Clapped out CD200T, two up, Wales to Italy
 

Hi,

The post title says it all. I have this little Honda 200 twin, and come Sept 7th (or so), it is supposed to drag me and my travelling companion to Italy. I know it sounds a little mad, but we're travelling really light (20lbs payload inc tool wrap), as the two of us come to the bike's capacity as it is. Strictly tertiary and secondary roads, 50mph-80km is probably all we'll get out of it on good days. I'm taking a smaller front sprocket in my pocket to change the ratio when we hit the mountails.

We're doing a mock up here in Canada where we have purchased the Canadian version of the bike, 1979 CM185T. It will do 80km 2 up with throttel to spare, and it gets tested with cargo this weekend.

Question: Is this practically possisible, as in, could it work? I know I'm pushing the bike to the very limit of its recommended use, and the dangers that come with that.

What mechanical things should I worry about? I can pull my own wrenches, sort of, so mainetnace isn't much of an issue, except for points. Points and I never get along. I'm taking a new spare set, and a condenser, also wrapped in a sandwich bag, and plugs. Doesn't take much fouling with a puny 6V point system to kill it. Should I take tire tubes (odd, old sizes here in Canada, but in Europe?). I've never had a tire patch hold. Either I'm useless, or I buy junk, or they haven't made good kits since tube tires went out of fashion in the early 80's

Jump in, I'm sure I've overlooked the most obvious things.?c?
Mechanical, maintenance, tools?
Will the local police simply say it's just not on and pull me off the little tiddler?
Justin

I Love the idea of doing this route on a lightweight bike,I would recommend
that you make sure that the suspension is up to scratch,these honda's never handled too well from new,what is it like now.Two up will put a lot of strain
on the suspension and brakes,especially when you reach the alps.You will probably need to carry spare brake cables/ shoes/pads.Although these bikes are economical on petrol,two-up will reduce this.I've also found italian drivers to be more aggresive,traffic moves at a fast pace,and they don't(IMHO)respect bikes as much as the french and spanish.Bear this in mind,stick to quieter roads,although these can be harder to find in the north of italy.Did a similar trip last year.Where are you headed for in italy?

It has new brake shoes fore and aft. I've ordered a throttle, clutch and front brake cable, and will tie tape them to the frame under the tank, or across the 'bars. I'm going to order new shocks and hope that they last the abuse of the trip.

Looking at the map, Turin, but only because it is there, is in Italy, so i can say I've been to Italy, sort of on the line between Freiburg and the coast. If I can get my friend into the adventure, I'm going to suggest the majestic eternal city of Rome...

Take heart that you're not the first to do this sort of thing. Have a look at this report from 1951:

www.fratellibrothers.com- powered by SmugMug.

If they could do it you should find it easy on a modern bike.

I'd say carry the tubes. Tyre places get better as you head south as far as stock goes, but if you carry the tubes you have three choices: fix it yourself, get any car place to fit your tube or find a proper bike/scooter shop. Without tubes your only option is the bike place and the hope they work better than the ones in the UK (Triumph in Leeds for example need two weeks to fix a puncture last time I checked!).

Andy

Advice taken regading the tubes!

200cc James Captain- yeah, but that's a 2 stroke, twice the bang and 1/2 the weight...still, that is an absoluterly amazing feat of endurance for the ridwer, passenger and bike. I notoce he doesn't mention the wife much. Maybe she gave him the cold shoulder somewhere past Canne! I would probably have wished the story true, but not believed it, unless I read it. Thanks for sending the link!

3 wheel bonnie- I'm a charioteer myself- got 1/2 a doz. All workers. Cheapest pick up trucks you can run! 3 up, lunch boxes, demolition tools, ghetto blaster, lamps and a coffee maker, all on a Honda 400T. Am I allowed to put a link to a site with a pic?

good transportation, brakes aren't so hot
 

I despatched for years on CD200s - or 'Benly' as they were called here. I even made a desert racer called a 'Bénélé': MX-frame with a Benly motor and RD/VW/XL bits. Took it to the Sahara via the Bol one hot summer which it coped with better than me.

These bikes are so reliable you feel like to shooting them after a few years.

I would say your only problem two-up will be the suspension. New shocks will only transfer the stress to the pressed-cheese swing arm so expect some flexing on bumpy bends as it bottoms out as well as grounding pipes.

And as someone said, the brakes won't be so hot so wear thick-soled shoes.

I would say fit the new bits when you leave and if it breaks down just push it in a ditch.

I recently discovered they made a CD250 - a mate just bought one.
Twin carbs alas but one hell of a sexy machine!

Have a great trip.

Ch