Featured Touring Off For A Ride, Back In A Bit....

And I met this absolutely great down to earth guy at the 2017 Manx gp, he is also presenting at this overland event.
Now, he does have some tales to tell, changing the pistons and barrels at 200, 000 miles in the African bush etc.
The bike looks absolutely knackered but he loves it, more rebuilds than Triggers broom.

 

Great minds think alike and all that.
I sent the seller a message only this morning asking if it came with a key.
My previous history of working with lock barrels means you need the key to remove the old one @Iceman any info or knowledge on this?

Thank you @Boothman for your thoughts and suggestion

 

Hardly roughing it in reality @joe mc donald when I had x3 nights in a bunkhouse. The camping went well, some spots better than others, but that's the deal and makes the adventure. The Invershin Hotel is reasonably priced and ticks the box for anyone not keen on camping.

 

So, a bit of a resurrection of this thread.

Bike washed and cleaned.
Tyres done.
Fuel cap still to resolve.
Kit put back away.

Make space in the workshop, clear out the spare room, might have some visitors next week.

Here's a clue that you've seen before.

 

Sometimes on your travels, it's the convenience of simple things that makes life easier.
What simple thing do you miss the most when miles away from home?

Take for example parts; where do you send them if they are not locally available and you're moving most days?

To avoid this issue for Haren, I offered our address, if he needed anything then send it and we can store until needed/collected.

Phone rings earlier.....
Tyre guy sets off at 100mph and straight into full swing about the tyre sizes currently in stock and availability

Err..... hang on a minute, I haven't ordered anything!

Yes you have, a 120/80 x 18 blah blah and

Umm
Penny drops and I say do those sound like KTM 500 and Honda CRF 300 sizes?



What parcels are coming next, it could be like Christmas soon

 

I think I know what we'll be doing when they arrive

Just received these.....

 

Ok, you read my mind but hey ho, needs must plus I have this baby and a bead breaker

 

And so they arrived.

 

A drink, then into the workshop for a bit of fettling.

 

This KTM 500 now has around 120,000 kms on it, although it did go pop in Finland.
With a new crank, barrel and piston it was soon on it's way to Britain.
Here it is having a new output shaft seal due to a minor leak. The spares kit he's carrying is impressive, seals, O rings etc and just popped a seal out of fresh air and said can we fit this?

 

I noted prior, that these Mitas tyres when new have very stiff sidewalls



This could be fun, and it didn't disappoint



A posed shot, as our guests, I did most of the change over and it was tight.

 

And this is what THEIR Day 526 on the road looks like....



I'm going to take them up to the Yorkshire Dales and show them a few off road routes.

 

Wow what a day

Updates to follow.

 

So which is the most reliable?

A Chinese bike.
A maybe Austrian bike.
Or
A Honda.

?