Looks like you're ready for surgery. :)

I carry a 3/8" ratchet w/short extention that helps me with the oil drain plug, along with 8 and 10mm sockets. The OEM tool kit ain't that bad, but it 'is' missing some things. Dikes and needle-nose seem like a duplication to me. I have a small Crescent (adjustable wrench) and my pliers come in the Gerber 'fix-the-world' thingy. Actually the Gerb does the needle-nose and dike thing too.
Why do you have several long ratchet extentions?
I was going to suggest not carrying an extra tube of Slime, but I carry a can of Fix-a-flat with me, so I'm not one to talk. :)

I really enjoy these kinda threads.

Not bench racing, but similar in a way....

I screwed up....the drain plug is a 17mm. So back in with the 17mm Socket !:censored:

I need to think about the needle nose/dykes. Maybe a small leatherman could
cover both? I need the dykes to do electrical work and a million other jobs.
I could probably do without the needle nose....I rarely use them.

The long extensions go with the Snap-On quarter inch drive ratchet. Sometimes you just need to reach something far inside. Small. I have an 8mm
taped on one, 10mm on the other. Very commonly used.

Actually, the SLIME is not making the trip...its' in the tubes....and you can buy it down south. The Teflon Spray is out too. Too big. I will take my 90wt
gear oil and call if good. Chain cleaning with Diesel.

Here is what is there...or will be there at some point (mostly)

Sockets: 8,10,12,14, and now...17.
Ratcheting Box ends wrenches: 8,10,12,14
8" Crescent wrench (to fill in the gaps (mirror nuts!)
22mm, 24mm w/breaker bar (rear axle nut)
Multi screw driver
Allens, various
mini hack saw (very effective with vise grips)
feeler gauges (DR only)
Jewelers screw drivers
Plug socket (customized)
Vise Grips (mini)
Valve stem tool
Telescoping magnet
Lighter

Glues and stuff

QuiK Aluminum
Loc Tite (blue-non permanant)
Two part Epoxy (15 minute dry)
Gorilla Glue (water activated)
Super Glue
Extra vulcanizing tire patch glue

Elec. kit

Flash light
fuses
VOM
solderless connectors/various
Elec. tape

Spares / supplies / parts

1 oil filter
1 spare turn signal
1 Master link & 4 spare links (525)
6 Carb jets
2 spare spark plugs
1 bulb, tail light (headlight is dual circuit)
1 countershaft sprocket (stock is on now.. 14-T?)
1 front tube (21" inch available on road)
2 regular rear spare tubes (bike now has 18" rear Bridgestone super HD)
4 pairs HD surgical gloves

This is a NEW bike, so no spare clutch cable or throttle cable.

Still shifting through...adding and subtracting stuff. Lots of details. Hope the pics and lists help someone else doing prep. Feel free to be critical or offer good alternatives or point out obvious errors or things I've missed!

Patrick:mchappy:

Stock CS sprocket is 15t.

Here are my 1550 Pelican cases mounted with the lid against the bike. This way they hold more in them when you open. Tough, waterproof, and can take a drop. My only complaint is that they scrape sometimes when I'm on the twistiies.

http://personalpages.chorus.net/jroe...0and%20Ray.jpg

Torches
 

10R10R,
Looks like the kids are all set to go on the long ride!

Mollydog,
I take along a head torch (the type on an elastic band around the forehead) with LED bulbs so that the batteries last for ever, in place of a flashlight (usually end up with a mini maglite packed as well!).

The head torch is great for working in the dark on the bike, loafing around in the tent or even crawling back across the fields from the pub, or ......... :rolleyes2:

The Pelikans look good....and I can tell your girls adore you....you are very lucky!

The head torch idea I have not written down but will do so NOW! These things are the bomb. Question is: Where can I find one at a reasonable price? REI (fancy outdoor store here in USA) has them for like $50 or more!!!

Nothing more indispensable for camping and doing roadside repairs. Thanks for the reminder.

Patrick

I got my headtorch from ebay (two of them) for about £10 each (about $20).
They are the "Energizer" brand (same as the battery brand) which I think is from the US but now made in China (like most other things nowadays!). Never let me down and the batteries go for ever.

As I mentioned, I still carry a mini maglite though.

Thanks for the heads up Dave. I'll start perusing on line to see what I can find.

Patrick:mchappy:

vague hijack
 

How long's the haul, Pat? What's the plan? Good to see you getting back on the road again...

Suerte, Dan

Hijacks welcome!
 

Not quite on the road yet...still prepping and turning things upside down.
Hope to do a little round-a-bout in Mex and Cent. Am. Working out routes now.
Any tips?

Patrick

Farkles finales antes de Mexico
 

Finally got to the suspension on the fairly soft DR650. In stock form the bike is not too bad with a light load, even on dirt....abeit on the soft side. Good in slow rocky going however. As you add weight fork dive increased dramatically
and bike bike would wallow around some too. With full battle load the boingers were simply overwhelmed.

How much weight on the bike?
Including the weight of GIVI cases themselves, side racks, rear rack, soft top bag, tools, contents of bags, lock, books, spare tubes, and all other crap I've managed to collect....I'm carrying just about 100 lbs. (45 kgs.). This is over my target weight of 90 lbs. but close enough. The GIVI bags are just under their limit of 11 kgs. each, so I've done well there. I'm hoping the Italians gave a conservative estimate on this rating because I know on rough washboard all systems will be severly tested.

Suspension:
Like most DR650 riders I've gone through Jesse Kientz KienTech Engineering
for my Eibach springs. Based on my weight...about 200 lbs. (with riding gear)....and the weight of my luggage...we came up with a compromise number that will have the bike working well fully loaded but won't be too over sprung for solo, unloaded riding.

Stock DR650 progressive fork springs are rated at .40 kgs. I've gone up to .47 kgs. straight rate springs. The stock progressive rear spring is 6.5 kgs., the new Eibach straight rate is 7.6 kgs.

I've taken the bike out on some trails, dirt roads and twisty paved roads and overall the transformation is rather astounding. Hitting "whoop dee doo" type bumps is where I notice the difference most. Far more composed. The bike turns better as the rear end is not dragging its' ass around now. Much crisper turning yet still very stable at 100 mph. (yes, I tested it). Also, much to my delight, small bumps and road stutter are almost GONE. Before the bike handled this type of stuff well...now its even better. NICE:thumbup1:

I have preload on the rear cranked up about half way. So more to go if needed. Plenty of preload left to add up front but so far its very close.

Only problem is the lack of BRAKES with all this weight. Not much to be done here. The new EBC pads aren't fully scrubbed in yet...so I'm hoping for a tad
more braking power soon.

Other stuff in the last two weeks:
New DID 525 X-Ring VM-2 chain
JT Sprockets, front /rear
Sealed spoke nipples on front wheel to slow air loss.
New brake pads frnt/rear (EBC sintered)
Brake systems flushed...all new fluid. I do this twice a year.

Patrick:mchappy:
The stock items and spokes still unsealed
http://patricksphotos.smugmug.com/ph...04688396-M.jpg
http://patricksphotos.smugmug.com/ph...04688416-M.jpg
http://patricksphotos.smugmug.com/ph...04688430-M.jpg

Mollydog/Patrick...

I've tried to wade through all of this - and one thing is for certain (I've said it before) you are fab resource for any and everything relating to the DR650...and supplemented perfectly by other guys posting on this thread.

Thing is - it needs a feminine touch..! There's so much brilliant information on here, but sometimes a bit hard to find...

Permission to collate and collect and put in a simple/organised format which even girls can follow? (I wouldn't DARE ask you to do it - since you're too busy sorting the bike out... and getting the trip together...!):rolleyes2:

(I'll probably have to do it anyways, for myself - so maybe when I'm done, you can have a lookie over and it can be published here - or wherever)

gas filters
 

I like the clear-cased paper filters that are used on lawn equip.
IMO, much better than the little rock element sifting filters.

You guys have thought this out well.

Funny this was mentioned, I put on one of the clear-case filters on my KLX a few months back after thinking that those little stone filters probably didn't work with a flip. Yesterday I was in Guadalajara at the Suzuki dealer and I was picking up an extra gas filter for my took kit when I ran into 4 Gringos on KLRs. One of the KLRs was broken down with a stuck float in the carb and the mechanic was doing the repair. The bikes were stock '07 I think with no filter other than the screen in the petcock tank. I think the little 15 peso paper filter might have prevented the repair incident.

The guys were on their way to Argentina and I suggested that they put these gas filters on their bikes but they did not seem interested. They also still had the stock sub frame bolts and stock doo-hickey. I hope they make, that's a long way down there and back.

I've been on the fence between the KLR and the DR and all of the good advice in this thread has me leaning to the Suzook again.

This is a great idea, could be a fantastic resource! I think many HUBB readers could benefit from a well organized, easily accessible Bike Prep guide. Many of these things apply to other bikes too, not just DR's.

I hope you can include the good alternative ideas included in this thread too, there are always other ways besides what I've come up with. The feminine touch would be very much welcomed here!
Maybe Grant (site owner) will make your anthology a Sticky in the Suzuki forum? :thumbup1:

I'm hoping in future myself and others can chime in with feedback on how some of these mods work out on the road, under hard use, fully loaded. This is the ultimate test of any mod or piece of equipment.

Thanks so much for helping us all out! :welcome: :D

Patrick

Great ideas keep coming around
 

Post number 9 of one week ago; same idea, similar topic - must have been my feminine side!!!:eek3:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...e-thread-29606