For Lovers of Blue 55W's

[Mezo]

Guess who`s just joined the forum

Enter drewbaker in three, two, one,,,,,

Mezo.

[drewbaker]

Hey Guys!

Stoked to see you guys liked what we did. So I'm from Melbourne originally, but have been living in the states for 8 years now. My twin brother Rick has a Honda CB400F back in Melbourne, and that's where a lot of those photos come from.

We rode 1700 from Portland to Los Angeles, trying to stay off the road where possible. In case you missed it, photos are here: http://www.rickanddrew.com/photography/

So a few friends and I were looking for an adventure. We saw this blog called West America (http://wearewestamerica.com), about a bunch of guys taking old BMW's up and down the west coast of America, and thought that looked like fun, so we did it.

Originally I wanted a Honda XL600 Paris Dakar, but I couldn't find any in America. Then Rick went and brought a Honda XL600 and started importing Paris Dakar parts to convert it. Rick being my twin, I didn't want to have the same bike as him, so I started looking elsewhere. I came across the Tenere's, but found they never sold them in America. But Gary's one on eBay UK looked so nice, I just had to have it!

So, I pulled the trigger and imported it. It took longer than I wanted, and I only got it 2 days before it was packed up and shipped to Portland for the trip. I had just enough time to get a 30 day rego on it for the trip. The DMV here wants to inspect it for California emissions control equipment, which I doubt it has, so I have it in my office unregistered at the moment. I really don't think I'll be able to register it here in California because of the crazy emissions controls, but it probably wouldn't be an issue in most of the other states. Worst case, I'll send it back to Australia.

The trip was epic, so much fun. We had my Tenere, Rick's Honda XL600, Rhys's XL600 and Marcus had a Honda XL350. My bike was bar far the most expensive and in the best condition, but was the one that we had the most trouble with. Mostly because everything rattled loose on it (nylok's weren't long enough), my after market luggage rack sucked, and the suspension was too low and I didn't have a chance to raise it until half way through the trip.

I dropped it a few times, as I'm new to offroad (and relatively new to bike's in general) and almost killed myself once. So after 1700 miles I have a few things to fix on what started out as a perfect bike:

• New complete muffler and mounting bolts (Rattled off on highway, got it back but it's dented and scratched badly - http://flic.kr/p/gciEfk)
  Exhaust clamp and bolts/washers (Lost when muffler came off, after market one I have is very bad and rubs on frame - http://flic.kr/p/gci3ms)
  New rear seat bolts (Rattled off somewhere - http://flic.kr/p/gciEfk)
  Replace rear mudguard and bolts/washers (Holes from contact with rear wheel)
  Replace engine mount bolts/washers (Rattled off somewhere)
  Replace/repair rear fender (After market rack cracked this from contact)
  Replace brake and clutch levers (Broke from repeated drops - http://flic.kr/p/gciipA - http://flic.kr/p/gciELR)
  Replace bent brake foot lever (Bent from repeated drops - http://flic.kr/p/gciExV)
  Replace brake cable, lower switch gear and rubber boot (Melted from contact with exhaust - http://flic.kr/p/gciExV)
  Replace right foot peg and bracket (Bent from repeated drops - http://flic.kr/p/gciExV)
  New cap/bolt that goes on top of steering column (Rattled off somewhere - see it missing here http://flic.kr/p/gchX8H)
  New carb/battery drainage tubes (Melted from friction or exhaust at some point)
  Repair/weld rear rack mounts on frame (Poor mounting of after market rack cracked them over time - so bummed about this)
  Touch up of paint on tank and frame at some point, not urgent.

So if anyone has any tips on parts (preferably in the US) I need some.

Also, how common are the parts between the 1985 XT600Z and the US spec 1985 XT600? I'm hoping I could get a bunch of OEM parts form these guys (http://www.pasadenayamaha.com/OEMpartfinder.htm).

Thanks for the help!
Drew

[xtrider]

Wow, sounds like it wasn't put together very well. No reason for all that stuff to rattle off A shame for the price paid.






.

[55W1985]

Hi and wellcome!
Most mecanics are the same except seat,cowling,sidecovers,Tank,and front fender.The rest will be the same.
As the Tenere has oilcooler and the 49N not that and the lines are diferent.

As Teneres and Dakars where never imported in Argentina i know what you are talking about! Love the Dakar Honda too!

[drewbaker]

Hey Guys,

So I need to replace the jets in my carburetor.

I just wanted to check what the stock sizes were. My parts diagram says the are #126. Is that correct?

Thanks,
Drew