with some help, but the TCI would be a great thing to pack in a saddlebag.

A pistol is always a handy thing to carry too, lolol....

jk...
sorta

 

I have but one piece of advice...