How I see France 

24/1/15 Getigne 35km from Nantes 

I have travel very little in my life. To go fast on motorbike it is not a deal. Motorways, cheap accommodation and Mcdonalds are everywhere and this is not always an attraction. I was luck enough to meet Dan an Irish man and his wife Annie - hard working French lady. With all my skills they let me come to their house  and help them there. There is few animals here. River is across the garden and with all wood around makes this amazing place for living. 

Sophie stays in the house - youngest daughter of Dan and Annie, she study in Nantes and today she will make french desert as I do my polish Bigos. French know it  as a Choucroute- kind of meet and sour cabbage stew. The people seemingly like this house and I have chance to see more than 20 new people in last 2 weeks. They all would like sit at the table either just for a drinks and snack or for long - talk and eat dinner. Yesterday for example I have meet Loic and Eva. They kindly lend me their own welding machine as I need make proper front luggage mounting for Yamaha. They moved from Paris to village few years ago and now they are look after a farm. Today I have seen their 3 day old - shaky leg new born sheep. So people are coming visit here most of the days of the week. 

I’m around in the center of Musacadet area. Today Dan took me to the Stephane and Vincent local vineyard - Domaine des Cognettes. They are sixth generations of vine making in here. They make all sort of vine from Melon Bourgogne grapes. This is very unique grape and the wine is dry. Seemingly taste is similar to some white vines I tried from Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary, but please forgive me for my unprofessionalism. Vine doesn’t need good soil to grow, need good weather, and a lot of work. Two brothers running this vineyards look like they literally grown form the vineyards soil. 

3 days old

10 Jan 15 

milies 1023 Nantes -France 

Yamaha XT 600E, preparation for world tour 

This is my 15th day of my journey. I’m writing this, from my - luckily 2 stars hotel. Weather is cold and Im not used to ride long distance too, motorbike is going ok, however gears are clicking noiser and rear suspension is overload.

About motorbike

This is last year model of famous Yamaha XT 600E , this motorbike was design for Paris -Dakar in 80’s, and was called Tennere, With some alterations mainly was around late 90’s new frame and some small changes, last till 2002. Than last motorbike left factory and I believe mine is one of them too.

I bought this bike from the person from  Brighton UK (I was living Glasgow), Milage was 5200, and I checked chassis  and engine numbers before I bit on ebay.  I bought it for £1170 plus transportation. I hire a mini van and drove there from Glasgow - long journey and that was first few hundred miles together, 

After around two months moto was stolen abused and luckily after 3 days - like Jesus resurrection  - I got her back.  Some Glasgow kids were riding around and finally they had small crashed and runawayed, so I had to fix it and put on the road. 

In the process of preaparing I striped all electrics and got all critical spares too.  have clean roast and painted partially. I replaced 17 liters tank into bigger 23 liters Acerbis  (I bought on ebay with small whole and glued for little price). I put front perspex wind screen. I replaced tyres - budget on and off road, but they were tested by Zen motorbikers (online overland shop). To take my luggage I got second hand subframe cut and welded by my self, I replaced front wheel bearings, and clean breaks too, I put new oil and filter, additionally I added small petrol tap to fill my Coleman petrol stove too. I also added small mudguard extension  for the front guard.

I spend over 3 month in my back garden tent like workshop, making all this changes. I completely missed to make loaded test and see how is suspension work. Now I see rear suspension is far too soft. I have adjusted but still not great for 100% yet. With around 70kg load and my self almost 100kg you need slack chain, fully loaded motorbike will tension chain so you need experiment and make some adjustment. 

The most important I have learned is to get proper parts - no the cheapest from online shops, this will break shortly (my chain and sprocket set burst after 3-4 weeks of riding. luckily this was still in Glasgow. 

I will put more stories as soon as I make some progress with my travel .so see you than.

Pornichet west France near Nantes