Preparation for the Great Escape Rally

[slanty]

Hey All,

Me and Pole are signed up to the Great Escape Rally in Poland on the 27th of March, so I thought I'd post up a little bit about my preparation for the rally.

As you may have seen in this post Pole and I bought KTM 525s and we decided to enter the rally. Pole's bike was fully kitted out for a rally but mine was/is just a standard KTM 525 EXC racing bike so I am kitting it out for the rally.

This is how the bike looked when I got it:



But it's now in my garage and is stripped down so I can service it and make the necessary modifications:





The modifications I'm making are the following:

1. Raise Handle Bars with Rox Risers
2. Replace Front Brake and Clutch hoses with longer ones (in Orange)
3. Replace Throttle Cables with extended one
4. Fit KTM clutch saver
5. Fit KTM Roadbook holder
6. Mount MD RoadRunner RoadBook on to holder (will require some modification)
7. Wiring and switches for Roadbook
8. Mount Garmin eTrex GPS device
9. Relocate KTM ICO Unit onto RoadBook holder
10. Change Oil
11. Change Oil Filters
12. Change Air Filter
13. Replace brake fluid
14. Replace clutch fluid
15. Replace coolant
16. Use Wax Lube on the Chain
17. Clean brakes pads / calipers
18. Valve Clearances
19. fit aluminum frame hand guards
20. replace brake step plate with larger one
21. Replace fork bleeder screw with manual bleeder valves
22. thoroughly clean and degrease the bike and then treat with ScottOil F365
23. replace plastics
24. Replace broken registration plate
25. Add tool bag to rear fender
26. Check, adjust and / or replace spokes as necessary
27. Charge or replace battery if necessary
28. Install extra heavy duty tubs in the tyres
29. Replace punctured rear brake reservoir hose
30. Fix Issue with front and read lights
31. Get the bike MOT'ed

(grey text = work done)

As well as sorting out the bike I have done a first aid course with ADV Rider... Hopefully I won't need to use anything I learned there but better to have done it than not.

And because I'm not that good mechanically I have been doing a motorcycle maintenance course in Merton College (recommend by XRV member Redbus... cheers for that )

The other things we have done in preparation for the rally are booking a van for the trip, organised the ferry crossing and arranged a polish mate of Pole's to help us during the rally.

Lastly, I'm doing some exercise for the rally. I'm trying to get a bit fitter and stronger for the it...

Anyway, I'll post more pics etc as things progress and hopefully we'll have some great pics and stories from the rally when we get back.

[boboneleg]

good luck you two, we will want to see lots of piccies

[slanty]

I've just been sent some preview pics of the rally route from the organiser so here they are:



SAND!! Here's where we find out if sand really is as hard to ride as they say!!



Must not forget to bring my arm bands



Now that looks like some serious fun to me!!



This looks a lot like Wales, I reckon

More pics and news as it comes...

[slanty]

And here's our team name and logo



If anyone is or knows a printer who can do up some t-shirts and vinyl stickers for a good rate please let me know

[stanbloke]

And here's our team name and logo



If anyone is or knows a printer who can do up some t-shirts and vinyl stickers for a good rate please let me know

Cool logo Stef .

Get some printed and i'll have some from you to support the effort mate.

[slanty]

Cool logo Stef .

Get some printed and i'll have some from you to support the effort mate.

Sure thing! Cheers Stan

[slanty]

We're back!! Had a great time! Will put up a ride report soon!

[slanty]

Ride Report in progress here