Spokey

So, been off the topic for a while. We are just back from a 5 day Saudi circuit. Was hectic, top execs from the company checking on various bizz premises. It was interesting to fly to some very different locations, some of which are clearly not part of the modern world! The pics are the approach into Qaisumah in the north east of Saudi, Dammam in the east and then descending into Dubai Al Maktoum airport passing over Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina. Qaisumah is an unmanned airfield, was a new experience doing these ops in Saudi. Am ised to it in SA and USA. But all worked out fine.

Oops!

Harkerville Red route is a winner for me………actually, as are all the places recommended above!

This is gorgeous!

So……I have just bought this little thumper for my collection. A 1983 XL with roadworthy. Have not told the Missus yet, wonder what she will say when it turns up in Hoekwil!!!! I have not seen it as am still in Mid East, home mid June!

I have used AgriStore rains suits for ages but find the trousers rip up in the wind down at the ankles. I have recently been using an Oxford two piece……worth the money. I ride in all weather , not bothered about the rain. I have waterproof clothing and boots.

That Rocket must put a wide “smile on the dial” when steaming away from the lights. It is funny how people try it on with a bike. I like when I pull off quickly (not racing) and the car revs like crazy, flies ahead and then is stuck in traffic as I filter up the middle! My ZRX 1200 is a great weapon for light to light shenanigans! Not much power any more compared to modern bikes, but boy it is a silky smooth engine. I do like your style of buying wine in the town down the road…………that is bike ownership, why shop down the road when the next dorpie has shops too!

I was looking to buy an E Bike…..initially dual suss, then hard tail when I saw a gorgeous simple one, lovely frame and all…..but reality is….I will put the money into a Ducati 748 or an early 900 aircooled. Perhaps even an Aprillia RS 125 and a 70’s CB 750. Or perhaps a Duke 996/8. Maybe even a 2009 R1, first of the X plane crank. Will just continue to pedal my steel hard tail Soma!

I rarely take the N2 entirely when I go to CT. I meander along the dirt roads between the N1 and south to the ocean! I have been via Worcester before!

Man, I would love to show all you guys my area but I am only home at various different times during the year……..perhaps best to join the CT guys when able…….I would love to! Either of the Katooms..690 or 1190…..terrain dependant!

Took some of the old classic road bikes for a jaunt to burn the cobwebs out of the exhausts. A quick blast over Outeniqua Pass into the Waboomskraal Valley and back. The rough tar in the Wabooms broke the right rear indicator on the Duke…..you may notice……very firm suspension. I am learning that machine……she has a race ECU and I need to swap it for a road one…….buggar she is a tart to ride at low revs…..get the RPMs up and she is a dream……..the the license also becomes a dream!!

Did a trip to CT to Flying Brick on the off chance they would have reusable air filters for my Katoom 690……they did, 2, secured, job done. Nothing like a 1200 km tip to achieve this…… from Hoekwil (Wilderness)

If you are passing Hoekwil, pop in for a beer or coffee. Perhaps we should arrange a Hub Motorcylist ride some time!

Hey Andrew I am a little perplexed at the range…….reason is that I have the Rade Garage long range under seat tank fitted. 13, 5 l standard plus 6 on the LR tank. Now…..I thought the bike would use the fuel from the main (rear ) tank and keep that filled up via the underseat LR tank……However….! I had vibrated the right side rally screen mounting bolts off, lost in Diepwalle Forest. ( fixed 5hat with cable ties in the short term) At home today I took the seat and side fairings off to replace the lost bolts…..eikona wena………the Long Range extended Tank still has several litres of fuel in it and when I open the rear (Main tank )it is certainly not full. I have done 180kms since top off. Now I am confused as to how the fuel is being used! much easier in the aeroplane I operate as a day job! Seems to me that I should manage 260kms plus a bit! at least with out the extra Desert Fox bladder. I do not mind the vibration……tis a big single after all, though I find it manageable. She can manage 150 kph easily but I plan my trips to cruise at around 100 on the tar bits, first to save the knobblies and secondly, yes, comfort. The Rally Screen does make a difference, but it has its limitations. I do not like it when looking ahead at close obstacles……I am looking through the screen and it is not as comfortable as looking over a screen…….I guess I can cut it back……as I did on my KLR!! I love this bike a lot……I like the light weight and power. Yes a single is not for everybody. I relish the dirt on this machine and look at the tar bits as just connecting the dirt! It is not far off the power of a Yam T700 and a lot lighter! I am only 176cm tall (short) I have added a Rost Racing lowering link in the rear suspension and have cut the side stand by 10mm. I can sit feet almost flat on the tar…….honestly another 5 mm could come off the stand but now I am just careful how I park. I did not drop the front by a corresponding half inch and after many KM’s I like the way the bike sits. Hope that gives some gen!

The 1190 is still a gem, a high speed long distance machine, very comfortable and still able to be flicked about in the dirt………well……..to a point hey!

This bike is a delight in the dirt………light and powerful. Puts a smile on ones dial! It is so easy to flick about…….I know it is no Enduro bike as per the 300cc two strokes but it is so accomplished compared to my 1190. I am privileged to own both of the old tarts. I am setting up the 690 as a light weight ADV bike and to this end am not entirely sure I will fit the new soft luggage racks…….tooth brush in the tank bag and clean undies in the back pack!

A little of my jaunt today. Hoekwil return via, Seven Passes Road, Kom se Pad, De Vlugt, N9, Montegu Pass. I was going to return through the Kamanasie valley but I had lost both mounting bolts for the Rally fairing on the very potholed Diepwalle Forrest road…..thank heavens for zip ties. Note to self…….Big Single approved threadlock!

Love this story……of course if there is rain with in about 100 kms non of my road bikes go out now. I was that drowned rat earlier this afternoon when returning home from Sedgies on my Orange 690R! Misjudged that in a bad way!

Confession time, that is a Motad exhaust. I do have the original but it needs a full restoration, due to dents and scraps from some spills in my younger years! The Motad is single wall V the double wall original. That is why I get blueing on the exhaust now. This machine has had a sympathetic restoration as in a respray and new spokes etc. I kept the original rims, just polished them. The frame was also not resprayed and has the original battery stickers etc. The switch gear is new, genuine OEM Honda, but the clocks where left alone. New cam chain, adjuster and guides with a valve job. She runs new Hagons and front springs. Little machine handles really well and is a delight to ride. I have owned her for 40 years.

This is the Baby of the collection. 1975 CB400F. 77000kms

There ya go! This is a lovely machine to cruise along the Garden Route. The Missus enjoys to pillion on this. When solo this bike is still enthusiastic over the Outeniqua Pass!

Nice, glad you are enjoying your machine and riding a lot. I have one bike with less km’s, my 1983 CB750F. She is around 25000. The highest is my 1995 FZR1000 EXUP, she is around 125000.

So….I organised a KTM day then forgot to invite anyone………….the turn out was low, but I made it! Seems there is room for a 950/990 between these two. Sunday was a good day, I managed to burn the cobwebs off these beasties.

This is Gorgeous……was always a dream bike of mine but prices a bit steep now. I am thinking to include a 125 into my collection while they are still affordable.

Thanks for the gen……I have been checking out pricing. Ouch! Anyways……just exploring the idea right now. I do like the Giant Trance! With the Randellas involved I need to be sure I will use the bloody thing ha ha! A demo machine is a great idea. After seeing the costs I think my KTM 690 R was a really good deal! I will head to the guys at the Giant store in George when I get back to SA thanks again!