Monthly Archives: September, 2009
Pannier Installation and Initial Test Ride
Hello again,
This past weekend was very productive for me. On saturday i spent about 7 hours in a machine shop with my good friend Will. He graciously donated his time and expertise and equipment all in an effort to help my dream machine become a reality. The rack i purchased was built to support a specific soft luggage system and needed to be modified to accept my aluminum panniers and top box.
The first step was to remove the rack from the bike and begin installing radiator hosing over the crossmembers that would support the top box. We then needed to figure out exactly where the top box would sit on the rack. Next, a piece of aluminum angle was cut down and bolted to the front of the top box. This would act as a stop so that the box could be positioned perfectly each time it was taken on and off and to insure that it didn’t come off.
We then had to fabricate brackets for the rear of the rack so that the box had somthing to clamp down to. As i forgot the piece of steel i had purchased Will thankfully scrounged up a piece from outside the shop in the local metal pile. Handy.
Measure twice and weld once. Hope this works.
Looks pretty good. However we discovered that the tubing on the rack was hollow, probably to save weight. However, this impacts the overall strength and capacity. As a result of our ignorance, the voltage on the welder was initially set a bit high on the welder (too hot for hollow tubing) and a hole was made in the tubing. No biggie, just fill it up with molten metal. Once the welder was set correctly for our material we had no further problems. I even got a chance to weld the second bracket (my first time ever). Apparently I’m a natural.
We then had to straighten out the rack using a torch. This is a picture of Will lighting his smoke with said torch. This was right after he explained to me that this particular torch could cut right through well over a foot thick of solid steel. Don’t try this at home kids. Anyways, the metal was heated red hot and straightened. The key to a good bend is getting the metal to the proper temperature which is right before it liquefies. This bend needed to be done with extreme care in part because the tubing was hollow, but also because the strength of the metal couldn’t be overly compromised. As metal bends, it stretches and compresses which naturally weakens the metal. For example, when you bend a paper clip back and forth is will eventually break in two for the same reasons. We would only get one chance. As soon as we got the bend to where we figured it was fairly straight the rack was immediately transferred into a press that insured we got a perfectly straight angle. Will assured me that nothing leaves the shop unless its perfect. Machinists work well into thousandths of an inch you see and well, even weekend jobs don’t get much leeway.
Well wadda ya know. Perfect.
With the top box installed, the bike is finnally starting to look like it might be ready to conquer thousands of miles.
Big shout out and thanks to Will!
On Sunday I took the rack back off the bike and got ready to put all the finishing touches on it. First was a hit with the wire brush and a coat of primer.
Then several coats of silver to insure that rust would not set in.
Next i added all the rubber tubing back on and glued them to the rack using a product called goop. This stuff is magical. It will glue just about anything to anything else. The rubber insures that the panniers and top box do not mount against metal. This will also reduce vibration and insure a secure mount.
I then lined all the boxes with a product normally used to line the inside of kitchen drawers. Works well here too. Aluminum has a tendency to brown and will stain anything put against it. This should help prevent staining of my gear and clothes.
Voila. My final addition this week was a windscreen. To protect me. From the wind.
Last night I took it out for a quick test run with the boxes on, but empty. No unwanted vibration or problems to speak of. Weather permitting I will get out riding fully loaded a few times before my departure so i know what to expect as the overall character of the bike has been changed significantly.
Well thanks for tuning in. Until next time.
Kenton
Hello all,
I would just like to clarify the mission in response to a number of comments i have recieved. The purpose of Alaska to Argentina is to raise money for a meaningful charity (Global Peace Network) and increase awareness of the harships endured by those in less fortunate countries. Global Peace Network is currently working on a project in Tanzania. Please refer to “The Charity” tab for more info.
If you would like to contribute to our cause please send an e-mail to alaskatoargentina@live.com with your name, address, amount per kilometre (ex. $0.01 Can.), and which leg(s) you would like to donate to. We will send you an invoice in the mail once the leg has been completed. Payment can be made by mail or on our website (using the Donate button). All transactions are handled by Give Meaning and they will issue all tax receipts. None of the money is handled by anyone from Alaska to Argentina. Lump sum donations may also be made at your own discretion anytime.
Invoices for the first leg, which has already been completed, will be sent out once the second leg commences.
Cheers
Alaska to Argentina Team
October Madness
Well, the countdown begins. In just over a month’s time (give or take a week or two for my lack of prudeness) I will be embarking on a journey of a life time. Over the next month or so i will be updating on a regular basis (once a week, every Sunday, or maybe Monday or Tuesday… ok i’ll try to be prudent as best i can) in the hope that i can re-energize and inspire friends, family, and our gracious donors in support of this journey.
I would very much like to get feedback from any and all readers. Use the comment feature on the website to respond to any posting that either John or myself make.
Currently my focus is on gettting the bike ready to take on thousands of kilometers in relative comfort, and allow me to pack a reasonable amount of equipment, supplies, and basic needs to sustain me in any forseeable situation.
I have finally received all my beautiful aluminum panniers which will soon be mounted on my just as new steel rack. Last night I was able to mount the rack and do a test fitting of the top box and get a real good idea on how the side panniers will mount.
This is a picture of the bike before I started toying. It has not changed to much since i last posted pics of it. Recent add ons include an aluminum bash plate and a home made tool kit.
Here is a close up of that tool kit i was talking about. It was made from 3″ pvc piping, a screw off end and a hard mount cap. This helps to keep weight down low and will free up space in my panniers. In it i have a socket wrench, all wrenches applicable to the bike, tire lever, air pressure gauge, multi-tool, and patch kit. Not bad eh. I have a number of other tools that will be kept in a fender bag along with spare tubes.
My bundle of goodies. Here you can see my rack (same one the John used), top box (top left), and side panniers (on the right). Also you can see my kick ass motorcross boots that are nothing short of impractical but should keep me from breaking a foot if i go down. Now, down to buissiness.
Sub-frame has to mount under here:
Easy enough. One with the rack installed:
And another view:
Well, looks good so far. Now on to the issues. The side pieces that jut out from the rack will need to be chopped and welded on straight so that my side panniers will mount of nicely. Thankfully, I know a guy that knows a guy. Should be sorted next weekend.
Here is the test fit of my top box:
The size is perfect. My father and I are currently working on a mounting system that will allow me to lock the box to the bike and make for easy removal. I will have just over 130 liters of space in the top box and panniers. I am hoping this will give me ample room for my equipment and supplies. Anything that doesn’t fit will go into a waterproof sack bungeed to the top of the top box.
Speaking of, over the last few months i have been accumulating all my equipment and supplies. This includes a backpacking stove, wikid cool pot/pan set made for backpacking, med kit, medicine case (malaria pills, anti-biotics, tylonel, and various other “just in case” medicines), cutlery, buck knife, sleeping bag with compression sack. compression bags for clothing, netbook (so i can update on the road), camera, cooking spices, maps, spanish phrase book, and about a million other things. Wow, I hope this stuff fits. That isn’t even counting all the spare parts, chemicals, and oil needed to maintain the bike.
At this point you might be asking youself, how the shit is this man going to live. Well, you are in luck. Let me tell you how I plan to provide my self with all the basic needs that us human beings must have to survive. Keep in mind I learned all this in like grade one and might be a little rusty.
So, first thing is food, check, can buy that along the way (brown rice, oats, eggs, and fresh fruit and vegetables are going to be my staples). Shelter, sort of check, I am looking at a number of shiny new tents that all cost way too much money, but are very shiny and new. However, I will likely settle for my parents old hiking tent from way back in the day which is still in new condition and ready for the worst. Clothing… Check. Got lots, will decide last minute which ones to bring. Music, check, new ear buds with sound isolation (means you can hear them on a loud motorcycle) and a ipod charger that hooks straight into my handy 12v outlet in my cockpit. Basic needs: covered. Check. Oh, whoops, I’ll likely bring water too. It might be a good idea. I hear it can be rather refeshing.
This is my story thus far.
Check back in a week or there abouts. I may even have gotten around to adding device to hold the water in to my check list.
Kenton… Out
UPDATE c/o Global Peace Network!
Kulwa and Dotto are twins and have been living with their unemployed uncle since their parents passed away in 2006. Since there was little family income, they were not able to pay tuition and were kicked out of school at grade 8. At the age of 19 these two girls are back in school at Lukobe secondary school. School fees were paid from a portion of the money raised by Alaska-Argentina crew in April. Kulwa and Dotto have three and a half years before they can graduate, but both wish to go to university to study medicine. (Front row, blue and pink shirt) Elizabeth was also orphaned and has no home to go to. Therefore we have enrolled her in an English boarding school using the money raised at the same fundraiser. She also has three and half more years before graduation. (Front row, pink dress & green head scarf) On behalf of the three girls, big thanks to Alaska-Argentina crew, volunteers and donors. More good things are happening, so stay tuned for further updates!WOW DAN, NICE HAIR!
