Finally finished preparing the bike for Spain - I think! Got the 15/41 sprockets on for the road journey down through France on all the small roads I can find. Since the Devon Tour - which I really enjoyed despite the lack of the morning bacon roll - I've taken Gruffs advice and:-
fitted the splitfire plug,
leaned the mixture 1/4 of a turn (how does anyone get at that pilot screw?),
changed the air filter for a free flow one,
done an oil an filter change with new o rings,
fitted new bars - Dakar High (old ones bent after Devon Tour).
Cleaned up the electric conections and fitted new bulbs - 10w daylight and 45w/45w main and dip,
added a connection for a mini-compressor,
re-routed the carb tubes into the air box
Fitted a shorter brake lever
given her a good clean.
I found the advice day at Haccadown excellent and chuffed to bits I can now change a tyre. Going to learn to do some welding next if I can find out the name of the chap who taught us the tyre changing. Anyone know?
Maps and route notes arrived yesterday so now feel like a proper rufty tufty adventure motorcyclist. Ferry leaves next Friday - can't wait.
Anyway, thanks for all the DRZ related advice and the good company. Plus Liz lady of the maps - invaluable advice. Have a good summer and will post a few photos on my return. bugger just remembered haven't checked the battery level!
Cheers
Snasher
P.S. Nobody at work understands why I ride a bike let alone why I'd want to ride one off road I've resorted to telling them this -
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body. Rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, totally worn out loudly proclaiming - "WOW - What a ride!"
You can get an extended air screw I believe, which makes the job a bit easier! Good luck on your trip, take bubble wrap or sheep skin to help make the seat more comfy!
Remember to keep your lights on when your riding on the roads in spain mate because me and my mates got a 105 euro fine each for not having them on!!!
Also i got puled at one point and they were going to try and fine me for having no mirror!!! However my luck was in when another bike whipped passed without one and they didnt try doing him.
Anyway enjoy the ride, ther was so much off road stuff when we went out there (which reminds me, ill sort the route soon RichXR). the tracks seemed endless, 11 hour riding days and still all off road.
Enjoy.
__________________
Feath's
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character......give him power".....Abraham Lincoln