lol...

:)


.

So...not long to go now. I ordered these on the the advice of another inmate here(Big thanks to RTWPaul for publicizing his experience with same) His advice was spot on..good bit of kit for low cost. I like the fact that I can adjust the reach on the clutch lever. The goofy standard ones are now spares for not if I fall off but for whenever I fall off.:icon_razz:

[IMG] http://i46.tinypic.com/23m61yq.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i50.tinypic.com/20svhhw.jpg[/IMG]

Speaking of falling off...I got a basic water pump guard to assist,

[IMG] http://i47.tinypic.com/6t1dn7.jpg[/IMG]

So...I picked up a couple of split links for the thrown chain scenario....Clip them on a cable to keep them handy. Dab the clip with Tippex for when ever you drop it,so it's easy to find in the dirt.

[IMG] http://i48.tinypic.com/35hfz34.jpg[/IMG]


I fitted a brake pedal bracket to help as when I scoot about the twisties here I was finding that my boot toe would actually slide off due to lack of grip on the standard set up.

[IMG] http://i48.tinypic.com/2pqqt90.jpg[/IMG]

So....threw the tyres on today...I used the tools and compressor that live in the right hand pannier. The tyre beads were easy enough to break with my 9" tyre levers. The rear was OK too. The secret to putting the rear tyre back on is to make sure the opposite bead is placed in the raised groove so as to get room to lever the tyre on.

Whilst I was at it I popped the seals off each bearing with a wee screw driver and packed more grease in. I also threw in some new cush drive rubbers. Finally I dropped the forks down after taking off the top clamp and greased the steering bearings,which of course were dry....Thanks Mr Yamaha.

We'll take the the two tyres I took off as spares in case of any long rips,now that we have a buddy going with his LRover...They'll go on his roof rack.

Took a scorch along a stoney track to rough them up...

[IMG] http://i48.tinypic.com/2qn8mr4.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i49.tinypic.com/70841v.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i45.tinypic.com/35n1lyp.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i49.tinypic.com/30bcpsp.jpg[/IMG]

So...I put a Puig screen on to see if it will help with a bit of buffeting...seems to work OK on slower road speeds,so I must try it at autoroute speeds later on to see if it's OK.

If need be I can adjust it to face further forward

[IMG] http://i50.tinypic.com/au9nys.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i50.tinypic.com/2eb8os9.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i50.tinypic.com/rkndsl.jpg[/IMG]

Another wee thing I did was this...I use this tip on my Gas Gas 300EC in case of any snapped spokes...it stops them flailing about and getting caught on things that they shouldn't...

(When I get to the hardware shop I'll buy narrower zip tys and replace what's there....just to look a bit more tidy)

Doesn't affect anything,ie,wheel balance...

[IMG] http://i46.tinypic.com/2mwb8mc.jpg[/IMG]

For teh gravel trails that I know I'll be riding I fitted a little bit more protection onto the lower water hose. Easy to do.

[IMG] http://i45.tinypic.com/i6e2wk.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i49.tinypic.com/14dfurs.jpg[/IMG]

I installed a handle bar bag to keep things like loose change for tolls (both in Spain and Maroc) and for a small notebook/pens/ear plugs and also with a charger for my helmet cam if it goes flat whilst traveling. Ordered from Hein Gericke in Germany and it arrived within a week.

[IMG] http://i49.tinypic.com/5e65qf.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i50.tinypic.com/33u90rq.jpg[/IMG]


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You won't be able to get the spark plug out with that Yamaha plug spanner - it doesn't fit! You'll need to chop it down before you go - try it and you'll see what I mean! ;)

mmm...I have been using said spanner as recently as today(and lots of times before) to check my plug after I had my C02 adjusted.... no problem what so ever. I just use mine to loosen the plug and then I screw it out with my fingers....Is yours awkward to use?

I use copper grease on the plug threads to let it come out easier

:)

No, mine simply didn't physically fit, it was about 40mm too long! It is now the right size thanks to an angle grinder! Maybe the 2008 bikes were shipped with the wrong plug tool (?) because I know several others who have had to cut down theirs too. A mystery?

It could well be just that...


Having said that it never does any harm to bring anything to the attention of others....a different set of eyes will see different things..hence these next pictures...

E.g.on previous ride outs we always made a point of asking each other whilst,i.e.,having a smoke...to 'run your eye over my bike' just to see......
.....last time my buddy spied rear sprocket bolts loosened off we've even spied a split link clip missing!!!!

This wee tip helps whilst walking around the moto with your coffee...paint main fixings with Tipex so as you can see if they've loosened off(e.g.axle nuts/sprocket nuts) Not permanent like paint would be,so no harm done to the moto.

I use this to great effect on my Gas Gas too...

[IMG] http://i48.tinypic.com/33xbwpx.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] http://i48.tinypic.com/oirnyr.jpg[/IMG]

In fact I had to lose 55mm (I just found the bit I chopped off) to get the plug spanner to get anywhere near the plug!

http://i864.photobucket.com/albums/a...y/IMG_1985.jpg

You're right, it is worth drawing attention to this again, and checking whether the plug spanner supplied fits!

I'm mystified though as to which bikes were affected with the "wrong" plug spanner, I'd always assumed it was all of them??