All around the Pacific northwest!

[Whiskerfish]

Not sure about 4 lanes here in Va but i know you do not have to stop on divided highways.

[DUGG]

Where are you guys at? You haven't posted any pic's or updates.
Did you make it to Yellowstone yet?

[mr west]

Well, that bus did flash its lights, but I thought it just meant be alert. Im totally aware that kids can run out, so of course I passed carefully with hand on the brake. But that you need to stop fully was totally new to me. We dont have any law like that in Sweden...

[mr west]

May 11:th

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Woke up early planning to see the Grand Tetons National Park before check out, and then go up to Yellowstone. Beatiful day! At the entrance they told us that they had the first bear report of the year just the day before. So we were excited to enter this beautiful park. Sure enough not before long we saw what appeared to be a newly awakened little guy strutting around just next to the road! Lake Jackson was stunning too.

Lake Jenny

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Lake Jackson

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After coming back to the hotel we realised that it would be better to wait for Yellowstones south entrance to open the next day, rather than drive around, so we booked another night in Jackson.

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[mrs west]

More pictures from the Tetons!

[mr west]

May 12:th

Ok, didnt know what to expect but Yellowstone had it all. Its as if nature wanted to create an amusement park and packed everything into the same area! You get scenic overlooks, snow clad mountains, green hills, rivers, lakes, streams, waterfalls, animals, geysers, rocks, plants.... Theres just no end to it!

After Yellowstone we made it up to Bozeman for the night. Its funny how we draw attension at gas stations.. "my grampa had a bike like that"... "I have a 84 gold wing"... "Are those duelling banjos?"

[mrs west]

Yellowstone really was better than I could have ever imagined. KG didn't mention it but the drive out of the park was almost as stunning as everything in it as well.

[mrs west]

[mrs west]

[mr west]

And still you cant capture the best things with a camera!

[Whiskerfish]

Beautiful!! I have not been out there in 30 years but I still remember it vividly! I think what you are calling deer are actually Elk. A much bigger cousin to the deer but in the same Family. Here in the States we have White Tail Deer, Mule Deer, Black Tail Deer, Key Deer, Pronghorn Antelope, Moose and several species of Elk.

[mr west]

May 13:th

On a bike youre one with the elements... got a reminder of that yesterday...

It was raining and about 8 degrees C when we woke up in Bozeman. I couldnt sleep well and was super tired. But where we were heading it was supposed to clear up, so we we had to try to get going rather than being stuck. Rain was light so I hoped for the fairing to catch most of it.

After 5 miles I couldnt feel my legs. After 25 miles when the water started to find its way into my boots it was time to pull over, regroup and think of a plan. Amanda was a little bit better off in the back but still cold. After warming up a bit we went another 20 miles or so to a hunter shop where we bought rain gear, rail road socks, gloves, inner gloves etc... (I actually had a plan to put on the fairing lowers that came with bike in LA, but they were the early pointy model, that doesnt fit our fairing which is a 1980 model. Anyone needs early fairing lowers, let me know).

With the new gear it was a better ride, cold but bearable. Slowly it started to clear up and after a chinese buffet the mood started to clear up as well!

Whem we reached Clearwater for gas, we found no cheap hotel for another 90 miles.. so once again it turned out to be a race against time to reach before sundown. It was a beautiful but dangerous ride. Maybe we saw 40 deers?

Just as I pulled over at a roadhouse to find the directions for the last 20 miles, I felt the clutch was a little rough, and then the cable snapped!!

It was getting dark and seriously cold and getting a bike started with 2 people and luggage without clutch didnt seem likely. Luckily Montana locals started to pour out from the pub eager to start wrenching... the ball had snapped from the cable just inside the lever. One guy, J.P. was especially helpful and immidietly started to pull tools from his truck to drill a screw for a new ball for the cable. We spent about two hours in the cold trying different fixes to operate the clutch with vice grips or any thinkable solution. It was funny though that any of his ideas seemed to include to "tape the shit" out of something. When I commented on that he just said "Welcome to Mon-tucky!". After trying everything we gave up, parked the bike, and just hanged out with our new found friends inside.

Karaoke at the roadhouse

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His son in law was kind to give us a ride to our hotel in his truck. Im really impressed with how helpful everyone was! J.P. even offered to lend his truck to us the day after.

Now a question for the NGW-club: WHAT DO WE DO NOW?

He gave us a number for a guy in Kalispell who makes cables, but that business doesnt open until monday. Is it even possible to manufacture a cable with special fitting at the clutch? Should we order a cable a.s.a.p instead of hoping for him?

The bike is currently down the road from Big Fork... Any ideas appreciated!

[mrs west]

Unfortunately it was way too cold for pictures but Lolo National Forest and Swan Lake are beautiful!!

[Whiskerfish]

https://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic ... 79#p626679

[DUGG]

I have from a 81 1100 I could overnight to you.