Geeting Ready for the 35TH

ThomasJ

ThomasJ

Had to change the throttle cables on Lesley baby Kat as one had frozen solid and after weeks of soaking has not budged so I had new cables made by Flex Drive. Went in to the workshop to start the reassemble of her bike and I could smell fuel. Not thinking to much about it I picked up the tank and found the bottom edge damp and 30mm bubble in the paint. The fuel tank has sprung a leak due what appears to be rust. Cleaned away the paint bubble and was able to push a small spike though the tank. Oh well, at least it happen here and now and not at the 35th.

I will get it in to the panel shop in the morning and hopefully they can repair and paint ASAP.
 

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Thomas, my '81 1100 Katana goes into the shop next week for a full check up and new battery and have her all ready for the 35th. See you there.
Nick
 
Lesley actual got her bike licence yesterday so she does not have to ride on L's at the 35th. Fantastic effort. She has never been on a bike in her life. Not even pillion. Is a shocking passenger in a car and I was really surprised early in 2015 that she announced that she wanted to learn. An exceptionally well known and experienced historic racer over here in WA, Rick Boyse runs a bike transport company as well as being a very experienced instructor took the challenge and has been training her since then. Rick had Lesley on the back of his bike once and that was the last time. He nick named her Mrs granny as she was riding slow until her first attempted at her licence where Rick said she had to get up to speed quickly and was fail instantly for doing 10k's over the limit. Personally I am stoked and really proud of her. Not bad for a 54 year old granny!
 
Good on her Tom! I'd love my wife to get her bike license but at this stage I can't even get her to pillion unfortunately...
 
G'day Tom and Lesley, Congratulations on the new licence and you'll have the fuel leak fixed in a jiffy. Then look out, you two will decide to ride over east, paint the bikes up as a tribute to Captain America and Billy's bike and ride into the sunrise, just look out for Red Necks in there pick up trucks. EasyRider here we come....cheers Ian (insert a BIG thumbs up here)
 
Baby Kat's tank is now repaired and repainted. Apart from putting the "SUZUKI" decals in the wrong place it looks good. This will be redone in the near future.

However, the next setback is me. A few of you are aware that I had to have heart surgery immediately before Christmas. I was recovering very well until last week when I was rush back to hospital with what turned out to be an infection in my blood. After being pumped with antibiotics I am now out and recovering.

But I have been told not to drive for such a distance or time for at least 6 weeks which of course means that we will not be attending the 35th meet.

After 4 years of planning, building the trailer etc etc etc you can only guess how disappointed both Lesley and I are. There is a spa villa now up for grabs at Boathaven.

Oh well, we can look forward to seeing heaps of photos and then the 40th meet.

Tom
 
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Wow that's sad news mate but glad you are ok, maybe you and Lesley can do a little tribute ride and add pics the 35th (there in spirit sort of deal)

Cheers and speedy recovery
Max
 
Hi Tom, sad to hear your health has derailed your well planned and much anticipated trip you and Lesley were looking forward to. Glad to know you are on the mend and yes there will be other rides and Kat Meets in the future so keep the faith brother.

Cheers,
Glen.
 
Regretfully, I won't be able to attend the 35th in Albury 2016.

Whilst I appreciated the offers of a spare bunk and the words of encouragement, unfortunately, 2016's meet is just simply not possible.
It would have been a good opportunity to have met up with members checked out your bikes and talked all things KAT.

I hope that everyone attending has a great time and travels safely to and from the meeting.

Well done to the organisers too, I am sure it'll be a huge success and attract allot of attention from other clubs and enthusiast's worldwide.

so, Enjoy the 35th everyone and when possible post plenty of pics and videos and as always ....

Take Care and Ride Safe.

The Chief.
 
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Mate the most important thing is your on the mend. I can only try to imagine how disappointed you and Lesley would be. The bikes and trailer will be ready for the next trip and Lesley will have more experience and confidence riding her KAT. Sue and I send our best, cheers Ian
 
So I am going to bring over the bike on the trailer, only time I have ever trailered a bike I blew the fork seals, so I assume I tied it down to tight, my questions is how tight is enough?
 
For what it's worth, a good push down on the front forks and then a 'little' bit more.
No need to try and get the headlight to touch the front guard. ;)

my 2 cents :)
 
minus45,
Don't forget to tie down the rear as well, even though mine was tied down front and rear and after hitting two Roo's between car and trailer,
the rear trailer wheel got airborne my bike bounced so much it hit the RH wheel arch damaged the muffler.

Thanks Nige, yes I'll plan for the 40th for sure. Have a great time mate.

Hey Nick, I'm in WA mate, that's 1/2 the issue ... it's approx $3,500.00 round trip, and I haven't really planned or budgeted for it.
Enjoy the meet. All the best.

Take Care and Ride Safe.


The Chief.
 
I find it a bit of an urban myth that tying down blows seals, most forks (imcluding Kats) can be fully compressed no problem.
(exception some forks have air preload, do let it out.. )
think about it if the fork hydrulic locked at fully compressed they would blow out riding when you hit bump..

Thing to avoid is not compressed enough, when the trailer bounces so does the bike, thats when your ties com loose.
Do tie down the rear by the wheel and the front too so it cant move foward n back. you should angle the tie down to avoid that to..
if your not using a proper trailer with a channel consider wedging the front wheel into a corner and sliding the rear over so you can tie the wheels to the sides. in a box this also has the advantges as puts weight forwad of axle.

the more ties the better too.
 
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