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Bike Build updates

12th March 2014

Just a few small alterations/improvements/experiments ? The original headlamp was just useless ! not sure if it was always like that, or maybe just deteriorated with age? Anyhow, it was useless, and so had to be addressed.. this was done by removing and chucking the whole headlamp unit, and trying a small, lightweight, square, double light unit, with small H3 bulbs... one light for dip, and the other for main beam (there was no pilot light fitting, so my old LED unit was fitted underneath, for daytime running and also to pass lighting regulations. When trying this new light unit, I felt that it was a bit of a weak spread of beam... so I have also fitted a double spotlamp/light unit above it, and wired it to a toggle switch on the bars, so I have plenty of light if really needed (bearing in mind, that I don't plan to ride at night if at all possible ) The total weight of all the new lights together, is less than the std. unit, so weight saved, plus no need to carry any spare H4 bulbs, because if any bulb fails... I have spare lights fitted already :) All the wiring from inside the headlamps original unit has been checked, cleaned and then wrapped in lots of clingfilm to water proof them, then cable tied to the side, out of the way. I already had a couple of water bottle carry tubes (drainage pipe!) on brackets sitting about, left over from my last effort :(.. so I have fitted them to the rear of the panniers, one each side..... I only plan to use them when necessary, so as not to weigh down the rear too much, but they will be useful when water is scarce :) I have plans to build a shower/wash unit soon.... so watch this space :)

21 March 2014

Something I've wanted to try for a while, but didn't seem a priority at times!

When on my last attempt, being solo and trying to keep costs down by camping rough as much as possible, I did find that it was very difficult to keep clean. Not impossible, just difficult. I mean, how do you hold a bottle of water and pour it slowly, not wasting any, with one hand, whilst washing?

Well sorted! And was surprised how quick and easy it was to construct too.

PIC 1

A shower :) firstly, had to find and fit some sort of telescopic pole for the shower head (obviously has to be higher than own head, but also collapse down on the bike for travelling.

Also lightweight !

So a couple of (cheap) plastic pipes from B&Q... one 22mm diameter and another 15mm diameter... the smaller one fits inside the larger one (& just slightly longer, so it pokes out the top of the larger one)

PIC 2

A small hole drilled through both at the top so they are fixed with a "R" clip to keep them in place while collapsed. Then, when the smaller one is extended to max height, another hole drilled so the "R" clip can then hold it up to max length.

The whole pole unit is then located in a suitable place, not obstructing anything on the motorcycle (or when loaded) this was easily attached securely with cable ties. A new, universal, car screen wash bottle + fitted pump, was obtained for £8 off e-bay this came with all pipes, connectors, jet nozzles, wiring & a push button switch.

25th April 2014

PIC 3/4

The wiring was spliced, and joined to a spare cigarette lighter plug I had sitting on the shelf, The other end just plugs in as required, to the 12v electric pump, fixed on the reservoir bottle, and the switch/button, just put in line.

The outlet pipe is attached to the electric pump, and the jet at the end of it,is attached loosely into a groove cut into the top of the pipe, with a "T" section, fashioned out of the bits and pieces provided (1 t piece in the end of the pipe and a washer jet nozzle just fixed into each side)

That's it.... set the jets.... press the button (let go and it switches off to save wate) & hey presto... easier to wash and even shower now, wherever I may be. If I require a hot shower.... just boil the kettle :)

I'm not at all happy with the amount of light from my new (lightweight plastic) rectangle lights.. (I don't intend to ride at night, but sometimes will just have to. And although they are just about adequate in the dark.... when it rains, there is hardley any illumination at all, so I will be trying out the twin (lightweight again lol) set that I procured from a local car breakers... they are off a Piaggio scooter type thingy ? If I can mount them (they may be a little bit too wide I think?) then I hope to get a better beam from the 55w lamps with decent reflectors. If these don't work well/or don't fit? then I will probably have to revert back to a basic style headlamp (more money :(.. unless someone out there has a spare one to donate?) The other item which went quite well at the Jugsters rally, which I attended recently, was the addition of a small table on the side of the bike... this was done at last minute, when loading to leave for the rally, when I dropped down the side pannier lid, and realised that when halfway down.... it would be level, so I quickly fashioned a thin piece of flat plastic, and cable tied it in place for a base....then used a piece of the plastic tubing, left over from the shower pole. Measured the height, cut it, then cut a vee in the top so it slots onto the pannier edge, and there we have a little table to eat/drink from! much better than grovelling around in the dust and grass lol.

Equipment update... Bought this on a car boot a few weeks ago... used once only!

3/4 berth (so lots of room :) including porch area... easy to erect (10 mins) on my own

decent quality, and small enough when packed + light enough to carry on the bike.

(a little heavier than I wanted, but the pros outweigh the cons by a long way)

As I will be living in it for most of my 2+ year journey, the extra space will be so welcome

& useful :) Oh! and it cost the princely sum of............. £2:50 + a self inflating roll mat for £1

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