Fork upgrade trip to LA

[SkooterG]

Last week I rode out to LA-LA land. I bought twowheelnut's old GP Suspension parts (springs and valves) off 03silverbullet. Well, instead of shipping me the parts, Steve offered to put be up while the suspension shop down the street installed them and gave my forks a much needed R&R.

Thanks Steve for putting me up for a couple nights and the use of your garage and tools to pull off my forks! You meet the nicest peeps on FJRForum. (As long as you aren't trying to sell saddlebag liners )

Well, parts went in, new bushings installed in my 171k forks, and all is well again. Better than well in fact. FJR handling in the twistys is much improved compared to my stock valving and Wilbers progressive rate springs that had been in there.

On Thursday, that dastardly villian Fairlaner led us on a trip through some canyons north of LA to test everything out. First of all Fairlaner is FAST. Second, 03silverbullet ain't no slouch either. Third, it's no fun being the loser of the group. Fourth, following these two 'lane splitters from hell' through traffic on the LA freeways is an experience I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy! And fifth, there is some great riding north of the LA area! Little Tijunga Canyon Road was a blast! Clicy HERE!

The rest of the riding to the Rock Inn for lunch was pretty damn good too. Thanks boys for a wonderful SoCal day!

At Casa de Fairlaner, getting ready for some riding.

Hmmmm..........wonder how Fairlaner got his forum name?

The Rock Inn for lunch. Cool Moto place.

End of the ride break. What are you guys trying to tell me?

Oh, that. A bit of twowheelnut with us all day today.

Time to head home. We all rode the 5 to the 210, with Fairlaner first breaking off, then Steve. I decided I still had barely enough daylight to do the 'Palms to Pines' Highway on the way home and headed that way. It was a nice climb up out of Hemet, a pleasureable ride over the top, and as you can see below, a great ride down the eastern slope to Palm Desert.

Can you see the road in there?

How about now?

A group of sportbikes on the way up.

And the cool GPS screen shot of the road I was about to ride.

Didn't get home untill 11:30pm, but well worth it.

 

[FJRBluesman]

Looks like a great ride SkooterG! Glad you enjoyed it, and Richard only knows the roads that's why he's faster.

Who did the fork rebuild?

 

[Toecutter]

First of all Fairlaner is FAST. Second, 03silverbullet ain't no slouch either. Third, it's no fun being the loser of the group.

A loser would have crashed, trying to keep up. Count your blessings....

You didn't crash this time, right?

:****:

 

[squeezer]

Oh, now that really is cool. Wheee!

 

[rickysnickers]

What twisty road is that, "palms to Pines?" I've never heard of it before.

Rick

 

[beemerdons]

Great Ride and Repair Report; with your usual quality pictures! Sir Richard is indeed muy rapido, with Steve a close second!

Toe: Skooter prefers the term "flip." Crash in a way almost sounds negative. Fairlaner's Ford Fairlane is indeed a real gem!

 

[Fairlaner]

Nice pictures Greg, It sure was a fun ride, and every bike had something of Tim's on it.

I can't believe you went home via Pines to Palms what time did you get home?

There is always a spare room here for your next trip out west.........

Greg i fixed the MAP for you, Don't forget Steve made that turn on to the freeway and we took Spunky Canyon before we hit Lake Elizabeth road.

R

 

[motochick]

What twisty road is that, "palms to Pines?" I've never heard of it before.
Rick

Yeah, where's "Palms to Pines". Gimme a googlemap (please )

I'm a NorCal gal but I'm already planning a SoCal trip to ride that beautiful piece of pavement

 

[Fairlaner]

There you go........Pines to Palms

Let us know when you are going as we are always up for that run.

R

 

[beemerdons]

Fairlaner and SkooterG: Greg, after looking at your pictures and looking at Richard's map: I just realized that in my 60+ years that I have never ridden The Palms to Pines Highway. Which is really weird since I was born in Orange, California in 1948; graduated from Orange High School in 1966 and Santa Ana Junior College in 1968; 5 years of riding in/around SoCal.

But I'm going to correct that this Friday! I'm attending a johnny80's FJR Valve Adjustment Tech Day being held in Fallbrook.

Leaving San Diego County 4/10 PM I intend to take the Palms to Pines Highway back to Orange County. Thanks for the tip!!

 

[Fairlaner]

Sounds like a good plan Don. How are you gonna do it?

R

 

[beemerdons]

Sounds like a good plan Don. How are you gonna do it?

R

Looking at https://www.mapquest.com it appears I just go back North on the 15 to Hemet turnoff; then East to Palm Springs.

If you and Bill were interested in riding before we go to johnny80s in Fallbrook, we could meet somewhere in Moreno Valley.

 

[Fairlaner]

Unfortunately i don't have that much time on Friday as we are have a garage sale on Saturday and i have to be back to sort things out.

I am just going to Johnny's to yank a few chains and sort out our coast ride the following Monday.

R

 

[SkooterG]

If you can, try and also do Hwy 243 - Clicky

I did this road years ago in a car and from what I remember it's an awesome road too. The town of Idylwild is a pretty cool place too. Maybe go down this way instead of Hemet.

 

[MCML]

Hell, if it bothers you, I'll join the party and run sweep.