Yamaha DT230 adventures

[Jimmy the Heater]

Well that is an awesome project...very interested to see how it turns out.

[motormail]

Also added some extra strengthening supports to the pannier racks today as I was getting a bit more flex than I would have liked. This seems to have fixed the problem.



Robo

[motormail]

Have always used a bum bag for tools, usually heavy and bloody uncomfortable. However I found a Mega Tool Tube which I have mounted on the back of the right hand pannier, which holds more tools than I could ever carry in a bum bag. I intend to mount it under the right hand pannier frame as a permanent fixture.



Have also ordered a Mega Tool Tube with 1.5 Ltr alloy bottle to carry extra 2 stroke oil and will be located under the left hand pannier frame as a permanent fixture, which should almost give me a 1,500 km range.

Robo

[motormail]

Have always used ground tents whilst camping with the bike and in Quensland Australia it's usually either insanely hot, therefore no under ventilation, or its pissing rain (cyclonic) and everything inside is as wet outside, or the flies, mozzies. midgees or sand flies are having you for dinner. Got a few mates that swear by a Hammock tent so thought I'd give it a go and ordered a Hennesy hammock form Kellys Base Camp. Only problem I can see is if you only have one tie point like a tree and in Australia especially in the outback that is a very real problem. Only solution being a motorcycle hammock mount...will keep you informed of progress on this one.

Robo

[motormail]

Due to the pissing rain, therefore no riding...I decided to change the location of my tool tube today from the back side of the pannier bag to the underside of the rack extender and will also locate the extra tube with 1.5 Lt 2 stroke oil on the opposite side. So now the rack with fuel tank, tool tube and oil tube will easily be removed all in one go just with a few bolts.

[motormail]

With the extra weight especially on the rear I had to get an appropriate spring and figured the shock was well overdue for a service so might as well do both. However getting the shock out of a DT230 requires almost pulling half the bike apart...tank, seat, side panels off, remove airbox, remove linkages and carby has to come out to get at remote canister...bugger me, hope I don't have a problem with the shock out on the trail.

Once out, only one place to go in Brisvegas RAD Motorcycle Shocky Repairs, $60 for a service which included new bump stop, re valve and some engineering to accommodate the bigger spring. Spring was $180 from Teknik, but could have got that far cheaper by getting a custom job through RAD, but this can take up to a couple of weeks. Too impatient for that, need to go riding...now, soon, hopefully when it stops pissing with rain. New spring has 20% increase from stock and revalve appropriate to the new spring....works a treat now, can ride over a lump without hitting the stopper.

Robo

[motormail]

Tried out my Hennesy Hammock today, which is surprisingly easy to set up and comfy too. I especially love the entrance, you have to spread the flaps first before poking your head in. Had an old 3/4 self inflating mat which turned out to be the perfect size for the hammock and threw in a camp pillow to try. In under 2 minutes I was asleep, the sideways movement is just like rocking a baby in a cradle, but no titty to suck on here in the middle of the local park.

Only problem I see with the hammock in Australia is a lack of trees, so just need to get the Tree 2 Bike set up sorted. Almost got it to work today just need a pole to stop the rear shock from compressing. Will post some photos when sorted.

Robo

Short vid of getting into the hammock here

[motormail]

Took the little beast out for a spin......I gotta say, the DT230 is just brilliant - 300mm ground clearance, low seat height, descent suspension, economical, powerful, traction control and dam easy to fix. To put it into perspective, the DT230 with racks, panniers, all camping gear including food, clothes, etc, etc comes in around 155kg. Now most adventure bikes these days weigh more than that dry....that's no fuel, no oil or any other fluids. I reckon it'll do just fine.

Robo

[Harvey Krumpet]

155kg fully loaded! Now that is the mutts nuts.

Sorry Robo, i just could not bring myself to watch you pushing your head between the flaps. I've fallen for that kind of thing once before..

[motormail]

You should see me coming out....

[ararat]

Nice one.
How is it on highway?

[motormail]

Highway riding is smooooottttthhhhhh. The way the DT230 engine has been designed with the exhaust power valve, there is not one hint of hunting and the way I have it geared, 6th gear power band is only just coming on at 110 kph.

Robo

[motormail]

Photos for Robin @ RV Aqualine to see if a tank can be modded from the older Yamaha WR450 to fit the DT230

[Harvey Krumpet]

Any news on the tank?

And my next question... has anybody modded their DT so you can see the 2t oil level without taking the side panel off & looking in the hole of mystery? Mine has a no sight line in the oil tank, a minor pain in the date.

[motormail]

Hey mate, few times a week I phone Safari Tanks to see if they have found a tank, which they did find after quite some time of searching in what must be far away sheds, gave them my credit card details before Easter and last phone call was Friday 13th April as I still hadn't received the tank, was told they'd try to find the Australia Post tracking number and call me back....still waiting for the call. Sounds like I'm in the too hard basket, been over 2 months trying to get this to happen. Close to giving up myself and going down the ally tank track.