Tyres, Flats and Paying in Blood

Right
Time to add another bit to this thing.
Those of us who ride in whatever country we happen to be in, because we simply have to ride those new roads, know the need to look after the bike. That means maintenance, not just pumping fuel and topping up oil whenever it gets rattly.

Lubing chains is a pain in the arse, pita, unless you're on a shaft drive like a BMW, Guzzi or one of the few examples from the Japanese manufacturers. I know, some of you use belts and I like them, but not many bikes use them, unless they are scooters or a certain brand of V twin. I don't like the BS that seems to be part of the 'lifestyle' some cheque book, weekend rebels buy into when they platinum card their ''scoot''. The type who put on their designer sunglasses, chaps and reb boots along with their instant outlaw bad guy image. Fortunately most of those seem to ride only as far as the local starchucks to sip their overpricechino and admire the latest branded accessory to their collection of bandanas, plated buckles and keychains.

Dont see too many people riding those out in the back of wherever. Those few I have met out there, don't buy into the corporate bs. They are true individuals, dont turn their noses up at other riders cause they dont ride the 'right bike', will share a drink and the road with anyone.

Back to where I started.

Most of us are familiar with all sorts of potions in spraycans or squeeze bottles. Personally I dont bother with the cans, I simply use 80w gear box oil, in a 200ml toothpaste tube and spread it with a tooth brush. Takes 5 minutes and my chains do alright, 20,000km on one chan and a set of sprockets is about average.

I do use one extra 'trick', on some of my bikes, I fit an Oil Drip Feeder, a simple device fitted to the chain guard which allows 1 drop of oil to periodically slide on the chain. Cost me Rmb25, and holds 75ml of 80w gear oil. That lasts days, depending on how many hours I ride each day. They have been around for a long time, if you see an old steam engine, look carefully at some of the moving parts which slide inside bearings or wherever a chain is fitted. Simple, cheap as chips and bloody effective. There is a modern version, which uses the engine vacumn to open and shut the mechanism. Comes in nice box, with lots of adspeak and flash pics and instructions and sells for a lot more than 25 Yuan!

While most of us tend to look after our chains reasonably well, it seems the same can not be said of tires. How often do you check your tire pressures? How many times before you ride do you look at the tread, not just a quick peek as you slide on your helmet.but inspect the carcass of rubber which keeps it all right side up? Riding in Asia its obvious most never bother, until the 'handling is really crap' or it feels like you just did, in your jocks, cause the last corner was rather wild.

Ive lost count of the number of times I've seen almost flat tires, the sidewalls bulging out each side by more than 2 fingers. With the rider seeming to be performing something unnatural with the fuel tank, cause of the 2 passengers behind taking up all of the vinyl. While the 3rd is perched on the almost supernatural strength of the birdshit welded carry rack.

Amazing how those skinny bits of rubber seem to survive all that overloading, no wonder they are scrap at around 5,000km, but get ridden down to the frazzed canvas. Mind you they are really cheap, I've spent more on a drink at the airport than the price of a set for the average Peoples 125.

OH but try to buy tires for anything bigger than a 200cc Liberation Special.

Yes boss what tires you want, how many?.......Dont have!
Hmmm.....next place
No one makes tire that big, you want car tire? Have many goodbear in 175 "You mean Good...oh shiiiiit, it does say bear!"
Next

Ah yah, we have 180/17s how many you want....AH one!!! Ok two thousand forfivehundred dollar, you want how many?
Are you fucking NUTS! I want a rear tire, 1 not 20!
"Ah how much you pay?"
Free sounds good and you'll have the knowledge that your karma will be good.
Karma no feed me....my family, you rich....you want big tire cost big money
Ok, so what about local brands, what do you have?
"Camel Tire, only 1250"
But it's a 160, not a 180, and it feels like recycled condoms.
No, I dont think so Thanks.
Ok best price, 1230, but you pay cash!
Ah no, wrong size
Ok Ok you tell me what price you want eh, but you buy 10 tire!
I don't want any 160 Camel or Coin or Shindo or whatever else in 160...it wont fit.
Same same will fit.
That explains that CBR1000F I saw with a 150 rear. Got to love local motoche mechanics
Talk about bleeding for your ride, suicidal to get on that thing.

So we chase and we haggle and we ask anyone who rides anything that has more than 1 cylinder where do you get your tires?

Amazing how many expats rely on the guy at that workshop can get Dunlops, Bridgestones from XXX, but takes 5 weeks'.

Finally I find that shop, no, not 'the guy at that workshop....' but another and they have a range and their price is ok. Still exy, but a little less than flying in a set from Singapore, Kobe, Brisbane or LA.

Right thats my rant over.

Also time to say I have to say goodbye to my current ride, a Yamaha XJR1200, which is heading for a new owner. In Malaysia, and Im sure he will enjoy that piece of kit around the Cameron Highlands and the rest of the Peninsula. No, its not the latest model, and it doesn't have a full fairing and it doesn't reach 300.

It does go almost anywhere, tar, gravel, mud, rocky wet tracks with all your gear and a nice riding companion on the back. Without having to fil the tank every 150km, or stretch your aching back from the Doohan style racing crouch forced by rearsets, a good and comfortable long distance tourer.

Good luck to ya

Motorcycles and Touring in Asia

Hello, Nie Hao, Selamat Datang, Hey and G'Day!

So how did I end up here? Another pompous git telling, or attempting, anyone who will listen how to do it, fixing the problems one font at a time?

Nah!

I'm a rider, I love bikes, motorcycles to be clear, though I sometimes get around on a treadly, a pushy or bicycle once in a while. Have to keep the spare tire off the belt line somehow. Anyway the thing is I've been into motorised two wheels for several decades. Yeah ,alright I'm not a spring chicken, having been through a few experiences I've learned a few things, waiting for parts, waiting for that phone call, being unable to find that one thing I need to get back on the road.

That road.....riding it, straddling a good bike and heading for that next corner, the next town, one more line on a map thats been experienced. I ride thousands of kilometers each year, tarmac or dirt, sunny days that seem perfect and crappy, freezing, sleazy dirt roads that are slush and so cold my toes hug the engine to keep the circulation going. Europe, North and South America, Africa, Australia and now Asia. Good days, days that are so frustrating after the 20th wrong track and some so glorious I scream in my helmet from the joy of it. I can not imagine a time when I will give up being on two wheels. Riding all sorts of machinery, English, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese, even a few Chinese things.

I'm in the lucky position that I have the opportunity to ride bikes in places that many others dream about. The armchair riders, who have regular jobs, wife, 2.5 kids, the dog and or cat, the SUV and the mortgage to tend. I work for myself, sometimes taking short term contracts in places like China, or Malaysia, or wherever I feel like being. Wherever I am, after getting sorted with a roof over my head, meeting coworkers, arranging schedules and timetables, the search for a suitable set of wheels is next. There are new roads to ride, and I don't live for work. That's it, I work because I want to see what's over that hill, what's around that next corner, how is the road to.....wherever....I just have to go.

Right

So why this blog, which I have to say is something new for me and I'm working it all out as I go. Finding a good ride and replacing bits when you are riding in places where few can afford the cost of a front tire or a chain and sprocket set is often like stacking peas with a pitchfork. I've found places that can make a brake lever for a GSXR1100. From a lump of alloy... 'can you shape the end to suit my hand, not stock?'
'Yes, can!'
'When will it be ready?'
'Come back in morning!'
It's 1am....no way....but yeah, at 9am its ready, and its perfect and its cheaper than that motorcycle supermarket back home. Ok so his name goes in 'THE BOOK'

Shit, tire's rooted and I should replace that tacho and where the hell am I going to find one for a BMW R1200, in China. Where almost everyone rides 125cc universal peoples bikes that are made in a million small factories and are all priced less than the bottle of scotch I bought duty free at the airport?

What.... do I want white face Tacho or another custom colour, or a complete bike?.....maybe a 996 Duke engine which is sitting in his shop? Right he goes in 'THE BOOK'

So this is the online version of 'THE BOOK', the collection of all those people and places who love bikes. Those small shops and contacts I have made who can find a gear drive cover for a desmo, who know that a 150cc scooter is not the same as a 1000cc four, even if they are both called Katana.

Here you will find those bits and pieces, the parts and spares for your ride. Or a complete ride. Looking for a touring bike to see Asia, want a replacement engine for your track day gixxer. Maqybe you want to fit USD forks to your Zephyr or Bandit. Then here is a a way to find it, without being ripped off.

Really, who wants to pay MR750 for a plastic front mudguard for a Yamaha, which is worth $45? Or Rmb1,200 for a set of front forks, when all you want is two 42mm Inner Fork Tubes, worth $65!


Lets start this ride