In 2011 I did a package tour on a Victory from Chicago on R66 to a place called Amboy about 6 to 8 hours riding from the end of R66.
This year I had the chance to attend SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Vegas tagging along as en exhibitor so took the chance to kill 3 birds with one stone.
Attend SEMA, go to a NASCAR Race and ride the last section of R66.
I am writing this in LAX airport on my way home.
SEMA was amazing in terms of size and exhibitors.
I picked up a lithium battery for the ST for $75US, about half the size and a quarter of the weight of the original which is still OK but over 5 years old so providing the Americans let the new one fly will be worth trying.
The other interesting thing I came across was this:-
http://www.flowdrill.com/They said the “drilling” anneals the steel and the deformation caused by the chipless threading hardens it.
After SEMA flew to Phoenix for the weekend and the second last Nascar race of the year.
It was almost a waste of time and money except for crossing it off the bucket list.
On the Sunday we arrived at the track about 9.30, waited until 1 pm for the race start time (nothing on the track before hand) and then waited about 15 minutes for the race to start.
Back in Vegas last Friday I picked up a Harley Electra Glide and rode to Amboy to pick up where our R66 ride finished in 2011 and then to San Bernardino on R66.
Friday night in San Bernardino.
Saturday San Bernardino to the original end of R66 in downtown LA and then to what is now the fancy end of R66 on Santa Monica Pier.
Back to San Bernardino for Saturday night.
Some great country riiding along with a lot of city stuff.
Sunday home back to Vegas via:-
http://www.palmdalecam.com/blckbird.htmI met a retired pilot who flew the Blackbirds and the B2. Wish I had had more time to talk to him, fascinating stories.
Wish I had paid the extra money and hired a Goldwing. The Harley shook you to pieces at idle, usually took 5 attempts to find neutral,
the forward position of the running boards meant it was hard to stand up when riding to flex your muscles and your feet wanted to lift off in the wind at anything over 50 mph.
They also have the L/H indicator switch on the L/H side and the R/H indicator switch on the R/H side. I found it a pain to use the R/H switch and maintsin smooth throttle control.
It did sound nice when accelerating but in reality you don’t do that for long. All up 845 miles.
Found this a SEMA, wheels and suspension made from con rods, frame from chain and head light from a piston.
Staid at the Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, the Harley next to my room.
The ends of the Road
