NINE

The Engine...  

started the cleanup and repaint.. but while rotating the crank to check valve clearances etc.. struck a slight problem.. it stopped.. mmm reverse it and go forward .. stop.. ooppps  not good.. OK lets find a light take a look down the plug holes and    ooohhh shit somethings in there.. OK time to get the top off... as soon as the head cleared and I got my first glimpse of the pistons... my heart sank.. First thought damm #1's been holed and she's rusted to bits.. bugger bugger.. but hang on that's not rust .. mmm its a bloody wasp nest.. long since abandoned but still all that sticky stuff and mud has stopped the piston.. bit of a cleanup and a further strip down and things aren't all that grim after all.. in fact it's good ..has made me freshen up the engine valves Hone and new gaskets and sealers ..a good cleanout of the sump  some other new bits as recommended by Ash and others and I'll have a good strong reliable engine .. every step of this build has just been so positive.. 

Pickup Ride route map.....

2 more sleeps and it's ON... I've decided on a trial run ride..I  will be taking the road to Bathurst then onto Sidy's Oberon mountain leg, then wagga, wodonga, Mansfield, Reefton and home... all up around 1220k's and total riding time of around 19 hrs.. 

I have 2 days to do it in..and I'm so looking forward to the break..for the past 9mths I've been working a shitload of hrs with very little time off... On 911 thats Nov 9 '09 it'll be 1 year since I was admitted for a double bypass op... So this will be my first getaway since way before then.. in fact it'll be 2 years since I've been away on break and that was a week in Tassie with SWWBO.. So I'm packed and ready to go...   

As for "The Hulk"

engine paint will be picked up tomorrow  .. as well as a liberal amount of degreaser... taking plenty of time and effort to mask up well.............

Practice Ride........

Next Thurs 5th Nov..I'm flying up to Sydney to pickup the Bro-in-Law Young Steve's newest acquisition..a nice shiny Blue/Silver A2 GPz900R ...purchased this very morning off Ebay...a Good condition clean example of Kawasaki's Wonderhorse.. 

Young Steve is quite beside himself with glee,  he has wanted a 900 since first laying eyes and backside on my Red/Silver A2 22 yrs ago..almost every other month he would say I'd love one of those just like yours I liked that bike of yours.. and now he has one... 

Work commitments don't allow for him to be able to pick it up himself..and seeing as this is about the same cost involved as transport down..I've kindly offered my services as a delivery person..Aint I nice... 

I must admit an ulterior motive as it gives me a day in the saddle and I haven't had a full days riding for quite  a while now.. also it'll give us an idea on the bikes ability to do the Great Ride Down/Across... Mmm just finished applying some tonic to my Leathers , Boots & Gloves.. will have to wear my leather pants and boots on the plane carrying my Jacket and helmet in my Gearbag as carryon luggage..

The Ebay seller has kindly offered to pick me up from the Airport as he only lives about 10mins away..how kool is that.. he is also doing an Oil & Oil filter change for me..otherwise she's ready to roll... really looking forward to the days ride..

TEN ... the Countdown has Begun!!!!

Finally... it's Assembly time.. the bits that need the beauticians have been or are going .. Out at the Shed last nite we started with the front wheel, on the hoist clamped tightly in.. then the '07 front forklegs with new black stockings.. (check build up pics you'll see gold bottoms on forks) with the frame cleaned out all over spray, reattached compliance plate,   

Young Mick Buffed up the custom made headstock Ally Dust cover, (shiny) then the $105 bearing went on, tightened,  tested lock to lock .. swingarm went on next, very tight no movement at all with the new poly bushes..

while Mick was buffing rear spindle ends and adjusters I fitted the footpeg hangers and rear subframe with the new stainless Bolts from GPz zone catalogue in UK.. there is just the right amount of shiny bling bits going onto the bike.. 

Rear wheel next with shiny stainless spacers.. beautiful.. so nice to see her coming together.. truly a butterfly emerging type moment.. 3 hours pasted so quickly..  so before leaving I quickly added seat, upper and lower fairing brackets for a pic to show you guys..

Final Paint colour is definitely decided as Atomic Metallic.. so prep work to begun on that shortly.. feeling like a happy chappy.. for so long looking at the bike in build mode and now she has her nice new Satin Black underwear .. very sexy.. the engine is on for a tartup next wednesday.. degrease, blowdry and paint then back into the frame.. then hookup electric stringwhich is being double checked by Techco Cuz' Maurice.. really looking forward to hearing the engine fireup and the sound from the custom exhaust system... Patience.. this is when we need it most...

Stop thinking and just Think...

All my life I've had a bit of a problem with Electric string..maybe it is a subliminal thingy over that episode a few years back.. 

Anyway today I stopped procrastinating and pulled out the confusion that is my wiring,  I setup the "The Hulk" frame on the lounge room coffee table...(SWWBO wasn't home) and started to delve into what goes where etc etc..

Spod had asked me to leave the switch gear and Clocks attached to the ZX10R loom and to use the front half and attach to the GPz900r Loom,  I stripped the protective tape of the ZX1oR loom and separated the wires as far back as I could .. but then realised that I didn't need to go to that extreme .. Stop thinking and just Think..what I mean by this is Stop thinking TOO much about what I was doing..Over complicating it and just think..You asked Spod to help and he has graciously done that..so..

I reread Spod's emails and directions and have worked out that really all I need to do is connect the relevant wires to the same on the GPz900r loom and those that are left over well then they can be rerouted and added to wherever they need to be... 

Spod is such a clever little vegemite.. 

I then attacked the ZX6 loom and removed the speedo sensor loom including connectors..this can now be added to the relevant connections 

Procrastination.....

It's time... time for me to tackle the Electric string (as Spod calls it) .. The joining of the two.. The ZX10r & GPz900R.. a meshing of two times.. two different yet similar entities.. But.. here I sit.. is it fear.. is it me reliving a time long gone.. a moment in time long since past ..but forever fresh.. what are you talking about I hear you say..1972 ... the back shed..I need light.. so I fabricate a lead light ...2 bare wires light socket in hand ... moving turning wires touch power surges Boom.. concrete floor bare feet .. prone slowly curling into an ever tightening ball power surging through me..screaming seems like an eternity till my dad rips the wire from me.. Nahhh that cant be it...I'm just lazy...get off ya ass and do it... OK... maybe tomorrow it's late now .... gotta get some sleep 

Stripped Naked..........

Well she's a pile of parts... Out at the Shed today "The Hulk" was stripped down, welds cleaned & ground, made sure that all necessary powdercoating parts were collected and brought into town..next wednesday I'll drop them off at the beauticians.. It was both exciting and a little sad.. mixed feelings..excited because I'll be riding her soon..sad because the experience of the build will be over... Mmm will have to start a new project..luckily I have the 3 bikes in One Idea to look forward too.. Young Mick is off to Alice Springs tomorrow for a week or two.. so i'll have some time to get into the Electric string dilemma.... 

Ying Yang

Life is Balance.. "The Hulk" my beautiful Biatch rolled off the hoist Wednesday nite..a moving entity..the first time that she actually moved .. other than up & down on the engine crane from one bench to another..but as a almost complete machine, this was it, and what a sight..at that point in time everything changed.. my impression of her, my whole feeling changed.. as the backend rolled down onto the concrete floor it was honestly a bit like a butterfly coming out of a coccoon..one of those moments..you are all probably thinking ..Loony.. but honestly it was like one of those moments..I wont go as far as to say it was like watching my 3 children being born ..But it was Damm close.. a really magical moment.. and then to sit astride to feel her under me..the ride position, knowing that so far all is good... we laid her over as far as she would go.. no clearance problems.. if I can get her right onto her sidewalls and use all the tyre we are talking 60 degree+ angles..maybe about 15 years ago..but not today.. althou I am looking forward to taking her to Broadford racetrack for a day of shakedowns and some good video.. might see if the Young Chris from Mongrel Ninja Racing wants to come ..I reckon he could find her limits.. 

That was Wednesday... Thursday I thought I'll go down to the locksmith and get a spare key cut...mmm traffic it's nearly 5 better hurry..drive past there yep still open ..mm a park where? one just appeared out front quick U turn, stand on it, zoom into the park..out of the car up to the door..Young Key boy just walking back to the counter after locking front door I tap ..and say can I leave it with you.. he smiles and says we're closed.. come back tomorrow..pointing at his watch shrugging his shoulders.. giving me that sympathetic.."what can I do look" but I bet inside Laughin like a MoFo.. probably thinking Ol' bastard go away let me go home to my Wii... Little prick..

So I do come back tomorrow.. same little "What can I do" Pimply faced little Maggot serves me..(as you can see I 'm over it and dont hold a grudge).. He smiles and takes the key walks out back I hear shuffle tinkle shuffle and he comes back with a blank key similar to mine..smiles and says It'll cost $120.oo ..and smiles .. What..How come?? .. apparently there is a security chip inside plastic cover to immobilise bike from being hot wired or stolen... he smiles again and hands me back my key..

so at this stage No spare key..$120.oo damm.. everyone wants to suck you dry bastards its just a F*#king key with a $2.oo chip wrapped in 10c worth of plastic on $1.oo worth of metal that a little grinder will take 20sec to cut.. $120.oo For F*#k sake.. sorry had my little rant... breathe... now I'm over it ... breathe.. pimply faced little teenage MoFo... breathe... I'm OK..

Ying Yang .. Life is Balance.. Up Down.. Good Bad.. Happy Sad ..

Baby learns to walk............

I'm in Luv..."The Hulk" rolled off the hoist tonite ..smooth as silk..low Fat tough.. all the MFG is finished..Come saturday I'll be stripping her down and sending all the bits off to the sandblaster & Powdercoater.. satin and Matt Black bits Painted..Gloss black and satin Black powdercoating.. and then I can finish the repairs to the fairings..I need to purchase some aluminium sheet 200x 700 x 2mm to extend lower fairing to cover and enclose mufflers.. then encase it all in fibreglass..New seat is brilliant..nice ride height..SWWBO will be able to easily touch the deck.. so will be confident when riding .. and with the gripper on pillion seat confidence for Lil' apprentice SWWBO .. Watching "The Hulk" roll off the hoist was a truelly wonderful experience.. better than I'd hoped ..I'm smiling like a loony... 

Time is Flying past

Before we know it DDay will be upon us.. I feel like I'm running short of time..I know that there is still a lot of things to do.. There's no panic at the moment BUT feels like there might be.. I haven't started my video record and I know I should..TIME .. Ph*#k there is always someone or something grabbing my attention or needing my attention.. I gotta start being a little selfish and say NO.. I gotta finish my Bike..

I can confirm that Young Steve (bro-in-law) will be riding up to Wagga Wagga and meeting us there..we are at present working on bigger brother Billy (bro-in-law) to come as well on his Big Harley.. Steve has decided that as he cant make the Brissy to wagga section of the ride that he will accompany us over to Perth..Billy has always said that we should go on more rides..well Billy we're going to Perth... it'd be a good brotherly bonding thingy I reckon... 

Things got a whole lot more exciting tonite.. for starters we finished the exhaust system, pannier mounts, bars and  bar mounts.. the only MFG left to do is attach upper fairing mount lug, lock to lock stop lug, Do the slash cut on the tailpipes, that we are finishing tomorrow.. 

Then its strip her down and send off to the sandblaster /Powdercoater.. 

 Yep we are in the home straight now... the finish line is still a ways off but it's in sight.. the wiring is gonna be the last thing I reckon.. that and the painting.. then its fire her up and get her moving ..sort out the bugs ..see if anything needs altering adjusting then its just bums on seat and build up some miles to bring out any flaws..a day spent at the track to give her a good floggin' then zoom zoom we are ready for The Great Ride Down/Across ... 

Hate being sick... the weather has been playing up a bit lately .. the last couple of days have been UK'ish Cold Wet Windy downright miserable .. the only upside is that the rain has been falling in the catchment areas .. 

A couple days ago we had a major upheaval in the Force .. a notification that shook the empire .. ripples spread rapidly around the Globe affecting many many many peoples .. GPz900r Collection 4 Sale on Ebay ..  damm what a shock .. 

I have been in contact with said seller and I understand where he is at and why he is testing the waters .. in theory I agree althou I did suggest a couple of changes ..ie keep the Green Meanie - finish it ..with help if needed from US .. 

Also have said to seller that The Great Ride Down/Across for me was special in a huge part due to sharing 99.5% of it with him .. so told said "Useless Ol' Ph*#ker ;)" (his words, not mine) that his ass will be coming, either aboard one of his .. or on the back of "The Hulk" 

OOooppss

What a difference a few days makes... I discovered I made a big Ooppss .. The setup for the speedo sensor is from a ZX636 NOT a ZX10R .. I only hope now that the young  Spod (legend) can save me and work out how to make it work .. I have complete faith in his ability to find a solution .. We are so close to finishing I can smell the paint and exhaust fumes..I sometimes try to imagine the sound ..but that eludes me still ..I long to feel her under me ..If it's half as good as I hope, I'll be a very happy chappy .. Damm better finish up and go to bed gotta get up in 5 hrs ..work calls ..

electric string

As I write I'm thinking ahead to tomorrow, to as Spod calls it, The joys of Electric string.

Yep once more I'm getting out of my comfort zone and playing with the miles (well it seems like it) of electric string, Althou I've had a moment of clarity regarding the speedo sensor, I'll try to backtrack as I go forward, I need to isolate the switchgear clocks and speedo sensor as well as the ignition. 

When it gets a little too much I can ease the tension by smoothing out the seat foam mods.. tomorrow nite out to the shed and Young Mick, to see if we can finish up a few more bits and pieces..

School's In......

Have taken the steps necessary to learn more about the internal goings on of the engine and electrical installation.. as I've mentioned before, in the past I'd just ride in and say to my race mechanic ..it's doing this when I do that, at this point that's happening etc etc I don't have that luxury anymore..althou Young Mick sure is switched on and knows his motors..it's just a time thing..He has so much going on in his life, his pride & Joy the HotRod gets neglected when we work on the bike, and it's such a Kool car, and there's the Skirtster (anniversary model HD sporty) that he's remodelling to suit a more aggressive riding style... a pure play toy.. 

I'm sure that with patience and by carefully reading the manual and by following  Spods directions I'll be able to complete the task, giving me a satisfaction that paying someone else to do just cant compare.. That's one of the biggest things about this build.. the sense of achievement of doing it all ourselves..when asked who built it, I can proudly say I/Me/We .. So School's In..which is ironic as it's actually school holidays for the next 2 weeks :)

It's like an addiction.....

I hate it when I take a day or so off from doing something either to the bike or in prep for the trip.. I'm fidgitty, preoccupied, vague, a little stressed. 

Time it's the enemy here, guilt comes into play, For the month of Feb and half of March I get to spend 15hrs with SWWBO, and you have to factor sleep time in there as well.. It's like an Addiction...

Ever since I started this journey of Building "The Hulk" it's like the Universe has been doing everything possible to make it Amazing... A life long dream that started way back when I was but a very small boy..  I started with a Doable idea ..within my limited expertise to accomplish.. But then the Universe stepped in and lay before me Tools People Ideas items opportunities.. It's been pretty Kool.. I'm very grateful for all of it.. and not only did it do that which is amazing ..no not happy with that..just the building of.. Nooo what's the point of building it if you have nowhere awe inspiring to ride it To ! Enter The Great Ride Down/Across ... wow and then You can't just do it..who Knows maybe dementia will one day kick in..Lets make a DVD ..you follow my drift....It's like an Addiction..and the Universe is feeding it...Aint life Grand   :) 

Getting Ready....

Today went to Steve's place, he needed a hand to do the brakes and fire up the Ol' Girl.. no not his missus ..his GS1000 that he's just finished rebuilding.. has taken 3 yrs and he's done a fine job.. Althou he probably said every day of the build.. should sell it and buy a GPz900r .. Love that one you had Paul, gotta get me one.. so Steve's getting it all together to come along .. depending on prior family commitments will determine where he starts from.. would love to do Brissy down..but maybe will meetup in Wagga Wagga.. 

Young Mick is also getting it together.. he's in the process of refitting the Skirtster out for the ride.. has changed ride position.. more lean forward with drop bars and rearsets as well as a new custom made exhaust and cone style can.. 

Young Chris has said he'd love to join up somewhere as well.. will talk to him about putting his race bike on  display at the track..

Then there's the Isaac on the A7 and Gareth A1 and his bro and his 900 who'll also catchup somewhere... 

"if you build it They will come"  how true...........

It's not just the Ride....

It's not..there's this sense of belonging that I have when I read updates, posts threads emails..from the guys/gals in GPz OC .. there are so many different characters, personalities nationalities living in regions and countries so diverse, we are married, single, Old'ish, Young'ish, Male,  Female, our bikes Red, Blue, Black, Green, WW, :) .. 

But all a part of that which we love and share .. The Almighty All conquering GPz900R .. since becoming a part of the madness, my understanding of the Ol' Girl has grown immensely, and continues day by day.. through the teachings (via posts and emails) of the OC.. SWWBO said something last nite that has stuck .. she said " life goes so fast, and it takes most of it to work out how to get it right" "some people work it out early but most muddle their way along, not noticing the signs, for direction, guidance, inspiration that can lead them to a happier more fulfilling life""

She's right, most people are too scared, embarrassed or even lazy to take those steps, to ask for guidance, I learnt many years ago that asking is the best way to do almost anything.. even if you know the answer, it always helps to see another perspective.. questions I have so many.. answers I find all the time on the pages of the GPz site.. So I thank you all, each and everyone of you.. either for your instruction, inspiration, direction or encouragement.. 

So Close .. Yet

"The Hulk" all the  major things are almost done..it's the home straight ..well as soon as I go round this bend ..Then it'll be the home straight ..  

As for the ride .. I picked up the Bike camera and all connectors yesterday.. the storage device will be next pay.. Tankbag has been fixed..clear cover needed replacing.. 5mths to go.. shit Do I have enough time .. one day at a time and we'll be OK ..

our brotherhood

The ride is gonna great..the great part being it will shared.. shared with a good mate, a bro-in-law also a good mate, and mates who I haven't met yet.. mates because we share a passion.. the all conquering almighty GPz900R.. 

In years to come we will still talk about it.. reminisce whilst watching it on DVD.. telling the little ones how great it was ..and how such and such did this and how funny that was and OMG can you believe that happened and my Ass ..My Ass..did I mention My Ass.. what a ride..Can't wait to do it again...LOL

Decision Made

Ok ..I'm blessed..to have a mate like Young Mick..I've been pondering over this dilemma regarding the new engine thingy..Do I sell ZX10R and spend nearly $11,000.oo on a bite ya nuts Off Race engine.well really that's what a 185+ horsepower dyno'd at rear wheels is ..Do I need or is it just adolescent want.I even dreamt about it last nite.. I know I want it..But waking up this morning I realised I don't need it..what I do need is a strong reliable motor that will take me troublefree over 2000, 6000, 20000 klm's and when I feel the urge too, to crack open and blast off.. 

 

So today the Mikuni's arrived and I took them out to the shed to show Young Mick, very Purrdie they are, he agreed.. at which point I told him about the forbidden fruit tree of knowledge you beaut bite ya nuts off engine offer.. after some serious discussion we came up with the right answer..Get Young Chris to pull down 1000Rx engine go over it make sure that all is OK and then slide in some of the good bits.. Old heads prevail..common sense wins out.. an email has been sent outlining needs ..awaiting answer.. will sleep soundly troublefree tonite :)

Time...Panic almost setting in............

Time where the hell is it going.. I need more hours to work on my bike... wiring need to be able to splice and clip and make sure that it'll work what it's s'possed to..

Spod (what a legend, I'm so thankful for him) he is sending me step by step colour coded messages.. bless his cotton socks.. 'cause I'm a dill when it comes to this stuff.. 

Another thing about time .. it lets me think.. which usually means more changes to my baby ..meaning more time needed to finish .. meaning less time available before D-day .. meaning Panic almost setting in ...............  

What can I do .. I want her to be perfect .. well for me at least .. you guys .. build your own :)

Life ....

Life ... aint it wonderful.. on a daily basis it gives you interesting unexpected moments to define tempt dissuade persuade alleviate dedicate medicate meditate and just relate.... I love it... never a dull moment.. 

for instance.. today, saturday, a day of leisure for me, which only just recently started.. for a few years now I've been running the weekend shifts ..thats Sat Sun Mon Tues.. on the crew, Thurs in the office..as well as backup relief officer.. add to that fri and sat nites driving Pizza delivery for my mates Restaurant..(Rugantino's) I do that just for the social relaxation networking side..I love to drive/Ride..I love my music loud ... every one is always Happy to see the Pizza guy.. Money for Jam..Not that I do it for the money..it's my release from the stresses of My daytime job.. anyway I digress .. 

so today..Sat I wake.. mmmm  maybe cuddle time ;) .. 7am ..Ding Dong What da F*#k ..  It's my Bro in law.. are you still in bed ?? he casually asks.. what are you doing today ??.. my inner voice answers (well I had planned on jumpin' ya sis' but thats now gone) He wanted to go to a swap meet, sorry bud other plans... Ok so brekkie is being made ..toast is on potatoes is being pan fried crispy some Tomato, Coffee's perkin', just cracked the Egg into the Pan, 8.45am Ring Ring ..My Boss ..dilemma, todays duty officer ..car trouble .. can you take the crew..shit no. got Plans ( one of which was maybe havin' a cuddle in the shower ) then Guilt rolls in..Ok I can go down and hold the crew until said officer can arrive.. he goes on  Many thanx you da man Blah Blah etc etc .. thats OK 3 hr callout double time ..Thankyou .. I was home by 10am .. 

Finish Brekkie.. Log on check my mail.. an answer to an enquiry to my mate Chris from Mongrel Ninja Racing..GPz900r Class Winner '09.. He tells me that he is building himself a Kickass new Race engine.. I asked what would he suggest for me as a good reliable everyday punter for "The Hulk"... his answer came in the form of an Apple dangling Temptuosly from the forbidden fruit tree of knowledge..

The dream would be;

CARRILLO RODS
1039 WISECO WITH TEFLON SKIRTS AND CERAMIC CROWNS, WEIGHED AND BALANCED (can go bigger but requires sleeving)
KPMI 1.5MM OVERSIZE BLACK DIAMOND VALVES 
APE VALVE SPRINGS AND KPMI RETAINERS
APE CAM CHAIN TENTIONER
APE CAM WHEELS (I have good timing specs but that'll cost you)
WEB 236 CAM
KPMI GUIDES
CC AND FLOWED HEAD
CYLINDER MACHINED TO GIVE 12.5:1 COMPRESSION
10mm REAR CASE BOLTS (my secret)
CRANK LIGHTENED AND BALANCED
OTHER CASE FLOW MODS (my secret)
UNDERCUT GEARS
HD SHIFT AND DETENT SPRING AND ROLLER ARM

DYNA 2000 IGNITION
KEIHIN FCR 39 CARBS
K&N LONG POD FILTERS OR STOCK AIRBOX WITH K&N FILTER AND RAM FLO TUBES (HARD TO GET)
SIGMA SLIPPER CLUTCH OR A ZX7 MODIFIED 9 PLATE SLIPPER CLUTCH 
LASER HEADERS WITH YOSHI TRI OVAL MUFFLER OR A GOOD CUSTOM 1342 FLOW PATTERN

As per all rebuilds, all seals, gear box washers and clips, gaskets, crank bolts etc should be replaced.

185 PLUS, VERY RELIABLE HORESES!!!!!   

..So I replied.. I have a '07 ZX10R just sitting in the shed waiting to be cashed up and converted into 185 PLUS, very reliable horses.. How Much ??

What else could I do..If I dont I'll always regret not.. and well it's only money.. I was watching a doco movie on a woman named Uschi oobermeier or something similar to that ..she was a lover of Keith Richards (Rolling Stones) back in the day '73 .. anyway .. a Poster she hung on the wall of her camper read. 

Don't Dream Life..Live your Dream

I'm a firm believer of this philosophy, live every day like its your last.. one day you're gonna be right.. and that's probably why I gotta go ahead and run this engine...  

Life...  Love it 

 

Bike freight booked

Well I booked  transport for "The Hulk" today and given a great price so if any more wanna come to Brissy.. give me a hoy and I'll give you the details .. 

She'll be leaving Lyndhurst Depot heading north to Brisbane Monday 15th Feb, and will ready for me to pickup when I fly in on Thurs 18th .. 

A couple of days spent with my 2 eldest kids and my 2 grandsons, Let my boy drool over her..take the younguns for their first ever ride .. 

Meetup with Ynot then 6.30am 21st feb leave Mobil The Gap ..YeeHaa ..giddyup ..

All the Way and back

The Great Ride Down / Across now has a new meaning for me, SWWBO has given me the go ahead to do Maleny To Perth.

Logistics gonna need to do some figurin' out.. will cost a few $'s to do this.. Luckily we've got a few months to get it all together.. Woohoo now I'm really excited .. 

..Wiring, so many colours so many connectors, what does what to whom and who isn't get any???

 Thank the Almighty for Spod .. He is generously wading thru the schematics of both bikes the GPz900R and ZX10R in order to locate the bits that need connecting. once he's done that I'll then hook it all up and fingers crossed zoom zoom rev rev blink blink ..

Out at the shed tonite, we started in on the mufflers again, cutting welding grinding, burning .. the last part was just me or rather my Sweat top, sparks and nylon are a no go.. for such small mufflers they sure take a lot of work .. but we know that they'll be worth it .. as are the headers, tank, fairings, swingarm, rear shock, frontend, handle bars, headstock, rear brakes, switchgear, steering damper, pannier rack, taillight, mirror indicators, headlight, frame cradle, frame bracing, rearsets, pillion pegs, sidestand, oil breather, temp sensor, speedo sensor, sprockets, rear brake caliper mount, front spindle bushes, rear spindle bushes, carbies, rims and the wiring to name a few things that I've touched fiddled with and improved.. loving the bike.. lovin' "The Hulk" soo lookin' forward to riding her .. always had a thing for Amazonish women .. 

Big Gut .. Big Ride

Ok ..So I've put on a winter coat.. make that a snow jacket ..you know the type ..the big fluffy dacron filled ones..yep that's it..Well with the Great Ride down getting closer and closer each day.. best I shed a few layers and get back into shape.. Over the last couple of months..training has been put on hold..The Young fella Mick had a slight excursion on his dirt track outfit and popped a shoulder..has been a concern these past months..and well it's been winter and "The Hulk" needed finishing, so training slipped as did my waistline..soooo slack one will need to shift his shabby ass and get back into shape ..otherwise the ride will be a long hard one rather than enjoyable..also leathers wont fit.. so as of tomorrow morning back in the gym build up my cardio and slowly get back into some resistance training...

As for the bike..tomorrow will be put to good use trying to fathom the wiring loom..GPz900R with ZX10R swithgear, Clocks, Speedo sensor.. as a sidenote discovered an A6 owner living not far from me, tomorrow I'll drop him/her off a poster thingy with sidy's route description, fingers crossed .. 

little steps

Yep Little steps.. a lot of little steps, each one getting me closer to the prize..The completion of "The Hulk" when I first joined this motley crew here in the GPzone I was so sure that completion was but a mere few weeks away, and had it not been for that I probably would have been finished but not happy.. My initial design has undergone many changes.. now as the end is insight we are happy with the concept we have.. so all the little steps are worth it.. life is a journey ..not a destination.. we need destinations to give us direction, drive, ambition, goals.

Today my head was just not into what I was trying to accomplish, and that was the changes to the foam on the seat..I wanted to sculpt some foam from the riders seat and add some foam to the pillion seat..OMG talk about tricky..Old shitty foam trying to slice it with a super sharp bread knife,  just rolled, it, the new addition piece well it sliced like new bread, still as I say my head wasn't in it and well it ended up lumpy .. But thanks to Bry (Straker) and his tip about using a grinder I'll give it a go and see if it cleans up..

As for the Great Ride down / across ..  need to start my video record .. I'll get young Mick involved and see what his answers are

A warm and heartie thanku to the esteemed taxman who Today for me has funded the Great Ride Down/Across.. yep that's right campers today I got my Tax refund back .. so that's eased things up a bit.. Now for some serious planning.

Preliminary Checklist...

1/. "The Hulk" in the process of being Built (near completion)

2/. Reliable easy to use Digital Audio/Video recording gear, Bike mounted

3/. Digital Audio/Video recording gear hand held

4/. Small Tent

5/. Self Inflating Mattress & Pillow ( Yeah I know ..Pussy.. hey I'm Old 'ish)

6/. Snuggly Sleeping Bag

7/. Full Dainese leathers boots gloves Helmet 

8/. One piece wet weather oversuit ( summer HOT) wont need Dri Rider gear

9/. Panniers ..To carry T's Jeans Jocks, Socks,  Oils & Tools 

10/. Pannier Rack & Top box mount for Tent mattress & Sleeping bag

11/. Tankbag for cameras phones maps, snackies, Drinkies, First aid kit, meds

DVD questionaire

Was just sitting here thinking about the ride (red wine in hand) and thought better get this on tape, you know ,my feelings thoughts etc, it was then that I realised that if we are serious about the DVD then in order for it to be professional and flowing then maybe a good idea would be to have a sort of script to follow, and that would include a form sheet of questions, so that when it comes time to sit down and edit this into some sort of well watchable event then a running link between each member could be the questions that we each answer.. a uniformity but with individual differing fields of view... 

So over the next week or so I will draft a list of questions that we can answer on air so to speak.. apart from the ease and flow of the DVD it will also make it easier to interview ourselves.. I've broached this plan with Big apprentice SWWBO (she who will be obeyed) Eldest Daughter the gorgeous Abby Bella.. awaiting her reply and input....

What a crazee day...Started out by getting a few more photocopies of the Poster Thingy and Sidy's info page on the Ride.. headed off to the local bike shops to hand them out.. only a luke warm reaction to what we are doing .. I put it down to age.. Youngun's in the store's .. no sense of the  occasion, a long ride to them is a quick blat around the block in colour coded leathers and then park it near a coffee shop and watch their own reflections in the windows while texting each other across the table.. majorty of their bikes get more lean angle on the side stand.... That's the thing about Youth, it's wasted on the Young .. anyway as I was passing my local newsagent I popped in to checkout Rapid bikes..yep there it was on pg 24 Big D's notice .. Got me excited again .. 

Out at the shed tonite we finished a few little fiddly jobs that eat up time..a plan was made to spend sat morning finishing exhaust system

I hope we get a good turn out for the ride..meeting up in Wagga Wagga is gonna be such a blast especially if say there was 40+ GPz900R's there..how Kool would that be .. a convoy of Geeper Nutters cruizin' down to the island..wow just thinking about it gives me goose bumps.. footage from front and rear mounted cameras would be awesome ..the comaraderie ..the conversation.. the retelling of sagas/journeys to Wagga Wagga from the various riders attending..History in the making..

Painting "The Hulk"

Tonite had an opportunity to go to the Paint Supply shop and price the paint...
 
2K base basecolour Kermit Green 1 litre $85.oo
2K Base top colour Zircon Atomic Metallic 1 litre $130.oo
2K Clear coat 1 litre $55.95
VHT Satin Engine 2 x Spray Can $31.90
VHT Wrinkle Finish 1 x Spray can $18.95
VHT Flame proof Header 1 x Spray can $16.25
KRH Bumper Black 1 x Spray can $16.95

It's pretty exciting now..  
Tomorrow gonna price the sand blasting & powder coating and get a quote on Painting.. 

GPz900R
1 x Upper fairing
1 x Middle fairing
1 x lower belly fairing
1 x rear ducktail
2 x sidecovers
1 x Tank
1 x front guard
1 x Rear Monoseat

Z900
1 x Tank
1 x rear ducktail
2 x sidecovers

Streetfighter
1 x KTM Headlight surround
1 x ZX10R front guard
1 x ZX10R rear ducktail

As soon as I can I'll send the bits off ..
Tomorrow nite it's finish the exhaust system and cradle... 

I'm so up for this rde... it's been far too long since I've done anything like this...

My longest trek to Date was back in '87 I bought a Yamaha 750 triple shafty in England for the princely sum of 500pd.. after riding around London for 2 days in the rain in a vain attempt to find Stonehenge, I decided that I'd forego Scotland and head straight south to the Cote' d Azur ..

I'm a sunshine summer person and the cold wet windy drizzly horrible craziness of London was getting to me..so off to the White clovers of Dover and onto the Ferry for the trip to Belgium..

After belgium I headed north to Lelystadt in Holland .. A makeship gear rack was made from a chrome plated kitchen chair and securely fastened to the back of the bike.. with the bike loaded it was off on the European leg of the World Domination tour.. on this tour I passed through many countries and cities, meet many amazing people and generally had the time of my life, I will get round to posting a photo montage of the journey .. but a quick rundown goes like this..

Amsterdam, Paris, Marseilles, Vence, Nice, Monaco, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Brindisi, (Ferry to Greece) Athens, Zagreb, Venice, Geneva, Montreaux, Germany, Lelystadt, Assen.. 

over many years of attending bike rallies in Oz I've covered most of Vic and NSW ..time for  a drink and some reminiscing

In for a penny In for a pound........

This Oak tree.......... Damm if it isn't growing more limbs...

  In for a penny in for a pound... Well I'm already gonna be on the road, and is it really that much further.. and well, I'll have some mates to tag along with..  it's one of those once in a lifetime experiences.. 

My conversation with my inner voice.. and the topic of discussion...Maleny to Frankston vic... VIA .. Gunnedah, Wagga Wagga, Maffra, Phillip Island ..... Perth??..

Why Not.. I'm already gonna be riding.. on Holidays..Pumped.. .. mmmm gotta do some serious sums... timeframes... Logistics..

In the month of Feb 2010 I will get to spend 12 hrs with SWWBO as she will be in NZ from 1-17th then I leave for Brissy 18th home March???? 

SWWBO chuckles

SWWBO (She Who Will Be Obeyed) was busy this morning, putting together a lovely brekky, I'm usually working weekends so don't get to sit down with the family for a morning meal too often, Lil' apprentice SWWBO was still basking in bed. 

A Perfectly poached Egg on a bed of pesto laid down on a slice of her favourite grainy bread sliced fresh tomato and fried Mushrooms with a splattering of assorted herbs,  freshly brewed coffee.. a nice way to start a leisurely saturday.

After brekky SWWBO decided to check her emails and library bookings online, which prompted me to ask if she could make a booking for me.. after reading Graham's (Malta -Devizes 1 ) journey report i was curious to see what the book he was reading was like, Whilst looking up the name on the thread, I mentioned to herself that she should read the thread, how he has a real talent for storytelling.  

She said "OK, but I'm only going to browse quickly as I have a bit to do today" ... :)

for the next 20 mins or so as I watched Baseball on the TV, all I could hear was Chuckle chuckle giggle giggle as she read every word as well as comments left by members.. she agreed a real talent for storytelling..tap tap tap as we wait impatiently for the next instalment........

I Sourced a nice little oil breather pod filter thingy this morning.. I should be out at the shed doing something to the bike, but as I've said, it's not often I get free time on weekends, so today T'is family time...... mmmm now sitting on the couch watching BTCC from UK on ONE HD.. gotta luv technology

Planning the DVD

OK the trip ..everything for me at the moment is revolving around the trip.. capturing the moments, I'm as excited by the idea of the DVD as I am about the trip.. because as I say all the time ..Life  is nothing more than an Experience and then a Memory .. therefore we need to have amazing experiences and capture them, so that in those days and nights of our twilight years we can sit back, glass in hand throw in the DVD and reminise. 

The Motor....... fingers crossed

"The Hulk".. at present we are concentrating on finishing headers , mufflers and slashcut pipes .. then the lower frame cradle can be completed. The side stand mount needs to be shortened for a cleaner exit for left side pipe.

Waiting on Spod (currently on Holiday) to deliver additional wiring hookups for the speedo sensor, powerpoint and ZX10R switch gear.

Top Fairing needs to be adjusted for clearance on new ZX10R forks, Belly pan to be lengthened to cover mufflers. Thanx Fighterthijs for giving me the inspiration to have a go at making a monoseat. 

As yet haven't thought to much about what will be the most important... The Motor ..

GPz1000RX it has been worked, looking down the intake there is evidence of some very nice porting, wiseco goodies etc ..

So when MFG is done we open her up and check everything , The Mikuni 38mm flatslides should be here by then, the wiring will be completed , braided lines, Pods, engine fired up, tuned, Dynoed, Ridden  

$ made round to go round

Today went down to the local Anaconda store to checkout tents etc..walked out $350.oo lighter..but did mange to pickup an amazing self inflating mattress by Black Wolf plus a little pillow and a great little 3 man tent, after riding for a few hours each day a good nights sleep is a must. After that I was off to Jaycar a local electronics store to find a lipstick camera, they have a  perfect waterproof camera and an easy to use digital storage device as well as a audio device.. all up $540.oo

My New Black 25yrs of GPz900r T-Shirt arrived today .. very Nice.. It reminds me that I'm a part of something special, a worldwide community of nutters who love all things GPz900r.. 

Ok the Great Ride Down/Across is Officially on. I just booked my Flight up to Brisbane on 17/2/2010 ($99.oo oneway Virgin Blue)..arriving Brisvegas at 11.10am then over to the NPD depot to pickup "The Hulk" load up and off to Maleny. 

So guys I'll be ready to roll on 21/2/2010 or 22/2/2010 whichever we decide on. Yeah Baby .. "from a Small Acorn a Mighty Oak tree has grown".. bring it on ..

MFG update

Just finished reading Malta - Devizes 1 on the GPz site.. that guy's got a talent for writing..looking forward to his next instalment..

Ok another successful nite out at the shed, we finished the mounting bracket for the OHLINS steering damper as well as cutting out and MFG an inverted panel for steering damper clearance on the front of the tank... Gotta get some video footage next week of Young Mick, wanna get his reactions and insights on what he thinks of the Ride Down..I'm bringing him along, he will be riding his custom Harley Sportster (Skirtster).. 

Always in my thoughts

I gotta tell ya.. this ride is almost in my every thought, There is nothing like the feeling of the open road, going for a day ride or a quick blat through your favourite set of twisties is great, But, compared to a Journey of few days and a few thousand K's on a Bike, there is no contest. Add a few friends on the same bike a GPz900R and almost every conceivable piece of someone's favourite road and you have the makings of the mother of all Rides. 

On this ride there will be guys from almost the furtherest points in Australia, from Bowen far north Queensland, Perth Western Australia and Frankston Victoria to name just a few converging onto Wagga Wagga central NSW.

There is a genuine excitement growing amongst the Ozzie contingent. we have a couple of members who taken up the mantle and are organizing different aspects of the ride, HWY has made a few drafts of a Flyer/Poster thingy which has been download by other members and forwarded to various groups and organizations as well being posted in Bike shop windows and selected eateries. 

I'm incouraging all members to start keeping a log, whether like this in a blog, or with pictures  but mainly a video log recording feelings preparations reactions etc, as one of the plans is to try and make a DVD of the Epic. My eldest Daughter, the Beautiful Multi-talented Abby Bella, is a flourishing Movie Producer/Director/Writer with a few good short films under her belt. has been approached and is very excited about the idea. 

Preparations for me include and are governed by the completion of my Bike "The Hulk". and as my accomplice in this project (Young Mick) will be unavailable for a few months in the very near future, pressure to finish is weighing upon me. I don't want to rush and short cut anything. So at the moment, Funds permitting, I am spending most of my free time, which is very limited, out at The Shed, or doing bits and pieces towards the build and ride here at home. 

The Great Ride Down / Across Feb 2010

The Great Ride Down from Maleny (Qld) to Phillip Island (Vic) scheduled for Feb 2010 will be for me the culmination of many many hours of work in "The Shed"  building my GPz900R based motorcycle. I've been riding bikes for many years, I've even spent a few years racing them, But a few years back Life caught up with me and reminded me of my mortality.. so a change took place and motorbikes weren't included. Not to say that I stopped loving them, no the love never faded, every time I'd hear a bike I turn to look and envy.. Yep I even envied the Postie. 

Finally I couldn't stand it any longer, Life is meant for living, every second of every minute of every hour of every day.. So I started looking, the choice was simple, The Kawasaki GPz900R, The best motorcycle I had ever owned or ridden, she does everything right, so forgiving, so easy to ride, she will fly in and out of corners like a Sheepdog after sheep, yet will comfortably eat up the long haul miles like a comfy leather lounge chair.. as I've said I'd been away from bikes for  a while so I decided to do some research. I'd come across a fella on Ebay who was racing the 900 with some success and he was selling a 5" wide rear rim from a later model 600, the 900 ran a 3"rear rim. So I bought it. 

More research and trolling websites brought me to Patrick's GPz900R Website, a German based gathering,  looking through the pics there I came across a pic of a lime green 900 with late model USD front end and different rear end with some slight body mods. I Loved the idea of it, Old school GPz900r Charm and looks with late model new technology handling. 

They say that life is all about timing, I'm a firm believer of this, I'd recently started teaching a guy Martial Arts, an ex sidecar racer who wanted a life change, an amazing welder / fabricator, who has the most amazing Shed. I ran the idea of building my dream bike past him, his answer we can do that, we can do anything, Building "The Hulk" had begun. 

I bought a 1984 A1 GPz900R of Ebay to use as a base, I stripped it completely down, selling parts on Ebay that weren't needed and purchasing more parts off Ebay that I wanted to use. 12 months into the build I again was reminded of my mortality and was laid up for a couple of months, unable to do any training or working on the buildup. Timing once again was to play a part in my life, whilst laid up I came across the GPZ owners club online. I discovered a bunch of people who shared my passion, what else could I do but join the madness. 

Again Timing, The GPz900r Celebrated its 25th Birthday recently, the clubs UK based members held a gathering to celebrate and by all accounts had a fantastic time, this made most of the rest of us all over the globe quite envious, us Ozzies in particular started talking about having a gathering of our own, where could we meet up??  as we have a largely majority east coast based membership we decided that Wagga Wagga would possibly be central. So it began, An Acorn was planted .. one post led to another one .. and a Mighty Oak grew. members from all over Australia pledged their love of the idea and started making plans for the ride to Wagga Wagga. When would be a good time ??  lots of prep time would be needed  to organise holidays, permission, funds. again Timing stepped in. late Feb 2010 just so happened to be The World SBK's at Phillip Island, the GPz900R is the Grand daddy of Superbikes, the Origin of the Species, so it was decided to  Ride on down/across meetup at Wagga Wagga and do a run to the Island.. This Blog will be a record of my preparations for this historical event