San Diego-Laguna Seca (long)

[TrmpetDave@xxxxxxx]

 My apologies to all those waiting for the account of the first long ride on 
my new ST. Suffice it to say that it was a blast-in more ways than one. The 
first was the blast of heat on the tender undersides of my thighs, when 
ambient temps rose into triple digits, as I breathlessly reported to the list 
the day after I got back. The consensus seemed to be that the fairing was the 
problem, expelling super-heated air at me, and solutions suggested included 
taking a Dremel to the fairing (too violent), taking the fairing off (I might 
have to do that) or grin and bear it (not an option.) One thought I had, was 
getting the fairing for the new half-faired ST, when it becomes available. I 
wonder if it will come in black....
Setting off for the WSB races at Laguna Seca, my new ST running like the 
proverbial Swiss watch, having just completed its 500 mile service at Rocket 
Motorcycles, San Diego, I was in a state of high excitement. I did have to 
take it back to them just before departing, to have both tail light bulbs 
replaced (it came from the factory with both  of the dim filaments burned 
out, and I couldn't get the bulb housings out-seems they had been jammed in 
the wrong way.), and to have the chain tightened. The chain could be made to 
slap the swing arm-the tightening process involved measurements with a 
mechanic's steel rule, and calculations on a computer, but what it boiled 
down to was getting it just snug enough to not touch the swing arm. the 
operation did not look that easy, even with the large one-piece C-wrench they 
had at the shop-might be a bit dodgy beside the road with the 2-piece gadget 
in the stock tool kit. I opted for Motul 300 V competition fully synthetic 
oil, because I am suspicious of the unholy alliance between Triumph and 
Mobil. The Motul is no cheaper ($10.95 a liter) but I think it is 
better-satisfies Triumph's API-SH requirement, and its positively-charged oil 
molecules stick to negative engine components while bike is standing, so a 
film of lubricant is still there at start-up time, or so the Motul blurb 
claims. Anyhow, it shifted very nicely.
During the slow break-in phase, I thought the turbulent air zone hit me 
exactly at ear level, and I had been thinking of a raised wind-shield, but 
once up to more robust speed, the turbulence was more at neck level, and with 
the vent at the bottom of the stock windshield, it isn't that turbulent. 
Someone with the Triumph raised shield said it didn't really get the 
turbulent zone above his head,(ie it was still noisy) and the lack of wind 
support put more weight on his wrists. Besides, with the flip-up shield, the 
bike looks decidedly un-cool-"Ooo look-I've got a flip"
I had also thoght about bar-backs, but going along the freeway and leaning 
back a few inches (steering with fingertips) didn.t really put my head in the 
quiet zone either. I did find that if I stood up on the pegs and elevated my 
head about 6" into clean air, that things did get significantly quieter, but 
to achieve this effect I would need to bungee 2 San Diego phone books to the 
seat-I don't think so.
My conclusion-Triumph got it right-leave it stock. I confess to one 
modification-Mack's soft wax ear plugs. With these in place, and the stock 
muffler, which I also like (it still has a satisfying roar, when driven past 
by someone else) the silence is positively eerie (in fact I pondered from 
time to time that if the bike started making some really nasty noises, I 
would be blissfully unaware) I found the balance between the forward lean and 
the wind pressure on my shoulders was perfect-no weight on my wrists at all.
I corrected a couple of faults others have pointed out of the list-I cut off 
the too-tight zip-tie that was strangling the wires from the ignition lock 
(One of the people in our Rocket Motorcycle club told me his had cut through, 
and blown some fuses). I also looked behind the trailing edge of the left 
fairing for the scuffing hose, but found only a hose that was quite free and 
clear. However looking through the hole in the fairing a little further 
forward, I found a hose that was scuffing against a bolt on the support from 
the frame that bolts on to the head, and stuffed a bit of folded inner tube 
under the hose.
The races were great-a record number of commercial exhibitors for Laguna Seca 
motorcycle races, and lots of bargains, including 4 for the price of 2 Motul 
products, great prices on Araii helmets, to name a couple. It was nice to see 
wild-card AMA racers do so well against the Euro-Japanese pros, especially 
Anthony Gobert, who was spectacular, winning his first race, and crashing 
while in the lead of the second one, and Ben Bostrum, just behind Gobert.
One of the high points for me was when we were leaving-a barely-moving 
line-up of cars on the 2-lane exit road, with us bikers inching by them on 
the right. As I  came up on a large black Mercedes, I noticed a lovely slim 
forearm drooping languidly out of the passenger window-drying the pale blue 
nail polish, I thought. But no-as each motorcycle passed. it extended, 
offering itself to be stroked! Does that prove that motorcycle people, and 
their friends, are special, or what? (Yes, I dispensed a deer-skin-clad pat 
as I went by, almost veering into the MB in my eagerness).
A few notes on accomodations:
1. Camping at the track is OK, but don't forget your earplugs if you want to 
sleep, or your beer and firecrackers, if you want to join the yahoos.
2. On the way back down highway one, stop at the River Inn in Big Sur-a real 
gem of a place-log cabins, a brook and lawn, excellent dining room, and live 
Dixieland on Sunday afternoon, which you will miss if you stay to the end of 
the races.
3. For breakfast next morning, the Redwood Cafe in Cambria, great home 
cooking-including steel-cut oatmeal-the real thing. it's in a little mall on 
the south side of the main street just before you come to the gas station.
At the gas station, I discovered I got 52 mpg coming down the coast-what a 
bike! Dave Collins, San Diego

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