Cruise gravel riding in 'rapa Sat 28/2

[Aslan]

with the beyond Suthererland's Hut attack being aborted after a recce by JunkManJoe et al last weekend, I'm intending to take out my leven fiddy for a cruisey gravel ride to Martinborough (coffee at Toppys), out to the Coast - back through Hinakura and over Admiral Rd to the Gladstone - wet the whistle and on up to Eketahuna via back roads from Masterton.

anyone else interested - I plan on leaving Caltex Rimutuka at 10am and intend reaching Putura near Eke late afternoon to join whanau.

[marks]

Hi

I'm keen but I've got nothing to ride yet... (DT needs a service)

The header gasket for the KLR has turned up so if I can get that fitted in time and solve the tire/exhaust clearance problem I will hopefully be there.

[Aslan]

Hi

I'm keen but I've got nothing to ride yet... (DT needs a service)

The header gasket for the KLR has turned up so if I can get that fitted in time and solve the tire/exhaust clearance problem I will hopefully be there.

Cheers for that Mark - I'm flexible as to arrangements - just keen to give the bimmer an airing since the DR is my weapon of choice for the more challenging stuff - hope to see you and others - go well

[Howie]

Hi, I"m keen to get out for a ride if all goes to plan. Thanks for posting up the thread Aslan.

Paul

[junkmanjoe]

Hi Aslan, which coast you be looking at traveling to, white rock..

[junkmanjoe]

HI Aslan i can tie up a tidy set of back gravel roads towards ekey if you interested.
one being a paper road, more than suitable for the bigger bikes.

[pete376403]

Hi

I'm keen but I've got nothing to ride yet... (DT needs a service)

The header gasket for the KLR has turned up so if I can get that fitted in time and solve the tire/exhaust clearance problem I will hopefully be there.

you've got 4 bikes and nothing to ride? Jeeze...

Rubber mallet from Super Cheap ($4.50) will adjust tyre/exhaust interface.

[marks]

you've got 4 bikes and nothing to ride? Jeeze...

Rubber mallet from Super Cheap ($4.50) will adjust tyre/exhaust interface.

Its a bit rough isnt it...

I fitted the new exhaust gasket on the klr tonight and started it up and it still sounded like a tractor...wtf....

I put my thinking cap on and started it again - its not coming from the exhaust - its coming from under the tank - bet I know what that is...

Pulled off the tank and the plug the PO had put in the EGR port in the top of the head (by the sparkplug) had blown out and was lying next to a nice big hole right into the exhaust port. I'm glad I didn't try and continue the ride - I think I would have cooked an exhaust valve (looking in while the exhaust was off - one valve port was black and one was gray - the one with the open egr hole)

I'll get something permanent sorted out tomorrow to plug the hole.

Jumping to conclusions is a risky thing - new tire plus rubbing on exhaust plus sudden exhaust leak = blown exhaust gasket

what a dork I are

[junkmanjoe]

Ok Aslan.

cast your eyes over this
only one road will be weather dependent. can easy leave it out, its has a great view of valley, top of dorsets rd.
ok here it is.
after the drinkies at pub.
travel north a short stint along sthwy 2, turn off for whangaehu valley, head up to dorsets road, ( aprox 1km paper road ) bottom of dorsets road,left turn on to mauriceville rd,right in to jacksons line, right on to west rd,left on to north rd,right on to hastwell rd,right in to bowen rd,right on to mangaoranga rd,left at bridge,left on to bartons line, right on to alfredton rd, and in to eketahuna.
i think aslan heads of to family, other riders sthy 2 to my house welcome for coffies at my house before heading home.

70% of these roads are gravel and suitable for BIG bikes.
there only short roads, and tie togeather for a neat ride.

aslan your thoughts please.

[Aslan]

junkmanjoe - joe sounds kewl - haven't checked on Google maps but I'm happy to go with your judgement - so you reckon we meet you at servo on entering Featherston? - welcome your start time recommendation in Featherston

[junkmanjoe]

roads are short some tight and twisty some longer and stright, some will have grass in the middle, and aprox 1km of dorsets road it a old road, with metal base, but is wheel tracked, is a safe road.
so you keen to head to white rock.
at the end of the day you will end at eky

[Aslan]

Joe - you da man - you've embraced this KiwiBiker thing with gusto! Top man - yes White Rock's fine - cheers S

[junkmanjoe]

okies we ride rain or shine, as my bike needs a wash...
hope to have the tank on, so will be a good test for it.

[Aslan]

I've just checked out the route proposed by Joe - looks interesting - certainly shows the benefit of local knowledge - in your hands Master Joe - cheers Aslan

[junkmanjoe]

it was best way not to double track over the roads, it sort of winds its way up north,
if your not happy with dorsets road, we can go back down.
it will be ok if its not pissing down.... i wouldnt take you some where silly, now would i..............