Long distance traveling in a Speedster, Anyone done it?

My trip is 750 miles each way, which I break up into two days.  Jack Crosby has driven his across the continent, and I believe David Stroud has been to the moon and back, or close to it.

any issues I should look out for? 

 

If your talking about Speedster Iron Butt driving distance I think it's between Jack Crosby and David Stroud.For Speedster mileage overall Musbjim I think is king, he's driven to Uranus and back (not that there's anything wrong with that)!

 

issues? Uranus is very cold this time of year, Carlisle probably is too!

You'll probably make frequent stops for gas unless you have a large tank.  Those help with any fatigue.  You should take steps to prevent monkey-butt, though.

LOL I hear that. whats a safe speed to run theses cars at?

 

I have a 1970 chassis Im not sure of the final drive gear ratio

@Speedbucket - OK, thats pretty funny! 

 

Tab - I'm in SoCal and my wife and I have often driven our Speedster to Lake Tahoe, CA (465mi) and San Francisco, CA (422mi) and points beyond in a days travel @ speeds averaging 75+mph without issue. Car is '95 VS on '64 swing axle chassis, 1835cc, 3:88 trans.

 

3 primary conditions will dictate your time behind the wheel (barring any mechanical problems), these are; your butt (or your 'boys') getting numb, your bladder, or your fuel range! Nothing to it! 

 

Just as an additional travel tip, here are some tips on how to pack...

 

(NOTE: when video starts, click 'Gear' icon in lower right corner and adjust to 720HD for better video quality)

 

 

Stock early IRS is 4.37:1 or 4.12:1 I believe.

with that gear ratio is 65-70 doable without an issue of hurting the engine (overheating etc)

 

The longest stretch I have run in one day was Detroit to Asheville (about 10 hours).

I find the gas tank and my bladder need attention every 2.5 hours.

You will discover the inadequacy of the side curtains, the heat, and the sealing (things that can be improved).

Take a roll of wide painter's tape to seal the top to the windshield in the event of rain.

Unsafe at any speed :-), but you can cruise @ highway speeds without difficulty.

Toll roads become a PITA with the side curtains in.  An EZ Pass velcroed to the back side of the dash is a things of beauty (that's where I store my garage door opener too, btw).

You might want to bring ear plugs.

It's actually more comfortable than you might expect :-)

And Jim comes thru again! An instructional video, Wow! I haven't enjoyed and learned so much since watching "Your Testicles and You " In school!

 

 

CIP1 has a drop in fit 12.5 gallon gas tank - giving you an extra 2 or so gallons.  It sticks up higher though and kills space for even a TEMP spare tire.

 

When I first joined SOC years ago - Jim Ward had just received his new Ruby Red VS. He was recovering from dual lung transplants but drove that car from the mid west cross country to the Speedster gathering in CA (Knoxberry farm???) and back. We all followed his adventures here on the forum. Jim's no longer with us but Al Shipiro is proud owner of Ruby.  It's a trip I'm sure you'll remember. Leaving behind memories is a good thing - years later, even bad memories seem to become good ones. 

 

Musbjim's photo -

 

I bought my 911s in southern cali 10 years ago and drove it home to ohio, it was a trip I will never forget I loved it !!!

Autobahn, Marty G, his lovely wife Sandy, Tom B. and I travel this route to Carlisle. This year we may have others, so caravaning could be an option...2-3 hours at a pop is our normal break time. It's a 750 mile trip for me, but both of my Carlisle trips  were in my 911. Marty drives his IM, Tom, his Beck. Weather window permitting I would consider taking my Beck. 450 in two days, easy...doing it in one may be a little more challenging on your butt.

I would love to caravan with you guys !!! Just let me know as the time gets closer. I live south of toledo about 40 miles. I plan on taking US 30 to 76 straight to Carlisle 

I've done 280 miles in a day from my house to Alan Merklin's. Carlisle is a little less at about 230 or so. I've driven to Carlisle 6 times, towed twice, and driven to Alan's 3 or four times. It isn't bad. Listen to what Tom Blankinship says. He's got it down, as well as the other long-distance travelers on here. I like active noise-reduction earbuds, but my Spyder can be pretty loud at WOT with the top on. Cruiseat whatever speed is comfortable. I like 80, but that doesn't work in a caravan LOL!

Over the years, no matter how we cut it, we always seem to average 50 legit mph over the entire days run and that includes gas/pee brakes, a quick lunch etc. The longest run we ever did was about 600 miles in a long day over the mid-west when we first bought the car and we were traveling East from Boise, Idaho. No time to smell the roses on that run having lost a long weekend at the Big O tire shop in Spanish Fork, Utah. That was with an unproven, stock 1600 cc engine too....slow going. Man, we've got to get back out West sometime. We'll approach Carlisle this year from Ft. Myers, Florida it looks like.

I've done a LOT of trips between Beaufort, SC (near Savannah) and Grafton, Massachusetts, (near Boston) and usually do 650 miles the first day, 450 the next, always trailering the speedster behind a diesel pickup truck.  

 

"Turnpike speed" for you is irrelevent.

 

What is important is fan speed.  If you keep your engine speed between 3,500 and 4,000 on a turnpike you'll be all set.  4K all day will not kill your engine.  80 mph at 5,000 RPM probably will.

 

Earplugs can be your friend.  Embrace your ear plugs.  So-called iPod "ear buds" just ain't the same unless they fit really tight (although the Bose noise-cancelling jobbies are pretty good).  Find some Harley friends and ask what earphones they use (yes, they use them.)

 

An 8-gallon tank is actually a good thing.  It forces you to stop every 2-1/2 to 3 hours to take a break and stretch your (aching) legs.  Exercising the kidneys that often is a bonus, too.

 

Do a couple of day trips in early May.  You'll learn what might work as a leg/knee support (I've found a particular bag of the right bulk, stuffed with a towell and used as a knee pillow works wonders).  

 

If you're driving in full sun with the top down, plan on a long-sleeved shirt AND something to cover the tops of your legs or suffer severe sunburn on your knees and upper thighs.  Cover the nape of your neck, too.  don't forget sun block on the tops of yr ears.   Personally, I use a dashing "infinity scarf" but any cover will do.

 

Did I mention ear plugs?

 

Water is your friend.  All that air rushing about tends to dry you out.  Beer is OK, but only after you get to the Marriot.  Dunka-chino's are a good second.  Personally, I much prefer "Mountain Dew" until I get to the Marriot, then Wachusett Bluberry Ale.

 

I have published a Spares List a number of times and will, undoubtably, publish it again before Carlisle.  It is very complete.  You will NOT need an auxiliary trailer to carry everything.

 

Cupholders can also be your friend.  If you don't already have them, find something that you like and install them.  Lane's heavy-bottomed, non-skid "commuter cup" is OK, too.  No class, but it works.  Once installed, put liquid-containers in them and use them......frequently.  See note about 8-gallon gas tanks.

 

A Caravan can be as big a friend as cupholders - Maybe bigger.  There HAS to be a Carlisle caravan starting or passing somewhere close to you.  Join it.  You won't be sorry.

 

Did I mention Ear Plugs??  Oh!  And Slim Jims!  And "Fronions" (but not within 2 hours of the Marriot, thank you....)

 

Keep your iPhone/iPad/Andriod/digital camera handy to snap shots of fellow Speedstah drivers, or even those whacky, fellow drivers trying to snap YOUR picture.  I've gotten a couple of "Boob Flashes" that way, too (these little cars drive women nuts!).  Video clips are a definite bonus, especially for MUSBJIM or me to use in our videos (Hint, hint).

 

Don't forget to bring your best, local, Micro-brew To Carlisle.  It still won't be as good as what those Canadians bring, but we'll all love it and you can trade for other brews.

 

450 miles isn't that far.  I'm pulling close to 450 each way, too.  Takes about 6 hours alone, or 7 hours (and much more fun) with a Caravan.  Al and Heidi Gallo have another hundred miles on me and do it, too.

 

Happy Trails!!

Driving my Speedy back 380 miles home to Phoenix tomorrow from San Diego. One tank of gas, quiet and warmth unlikely but smile all over my face, despite SBS, guaranteed.

 

Don't hesitate for second to drive that bad boy to Carlisle and drive it like you stole it. Post up the results when you get a chance to keep us entertained, albeit, healthfully jealous (but happy for you).

 

Oh yeah, before I forget: sore butt syndrom (SBS)

 

My longest so far was just short of 300 miles.

After about 200 miles my left ankle/instep begins to ache because of the cramped awkward space along side the clutch pedal...that last 100 miles was painful!

 

This year I'm thinking either mounting a left foot 'dead peddle' or fabricating something temporary like that for the Carlisle trip.

Oops...Let's make that a left foot 'dead pedal'

Gordon:  Whadaya meaan "no class"?  It's a Speedster coffee cup with velcro on the bottom. What could be more classy?

 

David:  Since you're coming from the south will you be meeting us in Christiansburg again?

well guys I can't  tell you how excited I am to go to Carlisle this year. I'm going to make and install a dead pedal. I plan to pack light and spend wednesday though sunday enjoying the sights and sounds of the speedster. I hope to meet some very nice people along the way. What are the dates for the event. I know it is from a thursday though saturday in may

It's 15-18 May. The Fair Ground events actually ends around noon on Sunday but most folks depart from hotel then.

 

There are links to fair ground tickets and the preferred discounted hotel under events.

 

Per "East Coast Bruce" Stumpp, for tickets http://store.carlisleevents.co...chResults.asp?Cat=23 and select "2014 Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals KIT Showfield" and specify your club as "SPEEDSTER OWNERS"

 

I didn't see mention of gaudy Aloha shirts (and yellow rain slickers)?

   

Import & Kit Car Nationals http://www.carlisleevents.com/...-events/default.aspx

I must admit that I have a dead pedal & cup holders too.

These are my favorite http://www.ebay.com/bhp/fischer-cup-holder

Thanks Tom,

Are you going this year? are you driving your speedster if so maybe we could caravan?

I'm going & driving Natalie.  Our routes won't merge until I-80 meets I-76.  I will get on I-80 @ Toledo.  It's possible, but not too practical.

ok I see

 

let us detroit guys know, finley ohio is only 1 1/2 hours away. bill

I would like to caravan with other people if possible I can go north to meet at I-80 if needed

Thanks Bill for thinking of me !

Tab

If Bill goes (he's never been before) he'll probably be riding with me.  We could meet @ the McDonald's at the I-280/I-80 entrance.

sounds good, we will firm things up when the date gets closer

 

Giday, Laner. Not sure about hooking up in Christiansburg as we want to do something along that Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway. We'll have to dig out a map for a looksee. Right now we're digging out more snow....

carl--I posted pics of the dead pedal I adapted from a mustang---had to cut it down some but it worked and looked good---

Michael McKelvey will be coming from Ann Arbor too. We have met at this location before.

And don't forget cell phone numbers for everyone who is (or might be) in your caravan.  You get separated by traffic sometimes and could get spread out by a mile or so. If you have a problem you could be alone. We leave no one behind.

Here's more possible Midwestern caravan candidates that I know of that might want to take this route:

 

Allan and Bobbi Shapiro coming up from Missouri (he mentioned this to me last week)

Joe Fortino from Chicago (if he can swing it this year, he's a busy guy with work)

Joe Soltis (a long shot for sure)

Stan Galat (I mention Stan just to make him say "Not enough drive time for me!")

Bob Garrett ("No, no, no... I'll be mapping out Corn Daze about then.")

Dave Mitchell (if Dave decides to drive from the west coast and takes I-80)

 

Marty and I like the Chicago to Pittsburgh Wednesday run, leaving a short 3-4 hour, easy drive to Carlisle and getting us there about noonish Thursday to just chill out and unwind.

this all sounds great !!