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