Out of the Starter’s Gate - the best birthday present. (now with Photos!)
January 22nd, 2007 by Josh
Every day brings a new trial and a new opportunity. With our gear packed and final preparations complete we are ready for the road. Tomorrow January 22 we will leave Walnut Creek, San Francisco and the hospitality of everyone here. The help of the local biking community we touched base with has actually made this trip a reality. Without them our money would have been swallowed up into the great consumer black hole that is California’s economy.The bikes have been prepared, the saddlebags secured and this is now the real deal. Tomorrow I add another year’s experience. Where will I be next year?
Our itinerary is to travel down Highway 25 (not the coastal road), through Hollister if you want to Google it, then down the Corrizo wilderness for our first taste of gravel road, camping near Bakersfield and then moving to Death Valley after then.
For the record, Mods and service on my KLR:
Milage on purchase 2700 miles.
Bleed front brake and inspect pads
Inspect and clean rear brake pads
Adjust chain slack
Adjust rear shock preload & rebound damping (max)
Check battery levels, leave on battery tender overnight
Install metal side bars to prevent saddlebags burning against exhaust
Install heavy duty inner tubes
Inspect Air Filter
Purchase and fit new front tire, Avon Gripster 21′
Install fuel filter
Install Elvis mascot, NZ flag, decals
To do:
Oil Change and filter
Doohickey fix. Refer
I have photos but am having trouble uploading them. Please make do with the below.
January 23rd, 2007 at 3:23 am
Hey Josh,
Good to see you guys will be on your way by now - nice that you both managed to get KLRs as well, should make maintenance a bit easier. Hope it all goes smoothly, and i look forward to the next update!
Ben
January 23rd, 2007 at 4:15 am
Man your bikes look awesome!!!
Can’t wait for more pics!
January 23rd, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Hey guys
Well Good luck and happy travelling!
Wow the view from Mt Diablo looks amazing!
January 24th, 2007 at 3:37 am
Luv the bikes. Colour matched. Keep the pics coming if possible.
January 24th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Buena Suerte !
Que te vaya bien !
[Good luck !
I hope it goes well !]
Adam
January 24th, 2007 at 8:44 am
Looking good, those lil flags are a nice touch
January 24th, 2007 at 9:25 am
Hey Jonny
I see the guitar made it onto the bike under your black bike bag. Hope it lasts the distance. You’ll need it for serenading senoritas in Mexico - or coyotes in Death Valley. How did the first long rides go and where are you now? Jan’s back in Wgtn and raring to go to the big Wanga. Wish I was travelling with you. AB
January 27th, 2007 at 5:37 am
It was great to see all the photos. I particularly like Josh’s fluffy padded seat cover. A man after my own heart!! Jonathan you better be careful negotiating small gaps with that guitar sticking out so far. We like the New Zealand flags too.
Travel safely boys and update whenever you can.