Spring it to Me

Hi achternaam,

I've been reading the Bumblewee's owner's manual. I know, I know and I haven't broken anything yet. Must be growing up a bit, gourd forbid! Looking up how to pull the dash apart to pop in a high output bulb was a whole lot easier (maybe putting it back together without broken bits to contend with) after studying the book. As you do, I wandered off and flicked through the 'Riding Tips' section.

Chuck me farley, if ya have to read the bit about pulling in the clutch (2), pushing the gear lever (3) downward, slowly increasing the engine revolutions via throttle grip (4) and slowly releasing the clutch, while gently turning the throttle in the direction of the arrow (5) until the motorcycle moves in a forward direction. You really shouldn't have a real bike!

I can see the son of a wealthy Saudi oil baron working their way through the manual armed with a carbon fibre shemagh, a big box of bandaids and a couple of litres of Dettol. Strutharama!

Despite the plaintive calls of paintbrushes and garden rakes, the call of Spring riding holds a stronger pull. Some mates, sunny days, interesting roads and products to test. Hmmmmmm, maybe even a swim in the ocean.

Where was I? Oh, rabbiting on as usual.

Watch the Pump

Doh, I really didn't want to go to work the other morning.

I just couldn't get the brain into gear.

Shoulda' bloody well stayed in bed. I filled the Van chocka with 98. Yep, it's a diesel!

After 300,000 kays yer'd reckon I'd have it sussed?

Spearing Through the Snowies

Harley goes ADV

Now this is an interesting turn of a front wheel. If it was April I'd be very cautious, Gravely Davidson is reputed to be dipping it's corporate toe in the mud, in a couple years time we are supposed to see two sizes of the Pan American.

I guess they can only flog reworked 1920's motorcycle design for so long. Unfortunately they don't have a strong history of spreading their wings do they? The near total meltdown of the AMC days and the odd Aermacchi bikes must still haunt Willie and the team.

If we thought the Germans could wield the ugly stick, get a gecko at this thing. I reckon the pre-production model looks like a 70s TV robot.

It maybe a profile only a mother could love but it has done away with the ubiquitous "beak". Which I blame for most of the seriously dirty wind and buffetting on lots of Adventure tourers. A longer look also suggests some pretty trick technology up the pointy, errrr.. blunt end.

I wonder what a cut-off Adventure Jacket with tassles will look like?

Have a look at ADB Magazine's article for more.

Heated Grips

For years it's amazed me that heated grips are not standard fitment to modern bikes. It would cost so little if they were factory fitted. I know that there is often an imperative to get a price in under a certain 999 and every dollar in inputs can blow that. But fair crack.

I thought that by now, some ambulance chasing Sepo lawyer would've taken a major manufacturer to court for a client who got cold pinkies and crashed. In the meantime we have the option of accessories which seem to be charged at far over the odds or Oxford Hot Grips. I have them on three bikes and they do work a treat but could be a bit more modern. The new Triumph 1200XRT/XCA had grips with the controls molded into the grip flange... Slick as a wet dunny floor!

What is taking longer than Donny T to impeach is control of individual grips. Throttle side is insulated by the twist grip mechanism and always runs hotter than the left. I saw some rippers in the US many years ago but the company couldn't organise a booze up in a brewery and it never seemed to happen.

And while I'm at it Mr Oxford, please make your controller smaller and less friggin' ugly!

Visit my webpage here to buy some - if I haven't put you off.

A Bumblewee's a Buzz

For those who've been following the build of the Strapz-Strom, here's a bit more.

The finishing touches are done and the "proof is in the pudding" as they say...

The plan was to take a budget bike and massage it into an Aussie spec Adv-Tourer. A bike that would be equally at home on the Hume or the Highplains. The Bumblewee is never gonna be a Simpson Storming bad ass it would be futile to try.

The two key issues to tick off were protection and suspension. The plastic stone guard was already cracked and the front header and oil filter are at serious risk when the roads get a bit rough.

Probably the weakest part of the stock bike was the front forks. Non-adjustable and reasonably light duty. The problem for me was that I'd had good suspension and it's hard to go back. Stock is not crap but it is budget. What do we expect for a $12k bike!

Here's the wrap up video

Moto GP Shop Reminder

It was never gonna last forever, the usual shop we use for the Moto GP Pop Up shop isn't available this year. That's meant we've had to move back down the street opposite the Woolies shopping centre, just over the road from the Caravan Park.

The all-singin'-all-dancin' shop you've come to expect will be up and running from Wednesday arvo.

That's about all I have to write at ya for now.

Copyalater