Category: The Bike

Servicing the Bike

My old school mate Pete has been in West Wales this weekend. As well as catching up and socialising, he helped me service the bike and have some tips on removing tyres etc.
We changed oil and brake fluids, new brake pads on the back, cleaned the brake calipers, removed the rear wheel to clean the chain and guides, removed and replaced the rear tyre, Removed and replaced the tank, put on a new aluminium sump guard to replace the standard plastic one, new spark plug, new K&N washable air filter, new oil filter and gasket.
As well as doing work that was needed, we did some jobs i am likely to have to do on the road. This means I have more confidence but also means I have the tools I will need. Pete has lent me his tyre levers and a spanner I had pretty much everything needed except a large Allen key needed to remove the front wheel. I need to pick one up, strangly it was not in the Yamaha kit provided with the bike.

Planning The Bike UK

Central wheel components

A big thank you to Central Wheel Components for donating 10 front and 10 rear wheel spokes that I can take as spares.

Central Wheel Components

Tags spokes

Planning The Bike UK

More bike mods – LED flood lights and Barkbusters

Post author By John Barrett
Post date 02/01/2015
No Comments on More bike mods – LED flood lights and Barkbusters

I have done some more work on the bike. I have installed a pair of high intensity led spot lights to boost the poor light from main beam on the bike. LEDs have come a long way ams give a lot of light for little power.

They are mounted below the main light cluster just above the towing loop.

They are wired into the main beam via a switch so i can isolate them if needed.
I also installed a pair of bark buster hand guards to save my hands when i fall and to provide some wind protection.

Planning The Bike UK

More Bike mods plus camping gear

Post author By John Barrett
Post date 22/11/2014
No Comments on More Bike mods plus camping gear

I have now fitted a set of heated grips to the bike as well as an auxiliary power socket and USB charging point. I have also done a test pack of most of the kit to check for space – I need not have worried, I have plenty of room.

Tags UK

Planning The Bike

Radiator protector fitted

Post author By John Barrett
Post date 08/11/2014
No Comments on Radiator protector fitted

I have fitted a metal radiator protector obtained from Altech Designs who sell them on e-bay. It appears very good quality and looks good.

Fitting was straight forward as it goes over the existing plastic coverand completed within 15 minutes. They give longer bolts which replace the stock ones.

Tags UK

Planning The Bike

Photos of the Bike

I took the bike out for a ride today to test a camera mount I have added. I have a Nikon AW120 digital camera which is very robust and waterproof – I did a thorough test including dropping it from the bike at about 10Mph; not deliberately – note to self, do not fiddle with camera whilst moving !!

It works really well at low speeds but at high engine revs there is a lot of vibration which is to be expected with a single cylinder bike. The picture gets blurry when this happens but is still viewable. All in all I am happy with the setup.

Some still photos taken with the camera:

This is for my mobile phone which also provides music and GPS to my helmet via bluetooth

Another mod I have made is to put on a centre stand.

The control to the right of the camera mount is a remote control for my helmet mounted bluetooth headset.

The bikes first wounds were caused when I put her on the side stand at the side of the road. She was facing downhill and rolled forward off the stand.

This is the oild resevoir. The Scottoiler drips oil onto he drive chain while the engine is running. — This is the oil reservoir. The Scottoiler drips oil on tothe drive chain while the engine is running.

Tags UK

Planning The Bike

Choosing a Bike

Having read many other experiences of different bikes, my initial leaning toward the BMW 650GS has changed. The BMW seems to be pretty bullet proof but when things do go wrong it gets very expensive very quickly. I have read reports of electrical issues, waiting for parts, difficult diagnostics etc. The other issues are the high value of the bike which effects the cost of the carnet and the weight of the bike and tool kit needed.

The other favourites seem to be the Suzuki DR650 and the Yamaha XT600 or newer XT660. As I am in the UK, and the DR650 is not sold here, I will probably go for the Yamaha so I have a better selection of bikes to choose from.

Not a good paint scheme for riding through Iran — Yamaha XT660 – Perhaps not a good paint scheme for riding through Iran

Getting a carnet looks like a major expense. They are only available from the RAC in the UK and are very expensive. They act like a passport for the bike entering and leaving a country and avoid you paying import duties and taxes. It may be possible to get one from Germany much more cheaply but I have read conflicting opinions on that.

Whatever I get, it will need some prep work such as uprated shocks, panniers and carriers, fitting inner tubes etc. Doing this work will be part of the fun and will allow me to get intimate with it mechanically before I leave. I would imagine I will be spending a lot of time on the road maintaining and fixing the bike.

Tags UK