Alaska after CFR

[BugR]

Back in Internet range.

Interesting times since last post, rode the Cassier with NSRider (Kevin) and Ann Marie.

Spotted a Cherry Red at the top of the Cassier heading South.

Road the Alaskan Hwy then Skagway (WOW) and Hanies (WOW)

While camping in Hanies discovered I had busted the rack subframe (emergency repair (epoxy)) probably on the Cassier. Repairs are holding.

We then back into Yukon and theback on the Alaskan Hwy to Beaver Creek, (last night) and today throughTok then the Glen Hwy to Glenallen where we are staying tonight.

Heading for Anchorage tomorrow for tires and the FJR has a blown fork seal (rough roads) and some scratches (bike fell over due to poor parking, the bars worked though).

Chris

 

[FJRPierre]

No rush coming home Chris. It's still raining here and will be for the next few weeks!

 

[MEM]

No rush coming home Chris. It's still raining here and will be for the next few weeks!

Not here in Frederection ! Rain's stopping for Wednesday and Thursday :blink:

 

[BugR]

Currently in Seward to get out of the heat.

Lovely weather but a very heavy smoke haze from the forest fires is limiting visbility.

We are turning North tomorrow up to Denali and then Fairbanks (where I am hoping to get the front fork seals replaced).

Here are some pics from our run into Skagway

Chris

 

[wheatonFJR]

Wow...great photos.

Kudos to you to you both for taking this big ride. :clapping:

 

[canucklehead-biker]

Awesome. Miles and miles... well, of miles and miles!

And I though Canada was big and empty... :dribble:

Ride on mate, and ride safe!

Griff

 

[BugR]

Currently sitting in Fairbanks waiting for parts. I had blown both the fork seals and cracked the rear casting which supports the rack on the Alcan in Yukon between Haines Junction and Tok, a combination of overloaded bike and trying to keep up with Diana on a dual sport, she was having lots of fun with the Versys with the sinks in the road. The rear sub-frame is currently strapped down with ties but the forks needed to be fixed.

The FJR was ridable but fork oil was constantly contaminating the front brakes, a small problem with the wildlife and aggressive driver here in Alaska. I phoned ahead to Fairbanks order some seals, arranged to stay with FBSKFJR, got in, got the forks off and went to the dealer where Somehow they snapped the internal dampener assembly, The tech thinks it was corrosion, (I`m biting my lip on that at the moment as I am totally dependent on them getting the parts in).

The next piece of news is that the dampener is only sold as a complete assembly approx $400 and actually if you add the assembly and labor costs it`s cheaper to buy the entire fork so make that $650 then add $100 expedited shipping . After another 24 hrs they determined that there were no Gen 1 forks or parts in the USA and they were talking about flying something in from Japan. Fortunately they have determined that the 2006 internals are the same as 2005 and we are expecting the parts tomorrow. Can`t wait for the bill on this.

While we are waiting I replaced the chain and sprockets on the Versys, the Scott oiler has been giving us some problems and on close inspection the front sprocket was toast. I had to use the Lowes tool rental for an impact driver (Buy the tool, use it, and return it, very useful on the road) and fixed the oiler again.

Although we are having troubles at the moment the entire trip has been a blast, we spent 2 days in Denali and had great views of the mountains and lots of wild life.

We have to turn East so this completes the outleg of the trip.

Eagle at Hanies

Denali by air

Chris & Diana

 

[FJRPierre]

wow you did Denali by air; deep envy Sorry to hear about your mechanical problems. will this affect your ferry down i forget are you coming back down the Inside Passage by ferry or overland? oh we really need more air pics.

 

[MCML]

Alright, Chris and Diana. Great trip. Great photos. Great write up.

Hang in there, you are actually pretty close to Japan!

I did not realize that you had this thread going under CFR or I would have found it sooner. Looing forward to the next installment.

 

[BugR]

Well we are rolling again, I'm stuck on a very slow link so no pictures

It turns out that an 06 fork internals are not quite the same as an 05.

I have to use the 05 fork lowers as the axle and clamps are quite different so the final hybrid fork is about 1.5 inches shorter.

I did manage to install the forks so the short fork is flush with the top of the triple tree and the long fork is dropped the extra 1.5 inches.

I used the axle to confirm that the I had very thing lined up

To try and match the preloads I had to then screw out the short fork and screw in the long fork to the max. I then set the compression and rebound to my normal 4 and 7 out on both sides

Believe it or not the final result is not so bad, a little stiffer then I like but quite ridable and it's safe as both forks are fully engaged in the triple tree. We ran down from Eleison to Tok today, I had the bike up to 120 kmh about 65 mph and it is tracking straight and holding the curves without any unusual behavior from the forks.

The parts guys in the dealership actually bust their asses trying to find ways to get me rolling again. I got all the parts at cost and shipping and they rebuilt the forks for free, so I can't give them too much of a hard time. I have all the busted internals so I'm going to send them to Yamaha Canada and let them figure out if this was a manufacturing issue or the tech hit the bolt the wrong way with an impact driver.

The final bill ended up just under $600 which stings, but we are not letting it affect the trip.

The weather is still holding so we are going to run the Top of the World tomorrow and maybe part of the Dempster, I've got a Scorpion Sync on the front and that with the CT on the back running 20 psi in both is quite effective on the gravel.

Again many thanks to Bryan (FBKSFJR) and Tiffany for putting us up and providing work space at such short notice

Chris

 

[MCML]

The solution to the problem certainly turned out to be an interesting one. Happy to learn that you are rolling once again. If the weather holds, the Top of the World Highway should be a beautiful ride for you both....and the Dempster I cannot comment on. Undaunted, our intrepid couple ventures forth!!! Hat's off to you both.

 

[madmike2]

Nothing like a little adventure within your adventure.

This has been a great report and the pictures are amazing. Enjoy the rest of your journey...he said...while crossing his fingers.

 

[Bluestreek]

Wow this is almost as good as being there

 

[iCruze]

I felt bad for Chris when I heard of his troubles as my local Yammie dealer only works on bikes for 3-4 months out of the year. I know my luck has not been the greatest with them either. I had a hoot with Chris and Dianne and only wish I could've taken some time off work to venture with them for a bit. I couldn't have asked for better guests to have, they got along with my three little trouble makers err kids quite well and even talked Tiffany into taking the Beginners Rider Course. Was looking forward to a rally next year now Tiffany and I cant wait to make at least two hoping for a NAFO and since Chris is rally master for Canadian rally I think we may have to add that one to the list.

 

[JerseyEd]

Great to hear that you are back on the road. A breakdown like your is scarey shit in Alaska. I can't believe anyone rides faster then you, I think Diana is just trying to lose you. Post more pictures :clapping:

 

[BugR]

Lets see

Busted fork damper.

The "crossthreaded corroded bolt"

Fixed forks.

Bryan and Tiffany, Vincent and Quincy our hosts

Yukon River between Fairbanks & Tok

Top of the World

Ferry into Dawson, RV Sandwich

Dawson City

The bottom of the Dempster, I ran the 6 km to where the pavement ends but we are out of time and "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" (The bike) is hurting

The run down to Whitehorse

Chris

 

[wheatonFJR]

WOW...Chris. This is epic!

Thanks for the update...here's to a great rest of your trip for the BugRs. :clapping:

Chris, I think you looked at me like this once or twice when we rode together down in the Smokies in 2006. :lol: :lol:

 

[Bungie]

Glad to hear you got your fork problems somewhat fixed - even it is a git'r done kind of fix.

I'll add this about that though: 'Buggah'.

I've been reading a buddies trip log whose doing Alaska and the rest of North America on his VStrom.. I wonder if you guys crossed paths. I'll have to ask him if he came across you guys anywhere. His name is Brad and is from Burlington.

Ride safe you two!

 

[user 6393]

now's that's adventure! Gonna have to make CFR next year to hear the stories!

 

[MEM]

now's that's adventure! Gonna have to make CFR next year to hear the stories!

... and tell a few of your own. See you there !