Sunday, October 25, 2009

Did I hear GRAVEL & SWEAT?

Dude,

Had a slight fright on the bike today on the way to supercheaps, took a corner at a appropriate speed but chose a 'not-so-appropriate' line and almost did a face-plant while cornering over a small patch of sand on the road. Stuck my foot out and uprighted to bike before swearing under my helmet and convincing myself that I was still invincible. :O

Anyway, this is an update on the things I have done/will be doing soon to the bike:

  1. Acerbis 22litre tank
  2. Finalised Tool Kit
  3. New Pro Taper Pillow Top Hand Grips
  4. GPS RAM Mount
  5. SPOT GPS tracker
  6. Slipstreamer Windscreen (On its way!)
  7. Dunlop D606, Tubes & Rimlocks (To be done before practice run across nullabor)
  8. Finalised Camping Tools

My Tool Kit for OzRoundin' (Missing Tyre Gauge, Irons, Repair Kit & Funnel Set)
















Working on the bike myself the past few weeks has allowed me to get fairly acquainted with the inner workings of the venerable XR600. It's simple enough for me to know how to bleed the brakes, change the pads, tyres, chains, oil, filters except major engine overhauls. I reckon the part I dread the most is fixing up a flat on the road. That's gonna be heinous!

I've also plotted a possible route for Nov 10 as a practice run across Australia to Port Augusta. Distance is estimated to be around 4965km and consists of a ritualistic 700 - 800 km per day. Hopefully, I don't fall off and die. IF I do end up in a fireball of tears I will be looking forward to utilising my SPOT satellite tracker and see if the emergency button is as effective as they purport it to be. Will provide a tracking website soon so that anybody who is interested can follow my journey.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Update.




Bike update: XR600 1997 with kickstarter.

So Far I've:
1. changed the oil, cleaned the filter (air),
2. Fitted custom Pannier and rear racks,
3. Serviced the Clutch Cable Oil Leak,
4. Fitted new front and rear bearings,
5. New Pads,
6. Assembled a rough tool kit.
7. Upgraded front sprocket to 14T.
8. Sheep Wool Seat Pad
8. Tourmaster Tank Bag and New Gloves

Including Comprehensive Insurance (Swann) and other miscellaneous admin fees I've spent close to 1300 bucks.

Things to get soon:
22l Acerbis Tank
GPS mount
Windscreen


Monday, April 13, 2009

Willie Willie Coyote

It's been awhile. Currently away in Japan on exchange until June but I have taken it onto myself to start sussing out a bike for when I return to Perth (Eventually). I have to be honest here, I have mixed feelings about leaving Japan. Initially, before I came that is, I was so looking forward to riding in Japan on a 2 wheeler of some sort but on arriving, found out that I was not permitted to do that. Despite being tempted to ride all the time here I have had a wonderful time with Japanese public transport! I am still raring to get back straddling a hot rod between my legs though (ok, reserve the gay comments to AFTER I finish). Not one day passes where I do not even think about "oh xtz.....oh XR.... or maybe a DR..." and when I see a bike here (which is really fucking everywhere), I just get so....懐かしいね!(literally meaning: Miss)

So yea, now another aspect that has changed since the last time I posted has been deciding the route I am going to take. So that would mean getting some 1:25 000 or 1:50 000 maps and plotting out a rough route I would be take around and back. It would cover 15% dirt 85% Tarmac.

Also, I have raised the budget on the bike from 2500 to max out 4k but realistically, I would want to spend around 3.2k or thereabouts to get it. Really hoping it is a tenere. So another 1.5k to do it up (larger tank, rego. upgrading parts, seats, racks, tyres, etc). And also, maybe a dirt riding course in Cambodia at the end of the year. Okay willie kneelies ride safe and try not to be caught with your pants down while peeing in the great outdoors.