The bike quandary part 3 - Johnny Bang’s Build
Blogger - Johnny Bang
“I have found that all ugly things are made by those who strive to make something beautiful, and that all beautiful things are made by those who strive to make something useful.” –Oscar Wilde
“I have found that all ugly things are made by those who strive to make something beautiful, and that all beautiful things are made by those who strive to make something useful.” –Oscar Wilde
I have put some serious time into my Yamaha over the last couple of weeks. Despite this, I leave in 3 days and there is a motorbike in 1000 pieces in my living room.
In my head I was going to be spending this final week with my family, maybe making some finishing touches on the bike and a few shakedown runs. As it stands I’ll be bolting the bloody thing back together on the last night and hoping for the best – the trip from Buderim to Darwin has now become the shakedown run.
It’s a little bit like all those times in university that I slept in computer labs trying to finish assignments, or submitting papers I had a month to do with one minute to spare. I know the bike is going to be ready, but it won’t be finished. That’s ok - anything over 50% is a low pass, right?
Anyway, as bike choice has already been covered I thought I would share my modifications which represent my interpretation of a practical motorcycle for overland travel, and what it owes me. Whether or not I was on the right path, we will discuss in 37,000km.
In my head I was going to be spending this final week with my family, maybe making some finishing touches on the bike and a few shakedown runs. As it stands I’ll be bolting the bloody thing back together on the last night and hoping for the best – the trip from Buderim to Darwin has now become the shakedown run.
It’s a little bit like all those times in university that I slept in computer labs trying to finish assignments, or submitting papers I had a month to do with one minute to spare. I know the bike is going to be ready, but it won’t be finished. That’s ok - anything over 50% is a low pass, right?
Anyway, as bike choice has already been covered I thought I would share my modifications which represent my interpretation of a practical motorcycle for overland travel, and what it owes me. Whether or not I was on the right path, we will discuss in 37,000km.
Windscreen (free) –It is homemade from a piece of acrylic. I Used lots of bolts so I have spares if (when) they all fall out. Not much protection for me, but hopefully enough to protect the tech I will mount on the handlebars (phone, GPS, chargers etc..)
Fuel Tank ($300) – A 22+litre fuel tank replaces the original 10litre tank. Hypothetical range is now somewhere just under the 500km mark. The tank is actually from a Honda XR600 with homemade brackets that use a mixture of the 2 bikes.
Grips ($10) & Bark Busters (free) – grips are just grips and the barkbusters/ lever protectors will hopefully stop my brake and clutch levers from braking if (when) I drop the bike.
Fuel Tank ($300) – A 22+litre fuel tank replaces the original 10litre tank. Hypothetical range is now somewhere just under the 500km mark. The tank is actually from a Honda XR600 with homemade brackets that use a mixture of the 2 bikes.
Grips ($10) & Bark Busters (free) – grips are just grips and the barkbusters/ lever protectors will hopefully stop my brake and clutch levers from braking if (when) I drop the bike.
Footpegs (free) – They are homemade and provide more support, especially when standing. I did not make them as some might guess from the high quality welding.
Panier Racks (free) – Simple (homemade) construction keeps as close as possible to the bike using existing bolt holes. This is my first welding project - a fact probably betrayed by the ugly slag parading as welds.
Soft Bags ($60 each) – We all choose the same bags - waterproof soft bags that are light and less bulky than boxes. One downside is unlike boxes they cannot be locked. Dad helped me out with some heavy duty hooks on the back so they can be easily removed from the bike for security. The lighter I travel the easier the bags (and the bike) will be to handle.
Soft Bags ($60 each) – We all choose the same bags - waterproof soft bags that are light and less bulky than boxes. One downside is unlike boxes they cannot be locked. Dad helped me out with some heavy duty hooks on the back so they can be easily removed from the bike for security. The lighter I travel the easier the bags (and the bike) will be to handle.
Lowered front guard (free) – lower guard allows me more room for my oil cooler (which will help keep the engine cool for reliability). Unfortunately I took so long on everything else I won’t have time for the cooler…
Seat (free) - I covered the seat with some scrap vinyl Shaun found at the dump. It only cost me staples, which I already had.
Tail Tidy (free) - I ‘cleaned-up’ the tail as I put the entire bike on a diet of any unnecessary parts.
Chain guides and guards ($200+) – I bought all new chain guides/ guards. The old ones were either missing or worn-out. These are unique to the bike so there was no way to cheapskate this.
Seat (free) - I covered the seat with some scrap vinyl Shaun found at the dump. It only cost me staples, which I already had.
Tail Tidy (free) - I ‘cleaned-up’ the tail as I put the entire bike on a diet of any unnecessary parts.
Chain guides and guards ($200+) – I bought all new chain guides/ guards. The old ones were either missing or worn-out. These are unique to the bike so there was no way to cheapskate this.
Mechanical overhaul ($1,000+) – I couldn’t really be a cheapskate here so most parts were sourced new from Yamaha. Most of the items replaced were precautionary, and to give me the practice to get inside the bike so I am a bit more comfortable if (when) I have to do it on the side of an unknown road. This included oil change & filter, new clutch, check valve clearance, sprockets, chain, tyres, front brake rotor and pads, assorted seals and bearings etc….
Miscellaneous – a whole lot of spare nuts, bolts, hose clamps attached wherever I see an opportunity, and attention to any parts that are rubbing against each other. Oh, and a vintage XXXX Bitter can as a reservoir protector and to remind me of home.
I will let you decide where my bike sits in regards to Oscar Wilde’s aforementioned quote. I think I have achieved ugly; hopefully it can prove useful aswell…
Johnny Bang
Johnny Bang
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