Cavalier International Magazine #18 2019

Cavalier International

Participants at the Eastern Cade Raid, U.S.A.

Winter 2019 The Magazine for Suzuki Cavalcade Owners. Issue 18

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Index 1.

Picture by Peter Purcell

3.

Editorial.

4.

European. Cade Raid for 2020. Finland

7.

International Cade Raid, 2020. U.S.A.

9.

My History With Motorcycles by Jay Johnson.

14. Photos from 2019 Tour of America. Peter Purcell.

15. Safety Means Visibility by Roger Stone.

16. Maintenance: Changing the Coolant.

17. Maintenance 2: Headlight Adjustment 18. Rights Of Passage by Jim Nelson 20. The First 15,000 Miles by Paul Devall 23.

Links.

24.

Cavalcade Trunk Mirrors For Sale

26. Tow Pac 27.

Cavalcade Gear For Sale.

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Editorial Welcome to the latest edition of CAVALIER INTERNATIONAL magazine. If there is anything that you want to be published in the magazine, then send all information to: gv1400gch@gmail.com A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE Welcome to the 18th edition of the Cavalier magazine. Here you will find information of Cade Raids, in the U.S.A. And in Europe.

You will also find articles written by Cavalcade riders all over the world about different topics.

Ronnie and I will be attending the European Cade Raid this year. We have missed the last three due to my cancer. It will be great to see some old and new friends in Aland, Finland.

Also, if we can work something out, we will be attending the International Cade Raid in the U.S.A. Will keep you informed on that one.

As you will know Yahoo has changed its policy on the groups and photos, etc. can not be stored on their groups site. So we need to make some other arrangements for people to look at Cavalcade information, be that the magazine, photos and other information.

I am sure that someone will be looking into doing just that and no information at present on the Yahoo site will not be lost.

How many people have travelled over 10,000 miles to any motorcycle event? Well, a guy, who I only know through emails, lives in Canada did just that. Peter Purcell, my hat off to you sir; 10,307 miles to attend the West and East Coast Cade Riads, 5 provinces, taking in 18 States of the U.S.A. I’ve an aching backside just thinking about it.

Don’t forget this is YOUR Magazine. I only put it together and to continue doing that I URGENTLY need more articles about YOUR experiences, rides, just about anything to do with motorcycles but especially the Cavalcade.

All articles received will be published.

You will be able to read/download the magazine from this web site:

http://saarno.com/cavalcadeeurope/ 3

CADE RAIDS

13th European Cade Raid at Åland island, Finland, 3rd to 6th July 2020 so we suggest that you gather your friends and reserve one cottage for more than one or two persons.

Selected cottages are equipped with full kitchenware, bathroom and separate bedrooms.

New sights on horizon. The 13th European Cade Raid will take place in the beautiful archipelago of Finland.

The Åland islands are located between southwest Finland and Sweden. The island, as it is, can be reached via modern cruise ships from both countries or from Finland by Skärgårdsfärjan-ferries going through island hopping from Kustavi t.ex. If you´re unable to drive or see the trip too long/unreachable, please consider flying. We will arrange pick-up from Mariehamn International Airport.

For Friday evening we have booked a dinner table for all of us at the Käringsund restaurant at 19:00. There we can enjoy Alá Carte or a skärgordsbuffé – a sea and island oriented local delicatessen buffet.

On Saturday The Cade Raid drive will take us through some views and attractions of the Åland. There will not be hundreds of kilometres to drive, since the island is only tens of kilometres wide, as we will mainly concentrate to see interesting places.

On the way there are gasoline stations if required.

When arriving to Åland one can find good roads and easy navigation to Eckerö where participants will be spoiled with various accommodation possibilities from tents to luxury cottages right by the sea and a beautiful sand beach for sun bathing or swimming or just for a cold pint in the nearby restaurant Käringsunds terrace.

First we´ll drive to Ålands Fotografiska Museum. There we can enjoy a cup of coffee and warm pastries made by the lady of the house

Arriving on Friday, we have prebooked some cottages for 4-6 persons 4

while we hear museum amanuenses tell tale about the location and why a personal hobby spinned far away to being just a hobby. We will have a tour around the rooms of this old school house seeing the history of cameras and film making up till the 90th. There is also a fully equipped

engines heading back south going through the only tunnel on the island.

There is one more place to show to you right after the tunnel and that is the highest point of Åland. Uffe på Berget -cafeteria. There we should taste Ålands pannkaka – a local sweet special pie made in owen, topped with cream and/or strawberry jelly. Uffe på Berget is also a good spot to get landscaping pictures. I do have to remark, that as it is located on top of a rock, one needs to climb a bit on foot.

No elevators or shortcuts there.

historic photo shop for us to see from the times photographing was not on everyman’s reach.

Next, only a short jump to a local brewery, Stallhagen. There we can enjoy a pub type lunch and taste some of the medal winning beers. And as we don’t drink and drive, we can surely shop some bottles to go to be enjoyed on the evening barbeque at Käringsund. At Stallhagen yard we can arrange our vehicles for a group pictures.

The rest of the Saturday you can spend in Mariehamn, all though I suggest that we go through local itineraries on Eckerö. There are bakery, pottery and fish smoking joints, cafés and food stores on reach. So we can prepare ourselves for the shared barbeque evening.

Stomachs full and heads not, we will be taken to prison. Just to make sure.

The Kastelholm Castle at the northeast end of Åland has a White Bear Prison, where we will be leaded.

After that we have a tour at the nearby Castle to get a feeling how the medieval cavalcades rode to fight enemies and to rescue beautiful princesses. As we Cade Riders rescue today (does not apply to married Cade riders).

On Sunday we can just relax by the beach or we can arrange a tour to Mariehamn. There is a lot to see.

Perhaps some walks and coffee in the city center. Possibility for all kinds of shopping too and if anyone prefers, there is a funny pirate style minigolf by the shore. One particularly interesting place is the Maritime Museum where the ticket includes entry to the tall ship Pommern and for the motorheads there is a Plenty & Son Ltd build fully restored 250hp. steam engine on show.

When we clear our route out the jail and castle corridors, we start our 5

Some of us may need to depart on Sunday, going back to work, but some of us have a possibility to stay the Monday too.

The SCC Finland welcomes all Cade riders to join us on this 13th European Cade Raid. We have made everything ready for you, including ordered warm sunny weather. All we need is as many participants as possible. Let us try to break the participation record on 2020 (Sweden holds it by 31 bikes on 2010).

Links: Cade Raid 2020 on web http://cavalcadeeurope.saarno.com/2020_finland_info.htm Eckerö Linjen (Åland-Grisslehamn-Stockholm) https://www.eckerolinjen.se/en/index.html Viking Line (Turku/Helsinki-Åland-Stockholm) (Åland-Kapellskär-Stockholm) https://www.sales.vikingline.com/ Tallink Silja (Turku/Helsinki-Åland-Stockholm) https://booking.tallink.com/?locale=en Birka Cruises (Åland-Stockholm) https://www.birka.se/ Skärgårdsfärjan routes https://www.alandstrafiken.ax/en/routes Käringsund https://www.karingsund.ax/en?cookieChecked=true Ålands Fotografiska Museum https://www.aland.com/en/fotografiskamuseum Maritime Museum https://sjofartsmuseum.ax/en/

TIMO SAARNO FINLAND

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International Cade Raid USA 2020 fresh coffee in the motel office. The good news is that you can park your bike right outside your room. The center rooms only have parking for motorcycles (3 bike stalls per room).

The outside rooms have normal auto stalls where you can park autos, trucks or bikes. There is no restaurant. But, there is a bar with typical bar food, burgers, hot dogs, pizza, etc. The closest restaurant is the Hideaway Diner one mile away at the I-90 freeway Exit #23. Those of you who prefer more upscale lodging can check the websites of hotels in the area which I have posted below.

I have planned rides for each day. Of course you are welcome to do your own thing, but if you want to ride with us, here is the plan:Monday: A ride up the Spearfish Canyon. This is an easy afternoon ride to help recover from the long ride most of us will have to get here. It also allows those who must take three days to get here to arrive on Monday and not miss the best parts of the raid.Tuesday: We will ride to and visit the Mount Rushmore National Park. This should be on everyone's bucket list. It is an American institution.Wednesday: The Crazy Horse Monument is today's destination.

We will also ride to Fort Hays Old West Town. We will enjoy the Chuckwagon Supper and

Dan Savage and I drove to South Dakota to arrange things for the 2020 Cade Raid. We actually lost funds on the 2018 Cade Raid because of low attendance. So, I have tried to lower costs for both the hotel rooms and banquet facilities. I hope the plan we now have in place works for you and you will plan to attend next September.

By booking into a less expensive venue, we have a low room rate and I've been able to reduce registration prices as well.

We have booked September 13-19, 2020 at the Iron Horse Inn in Whitewood, South Dakota. This is about an hour's ride from Mount Rushmore National Park. It is also about the same distance to the Chief Crazy Horse Monument. The Devil's Tower is an hour and a half via the freeway. But, we will most likely take the back roads going there and back.

There are many miles of awesome roads through scenic mountains. Towns we will visit include Deadwood, SD. We could spend a month here and still not ride all the great highways.

The room rate we have secured at the Iron Horse Inn is $45 per night. This is a two-star motel with spartan rooms.

They are small but very clean. The beds are comfortable. They have TVs and stand up showers. What they do not have are in-room telephones, dresser drawers or coffee makers. There is 7

Music/Comedy Show that evening. Thursday: This will be a full day ride to Devil's Tower. We will take the back roads and ride around this amazing natural landmark.Friday: This day we will explore more of the mountain back roads.

Our farewell dinner will be this evening. The location and costs are yet to be determined. This who need three days to return home may want to leave in the morning to be home by Sunday evening.

I will be sending out the registration form when more details are in place.

Meanwhile I'll send some websites in another email where you can learn more about this special area.

Make your plans to join us in South Dakota for the 2020 Cade Raid.

Meanwhile, Ride Safe, Jay

For more information, contact Jay at: jay@treefarmtapes.com Jay & his wife Bridget with their trike.

Also Dan Savage and Peter Purcell in the blue jacket.

Pictures from Peter on his mammoth journey through Canada & the U.S.A.

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Now, my history with motorcycles.

My mom's second husband loved cars and motorcycles. Dick only had one foot because he had been in a motorcycle accident as a teenager and his leg was amputated at the knee. I was about seven years of age then and he told me about his love for riding. He never regretted riding in spite of the accident. My mother was horrified by the danger of motorcycles and one of her greatest fears was that I would get on one someday.

Going forward nine years, I entered college in September of 1958.

There was no money for me to pay for my education, so I took student loans to pay for tuition. But, I had to earn the money to pay my living expenses (food, housing, etc.). I got a job as a parking lot attendant in downtown Seattle. I worked parking cars in the evenings after classes.

In the Spring of 1959 I changed jobs and worked for a company that owned over a dozen parking lots.

Each lot had an attendant who collected payments and parked the cars. My job was to go from lot-to-lot and replace the attendant while they left for their lunch or dinner.

Driving my old car from the school to downtown and then to a different lot every hour was costly and undependable. I decided to buy a used Vespa motor scooter to save money and maneuver quickly through traffic.

“I think I was nine years old the summer afternoon that I was walking the several blocks to the school playground. Suddenly a big Harley Davidson motorcycle pulled up next to the curb where I was walking. It was Dick’s brother, Herb Carlson. He offered me a ride to the school. Mom was nowhere around, so I climbed on behind him on the big, soft leather seat. It was less than a mile, but I still remember that ride and how thrilled I was. Years later in retrospect, I came to believe that Dick arranged that encounter so I could experience riding and share his passion.

I visited a shop which sold scooters and as it happens they had just received a shipment of brand new mini-motorcycles from a company in Japan. That amazed me. The only imported products that I knew of from Japan were cheap toys and 9

watches. They were powered by a 50 cc engine and held just over a gallon of fuel. It was called the CUB and was made by a company named Honda. So, for about the same price as a used scooter, I could buy a new motorcycle which came with a warranty. Plus, I loved the ride and it was an easy choice.

So, I owned one of the very first Hondas sold in America. I was the prince of the parking lots. I’d park right next to the shelter on the lot and customers were very impressed.

I got my first big bike in 1973 when I was manager of KTW Radio. A Seattle Suzuki dealer traded me advertising on our radio station for the down payment on a new water-cooled, three cylinder, 750 cc touring bike with a faring and saddlebags. So, I announced on the air that I would be at a fast food location on Saturday morning and over a dozen of our listeners showed up on their bikes to join me for a day-ride. So, I formed a riding club and led group rides every month for 20 years. In the summer I would take two-week

motorcycle tours to Yellowstone Park, or other years to the Canadian Rocky Mountain National Parks.

In 1982 I bought a new Honda Gold Wing which I rode until 1989 when I bought my favourite motorcycle. It was a bike which changed my life and allowed me to change the lives of others. There is a story which I will give you in a shortened version.

The success of the Honda Gold Wing in America prompted other manufactures to build full-dress, touring class motorcycles to tap into that market. These were big, heavy motorcycles with a lot of storage, high quality radios, water cooled engines and with a drive shaft. Yamaha built

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the Venture, Kawasaki came out with their Voyager and Suzuki made the Cavalcade. Each one was bigger and fancier than the other (in that order).

The best of these (in my opinion) and the most expensive was the Cavalcade.

In every rider test, people preferred the Cavalcade to all other heavy bikes.

The Suzuki Cavalcade went into production in 1985. It was promoted as the 1986 model. So, the 1986 is the earliest. They made two models, the LX and the LXE. The LXE was more expensive and had more features. In 1987 they added an even cheaper model with less features to compete in price, but they still ended production of But, Suzuki had a marketing problem the Cavalcade in February of 1988.* (actually two problems) and they did Suzuki never returned to that not sell well. They sat in the dealers’ classification of full-dress motorcycle. show rooms. First, the Cavalcade was the most expensive. People could buy I had worn out my Gold Wing in 1989. a new Gold Wing for $1,000 less than I did not like the style of the new Gold the Cavalcade. But an even bigger Wings that year, so I shopped for problem was the social club formed for another brand. The Seattle Suzuki Gold Wing owners, the Gold Wing dealer still had 1986 Cavalcades in Road Riders club. People who took test supply and I had my choice of colours. rides at national rallies, said that they I bought a two-toned blue LXE. This preferred the ‘Cade’ and it would be was my ride until the Fall of 2007 when their next motorcycle. But the health issues forced me to park it in my following year, when interviewed, they garage. I contracted a muscle wasting said that they did not want to leave their disease which took away my strength. friends in the Gold Wing club or ride a More on that later. different brand. Peer pressure drove all the other heavy bikes out of the market In 1999 I was doing a lot of my (except Harley Davidson which had it’s company marketing on the internet. I decided that the Suzuki Cavalcade must own mystic and following). have a national group, so I started searching the net for one. All I found was a guy in Orlando Florida who had formed a group of Cavalcade owners so he could ride with others. He had about 20 members. Even though I was over 3,000 miles from Orlando, I joined *Production did continue until 1991 for the European market The last 200 were sold in Holland. (Editor’s note) 11

his group to have other owners to talk to on line. Bob Ramsey and I became good friends although we did not meet in person for several years. We started promoting the group nationally and more members joined. There was a lot of anger in the group toward Suzuki and their local dealers. That model, or class of bike, had been discontinued for over 10 years and it was increasingly more difficult to find parts or get service.

Suzuki only manufactured and sold 9,000 in North American and another 1,500 in Europe. (Ironically, a lot of those ended up in Norway and Sweden.)

We soon had over 100 members in our group and a few were very talented mechanics. We started posting advice and instructions for do-it-yourself repairs and maintenance.

After a couple of years, I got a phone call from Bob Ramsey. He told me that he was getting a divorce and that part of his healing was that he was selling his Cavalcade and he asked me to take over the management of the Cavalcade Owners Group. Since then we have been able to heal the conflict between Cade owners and Suzuki Corp. In that process I have become friends with the vicepresident of American Suzuki who was one of those who headed the team which designed, built and marketed the Cavalcade.

We have replaced their dealers as the source for parts and service. We have been able to keep many of the parts 12

coming to our head mechanic in Kansas. For parts no longer available we have found, or built replacements.

I started a website, SuzukiCavalcade.com which has attracted more owners to our group. I later made the mistake of turning it over to someone who has not kept it up to date. I hope to correct that soon.

We are currently over 1,700 members worldwide. We started hosting rallies bringing owners and their Cades together. In even years we have a national (international really) rally somewhere in the centre of the country. In the alternate (odd) years we have regional rallies.

These bikes weigh over 900 pounds.

So, in 2010 at a rally, I found a Cavalcade which had been converted to a three wheeled trike. Since I could no longer safely ride my two-wheeled Cavalcade. I made an offer on the trike and that is now my ride. Except that I took it for some repairs and improvements to the best Cavalcade mechanic, who lives near Wichita, Kansas. I will take my trailer and pick it up when I go to the 2018 Cade Raid in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It is about 2,300 miles from here and although I have made that trip on my two-wheeler in 2002, I don’t want to try that this year. Bridget will fly to the international airport in Kansas City. I will pick her up there on the way to the event venue. It will save her the eight

days I will take to drive both ways. I do have a friend going with me to share the driving. My RV has a comfortable bed, so it will be a nice adventure for us. This friend, Dan, bought my blue Cavalcade last year, so it is still in the (extended) family.

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Some More Pictures from Peter’s 10,300 Mile Journey

Jay and Bridget Johnson (wonderful wonderful people) and Dan Savage. Dan really helps Jay and Bridget with their bike and lots more nice fellow

Tracy starting to replace the whole secondary my bike – he did an incredible job within 24 hours to get back me back on the road.

Darla and Tracy Presnell (the world needs more people like them – beautiful folks)

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Next 3 are some pictures of the folks at the Eastern Cade Riad.

Safety means visibility

By

Roger Stone

To all my fellow Cade riders all over the I'm writing this from my hospital bed after open heart surgery to replace a defective world.

Mitral valve. Pretty rough for a 76 year old If you can not be seen while riding, you are biker but the doctors say I 'll feel like a 40 just asking some idiot to turn left in front year old again in about 6 weeks. Be nice if everything physically works like it did of your ride with dire consequences. back then also. Ha! Ha ! Ride safe and be I would like to thank the individual Cade seen. rider who was first to install Wal-Mart Roger and Mary Stone, Peoria, Illinois, $20.00 LED light strips on the front flange of his fairing.

I copied the same and can say without a doubt that they do make a difference.

Drivers wait to just see what is coming their direction. I also installed LED replacement headlight. My bike is noticeably brighter on the road. No close calls in the last several years.

I also reversed the turn and brake lights at the rear to make the bike seem wider when approaching from the rear.

Thanks again to all those who improve on this wonderful machine. Original owner of a 1986 two tone gold LX with 82,000 miles of pure enjoyment. We can ride two up 500 miles a day comfortably and safely with all the upgrades.

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Maintenance of Your Cavalcade CHANGING THE ENGINE COOLANT by Charles E Rudd The coolant system includes the radiator, an overflow tank moulded to fit the top of the front two cylinders and a second overflow tank in front of the battery in the right fairing pocket. The normal fill point is the second overflow tank near the battery, you need to remove the 5 screws that let you get into the lower portion of the fairing to see this overflow. If you want to change out the coolant you should remove the left lower fairing, if you have this, so you can access the radiator cap. Open the radiator cap just part way, open the drain and empty the engine, radiator and overflow tanks. Then fill the radiator at the radiator cap adding 2 to 2.4 oz. of Barr's Stop Leak as you fill the radiator. Barr's Stop Leak is put in the system at the time of manufacture and is recommended for anytime thecoolant is changed. Close the radiator cap tightly, and fill the overflow to the cold level.

Key points to think about: The radiator cap is pressure rated, so when cold, the cap is sealed and isolates the overflow tanks from the radiator. This is why you open the cap 16

slightly when draining, you want the entire system to drain down.

The t-stat is the thermal-mechanical device that opens and allows circulation between the engine and the radiator. Just as in a car this is a wear item. My was found to be leaking since the seal had shrunk over time. I actually removed the side panels to remove the seat, to remove the centre cowling, to remove the radio case that allowed me to access the t-stat from the top.

The overflow tank over the two front cylinders is subject to a lot of heat. This tank is about 2 inches in diameter, 10 inches long, comprised of two halves (lengthways) with 3 ports. Mine was cracked in several places along the 20 inches of seam. This meant I would lose any antifreeze that I put in to bring it up to the normal level, but the bike worked OK since it did not overheat when I test rode it before purchase. I took the tank out, cleaned it carefully, sealed the entire seam with JB Weld and then pressure tested it at 1.5 PSI. The two overflow tanks are above the radiator cap so they are only at atmospheric pressure, but I figure if it

holds at some low pressure I would be more confident when putting all that stuff back

together.

While working with this, I would check the terminals at the fan switch located near the radiator fill port. This is the switch that turns on the fan to pull air through the radiator, particularly when sitting and idling.

I am less sure about the temp sending unit, I believe it is located in the area of the t-stat, but I did not do anything with mine and the illustration in the service documentation is not really clear to me. There is a separate device for this function though and it's function is to send an electrical signal to the temp gauge in your display.

I agree with others who are recommending the use of the CD/ROM available from Cavalcade_USA Owner's Support Group. Tracy has done a great service to us all by making this available. I have printed the entire CD twice, one stays in the barn and one goes by my chair for evening reading. You would do well to get the CD and walk through the checks that are spelled out very plainly in the manual.

Headlight Adjustment 1. Place motorcycle on centre stand, 25 ft. from garage door, or other wall.

2. Measure from ground to centre of headlight and make note of this measurement.

This will be the "level" measurement.

3. Place a mark on garage door or other surface at the same height as the level measurement. Tape works well and is removable.

4. Place a mark 6 inches above and another mark 6 inches below the level mark.

There should now be 3 marks on the surface. The level mark is not used and can be removed at this time.

5. Adjust the headlight using the upper and lower marks. The low beam should be centred on the lower mark and the high beam should be centred on the upper mark.

Note: Headlight adjustment is going to vary according to the load your bike will be carrying and the shock adjustments.

These instructions were sent to me by Robert Lashua, 17

Right of passage.

By JIM NELSON Unfortunately time along with arthritis and surgeries has drawn our 2 wheel days to an end. We thought about going to a trike and even looked at the Can Am and Slingshot three wheelers. Then a cute little Volkswagen New Beetle convertible caught our eye and the rest is history. In addition to being very comfortable we still get the wind and sounds and smells, if it rains I can put the top up and keep on going.

I've had Suzi for seventeen years. I had ridden one identical to her in 1986 so when I saw this one in 2002 I grabbed it right up. She had 96,000 miles at that time. I thought I would ride it to the 100,000 mile mark then sell it back to Suzuki. I thought surely they would want to get one with that many miles in order to show how durable these great machines are. Little did I know that 100,000 miles was no big deal for them, so I kept her and had the updates done and rode on.

We are in the state of Georgia right now bringing Suzi and passing her on to our son who has been anxiously awaiting the day to "pass the keys" as is shown in the picture. I've also included a pic of her at her new home and one of our new ride.

We have thoroughly enjoyed the additional 41,000 miles since then.

We've been fortunate to attend several Cade Raids and make many new friends.

We even got to help organize the 2019 East Coast Cade Raid near our home here in West Virginia.

We still plan to stay active in the Yahoo group and attend the Cade Raids but it will be from a different seat.

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We still plan to stay active in the Yahoo group and attend the Cade Raids but it will be from a different seat.

By the way, we made our son Jay Nelson promise to do the same.

Suzuki Cavalcade is still the best motorcycle ever built.

Jim and Pat Nelson Madison WV USA

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THE FIRST 15,000 MILES

BY Paul Devall Written in 1990.

Since taking delivery of the Cavalcade, or Suzuki GV1400GDG to give it the official title, in August 1988, I’ve completed 15,000 miles. During this time the bike has been an excellent servant and utterly reliable. To those of you who think that this is the boast of a fair weather biker, I also managed 7,000 on my XT600, 4,000 on a Suzuki GT750, and, finally a 3,000 on my latest purchase, a Suzuki GSX750ES.

miles. At 18,500, I replaced the rear Continental, fitted at 5,300 miles by the previous owner, with another ME88 Marathon. (Editor: The make that I use all the time) Both tyres have given a good account of themselves, although the Metzeler rear is more confidence inspiring than the Conti.

I’ve had the bike professionally serviced at Fliwick Motorcycles since buying it, mainly to make sure the secondhand Since ownership began I’ve made a few warranty wasn’t invalidated. The valves major purchases. The fairing was damaged are hydraulically adjusted and are, by the previous owner when it fell off the therefore, maintenance free. Only the sidestand. It was repaired before I bought filters and oil need changing in the engine, it, but not to my liking, and was reflected and various oils in the drive units. in the purchase price.

When you first throw your leg over the The top panel, which is of thin plastic and seat, the whole idea of riding a beast acts as the surround for the left glove weighing the better part of 800 lb is pocket and a mount for the switches and awesome. The bike is fitted with an left stereo speaker, was expensive at $35. ignition cutout that requires the clutch However, it does it does run from lever to be pulled in before there is any alongside the instrument panel to in front interest from the starter motor. It always of my knee. The main fairing lower that needs full choke when cold and nearly covers the suspension air pump is a great always starts first touch. deal more expensive at $175 including p&p. Both parts havebeen ordered from a After a few weeks of inactivity, the carbs empty and starting comes a little harder, dealer in the U.S.A., Using Access. usually requiring a bit of a jiggling with The only other purchases were a Metzeler the choke and throttle to get it to start and Marathon front tyre to replace the run cleanly. And clean it certainly is, being originally fitted Dunlop Qualifier at 11,500 fitted with a USA EPA-standard exhaust.

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The current US standard is more stringent than in Europe, with the possible exception of Switzerland. This will cause a few problems when it needs replacing - hello Access again!

Once running, the bike takes a bit of getting used to. Initially, the weight is obviously the biggest consideration. In traffic, though, it can be slogged around at slow speeds without any problems. The weight is most noticeable when stopping and putting a foot down, when the whole thing can be quite hair-raising. On one or two occasions, I’ve almost dropped it on wet or gravelly surfaces, and almost given myself a hernia into the bargain.

Getting the bike onto the centre stand is easy, as it has a lever system and can be levered most of the way. In fact, it’s much easier to get on the stand than was the GSX1100E I had a few years back.

The bike was designed for the wide open spaces of the USA, but adapts easily to most going. Anyone who had Witnessed us on recent visits to Scotland and the FIM Rally in Barcelona, would have been surprised to see how nimble it was on twisty roads. The bike is most at home on good A roads, and of course motorways.

Since I bought the Cavalcade, it’s been on some good long trips; twice to Spain, Belgium and Scotland. (Home is in Bedfordshire Handling is OK off the major slabs, but, obviously the bike is a luxury tourer and not intended for scratching. The rear suspension as air-assisted auto level fitted, which ensures at a touch of a button that the bike is always on an even keel. It is

inflated by the same pump that inflates the seat pockets and the extention lead used to inflate the tyres (and airbeds!) It takes a few minutes to go from solo load to two-up and luggage load without getting dirty hands.

Comfort scores 11/10. The seats are exceptional, both front and rear, and they need to be as I’m no lightweight at 16 stone! For the rider, the footrest are adjustable.

Due to the positioning of the bars, the rider does tend to slouch a little , or sag in my case, which begins to give one a pain in the middle of the back after 400 miles or so.

I hope to cure this with a Markland backrest I’ve agreed to buy from a member of Lemans America, the US Suzuki Club.

Passenger comforts include a backrest and adjustable footboards, a air seat controlled by a panel alongside the rear seat. The large fairing keeps most of the elements off the rider and the screen has about two inches of adjustment. I have it in the lowest position as I like to be able to see over it at night and when it’s raining. The screen deflects air away from the bars, and, even in quite cold weather, I can wear unlined racing gloves and not freeze.

The Clarion stereo radio/cassette, fitted in the dummy tank, is very good. It plays clearly up to about 75 mph. After that, it becomes a little distorted. Pre-recorded tapes sound best. On a long journey, the tapes and radio provide a distraction, but not so much that it affects riding to any degree. The unit also incorporates an intercom, and if required, sound from the radio/cassette, can be channelled via the headsets as well.

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Another aid to comfort on long distances is the electronic cruise control, which is effective only in top gear and in the 50-85 mph speed range. It is set by using the buttons on the right handlebar.

With a machine as big as this, braking is also a consideration. I’m running Ferodo pads up front, EBC in the rear. The brakes stop the bike well but I’d like a bit more feel at the lever. The calipers are the same as those on the US GS1100G and may be very good on the GS, but the extra couple hundred pounds, puts them under strain.

Later models were fitted with more GSXR like stoppers. After reading an article in the club magazine, I may fit Lockheed twin piston racing calipers. Despite all this, I’ve had no trouble stopping yet.

For the very lazy, the cruise can be used to accelerate! Setting cruising speed at 70 mph, the rider can return to cruise mode and at any speed over 45 press “resume”. The machine then accelerates to the pre-set 70 mph. There are a few ways of turning it off. The simplest being the slightest amount of pressure on the brake pedal.

Luggage capacity is good. The side cases are not removable, but come with dinky little bags to stash your gear in. The trunk takes loads of gear, and even has a light and vanity mirror for those of us who like to do our hair as soon as our helmets come off. Actually, it has it’s uses at night when changing cassettes.

Performance is a little limited! The 1400cc V4 engine puts out only 85 bhp, which is hardly startling considering the 800 lb plus passengers it has to pull along.

Top speed is around the 100 mph, but by this time, the bike is a little unstable. I’m not as brave as MCN road testers so I haven’t pushed it any harder. Also, I own the bike.

Would I buy another? Most certainly. I bought this bike as it is a little different.

I had gone out shopping to buy a Gold Wing, but was attracted to the Suzuki immediately I saw one. I had seen photographs in the American magazines, and it was at the 1988 FIM Rally, in Finland, that I first saw one “in the flesh” and decided that I wanted one.

Fuel consumption can vary quite considerably, from a low of 23 mpg, at flat out speeds, and two up, 54 mpg tootling back from Scotland behind a club member on his LS650 and trailer. A similar figure was achieved when following the same combination from Andorra to Barcelona last summer.

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LINKS ALLEN KING - Cavalcade parts used and new: www.cadecountry.com TRACY PRESNEL - New Cavalcade parts: www.billydump.com BAKER WINGS - Wind deflectors for Cavalcade: www.bakerwings.com SILVER STAR BULBS - Headlight bulbs: www.consumabulbs.com AGM BATTERY (UK) - Leoch YTX24HL-BS 12V 21Ah: http://www.hardwarexpress.co.uk/ytx24hl-bs-motorcycle-battery-12v-21ah2790-p.asp

BELGIUM - www.suzukicavalcade.be FINLAND - www.sccf.fi HOLLAND - www.suzukicavalcade.nl NORWAY - www.sccn.no SWEDEN - www.cavalcadeclub.se U.S.A. - www.suzukicavalcade.com CAVALCADE_USA - Email group. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Cavalcade_USA/info

Send me your LINKS to add to this list. It can be someone who services the Cavalcade, parts supplier- used or new, in the US or rest of the world.

Where you get your battery or tyres from.

The list will be updated with new LINKS when available, it all depends on you to have them added. I am hoping to eventually to do a LINKS supplement separate to the magazine. People could then print it off to keep as a reference when needing parts.

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Suzuki Cavalcade kofferbak spiegel /trunk mirror Afmeting: 17,5 x 12,5 cm Deze spiegel is gemaakt op het formaat van de spiegelhouder in de topkoffer achter op de Suzuki Cavalcade.

This mirror is especialy made at the size for the trunk of the Suzuki Cavalcade.

Op speciaal verzoek van mijn kennis Henk Bierman c.q. ter gelegenheid van de SCCNL (Suzuki Cavalcade club Nederland) raid 2011 naar Engeland, heb ik zijn Suzuki Cavalcade getekent en op de spiegel gegraveerd.

De spiegel past precies in de spiegelhouder in de topkoffer achterop de motor.

Spiegels zoals deze Cavalcade spiegel worden op de achterzijde van de spiegel (in spiegelbeeld) met een speciale diamantfrees gegraveerd. Na het graveren worden de lijnen en letters met speciale watervaste witte (of evt. zwarte) verf met de hand ingekleurd zodat de afbeelding goed zichtbaar wordt en blijft. Vooral als de spiegel in een spiegelhouder zoals in de koffer achterop de motor wordt geplaatst.

Spiegel van Suzuki Cavalcade € 27,95;Afmeting: 17,5 x 12,5 cm; Dikte 3 mm. ; Incl.

BTW Gratis verzending binnen Nederland.

Especially for foreign countries like USA: I will also send mirrors to foreign countries at shipping cost US $ 25,50* ( € 19,-) This mirror cost currently US $ 37,50* (€ 27.95) Note: collectively order will reduce shipping costs per mirror. graveur: Johan Gasman; e-mail: info@creattent.nl telefoon: van maandag t/m donderdag: 9.00 - 11.30 uur: 06 - 522 91 633

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Wanneer bellen niet (meteen) lukt, dan kunt u ook een verzoek doen om u terug te laten bellen: Stuurt u in dat geval een terug-bel-verzoek of spreek uw naam en nummer in waarop u teruggebeld wilt worden. adres: Isebrandtsheerd 199 (bezoek: alleen op afspraak); 9737 LR Groningen On special request of my knowledge Henk Bierman or to mark the SCCNL (Suzuki Cavalcade club Netherlands) raid in 2011 to England, I have Suzuki Cavalcade getekent and engraved on the mirror.

The mirror fits into the mirror holder in the trunk behind the engine.

Mirrors as Cavalcade mirror engraved on the back of the mirror (mirror image) with a special diamond cutter. After etching the lines and letters with special waterproof white (or possibly. Black) paint with hand coloured so that the image is clearly visible and remain. Especially if the mirror in a mirror holder, such as in the case is inserted. The back of the engine.

Mirror Suzuki Cavalcade € 27.95 Size: 17,5 x 12,5 cm Thickness 3 mm.

Incl. VAT Free shipping within the Netherlands.

Especially for foreign countries like USA: I will send usefull mirrors to foreign countries at shipping cost US $ 25.50 * (€ 19, -) This mirror cost hört US $ 37.50 * (€ 27.95). Note: Collectively orderwill reduce

shipping costs per mirror.

Note: Collectively order will reduce shipping costs per mirror. engraver Johan Gasman ;e-mail: info@creattent.nl ; Phone: Monday / Thursday: 9:00 to 11:30 am: 06-522 91 633 When to call not (immediately) work, you can also make a request to let you call back: You send in that case, a call-back request or record your name and number in which you want to be called back. address: Isebrandtsheerd 199 (visits by appointment only) 9737 AE Groningen

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For Further information contact TOW PAC Phone Tow Pac on: 866 694 3500 or www.towpacusa.com 26

Cavalcade gear Replica belt buckle. £10/$15 inc p&p Cap with bike and Cavalcade script. Any colour. £10/$13 +

Pin badges. £3 each including p&p worldwide Special offer: 2 badges for £5/$9 inc. p&p

Paddock Jacket; quilted inside, with or without wool collar.

Cost: £60/$80 + post and Package.

Ship World Wide Description below FRONT: Club logo on left breast SHOULDERS: CAVALCADE or SUZUKI flashes on both.

BACK: Horse/Rider & Cavalcade Script.

The jacket can be ordered with just the Horse/Rider + Cavalcade Script on the back & flashes on the shoulders £55/$70 + p&p For a jacket email with size & with or without collar.

Pay with PayPal

Email gv1400lxe@gmail.com to order 27

T-shirt with bike & Cavalcade Script on left breast £15/$20 + p&p Polo shirt with bike and Cavalcade Script on left breast £20/$33 + p&p Postage & Packing for World wide is: 1 shirt £7/$9; 2 shirts £10/$13.

Sweatshirts with bike & Cavalcade Script on left breast £20 + p&p Postage and Packing for World Wide is: 1 Sweat shirt £9/$12; 2 sweatshirts £12/$16 Fleece, Full Length Zip, with bike & Cavalcade script or Club logo on left breast: £25+ p&p. Postage & packing World Wide is: 1 fleece £9; 2 fleeces £12.

Email the size(s), colour of garment(s) & quantity. Also the main colour and the inset panel colour. Click Here Please remember when ordering that the thread colours can vary in shade and, therefore, each garment could have slightly different shades on the bikes and Cavalcade script if ordered at

All garments with logo on left breast .

T-shirt £12 + p&p; Polo shirt £16 + p&p; Sweatshirt £20 + p&p Postage and Packing Costs T-shirt/Polo shirt: 1 shirt £5 2 shirts £7 Sweatshirt: 1 shirt £7 2 shirts £9 Email the size(s), colour(s) & quantity required to postmaster.

State which Country or State required.

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Cap with Horse/Rider design : £10 + p&p.

Postage &Package: 1 Cap £2.50 2 Caps £3.50 Ship World Wide. Click Here