Make the extension block with a mount for the bottom of a std length shock on it and increase the travel at the axle.

RicK G wrote:Make the extension block with a mount for the bottom of a std length shock on it and increase the travel at the axle.

Smashing idea Rick. Would welding one on be sufficiently strong do you reckon? 

Let me know if anyone wants one of these. The bloke has 3 for sale. 






EDIT: If anyone would like one of these - they are apparently a very nice/snug fit onto the FD and swingarm, they come with the studs, they are high grade aluminium, hard anodised black. The bloke has 3 for sale (2 if I get one) and he is after 77 of those British Pounds for each)

I have seen a few pictures of K75s getting done like that but I would be inclined to use a single billet of aluminium or weld if using steel

50mm drive shaft extension (not mine)

charlie99 wrote:do any of the kweenslanders (and northern nsw folks ) feel the urge to visit Coolum beach for a short visit ?

perhaps on the weekend ?

don't know if a woblly mob of strange faces might cheer this sod up a little ....but to present a few k bikes rumbling away out the front ....might just inspire some nice thoughts ?

don't know what "mum " will think ....(bl##dy motor bikes ...I told him so !! ) but could be a positive to the camaraderie for our fellow traveller .

planning a visit up to floyds place on Saturday morning (at Coolum ) 13-06-15

anyone interested ?

meet point so far.... bp northbound  just before Caboolture  at 9 am   on the road north ...obviously

possibly a couple of locals with ks will meet me there ..one definite response so far

but any of the north nsw guys and locals welcome

have his address ...with scones offered on arrival ...woohooo

trip from the bp should be 3 or 4 hours  return   (2 hours travel time ) or something like that

Thanks so much for the visit and the mud cake charlie! Great morning.

Well lads...im starting to entertain some dark thoughts....

I chose the K100 for this project for soooo many reasons. It ticked so many boxes. but now some significant boxes have been changed....

I got such a big bike for a trip like this, mainly so it could carry 2 people and all their gear safely, comfortably and reliably. Now im single.....

Im thinking I might have had enough of fitting a square peg in a round hole....Im thinking its time for a 650 single....A DR650 most likely....or a F650 dakar....

And if this is the road to be taken...the beast is worth more dead than alive.... sad thoughts I know... but it does seem obvious and inevitable now that I think about it....

Please could one of the administrators attend to this subversive post from Floyd. I know how back pain can warp ones perspective so better just to hide this post somewhere and wait for him to come back to seeing the K in its true and glorious light!

he must be worn out ...ill guess the visit was just too much

get some good sleep Floyd ...giggles

Charlie - I think you and the boys need to go back round and have another "chat". 

Floyd - I knew you were in a dark place, but never thought it could be that dark. The K is perfect for a single rider and it means that you have loads of space to carry what you want to carry rather than a lump of a pillion with all the baggage that goes with her. Embrace your freedom - the K will take you further.

yeah bae  I cant see a dr 650 doing the deed for too far.. double up ...and the added extra clearance that they have ...but we all have different concepts about what we want ...before we get there

we were talking about making the k100 more fuel efficient ... but with more power ...so the k1100 motor came into view ...  or the electronics I believe

there is always a trade off in performance and fuel economy

but perhaps the real issue is low down torque ...the k with a huge cam duration is made to rev  but perhaps a modified  shorter duration cam with high lift is what Floyd is looking for ? (loads of low down, get up and go )

or perhaps a single carburettor and an interesting induction system may do better for economy ?

hang in there Floyd. maybe a new focus ,could be a K75GS is what the doc needs to prescribe. that'll get him back where he should be.

The work is already done - why go down the same road again? Although you didn't want it, you've now got additional carry space and comfort that something like a DR650 won't give you.

Here is a list of phase 2 mods to the K that I would need before heading off:

- larger front wheel
- longer suspension travel front and rear
- ground clearance
- better fuel economy (efi upgrade)
- better fuel range 
- stronger handlebars and risers
- crash protection (engine bars, rad guard, sump guard) 
- etc

That all ads up very quickly

Plus it weighs so much more than an aircooled 650 single.....




20km/L -- 30L tank -- 600km range -- 21" front wheel -- spoked wheels -- 200mm+ suspension travel -- modern USD forks -- Hydraulic clutch -- Corbin/Sargent seat -- Locally made Rally fairing (w/ bright headlight) -- Under 200kgs

If you want some serious grunt low down advance the inlet cam 5° and an extra 4° on the ignition advance.

RicK G wrote:If you want some serious grunt low down advance the inlet cam 5° and an extra 4° on the ignition advance.

on a k100 , or the 650?


k-rider

On the K100 I don't know beanz about a DR or KLR. They all usually benefit from an ignition advance. Most engines run 6° at base idle to meet the smog rules.

The medication is really starting to get to me.....

The potential downsize has just got even more extreme.....

My thinking has progressed through the following machines - with lightness being one of the main criteria...

- KTM 950 (still to heavy - to fast)

- BMW F650 Dakar (to heavy - where do they hide that weight?!)

- DR650 (requires to much extra work to set up for serious long term adv riding)

- KTM 640 Adv (great value, to vibey and unreliable)

- Husky TE610 (same as the DR - takes alot of setting up - but less than the DR and would result in a better bike....its just a matter of $$$)


and this is where Im at now.....

THE VENERABLE POSTIE BIKE!



Heavily modified for adventure of course!



Just buy a cheap frame with the tank and seat. (and maybe swing arm - perhaps Ill fab a new longer swing arm)

Get a Chinese 125cc Honda clone. Brand new engine, gearbox, clutch etc. 25cc bigger than stock Honda. 3 more HP (wow). all yours for $250. Brand new mikuni carb. Meant to be as solid as the Honda unit....just need to dismantle it and put it back together again with the correct torque specs etc

Modify a stainless pitbike header and fit a CRF100 exhaust can. 

CR80 forks, wheel and disk brake. CR125 400mm shocks. XR400 plastic fuel tank. Comfy seat. Universal scree. Protaper bars. barkbusters. 

Away we go! all for less than $2k. 

I know it sounds nuts...but for a multi year, open ended RTW trip through mostly developing nations....would be a lovely mix of bicycle travel (ie. slow, low tech, intimidating to locals etc) and motorcycle travel (ie. it has an engine, easy, somewhat fun etc)



Hehehehe

[img:1b29]http://store.onetenmotorcycles.com.au/userfiles/postieburnout[1].jpg[/img:1b29]

Now stand back and watch the outrage hehehehe



This is a photo of one of my Heros. Robert Edison Fulton Jr. The first bloke (that Im aware of) to ride a motorcycle around the world. In 1932 he set off from England and rode to New York via Europe, Asia (including SE Asia and Japan) and the North America. All this he did on a 6hp Douglas Twin that weighed about the same weight as 2 or 3 posties! hehe. Legend.



Here is his wikipedia entry. What an extraordinary life.

Get a Chinese 125cc Honda clone. Brand new engine, gearbox, clutch etc. 25cc bigger than stock Honda. 3 more HP (wow). all yours for $250. Brand new mikuni carb. Meant to be as solid as the Honda unit....just need to dismantle it and put it back together again with the correct torque specs etc

You'll be sorry.

No matter what you get by the time you set it up the weight will be either too much for the bike or too much for you.

My starting point would be a DL650 Suzuki or a KLR 650 Kawasaki and if you want a shaft then get a R1100GS 5 speed and go right through it before you go anywhere.

The K75 GS I am building for example, I am not going to be taking as far afield as you intend to go but I am finding it very difficult to keep weight down while I build strength and reliability into it.

Hey Floyd, one of the guys around Singleton bought the Chinese Honda clone (with the extra HP) engine and fitted it up to a postie bike last year for the Postie Bike Challenge charity ride.

It went really well around the yard at home and almost made it through the first day of the run before putting the piston out through the side. Unfortunately he wasn't carrying a spare engine with him.

I think you had better check that medication and have a lie down but I enjoy the entertainment you are throwing up for us!! and on a serious note, how's the back?

Cheers

Rick: The KLR and DL were both on my list at one time or another....but they are both still heavy pigs (both 195-200kgs DRY!!) and are not that capable or exciting off road (I reckon anyway)

Gaz: Yeah I hear ya mate. However there are many many different Chinese engine manufacturers with great differences between them. The one id go for is made by Lifan - who are a MASSIVE vehicle and engine manufacturer. Like MASSIVE! They make cars, trucks, bikes, etc etc. The range im looking at are for 'pitbikes' but are basically Honda clones. The do 90cc right through to 190cc I think. The 125cc and 140cc get great raps - with kms into the 50,000's with only valves needing adjusting and regular oil changes.

I reckon Id get it and completely strip it and more or less 'blue print' it, to ensure its right and good as it could be. 

The 140cc also has a manual clutch so you loose the charm of the posties centrifugal jobby. 

Im pretty keen on the idea to be honest....if you couldnt tell

soft panniers....one with clothes etc, one with cooking/camping gear. maybe a pelican case on the back with laptop and camera. Tent strapped on top of that. Make a tool tube and fit that somewhere. Maybe some small bags draped over the aux plastic tank. 

30km per L - 18-20L on board = 600km max range. 

Do A LOT of route planning and get a nice route programmed into a GPS - stay of road for as long as possible and take as interesting a route as possible...

can load it onto boats, and drag it through mud, can drag it up over logs and rocks....

I like it! heheh

also - Ive done quite a bit of riding in East Timor, Loas, Vietnam and Thailand - always on a small bike. The best was a 150cc Honda in Timor. Guys - the places I took that thing...safely and always with a smile...there is NO WAY i would get the K into those places and even a KLR or a DR would be a pain.....

Once out of Aus, I reckon I would RARELY if ever long for a larger bike.....

Anyways - enough of my Endone induced ramblings! Enjoy gents!

Oh, and Gaz...the back is still kaput. On the mend though I guess. I am noticeably more mobile and flexible. Still cant really do anything useful though. Except ride mums 110,000rpm Dyson around the lounge room.

Sydney to London by postie:
http://www.thepostman.org.uk/the-bike/

Al

Hey .floyd, greetings from the other side of the world...

The body will get better with time, so will the heart - I've been messed up by a few 'ladies' but I'm still standing.

You have a support network right here, feel free to PM me for ex-wife stories I dare not post here 

floyd wrote:....
Still cant really do anything useful though. Except ride mums 110,000rpm Dyson around the lounge room.

Glad to see you're still getting your kicks floyd, even if it is just redlining the Dyson.

AL-58 wrote:Sydney to London by postie:
http://www.thepostman.org.uk/the-bike/

Al

Youtube Link

Check out this guys channel. He rode a C90 from Malaysia to England. And he is a funny bugger too.


Well gents, ive done it. Got a 2003 postie sans engine for $300. 140cc engine, mikuni race carb, USD forks, billet triple clamps, disk brakes, 400mm shocks etc all on the way. And all for pocket money really.

Might have to buy a cheap tig/mig now to do a bit of work, wish Id bought one at the beginning of my BMW build...

Let the craziness begin.

bwahahaha  so funny to hear that Floyd

but I know where you coming from ...have a fun time with this build mate ...I would be making a few trips up that way to observe the enthusiasm  if possible  

cheers


oppsyies corrected now

Aren't you going to Tazzie mate?

This is the route im thinking about currently (very loosely). Over the next while, while im generating funds once more, I shall also be studying Google Earth and plotting my self a veeeeery interesting route to be followed on the GPS. Im going to try and stay on dirt tracks, and avoid main roads as much as feasibly possible. 

Anyways, heres the route: (MASSIVELY ambitious, I know)

- australia
- timor
- indo
- malaysia
- thailand/cambo/viet/laos
- burma
- india
- nepal
- india
- pakistan
- iran
- turkmenistan
- uzbecistan
- kazahkstan
- mongolia
- russia
- usa
- canada
- usa
- mexico
- central america
- south america


EPIC!

I know we K riders can have mental health issues (self included), but I'm just finding out how serious they can be! 

Bill

just saw this

amazing bit of kit



I know your heading for the light and lean path Floyd ...but this IS  something ...low seat at well

Yeah saw that too mate. Chunky heavy mother for sure - but some neat ideas.

The low seat is a good idea but I would likely need to lower the pegs as well (shortness aint an issue of mine). And the aux fuel tanks is nice and simple...wonder how they would take a fall though?


For those wondering....Im keeping the beast (of course I bloody am!) But will keep any further mods fairly small for a while. 

And its highly unlikely that this steed will carry me around the world.....(see bellow)

All ill likely do to it in the next 12 months is as follows:

- protaper or renthal fat taper bars
- billet handle bar risers to replace the horrid, flawed stock items.
- pivot pegz (got some for the postie...amazing kit)
- new clutch pivot bearings
- fit the 19" GS wheel I bought
- figure out how much Ive changed the geometry and try and match it by raising the rear. (longer swing arm or just a longer shock mount)

Going down to Sydney in a week to teach a course and collect my bike and tools etc. 

Then Im going to Thailand for 8 weeks to hit the reset button. If I were to go straight back to work after this shite, it would do my head in....

Then the postie build really gets going  already got most of the bits....

Got the nice USD motocross forks, wheel, brakes etc for the front (doing the steering stem swap now)....am lower the swing arm mount an inch....strengthen the frame, paint (army green of course), 140cc engine, beefier clutch and stator, RM400 yellow fuel tank (matches my cab yellow Nolan) and Ive got a green and gold Aussie globe trotting animal! 


Geeeez I miss the K.....havnt been for a ride for 5 months or so now.....But the back has gotten exponentially better in the last 2 weeks....so thats freakin great!

floyd wrote:
.....But the back has gotten exponentially better in the last 2 weeks....so thats freakin great!

Good news floyd. Take it easy on the trip to Syndey. If you need a stop over let me know.

great to hear Floyd

you should have got those instrument connectors  ( from Dai ) by now ..

good luck with the holiday ...hope it is a good break from all things

cheers !

That's all good news Floyd.

Im back you mob!

As soon of you may know ive had a rough year thus far....got off to a good start with some great riding, but it wasnt to last. The Mrs left me, and my back decided to take a holiday.

Once I was able to walk ok etc, I decided it would be cheaper to go rent a gorgeous place in Thailand for 2 months to recover, than do it here in Aus. So thats what I did.....freakin amazing.

Anyways, just arrived home a few hours ago. Watched the Philip Island GP (what a race!!), and unwrapped some presents that arrived in my absence.....

19" R1150GS front wheel



Longer top mount for my RAM rear shock from Realm Eng. (this is the stock item from their new range of R-bike rear shocks)


The beast is out of rego now, and Ive kind of moved interstate, so will have to get it QLD rego asap. Cant wait to go for a ride. Its been aaaaages now!

Welcome home mate good to se the back got better all by itself.

Welcome back, Floyd.

Hey Floyd... was wondering where you got to. Glad to hear the back is better.
Nice prezzies.
Cheers

Good to see you back Floyd.

Welcome back Floyd,

Hope the postie build project gets you out of the rut and into the groove, after all, life is what you make (in) it.

Cheers ya'll, you're all a pack of legends. Good to be back.

I reckon the back is at about 80% of 'normal' - which is freakin wonderful compared to where I was a few months ago. 

Still on a few crazy drugs, but tapering off them now. 

The postie build is going to be a hoot. got about 80% of the parts, but the remainder will have to wait until I get some gainful employment.

Going to get the beast registered again tomorrow. Dont think it needs anything to pass. But my clutch lever is now ridiculously hard to pull. I figure its the pivot bearings, as they are the only thing I didnt replace. 

Will try and source some teflon liners to replace the bearings, and a new stainless shaft. 

Also, think im going to fit some 28mm motocross handlebars off a KTM I have on hand. Need to get some new risers (but I need them anyways, as both my stock ones have busted in the past and been welded up). Will make the riding position more aggressive and less grandpa, and might be a bit better off road. We'll see.

Onya Floyd!

It's good that you got away from all of the crap and cleared your head.

Good to see you back Floyd.

Here's a link for you: http://www.distanceforachance.com/

Al

Thanks Al and blaKey

Went for rego yesterday....got knocked back....dickheads....

- Need a new front tyre (knew that, but thought theyd have something suitable on hand....nope....gotta wait a week) 

- Torn seat cover (can you believe thats a defect?!?!) I have a new one....just gotta fit it.

- Steering head bearings - They were brand new 30,000kms ago....that seems like a short life span to me..but what do i know...maybe they were not adjusted correctly....they feel fine to me....not notchy and i cant feel any lateral play....maybe ill just rotate the bearings relative to the races and try again?


Regarding the hard clutch pull....think its some kinks in the cable and not the pivot bearings, as the shaft is not seized in the bearings and the pivot moves very freely. 

I took the entire back end off, and was about to pull the gear box to do the clutch splines.....and then i realised I cant find my damn moly lube....!!!      

I went into the Transport dept to do the rego on the R80 RT and they asked where the chain guard was and when I told them that a shaft drive does not have or need a chain guard they refused to register the bike. That was until they got a call from the ministers office to tell them they were idiots and to do it.  
When they rang me and said they would do it they were pissed off that I rang the Minister and were only minimally co-operative when I went back till I took out my phone and asked if they would like to talk with the minister again. They suddenly had lots of time for me.

You called the Minister of Transport Rick ! , ballsy move , remind me to never piss you off !

John Re

Gets action.  The public hospital was doing the wrong thing by me a few years ago when I was an in patient so I called my local member, didn't actually get him but his office was enough, as he was minister for health as well. That really got some action and when one of them said "you didn't need to do that" my reply was that I had asked several times for my regular medication then told them and nothing happened over a 3 day period so what else could I do when the treating doctor was also the medical superintendant of the hospital.

had a similar issue Floyd

really hard to pull whilst loaded up ...cable released ...the arm moved freely

I drilled a hole in the bottom of the arm about the centre of the internal bearings ...and lubed the hole so that there was a washing out effect through the pivot pin ends .....I used the "lanotek" for this

issue resolved ....ill bet the bearings had seized somewhat

a few of the guys have drilled tapped and installed a grease nipple down there with some very positive results without needing to pull the shaft and replace the bearings ... 

and yes a torn seat cover in almost all states is defiantly a defect .....

good to see you back in aussie mate and so pleased to hear that all is coming along well enough

some great pics of your overseas visit (in another place) ...thanks

charlie99 wrote:and yes a torn seat cover in almost all states is defiantly a defect .....

Bloody hell. It doesn't even merit a mention over here unless it's really bad. A piece of duct tape usually fixes that problem.

charlie99 wrote:
I drilled a hole in the bottom of the arm about the centre of the internal bearings ...and lubed the hole so that there was a washing out effect through the pivot pin ends .....I used the "lanotek" for this

Cheers Charlie.

You removed the arm to do this i take it?

Dai wrote:

charlie99 wrote:and yes a torn seat cover in almost all states is defiantly a defect .....

Bloody hell. It doesn't even merit a mention over here unless it's really bad. A piece of duct tape usually fixes that problem.

Shame to hear you copped a grilling Flloyd . such whimsical faults. I've been through three rego's with the same torn seat , I finally took Charlies lead and did a recent recover. Good to hear you are getting it sorted.

Ok, still havnt got rego....but ive got time, and its raining, and The Beast shall never be 'finished'

Im back at my old stomping ground - in the shed at Mum's place; with all Dads tools (minus some the brothers have LOST!!); with the benches me and Dad made when I was 12; on the bike stand my Grandpa made before I was born

Throughly cleaned the beast and stripped it right down (tank, fairing, seat, ducktail all off) in preparation for a few days work.

Got the back end completely off in a couple of hours.




There was a fair bit of clutch dust (is that normal?) But no signs of oil form the rear main seal - which is to be expected as I replaced it a-year-and-a-bit ago (30,000kms) but still nice



There was a little bit of moly-lube slung out from the clutch splines so I added a bit less this time - a new tube arrived in the post last night to replace the one I lost in all my moves. 



I didnt remove the clutch as I was a bit unsure of whether of not Id have to replace the bolts - and I didnt have any. And I figured the main output splines would be fine for now.

All the other splines in the drive line showed no signs of wear since I put the beast together more than 30,000kms ago - at least to  my eye/memory - so thats nice. 

So with all splines lubed, all parts cleaned - the back end goes back on and its now time for the front....

Once the forks were out, I could feel pretty massive notching in the steering head bearings (the mechanic that did my rego check was right. I myself couldn't feel any notching when the front end was on). How many kms should they last I wonder? I got 30,000 but never adjusted them throughout that time. I think maybe they were to loose and wore excessively. 

Now I've realised my front discs are .5mm under spec min-thickness.....so my options are 
- to fit a new tire (to pass rego) to an 18" front wheel Im not going to use for much longer (as i plan on eventually fitting the 19" GS wheel I have); 
- OR by used K1100 rotors and use the K1100 18"er for another year (with new tyre for rego); 
- OR buy new rotors for the 19" GS wheel and get an axle modified and dive straight into that.....
hmmmm....funds are tight so I might buy used K1100 rotors and stick with that for another year (or until I wear out the front tire)....

Anyways....loving my time delving back into the world of K!