Longest Trip for Ricky Noot

For 2016 . . . I'd like to try a few new things.  One particular,  is a long motorcycle trip.  I wrote up some destinations on small pieces of paper on about January 2nd, and put them in a hat.  All 12 pieces of paper had places like Yellowstone, Bonneville, Florida, Maine, New York, Texas, California and Arizona.  I'm lucky enough to know people, and/or have some sort of relative or friend in about every place - on each piece of destination.  I feel the trip needs at least 3 full days of riding, a couple 1/2 day rides, a couple days rest in the middle, and back again.  3000 miles is a number.  Far enough on a motorcycle to let you feel it - and see some places I've never ridden through.  Like mountains, desert and differing climate change.  If it was easy, why do it?  Right?  I reached in the hat, and pulled out ARIZONA.  I was kinda excited since my son Eric and his wife live there - and so does Jeremiah (Love Cycles) and Sean . . . and Ricky, Amber, Dave & Shea & Co. on the way.  Actually 7 states in one week . . .

I decided to make the trip on my 1964 XLH.  It's been a proven motorcycle on many trips, and it deserves to make the trek.  I started preparing the Sporty in January, in the cold garage.  I've since geared it up, new chain and sprocket, new clutch plates(dry), lubed, checked wiring, checked spokes, it will get a new front Avon, bearings checked, brakes checked . . . new fluids.  I know there's not many 50 year old men who travel long distances on '64 Iron Sportsters . . . they'll be at least one.  I figure it might be best to travel early Spring or late Fall due to that Arizona heat . .  but, Hey - I got an oil cooler and a water bottle !