Getting Ready

Yes, I finally managed to get out and do some work on the bike over the weekend. Brakes have been serviced, checked and lubricated to prevent siezure of the pistons, levels checked and general lubrication and checking fasteners. I even gave it a wash in readiness for my forthcoming trip to the Ace Cafe this coming Sunday. May even be able to get a bit of polish on the plastic if the weather holds out and I get the time before leaving on Sunday.

As you can see in the picture in one of my posts below of my bike covered in snow. It lives outside as I don't have a garage, but I have a really good cover that helps to prevent the major problems of parking a bike outdoors. Actually I've had the cover since 2003 and it's still perfectly serviceable so I can highly recommend it. It is a heavy duty cover from Motrax and if memory serves me correctly cost was about £35. When you consider that I've had nearly 6 years use out of it, that's quite impressive.

Things are moving slowly

I've posted my entries for the British National Parks Ride and the Welsh National Rally today. I've also bought a new modular or flip type helmet. This time it's a Nolan N103.
I have several requirements of a helmet these days for rallying. I prefer a flip type, preferably with an internal dark visor for those sunny days and the lining has to be totally removable so it can get washed each night when camping to get rid of the day's sweat. This helmet is the only one I've found to date that meets all these requirements as well as being comfortable. There are flip helmets out there that cost a good deal more and don't offer anything like as many attributes.
It was also very easy to add my autocom to. I dont use the autocom speakers, but if I did there is plenty of room for them in this helmet. Now to the best bit!!! I paid about £70 less than most prices that I've seen online, this was less that £200.
There's been no progress on the bike other than charging the battery with my optimate as I'm still limited for time due to DIY. On that front I'm making excellent progress and should see the living room finished well before April when the RBR starts.

I've now got my entry number for this year which is 110, so that's everything done on the paperwork front. I'm now just waiting for 2 things to happen. The first is that the weather needs to improve so that I can fettle the bike ready for the riding ahead and the second is that the clock needs to keep going round until we get to about the middle of March when I will receive an e-mail from Dave the Disorganiser with my clues for this year. Not sure what award I'll get this year, as I'm approaching the rally from a different angle. I'll be taking part in several different motorcycling events this year so will largely only do LM's as a secondary traget and see how many I get by the end of the year. In the meantime, I'm using my time wisely by decorating the lounge (ah well).

Blast, that's put paid to any preparation for the time being, it's too damn cold to get out there and start working on the Pan now.
I need to give the brake pistons, their periodic clean to ensure that they don't bind as well as giving the whole bike a once over and general lubrication of all controls etc. Guess it'll have to wait until the weather improves somewhat.

Hi, once again I shall be taking part in the Round Britain Rally this year on my Honda Pan European and this blog is designed to keep anyone interested up to date with my preparations and progress on the 2009 rally. Of course, you wont get any clues or photo's here to any of this year's landmarks, but I hope to include other photo's that I'll be taking during my travels around the countryside in pursuit of my rally landmarks.