All around the Pacific northwest!

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heraldhamster
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Re: All around the Pacific northwest!

#196

Post by heraldhamster »

ericheath wrote:A leak in the hose from the radiator to the overflow would cause it to be not drawn back in even when cold. The expansion while being heated would still push some out, but a small leak would allow it to suck air and lose its "vacuum " when cooling.

It might be worth checking that siphon hose from the reservoir to the radiator. Could save a lot of work and worrying.
my thought as well, or possibly plugged?
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Re: All around the Pacific northwest!

#197

Post by mrs west »

Flying our way down I-5
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KG draining coolant
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The beautiful I-5
The beautiful I-5
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Passing the town of Yolo
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mr west
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Re: All around the Pacific northwest!

#198

Post by mr west »

May 26: th

The almost overheating bike didnt give us much choice than to check into nearest motel. Unfortunatly it was a motel 6...right next to the freeway in the town of Merced.. it was a interesting stay. The room smell was really foul. One neighbour had a bad cough. Some one drove a car though the chain holding the no entry sign of the parking. Someone slamed a door. Someone was fighting. Police sirens passing.

It was the kind of bed in which you feel more fresh to sleep with your clothes on.

So exhausted we woke up and decided to at least try to make within the 200 miles free AAA towing range. After taking out the spark plug and spinning the engine to spit out the water, we were good to go.

A few water refills later, with less and less progress, we sat down at a mexican restaurant to wait for the tow truck. 195 miles to LA. Reached by 6:30 pm, happy to have made it back! It was not triumphant, but it was a return at least!

Amandas family made sure to have a full fridge and empty garage waiting for us! And home made pizza!
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mr west
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Re: All around the Pacific northwest!

#199

Post by mr west »

So now its on to the head gasket job... managed to get the heads of today. More cleaning and hopefully assembly tomorrow!
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Re: All around the Pacific northwest!

#200

Post by mrs west »

We did make it to my parent's! They've been super helpful.


I'm happy we get to spend a few more days in LA than we planned. And we can see more of California on our next trip, with our new head gaskets :)

Thanks for everybody's help! You are all part of this trip by keeping us moving!
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Sagebrush
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Re: All around the Pacific northwest!

#201

Post by Sagebrush »

Well when you come back I can send you all kinds of wonderful places in and near California that you might want to visit. Hopefully it will be later in the year so the weather will be nicer if you head north again otherwise go south in May.
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Re: All around the Pacific northwest!

#202

Post by Whiskerfish »

Really amazing that you were able to get that far along. Most of the time when a head gasket fails it is not ride-able.
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Re: All around the Pacific northwest!

#203

Post by Rednaxs60 »

Good to hear you made it back - it's a tribute to your ingenuity and want to travel. It's not about the destination but the journey and you now have lots of stories to tell. People back in your home town are going to be jealous. Have a safe trip back.
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Re: All around the Pacific northwest!

#204

Post by DUGG »

That's a sad sight! How was the Mexican food? At least you guy's made it back safe and got out of the Motel 6 alive. It's been fun following you two on your ride. If you get up this way again let us know.
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mr west
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Re: All around the Pacific northwest!

#205

Post by mr west »

Thanks for all encouragement! There was no no big damage to the head gasket, but you could clearly see where water leaked.

Well, well, now its two new gaskets coming in anyway... cleaning is boring. How serious would you be...? Would this do, or keep at it?
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Re: All around the Pacific northwest!

#206

Post by Brant »

I'd keep at it a little bit more I think. You can buy an abrasive scotch disc holder for an electric drill at the auto parts store. Clean it up nice.
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Whiskerfish
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Re: All around the Pacific northwest!

#207

Post by Whiskerfish »

If that is just staining then I would be OK with it but if you can feel anything then it needs some more work.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
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mr west
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Re: All around the Pacific northwest!

#208

Post by mr west »

Well thats many hours with razors there... i got some see-through residue a while back, but now theres nothing more coming off... feels smooth now.
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Re: All around the Pacific northwest!

#209

Post by DUGG »

Kerri says to go buy a sanding board. The kind that is used for body work, that is what we use at the auto shop for cleaning heads and block decks. Use 100 grit, keep the board flat as you sand. Wash down the surface with brake cleaner to was away the stuff.
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Re: All around the Pacific northwest!

#210

Post by sunnbobb »

They came off! lol
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