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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Binh's Amazing San Jose to Alaska Journey - Update...

A remarkably rested and healthy-looking Binh Cheung stopped by The Seattle Scooter Center and posted this short video of his visit.  Enjoy!

Alaska Symba Trek - 1300 miles in 3 days!

Here's an update from Binh on the road to Alaska:


Got to Seattle late last night.


First day was a late start only did about 250miles thru the central valley.  Stayed just north of Chico on hwy32.  Did the second oil change around 300miles

Second day was a long one, over 450miles.  I wanted to make the ride into Seattle a shorter one for the third day.  Stayed a little past Bend Oregon.  Did the third oil change around 600miles.

Third day.  This day had some drama.  My original route was snowed covered.  I had planned to go over the Gifford Pinchot NF passes but got stuck in the snow.  Had to turn around and go around.  This added over 150miles to Seattle, turned out to be a 450+ miles instead of the 300 as planned.  I had to go by local direction which made it take even longer.  The bike started to make funny noises and I noticed the license plate starting to crack, epoxyed it.

I was only going to stay the night and continue north but decide to stay in Seattle for a day then head north.  This break gave me time to do break in maintenance: valve adjust, chain adjust, clutch adjust, 4th oil change around 1275miles started using synthetic.  Bike sounds normal now and runs much smoother and quieter then the previous day.  The funny noises was cause by a very loose drive chain.
Epoxy didn't hold up so my buddy Fred here in Seattle made me a backing plate for the license plate so it can be held using all 4 holes.  Bike now has over 1300miles and runs strong.  The fastest I got it up to was just shy of 70mph down hill and about 60mph on the flats.

I've added more pics to photobucket:

Friday, June 18, 2010

From San Jose to Alaska and Back - On a Symba!

Friends and readers, meet Binh Cheung and his new Symba! The two of them embark today on a ride from Northern California to the Arctic Circle (and perhaps Arctic Ocean) and back:  an 8,000+ mile, 1 month, 300 mile-per-day endurance test for both man and machine.  As you can see in the photo (credit:  Binh Cheung), he's packed all his gear plus an auxiliary gas tank on the front and a few spare tires on the rear rack.  


It's a test I'm sure the Symba is up to, and here's hoping that Binh is as durable as his ride!  Not to worry - Binh's an experienced endurance rider, having already taken road trips on 50cc scooters from his home in San Jose to Denver and Seattle. He probably feels over-powered on the 100cc Symba!  


We'll be posting updates here, but just in case we get behind, you can also check Symplylife.com.