Grand Rapids to San Francisco

skaltpunk · Post by **skaltpunk** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 1:22 am

so i'm planning a moped cowboy-style expedition, except on a spree. i plan to travel from grand rapids michigan to sanfran california next summer... on a spree. i'm quite new to this spree thing but am pretty convicted about doing this. what kind of advice would you all give?

cannon3731 · Post by **cannon3731** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 1:49 am

skaltpunk wrote:so i'm planning a moped cowboy-style expedition, except on a spree. i plan to travel from grand rapids michigan to sanfran california next summer... on a spree. i'm quite new to this spree thing but am pretty convicted about doing this. what kind of advice would you all give?

A fresh engine and alot of time.

-aL- · Post by **-aL-** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 10:43 am

and a vid cam

skaltpunk · Post by **skaltpunk** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 11:00 am

someone told me to rig a small trailer and tow an extra engine. does that seem a bit ridiculous? if i have a newer scooter it should be good for 3,000 miles, right?

jbarb · Post by **jbarb** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 11:17 am

Are you planning on taking 30mph streets the whole way or riding down the breakdown lane on the interstate

You could fit a spare engine in a large backpack. Without the wheel, they arent that big or heavy.

I guarantee that in 3000 miles of riding, you WILL have problems.

I would start with a 100 mile journey. Then when you decide that hmmm maybe this isnt such a good idea, you can turn around

skaltpunk · Post by **skaltpunk** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 11:22 am

haha. it IS a good idea, regardless of the complications and maybe even because of the complications. i don't expect to not have problems, but i need to choose a scooter that will hold up for the most part and be fixable with limited tools.

i'm planning on taking backroads the whole way. highways are illegal even in the breakdown lane, right?

islandbayy · Post by **islandbayy** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 12:14 pm

Do it on a Elite. Every weekend, I go tootin around 100 miles or so. takes me about 2 1/2-3 hrs. My bike has over 4k miles, Orignal everything on it.

I would change the rings on the piston first. make sure you have lots of oil. I would carry a gallon gas can, a can of seafoam (can come in very handy with carb, or carbon build up problems, as well as give you a few (10 or so) extra miles per gallon. Also, dont forget to carry about 5 quarts of oil. That should be good to get you thier. Bring a mini air compressor, or hand pump to fill the tires, and lets see, mabe a plastic tarp. In case it starts raining, you can cover the bike and your self.

berreta22 · Post by **berreta22** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 5:48 pm

you can walk on the freeways faster than u can take a spree on side streets. lets get real.

islandbayy · Post by **islandbayy** » Sat Sep 16, 2006 6:01 pm

Definatly take an elite. Engine will probially last longer, goes faster (mine with just the variator, exhaust restritions removed, and a new belt does 40-43mph) and more stabil, and can hold more cargo which is major +++

vonchuk · Post by **vonchuk** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 4:33 am

I think that would be a real fun project. If you have a good Spree with a properly broken in engine, clean filters a very good quality 2 cycle oil you should not have much trouble. All engines have a break in period in which all of the ruff edges are worn off and proper clearences are worn to. I find the fastest and longer lasting Sprees are the ones that do not go over 15 miles per hour for the first 200 miles. Rings and pistons are damaged by to much heat or dirt from the atmosphere. Most rings pistons and cylinders are damaged the most by ignoring the breakin and over heating. The second source of damage to these parts is dirt . That is why a good clean filter is important. On a 2 cycle this same dirt can distroy rod and main bearings as the air passes through the crankcase. Carbon build up in an engine is from burning a cheap fuel that leaves a residue or using an oil that does not burn completly. Most 4 cycle oils have too high a flash point, will not burn completly and leaves carbon in the cylinder and plugs the exhaust pipe. 2 Cycle oils have a much lower flash point and burn completely. Most discount or lower priced gas is 90 or more days old and requires an additive in order to make it work. Many of these additives do not burn well and contribute to carbon build up. I would run the coldest spark plug. NGK BPR8HS. With a Little common sense it should be a fun and safe trip. You might consider a bicycle trailer for supplies.

skaltpunk · Post by **skaltpunk** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 5:34 pm

how would you go about setting up a route of travel? or would you just try to talk to people along the way?

islandbayy · Post by **islandbayy** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 6:50 pm

Get your self a cheap GPS, like Tom Tom. Mount it on your handle bars. It can route your trip. You can select it to avoid all highways, since you cannot travel those.

darat · Post by **darat** » Sun Sep 17, 2006 9:27 pm

well i think that next summer i might go with you i think that it would be sweet to do..

MySpree · Post by **MySpree** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 3:20 pm

im in

islandbayy · Post by **islandbayy** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 4:05 pm

If you guy's swing by Milwaukee, or Chicago on the route, I'm in, I could meet up with you. That is, if ya dont mind haveing a elite along

I have a collapsable mini tent, folds up flat, could bungie it onto the front of my elite ^_^ sleeps 2-3 normal sized people (120-150 lbs) or about 8 vietnamese.

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