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Nice find with the bike and youve modded it up nicely too. So jealous of your trip around the world.
One thing i would add would be the taller yamaha screen, should make longer days in the saddle more easy on your body, arms and head. |
Not that I could ever contemplate such a venture, but what is the planned route? How much are you allowing for greasing palms at borders?
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Hi John.
looks ready to Roll. Just wanted to ask where you heading for first and do you have a planned route in mind ? Thanks Dazzer |
Nice one. You look well prepared. May I be so bold as to suggest a centre stand might be a useful addition...
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The 'basics' are sorted ... general route is planned and I know everything I need to in terms of Carnet / Visa Applications / Insurance / Shipping etc. I haven't started getting Visa's yet as it's a bit early but I'll be starting the process shortly.
I am going solo but I'll be linking up with other travellers when crossing China. I'll set off on my own but fully expect to 'buddy' up with other bikers on the way! General route: Europe: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=208384981786... Central Asia: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=208384981786... SE Asia: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=208384981786... Australia: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=208384981786... Southern/Central/Northern America is a work in progress! The bike actually had the larger Yamaha screen on it when I bought it but I found it tended to make the bike go into a severe 'death weave' above 70mph so I replaced it for the standard screen. Center stand is a good shout but I'm reluctant to add any more weight. I can always prop the bike against the side stand for whipping the wheels off for puncture repairs etc. |
we leave 6 weeks before you , so we may not bump into each other on the Europe / Russian / Asia part of the route,But by the time were both in the Americas there may be a chance. Have a Great trip
Dazzer and Leigh |
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can anyone else not see the maps?
Is it just my computer or do yours open but close immediately???
Europe: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=208384981786... Central Asia: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=208384981786... SE Asia: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=208384981786... Australia: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=208384981786... |
Not just yours!!
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Nice ride!
I would add the original lower front fender, as the radiator tends to clogg up with mud. salu2, Joe |
Looks like you are good to go, does that sheepskin pad on the seat work?
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Snap
Have a look at our bikes on our web site, looks like we had the same ideas on a lot of things.
We are 16000 miles into our trip, going the opposite way round to you so we could cross paths if we keep in touch. Shipping to NZ now. Take all the service spares you can carry - if you can't get Yam spares on route try cross referencing Yam and KTM part numbers for brakes - The Raptor 660 quad shares the same engine so in the Americas you can get oil filters and such. We did about 7000 miles of dirt and found Michelin T63's to be very good and lasted well. A T63 rear with a MT21 front very hard to beat on mixed gravel/dirt/paved roads. The RK chain tool works and lasts - take spare front sprocket tab washers. You can carry a spare sprocket behind the numberplate, zip tied to the rack cross bar. We gave up using fully synth oil and no use semi synth as it's much cheaper and easier to get, the bikes also feel better for it and burn less of it. Before you leave take out the swing arm, it's easy - the inside seals pop out and the bearing goes dry. It's a crap design but if you re- grease it and keep in eye on it etc. We have a spare set of bearings and bushings now. A set of Aerostitch tank panniers with a gallon can in each is cheaper than a big tank and balances the bike nicely, you can also fit wet gear on top of the cans. WD 40 is great for lube to get tyres on and off if stuck. Don't use K&N filters, they let dust through - Piper cross do a foam filter that works. We left with K&N's but they were crap and have had no probs with the Pipercross ones. The tall screen is the way to go, you won't be going over 65mph much, fully loaded and thinking about fuel consumption. You can get 230 miles out of a tank @ 65mph, it drops off loads any faster than that. If you got into a death weave you need more weight on the front (tank panniers). Changing the sprocket gearing for off road loaded is worth doing, the rear sprocket at least, you will struggle with road gearing off road in the dirt. I could go one for ages but might be telling you how to suck eggs, sorry if I am. Have a look at our site and if I can help drop me a line. www.twobikesrunning.co.uk paul |
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Yes I did take some inspiration from your website I will admit!! Some good tips thanks; I've got some service spares sorted but by the sounds of it not enough � I'm attempting to travel pretty light where feasible. I was only planning on carrying two oil filters / 2 plugs / f+r brake pads / rocker gaskets Spares = clutch cable / levers Bearing in mind I've overhauled the bike before leaving [forks rebuilt / wheel bearings / cush drive / chain + sprockets / rear sock and singarm / head bearings / valve clearances & service]. I've fitted a set of Continental TKC 80 Twinduro whilst I'm here to get an idea on mileage but the rear doesn't seem to be wearing that well [maybe I've also been riding it a bit too hard]. What kind of mileage are you getting with the Pirelli / Michelin combo? I've got an Ohlins rear shock to go in so the swingarm will be coming off for a service shortly. Damn it � I've just fitted a K&N. Is it really that bad? Should I junk it? The death weave I had was actually when the bike was standard with the screen fitted! I've replaced it with the standard screen and it's now gone! Could you tell me more about gearing as it's not something I've considered; I've just purchased replacement chain and sprockets with the standard gearing. You're definetly not teaching me how to suck eggs � .my experience of this type of trip and this type of bike is approx. zero!! John |
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Service and stuff
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The XT cush drive rubbers are crap, you will find that new ones will go slack after a week, Take a piece of car inner tube to do Kev's cush drive mod on this site - it works a treat. Sand also kills the cush drive so a spare could be an idea, we both needed replacements after 6000 miles off road. We rode the trans west Virginia trail (1200 miles of gravel and dirt following the Appalachian mountains) then the Trans America trail 4800 miles of gravel/sand/dirt/mud and rocks - we used one set of tyres that got us to Colorado springs then another set got us to the west coast and about 1000 miles of road. We changed each set before they were slick, probably say they were road legal but offered little grip in sand etc. I'm guessing you will be picking up tyres in Istanbul - have a look at Michelin Sahara 3 and Hiedenau K60 scout's.(we fitted Heidenau's in Baja and so far have been good - look half worn on 4000 miles) Both good for mixed roads of sand and gravel but not mud. To be honest TKC's are poor in mud, DOT nobbly's are far better and T63 rears run at about $65usd and out last any other DOT tyre. If you go for Heidenau K60, go for the 140 rear - it's a heavy duty tyre. When you fit the rear shock, it's a pig as the top bolt is in a recess in the air box - you need to remove the rear fairing and loosen the under tray - you then only need to disconnect the air box and push it back. You don't need to remove it. I was really pissed with the K&N filters, they are ok for road bikes and maybe dirt bikes in muddy Europe but they let fine dust through to the clean side - enough to leave a visible finger mark inside the air box. I'm a bit anal about service and cleaned and oiled the filters regularly. Take your K&N out and hold it up to the light, bet you can see pin holes through it. Fine sandy dust will not be good for the valves, The Pipercross filters were the cheapest foam filter I could find and don't let dust through. Sprockets for the road we used the standard 15/45 but off road we used 14/46. The 14/46 combo is great for technical mountain passes etc but a pain on the long flat bits and on the road a right drag, 55 mph being cruising speed. We ended up changing back to the 15 front with the 46 rear for off road and it's a nice compromise. It's also easy to just change rear sprockets and leave the front alone. If you buy from B&C express get the renthal steel fronts, they last for ages. I know you don't want to add weight but a main stand is worth it. Our head bearings have worked loose a couple of times so worth keeping an eye on. Just thought, while you have the air box apart, look at the low position of where the crank case breather enters the air box. You might want to plug the box and re-route the breather up under the tank with a small K&N fitted on top. Amazing what you can do with a plumbers push fit cap and two 15mm copper elbow's. All in all the XT's have been brilliant bikes, tough,frugal,easy to work on and even loaded have taken us over rough dirt mountain passes. Angie has fallen many times and the bike has taken the knocks with ease. You picked the right bike. PM me your email and I will send you some stuff you might find helpfull. Any way I can help, just ask - pleased to be paying it forward. Paul |
Paul,
Thanks for the info. I'll drop you a pm with my e-mail address. Thanks John |
Paul,
Your inbox is full but my e-mail address is johnclaverick@gmail.com Anything useful you can send me would be much appreciated! John |
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PDF Repairs & parts manual
Hi Guys,
Awesome trip you guys are doing. And showing some of these GS & KTM990 snobs that you don't need a bike 3x as expensive to do this trip. I have done very few trips, but one thing I have found useful is to download this manual Yamaha_XT660R_XT660X_2004_Service_Manual http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rc...j-i2fJQH0Wecrg onto my Samsung Galaxy Tab (it's a 7" one, taking up minimal space) for reference. Sorry if you've already done this, but I find it invaluable when putting axles, hubs etc back together in the right order & with the factory tension settings on the torque wrench. Cheers, Boneman :happy: |
i'm 38,000 miles into a RTW, right now in the states for another year doing a little work...riding an xt660z, but if you have any questions about long term riding let me know, if you link off my name i have a photo blog on here with my route
things you may want to consider center stand 100%, its worth the extra weight - reason: you get a flat in the middle of nowhere, soft ground, it is real difficult getting a balance point without it, with it you don't even need to unload the bike side stand, a LARGE foot is a must, also check your bike fully loaded, as all the weight drops the ride height down and makes the bike stand more upright, if you are in windy condition it can and will blow over on a side stand - mine did twice in patagonia upgrade your handlebar risers - if the ones on yours are like the Z they are one piece, the bolt is machined on the riser if it snaps you are stranded, find some with a thru bolt have extra chain clips, in 38 years of riding i never had a chain clip come off, on the XT i had it happen twice in one week, another friend i know had the same thing happen twice too. if you get stuck you can use safety wire to hold the outer plate on...or better is a rivet style get an additional bottom plate for your Ohlins, i am sponsored by them and they told me that is the weak point if there is a failure...if you are not sure PM me and i'll send a photo when you get to south america, especially Bolivia, get an extra gas can, fuel shortages are normal in out lying areas tyres - my opinion on the tkc80 rear - crap! the best i got out of one was 4800 miles, but after 2000+ it was bad, i got a cheap Kenda 50/50 tyre fitted and have 6000 miles on it and it still has more tread that the TKC started with, little loose in the wet though!!! it cost $37 and the TKC was $170...i'll let you do the math OK, gone on too long now, any questions responses reply to this and i will add more comments/ ideas if needed |
Your trip's sound great and I'm finding the info here from people with a round the world underway very useful. Especially given, like John, I plan to set off on my own adventure late June/early July on my xt660r heading also east from the UK.
Paul (two wheels 03) - I notice in your signature you mention Kev's fork spacers. I just wondered how you are finding them given you have dealt with a mixture of on and off road? Did you cut them down slightly to cope with the off road sections better or have they been fine at the standard size? Cheers |
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you can adjust the compression & rebound damping by way of shims... the intiminators sit on top the damping rods & held in place by the springs... |
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Pete, they didn't make them for the XT when we left home - told me they had no plans to either. Guess they added the XT recently. I'd want external Adj if I was going to do it though. |
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Only just seen your post; thanks for the feedback. Some very useful information; if you could send me the details of the Ohlins spare it would be much appreciated. I think I've got most other items covered. Agreed I've not been impressed with the longevity of the TKC's; my rear has lasted about 3000 miles of UK road riding. I'm fitting a set of Anakees to get me to Istanbul then I'll swop for a harder wearing duel sport tyre like a Hiedenau K60 Scout. Not long to go now; Channel Tunnel out of the UK booked for 17th June! John |
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