The Hodaka Club Forum

Announcement of “The Lincoln Highway Big Ride”

What is this ride you ask?
Well it can finally be announced and has been confirmed! The “Big Lincoln Highway Ride” is definitely taking place.

The Lincoln Highway was one of the earliest transcontinental highways for automobiles across the United States of America. Conceived in 1912 by Indiana entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher, and formally dedicated October 31, 1913, the Lincoln Highway ran coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City west to Lincoln Park in San Francisco

Planned for several years, Mike Perrett began preparing a highly modified 250SL Hodaka for a ride to Hodaka Days 2017 via New Jersey to San Francisco following “The Lincoln Highway”. The bike is outfitted with a fuel supply of 6.6 gallons and a windshield. (See photo)
He will leave Ocean View (Sea Isle City) New Jersey, Tuesday morning June 6th (D-Day). He plans to cover about 300 miles per day staying on “The Lincoln Highway” as much as possible.

Mike will be trying to stop at a few Hodaka Club members’ hometowns for a visit and a photo OP.
I will try to make daily postings as to his progress across the country.
Our hopes and prayers go out to Mike for a safe and pleasant journey across America. Good luck Mike!
Photos of Mike’s Hodaka will be posted. It is a very nice upgrade.

Mike Perrett “Lincoln Highway” 250 SL modifications.
Honda XL 15 tooth counter shaft sprocket. Yamaha YZ 125 40 tooth rear sprocket
Honda 250SX tool box. Baldwin air filter element
Many steel parts replace with aluminum,
Strictly Hodaka improved kick starter shaft
250 ED swing arm
ED shocks with aluminum preload spacers. ED "yellow" 150 lb. springs
KTM silencer/spark arrestor
Preston Petty rear fender and taillight
BMW aftermarket rear luggage rack
1972 Suzuki TM 250 cylinder head
Suzuki TS 250 mag coils
Cobra windshield
Yamaha rear view mirror
Yamaha XT turn signals. Yamaha XT instruments. Yamaha XT headlight
Automotive H5006 sealed beam. 6 volt to 12 volt conversion. Kawasaki headlight switch
Bronze swing arm bushings with stainless steel 20 mm pin
Jake brake
Yamaha YZ chain guide
Honda CR 125 shift lever
Transfer ports raised 2 mm
Piston intake skirt shortened 2mm
Timing set at 24 degrees BTDC
Yamaha petcock with reserve
Moose 12 volt voltage regulator
Motobat 12 volt battery
2008 Kawasaki KLR front end with disc brake
Bridgestone Trail Wing tires
Honda CBX front fender

Mike is doing it again? Holy Moly, he's tough!

Mike is one of my Hodaka Heroes. He just "matter of factly" goes about building machines which just plain work. That is pretty dang kewel.

Ed

What would be really cool is if you, (or Mike) could post his route plan. This way, if he's going to be close, we can meet him on the road and cheer him on... and post pictures...

If he comes down Logan Canyon again like he did last time he came through, I think it would be pretty fun to meet up as he comes through the canyon.

Mike called last night. He was in Bedford PA. He will spend the night in Shawnee State Park. He had a bit of a concern when he was unable to get into 5th gear. Turns out one of his plastic bags got pulled into his chain and clogged his shifter mechanism. Here is where he is as of 6 PM last night.

https://www.google.com/.../data=!4m5!3m4...

Mike will be following the old Lincoln Highway which in most cases is US route 30.

His next stop will be Finlyville PA where he will visit with fellow ECHJYA member Jake Sites.

https://www.google.com/.../data=!4m27!4m26!1m15!1m1...

This is tremendous. Having gone transcon on a 600cc road bike, I know what an accomplishment this trip is. But on a 250cc off-road bike is almost miraculous. I'm impressed and will be following this adventure.

Ok, Mike called in today. I hadn't mentioned it before, but Mike have a problem with his headlight and tail light while in NJ. After replacing the broken head light, it was discovered, the lighting coil was fried. Sterling installed a re-wound one which only last a short time. By the time he got to Exton Pa, no lights again. He spend last night in Shawnee State Park. No rain. Today he rode 103 miles to Jake Sites as planned. While spending 6 hours working on the bike, they replaced the entire stator and cleaned all the bullet connectors in the headlight bucket. It seems to have done the trick. The lights now work. Tomorrow he plans on riding 400 miles and spend the night in Indiana. Jake might have some photos to post if they can download them from Mike's Camera.

Thanks for keeping us up to date and sharing the photos. Another amazing ride!
Hoping for good weather and safe travels for the rest of the journey.

Ken (envious!)

Jake sent in some photos from Mike's camera on his way to Finleyville and Jake's garage (I think). Also his campsite In Shawnee State Park

Hey Rick, I'm not sure where that pic is from. I am gonna post a couple pics from my phone that I took today. The first pic is from the test ride, and the others are from my garage at my house.

We swapped out his stator with mine, cleaned a bunch of connections, and checked a bunch of wires. It was a good time. Mike sure is diligent when it comes to electrical diagnosing. I learned a lot. We went for a test ride and Mike filled up his fuel tanks, his headlight worked flawlessly.

Mike called in tonight. He did about 400 miles making it to Plymouth Indiana. He had a tail wind. No problems with the bike. He asked for info on hotels in the area. I found two that were about the same price. I mistakenly booked the wrong one. At least it was the cheaper one. Too late for a refund.

I hope he trusts me for the remaining bookings.

Thanks for all the up-dates Rick. God Speed Mike!

He will be having Breakfast with Mark Eichhorn in Valapariso this morning. Mike's battery died. They will try to get a new one, but is seems his charging coil is not functioning. This feeds the stop light and turn signals. Man, 40 year old electronics are a nightmare.

Glad to see Mike finally undertake this long planned ride! Looking forward to seeing regular progress reports and, of course, sending best wishes for a safe and successful trip!

From Mark Eichhorn:
Met up with Mike in Valparaiso IN at fellow Hodakaholic Steve's shop. Went for breakfast, then did some maintenance on the 250. Battery testing was giving mixed results so Mike decided to try a new battery. He also found a bad connection to the rectifier, so we're hoping those two issues will cure the problem. Mike retorqued the head bolts on the custom cylinder head, and headed down IN 2 towards Illinois. Looking good Mike!

Mike called about 9 pm. He fought 20 mph head winds across Illinois today. Electrical problems still prevail. He says he has spent enough time and money on it. He has a headlight, but no turn signals. He will use hand signals for the rest of the trip.
He will try to get half way across Nebraska to a campground to be named later on the 10th.

http://www.stateparks.com/morrison-rock ... inois.html

Mike called about 2 pm. He was still in Iowa. I booked him at the Rodeway Inn in Lincoln NE. He was fighting head winds again today. He will call in with more details later tonight. Bike is running fine.

June 10th
Mike called in again at 5:30, He did 415 miles today. 20-30 mph head winds reduced things to 34 mile per gallon. He mentioned that the 250 seat is more comfortable than the 175. Soft and cushy,,,,
The Rodeway Motel didn't work out so he booked into the Super 8.
Looking to do 200 miles tomorrow, half way through Nebraska. Look for more postings.

I sure hope the electrical issues are all squared away - and that the headwinds calm down a bit (but I wouldn't count on it no headwinds. . . darn it). Has Mike mentioned what sort of cruise speed he was able to maintain into the headwinds?

Ed

June 11th

Staying at Vedauwoo camp grounds in Medicine Bow National Forest

http://visitlaramie.org/vedauwoo_ames_m ... appy_jack/

Did 491 miles today. Crosswinds, then a cool tailwind that was like sipping on ice tea.

He has been averaging 50-55 mph always since he left NJ.

Tomorrow should be in Green River WY. About 300 miles away.

It sounds like Mike is going to be in Athena so soon! Is he planning on looking for a temporary job while waiting for Hodaka Days to roll around?

Those extra cc's over a 125 sure help the cruise speed!

Ed

On his original ride, he rode a 175. But you are right, the extra CCs help. That is why he built and modified a 250 Hodaka bike in the first place.
As far as arriving early, I am sure he is on schedule since he is planning visit California first.

And given the vagarities of vintage motorcycle transcon travel it's not a bad idea to give yourself wigggle-room around a scheduled event.

For the Utah leg, maybe you could ask him if he's planning to take the northerly route around Bear Lake and through Logan Canyon or if he's planning to take the southerly route through Salt lake City. It looks like when he gets to Kemmerer, Wy, he has a choice, north or south. South is mostly Freeway, north is more miles but not quite so much freeway travel. If he's in Green River, Wy tonight, he should be passing through here or SLC tomorrow sometime.

When he came through here before, he took the North route through Logan Canyon. If he comes through Logan Canyon again, a couple of us would like to be there when he comes through. I work literally 5 minutes from the mouth of Logan Canyon and that includes walking to the truck... .

inquiring minds want to know...

Roger

Hey Roger, I believe Mike's route will be the southern way, I think he plans to head north on 95 from the town of Winnemucca Nevada. Mike's riding ability and endurance is something else!!! Always impressive.