Downunder Clockwise: Preparation for the trip

To raise money in support of Oxfam Australia I am going to ride my motor bike Clockwise around Australia.
In August 2009. I'll be leaving from Melbourne heading west along the Great Ocean Road, finding my way to Adelaide, ducking across to Esperance, around the coast to Perth, up to Karratha, Broome, across to Katherine and Jabiru. Take a breath then back down to Tennant Creek, just nip across to Townsville. Then down the coast to Gladstone, inland to Toowoomba then Armidale, Tamworth through the Yengo and Blue Mountains National Parks to Goulburn. Through Canberra, the Kosciuszko National Park back to Cooma, down to Cann River, Bairnsdale, a small detour up the Great Apline Road if its open, across the Dargo High Plains. Around to Mansfield, Alexandra and down the Black Spur home. A distance of approximately 15,000 km and camping in National Parks or caravan parks. Taking about 35 days.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Preparation for the trip

In preparation for the trip I've started doing some maintenance on the bike. I've started at the front and have repacked the head-stem bearings, changed the front fork oil and added some spacers to the front springs, as I found they were a bit soft. I also lubricated the clutch cable and throttle cables. In doing this I found the plastic part of the throttle grip was cracked about 70% around. I've glued it for now, Super Glue, which may be as strong as new, but I'll replace it anyway.
Next I'll do the back end, re-grease the swing arm bearings and check the brakes. A couple of weeks before leaving I'll have to fit new tyres front and rear.
I also bought a new helmet, after 6 years the old one was a bit loose.