TRAIL MAIL:

NEAT & TIDY REGO LABEL HOLDER

Hi Clubby and the TZ team: Thanks for a great mag, I look forward to its delivery every two months and race my boy to the letterbox to be the one for the first read. I have read with enthusiasm over the past two issues about ‘upsecs' for the Yamaha WR450F Project Bike you guys have been developing and have adopted a few of these to my trusty steed (I bought a WR-F new in 2009 after realising that my age could not keep up to the might of my beloved CR250R of my younger, quicker-healing days!). Even today after a blast with my son around our property, we both conclude that the WR-F really has that 'something special' in both forgiving characteristic yet potent performance. But what also dawned on me was the fact that I was lucky enough to be out with my boy doing 'something special' that we love to do together and have done so for several years. The chat, the banter, and the laughs gained through true quality-time is what makes motorcycling the ultimate in father/son bonding! And to top off my day, I received this cool rego label holder in the mail that my wife had ordered for me from www.rideline.com.au. I fitted it tonight (in minutes) and now believe I have a duty to share this beauty with your readers. I have left the sub-frame tailpiece under the rear guard of the WR and simply zip-tied (it comes with screws) the label holder to this. Legal, robust, correctly positioned, stable and flexible for the hard knocks. I’ve included a photo for all to see. Fellow riders, encourage your children to ride and get into this, it fits any bike. All the best!

-- Nads, via www.trailzone.com.au

Thanks for your email, Nads. We've long said that the family that rides together sticks together, so get out there in the sticks with your boy any chance you can and carve it up. It's good times, for sure. And what an awesome missus you've got that's shouting you goodies for your bike -- what a gal ... go Nads!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

FOR-SALE:

DIRT BIKE RIDING PARADISE, DUNGOG, NSW

Situated only 10km north of the picturesque Lower Hunter NSW town of Dungog, ‘Mahogany Park’ is an enviable oasis of tranquility and unlimited opportunity.

Bordered on three sides by National Park, this 148.52ha (367.01 acres) parcel of land with 1km frontage to Monkerai Road offers total privacy in a beautiful and pristine environment.

Careful land management has delivered an excellent balance of flat to undulating open grazing country, timbered forest and undisturbed rainforest. Significant stands of shade trees including Tallow, White Mahogany and Ironbark have been maintained on the open country.

Seven dams and numerous troughs are present for stock watering, plus there is double creek frontage to Limestone Creek and Cross Creek each with beautiful billabongs and waterfalls.

The approximately 12km of open fire-trails are suitable for bushwalking, 4WD, motorbikes and horse-riding while the large machinery shed and established motocross practice track would appeal to the bike enthusiast.

There is power to the property and stunning home sites with panoramic views overlooking the Main Creek Valley and Dungog township.

Originally part of the Gloucester Gold Field Proclamation, old gold diggings and original structures from a bullock loggers camp make for many points of interest. With its privacy, spectacular scenery and abundance of native flora including giant lilies, native orchid, tree ferns and fauna such as platypus, koala, eagles, forest owl and freshwater lobster, there is unlimited appeal to a wide variety of buyers seeking to capitalise on the opportunities for permanent residency, holiday retreat or eco and agri-business.

There is also the potential for subdivision STCA.

Mahogany Park is ten minutes from Dungog’s extensive services and amenities. School bus to the town’s primary and high schools is available at the front gate. With the regional centres of Maitland and Newcastle only 45 mins and 1 hour away respectively and with Sydney merely 2.5 hours away, Mahogany Park is an exciting opportunity to purchase a quality landholding with extensive opportunities and unlimited potential.

Listing price – Offers Over $600,000

Agent Details – Natasha McElwaine (McElwaine Hunter Valley) Ph: 0429 308 492

TRAIL MAIL:

KAWASAKI KLX450R WINNER REPORTS IN!

To Clubby and all the crew at TRAIL ZONE: thanks for the opportunity to win a new bike in the Choose Your Ride competition. I am loving the Kawasaki KLX450R! So far I have been able to race it in an enduro at Baroota, motocross races at Kadina and heading to Lameroo for a trail ride this weekend. I still can’t believe that the bike is actually mine. Looking forward to getting your next mag and thanks again.

-- Peter Bray via www.trailzone.com.au

Congratulations, Pete. It's awesome to see the KLX450R being put to such good use. Enjoy it mate, it's all yours! We'll be kicking off our next CHOOSE YOUR RIDE subscriber promotion in TRAIL ZONE issue #31, so all you TRAIL ZONE readers who would like to win big like Pete and score the bike of your dreams, start rubbing your good luck charms and crossing your fingers and toes and make sure you get your entry in!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

TRAIL MAIL:

LOVING BEING BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!

Hi guys: Just wanted to drop you a line to say how I'm enjoying your mag. I'm 45 years old and got back into trail riding over the last couple of years after nearly an 18 year lay-off, (you know, marriage, work, kids, mortgage) but I'm back and loving it. The good lady wife went and bought me a brand-new '06 WR250. Gee I love that girl! And I love my 1/4 horse. I ride a lot in the Otway ranges in south-west Victoria which is just a great place to ride. I have managed to hook-up with some guys about my age and we ride together every couple of weeks and have a great time. I really enjoy reading your mag as it is dedicated to us trail riders and I get a bit of kick reading (and watching the DVDs) on the trail adventures you guys go on, as you can relate to the stories and get a laugh from them. More carnage, Clubby! Dr Phil has also helped me out with a few technical tweaks to my bike, which has been very helpful. I read every issue cover-to-cover and then they make it to the smallest room in the house -- just in case I missed something, you know?! I just went on the Kenda Rally up at Eildon and had the best time with 500 of me newest best friends. This was a really well run event and will do it again next year. Can't wait! So thanks for the great mag, boys, as I look forward to every new issue in my mail box. Stay upright!

-- Peter C, via www.trailzone.com.au

Thanks for an awesome letter, Pete. We get a stack of letters from readers saying exactly the same thing and we're always stoked to hear from guys your age getting back into dirt bikes after way too many years on the sidelines, for all those domestic reasons you mention. So get out and enjoy that WR-F as its makers intended, and don't forget to say thanks to the missus after every memorable sessions in the stciks -- what a doll you've got there to have got you a new bike ... gotta love 'em!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au

ASK DR RUSS:

MILITARY MISSION ON AN EX-MILITARY XT600

Hi guys – great mag! I look forward to each issue arriving. I am in the process of 're-birthing' an ex-military XT600 and have had my first crack at painting the plastics with varying degrees of success. I see in TZ issue #30 that Lance sent the Super T off to the shop to get done. Other than sending it off to the man, is there a sure-fire way of getting a good finish that will stand the test of time? Also, I have an Acerbis tank on the bike (was military green) which has seen a bit of the elements and has perished a bit and was dusting off. I gave it a very light sand and hit it with primer and four top coats. I am getting lots of bubbles through the paint even now after 3-4 months. Any tips in this regard would be appreciated and failing advice on how to do it, advice on who in Brisbane can do it properly would be appreciated.

-- RoscoOz, via www.trailzone.com.au

Hi Rosco: It depends on what type of plastics. If it's like the guards on an enduro bike or your XT600 the common solution is to replace them. There are restore kits available but success can be limited depending on their condition. The plastics that you find commonly used on bike fairings is a different story and can be easily repaired and painted. As for the fuel tank, the bubbles are caused by fuel vapour seeping through the skin of the tank. It's the same problem as decals on plastic tanks. The decals have either slits or holes to allow the vapour to escape and reduce the chances of bubbles. I'm afraid that you will have to replace the tank if you are looking for a better finish. When my Super Tenere has been painted the details will be posted on the www.offroadexplorer.com web site, so keep an eye out there.

-- Lance 'Russ' Turnley, via www.offroadexplorer.com

PRESS RELEASE:

AUSSIES OUT OF 2010 ISDE IN MEXICO!

Motorcycling Australia (MA) would like to advise it will not be sending Australian Teams to compete at the 2010 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) to be held in Morelia, Mexico on 1-6 November.

MA has made this decision after much consultation with a number of groups - including; the Australian Embassy in Mexico, a briefing held by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and a number of riders and support crew members.

MA’s CEO David White said that while it has always been a priority within MA to support International team events, the safety and security of riders and support crews must always come first.

“Australia has a long and proud history of supporting the ISDE, which has made this decision all the more difficult,” White said.

“In addition to consulting with Government groups, MA has also taken advice from other sporting codes in relation to athlete and team security.

“A number of Australian riders and support crews have expressed their concern for sending Australian Teams to the event, with some withdrawing their names from the selection process.

“Unfortunately this decision could not be held off any longer due to the pressing nature of logistical issues in relation to transport and freighting if teams were to participate.”

Forced to make the decision based on current circumstances, the concerns of riders and support crew members, and all aspects of the event were put to an emergency meeting of the MA Board on Monday night.

“The Board, upon examining all the information presented, made the unanimous decision not to enter Australian Teams into the 2010 event,” White said.

“MA would like to wish the Organisers every success for the 2010 ISDE, and sincerely hope that our decision, based on current circumstances, will be proven unnecessary.”

For more information regarding MA visit: www.ma.org.au.

TRAIL MAIL:

READER'S OWN SUZUKI DR650 PROJECT BIKE

G'day TZ team: Your Suzuki DR650 Project Bike article in the new issue of TRAIL ZONE that's just come out gives me a strong sense of deja vu. I love my DR650. I have been all over SA and western Victoria on the bike. I would like to get up into the NT and WA eventually. I just need some time.
Same brand mods:
* Safari Tank.
* B&B bashplate and frame gaurds.
* Dunlop 606s (not in the photo; commuting at present so I have Michelin Anakees fitted)
Different brand mods:
* EGO Barkbusters. Wish I had gone with the VPS to give more room for levers.
* Pro Moto Billet rear rack. Excellent quality. B&B product was not available at time of purchase.
* Procycle sourced screen. I have used the Eagle screen but it was damaged by a Murray magpie at 100kmh. I like the Procycle screen because I can get it off the bike in around 2 minutes.
* K&N air filter.
* Home-made numberplate hanger. I have also made a rubber mud flap. This keeps the police happy and has stopped my numberplates from cracking. I have my rear suspension set-up for heavy touring loads and the plates were cracking due to the rigidity of the setup. Two problems solved.
* Renthal bars and grips.
Other mods:
* Andy Straps pannier racks.
* 1 inch lowered footpegs.
* 2 inch bar risers.
* Moose seal savers.
* Fork brace. I forget the brand.
* Australian Motorcycle Headlight Protector. Looks the same as your Pro-Fast shield.
* Case savers and oil filter gaurd.
* Magnetic drain plug.
* Uni Filter secondry breather filter. Only for bikes with standard carbies. Stock filter is not very good.
* Replaced bottom chain roller with a bearing chain roller and removed the top roller. Plug the threaded hole up to prevent water and grit getting in. Quite a few pics on the net of cracked frames caused by the top roller.
* Procycle 8.3kg/mm rear spring. I am heavy and I carry a lot of gear when I head out.
* Eibach .50 kg/mm straight rate fork springs.
* Racetech fork cartridge emulators (worth their weight in gold!)
* Vision X Solstice 10 watt LED spot lights. Worth the money. 900 lumens and only draw 0.75 of an amp each. No stator and/or battery upgrades.
* 15 and 46 tooth sprockets with 520 o-ring chain. I was running 14-43 but changed to 15-46 to ease the wear on the chain and front sprocket. I use 520 chain as I find it is easier and quicker to source replacements.
* Polisport front gaurd.
* Wolfman tank, front fender, tank saddle and rear saddle bags.
Did I need to do all of these mods? Probably not. But it was fun! :-) Eventually I want to fit a Staintune system and then I will feel like the bike is finished ... maybe! A 725cc kit and hot cam would be nice but if I wanted it to be a weapon, I would have bought a Kato. It's just a good reliable mile-munching two-wheeled tractor!
-- Paul Laney, via www.trailzone.com.au

Thanks for your email, Paul, and congrats on the 'overhaul' of your DR. We've only just kicked off the build of our DR650SE Project Bike, so rest assured Russ has got many more mods to come, all of which will be detailed in coming issues of TZ. As far as cheap, reliable adventure bikes go, the mighty DR is hard to beat on value for money and you can rest assured the beast will get you there ... and then back home again. Ride on!

-- Clubby, www.trailzone.com.au