| Author | Message | ||
     Dtaylor |
I had the week off, so I decided to spend a couple days exploring the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania, USA. It’s only a few hours away for me (plus border crossing!), so I ordered some stuff from American Sport Bike, as well as a cheap eBay set of Conti Trail Attacks to pick up in Niagara Falls, NY on the way home. The day before leaving, I put knobbies on the beast, and at the last minute decided to install the XB9 primary that’s been sitting in the wrapper for a year. Man, I wish I’d done that sooner! I had a great time exploring some nice pavement and lots of fire roads and the odd snowmobile trail. I was fairly cautious, and passed over lots of *very* inviting trails, as I was alone. I marked them on my GPS for the next time I’m down with company. A small, flat rock managed to find its way under the front pulley guard, to rest on the top of the idler bracket. You can see in the picture where it managed to wear a millimetre or so off of the outer skin of my brand new drive belt before it caught my attention. The cords were not exposed, so hopefully the belt will have a long life. I also managed to bend my beloved right-hand Precision Engineering peg. Not sure if I'm going to try to fix that, or just live with it. I only notice it with my eyes, not my feet.   Signs like this  Make me feel like this!  (Message edited by dtaylor on June 29, 2014) | ||
| Tempest766 |
I'll be in the ANF July 4th weekend, but probably not on the Uly. I have to prioritize what toys I'm taking for the weekend and the kayak and mountain bike won out. LOL -Rob (in western PA) | ||
| Dtaylor |
Hey Rob, I imagine the white water is currently excellent after the heavy rains mid week. Rivers were up over the banks everywhere, and little streams looked like rivers. If that's your thing, I hope it's still running well for you next weekend! Have fun & be well! Doug | ||
| Etennuly |
Awesomeness for sure! I grew up in them thar hills and creeks! Are the trail loops still open? I heard the oil guys got a bunch of them shut down. I played with the PATRA guys back when, on a 1973 XL 250, blazing and marking trails in the ANF's NW loop. We did a lot of three wheeler miles there in the 80's. Me and my buds did a bunch of canoe miles on the Allegheny and it's tributary creeks in spring time when they were flowing at flood stage.  We would go up a tributary creek that you could walk across in the summer without getting your ankles wet. At flood stage you stroke your only forward stroke of the day getting off the bank with your paddle, spending the next two hours just steering fast, as hard as possible, to keep it off rocks and fallen trees Serious high speed canoe work in ice cold muddy water! Those "Narrow Rough Road" signs were normally found on the PAVED roads around Warren county area.  | ||
| 50dro |
I've ridden in that area before (stayed on the streets though  ) I'm probably a few hours South West of there in Cranberry Twp., PA. I'd like to make another trip there sometime soon. Looks like you had a good time (less the belt issue). | ||
| Etennuly |
Hmmmm....Cranberry.....Does Sharon Stone ever get back there for class reunions and such? Hey Doug.....You got to have more pictures than that!? | ||
| 50dro |
She's from Meadville which is north of me. I think there's a Cranberry, PA in that area but I live in Cranberry Twp which is further south at the intersection of 79 & 76 (turnpike). Look me up if you're ever in the area. | ||
| Tootal |
The day before leaving, I put knobbies on the beast, and at the last minute decided to install the XB9 primary that’s been sitting in the wrapper for a year. Man, I wish I’d done that sooner!   | ||
| Dtaylor |
Hey Vern, There are ATV loops still open, although I did not explore them — excepting a little jaunt on a section of the Timberline trail that I used as a connector between oilfield roads. Next time I’m down, I might buy a pass and spend a couple of days exploring those trails, for they seem quite nice. I did take a few pictures — here are some: Streams were overflowing their banks, and although I didn’t take any pictures of them, I did see some properties where the water likely filled basements to the top. Was chatting with one person who said it was the worst flooding they’d had since the early 1970’s.    The Old Powerhouse, that operated numerous pumpjacks via reciprocating rods over considerable distance. It was in use from 1939 to 1989.         Sometime’s you just gotta lay ‘er down. The small side bags make it a little easier for picking up.     Had supper and a pint with a nice fellow who flew out to Connecticut to purchase this Diavel and was on his way back home to Michigan.  All loaded up with my online shopping, taking a break about an hour from home.  | ||
| Sagehawk |
looks like you had a hell of a trip dude! were there a lot of belt drives in the powerhouse? That is too cool to even imagine what people had to think up to make stuff work. I'll see what i can find on belt drives and a fellows machine shop. More pix if you have some! thanks dude. | ||
| Etennuly |
That is cool. I remember those rod lines out in the woods when I hunted deer, turkey, and squirrel as a teenager. Then later we would follow these lines on our dirt bikes. The old rods and their posts would disappear for scrap as electric pump motors came on line. I recall thinking how much maintenance that required to keep them in line and functional. I had some elder uncles who worked that old time oil field stuff. | ||
| Advoutlander |
Are those pirelli rallies in 150 profile? Are you running tubes? | ||
| Dtaylor |
Sagehawk, That's about it for pictures -- the rest being mostly bike porn. The Power House site appears to have been a "self-tour" area for quite some time, with no signs of recent operation or traffic within the building. I took the pictures of the inside of the shed through grubby window panes and holes in the wall -- the camera captured a lot more detail than I could make out with my naked eye! The power was transferred by two long drive belts, utilising a jackshaft in the middle.   A big, thumping motor and a belt drive -- what's not to love? I think I was born in the wrong era.    (Not from my PA jaunt) Advoutlander: Yep, the rear is a Pirelli Scorpion Rally, 150/70-17. Tubeless. I bought it when it was a *lot* cheaper than the TKC 80 for the Uly. No issues with mounting or handling. The 150 profile appears to leave the wheel's rim more exposed than the proper sized tire. Once the Pirelli is done, I'll go back to the TKC 80, as they've dropped enough in price to satisfy my cheap nature. (Message edited by dtaylor on July 10, 2014) |
