Wander Lost

Month: October 2014

  • Photos of the Bike

    I took the bike out for a ride today to test a camera mount I have added. I have a Nikon AW120 digital camera which is very robust and waterproof – I did a thorough test including dropping it from the bike at about 10Mph; not deliberately – note to self, do not fiddle with camera whilst moving !!

    It works really well at low speeds but at high engine revs there is a lot of vibration which is to be expected with a single cylinder bike. The picture gets blurry when this happens but is still viewable. All in all I am happy with the setup.

    Some still photos taken with the camera:

    Yamaha XT660Z Tenere
    Yamaha XT660Z Tenere
    This is for my mobile phone which also provides music and GPS to my helmet via bluetooth
    This is for my mobile phone which also provides music and GPS to my helmet via bluetooth
    Another mod I have made is to put on a centre stand.
    Another mod I have made is to put on a centre stand.
    Bike I am using on the trip to Africa
    Bike I am using on the trip to Africa
    This is for my mobile phone which also provides music and GPS to my helmet via bluetooth
    This is for my mobile phone which also provides music and GPS to my helmet via bluetooth
    This is for the Nikon AW120 camera
    This is for the Nikon AW120 camera
    Bike I am using on the trip to Africa
    Bike I am using on the trip to Africa
    Bike I am using on the trip to Africa
    Bike I am using on the trip to Africa
    The control to the right of the camera mount is a remote control for my helmet mounted bluetooth headset.
    The control to the right of the camera mount is a remote control for my helmet mounted bluetooth headset.
    The bikes first wounds were caused when I put her on the side stand at the side of the road. She was facing downhill and rolled forward off the stand.
    The bikes first wounds were caused when I put her on the side stand at the side of the road. She was facing downhill and rolled forward off the stand.
    This is the oild resevoir. The Scottoiler drips oil onto he drive chain while the engine is running.
    This is the oil reservoir. The Scottoiler drips oil on tothe drive chain while the engine is running.

  • Preparation

    Preparation for the trip has started in earnest now. Mainly this has involved spending large amounts of money.

    So far I have:

    BIKE

    Bought the bike, a 2012 Yamaha XT660Z Tenere with 9000 miles on the clock but in showroom condition. The bike came with Yamaha hard panniers and hard top box. I have had a few ride outs on it and am getting used to the height. I am used to riding a large sports tourer which is lower. I have even been out with Amy on the back.

    Bought a new helmet – a Caberg Tourmax. I have also bought a bluetooth headset for it so I can listen to music from my phone and the GPS voice commands. I also installed a mount and waterproof case for my phone (used for GPS as well) and wired in a charger lead for it.

    Replaced the side lights and number plate lights with LEDs for improved longevity and reduced power consumption. I am not going to bother with the indicators as I understand they may need ballast resistors as the bike has blown bulb detection circuitry for these.

    Installed a Scotoiler.

    Installed a trickle charge battery conditioner for when parked in the garage.

    I have ordered the touratec side stand foot and the pannier mount base plates and water/fuel carriers that I will attach to the Yamaha panniers. This will allow me to externally mount a fuel can and a water can to the back side of them. I have also ordered the Yamaha centre stand.

    Spares: I am starting to collect the essentials (filters, bulbs, tubes, chains, cables etc.) at the moment these are all going in a big box. I will eventually try to find small crevices and spaces on the bike to store many of them.

    ROUTE PLANNING AND DOCUMENTS

    I have finalised the route down the West coast of Africa that avoids the areas now effected by Ebola. I have also researched visa and inoculation requirements for each country en-route. Most visas area valid from date of issue and can be obtained in surrounding embassies so are best obtained en-route. Exceptions are the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria which seem to be best obtained in your home country. I need to do these a month before I go. I have also applied for a second UK passport due to the number of visas required and the length of time taken to get each one.

    I have contacted my doctors and filled out a form about the trip. I now have to wait for them to come back with a programme of inoculations.