tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84097547380138937642024-03-14T12:09:17.199+10:00Sanity on Two WheelsJoin my travels around Australia on two wheels.
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After travelling much of Australia but often with not enough time to take everything in, a desire to travel via motorcycle grew. Hopefully these pages can help share some of this enjoyment.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-82155622517161507552024-01-02T07:27:00.001+10:002024-01-02T07:28:48.120+10:00Tuesday 2nd January 2024. Been on holidays,<p> So. It's been a few years.</p><p>This post is a bit of a test. A test to see if I want to reboot this blog. A test to see if I can do it more easily on a tablet and not lug around a laptop. A test to see if I can do something meaningful with this blog I guess.</p><p>So in the last few years, what's happened?</p><p>Finished my degree. Two, actually.</p><p>Bought a new motorcycle, a 2016 Triumph Tiger 800 XRx LRH. It's a great bike.</p><p>Sold the DR800 to someone I trust to rebuild it into an amazing machine.</p><p>Started a new job, working on helping others affected by domestic and family violence.</p><p>Diagnosed with Type II diabetes. Reversed it in 13 months with diet, exercise, medications, supplements, intermittent fasting and the guidance of my brilliant GP.</p><p>And other life type stuff.</p><p>Looking forward, I plan to put together a page on the Tiger, called 'The Doctor'. I plan to document some trips, as there have been a number of lovely bike trips that I haven't documented, especially one in 2022 with great friends. Most of all, I'm starting to think about how I can develop a meaningful mental health private practice that embraces many things, including motorcycles.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-42835945084372062372017-10-07T08:51:00.001+10:002017-10-07T08:51:24.911+10:00Saturday 7th October 2017. What to do with a flat tyre on a cruiser?A few weeks ago I had a flat tyre on the rear wheel on the V-Star. A bit frustrating but no matter, a chance to try a few things. Dirt bikes are easy, cruisers are not so much. I suspected that bot only was the tube pierced where a screw had gone in but also has split near the valve. I attempted to replace the tube myself but lacked confidence in breaking the tyre bead away from the rim. So after removal, I took the wheel and spare tube to <a href="http://tyres4bikes.com.au/" target="_blank">Tyres for Bikes</a> at Albion, who fixed it all straightaway.<br />
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This flat tyre gave me a chance to find out a few things. First, it avtually doesn't take much to take the rear wheel off or to re-install it. Here are all the tools you need:<br />
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Of course, a lift is a big help. There are other ways to raise the bike, but as of today, these are now less than $200.00 at most auto stores in Australia.<br />
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The other thing I learnt is that some of the instant aerosol flat repair products actually do work. They can leave the tube a mess but will get you home. So I now carry a can of the Motul product with me. This puts to rest a worry I have always had nagging me about what to do if I get a flat whilst travelling. The Motul can will always get me to a town where I can have a bike shop replace a tube.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-73346105262173155402017-08-27T07:02:00.002+10:002017-08-27T07:02:51.590+10:00Saturday 26 August 2017. Update on hearing protection modification.Well ... it worked!<br />
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After a week and a bit, the little holes in the earplugs seem to hsve made quite a difference. Simply put, the earplugs stay in when putting the helmet on and taking it off. No more looking on the ground for a fallen earplug and having to clean it off afterwards. They also seem to sit in better whilst riding.<br />
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A massive improvement in function and ease of use. All at the righr price of nada, zip, nothing. A good result.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-31919096034124711662017-08-14T09:23:00.001+10:002017-08-14T09:23:40.013+10:00Monday 14 August 2017. Improving hearing protection (I hope)Riding motorcycles has a number of health hazards when compared to driving in a car. The most obvious is the greater opportunity for a crash and off course, the lower body protection available. However there are other health hazards, such as the nerve damage I mentioned in previous posts, early onset of arthritis and hearing loss, among others. Almost all of these are preventable, you just need to listen to your body and use a bit of sense.<br />
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Hearing loss is easily preventable by paying attention to your windshield, helmet and wearing hearing protection. The last year I have been a bit slack on the hearing protection because the windshield and helmet combination I currently use has been quite effective. Additionally, I often get annoyed when the hearing protection I prefer to use (silicon molded ear plugs) doesn't stay in place. They seem to get 'pushed out' by air trapped in the ear when inserting them.<br />
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On the weekend I had some time to wonder why the molded ear plugs do not fit as snugly as I would like. Looking ahead, I think its time to start planning for some longer trips. This means wondering how I may re-intro music whilst riding. With the Shoei Neotec helmet comes removable pads that facilitate helmet speakers. So how do I bring everything together; pleasant sounds to penetrate the hearing protection, hearing protection that reduces unpleasant sound such as road noise and wind noise and also doesn't fall out?<br />
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My best guess is based on observation of professionally made hearing protection. A lot of them have a small hole through the centre. This is where I am headed with this:<br />
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<ul>
<li>I hazard a guess that this allows air to escape whilst putting the ear plugs in, thus allowing a better fit. I think that makes sense.</li>
<li>If the outside of the hole faces the centre of the helmet speakers, that should facilitate the music flowing through a bit better.</li>
<li>And finally, if the hole goes through the thickest part of the ear plugs, it should have the minimum effect on reducing the unwanted noise.</li>
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So I drilled a 3mm / 1/8 inch hole in the molded ear plugs as you can see on the pictures. Why 3 mm? Just a guess, based on what I could see from professionally made earplugs. This morning I tried them out. Certainly they do fit better and do not fall out, so that's a good start. In terms of unwanted road noise, the hole doesn't seem to make any difference, so winner on two fronts; I'm very happy with a cheap fix that is nothing more than observation and guess work. I think the helmet speakers will work AOK and will organize to order a set soon. So far, all good. Great result at no cost.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-29037871526313354652017-05-27T21:21:00.000+10:002017-05-27T21:21:12.110+10:00Saturday 27 May 2017. Some thoughts on avoiding further nerve damageDuring the last week I visited my GP to receive good news and bad news. The good news is that the test conducted in the last month came in all perfect. The bad news is that by process of elimination, the problems I have had with my hands any feet, known as peripheral neuropathy, or sticking and glove neuropathy, is most likely from the vibration that comes with riding the motorcycles. So now I am faced with a few options:<br />
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1. Change nothing, keep riding and most likely continue to incur further nerve damage.<br />
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2. Mitigate the vibrations at every opportunity and easure the effect.<br />
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3. Give up riding altogether.
The probable effects of option 1 are further nerge damage that may in turn, permanently affect the use of limbs, I don't want that.<br />
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It is also important to remember that once the cause of the nerve damage is identified and removed, the nerve endings can grow back at a rate of roughly 1 mm per month. As I also do not wish to give up riding altogether so how does mitigation sound?
First, you must remember that my two current regular rides are a large air cooled single cylinder (the Suzuki DR800) and a air cooled V-Twin (the Yamaha V-Star). These two configurations are known to produce the most vibrations of any motocycle engine. Send, both bike are fairly old and their designs were not to be the smoothest bikes on the. A new, multi-cylinder parallel in line engine would significantly lower vibrations. Possible contenders include the BMW GS800, the mooted Yamaha advneture bike based on the MT07 engine and the Honda CRF1000. With Honda's reputation for smoothness and the fact that I know that Karen and I can fit on it fairly easily, at this stage the CRF1000 looks to be a contender. However, that will have to wait until I finish my studies and return to work full-time.
In the meantime what can I do reduce the effects of the vibration? Here are a few things I plan to try:<br />
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1. Switch to gloves with impact absorbtion. For cold days, I have just switched to the Dririder Speed 2 gloves. You can find out more from <a href="http://sanityontwowheels.blogspot.com.au/p/my-gear-and-stuff.html#speed2gloves" target="_blank">this link</a>.<br />
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2. Switch the handlebar grips to softer, more compliant grips. The Suzuki has been running Grip Puppies for some time and last weekend I changed the 14 year-old rubber grips with new Grip Puppies on the Yamaha as well. Early days but right now, that seems to help.<br />
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3. Put the Air Hawk air cushion back on. I did that last night and today's longer ride seems to have been comfortable for much longer. Certainly the literal "seat of the pants" test tends to indicate that the Air Hawk seat cushion does isolate vibrations. The Air Hawk is sandwiched between the stock seat and a the sheepskin seat cover on the Yamaha; again it is early days but my legs feel better than after more recent rides.<br />
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4. Purchase vibration isolation footpegs. I have not done this and am yet remain unconvinced that they work. Further study on this issue before I set to work on this.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-6144360507949423662017-05-27T20:33:00.000+10:002017-05-27T20:33:50.996+10:00Saturday 27 May 2017. A ride through the Lockyer ValleyToday a small group; Val, Trevor, Derek, Dorothy, Michael, Julie and I kicked off from MacDonalds at Yamanto and travelled some back roads. The route went through Peak Crossing, Harrisville, Warril View, Rosewood, Laidley, Lake Dyer, Forest Hill, Gatton and then lunch at Gatton. Some of us grabbed takeawy at the '<a href="https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/tony-floats-new-venture/2310636/" target="_blank">Floating Cafe</a>', which was named after the Grantham Floods in 2011 and we all dined at Bugler Park, which is an excellent place to stop and refresh.<br />
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After lunch we stopped at Plainlands for a bit of a gourmet purchase. I grabbed several wursts and some imported Danish waffles, which Karen loves. Then up through Lowood, Esk, Grigor Creek Road, Kilcoy and then home. Dorothy lead us through Grigor Creek Road as I have never been on it; its quite a pleasant surprise, right up there with the Maidenwell-Upper Yamanto back road.<br />
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As usuall, these days I am enjoying the moment too much and forgot to take lots of photos. Here are two from Lake Dyer. Next time, we will go through Plainlands first, stop by Schulze's Meat Tavern and pick up some gourmet sausages to cook at Lake Dyer. Visiting this lake was another first time thing for me and it was quite spur of the moment but really worth it. Over the last ten years, the standard of public amenities all over south-east Queensland has really picked up and enjoying the great outdoors is better than ever.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-12976696015599641122017-05-23T09:45:00.000+10:002017-05-23T09:45:34.011+10:00Tuesday 24 May 2017. A few thoughts on mirrors and windAs the three occasional readers of this blog may know, I have been experimenting for some time on ways to reduce the effects of wind on the helmet, especially noise and buffeting. Its just an interest to see how much I can learn about this without compromising on safety, protection from bugs and rear-view visibility.<br />
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On Monday whilst riding I noticed for the first time that the left-hand-side mirror on the Yamaha sits higher than the right-hand-side. This is due to the combined effects of the different stock Yamaha mounting points as well as blindly installing a matching riser to the thread adaptor when I installed aftermarket mirrors.<br />
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Basically, if I had measured the heights at the time, I would have realised that the left hand riser was not needed. The left hand mirror mounting point is different to the right-hand side and about three centimetres higher.<br />
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Anyhow, when I arrived home, I removed the left-hand-side riser and the mirrors are closer to level, although not perfectly matched. On this mornings ride, I could detect another lowering in buffeting, not a huge difference as it already is fairly low, but some. This seems to align well with the information from a few sources that indicate that the best way to reduce the effects of rear-view mirrors on air flow towards the body and helmet are:<br />
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1. Without compromising visibility, keep the mirrors low and out from the bike as possible. <a href="http://www.stromtrooper.com/general-v-strom-discussion/7596-difference-between-buffeting-turbulence.html">http://www.stromtrooper.com/general-v-strom-discussion/7596-difference-between-buffeting-turbulence.html</a> and <a href="http://www.stromtrooper.com/general-v-strom-discussion/45457-$18-mirrors-cure-buffeting.html">http://www.stromtrooper.com/general-v-strom-discussion/45457-$18-mirrors-cure-buffeting.html</a> .This does not reduce the buffeting and wind disruption, but places it away from the helmet and body as much as possible.<br />
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2. My own observation is to avoid, if possible, a sharp or 90 degree inside corner. Rather, look for mirrors that have a curved edge or even a straight edge from the mount as air flow over the top and inside planes flow a lot smoother. This was my experience with installing Yamaha Tenere mirrors on the Suzuki DR800 and then smaller circular mirrors. To date, the Tenere mirrors were the best ones I have used. To install them I used the Suzuki base mounts and Yamaha stalks.<br />
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3. This seems be be congruent with the designs from more expensive and faster bikes. They all have smoother top and inside edges as per the Aprilia ones below:<br />
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4. The smaller, the better. Without comprising rear-view visibility, it seems to make sense that the smaller the mirror, the less disruption to the air flow that can occur. I have yet to test this fully. Of course a smaller mirror may have to have a convex lens to provide the full coverage.<br />
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5. I suspect, but I am not sure, that if the body of the mirror casing has some shape that helps move the air in a more aerodynamic fashion, this would also help. The casings for the current old GSX-style mirrors are fairly flat, as are DR stock mirrors and it strikes me that these flat surfaces would be pushing the air in a range of uncontrolled directions.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-41723823240533382562017-05-14T16:43:00.002+10:002017-05-14T16:44:28.462+10:00Sunday 13 May 2017. Handgrip heater fix and replacementWhilst driving from from morning tea with Karen, I had a bit of brainwave on how to fix the handgrip heater and also have some vibration reduction at very little cost. Went to work on repairing the heater and that came to zero cost. Replaced the actual handgrip on the throttle side also at zero cost but I will need to order a new set of Grip Puppies so as to ensure that the left side matches and that may come to about $35.00. Given that the original idea for a full repair would have been between $100.00 and $200.00, I am pleased with both the form and function of the final product: a set of grips with heat and improved vibration resistance. Should keep me riding for some more time to come. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://sanityontwowheels.blogspot.com.au/p/my-bikes-rainmaker.html#handgripheater" target="_blank">" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://sanityontwowheels.blogspot.com.au/p/my-bikes-rainmaker.html#handgripheater" target="_blank">Click here for full write-up and photos.</a>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-46896815747251193032017-05-13T19:24:00.003+10:002017-05-13T19:29:58.381+10:00Saturday 12 May 2017. New handguards for the V-StarAn afternoon set aside to move some furniture etc was cancelled, so I had a chance to finish a long delayed job. Taking the prototype DIY handguards as a guide, I built a new set using information gleaned from the recent windshield modification and the year or so of running the prototype guards. Here is the result:<br />
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The next job for this bike on the hand controls is to repair or replace the grip heaters. Due to a recent visit with my GP, I have become a bit concerned about the effects of the constant vibration on nerves in my hands and feet . Hopefully the tests that the GP sent me for reveal nothing more than a diet lacking in appropriate Vitamin B and the need to lose weight. Nonetheless I will be looking at aftermarket grips and footpegs that absorb a bit of vibration. We shall see where that journey takes me soon A bit about the science behind the design can be found at <a href="http://sanityontwowheels.blogspot.com.au/p/my-bikes-rainmaker.html#handguard_duct" target="_blank">this link</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-71057689489184674532017-05-03T06:58:00.001+10:002017-05-03T07:00:31.340+10:00Wednesday 3 Mar 2017. Windshield modificationReporting back on the windshield modification on the Yamaha V-Star. The upside down triangle duct really has helped improve the bike's rideability, especially with reduced wind noise and buffeting. <a href="http://sanityontwowheels.blogspot.com.au/p/my-bikes-rainmaker.html#triangle_duct" target="_blank">Click here to jump to the full details</a> within the page on the 'Rainmaker', although, it didn't rain at all last time.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-2604330631016001442017-05-01T20:15:00.000+10:002017-05-01T20:15:06.846+10:00Sunday 30 April 2017. Glen Innes - Inverell, Bingara, Inverell, Ashord - StanthorpeThe second day of our annual KKK ride. We left Glen Innes early and took the sublime road to Inverell.<br />
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Shortly after leaving Glen Innes, we turned off to Pajero Point. Its actually properly called <a href="http://www.travelling-australia.info/Journal2015/13apr.html" target="_blank">Sinclair Lookout</a> but its has been renamed within our circles since Karen and I visited there some years ago in our Series Two Pajero to find a collection of Series Two and Series Three Pajeros there already. It really is a beautiful spot. We noticed that to the south-west that a wind farm has gone in. Here are some of the photos:<br />
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Breakfast at the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/unionbarinverell" target="_blank"> Union Ba</a>r was terrific. I had smashed avacado, I hope that doesn't offend our current Federal treasurer. Then off to Copeton Dam, pictures below:<br />
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Through the back roads and into Bingara. A lovely small town. One of us had an embarrassing moment he he tried to dismount his bike before putting down the side stand. A right turn at Bingara and the off the main focus for the ride for me, The Myall Creek Massacre Memorial. There is too much to say and understand about this site that I have yet to comprehend and even if I did, I doubt that a blog is an effective vehicle for this. If you are interested in learning more, please take a read of this website: <a href="http://www.myallcreekmassacre.com/">www.myallcreekmassacre.com</a>. I do ask that you ask yourself, how much of Australia's history have you not been taught. For now, here are my photos of the walk to the memorial:<br />
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After the Myall Creek Massacre memorial, it was back roads through Ashford and up to the Bruxner Highway, across to the New England and back to Nick and Mary-Jane's place. Dinner at<a href="http://www.ballandeantavern.com.au/" target="_blank"> Ballandean Tavern</a>. At a roadside stop, may battery decided to give Nick's jumper leads a trial, they were found to be just fine. At this stage it looks like a short in the right-hand grip heaters, an easy fix for next week sometime. Once they were disconnected and the bike restarted, the battery charged over the next hour or so. The Bruxner Highway was pretty fantastic and is certainly worthy of another ride sometime in the next year or so.<br />
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Sunday morning was a Mary-Jane cooked breakfast special, loading up the bikes and heading home via our separate ways. Plans are afoot for next year's ride but I can't help but wonder how the long weekend in October may pan out. We shall see.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-3658633536359364572017-05-01T19:46:00.001+10:002017-05-01T19:46:53.008+10:00Saturday 29 April 2017OK, the annual KKK ride was on. Kuhl-Kleidon Klan, not the other mob. Peter, Kerri, Mark and myself were joined by Nick, who together with Mary-Jane, own the property at Stanthorpe that we regularly visit, Nick has a highly modified BMW R80, which is quite an engineering feat. A lovely bike indeed. He plans to take the bike to South America solo for one year, leaving in October this year. Mary-Jane has assured us that it will not be a day over one year.<br />
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Our first day's ride plan was simple. Peter, Mark, Kerri and I met at the Caltex Roadhouse just outside of Warwick and then picked up Nick on the way past Stanthorpe. A pleasant ride down the New England Highway to Glen Innes. Accommodation at <a href="http://www.fossickercaravanpark.com.au/" target="_blank">Fossicker Caravan Park</a>, dinner at the Glen Innes Services Club, which has a wonderful dining with a view to an early start the next day. Here we are at the caravan park<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-68669290946417928752017-02-22T14:16:00.000+10:002017-02-22T14:16:23.656+10:00Wednesday 22 Feb 2017. Baroon Pocket Dam / Lake BaroonThe last six weeks have been full of the 4 H threats to regular rides: Heat, humidity, housework and home renovations. This week has been a break in the weather and the home and house stuff is reasonably squared away for now and so today I took an opportunity for a small ride of back roads to and from Baroon Pocket Dam. A great place to have a sleep under the trees. There are two picnic / day use areas, the southern one has a short walk to a lookout over the dam spillway and the northern one has a number of picnic tables and amenities. The area is not just important to modern society, it holds a special place for the First Nations people of the region as well.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-4034161278918618992017-01-10T10:59:00.001+10:002017-01-10T10:59:31.157+10:00Tuesday 10 Jan 2017. Just some updatesKaren and I have been on holiday in New Zealand for a few weeks; what a wonderful place to visit. In the months prior I have been for a few rides but haven't had the time to write them up. I also have undertaken a bit of work on the Yamaha V-Star and Suzuki DR800, so if you are interested, go to those tabs and have a bit of a read. Both are working very well at the moment and are great platform for both riding and tinkering. To improve the performance and functionality of these bikes, given the restraints of their age and keeping costs down, the last two years have been fairly rewarding and satisfying with these two.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-44435558731221117792016-10-16T07:31:00.001+10:002016-10-16T07:31:53.658+10:00Governors Chair ride, Saturday 15 Oct 2016<p dir=ltr>This is the view from Governors Chair, a short ride or drive from Boonah. The view includes Lave Moogerah, Boonah and extends all the way back to Brisbane.</p>
<p dir=ltr>After this ride I noticed the Suzuki was leaking more oil than normal. Looks like the O rings for the oil cooler have failed and need attention. </p>
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A group of us from Horizons Unlimited and a few other family and friends rode through the area south of Ipswich, crossed over to the Lockyer Valley and ended up at Cormorant Bay and Wivenhoe Dam for lunch. Here is a short video of the early part of the ride.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-2034694643554364122016-07-16T18:33:00.000+10:002016-07-16T18:33:00.509+10:00Sunday 12 June 2016 - Duck Creek Road<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Just another out-of-sync post. A short video, with for the first time, some narration on the Duck Creek Road ride a few weeks back.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-47080598325616534762016-07-16T16:43:00.001+10:002016-07-16T16:43:17.542+10:0028 June - 2 July 2016. New England travels<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Out of sync a little, back in time a little bit. Karen and I took a few days off and stayed at a friends propety outside of Stanthorpe. The original idea was to ride up on the V-Star as a test for future two-up travels. Unfortunately it was far too cold for that and we settled for travelling in Karen's little Hyundai. Still a great trip, lots of fun with no pressure<br />
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Hot Rod Cafe in Gatton</div>
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Morning time outside Stanthorpe in July</div>
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Mount Mackenzie overlooking Tenterfield in northern NSW.</div>
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Falls outside Killarney.</div>
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Glengallan Homestead outside Warwick.</div>
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1978 Falcon on show at the Stanthorpe Snow Festival. Representing the pinnicale of proper Australian car design.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-10166094729627193602016-07-09T18:35:00.001+10:002016-07-09T18:35:02.739+10:00Saturday 9 July 2016. Tarmac ride through parts of the Scenic Rim and Lockyer Valley<p dir=ltr>A great ride. More text to <u>follow</u></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9UnGhi_Amc4/V4C3LP49PWI/AAAAAAAADes/C3cBnF3zDmQ/s1600/20160709_131114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9UnGhi_Amc4/V4C3LP49PWI/AAAAAAAADes/C3cBnF3zDmQ/s640/20160709_131114.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_aXsUMrjgGk/V4C3L1-9MhI/AAAAAAAADew/LbwAtbZYy6A/s1600/20160709_131055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_aXsUMrjgGk/V4C3L1-9MhI/AAAAAAAADew/LbwAtbZYy6A/s640/20160709_131055.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MaNtRPEZlU8/V4C3Ms50QyI/AAAAAAAADe0/MVNgw45kAvE/s1600/20160709_094025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MaNtRPEZlU8/V4C3Ms50QyI/AAAAAAAADe0/MVNgw45kAvE/s640/20160709_094025.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lUawbPlotXY/V4C3NBRqA2I/AAAAAAAADe4/TRXnVM_eVTQ/s1600/20160709_094016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lUawbPlotXY/V4C3NBRqA2I/AAAAAAAADe4/TRXnVM_eVTQ/s640/20160709_094016.jpg"> </a> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-52825745469736584122016-06-12T15:27:00.001+10:002016-06-12T16:22:48.297+10:00Sunday 12 June 2016. Duck Creek Road ride.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-26923919277078359942016-05-22T14:05:00.001+10:002016-05-22T14:09:29.896+10:00Saturday 21 May 2016. Another Crows Nest dual-sport ride<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This ride involved exploring the area just north and east of Crows Nest. We basically followed 'Drive F', a route that has been laid out by the Hampton Visitor Centre. I will try to upload the route notes in the next post. The photos below are (Top) after we just finished lunch at Pioneer Park at Crows Nest and (bottom) on the way to Hampton we turned off at Beutals Lookout at Ravensbourne:</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-4270041511467234742016-05-14T07:49:00.001+10:002016-05-14T07:49:49.620+10:00Saturday 14 May 2016. Handguards for the Rainmaker<p dir="ltr">On the most recent family ride during the ANZAC Day weekend, the switch for the heated grips failed. Basically I had used one that was not rated high enough for the amperage required and melted the insides. So replacing the switch with one rated at 20 amps should resolve that.</p>
<p dir="ltr">That exercise gave me pause to reflect on the effect of handguards on deflecting wind. Kerri never used his heated grips on the trip and I have ridden for several years without grip heaters on the Suzuki, which has excellent handguards. I had a look at what is commercially available and basically anything decent starts at AUS$160.00 and goes up pretty fast from there.</p>
<p dir="ltr">So this is my prototype. Cost to dated has been about $8.00, although I want to experiment with different washers. These will not protect the hands from a crash, just wind, road grime and bugs but that is all the retail solutions do too. We have a four day trip in the middle of Winter planned, going to Stanthorpe and that will be a good test.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cUNYx3Sg6NE/VzZL96ovMbI/AAAAAAAADcw/FYx1vPJfxjg/s1600/20160514_073757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cUNYx3Sg6NE/VzZL96ovMbI/AAAAAAAADcw/FYx1vPJfxjg/s640/20160514_073757.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KmohUFFgkv4/VzZL_Ht88mI/AAAAAAAADc0/uU2r3pX-X3I/s1600/20160514_073725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KmohUFFgkv4/VzZL_Ht88mI/AAAAAAAADc0/uU2r3pX-X3I/s640/20160514_073725.jpg"> </a> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-89165570733679022532016-05-12T07:00:00.001+10:002016-05-12T07:26:16.749+10:00Thursday 12 May 2016. Some aftermarket tool tubes for the V Star<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Any ride of long distance requires the rider to consider all the little bits and pieces that add up to making the ride more enjoyable. That includes the weight and placement of luggage, including tools.
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I carry a lot of tools and am always looking to refine the total number and types of tools, for the overall weight of the tools and where they fit. Over the last ten years there has been a growing awareness of the idea of mass centralization; making the weight as lower and as centered as possible. There has also been a plethora of different ideas on how to make carrying tools convenient. One example of this is the PVC down-pipe tool tube option, which I have done on the Suzuki and it works very well. That option cost me about $35.00 whereas other options of pre-manufactured tubes and boxes start at about $70.00 for one tube and go to about $200.00. In keeping with the utilitarian theme but also wanting to have some element of style, I looked at the document holder/tool tube option.
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These document holders are readily available in the United States from most agricultural supply retail stores but I had been unable to find any on the shelves in Australia. Then one day after reading about someone else being ablt to source them from several stores about 40 minutes drive from home, I simply asked if they can be ordered in at the local John Deere tractor dealership. Yes, of course, no problem. $16.00 each plus any delivery charge. By the way, that's JPM Machinery in Caboolture (07 5495 1533).
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The brackets I already had in my steel pile that I keep in the back of the shed and I did purchase new stainless steel bolts, washers and nuts, which came to about $8.00. In the name of looks, I did paint the tubes metallic charcoal with two coats of clear to finish it all off. This is the final product. Each of the two tubes fit the inner bags that hold the tools perfectly. Those bags I scored as leftovers from our business, so they are re-purposed and represent zero cost.
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I guess they may act as some form of wind, rain and mud protection when riding in adverse conditions but I am not sure on that, we shall see. In terms of looks, being able to contain all the tools, keep them out of the saddlebags, mass centralization and nice, easy access to the tools, I think they will work well. If not, well then I have plenty of room to keep the thermos full of hot coffee.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8409754738013893764.post-39329646261512554302016-05-02T20:38:00.001+10:002016-05-02T20:38:17.857+10:00Monday 2 May 2016. Suzuki rear suspension maintenance<p dir="ltr">No photos today, just a little bit about some maintenance on the DR800 today. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Pulled off the rear swingarm and cleaned, checked and regreased the bearings that join the swingarm to the main frame and the various suspension components. Only one bearing was a bit tight. The needle rollers were aok but the inner collar/spacer was a bit tight. An hour with sandpaper brought this together aok. Within a year I hope to take the swing arm off again, sand blast it, repaint and change out the bearing and spacer.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The frame design on these old bikes is really utilitarian, good and strong, with easy access for maintenance. That comes at a cost of weight and being wider than a more modern bike. At this stage its a fair compromise but I can see the day when a lighter bike will be very tempting, even at the cost of increased maintenance expenses.</p>
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