Chris's Cannonball Adventure
Following on from its debut in the US in 2010 as an event exclusively for pre-1916 motorcycles, the second running of the Motorcycle Cannonball, which is due to commence this September 7, running to September 23, will see more than 70 entrants and their pre-1930 machines take on the challenge from New York to San Francisco.
The route for this year's event is slightly different from the first Cannonball (which ran from Kittyhawk, North Carolina to Los Angeles, California), but will still be a challenge, with entrants required to travel up to 300 miles each day.
From the start point in Newburgh, New York, the route will take in significant "motorcycle" locations, like Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Sturgis in South Dakota on its way to San Francisco. Each entrant that finishes the Motorcycle Cannonball will have covered at least 3,956 miles.
For Chris, the Motorcycle Cannonball has a special appeal. He was a member of the support crew - virtually by accident - on the 2010 event, and 'got the bug' to ride in the second event. Chris will join eleven other international riders, with the UK, France, Germany, Poland, Italy and South Africa represented amongst the non-American entrants.
Being the sole Australian representative, Chris thought riding an Australian-made motorcycle in the Cannonball would be a good idea. The pre-1930 machine he chose to undertake the mammoth journey was an 'Invincible J.A.P.', made in Melbourne in 1925. Chris has actually owned the v-twin engined bike for more than 20 years, but only really set to getting the machine assembled and operational in the past 12 months, with assistance from local enthusiast Ian Lihou.
In the usual race against time with projects like these, Chris encountered a few setbacks, but got the Invincible J.A.P. up and running in time for it to be shipped off to the US in mid-August. An additional point of difference with Chris's entry is that he'll be running a sidecar for his wife Christina, who will record video footage and stills of the Cannonball for a later DVD release.
The distinctive wicker-bodied sidecar sits on a C1924 Goulding frame that would likely have been fitted to an Indian or Harley-Davidson in its first life. Chris has a business making these vintage-style wicker sidecars to order, and has donated one to the Motorcycle Cannonball organisers as a prize.
At time of writing, Chris had finally taken possession of his outfit, after a week's delay with US Customs. A trip to Woodstock (yep, THAT Woodstock) Harley-Davidson in New York State followed, where the bike and sidecar was uncrated and assembled. While there, Chris was presented with the opportunity to run the Invincible J.A.P. on the dyno. The results? 15hp! Given it's running sidecar gearing (53 tooth rear sprocket), Chris expects even more would be possible in solo configuration.
While Chris is confident of completing the 2012 Motorcycle Cannonball, he acknowledges that the Burman gearbox is the Invincible's weak point, so is carrying a spare - just in case! The trip has been possible thanks to the support of Ian Lihou, who has been involved with the restoration of the bike, as well as many other friends and supporters.
Stage 1 of the 2012 Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run for pre-1930 gets underway on Friday, September 7.
You can follow Chris's ride on the Motorcycle Cannonball through his blog - http://cksamericanadventures.blogspot.com.au/.
Make sure you check out it. It's a fascinating journey already - and the ride hasn't even started!
Support team member Ian Lihou is also running his own blog with his thoughts at http://southerncrosscannonball.wordpress.com/
For a taster of the upcoming 'The Invincible Adventure' DVD, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snSxQGpGvjM&feature=youtu.be
Chris has been sponsored on the 2012 Motorcycle Cannonball by the following:
Williamstown Motorcycle club
Melbourne Dustings sidecars
Iron Indian Riders Australia
Hemco for the supply of Betabaks (back braces)
Classic Garages, Williamstown
