what a transformation, really nice work!

 

My panniers are finished, painted and pinstriped.
Two coats of primer, two coats of paint plus new emblems.
The top box is last to be done, I'll need some nice weather to get that done.

Here's before:

Here is the after:

I'm loving the satin finish and I reckon the blue pinstripe finishes them off nicely.

 

Really impressive! Good job.

 

I picked up a package from Nelson Rigg on Friday.
I already had a set of their Sierra 3050 100% Waterproof Dry Saddlebags, but they were a real hassle to mount/dismount from the bike because of all the straps that needed to be wrapped around the pannier rack/bike frame/seat, so I rarely used them.

I see that Nelson Rigg recently released their Quick Release Saddlebag Plates which makes mounting/dismounting them a breeze, so I ordered a set.
Pretty easy to install the plates (and attach the bags) onto the bike now!

Dusty

 

For years I've been using the Quadlock system on my bike (and in the car). However, the Quadlock system requires your phone to be rotated on and off and in restricted areas this becomes a bit awkward.

Today I fitted a Peak Design (or PD for short) wireless charging unit to the V-Strom (the iPhone case came last week). It has a vibration dampener built in, as well.

Only issue is that the cable leading into the unit is a proprietory one. It comes with a USB-C cable that screws into it. So my problem is sourcing a USB-C to USB-C adapter as I have a cable that powered the Quadlock unit sitting there ready to power the PD.

As an interim measure I got a USB-A to USB-C adapter and have plugged that into the 1050's USB-A port. Being a loose fit (USB-A is down there with cigarette lighter power outlets insofar as secure fit goes) I've taped it all up until my USB-C adapter arrives. Phew!

Anyway, with it all installed the phone just clicks into place and a quick release behind it, well, quick releases it.

Peak Design stuff isn't cheap but seems to be pretty good quality. Those who've followed Lavi and Ollie on their around-the-world trip on YouTube might have noticed their PD hanging off of the accessory bar. It did the job for that massive trip of theirs.

 

Replaced the steering stem bearings on my 2012 DL 650 Timken 32006 tapered roller bearings I had changed to tapered with the All Balls kit at 55,000km That kit came with 2 lower seals and I only used the one. I used the second one at this change which was 123,450km Heres hoping I got the right adjustment on the first try, no riding here for another 4 months at least.

 

I got a Nelson-Rigg tail bag for Christmas. It's replaced my worn out Ventura tail bag.

I'm now looking for alternatives to the Ventura rack system. I have a pair of Rjays throwover saddle/pannier bags which I may just use rather than a seat mounted bag.

 

I got a Nelson-Rigg tail bag for Christmas. It's replaced my worn out Ventura tail bag.

That is a good piece of kit. I move mine from bike to bike for day rides.

 

Man was time to change my fuel filter on my 2013 650 geez. My bike did not have symptoms or signs of running rough or anything. Just a preventative thing. Pretty easy to swap out if no one has never done it.

 

How many miles on the bike?

 

The 2013 has 43xxxkms. The 2021 has 2643kms (just purchased). Bought the 2013 with 32xxxkms with unknown history.

 

Getting kinda bored. May tear down the 677 and do a leak down test, maybe check the rear cylinder...

Engine health kinda thing.

 

Heli coiled my intake cam cap that was stripped. Glad I had a M6 kit already. Valve cover bolt was stripped.

Did a leak down test and the exhaust valve is leaking a bit. May try some valve stuff from CRC...

 

Did a leak down test and the exhaust valve is leaking a bit. May try some valve stuff from CRC...

What is this valve stuff and how will it stop a valve leak?

 

Today my Ogio TB-2 tailbag arrived.

I've fitted it. Seems to be well built except that the bag seated in the "ram mount" designed holder wobbles a bit. Might be sturdier with clothes, etc. in it.

The bag on the back is a Nelson-Rigg one which has stuff like puncture kit, compressor, some tools and so on. Stuff that I've never used in all of my trips but who knows...

 

Isnt that OGIO unit meant more for a tank ?

 

No. It's the Ogio TB-2 Tailbag.

Link here.

TB2 21L TAIL BAG

The TB2 is a 21L Tail Bag with a 3” expansion joint that allows the bag to expand and store up to 28L of volume. The Molded EVA with Carbon Fiber PU film provides structure and support while providing water resistance from the elements. The unique design is low-profile and provides an internal...

ogiopowersports.com

And it's perfect for me for overnighters. Any longer and I'll use my throwoever panniers.

And I got it from Motoheaven

Ogio Street Bag-Tb2 21L Tail Bag

Ogio Street Bag-Tb2 21L Tail Bag The TB2 is a 21L Tail Bag with a 3” expansion joint that allows the bag to expand and store up to 28L of volume. The Molded EVA with Carbon Fiber PU film provides structure and support while providing water resistance from the elements. The unique design is...

motoheaven.com.au

 

One of my goals while on annual leave was to polish the wheel outers on my Vstrom. They were already chipped so it was an easy decision.
After a couple of hours work I'm happy with the result, it gives the bike a bit of a lift I think.

Before

After

 

Can you give us details on what the procedure you have done to give those rims an excellent look. I would do the same on my 2013. Thanks!

 

I did the same thing to the rims on my K6 Wee but left my K5 rims as stock. Nicks and dings show up easier on the polished rims.
I think that while the K6 rims look good when clean, chain fling, etc, is a pain to have to keep wiping off in order to keep that well maintained appearance.
FWIW, I found that by applying a coat of clear floor wax polish to the K6 rims does help make the cleaning process a bit easier. There are other products on the market, which will help keep the rims clean, but often at an unrealistic price.

 

I've had polished rims on a few bikes, keeping them clean doesn't bother me too much. It's a 23 year old bike so a few nicks or dings won't be a problem

 

I keep the rims on the Wing clean\polished but the wheels on the V-Strom are usually coated with gravel road dust and\or logging road mud between washes. They are clean and dry while stored for winter.

 

Install and wired my Hyper-Lites and determined where I was going to mount my EB fuse block on my 21 605 XT. Next it's onto installing 2" Rox pivot risers, I bike already has 1" up and back risers and the throttle cables already seem tight. If I get the risers worked out, then it will be onto heated grips, running lights, GPS, and a heated gear connector. Then wiring it all back to the EB fuse box. Wish me luck 🤞

 

An update on my Ogio TB2 tail/seat bag.
Did an overnighter on the weekend. The bag leaves a bit to be desired in some aspects.
1. Difficult to attach to the included "RAM" mount. It takes a few attempts to get it to lock into place.
2. It has an expander zipper to give more space. It sits over the opening zipper. ie. in the lid. The height of the main bag means that in order to fill it to capacity you have stuff sitting way above the zipper which means that if you want to get something out when stopped you have to be careful, otherwise your gear can end up in the dirt. The expanding zipper should be a part of the bag itself, not the lid.
3. Back to the RAM mount. The bag came off on me twice. Somehow it unlatched itself and fell off. First time I put it down to me not securing it properly. Second time, I don't know. But I cable tied it to the frame of the bike for the rest of the trip.
4. The base plate is strapped to the frame or the retaining straps can go under the seat. It wobbles a fair bit and I was wondering if that contributed to the bag delatching itself.
5. Overall, the bag is well made. It survived 2 tumbles at speed, so there's that, I guess.
6. Back to the RAM mount, again. It takes a few goes to get it to snap into place. It shouldn't be that hard, I'd have thought. I noticed though, that the videos I watched previously which influenced my purchasing decision, I watched a second time last night, they didn't spend any time showing how easy (or hard) it is to latch, other than to show that it's made by the RAM Mount people. This is on the Revzilla site. I've not found any other sites that have reviews on it.

Is it work the $260 AUD that I paid for it? Dunno. Certainly, it's a good size for me and my overnighters. If they redesign the way the bag expands and to perhaps modify the mounting system to make it bother easier to click into place and to stay secure, then yeah, it'd be a great bit of gear.

Moving forward, as they say, I'll just tie it down with a couple of elastic straps (it has two eyelets at the front of the bag to allow for this) and to be careful when packing or accessing stuff in it when on the bike.

 

Decided Domo-kun had seen better days, so my front fluid reservoir got an update.

 

Removed the cracked Givi rear hugger that was flapping and rattling with every crack in the road 😠