The moment lockdown ended I was able to take the Kato in for a new dash to be fitted under warranty. Unfortunately, half the KTM owning population down this way loaded their bikes into my dealer's workshop. It's gone from sitting in my shed to theirs.
I did take a long cut to get it there though, a three quarter hour ride stretched out to two. I found roads in Gippsland I hadn't been on before.
That's the joy of that magical part of the world, Gippsland for those who don't know the area, offers the best twisties, great dirt roads, interesting 4x4 roads and heart-stopping tracks. Essentially, the area East of Mudbourne, from the ocean to the Snowy Big Bumps is Gippsland. The choice is almost endless and it all starts an hour from the centre of Melbourne. There are ocean and expansive views of stunning green hills in the southern parts, or mountains and tall trees in the north. |
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Phew, the bike is back from its cosmetic surgery. It's also sporting a new set of Bridgestone AX41 boots. It's the first time I've used these and I'm looking forward to 'scrubbing them in'. They certainly feel a lot stiffer in the sidewall than the standard Karoo 3s.
The manufacturer doesn't give them much in the way of a road rating so I'm not sure what to expect on the black stuff. The good thing about tyres is that if the choice isn't exactly what I want, I just have to go out there and wear them out! They certainly are the most aggressive tyres I've fitted to a big bike. |
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| I'd like to welcome aboard Marcus Holt. He has a wealth of experience within the motorcycle industry and will be a great asset to Strapz HQ. We met over 20 years ago when he had his own 'repping' gig. He moved onto MCA/Cassons for many years as well as being the helmet guru at most top level race meetings in Oz (and at times OS) for most of that time. |
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There's not much he needs to learn in the motorbicycle world but will take a while to get up to speed at Strapz HQ. Be gentle with him.
Marcus will be looking after the shop and phone as well as helping out around the factory when the girls need a third hand. This will free me up to ease back a little, spend time getting the break that has eluded me for the last few years and importantly get some product testing done. Two years of almost constant lockdown has me and Mrs Strapz looking to get some quality bush time.
Retirement age is looming and the way the years flash past it will be on me before I realize, I'd best start getting my head around it. |
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I could get myself into a world of strife making comments about this contraption.
Best not! |
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Mystery Item Last month we had this odd looking jigger to identify. |
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One of my guesses was part of the advance/retard system in a distributor and Chris, a retired mechanic was adamant I was correct. Go me!
But hang on... We also got a couple of people who tagged it as the actuating arm of a mechanical fuel pump. Richard sent in a diagram that supports his opinion. |
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As I'm NFI, it is clearly one of the two. I might have to trust the mechanic though. I'd expect the end of the arm to be worn smooth as it ran on the cam. Unless it is the inner arm, that is.
This month we move away from mechanical thingos onto this little hand tool. Is it sail making or leatherwork and what is it used for? |
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These plonk carriers were a hit last time we had them. After a couple of years off they have returned with a fancy new design and just a touch more space to suck in that full bottle.
I still use mine regularly. I'm surprised at how well they've lasted and still work a treat. I've never had one leak a drop and have weathered the caning I tend to give my kit.
On the road, I buy the bottle, decant it into the Platypreserve bag and bin (err... recycle bin that is) the heavy glass bottle.
Click here to grab yours and a handful of Christmas prezzies. It would make you a popular covert (or overt) Santa. They only cost 2 drinking vouchers! |
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Going Up Just as I predicted a couple of months ago, right on cue a raft of price rise notifications have come barrelling in. My guess is that it's the freight component that is blowing out the costs of stuff.
Naturally, that means that the price of our raw materials has jumped up. We can hold the line for a little while longer for you to grab the stuff you might have been kicking around thoughts of buying.
As of Friday December 10th, Andy Strapz made gear will go up, soz!
Death, Taxes, Roadworks and Price Rises eh! |
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Book on Pan Am I'm not sure Harley Davidson spent much time thinking about the name for their foray into Adventure motorcycles. The airline went belly up in '91.
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Anyhoo, we've had one in our workshop and sorted the side frames to accommodate our Avduro Pannier bags and found that the Safari Pod (large hole harness) fits a treat too.
More info here |
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A little like classified ads for bikes, a map is a place to go to dream and plan. "Today we go this way, next time we come this way, we must try and go that".
Phone mapping and GPS have their place of course but there's nothing like laying out a map and pawing over it, especially when there's a bit of local knowledge being passed on. |
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BTW We do have Gift Vouchers available.
Just sayin' |
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That's about all I got this month.
I'll get a pre-Christmas Strapzagram out, until then ride like it belongs to Scotty M.
Copyalater
Andy |
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