Roughly translated that means I have a Visa! More specifically, a Russian visa for 90 days stay within a 1 year period with multiply entry. How cool is that?

More specifically, how expensive was that? Answer is очен!

But the wait is over and I have my passport back, with days to spare! Flights are booked and so is the shipping to Korea. I just heard back from the ferry company regarding the bike. Not cheap, but it sounds fairly hassle free.

I just need to fix a few last things on the bike, and try not to prang it on the way to work!! Is it time to get excited yet? Almost….

I thought I’d do a test load of the bike to see how it goes. Not the full compliment with socks and food, but pretty much everything else I’m taking.

I went for the “worst case” scenario of hot weather, with all of the bulky garments packed away rather than being worn. There’s still spare room which is good.

The load is high up but there’s not much I can do about that. The good news is that the weight isn’t too far back, which will give the rack and test subframe an easier time. I can definitely feel the extra weight, I might see what I’m actually carrying on the scales.

I’ll give it a week commuting and see what happens.

OK, so there are no secret plans, but if I had any I’d be able to store them in this plastic pipe. It’s securely mounted thanks to Norm, fully water tight and large enough to hold my two stoves, pots and fuel. There’s even space for Kelly the kettle!!

Hiding behind it is a Jack that Norm made, which means I can now take the wheels off to fix a puncture if I have to. The final job done was fixing those captive bolts that broke off.

All I need now is a new chain and the bike is all set. The next job is to load up the bike with everything and see how it feels. With departure getting ever closer, every little bit helps.

I got the jacket back from the menders. Not sure…..

One major job off the list is shipping the Royal Enfield back to the UK. Packed with various other personal effects and children’s soft toys, next time I see this create it’ll be on the other side of the world. (And probably raining!).

Now that’s done I can spend more time looking at the KLR, like the chain that’s very worn for starters! I’m also in the throes of buying new bike trousers, not a simple task with the wide range of gear now available.

Farewell my shiny café racer, see you on the other side of the world!

Ok so it doesn’t look much, but this little part of the bike has been giving me some trouble! Last year on the Oodnadatta track two of the bolts holding the rear rack sheared off. It wasn’t a big problem, the side bolts do a good job anyway – but it’s something I’ve been meaning to fix for ages.

The way Kawasaki have made it, you have to take the whole rear end apart to get to them. Not a small job but the end result is only a small improvement, hence it taking me so long to get around to it! Unfortunately the broken bolt pieces are stuck in, I couldn’t even drill them out. I need to tackle this again round Norm’s place, where I have access to a grinder and welder.

Look out Norm!

Translation anyone?

It was a bit of a squeeze and for a moment I thought I’d blown $150 on a battery I’d have to cart around in my luggage! But with a small mod to the battery compartment with a hacksaw, I’ve managed to fit 2x Lithium polymer batteries in.

One to use plus a spare. Both pack more punch than the lead acid standard battery, and the combined weight is still less then half what the standard battery weighs. Result!

I also fitted a toggle switch to the wires I disconnected from the side stand switch. When I park in a dodgy area now I can ensure the bike won’t pull away if someone hot wires it. I’m not sure how it will stand up to the vibration long term, but if it doesn’t then I’ll just twist the wires together again.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=181365466631

When I get to Perth I’ll have to crate up the KLR650. I don’t know anyone in Perth so it’ll be a bit of a challenge. Southbank BMW came up trumps here, giving me a crate in Melbourne so I can send the Enfield home. They’ve also put me in touch with a BMW dealer in Perth who can do the same. Cool!

The crate itself is light but strong, and there’s plenty of room for an Enfield. The Kawasaki will need to have the front wheel removed, but that’s not really an issue. I’ll see how I go packing the Enfield, but it looks like it won’t be a problem. Room for a few personal effects too!

Another little problem fixed. Now I just need those nice Russians to grant me a visa. Fingers crossed, as I hear the UK have stopped issuing visas to the Russians. Governments eh?