I've been busy since the weekend, converting this little 650cc V-twin into an adventure touring workhorse that will take me, and for a time Ellen, plus all my/our temporary worldly possessions, for thousands of kilometres around New Zealand. (1) a new taller 'fliptop' windshield replaces the tiny stock screen; (2) a custom-made tank cover to harness a new 20 litre tank bag is fitted; (3) 'wing racks' and brackets have been bolted on the rear of the frame to mount two new 41 litre 'keyless' (they open with a combination locks) pannier hard side bags.
My 'Autocom' audio/communications system has been installed and wired into the bike's electronics system (damn fiddly job that was)
Front profile showing off the new (a) fliptop screen; and (b) clear headlamp protector
Rear view showing off the new side pannier bags
Ain't she just a picture? A real touring 'go anywhere' adventure machine. After the diagnostic service, plus an oil and filter change booked-in for next Wed-20-Dec, there maybe just one more job to do, which is a saddle modification/rebuild to suit our individual easy-on-the-arse ergonomics. This one-piece TransAlp stock seat is even harder on the bum-bones than my ST13-Pan's stocker - and that's pretty darn hard, just ask any ST13 owner!
So yesterday evening (Tue-12-Dec) I got lost in Auckland. Setting off at around 5:30pm I headed into the City via back streets and side roads. Eventually I made it to the summit of Mount Eden.Then the fun-and-games started! Eventually I managed to find my way back home to Howick, in the SE corner of Auckland, by around 9:30pm. It was completely dark by that time. Wearing my prescription sunglasses didn't help much either, but I daren't ride without wearing some sorta specs. I left the clear ones back at my digs, as I never anticipated being out for so long when I set off at 5:30pm. But I guess at the end of the day (literally!), it's just all part of the adventure.
