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KLR650 around the world with passenger to try and help
KLR650 around the world with passenger
Hi, My girlfriend and i have been traveling around the world since June 2012. We have driven across Canada into Alaska and down to San Deigo. We are planning to travel for the next 10 or 20 years or longer. We want to really spend months in cities to really know what its like to live all over the world. We want to learn about the different people of the world and try to see life from their perspectives. We want to know why we need all the horrible things like war and poverty and try and get people to come together and find solutions. We are both on a 2011 KLR650 with all our luggage and camping gear. We are 300lb over the maximum bike weight of 833lb. We Could use alot of advice on keeping the bike running for many years and the best way to travel through different countries. I will start posting all the issues and questions and daily reports of how the trip is going. We will be staying in San Deigo for a few weeks before entering Mexico so we have time to get ready and find someone to help us with maintenance. I think some people are going to help me install the Eagle Mike Dohicky and do a valve adjustment. What else should I do? I was thinking better rear supension because we scrape speed bumps but i am not sure. After Mexico we will travel to Cuba (maybe without the bike) then central and south america. Hopefully we can then take a boat to Africa. Regards, Alex __________________ There are 3,000 pictures (from north america more to come) and a diary of our trip on our facebook page at the link below. http://www.facebook.com/theperfectworld2012 |
Have you been riding the KLR with that kind of load? I don't want to be obnoxious, but I spent a lot of time on my own KLR and considered myself overloaded at around 800 lbs. total (i.e., 200 pounds of Mark, 400 of bike, and 200 of baggage and fluids). Adding another 300 lbs. sounds to me unsafe. Most would recommend a larger bike, less baggage, or serious weight loss. For starters, at 1100+ pounds it's difficult to see the point of riding a big trailee in the first place--no way you're taking it off the highway.
Having said that, I'd definitely add stronger rear and progressive front springs, and I'd prepare for faster wear of the usual stuff--tires, for example. I'd think about upgrading brakes, too (but mine is a 2007, and yours already has better brakes so take this for what its worth). There are lots of KLR-specific forums and discussion groups. I like this one: groups.yahoo.com/group/DSN_klr650/. You'll want to have a look at this, too: KLR650 FAQ. For parts, I use Arrowhead Motorsports On-line Parts List in part because I can call Fred with questions. Hope that's helpful. Mark |
1100lb klr650
Markharf,
Thanks for the info I will check those links out. My girlfriend and I have done 24,000km with 1100lb (Monteal, Alaska and Sam Diego). *We have done some pretty bad off road riding with all our stuff. *I always drive slow at full weight. *There was a bad mountain, rocky, sandy, steep, cliff road (i can post the video) that i made it down at night and after spending 3 days down there finally got the courage to ride back up. *We have never really bottomed out (stock suspension). * With this weight in the beginning i had 800lb on the rear wheel and 300lb on the front. *It was very hard to steer with the front so light (compared to the back) *I added bicycle bags over the front which really help and a one gallon spare gas can to the crash bars. I bought EBC HH brake pads after getting 23,000km on the stock front brake pads. The thing i am most worried about is braking hard to avoid an accident. *The braking is much slower with all the weight. Why we are riding a KLR650 2011. *I wanted a cheap bike that i could add to. *I love that the KLR Has been unchanged for so long so parts are everywhere. *The bike is very simple and bullet proof. *In third world countries there are more people that have KLRs. *The are small cheap bikes here but expensive big bikes there (hard to find BMW in small town Africa). *My girlfriend and I like the idea of living with as little as possible and we are always trying to get ride of more of our stuff. We went though the stock back tire after less than 1,200miles.* Now we use 80% road tires and 20% off road (not 50/50 like stock). *We got 6000miles from the rear anakee 2, and i now have a shinko trailmaster on the rear with 3000mile ( it should make it to 4000miles). *Front anakee 2 has 9000 miles will make it to 10000 or 11000. *The stok front made it to 6000miles. *Original chain with 24000km is almost done (i lube it every 600km or after it rains). I hope the bike with be good on bad roads but i have a center, stand tools and a spot satellite messanger if i get stuck. *We have no schedule and our tent and everything with us. *If we breakdown that will be good place to make camp (its all part of the adventure). *I want to cover what i can and try and make sure we are as safe as possible (good brakes) after that i just see what happens. * I didnt think i would be this easy so far so i look forward to more adventurous times ahead. I would love to post pictures (i took 9000 so far) and video (i have lots from hand held and go pro, i am currently cutting 15 about 5 minute videos of the trip so far) here can anyone help me with that? *Can i post picture from my i phone to here? Let the adventure continue Alex |
The basic trip is easy to Ushuaia. What people underestimate first and foremost is the difficulty of sustaining the effort over time. A year is a long time for most folks; ten years is for the very select few. Maybe you're one of those, but probably not.
Next is accidents. There are a lot of potential accidents between you and that boat to Africa (Grimaldi, by the way--Google it), and a lot of the reason we pay attention to brakes, tires, suspension and steering is to evade the inevitable close calls. I glanced at some of your photos, and it looks to me like your margin for error is thin at times. That's worth thinking about. You might think carefully about that rear shock, and the consequences if it fails at this point or that in your journey. Mine lasted 80k miles, but it did cause some discomfort when it finally blew. Yours won't make it that long, all things being equal. Ok, I'm done. Glad the bike is working for you so far, and hope it continues. Fun trip! Mark |
after 6 months on the road
+ 1 for Mark's comments. After 10 weeks in Mexico I have 1 word for your suspension's demise TOPE! We look forward to hearing more of your adventures.
Sara & Daniel |
And another vote for keeping an eye on the rear shock, I have only ever seen one bike with the shock snapped in half and that was a KLR650, you really do need to think about reviewing what you are carrying. I would suggest after a few months see what you have not used and send it home or sell it, if you have not used it by then you possibly never will.
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just thoughts
Hi Alex and girlfriend,
Sounds like you have already had a very exciting trip. I would have to agree with Mark about the bike weight. It is pretty exciting to hear that you have driven so far, so heavy, on the stock shock. It really SHOCKs me. (all pun intended). I have two 2008 KLR’s and have already changed the rear shock on one and have not done the other because of finances. In a trip like your and the weight you are carrying I would look into changing that shock. It really could save you some trouble later. I like your choice of bikes. I have been told that the KLR is great for one up with your baggage but not a bike for two up. I ride through the mountains here in Kyrgyzstan all the time two up. My wife and I enjoy taking a trip and going where the cars cannot go. Now were not anywhere near 1100 lbs, but once I changed the rear shock we have not had any trouble with the bike. Parts are hard to find but you would be amazed at how easy it is to get something that will work till you can order the parts. I can give you some insight on your quest. You wanted to know why we need all the horrible things like war and poverty. In the Bible the book of James and chapter four you will find a good start for you answer. Verse one is a very good start. “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lust that war in your member?” It is the old nature of man, it is sin, it is greed, and the desire to obtain at the cost of anything or anyone. We have an orphanage here in Kyrgyzstan and this is the same reason the majority of our children are here. Many of them have parents but the parents are too busy trying to take care of self they have no time, no desire, nothing for the children. It sounds like you two have big hearts. I pray they don’t get broke or harden. I wish you a wonderful and safe trip. Meet many people and share good times. Keep us all posted and if you get to Kyrgyzstan look me up. Mac |
Hello Alex,
14,000 kms into my South American trip. Started in Vancouver and presently in Ecuador. I am riding a 2008 KLR650 carrying 42 kilos of luggage, including the weight of the panniers, and 60 kilos of me. The one thing I wish I had done was to install a stronger shock. The stock shock is doing its job, but it is soft. All throughout your trip into CA and SA you will encounter, as Sara stated, topes. Lots of them. Not to mention some very bumpy roads. With the weight you are carrying it would be wise to get the shock replaced in the US before entering Mexico. Anyway, you have heard it all before. Consider carrying some spare wheel bearings as well. They won’t add too much more to your weight :biggrin3:. I wish you both all the best in your travels. It will be an amazing journey. Regards, Mike. |
RTW
Congratulation on your decision , I did over 80000 miles with my KLR and if you do maintain it they can last for a very long time , check what others already indicate and carry extra wheel bearing , with the weight that you carry they may fail more often. After travelling arround the worl my advice will be for you to see if all that you carry is really necessary and if not sale it or give it away , carry extra part like sprokets but chain can be found everywhere, brake pads are another stories. I like the fact that you do take your time , many traveller go way to fast and do not take enough time to enjoy thier trip . If you have a list of what you carry put it up for us to see .
Have fun no matter what :scooter: |
Video and photos
Good luck with the ride of a lifetime or maybe it will be your whole life!
I could help you with the photos and video as I have a small video editing suite at home home _ Apple Final Cut Pro so I can do some editing if you want and sorting your phots into albums and slideshows. You will have to find a way to email them to me or drop them into a FTP site. Let me know. Good luck |
Hendlekaf
Please let me know what i have to do to get to 80,000mile on a klr. I have so many questions. What non mainenance work did you have to do? Any big problems or expensive replacement parts? Did you get the doohickey fix? What Oil did you use? How often did you adjust the valves? What air Filter did you use? What kind or riding did you do (off road or highway mostly)? I could go of forever please just try and help me get my bike that far too. Its amazing you got A klr that far and it makes me feel good about this trip. I thought i would have to replace the motor at 45,000 miles. Roadtrekker For the pictures I have posted 3000 pictures on facebook out of the 9000 pictures I have taken. I would love it if I could have only 100 out of those 3000 as the best of the best but its alot of work. The facebook page is below. www.Facebook.com/theperfectworld2012 As for the movies I am currently edditing 19 videos from the first half year of the trip. I have about 5 so far on youtube under 2012theperfectworld. I am not very good at cutting them (most are too long like 16 minutes) and they need music. If you can help me make shorter movies or put them all together as one short clip that would really help me out. Below I have a link to the longest video. You should be able to find the rest from there. 20 Trip around the world San Diego to Ocitilla wells and back Dec 1-9 2012.MOV - YouTube |
KLR
Hi
One of the thing I do on all my bikes is first to use good oil (syntectic if possible ) I often change oild prior recommanded mileage , I also never push my bike while the engine is cold. For the KLR the regular air filter are good , I choose to have the foam one as they are easy to clean on the road , for oil filter the metalic one did good to me . Many small bike ( 250 )do very easily 60000 miles so getting to higher miles with yours should be a no brainner. what will go first will be bearing , fork seals ,sprockets . A regualr maintenance will help to keep you on the road. I am a bit of a maniac for weight on my bike and always try to limit myself to a comfortable but practical amount of gear ( you can always buy more clothe but good spares parts are not always easy to find).For my next RTW I will most likely use a 650 DR or similar and I am expecting way more that 60000 miles from it . keep a good check on your screws a bit of blue will help them to stay in place , your exhaust if original will need some minor repairs but any mechanic can fix those small details . a good battery will last a minimum of 2 to 3 years so same thing goes , take some extra spark plugs and put a fuel filter on your beast if you don't have one already. few riders did a RTW on KLR so why no you . |
Hi Alex,
:mchappy: You make good progress as it is. I wish you both in good health and safe always. When you get into the Far East, Malaysia in particular please look up for me (dont know when you will arrive here). Mighty glad to give you a helping hand. My email address is amzahsulaiman@yahoo.com Ride Safe Amzah |
Scary one lane mountain road video on a 1,100lb KLR
Below is a movie of us driving the overloaded bike on paved and unpaved
Mountain roads. *At the end of tje movie is the climb up a steep gravel road and you can see how we had the bike packed at the end. I was very concerned the brakes would overheat with heavy braking going down hill. *I actually threw water on the brakes and It flash boiled, not sure if that was a good idea, i dont want to warp the brakes. 15 around the world trip discovery harbor to groveland Califonia Oct 31 to Nov 6 (2 can cut).MOV - YouTube |
Ready for Mexico
It looks like we have a couchsurfing host in Ensenada for the end of next week.
I just have to install the front and back tires, chain and sprockets and uni airfilter. Then it will be time to travel into Mexico. I am looking forward to more adventurous travel. |
It's been 6 weeks since you posted.Are you still out there?I worry when people stop posting.
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KLR650 around the world with passenger to try and help
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We have been very busy moving. Sorry we will be posting more now. We will be living in La Paz for 3 months or 6 months. Candice got a job teaching at an english school. We need to make more money before we travel more. We are renting a room in a house for $100 per months which is great. Candice can walk 8 minutes to work. We can walk to the beach. We are looking for a cheap way to the mainland. Also We are going to get some parts for the bike but its $60 to ship them. I will post on a regular basis again.
Below is the most recent video from Mexico. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIp7o...e_gdata_player Candice and I at the La Paz carnival Attachment 9352 A picture from a go pro video i filmed jumping off a pier at a beach 15 minutes from our house today. Video will be posted soon. Attachment 9353 |
KLR650 around the world with passenger to try and help
Doogle thanks for wondering whats up with us. Lots more posts coming.
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KLR650 around the world with passenger to try and help
This is a short video of me jumping off a pier in La Paz. I filmed myself in the air and made some funny faces. The water was shallow but it all worked out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iacuf...e_gdata_player |
As mentioned above you should do something with your suspension.At a minimum you should get a heavier spring.Summit has heavier springs for $60.Cheap insurance.The cost means nothing compared to being broke down in the middle of a desert alone.After a few of them experiences you learn the true value of preventive maintenance.
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KLR650 around the world with passenger to try and help
Would that spring work with the stock shock? That is really a good price thanks for the heads up. I guess I could just order the spring and have it delivered to la Paz and then have it installed at a motorcycle shop here. If I did the back I am guessing the front would have to be stiffer too. I wonder how much it would be to install the front and rear springs here.
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Here is some info about spring sizing:
KLR650 Rear Springs Here is summit racing spring ad: Eibach Coil-Over Springs 0900.225.0450 - SummitRacing.com It is shorter than the stock spring.But it is recommended for the stock shock. I don't know about your fork springs.But most of your "added weight" is sitting directly over your rear axle-or behind it. |
KLR650 around the world with passenger to try and help
Thanks Doogle,
That looks like it could work. You are really helping me out with all this advice. |
KLR650 around the world with passenger to try and help
We are all moved in here in La Paz. Please have a look at the video below of us moving in, part getting stolen off the bike and Carnival in La Paz. Many more videos to come.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnXbn...e_gdata_player |
KLR650 around the world with passenger to try and help
Video 27 of our past week living in La Paz. Lots of snorkeling and finding a watch. I am now all up to date with the videos and pictures and for the first time on the trip everything is online.
Candice will be editing a much shorter best of video of the trip that should be much easier to watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVhxu...e_gdata_player |
KLR650 around the world with passenger to try and help
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I am thinking of painting my black KLR650 desert camo. I want the bike to look shitty and scare people so it will not get stolen. I want to take off all the Kawasaki stickers because here in La Paz Mexico Kawasaki is the expensive brand. I also want to be seen on the road so I will put some orange tape on it.
Any suggestions? Is this a good idea. I am never going to sell the bike because I want to run it into the ground so painting shouldn't be an issue there. This is the pattern i was to pain it (this is a different bike though) Attachment 9396 This is my bike now Attachment 9397 |
Hi Alex,
You make good progress as it is. I wish you both in good health and safe always.. if u arv malaysia pls call me +60122568742 or email me abkn@ti.com:welcome: |
KLR650 around the world with passenger to try and help
Thanks burnjr. We are making a list of all the people we should contact during the trip and you are on it now. We are looking forward to Malaysia we have herd so many good things.
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KLR650 around the world with passenger to try and help
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I am building an improved version of my solar thermal device for third world countries here in La Paz Mexico. I am just waiting for the money to buy $50 of parts I need. This device can make water drinkable, turn salt water to fresh water, generate electricity, pump water to grow plants and more. It can be built very cheap out of mostly garbage. We will travel to poor villages and build and help them build this device. More testing here will improved the design. I am hoping to modify it so that it does not need to be adjusted to track the sun. I will test many different cheap ways of getting electricity from it and how much is generated. I will test the speed at which it can make fresh water from salt water.
Below is a link to the first test I did in July 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLjL_...e_gdata_player A picture of the first design Attachment 9403 |
KLR650 around the world with passenger to try and help
Video 28 of us living in La paz and our snorkel trip to Cabo Polmo.
We almost hit a cow on the road, ridng the sandy road was very difficult, sleeping in a lookout town, scary snorkeling in big waves, nice reef and lots of fish. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbgMj...e_gdata_player |
KLR650 around the world with passenger to try and help
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Today is a great day for humanity. A few weeks ago someone stole my temperature gauge off my bike that was right in front of our house. Today I find this on my bike.
Attachment 9541 The temperature gauge just sitting on my bike wrapped in a note. I take the note off and this is what it looks like. Attachment 9542 I am so sorry and welcome to la Soli. Really I am sorry. Wow I was kinda pissed off that this guy stole my gauge but now he is a person to me with his own motivations. What a great guy to return it to me. I would really like to know the story of why he returned it. Was he a young kid and his mother made him give it back or did he meet me and feel bad. I will probably never know. I have been on the bike so many times in the last few weeks and have looked at the spot were the temperature gauge was and wondered what temperature it was. Today for the first time I look down and know its 33 c. Thank you temperature gauge thief I hope one day we meet so I can thank you for returning my gauge. |
KLR650 around the world with passenger to try and help
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Dear Betty (our KLR motorcycle)
I picked you up and took you for your first ride exactly a year ago. We have traveled across Canada, Alaska, the continentail USA and Baja Mexico a total of 27,300km. You have been reliable over rough terrain overloaded like no KLR should be. You turn on everytime I push your buttons and you never let anyone one else ride you. I protected you when the dinosaurs attacked (see picture below) so you owe me. Attachment 9556 Heres to many more counties and a lifetime of more adventures. Ps if you die I will just get another like you. |
KLR650 around the world with passenger to try and help
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My KLR can carry anything
Attachment 9574 I went to home depot on my bike to get supplies for my solar thermal device for third world countries. I bought some wood and a big pipe the hold time thinking I would have to get a cab to take it home. They cut it all and my longest piece was a 5 food piece of pipe. I though I will just TRY to fit this on the bike. Attachment 9575 A nice guy from the store that spoke some english helped me with tape and string and 20 minutes laters the master piece was complete. Attachment 9576 2 4ft 2 by 10 2 14 inch 2 by 6 3 3ft 2 by 6 1 4ft by 2ft 1/4 inch plywood sheet 1 5ft 2.3 inch diameter aluminum pipe 1 2.5ft 2.3 inch diameter aluminum pipe First thing I do is pull out of my parking space wondering why a shopping cart is following me. The 5ft pipe hit it. I think wow I am wide now. The whole way home I tell myself I am as wide as a car. I get the short distance home (3km) with no problem and staying under 50km/h the whole time. |
This is a video of me boiling 1.25 liters of water like crazy using tin foil and the sun.
I will improve this design to make fresh water out of salt water, pump water for farming and create electricity. As we travel around the world we are hoping to help people in poor villages build these out of mostly garbage to improve their lives. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dAPr...e_gdata_player |
Below is a video of me demonstrating the vacuum power of the steam created by the sun in my solar device. I fill pop cans with steam and they instantaneously collapse with a bang when placed in water. This shows the vacuum steam power that I will be using to run my vacuum steam water pump made from garbage (video of working steam water pump coming soon). I also show that distilled water can be made from the sun using the solar thermal device.
I am hoping I can build and teach people to build these in poor villages to help them get clean water and pump water to grow food. My next step in the design process will be working on power generation from the solar thermal device. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__H9z...e_gdata_player |
Here is a video of us surfing at Todos Santos Mexico on the pacific ocean. We rented a board for only $7 for the whole day. The waves were very big but Candice was able to stand During her first time out. I jumped off alot but stood up a few times. We also played in the huge waves and got thrown around alot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKE7-...e_gdata_player |
Below is a link to a how to video to build a device made out of cardboard and tin foil that can boil 500ml of water using the sunlight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NIYA...e_gdata_player |
I have boiled noodles using sunlight. I boiled then in a pop can I cut open and focus light on using tin foil and cardboard. The end of the video gets really weird when I eat the noddles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhIJe...e_gdata_player |
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Attachment 9838
We baked a long loaf of bread in a metal tube heated up by sunlight focused by tin foil. The tube oven heated up over 300F and the bread was baked in 30 minutes. This device is very cheap to build and can allow people in developing nations to cook everyday without using fuel. This device requires no maintenance and will function day after day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAzfc...ature=youtu.be |
I used my solar thermal homemade device to heat up water for a shower. I heated up 20 Liters of water to the point that it was almost too hot to touch.
It feels great to not use electricity or gas and just heat the water yourself with the power of the sun. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N46ic...e_gdata_player |
Hi
Mate - You're an inspiration.
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Attachment 9885
I got much more power out of my small solar thermal prototype. It is so inexpensive to build these and make huge amounts of power. I will be bringing this design to third world countries and teach then how to build it to pump their own water using sunlight among many other things. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXDlJ...e_gdata_player |
Thanks venture. I just hope to
Help some people. |
This is a video of me teaching orphans in Mexico a class on inexpensive solar thermal power for third world countries. I show them how they can build their own solar thermal device with very little money. I also go over all the uses including pumping water and creating drinking water
As we travel the world I hope to teach more classes like this and help people improve their living situation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9CLj...e_gdata_player |
Those orphans must speak pretty good English, I guess?
I'm not trying to be snide, but I've been following your posts here since you left home, and I've missed seeing any indication that anyone wants what you're offering. If you could demonstrate that--a desire or need expressed by local people, existing cultural, economic, or other affinity groups--I'd be hooked. At the moment, not so much. If this comment is not helpful, please feel free to ignore. Mark |
Markharf,
I have been volunteering with these Orphans for several month in both english class and my own math classes. Their english is getting very good and I feel they learn more when I don't underestimate their skills. When I speak slowly and use lots of diagrams they seem to understand almost everything. They have very good question that I answer to fill in parts they don't understand. I have met many people here that are interested in what I am doing but didn't want to post every time someone shows interest. I want to focus more on the design results and then people can decide for themselves if it can make a Difference. I have given up a glamorous high paying job to spread free engineering designs to the poor to try and give them back the power the large companies and greedy people patenting designs for profit have taken away from them. I will continue trying to do good unless too many people like yourself cut down my achievements. Thanks for your "support". I hope it Makes you feel better about what you are doing. I only hope the positive energy you have stollen from me serves to motivate you in your worthy pursuits. Thanks for your "helpful comment". If my comment is not helpful to you please ignore it. |
Hey GlobalKLR,
Just keep doin' what you're doin' man. I was a bit skeptical when I first started reading your original posts, but now I think what you are doing is great. If no-one tried to change the world, it would never change. Good on yer for giving it a go. Mark - take it easy on the waccy-baccy over there and give the kid a break, eh? Doc 'couldn't give a toss if anyone finds his posts helpful or not' Sherlock Quote:
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Below is a video of a water pump I made mostly from Garbage I found here in Mexico. As we travel the world I will show people in poor Communities how they can build a pump like this and other things from garbage and cheap material. I hope to teach people how they can improve their own living situation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1mhj...e_gdata_player |
Mark is this negative on every board he posts on, not to mention snide and arrogant.
Here's a question to you Mark, who do you think cares about what you think? |
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He gets a bit grumpy sometimes, that's all. But then we all do. I think a lot of us who have been around for a while get irritated by noobs who can't be bothered to do a simple search and fill the boards up with the same old questions day in, day out. Mark just has own inimitable way of expressing it, that's all. Not sure why he went after GlobalKLR there, though..... having said that, there are some that would think the project naive and patronizing; there's just no need to piss on GlobalKLR's bonfire, IMHO as he is trying to do something positive in the world - how many of us can say we did that? |
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i've read plenty of threads about folks riding "to help" and while some may been nonsensical IMO, it's not my business--doesn't affect me in the slightest. never once said anything other than good luck. we all may not have fabulous gifts and the ability to save the world. but if we can help one person, one family, maybe, just maybe our efforts are worthwhile. and even if we can't help a single soul, our efforts are worthwhile, and grumpy, snide, immature remarks should be muttered behind your keyboard and kept to yourself (not aimed at you). HEY GLOBAL! YOU KEEP ON DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING! I THINK IT'S WORTHWHILE AND GREAT OF YOU.:thumbup1: |
You eat a lot of red meat, don't you?:rolleyes2:
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Tee and Doc,
I really appreciate all the support but please have this argument else where. I would really like to keep this page about my trip and my projects to help people as we travel the world. Feel free to post similar experiences but one on one arguments that go back and forth too long should be settled with personal messages. |
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Below is a solar destilling video I built a new condenser and attached it to my solar thermal device. I boiled ocean water with the sun and condensed it into drinking water. This could be used in ocean communities to create drinking water without electricity or fuel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lambn...e_gdata_player |
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You are doing a great thing that many will never do. Stay positive and adventurous. You have nothing but great intentions! You should think about getting a gofundme account set up. With the right exposure, you could get assistance with your projects. Especially if you post results. Good Luck! |
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This is the first of many videos of the design and building of a solar thermal powered bicycle. We will be using two homemade solar thermal powered bicycle trailers to travel the world. This will be the first solar thermal bicycle like this in the world.
In this video I introduce a 1/3 scale model of the mirror support. This model will be used to improve manufacturing and sun tracking for the full scale mirror support. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWs6q...e_gdata_player |
In part two of the solar thermal powered bike project I explain and give an overview of the initial design.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrvAg...e_gdata_player |
In this third video on building a solar thermal bike I demonstrate the camper mode, I show a sun sensing method using the shade from the pipe that could give 1 to 2 degrees of accuracy and I show a full scale graph used to determine sun tracking accuracy and pipe diameter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k--Vc...e_gdata_player |
Part 4 of the solar thermal bike video series. In this video I test the small model to see how much heat it can produce. I covered the curve with aluminum foil and painted the pipe with flat black high heat paint. The pipe heated up to 116c. The bike will have 9 times more power, have a better mirror and an insulated pipe. I am excited to build it and test it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzUsv...e_gdata_player |
Solar thermal powered bike
video part 5 I tested the solar thermal pipe with a wine bottle and an air pocket as an insulator. It lost less heat than a test without the wine bottle insulation. This shows me that stale air can be used to insulated the solar heat pipe. This will greatly reduce thermal loss for the solar thermal bike. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhquZ...e_gdata_player |
I am selling my KLR650 and all my touring gear. Check out the add.
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/3902108767.html |
Video 7 of building a solar thermal powered car. In this video I test a sun tracking motor on my small model. I will use this setup to test sun tracking for the full scaled 6 by 24 ft mirror on the solar thermal powered car.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYOa8...e_gdata_player |
Plan?
You posted you're selling your bike. You still in La Paz? What are your plans now? I lived there for 5 years.
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We sold our bike and are now building the solar
Car using that money. We will be living in La Paz for the next half a year. We will leave when the car is complete. We have been here for about 8 months now. |
Solar thermal powered car part 8
In this video I control the large sun tracking motor with a low powered signal. This will alow me to use a mircocontroller to control the large solar thermal mirror on the car. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q35mn...e_gdata_player |
car
hi ,
are thinkinmg of using a frame already existing or build one like a ultra light buggy tubular , are you going to run fuel and solar power ( new hybrid type), maybe a sidecar will be lighter ? |
In the beginning we will keep the gas motor just in case. This way we can unhook the trailer and just drive the normal car if we have to. I wanted to have solar PV cells on the car but it is too expensive. Then I would have an solar electric and steam electric hybrid. Not much good on cloudy days but we are not in a big rush.
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car
it will be great to see something small enough as a trailer to attached to an electrical bicycle , maybe a new way to travel .
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Travel video 32 of our trip to visit family in Canada.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv8Tn...e_gdata_player |
Solar thermal powered car video part 10
In this video I drive the solar powered model in both directions with the motor drive circuit. I also run the full scale drive motor and test the control signal amperage and find the its low enough to be controller by the Arduino. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10cNC...e_gdata_player |
Solar thermal powered
car video 11 Controlled solar thermal mirror with Arduino controller. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkw81...e_gdata_player |
Solar thermal powered car part 12, homemade hot oil pump
I built a pump out of pop cans and broken DVD player parts to circulate the hot oil that absorbs the suns heat. In this video I explain how the pump works and run it with fluid. Next I will run it with water and measure the L/min at different voltages. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aidN...e_gdata_player |
Its alive. My solar thermal
Model follows the sun. In this video I test the suntracking by having it follow a flashlight. This is a big step towards the solar thermal car. I need fast bi directional sun tracking if I want to get solar thermal energy while the solar car is moving. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_gmM...e_gdata_player |
In this short video the solar thermal model follows a lamp to demonstrate the suntracking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyYGU...e_gdata_player |
All Gone?
Quote:
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Ya I sold it already.
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This video is of the sun tracking working outside. It kept the solar thermal mirror perfectly aligned with the sun as I tilted and moved the table.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqkOf...e_gdata_player |
A website posted our article about the solar thermal car. Maybe this information will help people understand what we are doing.
http://webbingthegood.com/2013/08/29...and-solutions/ |
Just posted our most recent trip video. This takes place after returning to La Paz Mexico after visiting Canada and our friends and family there.
Reptile zoo, vegetarian dinner, Solar model for the University workshop and building successful sun tracking for the solar car. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmh4h...e_gdata_player |
Video 30 of our around the world Journey.
In this video: moving to a new apartment in Mexico, surfing, homemade perogies and solar thermal testing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB0zf...e_gdata_player |
Solar thermal powered car video part 17
In this video I get my high temperature sensing K thermocouple to work. I test it up to 200c to create a calibration equation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkAlU...e_gdata_player |
In this video, after an interview at the university Candice left me a surprise in the fridge, explaining solar thermal power to my math class, Baja 500 off road race party, Candice counts in Spanish after our private Spanish class, showering from a bucket because the show head was electrocuting me, cool apple bird Candice got from her students, we got a fan and home phone,
Engineering work: building a solar distiller to turn ocean water into drinking water, homemade water pump for less then $1, oil thermocline test, storage tubes for my engineering drawings, building solar thermal model that rotates around the pipe, insulating solar thermal receiver tube with a glass wine bottle and stale air, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQWS_...e_gdata_player |
klr
how does the local react to your work
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Well so far I have showed my work to my orphan math class and to the university. La Paz is a relatively well off area so I don't think I can be of much help here. We are staying here to learn the language and culture and to finish the solar thermal car. Then we will be traveling to poor area to try and help.
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Video 18 of the solar thermal powered car.
In the video I create a mirror using Krylon looking Glass spray paint. It created a great mirror finish that will be tested on plexiglass next. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpajzibiGRw&sns=em |
Around the world Adventure video 34
In this video we host motorcyclists from Montreal and Tokyo and a tropical storm with serious flooding in the streets. We had such a great experience hosting that we hope to host travelers much more in the future. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VLPd...e_gdata_player |
Solar thermal powered car video 19.
In this video I build an assembly jig to make accurate mirror supports. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYcLw...e_gdata_player |
I will be posting all my motorcycle travel videos in a shorter, High def versions. I am currently going through 8 hours and trying to get it down to 1 hour. Part one coming very soon.
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I am reediting our travel videos to make them nice and HD and short. This is part 1 from last summer traveling by motorcycle from Montreal to BC Canada. Its only 6 minutes please have a look.
More short around the world videos to follow. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjfcF...e_gdata_player |
Part 2 of our short, HD around the world travel videos. This video was taken as we road our KLR650 motorcycle across BC Canada
In this video Chasing a moose off the road, cold mountain river swims, trying to cross a rushing river, camping in the middle of nowhere http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCUDO...e_gdata_player |
1 Attachment(s)
Our predicted route in the solar thermal carAttachment 10663
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I'm not sure I get this. You don't appear to be joking. What are your plans for the various closed borders, forbidden zones, and major and minor civil wars your map has you crossing?
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This is for the next 15 or so years. As we travel we try to plan a few months ahead. We will change our route based on what we learn as we travel. We do want to get into the more interesting places. Right now we are thinking about Mainland Mexico and central America. In central America we have to take a boat around counties if we don't want or can't go through them.
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I get it. It's more like a vague concept than a specific route. Funny that so many points on the map are so specific, then. A lot of people here will relate to very specific locations and routes--"Why are they going through Somalia when the only practical route transits Kenya to Ethiopia via Moyale? How are they planning to get the car into Saudi Arabia? Etc."
No trouble for Canadians getting through Central America with a car provided (of course) you can show proof of ownership and roadworthiness. How that'll work with yours is an open question. Not trouble in South America either, subject to the same. In Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia you've got issues...but who knows what'll come to pass by the time you get there? Good luck. |
Ya we will just see what happens. If we can't get into a country we will go around it.
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In this video I explain how all the pasts of the solar thermal car work together to power the wheels and propel the car.
Please provide feedback if something doesn't look like it will function properly. Also let me know if you want more information on the design. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXTDb...e_gdata_player |
I jump into a super hot, hot spring in Northern Bc. Liard hot springs is natural and free everyone should go there. Around the world Adventure part 3 has more footage of Liard hot springs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDdpp...e_gdata_player |
This is a short video of me running my first solar thermal university workshop. The students are building their own solar thermal power units to boil water using sunlight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPxWR...e_gdata_player |
This is the third short, HD video of our trip around the world.
This video is from northern BC at Liard hot springs. This natural hot springs is free and in the middle of the woods. It has caves, water falls, rivers and very hot water. Everyone should visit it at least once. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utNQdBQjQcs |
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