Icefields Parkway Run

[Steel Toed Tank]

I can't thank you enough, exactly the kind of info I need.
Good tip on the F loop too!

As for clutch and break levers I won't have time to get back ups here, but I have a hole drilled through both of mine already so if it breaks it will break at the weak spot where the hole is.
I only got stuck in the woods once the first time I broke a lever, and I've broken a few since then. Three wheelers mostly though.

Thanks again for the tips!!



In other news, I never got the pictures I promised of my improvised milk crate saddle bags because my stator, R/R and gasket came in the mail today.
I got everything installed including my new to me 850L fuel tank.
Everything tested better than I could have hoped, and the tank doesn't leak a drop.

So tomorrow I will finish fitting up my milk crates and get a picture up.



Tank

[Sandy]

Sounds like a real adventure. Wizard has the park stuff covered, he should know. He's spent most of the last 30 years hiking, biking, skiing and mountaineering in them. You'll probably need a good bath by the time you hit Canal Flats (south of Fairmont on 93/95). Just south of Canal Flats, about 4 kms. turn east on a good gravel road for 16 kms. towards Whiteswan Lake. There you'll find a natural set of free hot pools just between the road and the river. Google Lussier Hot Pools or Springs. Now that's a Rocky Mountain experience. Hopefully your friend can score you some day passes and take the chairlift up the Fernie ski hill. I don't think it's that expensive, just do it anyway. I'm in Cranbrook, if you need any assistance just PM me. If the restaurant is in the front of the Northern, that's where friends had Freshie's coffee shop for years, they're now down the street on the other side. Have a fabulous trip. Too bad you don't have another month, so much to see, so little time, but you'll be back.

[7981GS]

I got everything installed including my new to me 850L fuel tank.
Everything tested better than I could have hoped, and the tank doesn't leak a drop.

Tank

So a 850GL tank fits on your 750T model?
What did you have to do to get it to fit and why did you change to it?

Eric

[Wizard]

Hi Sandy, I agree, going down the Columbia Valley (HWY 93) would be the preferred way, but his plans appear nebulous after Banffff.
Cowboy Trail (HWY 22?), Forestry Trunk (HWY 40) to Coleman?, or even HWY 2 south (ugh),,..
Has the mudslide over the hiway at Fairmont been cleaned up?
We have to get home that way too, or do we mooch off you for a few more days?
We were at Johnson Landing exactly one year earlier than this years Mud Slide. Scary.
Kim would probably know those 4 people who didn't make it.

Hooch is pretty cheap down here, want me to bring a few barrels Back?
Can load up the trailer at Roosville.
Will move to Kalispel/Whitefish today,,.. Betty wants to upgrade to a Black Belt in Shopping there,,..

Tank, rember to take tons'o'photos. Put the camera in a bag on the handlebars. As you age (yes, you're still a youngster,,..) you'll forget.
My slide collection (still being scanned) is an endless source of memories and stories (real, embellished and otherwise,,..).
And your Naivety can only be assessed, After the Trip,,..

[Sandy]

Hi Sandy, I agree, going down the Columbia Valley (HWY 93) would be the preferred way, but his plans appear nebulous after Banffff.
Cowboy Trail (HWY 22?), Forestry Trunk (HWY 40) to Coleman?, or even HWY 2 south (ugh),,..
Has the mudslide over the hiway at Fairmont been cleaned up?
We have to get home that way too, or do we mooch off you for a few more days?

He's headed to Fernie to visit a buddy, means he's coming this way. The highway has been reopened so you won't have the pleasure of my company or beer frig for any longer than you need.
As for the hooch, check your email.

Tank, check your PMs for some free stuff.

[Steel Toed Tank]

Sounds like a real adventure. Wizard has the park stuff covered, he should know. He's spent most of the last 30 years hiking, biking, skiing and mountaineering in them. You'll probably need a good bath by the time you hit Canal Flats (south of Fairmont on 93/95). Just south of Canal Flats, about 4 kms. turn east on a good gravel road for 16 kms. towards Whiteswan Lake. There you'll find a natural set of free hot pools just between the road and the river. Google Lussier Hot Pools or Springs. Now that's a Rocky Mountain experience. Hopefully your friend can score you some day passes and take the chairlift up the Fernie ski hill. I don't think it's that expensive, just do it anyway. I'm in Cranbrook, if you need any assistance just PM me. If the restaurant is in the front of the Northern, that's where friends had Freshie's coffee shop for years, they're now down the street on the other side. Have a fabulous trip. Too bad you don't have another month, so much to see, so little time, but you'll be back.

All of the new info I've received has me rethinking stopping around the Sask River Crossing and instead heading from Jasper straight to Lake Louise and staying there for two nights, instead of just one. FREE hot springs?! My favorite kind!!
We really wanted to visit some hot springs, but the ones I visited when I was a kid were above ground pools with the water pumped in from the actual hot springs, and that's not really the experience I'm looking for.

In Fernie we have cave exploring planned, some hiking to a lake (I don't remember the name) and a few other things. I'll get my buddy to find out about the ski hill!

All of this info is fantastic, and I thank you very much for posting it, and your offer of assistance!!

So a 850GL tank fits on your 750T model?
What did you have to do to get it to fit and why did you change to it?

Eric

My OE 750T tank had problems.
The PO for some reason welded AND Bondo'd over the original petcock holes and then installed a non OEM one on the other side of the tank. Once I got my replacement OEM petcock I tried to grind off the bondo but I found the metal underneath was mangled pretty bad and installing the new petcock there would never happen.
On the right underside of the tank the PO installed petcock has holes that wouldn't work for the new one so I had to weld up the holes and drill new ones.
Once I started welding on it I realized that the metal was much much too thin from the rust inside.
With the welder set to weld 22ga steel it would blow holes instantly.
With a bit of work I finally managed to get a thick enough surface area to install the new petcock.
So once I put the T tank back on my bike and filled it up with gas, two tiny little rust spots on the top of the tank half way between the cap and where I sit started seeping gas out of them.
As soon as I poked em with my finger the holes opened up enough to let the gas out in a stream.
I didn't have a lot of money for a high priced tank and didn't want much down time so I found a 850L tank on fleabay for dirt cheap ($48).
It has a small dent in it, and it's oxidized on the clear coat but it's spotless inside.
All the T tanks on ebay were in much worse condition and 3 times the price.
Within minutes of buying it someone PM'd me on here with an offer for an entire 750T minus the frame, wheels, suspension and engine for dirt cheap, but the tank on that one will need paint before it sees road use.

No, it isn't a direct bolt on either, but I made it fit.
The L tank is slightly too narrow underneath to fit on the T frame, but a few well placed hammer swings made it JUST wide enough to be squeezed on.
The posts with the rubbers at the front of the frame fit the L tank, but the holes on the rear flange of the L tank don't quite line up with the mounting holes on the frame.
The L tank is an inch longer than the T tank.
I just drilled new holes in the cross piece were the T tank bolts into, and bolted on the L tank.

For a temporary and cheap solution, it works pretty damn good though.
And so far no leaks or drips, and the smell of gas can no longer be detected every time I stop, lol.

For this trip, it will serve my purposes perfectly.
The L tank holds the same amount of fuel as the T tank does, and I kinda like the look of the L tank on there.
I will post up some pictures of it later today.

Hi Sandy, I agree, going down the Columbia Valley (HWY 93) would be the preferred way, but his plans appear nebulous after Banffff.
Cowboy Trail (HWY 22?), Forestry Trunk (HWY 40) to Coleman?, or even HWY 2 south (ugh),,..
Has the mudslide over the hiway at Fairmont been cleaned up?
We have to get home that way too, or do we mooch off you for a few more days?
We were at Johnson Landing exactly one year earlier than this years Mud Slide. Scary.
Kim would probably know those 4 people who didn't make it.

Hooch is pretty cheap down here, want me to bring a few barrels Back?
Can load up the trailer at Roosville.
Will move to Kalispel/Whitefish today,,.. Betty wants to upgrade to a Black Belt in Shopping there,,..

Tank, rember to take tons'o'photos. Put the camera in a bag on the handlebars. As you age (yes, you're still a youngster,,..) you'll forget.
My slide collection (still being scanned) is an endless source of memories and stories (real, embellished and otherwise,,..).
And your Naivety can only be assessed, After the Trip,,..

We WILL be on 93 after leaving Banff all the way to 3, then up to Fernie.
On our way out of Fernie we will be heading through Sparwood and Crowsnest Pass.
Where are you that hooch is cheap?
That's a Scotsmans two favorite things!!
Ahh, I see now, google showed me where.
I will have a camera in my tank bag with a capacity of 4700 pictures, lol.
Along with an ample supply of good batteries.

I can't thank you guys enough!!!

One question, how far apart are gas stations between Jasper and Fernie?

Thanks again,

Tank

[Sandy]

With your limited range the only place you'll need to be careful is between Jasper and Radium Hot Springs. After that you'll find gas every 30 - 40 kms. I don't know about gas stops between Edmonton and Jasper but they could also be far apart there too, better check.

Jasper to Saskatchewan River Crossing - 155 kms
Saskatchewan River Crossing to Lake Louise - 95 kms
Lake Louise to Radium 135 kms

[Steel Toed Tank]

We know from experience that gas between Lloydminster and Edmonton is going to be a tough one too.
There is gas in Vermilion but last time through we got to a station that was out of gas and the next one had gone out of business.
I suppose it's a good thing we're bringing a couple extra gallons!
Thanks for the info.


Tank

[Wizard]

Gasoline Availability
Jasper <1.5hrs> Sask RvR Xing <1hr> Lake Disease <.5hr> Banff
Lk Louise <1.5hrs> Radium (and worth every minute)
You need to fix up your bikes so you can get 250km out'a'tank, no worries then.

[Steel Toed Tank]

I lowered my needle a notch, and have a full on 14.5 volt reading coming from the new R/R and stator (was 11.5 until last night) and I modified the PO installed improper air filter to allow more air in (I was running too rich) so that should help me a bit.
I do have the stock air filter lined up, but I won't be able to get it here until after the trip.
Once I got back to the stock filter and box I'll be set.

My friend gets spectacular mileage, but has a tiny little tank, not quite 2 gallons, lol.

With the information you guys gave me and the 2 extra gallons I'll be carrying we shouldn't have any problems.

Thanks again guys!

Tank

[Wizard]

Ya know, all that space and weight used to carry gasoline is sposed to be used to carry BEER.
Here's another trick up my sleeve, its a web site I made to check out roads and ski conditions;

http://www3.telus.net/public/winiarz/WeatherCams.html

You can edit the HTML to your own needs, toss some webcams, add others.
With all the time wasted on the Intertron, you should at least be able to hand edit some simple HTML,,..

[Steel Toed Tank]

Hahaha, we actually just got a 12v insulated cooler duffel bag for the beers, and a few sammiches.
That web cam site is a great idea. I book marked it for future use.
I built a site or two many moons ago, but haven't tried recently.

I took some pictures of my bike with the 850L tank on it, and a couple pictures of the insides of my old tank compared to my newer one.


Left side:


Right side:


Rear:


Inside of my original T tank:


Inside of new 850L tank:


And this is the bottom of my original T tank. on the right side of the picture the tank was covered in Bondo which I ground off hoping to find the original petcock holes, but once I got into it I could tell it would never work. On the left side of the picture was where the old non oem petcock was installed. It took a lot of welding to get the old holes filled, and then to plug all the tiny little leaks we made by trying to weld on such a thin tank. Have you ever wanted to punch a PO in his face???





Tank

[bccap]

If you lose the sandwiches, there's more room for beer.....

[Steel Toed Tank]

I suppose the sammiches will disappear at close to the same rate as the beers!

[Wizard]

I think I've seen that bike before, in the Movie:
Mad Max; Beyond Thunder & Chrome
Since you're from Saskabush it mighta been:
Aliens, In Banff no one can hear you Scream (its too dam noisy)
Or, since you're in Bear Country, it might of been the B&W Classic:
Rebel, Without the Claws
Or the trailer for the upcoming PsycoThriller:
Hybrid, when Good Bikes Go Bad
Or in the romp:
The Fast and The Furriest
And the Sequel:
Faster and Furrier

Funny thing is, I'lll probably be passing you on the hiway, near Castle Junction.