Planning the 13th Section

(27th Jan 2007 - 15 Aug 2007)


India , Nepal , Bhutan , Sri Lanka , Maldives
 
 

 

1/1/07 Even though there is now the lowest number of countries left for us to visit, because of their location, spread out in the Pacific Ocean, we have only a loose plan on  which countries to visit next. After returning to India on the 27th of January, and hopefully reassembling the motorcycle engine, we plan to ride across India towards Bhutan, where a tour is booked from the 17th till the 28th of February. Then a ride to the south of India and a boat to the Maldives and on to Sri Lanka looks likely but after that the plan becomes more uncertain and depends on available transport to any Pacific Island country. The loose plan is to move between any island country depending on boats or planes until nearing our son's and his fiancé's wedding date when we should return to Australia about mid September. This is the least planned of any of our trips.

5/1/07 Today we were advised that the shed where the motorcycle was being stored had been sealed by the government, as it was a business operating in a residential area. There appears to be a way around most problems in India. Somehow our motorcycle along with the approximately 50 Enfield motorcycles stored at the same premises were removed to different accommodation without disturbing the seals on the locks. How they managed that and to lift the H-D, locked with all its gear piled on the seat, and whether there is any damage will have to await our return to discover.

25/1/07 The motorcycle's cylinders, heads and rocker covers  have been rebuilt at  Morgan and Wackers H-D shop in Brisbane. Virtually every moving part inside this area was replaced. If it was replaced on the first rebuild at 230,000km it needed it again and if it wasn't replaced then, at 480,000km it needed it now. The cylinders were bored out to 30 thou oversized and matching pistons and rings will be fitted. The valve seats, valves, springs and guides were replaced in the heads. Rocker arms and pins replaced in the rocker area.

We had carried home the engine parts inside the motorcycle's top box which also needed repairs. Some cracks in the fibreglass are from accidents and rough handling and others from the constant use. After repairing and strengthening we covered the box in black plastic and rewrote the list of countries visited, allowing room for the remaining unvisited ones.

A new and lighter lap top computer was purchased. The Compaq Presario we have been dragging around the world for the last five years has given us little problem so we decided to go with their newer, lighter model, 12" Presario B1900, no we didn't ask for sponsorship, but perhaps we should have.

26/1/07 With the usual spares of oil filters, air filters, brake pads, grease and small repair items, along with a front tyre we were packed and ready to leave. The total weight was over 80 kg's of motorcycle and luggage, a lot more than the airline's allowance. 

You can now move onto the first country of the thirteenth trip if you wish. Start Travelling

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