tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63371321797518815982024-03-12T22:58:16.581-07:002wheelsplzAdventures on dual sport motorcycles throughout Southern California including mods, reviews, trip reports, and of course, rants.Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-58604125504537913092017-05-02T03:50:00.002-07:002017-05-02T05:12:53.489-07:00And Miles To Go Before I Sleep Coming up on 8 weeks now since I started the van. God I am tired. But the good news is its actually starting to look a lot like what I envisioned.<br />
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Picking up after my last entry, I continued my experimental upholstery work. I'd read that 1/8th inch plywood would be pretty wavy if used as paneling but as I'm going to be fighting the GVWR, I need to save weight where I can. Pro Tip: Ceiling panels are hard when done by yourself!<br />
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I opted to use pop rivets whenever possible rather than screws and it turned out to be a good decision. They look a little cleaner IMO and they won't twist the vinyl when I get to that point.<br />
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I ordered $80 worth of warm white shallow can LED's for the main ceiling lights and wired each through its own individual switch. One of the things I learned from my trailer was that you can really pinch down the amp usage with simple little tricks like only using light where you need it.<br />
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As the panels went up I couldn't resist the urge to poke more holes in a perfectly good roof. I added cargo lights at the rear and side doors, plus a HAM antenna that I'll need later. They'll come in handy when the zombies come.<br />
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I ditched the massively uncomfortable and space-robbing bench seat for a single captain's chair for the offspring. Mostly I needed the space but he now has the most comfortable seat in the van.<br />
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I discovered the magic of a well-lit industrial park. My van is just one of several and the street lights drown out the light escaping from inside. Despite being half a block from the police station, and having cops zoom by at breakneck speeds all during the night, I haven't had a single incident. The downside is its well-occupied during the day so I have a different location that I use before 10pm.<br />
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Once the ceiling was done I started in on the walls.<br />
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Hey the cabinets finally make a comeback! I was debating these little gems on the Home Depot website. At $150 each they were a bit spendy but seemed to fit what I needed. I popped on to show the wife and get her input and found them on sale for half off! Sold! I mounted them using 2 rows of unistrut - amazing stuff that gets used extensively in industry but still hasn't really found its way into most DIY projects. A shame really.<br />
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Cabinets and some covered wall panels up and its starting to actually look like something you'd want to live in.<br />
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It had been awhile since I'd had an injury so I decided to dump out the cut cabinet scrap and catch my fingers as it went into the trash.<br />
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A kiddie bed just wasn't happening with the space available above the seats so I built this little unit to house the stereo/DVD. I ran a video output for a larger screen that will be located in the rear of the van.<br />
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Originally I had thought to make a crazy sliding murphy sofa/bed but it just got too complex and heavy. Plus, the offspring's chair ended up getting moved more towards centerline to avoid the fuel tank under the chassis. This meant the fridge needed to be moved back, thereby cutting into bed space. It will all make sense in a few more pics. But hey, a bed base with storage underneath!<br />
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Okay make that slightly less storage as I mounted the hot water heater under it. At this point, cutting holes in this thing has become a bit of a hobby. Barely visible at the front of the bed is the Espar heater which takes a tap off the diesel tank and provides heating for the cabin. It ate up a bit more space under the bed but will be invaluable on cold nights.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbK-l_r69shxcZxBqGyrbk_4kw_rBpPrNMpXWoDGW_YcKZ22I8G8DUCMzrTJ6F1PN5JE_IPB5PZ-BInvno6EQREc6tOfFJX0NrFZ2-m1_abj7cYujijThYoQYiL8cwmsNfHwfxmn_iVco/s1600/IMG_3392.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbK-l_r69shxcZxBqGyrbk_4kw_rBpPrNMpXWoDGW_YcKZ22I8G8DUCMzrTJ6F1PN5JE_IPB5PZ-BInvno6EQREc6tOfFJX0NrFZ2-m1_abj7cYujijThYoQYiL8cwmsNfHwfxmn_iVco/s320/IMG_3392.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXvy0ZSZuzcf1CUyDxWAIdEeSY7pltO_1ik7cNKQ1wBRWlJM6gGrQSaFAWEn2P63QE_deypW1HR2BBRBPoWXNz4Duptf93O7T11swT48MqCMrY40ddro94jFdf1vIMoUrXR54jjsURgs/s1600/IMG_3395.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXvy0ZSZuzcf1CUyDxWAIdEeSY7pltO_1ik7cNKQ1wBRWlJM6gGrQSaFAWEn2P63QE_deypW1HR2BBRBPoWXNz4Duptf93O7T11swT48MqCMrY40ddro94jFdf1vIMoUrXR54jjsURgs/s320/IMG_3395.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmh5TjhxDoZcWaWP4OgKCZ6ZYFtajl8zQbtmPDdNU547taRlI2ja0nCRZa0B7O_oqGO6lDcjKydmJZL1YTlgWMSujGKmkWUPhsc0HIITNWegGgOCRwiHcU0JWNZzb_S0i6xQ3hTwTAgM/s1600/IMG_3399.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmh5TjhxDoZcWaWP4OgKCZ6ZYFtajl8zQbtmPDdNU547taRlI2ja0nCRZa0B7O_oqGO6lDcjKydmJZL1YTlgWMSujGKmkWUPhsc0HIITNWegGgOCRwiHcU0JWNZzb_S0i6xQ3hTwTAgM/s320/IMG_3399.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54ljJG7UY_qP1jyaO0Cg7fzEtxNUL6w4YC55yb0kHNaguGAF5UA8jZ4DTEgGf10lKh-RPDQgCBO6OczsZzCwizOHB_AcDHukvaJZcbe-jOfj9ck1E8Yp5yr7C4_7u4PrR6BeWT0S7nGs/s1600/IMG_3442.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54ljJG7UY_qP1jyaO0Cg7fzEtxNUL6w4YC55yb0kHNaguGAF5UA8jZ4DTEgGf10lKh-RPDQgCBO6OczsZzCwizOHB_AcDHukvaJZcbe-jOfj9ck1E8Yp5yr7C4_7u4PrR6BeWT0S7nGs/s320/IMG_3442.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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My wife is short. She doesn't need a whole lot of bed. So rather than get design crazy I decided to build her a custom bed for her short stature and a footwell to accommodate my human-sized frame.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkwu_9176MqUCNrT_8CxI33gi5m7r06rkC4ZOlD_sJtA104ouMFGKEQWu7MHmOE9dDi9jacN11BQH6NrMpaP76aRowUOmRgCGU8EyEHDHN1QVOPZcOkmilr-9PGDf2Px4R35plRfCF6Y/s1600/IMG_3426.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkwu_9176MqUCNrT_8CxI33gi5m7r06rkC4ZOlD_sJtA104ouMFGKEQWu7MHmOE9dDi9jacN11BQH6NrMpaP76aRowUOmRgCGU8EyEHDHN1QVOPZcOkmilr-9PGDf2Px4R35plRfCF6Y/s320/IMG_3426.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XWcmQxoPA8SMX9viEojRN3Gc0G9_yrPNfNYS5_d7uzw0Te_SonGJaRE0BHXQNv7Ztn_AmSSqbeI1S97J7LQU7CFthn7MwhI24EnQQUCNwWneIoV19h1ai52wUqiilIKFneiLXPuGhU0/s1600/IMG_3433.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XWcmQxoPA8SMX9viEojRN3Gc0G9_yrPNfNYS5_d7uzw0Te_SonGJaRE0BHXQNv7Ztn_AmSSqbeI1S97J7LQU7CFthn7MwhI24EnQQUCNwWneIoV19h1ai52wUqiilIKFneiLXPuGhU0/s320/IMG_3433.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSQYd0ojywJWoqceSTh-b5ZyP7IQJ_DN7Ru9jfS_m9E4brV7GQxtUsNZqmUHh7PGIRF_FXDvi-AMJAULNjmZlxCPpo8nv9ZIU7pnhvrkx57mJsgJjLmh5hoxuVsS5UszKJ0OGJj9pbHQ/s1600/IMG_3437.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSQYd0ojywJWoqceSTh-b5ZyP7IQJ_DN7Ru9jfS_m9E4brV7GQxtUsNZqmUHh7PGIRF_FXDvi-AMJAULNjmZlxCPpo8nv9ZIU7pnhvrkx57mJsgJjLmh5hoxuVsS5UszKJ0OGJj9pbHQ/s320/IMG_3437.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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At this point the mess of wires was starting to wear on me. I enlisted the help of my offspring and set off to take care of it. I use flooded batteries so I wanted a tray that I could slide out for easy maintenance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-AG1CO356Dhb8aOW_8UQA-pvnI-UigvJi1gyP_HzZ5309cEeaAZJlraGnvg0UnyIhOudgKtfbisoUxQUcuCoBxy_52S7wcwscqya2-SPZaVVKZXDQyitcrxIO_QbA7ntDSpTIZcb9bw/s1600/IMG_3452.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-AG1CO356Dhb8aOW_8UQA-pvnI-UigvJi1gyP_HzZ5309cEeaAZJlraGnvg0UnyIhOudgKtfbisoUxQUcuCoBxy_52S7wcwscqya2-SPZaVVKZXDQyitcrxIO_QbA7ntDSpTIZcb9bw/s320/IMG_3452.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0E_UA1UQAApDNCzJ48ejS3GSfQMFWVHPbU-BG9EJWEimTqpeNab1dGJaeTZ9EEkl0kdCgfzUsL2IGt2PIkJ3ojuC2ZGDcsrx4vshqHPS2WHIT229nCUFeUiZ44wOTnmMaqeEKDjrJoI/s1600/IMG_3472.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0E_UA1UQAApDNCzJ48ejS3GSfQMFWVHPbU-BG9EJWEimTqpeNab1dGJaeTZ9EEkl0kdCgfzUsL2IGt2PIkJ3ojuC2ZGDcsrx4vshqHPS2WHIT229nCUFeUiZ44wOTnmMaqeEKDjrJoI/s320/IMG_3472.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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While we're on this side, why not throw up a panel? Also my first speaker finally found a home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMPVFXuTxRPt81Upg4M8J11uFmMsD8tmYVs1gScosrzFqaTuvZeeNxSkNy3WlkwyQ8Oxwd13ZY6MSxjr27ikaKvWxrcWtVA62X3eTJYPk40WYhJ-0gCh3ICFIV3e4XEIueWnI9r65Aac/s1600/IMG_3488.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMPVFXuTxRPt81Upg4M8J11uFmMsD8tmYVs1gScosrzFqaTuvZeeNxSkNy3WlkwyQ8Oxwd13ZY6MSxjr27ikaKvWxrcWtVA62X3eTJYPk40WYhJ-0gCh3ICFIV3e4XEIueWnI9r65Aac/s320/IMG_3488.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Battery tray done, its time to enclose those bad boys in what will become the base for the fridge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66Rkh7pUI7imBcwILCoE841I2kMajZbHWoMBH8FWFs5i0kNpr-AkRpmJ5Q5MKGR0mzEXoSCTeDLogs6oxSQa6DEF1pHyhIe-XkZ4Eeafw3ivX05fEnGPI1YGNnMYVQGu-LlvZXDG-Ga8/s1600/IMG_3490.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66Rkh7pUI7imBcwILCoE841I2kMajZbHWoMBH8FWFs5i0kNpr-AkRpmJ5Q5MKGR0mzEXoSCTeDLogs6oxSQa6DEF1pHyhIe-XkZ4Eeafw3ivX05fEnGPI1YGNnMYVQGu-LlvZXDG-Ga8/s320/IMG_3490.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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I partitioned off a section to use as the distribution center. Batteries release hydrogen during charging so best to put any potential sparks away from them. Also you want to have the solar controller mounted close to the batteries so this made a nice home for it as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVf3sy8y83oQ7-8gvCWPyVQIdzfEL-Ysgr4O_ceG6vA53cJzXqdBtdG6uh_WD5PiUe0W_TvSq7ywwD6aG2-1CfMSKbSebFM_K2mv8vW1LUejFr_8gKU9dj2CYwgzfEmag1B4_7XAIg6Bg/s1600/IMG_3494.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVf3sy8y83oQ7-8gvCWPyVQIdzfEL-Ysgr4O_ceG6vA53cJzXqdBtdG6uh_WD5PiUe0W_TvSq7ywwD6aG2-1CfMSKbSebFM_K2mv8vW1LUejFr_8gKU9dj2CYwgzfEmag1B4_7XAIg6Bg/s320/IMG_3494.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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The battery compartment got a floor vent. Not exactly ideal since hydrogen rises, but with the exhaust fan on the roof this should pull a pretty good draft. I added a bit of filter material to keep the bugs out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WXrLYkVJNCWX6f9HxMiVmLHTewF16K3m7QAOBBmZ5z2TUOjqKtDloPULrhZhi1blq0XbHMq9j4lA6X0rD_nOgp2s49amaskS0Q76JRTokac6Hx6MzPWTv7Bmy1mmg_HGSVZVlBCBi58/s1600/IMG_3507.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WXrLYkVJNCWX6f9HxMiVmLHTewF16K3m7QAOBBmZ5z2TUOjqKtDloPULrhZhi1blq0XbHMq9j4lA6X0rD_nOgp2s49amaskS0Q76JRTokac6Hx6MzPWTv7Bmy1mmg_HGSVZVlBCBi58/s320/IMG_3507.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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As long as I'm under the van, I might as well address the exhaust off the water heater. The stock pipe blew into the bumper so I trimmed it and added a downturn. Nice and stealthy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKeujUlju4kcDmgFy0eXkdyOMigAu4chyphenhyphenFN0ddRRvCy7EO74CcdxEwJmoTvmy_J_5E2dCOphH8vR742mfzQQ51xmNAi9jjUQWe-gQ2zgZufqjh-ZjvZrpLUhfC7VFOXqDTMONFbX9BEM/s1600/IMG_3510.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeKeujUlju4kcDmgFy0eXkdyOMigAu4chyphenhyphenFN0ddRRvCy7EO74CcdxEwJmoTvmy_J_5E2dCOphH8vR742mfzQQ51xmNAi9jjUQWe-gQ2zgZufqjh-ZjvZrpLUhfC7VFOXqDTMONFbX9BEM/s320/IMG_3510.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Fridge base is looking ready to have a fridge. I covered it thinking that some of it might be visible. Nope. Wasted that vinyl.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1fqeHi8WNYHJwFvB1CX432d_xVGsahmcwWhKWHtDShb8I0h1BlQ3qBC5FPzQRjedFYhqeJiOtjJjhaZbAdGuAMyxWuF9gK2Wd1x-ZN7xXjzNezRoNr63QND06AhRTIh6psb5_Z36KBY/s1600/IMG_3512.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj1fqeHi8WNYHJwFvB1CX432d_xVGsahmcwWhKWHtDShb8I0h1BlQ3qBC5FPzQRjedFYhqeJiOtjJjhaZbAdGuAMyxWuF9gK2Wd1x-ZN7xXjzNezRoNr63QND06AhRTIh6psb5_Z36KBY/s320/IMG_3512.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbuzZ3RGahwV3hbZnvTR8peIN4QDminMPIm3716VosOWiKTq9tMrHUPxeH4M0duW_JFGuEXqvllg6X71WgSroriQsKKKtlTxl3w_7xbmIgeE0CPxwedNKxpkkFX7MhbmZEWvyHr2pcJ8/s1600/IMG_3517.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbuzZ3RGahwV3hbZnvTR8peIN4QDminMPIm3716VosOWiKTq9tMrHUPxeH4M0duW_JFGuEXqvllg6X71WgSroriQsKKKtlTxl3w_7xbmIgeE0CPxwedNKxpkkFX7MhbmZEWvyHr2pcJ8/s320/IMG_3517.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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I built up around the fridge to add more insulation and keep it secure. It really doesn't need more insulation as its extremely efficient already but I figured it was a good use for my leftover thinsulate. The fridge is made by Engel and I'm honestly quite amazed by its performance. I did a bit of testing in my living room when it arrived. It pulls 4A when it kicks on but this slowly drops off the longer the compressor runs. Once it reached temperature it only kicked on every 11 minutes, giving me a total draw of 1.2A/hour. It was so little that I decided to only buy 2 batteries instead of 4. Granted my testing was done in a 72º room. Real world testing will ultimately decide if I need to add the additional batteries, but that's a huge savings of money and weight if I can run with half of what I planned. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLfZnV841-B976kErtlXmE1lC1dPvMNH2eepGn2UtAvPoFIOJ0QlDpAIoQ-SNu_-jfKVgNfr5IppnchS49FE7eA-phx9AFFEVJQ-zX1MwkDZIsv5VWfhtPp7MYL-DXaQMYej4fiCKAx4/s1600/IMG_3519.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSLfZnV841-B976kErtlXmE1lC1dPvMNH2eepGn2UtAvPoFIOJ0QlDpAIoQ-SNu_-jfKVgNfr5IppnchS49FE7eA-phx9AFFEVJQ-zX1MwkDZIsv5VWfhtPp7MYL-DXaQMYej4fiCKAx4/s320/IMG_3519.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEsJnfsOLZFiEh2S2O1enov0NIcGO4n-LiPB99OMfsgprziSpqLcgUX9PSGavD0U50AgPRjhL56cVYkMH63mjqoEDr_2ig3j9WwEWF8D5djeLsHSp1VznhyeZt4EsjGETRdSwhVjiHts/s1600/IMG_3523.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEsJnfsOLZFiEh2S2O1enov0NIcGO4n-LiPB99OMfsgprziSpqLcgUX9PSGavD0U50AgPRjhL56cVYkMH63mjqoEDr_2ig3j9WwEWF8D5djeLsHSp1VznhyeZt4EsjGETRdSwhVjiHts/s320/IMG_3523.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HOUwwjQ_47dAWjZB5e8UgmcgL46smSNLmnTEILk5ADkUXg_UWUVIOMUgELslt1v9PUh_4EiHHtVTkjwhKl2MIvYMP_tRNq4HxzZRy5DadVGBbe2FQDKkohAYw5ibMH4vnxjWeyIsaQE/s1600/IMG_3535.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6HOUwwjQ_47dAWjZB5e8UgmcgL46smSNLmnTEILk5ADkUXg_UWUVIOMUgELslt1v9PUh_4EiHHtVTkjwhKl2MIvYMP_tRNq4HxzZRy5DadVGBbe2FQDKkohAYw5ibMH4vnxjWeyIsaQE/s320/IMG_3535.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXQqYK4d4eyTN4NKz_bpH_LvUAoVZfIrNQR6X2aWKpoMc64ftUXjt9Ad7lUkG2hwl338t_Ms3oFb-vqXPrmFotAj9y7WnfmOidrh1UNjPivC5NChM3f7tfjAlvHcdTsAFFdGQI068RPo/s1600/IMG_3543.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXQqYK4d4eyTN4NKz_bpH_LvUAoVZfIrNQR6X2aWKpoMc64ftUXjt9Ad7lUkG2hwl338t_Ms3oFb-vqXPrmFotAj9y7WnfmOidrh1UNjPivC5NChM3f7tfjAlvHcdTsAFFdGQI068RPo/s320/IMG_3543.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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I also installed some of the DC outlets that I'm using. Each one has a 12v socket, a 1.1A USB, and a 2.1A USB. Another common power mistake that I see folks use is to rely too heavily on AC. You have a DC system, why are you trying to charge a DC item like a phone or laptop using AC? You waste about 40% more power every time you convert it. Even worse is to use one large inverter to carry all potential AC loads. An inverter is incredibly inefficient already, so if you have to use one, the best thing you can do is use the smallest one you can, even if this means multiples. A $25 inverter to run a small AC appliance will use less power than a large $600 inverter uses just sitting there turned on with no load on it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_oxFn2tD7soXIHXE2s6zhmX4_1xV5GNE46zg945uZjkcILZfK2SZsnyavQHsFqv2xVbPjrFZEK3dHDokiHnSsNtKkJs_l273RbtO8CQAkQGvl5FK_MNXRa50fl64Hfmz-GONkCyDxtU/s1600/IMG_3473.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_oxFn2tD7soXIHXE2s6zhmX4_1xV5GNE46zg945uZjkcILZfK2SZsnyavQHsFqv2xVbPjrFZEK3dHDokiHnSsNtKkJs_l273RbtO8CQAkQGvl5FK_MNXRa50fl64Hfmz-GONkCyDxtU/s320/IMG_3473.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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I'm estimating another 3 weeks or so until completion at this point, so sometime between Mother's Day and Memorial Day - just in time for summer.<br />
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<br />Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-72829276813817699602017-02-22T14:09:00.002-08:002017-03-22T02:39:30.413-07:00A New ProjectSo if anyone happened to notice I dumped this picture here last month as an unintentionally cryptic way to host a quick image for a forum I'm on. Based on that and the title one might gather that I've got something big I'm working on. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_6gWxvBbKWxU-KwXIzcgvjEZHN0Iy4TdeVIdlVF1KvZSI1dTSJWa8mqdKZ-G6t53Fds6Yy5YPBd-2iP4eJrIOCHcoS0iBYK9UC3JV2MOz0yEJs__3halIRVO-HXpn85b4FNCrJ6dQYs/s1600/Sprinter+Cabinet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_6gWxvBbKWxU-KwXIzcgvjEZHN0Iy4TdeVIdlVF1KvZSI1dTSJWa8mqdKZ-G6t53Fds6Yy5YPBd-2iP4eJrIOCHcoS0iBYK9UC3JV2MOz0yEJs__3halIRVO-HXpn85b4FNCrJ6dQYs/s320/Sprinter+Cabinet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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So a month later I've let my HOA peek their nosy eyes inside and feel I can finally start working on things. Here's the beast on the day I got it. It was located up in Oakland so I rode my BMW up and then drove back with the bike strapped in the back.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKYPoGdDR_SDbJgRnjA54KwJhL3AcNsIr6PGUAPYinXpvT6TQlTVZkwi5eavdIbASOgDTJmudncF2GSk70sVRCliEf_SiKRzl_Wez3Wn35CEJ-YzCMmfD9sCQw9M1UHPK5sFY0z-heLc/s1600/IMG_2820.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKYPoGdDR_SDbJgRnjA54KwJhL3AcNsIr6PGUAPYinXpvT6TQlTVZkwi5eavdIbASOgDTJmudncF2GSk70sVRCliEf_SiKRzl_Wez3Wn35CEJ-YzCMmfD9sCQw9M1UHPK5sFY0z-heLc/s320/IMG_2820.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLNDdUBJ7wXo2El_tJhOj7HuQrCMRTZ8j6aNHtRJKHCN0kAZflehKzvYjs14nzEiDYYYcvRCHNmwRiCyAcSpVkiTD6x_PQpBj3NfhBgU-_UbfmxODrSamvybzQSBjZA6k7_5-3AApVUk/s1600/IMG_2822.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLNDdUBJ7wXo2El_tJhOj7HuQrCMRTZ8j6aNHtRJKHCN0kAZflehKzvYjs14nzEiDYYYcvRCHNmwRiCyAcSpVkiTD6x_PQpBj3NfhBgU-_UbfmxODrSamvybzQSBjZA6k7_5-3AApVUk/s320/IMG_2822.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Its a 2014 Mercedes Sprinter Crew. The Crew trim comes with rear windows, a rear bench seat, and a headliner. I got it used for $36k after having sold my toyhauler and truck. Yes, its technically my daily driver. Realistically I ride my BMW more than I drive but as far as the HOA is concerned, this is my daily driver. So the plan then is to turn it into a camper, but since the HOA won't let me park an RV at my home, doing it in such a way as to be stealthy. Stealth campervan builds are nothing new, but most folks think of the exterior when they say stealth - the idea being that you can park somewhere to spend the night without trouble from the police. I want my van to be stealth even if somebody from the HOA manages to get a glance inside. But all of that extra effort will come later. For the early stages, a van build will generally follow the same progression. The one thing I will note is that since I work nights and obviously can't work on the van at my home, most of the pictures will be nighttime shots. I generally try to follow up later with a daytime pic when I remember to take one.<br />
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One of the first things I did was install a MaxxAir fan. There are really only two brand options for these types of forced ventilation fans with several levels of different features. For the type that I wanted, both brands essentially have all the same features for roughly the same price ranges with one exception: One has a rain sensor that will close the vent should the sky start to dump while the MaxxAir has a built in cover and therefore is designed to run even in the rain or while driving. I've seen how well rain sensors hold up, and who wants to deal with stagnant air just because its been raining for several days. MaxxAir won this decision easily. One unexpected benefit of doing the fan first was by cutting a 14" square hole in my roof, all subsequent holes became stress free.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2RNwgKYBk0Tv1UB5jZAmhop24-66Piq_XBhM2mZqDQADetbwrXxVlatmT3T3S2fjQ219n3cmdRBkEDDBj9ReN7RrpMNVuELCA8SYjpXSqceZG5low_deLjELIBEFmoJS-AkEj5Gk9yY/s1600/IMG_2949.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2RNwgKYBk0Tv1UB5jZAmhop24-66Piq_XBhM2mZqDQADetbwrXxVlatmT3T3S2fjQ219n3cmdRBkEDDBj9ReN7RrpMNVuELCA8SYjpXSqceZG5low_deLjELIBEFmoJS-AkEj5Gk9yY/s320/IMG_2949.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRTKPtkeeHWEukQSzJiG5Ok4EB-rYMVFcQjUA8JDzAYuANtFdx0K1BL5p3TMFiam3BAnz2QGklzEt6hQCDwrm-PSO-lAFl2A1SxRE6jfvhDhopjNZ7l3ByxQI-NrRndbO_5PFMT5IWc4/s1600/IMG_2950.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRTKPtkeeHWEukQSzJiG5Ok4EB-rYMVFcQjUA8JDzAYuANtFdx0K1BL5p3TMFiam3BAnz2QGklzEt6hQCDwrm-PSO-lAFl2A1SxRE6jfvhDhopjNZ7l3ByxQI-NrRndbO_5PFMT5IWc4/s320/IMG_2950.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNyAg9tILtHXdVHKM5BVrAHPgmpesAZ9Cn6Qhst0oPiSYYC-WfZnmLKwr6vhLZrMNGyf3jkB8uBJq25evdfUqhPJhd6TfYEZjKrkFYM9FoeqAgw62TZQFGwhiou6IxeJFS1VQpU-FHd0/s1600/IMG_2951.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNyAg9tILtHXdVHKM5BVrAHPgmpesAZ9Cn6Qhst0oPiSYYC-WfZnmLKwr6vhLZrMNGyf3jkB8uBJq25evdfUqhPJhd6TfYEZjKrkFYM9FoeqAgw62TZQFGwhiou6IxeJFS1VQpU-FHd0/s320/IMG_2951.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_itQ3ERQLJwG9zvUX0DYThmW6GtWoFC8AW04XfB5_YxT0NXy14Wuk_DLONtNL9-VVOnJh2vESWb4_x56TPu_h40eWWpVPGt8f6fecSF43xl_wMdQPesSwuQqcDj10UZWRv8EjV1Wma0/s1600/IMG_2952.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_itQ3ERQLJwG9zvUX0DYThmW6GtWoFC8AW04XfB5_YxT0NXy14Wuk_DLONtNL9-VVOnJh2vESWb4_x56TPu_h40eWWpVPGt8f6fecSF43xl_wMdQPesSwuQqcDj10UZWRv8EjV1Wma0/s320/IMG_2952.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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My first "injury" occurred around this time. I pulled the stock headliner down to add the roof rails and install the fan. Not sure how or why, but my hands had a bad reaction to the backside of the headliner. They were very painful and swollen, and eventually the skin peeled off. My hands were fairly useless for the better part of a week.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrue8ehyphenhyphenDrHjoYKS25xGzOUKBgkagvqfdTGvp3mOicM6bC9NgNd1SQfVjdICLKGeqqbAmhR6xMLfTugkXtPJ29s3x2-5we4d_Hje7AZP_g-1PBj_ZwdxvYXqJuq5UxWfBUVNBokydIl-w/s1600/IMG_2946.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrue8ehyphenhyphenDrHjoYKS25xGzOUKBgkagvqfdTGvp3mOicM6bC9NgNd1SQfVjdICLKGeqqbAmhR6xMLfTugkXtPJ29s3x2-5we4d_Hje7AZP_g-1PBj_ZwdxvYXqJuq5UxWfBUVNBokydIl-w/s320/IMG_2946.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Insulation will make or break an overnight experience. My naked van was hitting 95° inside after an hour of sitting in the SoCal winter sun. At night it was almost immediately ambient. Even while driving, with only the vents on the dash there was no way to effectively regulate the temperature inside. After much research, I opted on going with 3M Thinsulate throughout. At $650, its the most expensive option, but arguably the best. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjzTSD7OD9GAAjgWgV1vtFYap3WudyT7o6xua8BC_KGRkzMedbkzINur9nWdbWnlwOs6-hS0M3QfMAm_gDv1fZX6Thduvggc8FGL2Wn_E5IVv1y3hAAeedMs52A5EsXRXooqOR_RDWrU/s1600/IMG_2996.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjzTSD7OD9GAAjgWgV1vtFYap3WudyT7o6xua8BC_KGRkzMedbkzINur9nWdbWnlwOs6-hS0M3QfMAm_gDv1fZX6Thduvggc8FGL2Wn_E5IVv1y3hAAeedMs52A5EsXRXooqOR_RDWrU/s320/IMG_2996.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezlmPHUAENGTZMy4HO8StQg-B7jtQk7BYiMyvfoJa9ZFjgBKi7JNSMwKOEpHYAuYHWVLeYP2QaUTm3-U-vaKv3nfJCBtQtEK2WtyeYDRrE6T1DqQvMlHrmy2B3SOKlpmPRFJIk2FlUj4/s1600/IMG_3002.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezlmPHUAENGTZMy4HO8StQg-B7jtQk7BYiMyvfoJa9ZFjgBKi7JNSMwKOEpHYAuYHWVLeYP2QaUTm3-U-vaKv3nfJCBtQtEK2WtyeYDRrE6T1DqQvMlHrmy2B3SOKlpmPRFJIk2FlUj4/s320/IMG_3002.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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As I was finishing up the insulation, my roof rack was finally ready to be installed. I opted to go with a cookie-cutter variety since the $700 price was attractive, I wasn't sure where my vent and solar would end up when I ordered it, and honestly I just like the look of 3/4 coverage. I welded in a cross beam for the solar panels. Solar panels are a popular target for thieves so I used pop rivets and mounted them in such a way that a would-be thief would need a drill or a cutoff wheel to take them without damage. It was 10x more work for a bit of peace of mind.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAh0kTP6mvOSHXgsVDTPAygWozeI6ALj089H0Cq71T1WlN3iX6cpRKIQB7VACHbu9OxeS-ntjfDGF2KOLxZ4YExHfF1JpGaBG7Gw6DVme9JJVaJ6P-mT4qm5y4jspu8BNYhrHCZLdYVE/s1600/IMG_3029.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAh0kTP6mvOSHXgsVDTPAygWozeI6ALj089H0Cq71T1WlN3iX6cpRKIQB7VACHbu9OxeS-ntjfDGF2KOLxZ4YExHfF1JpGaBG7Gw6DVme9JJVaJ6P-mT4qm5y4jspu8BNYhrHCZLdYVE/s320/IMG_3029.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTxH6mltHzhPTUcK1MWaCcdZiHXWbkJ8DJ3kBZjF5gAkS3hlhXrJQSDX-g_VtfURvmL3zZjGEyRGdz5swJbhp5jkO-O5wosEIu3p9qtGcQw3MDZiQSHapHiNiNnQuh2FndHPsje8I1pk/s1600/IMG_3032.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTxH6mltHzhPTUcK1MWaCcdZiHXWbkJ8DJ3kBZjF5gAkS3hlhXrJQSDX-g_VtfURvmL3zZjGEyRGdz5swJbhp5jkO-O5wosEIu3p9qtGcQw3MDZiQSHapHiNiNnQuh2FndHPsje8I1pk/s320/IMG_3032.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLPvzxtja9KLECQElBVdu2awEKj2z-clA2gQSkIiGCzVmjdwhUjLuvyhcENF-1cNK6tWtOG19tX8Py-iJ2EdvoL_knvecZrEFrpietpKD7ITehnQ63Lc8IW425f28ViCkFHmgsdS1txs/s1600/IMG_3035.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLPvzxtja9KLECQElBVdu2awEKj2z-clA2gQSkIiGCzVmjdwhUjLuvyhcENF-1cNK6tWtOG19tX8Py-iJ2EdvoL_knvecZrEFrpietpKD7ITehnQ63Lc8IW425f28ViCkFHmgsdS1txs/s320/IMG_3035.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBylLU6iujTurbxBQjSHr7JQMeilvGFsuTXzR2y0LW6lMLQKhxlGDG0XZI7UkTwHw5-h2MAwTmCOiH1l2KhFDRO69S7-7S7_iLj_ncm8I4LgG1TdNlW-YPw1ialVTGdBY9wjvb003zNkQ/s1600/IMG_3041.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBylLU6iujTurbxBQjSHr7JQMeilvGFsuTXzR2y0LW6lMLQKhxlGDG0XZI7UkTwHw5-h2MAwTmCOiH1l2KhFDRO69S7-7S7_iLj_ncm8I4LgG1TdNlW-YPw1ialVTGdBY9wjvb003zNkQ/s320/IMG_3041.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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I made all the modifications for the panels but took them off to avoid the added weight and fragility while installing the rack. Once the rack was up I mounted the solar panels the following day. I generally won't name brands unless one particularly impresses me and Renogy panels have done that in previous projects. Their performance in less-than-ideal conditions is quite something and yet they're one of the cheaper panels on the market. One night on the boat I was looking at the first planets starting to become visible while still making 0.3A with 2x50w Renogy panels. I had a single 100w panel on my toyhauler as well and I consistently found that if there was enough light to see words on a page, I was making power. In direct sun, a 100w Renogy panel will top out at about 5.8 amps. On an overcast day? About 4 amps. On a dark and stormy day or while parked in the shade? About 3 amps. Most campervan conversions seem to be running around 3-400w and around 400Ah worth of battery storage. But I've found that most solar installations are piss-poor at best, and much of the potential energy is lost due to some simple design errors. Based on previous RV experience and the low light performance of these panels, I suspect I should be able to get by with 200w of solar and 210Ah of batteries. I can always add more. I tried to mount them so that they weren't terribly obvious from the ground.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79unO42_BbCJxDpJHOnjLkbS4jf0IvuyRViI1GWZFophx2KMpZXd1QKGvTUohKzrCAb8DKWh2oF3TKt3TycrVwbwfAYh-5rFp-Wms97YcgYkCbh7UxSUFOhPAc_aroMxUocMIdcndTDQ/s1600/IMG_3053.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh79unO42_BbCJxDpJHOnjLkbS4jf0IvuyRViI1GWZFophx2KMpZXd1QKGvTUohKzrCAb8DKWh2oF3TKt3TycrVwbwfAYh-5rFp-Wms97YcgYkCbh7UxSUFOhPAc_aroMxUocMIdcndTDQ/s320/IMG_3053.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Notice that the panels cannot be blocked by shadows of any antennas or other roof denizens. Because of the way panels work, even a slight shadowing from an antenna can easily reduce your panel output by 25% or more. I'll touch up on this more and how to maximize your electrical efficiency as I get further along in the build.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsYvMn6wu0E5Or3cKka08zpPJG_gJbuTgVsK6veo3q1mhqoV_Qcczm2nF2HJDyFhWL2GrfqbNrFcfjkqpuMfNyAs6a0V8Qm8AKn9X1UYJ_2N8dvAnyp3MDmfeyrAvyqYyYBAvBIYwEwI/s1600/IMG_3048.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsYvMn6wu0E5Or3cKka08zpPJG_gJbuTgVsK6veo3q1mhqoV_Qcczm2nF2HJDyFhWL2GrfqbNrFcfjkqpuMfNyAs6a0V8Qm8AKn9X1UYJ_2N8dvAnyp3MDmfeyrAvyqYyYBAvBIYwEwI/s320/IMG_3048.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRNdorRDMJ_J2gCeBvOI9jDCRURInjU1i7Q78mYnxixPYRSw6GtrIpqt1hyphenhyphenUuGpyGaxV_tena9WmVl1nTUG16fiN1kP2CS4zhb5cU2n8Is08sc0wi1HM4ybfbwY30JbH9qtcx6Mor33M/s1600/IMG_3090.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuRNdorRDMJ_J2gCeBvOI9jDCRURInjU1i7Q78mYnxixPYRSw6GtrIpqt1hyphenhyphenUuGpyGaxV_tena9WmVl1nTUG16fiN1kP2CS4zhb5cU2n8Is08sc0wi1HM4ybfbwY30JbH9qtcx6Mor33M/s320/IMG_3090.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Mercedes makes a 4x4 version of this van but at $6,800 option on a new one, and much more than that in the used market due to rarity, I really couldn't justify the cost. I mean, its still unibody. Any decent 4wd terrain and you're going to start popping welds so really the 4wd would only be good for mild sand or snow. Nice? Sure. Worth the staggering price difference? Well, maybe if I get stuck. Despite this, or perhaps because of this, I wanted some decent lighting in case I need to pick my way through some dicey terrain. Up front I added a 42" LED light bar.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXE8uOoPAQI35U5JyfJ8ipug3-daxgUgrokLnRTBp6LyP37oqxLtzb5w213eDzpReHhOF_HizpZNSBbGZkI7oEFf1MUOtHgPrVVGjqY4K_8vnp-E8cRRgsQS2NhuWVkVTNb_To8tKZxZM/s1600/IMG_3129.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXE8uOoPAQI35U5JyfJ8ipug3-daxgUgrokLnRTBp6LyP37oqxLtzb5w213eDzpReHhOF_HizpZNSBbGZkI7oEFf1MUOtHgPrVVGjqY4K_8vnp-E8cRRgsQS2NhuWVkVTNb_To8tKZxZM/s320/IMG_3129.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG89el0jsB7dmmLQ1fVz6dw24m-7-GnnCZriHzyAE11iwQQoFvohl6o-DgFqbV_e_5jbYeGXvpuYDvDeUEF3T-Qyg2RBduWjBET_HlHvE_LChZD25NQk7GTXlBt2PZ52un2-EArbGW2ZM/s1600/IMG_3144.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG89el0jsB7dmmLQ1fVz6dw24m-7-GnnCZriHzyAE11iwQQoFvohl6o-DgFqbV_e_5jbYeGXvpuYDvDeUEF3T-Qyg2RBduWjBET_HlHvE_LChZD25NQk7GTXlBt2PZ52un2-EArbGW2ZM/s320/IMG_3144.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Meanwhile back inside, the insulation was up and I ran all of the electrical. Its not super obvious in the picture since everything was tucked up out of the way using those sticky back zip tie mounts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj978JIhsQIEONAN3m5JylQqlPXDMdeyKmxymxcTtuMcGmyMp8OehoSx36X4GYi7Bi5bqMJ83ER85PORpn8lyCDfJCbygWPM9xNjNCYS2QYKoaxN8sX-RnwcgQFFA4Nl7fKTUE_Om6xbNQ/s1600/IMG_3102.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj978JIhsQIEONAN3m5JylQqlPXDMdeyKmxymxcTtuMcGmyMp8OehoSx36X4GYi7Bi5bqMJ83ER85PORpn8lyCDfJCbygWPM9xNjNCYS2QYKoaxN8sX-RnwcgQFFA4Nl7fKTUE_Om6xbNQ/s320/IMG_3102.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJOYY0ZdLmRzJBfoI7kya8ySBfFCdn7vjMx3QI-ueYLFLpU3ynbg0Oa7BFKVZTdTD8IGiMJhp5xFR_AEUBEMppjj2pGsc730KfzBLKQnQvNQx_3HlytlcrznOMDcqWS0oXCaSVSsBPbk/s1600/IMG_3099.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJOYY0ZdLmRzJBfoI7kya8ySBfFCdn7vjMx3QI-ueYLFLpU3ynbg0Oa7BFKVZTdTD8IGiMJhp5xFR_AEUBEMppjj2pGsc730KfzBLKQnQvNQx_3HlytlcrznOMDcqWS0oXCaSVSsBPbk/s320/IMG_3099.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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I added swivel adapters to the front seats thus allowing them to rotate and face the rear. I also tied the vehicle alternator into the house battery bank via an isolator. If you aren't familiar, an isolator is simply a high amp relay that you tie in to a circuit that is only on when the ignition is on. What's a relay? Its a switch. So instead of a switch on the wall that you have to remember to turn on and off (which I'll also have), a relay flips the switch anytime 12v is applied to one side of it, in this case whenever the key is on. The load is small enough that you can easily tie it in to any circuit that isn't terribly sensitive, like the stock radio. Therefore when the key is on, all of your batteries are charging together. When the key is off, you cannot drain your starting battery as it is electrically isolated from the house bank. All of my camper electrical loads will only go to my house batteries and the only tie the house batteries have to the starting battery is via the isolator located under the driver's seat. With a bit of jiggery-pokery, this essentially gives me two separate but equally usable battery sets. I can't run down the starting battery no matter what I do in the back, and if/when my starting battery starts to take a dive, I can give it a boost from the house batteries, at least enough to start the engine and go get a replacement.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Gkk2kaW2OwCNZXLwviDOqQkstNqd3LsH1WxAS3AZ94rmPWL0tZHy1MFZ6adwe6l3ptcA13rqghOd_4m62bXrUkTDJ1RX2A_wnFV5r4F7K508Zii_vrgDkncDRfPIZp1aLDqGJmAmx4o/s1600/IMG_3094.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Gkk2kaW2OwCNZXLwviDOqQkstNqd3LsH1WxAS3AZ94rmPWL0tZHy1MFZ6adwe6l3ptcA13rqghOd_4m62bXrUkTDJ1RX2A_wnFV5r4F7K508Zii_vrgDkncDRfPIZp1aLDqGJmAmx4o/s320/IMG_3094.jpg" width="180" /></a><br />
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The following day 1/3 of my wiring fell down, thus making it much more obvious in photos. By the day after, about an hour's worth of measuring for the ceiling lights was lost when the rest of the wiring fell to the floor. Oh well. But I did get some wood for paneling the interior.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-JY9swP3Vs9Ly5Tlmi4jwmD2eFKo6ojP-qydKrZuZ9T0hRnhbURtRcgrhP0uYVNZnMe2-p4T2kghs2N38jONyyLhanXA_3l8KlWwk43XAAzRsqdYBlg6TKqdbCNgCA4pFtRSp3fiSqw/s1600/IMG_3101.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-JY9swP3Vs9Ly5Tlmi4jwmD2eFKo6ojP-qydKrZuZ9T0hRnhbURtRcgrhP0uYVNZnMe2-p4T2kghs2N38jONyyLhanXA_3l8KlWwk43XAAzRsqdYBlg6TKqdbCNgCA4pFtRSp3fiSqw/s320/IMG_3101.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Rather than use the stock headliner which is kinda ugly, wastes quite a bit of space, and gives me a gnarly rash, I paneled the interior using 1/8" ply on the roof. The walls will likely get 1/4". Its not a huge gain over the stock headliner, but in a space this small, an inch can make all the difference. It seems like 90% of campervan conversions on YouTube are finished wood. As nice as it looks, it really made me want to go a different route. Therefore all of it will be covered so precise cuts aren't needed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6qyUloqG744tAEOC5WEar4iAMM8WaV26Ofx2VQyt395q1eG-9kem1hGAvHz-Ghn0e8PUySDQ1zWLH0BCkAIIFQOLlDD3tRnKVZPub6dg0iUfhNG4bSGX2C9IPUgxw4_IyLWsurdcE7Q/s1600/IMG_3143.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6qyUloqG744tAEOC5WEar4iAMM8WaV26Ofx2VQyt395q1eG-9kem1hGAvHz-Ghn0e8PUySDQ1zWLH0BCkAIIFQOLlDD3tRnKVZPub6dg0iUfhNG4bSGX2C9IPUgxw4_IyLWsurdcE7Q/s320/IMG_3143.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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The stock dome light just stuck into a recess in the headliner so I replaced it with a couple LED strips. Its a bit 'Death Star' but out of direct view so minimal glare. Red light doesn't ruin your night vision so its useful for my astrophotography hobby. I'll have warm white LED's for the living space but I'll also have red lights throughout the van on a separate circuit for those times that I need to keep my night vision or not piss off a bunch of grumpy astronomers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_NoYDut5KnAgxJjE5cHMzq8e7CJySic4aYgkaIFXyEIkFpssQtUrfaRvtLq-b751JgoL1KvvBcdnZWcNJQVLO3xEeGiPO2MF8WtvrM1L5NO4YAQybKgUIuYDCAFhf9aT8pNGqCiBjTc/s1600/IMG_3138.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_NoYDut5KnAgxJjE5cHMzq8e7CJySic4aYgkaIFXyEIkFpssQtUrfaRvtLq-b751JgoL1KvvBcdnZWcNJQVLO3xEeGiPO2MF8WtvrM1L5NO4YAQybKgUIuYDCAFhf9aT8pNGqCiBjTc/s320/IMG_3138.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Thankfully its not too ridiculous from the outside.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyTFoJxZ9FYtHkNC1X-htqFRRNUEhp6M6EFaG4D0v1vMRJR7u3fA1SuoJBmOaNHQMolyNDsBoPjoni8nkAJPHXBlff4Ck3S0wwRCAZNm7cTsAT7CKWty7CG3WTyWhykV_m5_UcYl7-zo/s1600/IMG_3139.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyTFoJxZ9FYtHkNC1X-htqFRRNUEhp6M6EFaG4D0v1vMRJR7u3fA1SuoJBmOaNHQMolyNDsBoPjoni8nkAJPHXBlff4Ck3S0wwRCAZNm7cTsAT7CKWty7CG3WTyWhykV_m5_UcYl7-zo/s320/IMG_3139.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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This was my first time doing any sort of upholstery so I started covering the least visible and potentially most challenging area above the driver and passenger seats first. This area will be storage and potentially a bed for the kid for the next year or so. Either way it will be largely out of sight. It went okay but I definitely learned quite a few lessons and hope the rest goes better. I'm using speaker carpet for the ceiling and although I'd like to use it for the walls as well, I have two labs that would quickly coat the walls in hair.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcG_eSID4TEaXI0-qciO79v4Qkcq8M3AQskviqb5i-NZqrys_PrWudNEEZ1nwEapN7obbmAUXm2BRMIWoRjQBgoSQGB2f6yGfWdzDDPDQpPSRmcIa3C-u3gw1u_B16pb86Cec236JMFs/s1600/IMG_3146.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcG_eSID4TEaXI0-qciO79v4Qkcq8M3AQskviqb5i-NZqrys_PrWudNEEZ1nwEapN7obbmAUXm2BRMIWoRjQBgoSQGB2f6yGfWdzDDPDQpPSRmcIa3C-u3gw1u_B16pb86Cec236JMFs/s320/IMG_3146.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<br />Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-49802293929780055412016-09-28T16:51:00.003-07:002016-09-28T16:52:42.959-07:00A few passes with a can of spraypaint Measuring and maths! I've been reading a lot the past few days learning sidecar mechanics so I can hopefully get this thing bolted up safely. The GS is going to be a bit of a pain since it lacks a lower frame. So today I wheeled everything out and placed it close to where the math says it needs to be. I took a few pictures since everyone that's seen the last one has commented negatively about that horrible shark graphic. Yes, its gone. Back in the garage I started cutting tubing for the subframe.<br />
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<br />Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-41175476241480555282016-09-26T21:23:00.000-07:002016-09-26T21:23:06.679-07:00Not Dead, New Project Well I'm still alive and still riding. I just haven't felt like posting recently because its mostly just been solo trips. I go. I see. I go home. Mostly I don't even bring the camera.<br />
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A few years ago I decided that it would be really neat to have a sidecar. It would be nice to have the option of taking the family around with me and let's face it, they just look cool! So today I picked up a used Dnepr sidecar. Its ugly as hell but that's easy enough to fix. We'll see how this goes...<br />
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<br />Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-56920200015174763882014-12-15T23:25:00.002-08:002015-03-07T06:29:50.122-08:00I ConcedeAdventure bikes. Ok, they have their merits...<br />
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So maybe my Moab trip made me realize that trucking a pure dirtbike a couple thousand miles just to ride trails a sportbike could do wasn't the most fun option. Sure I did hard stuff in Moab, but I had the most fun on the easy trails. So queue the BMW (and excuse my recent discovery/interest in HDR photography):<br />
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She's a bit rough around the edges but solid where it counts. Here's the specs:<br />
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2009 BMW F800GS<br />
35k miles<br />
Mirage 2 Fairing <br />
Caribou Panniers<br />
Rekluse Clutch <br />
Few other bits of kit...<br />
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Stay tuned...<br />
Death Valley? Soon.<br />
Baja? A bit later...<br />
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Added a few bits:<br />
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<br />Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-77381685068145291522014-11-02T09:12:00.003-08:002014-11-02T09:12:50.731-08:00Dash Around the Base<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eUwbWS0LZW-QvGQlwO0Vn9p69kr5iVbNzZeh6Ah6apZRLdeqIeaxwnEtY_m4B5ePbf2AFwxmX07ZOTqS86000XxggtBBEVCZQoJER6AY5WetHuLma8HlG2rcwsfgDAent6UVbV742Ns/s1600/IMG_4936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-76632161865596209782014-04-09T13:40:00.001-07:002014-04-09T13:44:43.039-07:00Ever Heard of a CEO Doing This?How's this for amazing customer service?<br />
<br />
I just ordered a Kuberg
Cross a few weeks ago for the wife to ride around on. Took a few weeks
to make it over on the boat and clear customs (most of these bikes are
sold before they even make it on the boat). Anyway it arrived so I assembled, charged, and did a quick test with it on the stand to see that the tire spun when throttle was applied. I loaded it up and we
went on a 4 day trip to the desert. 2 minutes into her 1st ride on it
my wife says its acting funny and keeps limiting her speed to about 5mph.
I check it out and reset the speed to the maximum and she gets back
on. Few minutes later she comes pushing it back to camp. Won't run and
some brief diagnostics tell me its either a faulty throttle or bad
speed controller - neither of which I can do anything about out there. So we park it the rest of the trip.<br />
<br />
I
went ahead and shot off an email to Kelly Knipe, the US distributor
explaining the problem. He replies back within the hour and says that I
may have gotten one of the old relays by mistake and he's sending me the upgraded one today. We got home a few days later
and the new relay still wouldn't work. I had a few emails with Kelly and we
confirmed that it was the speed controller. He told me he was working
with Kuberg in Czech to figure out the fastest way to get me a
replacement. A few days later I got an email asking if I could meet him
at a local hotel that weekend to swap controllers - apparently they have had a few
controllers over the last several months that went dead and wanted to
get some back to the shop for examination. <br />
<br />
A few days later I met with Kelly and surprise, surprise: <span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">CEO Michal Kubanek</span></span>. Apparently he'd decided it would be easiest to just fly over to California with
replacements and swap them out there. So for the next 30 minutes Kelly
and Michal pulled the entire electrical assembly out of my wife's bike
and replaced it with a new one. Despite knowing it was a faulty speed
controller causing the issue, they wanted to ensure there wasn't a
contributing factor from some other part of the system - plus have the
full assembly for testing back at the shop. Apparently at least one
other customer in the area was getting a new electrical system as well
so that explained the trip.<br />
<br />
Anyway just wanted to post because I've never seen customer service like this. Bike is working great and is a whole heap of fun!<br />
<br />
Apologies for the awful and backlit cell phone pic (especially to Michal and Kelly).<br />
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<br />Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-38003917063888868742014-03-16T13:19:00.002-07:002014-11-23T20:49:43.912-08:00Kuberg LiPo Install - The Easiest Mod Ever Done Sorta stuck on kid's bikes at the moment. Apologies. As I mentioned in my review of the Start, I was going to swap the stock lead acid batteries for LiPo's. Did it, and spent a whopping 30 minutes doing the conversion.<br />
<br />
I got the idea from the Oset owners over on TrialsCentral so I owe them all the trial and error. I ordered two 5000mAh batteries for about 20% more range than the stock ones. My Start had 8Ah SLA batteries even though the Kuberg website says that the Start comes with 9Ah. Oh well no matter. Anyway the Kuberg already uses XT-60 connectors so all I had to do was solder XT-60's to the batteries toss them into some LiPo charge bags and drop em in.<br />
<br />
LiPo's are a bit more maintenance than SLA's and require special chargers so don't undertake this if lack of maintenance is your favorite aspect about an e-bike. They don't last as many years, require special chargers, and they can catch fire if used improperly - mostly just during charging but it is possible to start a fire if the battery is shorted or damaged. I spent just under $200 including chargers and a power supply to run them and ordered everything from Hobby King.<br />
<br />
You'll need:<br />
Tool kit that came with the Start <br />
2x XT-60 female leads<br />
XT-60 Parallel connector <br />
2x Zippy 5000mAh 6S LiPo batteries<br />
2x LiPo safe small charging bags<br />
2x battery monitors (optional, but a good idea to prevent excessive discharging of the batteries)<br />
2x XK balancing lead extensions for monitors <br />
Misc solder and heat shrink supplies<br />
<br />
Remove the seat and plastics and the upper bolt to the rear shock. Prop the bike up on a stand and let the swingarm drop to the floor. Disconnect the battery leads, release the battery strap, and slide the batteries out the back where the shock used to be. Pop the new batteries in their bags and slide them in. Use the battery strap to hold them in place. Plug the batteries into the parallel connector. Plug the speed controller into the parallel connector. Connect the battery monitors to the balancing leads (if you bought monitors). Bolt everything back up.<br />
<br />
For now I just shoved the monitors in the back next to the bags. I'll mount them more permanently if needed but they're rather handy there - just a bit ugly with all the wires from the balancing leads exposed.<br />
<br />
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<br />
With a slightly higher voltage the bike is a tiny bit quicker, although with my kid still on speed setting 2 its maybe 1/3 mph so hardly noticeable. With the larger 5000mAh batteries I gained 20% more range, but didn't save as much weight as I could have - only 7.7 lbs including wiring, bags, and monitors. But still, that's a nearly 18% reduction in weight over stock. That would be the same as shaving 45.5 lbs off my KTM for $200 so that's extremely significant! Aside from that the bike performs the same as before so nothing really to report.<br />
<br />
I bought 2 chargers and a power supply big enough to run both so that I could charge both packs simultaneously. Charge time is about an hour although I could have reduced this to 30 minutes if I'd opted for a larger power supply.<br />
<br />
<br />Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-18973716840001366932014-03-12T03:50:00.000-07:002014-03-16T12:47:21.072-07:00Teaching Your Kid How To Ride A Motorcycle Following in the tire track left from my review of the Kuberg Start, I started to think that maybe some folks might stumble onto here searching for information after having their kid tell them that he wants to ride motocross. I say 'he', but girls are just as capable at riding so don't feel like you should have bought more dolls when your daughter expresses an interest. Now I only have one kid and he's 3, so some of this is geared toward a really young rider, but a lot will apply to any age child. So here's a few tips that I've learned so far:<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<b>How old can my kid start riding motorcycles?</b> It depends on the kid to be honest. Mine is intrigued by all things with wheels so we got him a Strider balance bike when he turned 2. A balance bike is one of those things that you say, "now why didn't I think of that?" Its really nothing more than a stripped down bike - no brakes, no pedals. Just 2 wheels, a seat, and a handlebar. I'll admit I thought the whole idea was a bit gimmicky but when we saw a display at a motorcycle show, my son jumped out of my arms and onto a...you guessed it - PINK Strider! They had a little obstacle course set up and he spent the next 30 minutes navigating the ramps and turns. He was pretty clumsy and we had to help him a lot, but I could see this was something he enjoyed. We bought one and took it around the neighborhood on our daily walks. Within a few months of owning a balance bike he was already coasting down hills with his feet up. We graduated to the dirt hills around our house and he would bomb down stuff with an ear to ear grin while dad was chasing behind with a nervous grimace. So in answer to the question, if your kid is pretty comfortable on a bike and is big enough to reach the controls, give it a shot! Worst case it sits in the garage for a few months until he feels ready to try it. Your kid will want to ride it if both you and the bike don't scare him, so therefore a few general rules apply: <br />
<br />
1) Keep it light - a heavier bike is harder to control so they'll fall more and its harder to pick back up. <br />
2) They will be more confident if they can touch the ground with both feet.<br />
3) Give them a positive reason to ride. Don't say "if you don't ride it we're going to sell it". Instead try "Lets go for a ride. I'll take my bike, you take your motorcycle and lets see how it runs". Figure out what works with your kid and go from there. With mine its usually "lets go ride your momo and find some sweet jumps!" -Mind you my kid has never had even one wheel off the ground but he still calls it jumping, and therefore so do I.<br />
<br />
Which brings me to the most important part of this post. If you take nothing else away from this read, remember this:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>KEEP IT FUN!</b></span><br />
<br />
I've been riding moto's for 23 years, and of course I've been picturing myself exploring the trails with my child since before he was born. Its tempting to try to "train" them how to ride so you can get to the good stuff. Don't! Remember that you started riding because it was fun. If you take that aspect away, your kid isn't going to want to ride anymore.<br />
<br />
So how do you keep it fun but teach him at the same time? I try to let him go at his own pace. Error on the side of expecting less from your kid and it will be more fun for everyone. We don't go out to practice. Instead we ride his momo (as he calls it) to the local park. I bring toys in a backpack so when we get to the park he plays on the swings and throws Hot Wheels down the slides. There's a big dirt lot on the way so we ride across that as part of our trip to the park. Sometimes he wants to go explore the dirt hills and other times he just wants to ride to the park - with maybe a few doughnuts on the way. I let him pick the path and I'll just ask things along the way: "Do you wanna go down the hills?" "Want to go off that jump?" I bought a cheap BMX bike so I can ride along with him and lead by example. This has been by far the best method in getting him to try new things. When I say "Watch daddy!" I know he's gonna be right on my tail. When we go out to the desert we follow the same routine. His bike is there when he wants to ride it and we let him explore on it - with me or mom following. When he wants to play in the dirt with his cars, that's fine too. <br />
<br />
This brings up one of the best reasons to get an electric motorcycle: Ride time. Nothing is going to make your child improve their confidence and abilities on a motorcycle more than riding a motorcycle. My son is a pretty good rider because he rides nearly every day - and this is in a highly developed urban area! He's not even allowed to drive a Power Wheels car around our neighborhood, but nobody complains about his Kuberg. He gets as much time riding in 2 weeks as most desert family kids in Southern California get in a year. Even if your kid has a 50 that he rides in the desert, I'd highly encourage parents to get an e-bike for around home.<br />
<br />
<b>Keeping them safe:</b> Gear is readily available for ages 5+, but not-so-much for a barely 3 year old. Most online guides will tell you to make sure a helmet is DOT and SNELL approved - I actually think that weight is a more important factor. I've seen plenty of kids that ride their motorcycle whichever way their helmet is leaning - I'm not sure why their parents can't see it. You're better off putting your kid in a good bicycle helmet than a heavy MX helmet. They'll crash less and have more fun. We found an off-brand helmet (THH) on Amazon that's pretty light and its full-faced. Even better, it is DOT approved. Boots and gloves are the next big thing you want. Fox makes a pee-wee line of gear, which includes boots for kids size 10 and up, but they discontinued their gloves. We bought XX-Small youth gloves and he MIGHT be able to wear them in another year. If he grows a lot. I mean a lot! I'm still on the hunt for some tiny gloves so if anyone has a suggestion let me know and I'll add it.<br />
<br />
<b>The extra stuff:</b> Just like everything else you do with your kid, there's more stuff to bring. At 3, mine doesn't venture far from home or camp, but I still bring a few supplies. Snacks, some water, and maybe a juice box can make the difference between riding back and carrying a kid while pushing a motorcycle back to camp. Also, a couple cars and a plastic shovel can add some extra fun to a ride. Remember us adults usually ride to a destination. We might ride 50 miles to get to a burned out house just so we have a destination. Your kid is wired the same way. You'd be surprised at how much more your kid will ask to ride when he gets to build a mound of sand 150' from camp and call it a "jump". Better yet, get him to help you build a race track in camp and watch him wear the knobs off. Make it just large enough that you can try it too and he'll be beaming as he goes around "just like daddy!"<br />
<br />
<b>Which brings me to my last bit of advice: Encouragement.</b> You're going to hear "Dad watch this!" about 54 million times over the next few years. Watch. Every. Time. And don't follow it up with a canned "good job buddy". Pull one from Crush and get into it: "DUDE YOU TOTALLY ROCKED THAT!!" And pay attention to him while he's riding - 2 reasons for this. Motorcycles have moving (and hot) parts that can actually injure your kid so you need to actually be a parent when he's on it. And then when he rides down a 6" tall hill and looks at you grinning, take a knee and give him 5 - congratulations you just made that kid's day.Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-37216226018023763802014-03-02T12:16:00.001-08:002014-03-08T08:30:52.025-08:00Kuberg Start Review<b>Cost: About $1,100 USD</b><br />
<b>Weight: 45lbs/20.5Kg</b><br />
<b>Seat Height: 16" (40cm)</b><br />
<b>Age Range: 3-5, but bike is rated to handle up to 220lb riders</b><br />
<b>Where to buy? </b><a href="http://www.kuberg.com/p-2-start.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.kuberg.com/p-2-start.aspx</a><br />
<br />
Been sorta meaning to do this for awhile but just haven't gotten around
to it. I bought my 2 year, 10 months kid a Kuberg Start this past 2013
Xmas and think I've had enough time playing with it to give a summary.
He just turned 3 and is riding it nearly everyday.<br />
<br />
<b>About the Start:</b> Kuberg suggests this bike for riders aged 3-5 but I can
see where slightly older or slightly younger would be fine - really
just depends on your kid and you know them better than I do. Mine is a
little bruiser and has been bombing big dirt hills on his Strider for
months now - without brakes! His mom is forbidden to come with us on
these rides. I wouldn't have hesitated getting him the Start a bit
earlier but Christmas is a good excuse to drop $1200 on your kid. A lot
right? Well a new gas powered 50 is about the same price, but there's a
huge market of used gas 50's will run you around $600, and you can sell
it when he's outgrown it for probably about the same. These electrics
are in short supply in the used market, and from what I've seen are
usually only about $200 cheaper than new. So most likely its a small
investment to get your 3 year old on a bike 2 years earlier than the
other kids. Even if you plan to go with a 2x heavier gas bike, the
lowest seat height I found was 19.1" on the PW50, so you're looking at
age 4 or 5 being the youngest you can start your rider on a gas bike.
Plus unless you live out in the sticks, your kid is gonna get a ton of
seat time on an electric bike. Garage? Backyard? No problem. Living
room? Eh maybe when mom is at the store...<br />
<br />
<b>1st question: Oset or Kuberg?</b> I did a lot of research beforehand, and
while the Oset is vastly more popular (indeed I was 100% sold on getting
one), once I'd seen both bikes in person the choice was obviously
Kuberg. The construction is of considerably higher quality and the cost
is only $50 more. Don't get me wrong, the Oset is a nice bike and its
good for the industry to have brands competing. I just personally felt
that the Kuberg was a nicer bike for the money. For the smallest bikes, both brands are trials bikes - which is great since this gives them a much lower seat height than their gas cousins. For the rest of the product line, Oset has stuck with trials while Kuberg has gone a slightly more motocross route, although currently Kuberg and not Oset has an adult sized trials bike coming to market. Confused? Just look at the product line of each bike and you'll understand what I mean. <br />
<br />
Kuberg customer service
is amazing. I've heard that Oset shares this trait so with either bike,
rest assured that any issues or questions you have will be dealt with
usually the same day.<br />
<br />
<b>Packaging:</b> Although well packaged, mine still came damaged. The box
appeared to have been dropped repeatedly on the front forks. They were
rolled over/rotated, but I was able to [mostly] straighten them. They
don't travel very well but my kid is still too light to really make them
travel so its not a huge concern just yet. Good thing too, as UPS is
still figuring out how to handle my claim. The front wheel and front
fender which aren't attached to the bike during shipping were also
damaged but I was able to true them up to useable condition.<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1841_zps21da3d8b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1841_zps21da3d8b.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>Assembly:</b> Handlebars and front wheel/fender pretty much sum up the
assembly. I think I spent about 7 minutes once I'd gotten all the parts
unbent. Assembling Ikea furniture is harder than getting one of these
bikes assembled.<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_2870_zps6add2e06.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_2870_zps6add2e06.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>Manual:</b> Very good IMO. Instructions are very clear and cover basic
maintenance and upkeep as well as tips for teaching a 1st time rider.<br />
<br />
<b>Mods:</b> Despite having ridden a Strider since he turned 2, my kid was
pretty nervous about the Start at first. He'd putt around but didn't
like that he couldn't touch very well and the throttle/braking was
rather lost on him. On the lowest speed setting balance is a serious
issue since top speed is only about 2-2.5 mph on flat pavement. On
hills/dirt/grass setting #1 is useless. The bike just sits there and
hums. Setting #2 is great for hills/dirt/grass but is about 6-7 mph on
flat pavement. <br />
<br />
The speed selector button requires a 2 hand process. Its unlikely the
little ones will be able to figure it out if you keep it subtle. Mine is
a little problem solver and presses the button all the time trying to
make it faster but doesn't realize it must be done in conjunction with
the handlebar switch. The bike will remember the last setting used so
you really won't have to mess with it. We did since we had to stick with
#1 for pavement, then bump it up to #2 once we got on grass at the
local park. Kuberg lists the top speed of the Start as 15mph/24Km/h. I
stuck my 100 lb wife on it to test that on speed #5 and would say that's
about accurate. Sustained use at max speed, you can expect about 1 hour
of battery life for a child rider, less if your wife refuses to get
off. At setting #2 (about 6-7 mph on flat concrete), we ride about 0.5
miles to a park, tear up all over the soccer field and some small grass
hills for about an hour, and 0.5 miles home. The battery is usually
around 60% full after that and is recharged in about an hour.<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1976_zpsb90cb18e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1976_zpsb90cb18e.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Anyway my solution was to make some training wheels until he got used to
the power and controls. He's ready to remove them by now, so we're
having chats about it every time we go ride. He gets his stubbornness
from his mother.<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1969_zpsaa794140.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1969_zpsaa794140.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
He also thinks its funny to try and ditch us. He'll take off on his
strider and try to find a way to lose you. Obviously then, we got a
remote cutoff switch for his Kuberg from <a href="http://www.3built.com/" target="_blank">http://www.3built.com</a>.
I went with the universal one that comes with a 4AA battery pack but it
looks as though they have one that will run on a 24v system now.<br />
<br />
That's the cutoff mounted to the front of the upper battery (right side
of pic), and the battery pack mounted to the rear of the lower battery.
The charging plug is mounted under the subframe on the left side of the
pic, directly above the motor. Its well protected during riding although
it is in the most natural position to grab when you have to pick the
bike up. Thankfully the mounting tab is pretty stout so I haven't bent
it yet.<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1982_zps64c91383.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1982_zps64c91383.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And the remote:<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1977_zps60bc83e0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1977_zps60bc83e0.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>Weight loss:</b> If nothing else, this is why you go electric and not gas! Even as a 33 lb 2 year old, my kid was able to pick the bike up off the ground by himself. However, at 44lbs, the Start is still 11 lbs heavier than my kid. I
found some info on converting it over to LiPo batteries for a 9.5lb or
23% overall bike weight reduction. Cost is about $200. Plus the
batteries are smaller so they'll only take up the bottom half of the
lower battery tray, thereby lowering the center of gravity a fair bit.
Going to be doing that in the next month. Many thanks to the Oset owners
for doing all the R&D to come up with a way to do this conversion.
Also I'm thinking of hacking off the kickstand since its steel and not
really needed IMO.<br />
<br />
<b>Controls:</b> It took my kid a couple rides to the park to really figure out
the whole throttle/brake idea. The Kuberg has allen set screws to
really adjust the levers down to the bars so don't worry about your
kid's hands being too small to reach. Mine has rather dainty hands and
he can use both brakes without taking his hands off the bars no problem.
Just be warned, if you snug these levers up this much, you better have
some very true wheels or your front brake will be rubbing. The rear is a
band brake so no biggie there, but keep it true anyway.<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1967_zpseb51028b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1967_zpseb51028b.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1966_zps509cdc27.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1966_zps509cdc27.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1974_zps4c44fcea.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1974_zps4c44fcea.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1973_zpsd86a14a4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1973_zpsd86a14a4.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Kill switch and battery level indicator<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1972_zps0e0edb0d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1972_zps0e0edb0d.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1965_zps56d831c5.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1965_zps56d831c5.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>But we're in the US where MX is KING!</b><br />
No problem. For about $80, we added a MX seat. Swapping em out takes a
3mm allen wrench and about 90 seconds. But it does add some considerable
height to the seat putting it more on par with the seat height on the
50's:<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1979_zps4741427c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1979_zps4741427c.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1986_zps5508e3ca.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1986_zps5508e3ca.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1985_zps9a46b2bd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1985_zps9a46b2bd.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>More on Battery Life: </b>Kuberg sells 12v, 9Ah batteries for about $50 each and the Start requires two. You can find the same batteries on Amazon for $20 each. In case you're not really fluent in electrospeak just think of it like water. 9Ah is the capacity, or size of the bucket. 12v is the size of the hose on the bottom of the bucket, but since the batteries are wired in series, its actually a 24 volt hose leading to the motor. Don't worry about it too much, just know that you can use any 12v battery that fits in the tray. 9Ah batteries will give you stock run time - which is more than adequate for kids. If you have the odd kid that rides non-stop all day, then invest $40 for a second set of batteries. Hook them up to a battery tender while he's wearing down the pair in the bike. Swapping out batteries is a 10 minute job. Likely however, you'll find that your kid will want to take breaks occasionally - when he does, just pop it on the charger and it will most likely be full by the time he's ready to ride again. They're sealed lead acid batteries, so you're not going to hurt them by charging too frequently or when they're barely below full capacity. Using this method, my kid has yet to drop the batteries even to the last warning light (1/3 capacity) despite riding all over camp all weekend long. <br />
<br />
<b>Overall Impression:</b> Great little bike for the young ones. At less than
half the weight, nearly no maintenance, and no hot parts - I'm
definitely sold on electric instead of gas. The 50's are dead IMO,
electric is such a better platform for young riders. As far as Oset vs.
Kuberg goes, I really truly hope that Oset gets away from Chinese
production so that I have a competitive choice to make when my son
outgrows his Start. My only complaints about the Start is that power
setting #1 is just a bit too anemic, and #2 is a pretty considerable
increase. I'd like to see #1 increased by 1mph or so just to make it
usable without training wheels. Secondly the suspension is pretty hefty
for young riders. I'm not sure if new forks will improve the front or
not. As is, they're stiff and sticky. The rear spring is just too
heavy for kids. Even my 100lb wife doesn't bottom it out when standing
on the bike with the preload dialed all the way out. Finally, I've noticed a bit of excessive twist on the swingarm with the training wheels installed. I'd like to see the rear motor/swingarm brace replaced with square tube instead of flat bar to rectify this.<br />
<br />
I wanted to add some action shots and some pics of the plastics removed
so folks can get an idea of what's involved on these bikes:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1983_zps6288fccb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1983_zps6288fccb.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1982_zps64c91383.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1982_zps64c91383.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1981_zps128e0c84.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1981_zps128e0c84.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1980_zpsd1366133.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1980_zpsd1366133.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Chain guard does a nice job of protecting your offspring from the
rotating parts, but good parenting does an even better job. Chain
adjustment is a 2 minute affair and since the motor is mounted on the
swingarm you just snug it up just right and call it good. Spin the wheel
after you tighten it, if its noisy, loosen it a bit.<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1971_zps92f7b7d8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1971_zps92f7b7d8.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Even with the preload fully loosened the suspension is really stiff for
my 33lb kid. He doesn't seem to mind but a lighter spring option would
be nice. The front forks are non-adjustable and mine stick a lot,
although I suspect this is due in part to the damage done by UPS. Good
view of the charging jack located under the seat on the right side of
the bike.<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1970_zps436ddfbf.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1970_zps436ddfbf.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Magnetic kill switch lanyard. A nice touch. Comes standard with a wrist
lanyard. We added a small carabiner to ours so we can attach it to his
waistband and leave his hands free.<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1973_zpsd86a14a4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1973_zpsd86a14a4.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Heim joint swingarm pivots. Really a nice touch. I've read that Oset has
some issues here as they use a cheap plastic sleeve rather than a
bushing.<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1963_zps602f8ead.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/IMG_1963_zps602f8ead.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Two 12v 8Ah batteries supply the power. Being sealed lead acid they're
maintenance free and you can plug the bike into the charger after every
ride if you choose to. Unfortunately at 6.5lbs each, they're pretty
heavy. You can DIY swap in a pair of 5000mAh 6S LiPo's (at about $50
each) and drop 9.5 lbs. Unfortunately they're a bit more needy when it
comes time to recharge so you really should remove them from the bike
and you have to use a LiPo specific charger. Its more involved than the
stock SLA's, but a nice option if you don't mind the added hassle. The
bundle of yellow/green/red wire on the left is leftovers from the remote
cutoff that I left stock length in case I need to move it to his next
bike and need a longer run. <br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/04CC2715-9FCC-48E5-85C4-BFDD734B7B24_zpsdt7zfh1b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/04CC2715-9FCC-48E5-85C4-BFDD734B7B24_zpsdt7zfh1b.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Gavin has discovered that he can spin the rear wheel on wet cement if he
turns hard and punches it. He spent an hour doing it (notice all the
tire tracks). Bike was still going strong when we got home but I put it
on the charger anyway. Recharge time: about 15 minutes. We live in a
gated community with a lot of retirees. Our HOA actually has a ban on
Power Wheels types of toys because of the noise. No issue with the
Kuberg. I've even had an HOA member come out and ask what I did to make
it so quiet. "Spent a lot of money," I replied. Haha.<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/4B4DFA2E-507F-4FDE-A3B4-E835FA7F3C8E_zpsq2gs62pq.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/4B4DFA2E-507F-4FDE-A3B4-E835FA7F3C8E_zpsq2gs62pq.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
This is why you want one of these bikes. Can't get any more genuine than that.<br />
<a href="http://s1129.photobucket.com/user/tameeshnab/media/Kuberg%20Start/CD3E5F79-ADE1-4144-8612-0F307DC2BB3E_zpshbceynnb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m502/tameeshnab/Kuberg%20Start/CD3E5F79-ADE1-4144-8612-0F307DC2BB3E_zpshbceynnb.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-40260015632621048102014-01-19T18:10:00.001-08:002014-01-19T18:15:34.604-08:00The Premature Rebuild It's been a busy couple of months. Dad is healing well, but unsure still if he'll return to riding. Well it was fun having a riding buddy for a few months anyway. <br />
<br />
My bike has gotten a Rekluse clutch added (friggin awesome!), and I'm just finishing up the top end. 5000 miles, 160 hours, and it didn't even slightly need it. Could have easily gone 200 hours at least.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I'm a crappy blogger and didn't really keep up on the pics. TBH, with no followers and my monthly viewer ratings, I'm fairly certain my wife is the only person that regularly reads anything I put on here. So yeah. Hi honey and thanks for the support. Here's some pics of what you've already seen in the garage. Yeah I know I need to clean it...<br />
<br />
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I'm doing my usual round of break in runs and I'm still waiting on a few miscellaneous parts so it'll be at least a week before I can take it out for a proper ride. <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> So this is my dad 5 days after LAB2V. Yeah ouch. 6 broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a busted clavicle - most broken on both sides for a grand total of 11 fractures. How'd it happen? I'll get to that.</span> </div>
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This was a good year for the 30th LAB2V. Rain a couple days before and a light drizzle on day 1 left us with almost no dust for nearly 400 miles. </div>
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Sign-in on day 1 had the same problem as last year in that they have the tables setup inside a motorcycle shop. While I can appreciate that this is nice for keeping the staff warm, the end result is that 15 people are cozy and 500 guys dressed for riding in 37 degrees with chance of showers are sweating their butts off. I stayed wet from that all day.</div>
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Day 1 riding was nice. We followed a similar route as last year out of town, but that's where the similarities ended. It was a short day at only 140 miles, with some really nice views and a lot of very deep sand washes. Even with the rain it was pretty tough going through some parts. Dad dropped it a few times in the sand but made we made it to Barstow early all the same.</div>
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Day 2 had a nicer start since we just lined up at the check in gate on our bikes and rode through as soon as they opened the ride. </div>
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A longer trek on the road meant that by the time we hit the dirt the herd of bikes was already starting to thin out. We made great time, and hit a long section of powerline road and we were just smoking along at about 45mph. I was getting a bit tired and thought about pulling over for a break several times figuring my dad could use a break as well. Wish I had.</div>
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Every 1/2 mile or so on the powerline road we'd hit a section of sand. So long as you stayed in the wheel ruts it was fine, but if you hit the center hump or shoulder it was DEEP. Well my dad managed to clip into that center hump and went down HARD. I saw him in my mirror as he tumbled. 2 riders stopped to help him up and I pulled his bike off the road while he sat on a hillside trying to catch his breath. His bars were bent badly but the bike was still ride-able. A glance at the GPS showed that we were pretty much screwed for getting to a paved road. Either 38 miles ahead to Baker or about 30 miles back the way we came (and into opposing traffic). Dad said he felt okay and he wanted to keep going and ride it off. A couple miles later, despite going much slower, he hit sand and went down again, this time hurting his leg. </div>
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We limped along at a very slow pace until we hit Baker and fueled up. He was still up for continuing on, but once he saw how deep the sand was on the trail out of Baker we decided to take a 25 mile detour on the freeway to skip that section. When we hit our exit and got off the freeway we stopped to stretch our legs at a gas station. He was hurting really bad at this point. The freeway ride had allowed him time to hold still and everything tightened up. It was hard for him to throw in the towel, but we decided that it was for the best and phoned the wives in the chase vehicle. He was content to stay there and wait for them while I continued on.</div>
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I really thought I was behind at this point so I tore into the trails, averaging about 55mph the whole way to the lunch stop. </div>
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It wasn't until lunch in Sandy Valley and talking to other riders that I realized I was pretty close to the front of the pack. This was nice as it allowed me to take the longer and more scenic route to Red Rock Canyon. Once again, I attacked the trail and made great time. </div>
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Red Rock is always revered as the best part of LAB2V so I couldn't wait to try it. I hit the trail and had easy terrain for the first several miles until I came upon a group of about 10 bikes waiting in line. Supposedly somebody had crashed and we were waiting to get through. I waited a few minutes until it was my turn and cruised around a bend. Up ahead lay a very rocky and fairly challenging but small hill. Littered throughout were riders that clearly were in over their heads. One guy on an adventure bike seemed to be having the most trouble and causing the majority of the traffic up the easy/preferred trail so I parked my bike and took his bike up for him. Once he was out of the way however, the very next guy behind him and the rider behind that guy both tipped over and the traffic jam was no better. The line had already grown by half a dozen more riders so I figured if I wanted to get through, better to just go and let people figure out for themselves that they needed to turn back. I picked an ugly line through huge boulders and made it without incident.</div>
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Unfortunately the traffic didn't stop there. Just a couple turns ahead and I hit another traffic jam. This time the snow that dotted the canyon had frozen to ice on the trail and nobody could get traction. I aired down my tires and plowed forward along the side of the trail avoiding all the stuck riders. A guy tipped over in front of me on the last bit of hill so I had to dismount and run the bike up the rest. Another hill, much steeper and icier than the last greeted me - once again it was blocked by riders waiting their turns. I had no choice but to sit about 20 minutes until enough room opened up that I could squeeze by. I chose to run my bike up, and made it easily, managing to dodge several downed riders and some guy snapping pictures from the middle of the trail. </div>
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Another hill loomed ahead, this time I wiped out myself about midway up. I'd been at this for well over an hour at this point and was getting quite tired. It seemed like every hill was worse than the last and I was seriously ready to throw in the towel. When I managed to get my bike pointed uphill again I ran it a bit, only to have 2 guys tip over in front of me completely blocking the trail. I was done. I had no idea how many more hills like this we had to go and at this rate I'd be lucky to make Vegas by 3am. I turned my bike around and headed down, cautioning others as to the terrain ahead as I went.</div>
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It took awhile to weed through the traffic and was infinitely more challenging than it had been going up since not only were the preferred routes blocked, but also several alternatives. The only route was down the stuff that nobody wanted to try to ride up. My clutch hand was shaking by the time I made it to the rocky hill where I'd helped the adventure bike up. </div>
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I was disappointed, but not so much as a week later when I watched a YouTube video somebody had posted of their ride through the canyon. Turns out the hill I turned around on was the last one, and the sailing was smooth from then on. I was 150' away from completing Red Rock. Next year...</div>
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The alternate route was boring. Nothing but a paved mountain road down into Vegas. I phoned my wife at the finish line so she could get ready with the camera, and rolled in to be greeted by my new best friends. </div>
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Mom and dad were there, my dad hurting but not complaining. In fact, one of the 1st things he asked me as I was stuffing Thanksgiving leftovers down my face was how the terrain was after we split. When I told him he was remorseful, saying he probably could have made it then. </div>
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It wasn't until we were home on Monday and he was still hurting that he decided to go to the ER and we found out the damage. Once I heard the tally and thinking back to how disappointed he was for not finishing, all I could think of was:</div>
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<br />Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-67800446484569572092013-10-10T22:20:00.001-07:002013-10-13T21:39:24.909-07:00Delayed Dash to the Memorials <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQkF4nfe16GAoyt_XgmwdY5DJIlh8bkChAsi34P8nfzUMEJhNbZxZAGiQSp9zq90BUlZR9tu57zg6Hbgpf2p9MqQeCXGX_VKU9KVGiBjTBAcf3Rh7Q2DR2US8TXAOr1MUJDkcGhZ-WdY/s1600/2011+Dual+Sport+Flyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQkF4nfe16GAoyt_XgmwdY5DJIlh8bkChAsi34P8nfzUMEJhNbZxZAGiQSp9zq90BUlZR9tu57zg6Hbgpf2p9MqQeCXGX_VKU9KVGiBjTBAcf3Rh7Q2DR2US8TXAOr1MUJDkcGhZ-WdY/s320/2011+Dual+Sport+Flyer.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
2011. I had just moved back to California and was interested in getting into some dual sporting around here. I stumbled across the District 37 AMA website and saw the Los Coyotes Dash to the Memorials ride to happen the following weekend. Unfortunately funds were tight and logistics was a problem so I was unable to go. However some awesome rider posted a GPS track of the ride so today my dad and I made the trip. 68 degrees, mildly damp soil with ZERO dust, 121 miles, 4 memorials, and nobody on the trail but the two of us.<br />
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Scattered showers yesterday left the desert in an ideal condition for desert exploration. As anyone that rides SoCal will tell you, once you manage to find a riding area that hasn't been closed by the green movement, you're going to have a lot of sand and even more dust. I can't say we avoided the ever-present sand, but the mild rain meant almost no dust all day.<br />
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Morning was a bit cool at 37 degrees as we setup for our ride at the Cuddleback staging area. We'd left home at 5:30am hoping to get an early start but this was a bit cooler weather than we'd hoped to ride in. Thankfully we managed enough layers to stay fairly comfortable until the temperature climbed over the next hour.<br />
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This was my dad's 1st taste of sand in 45 years and he had two crashes within about 100 yards of one another. I was a bit concerned that our day would end before it began but he kept on and those crashes were the only ones he had all day.<br />
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After about an hour we arrived at the Husky Monument - a small patch of desert that has become a place to remember riders that have passed on over the years. As I saw the words left by loved ones, the trinkets, the solar garden lights, the custom painted gas tank, the numerous handlebars and sprockets, the helmet cemented into a vault, the plastic stripper hanging off of a flag pole, and the empty Jack Daniels bottle, I couldn't help but think of all the people that think off-roaders are just dirty rednecks out trying to pollute and smash every living thing in the desert. To those people I say go to this monument. See past the brashness of the airbrushed middle finger and see that riding the desert isn't about the exploitation of the environment. Its about families. People brought these items to this location to honor and remember a loved one that loved riding the desert. One death does not end a legacy of desert riding. Their friends and family, whom with they shared countless lies over a dying fire continue to ride, and visit this place to remember those that are no longer with them on the trail. We're not Nitro Circus out here, we're just normal folks that enjoy spending time camping and riding wide open spaces with the people we love. I felt lucky to be able to visit this place for the first time with my dad.<br />
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My dad was thoughtful enough to bring a small token to leave as respect for those that are no longer with us.<br />
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Back on the trail, it was a long trek to our second destination - the XB-70 memorial, followed immediately by the crash site of the F-104. These planes suffered a mid-air collision in 1966 while flying in formation for a publicity photograph for G.E. We had a bit of trouble finding the XB-70 memorial using the GPS coordinates I'd found online, but managed once we extended our search beyond where it was "supposed" to be.<br />
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Twenty minutes of deep sandy whoops and we made it to the crash site of the F-104.<br />
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Leaving here, we had a quick and uneventful trip down into Hinkley where we stopped for gas and a couple sandwiches.<br />
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After that, it was another quick shot out some powerline roads, followed by jeep track until we came upon the crash site for the B-1a. This crash occurred in 1984, and unlike the 2009 F-22 Raptor crash site, the USAF didn't spoil the historical significance of an impact zone by trying (quite poorly I might add) to erase it from the desert. An area the size of a couple large houses is dotted with melted and burnt debris. Pieces of fiberglass and carbon fiber flap in the wind, next to bent chunks of riveted aluminum. The whole impact area is black and grey with ash, and at the center a lonely cairn stands for the pilot that lost his life when his ejection capsule malfunctioned during a low altitude maneuver.<br />
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From here it was a tired and spirited jaunt back to the truck cruising across the desert at 45mph. As I rode I thought about the things I've seen from the back of a motorcycle. Sure you could probably take a 2WD car to these sites, but most people wouldn't. You could hike there, or mountain bike, but you'd spend all day getting to just one location and back, and be exhausted for your effort. We managed to see all four, and explore some truly beautiful back country, all for about $20 worth of gas.<br />
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<br />Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-76450655378730490722013-10-08T11:08:00.000-07:002013-10-08T11:08:10.886-07:00Trackmaster II Rear and Parker DT Front <span style="font-size: small;">I haven't had a chance to ride the bike offroad yet with them so a review will be posted later. I convinced my dad that he'd spend less time on his butt if he had tires that didn't spin out every time the trail got a bit loose. Catch is we spent a lot of money and effort lowering his bike and finding tires that weren't tragically taller than the stock rubber isn't the easiest thing in the world. Supposedly this is a good combo for SoCal desert riding and they come in sizes pretty close to the stock tires.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-52152247108413014812013-09-29T19:37:00.005-07:002013-09-29T19:37:50.430-07:00The Post That Never Was<span style="font-size: large;"> So I got a skid plate installed on my dad's WRR and man was the thing loud. Had this vibration at certain RPM's that made your fillings hurt. I concluded that this was due to a large unsupported surface area on the Flatlands Racing plate where the skid rested against the frame rails. I'm also well aware from my XR experience that having a plate like this will trap water against the frame and cause premature rust. Well I don't have the vibration issue on the KTM, but I do notice a bit more engine noise with the plate on. So I figured this would be a good time to conduct a very scientific experiment on dB increases from skid plates and ways to correct them. I wrote the whole procedure out on here complete with a conclusion that I was sure to have.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">...And then I did the test.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Well apparently while a skid plate does increase the noise level at certain RPM's, at anything more than a crawl these noises are negligible compared to wind and exhaust noise. I ran the experiment at several different speeds but kept finding that the WRR (the worse of the two) was reading the same dB both with and without the plate. So why did my fillings say differently? The only conclusion I can come up with is that its more of an issue with the frequency of the sound than the loudness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So to deal with the vibration noise as well as the rust issue, I went through with my plan of sticking 8 rectangles of 1/4" neoprene gasket material to the plate at various locations between the frame and skid. Vibration noise gone and water now drains. Yay?</span><br />
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Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-26737009517653618012013-09-14T19:32:00.003-07:002013-09-14T19:32:52.195-07:00Ride Number Two <span style="font-size: large;"> I gotta admit. I'm enjoying having my dad along for rides. Better than that, it appears that he's actually enjoying himself as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The bike is working out great and I think we really hit a home run on choosing the WRR.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">As with any new bike, there's a learning curve where you figure out how the bike handles to different situations and where the limitations lie. Turns out the same methodology applies to dads that haven't been on a motorcycle in 40+ years. He's doing great - way better than a new rider, but these bikes are quite a bit different than anything he's used to. Don't get me wrong, he loves his bike. We're taking it easy - just doing some short runs in the local hills to loosen up the joints and get him more comfortable on the bike. Last week we did 25 miles and I uh...forgot to take any pictures. Today we did 35 miles, and I managed to dig the camera out a few times and snap some shots. I'm trying to reintroduce him to riding gently and having fun the whole way, rather than just dump him into a 200 mile day and see if he'll ride again once the swelling subsides. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Back to the 'dad enjoying himself' thing. We're actually having a dialogue about places he wants to go riding! Its kinda weird after 20ish years of bugging the guy to come riding with me. Death Valley, Moab, Colorado, Anza Borrego, and various local aviation memorials have all entered discussion. Next ride if the weather cooperates I think we're going to ditch the local mountains and head for the desert.</span><br />
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<br />Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-43252918141161661632013-09-05T18:34:00.002-07:002013-09-05T18:34:50.363-07:00Universal Samson Bed Rack Now that I'm once again having to haul around 2 bikes I figured it was time to find a better way of securing them. Annnnd since RMATV saw fit to send me a $50 gift card, that gave me 2 options since that's how many varieties of bed racks they carry in stock. I ended up going with the Samson Bed Rack by Universal simply because it had good reviews and it looked decent. 1st off, let me say I'm pretty impressed with how well constructed it is. Smart design, and pretty darn lightweight too. I've been leery about bed racks in the past b/c I always figured it would be a massive pain to bolt it up. Not so! Sure you have to work blindly, but there's enough room to hold a wrench between the bed and the cab and get the job done. The whole installation took me about 20 minutes, and I even added a bit of RTV smeared on the exposed metal of the drilled holes for rust prevention. Anyway it looks good and I'll edit this post once I've had a chance to use it.<br />
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<br />Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-34338502015609049332013-08-31T23:42:00.001-07:002013-09-01T19:26:51.029-07:00Meet the Pops<span style="font-size: large;"> I think I've spent at least 200 man-hours trying to convince my dad to get a dual sport and join me on my rides. Yeah he's 63, so what? He's actually in damn good shape compared to a lot of the guys I see out on the trails, and there's plenty of riders that are older than him - especially in the dual sport community. Plus he used to ride when he was younger - granted a few things have changed in the 40 years since he last rode a bike. Imagine my surprise last week when he suggested that we start looking for a bike for him...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The search ended on a 2013 WR250R. From reading the forums, I can't seem to find anyone that doesn't love these bikes. A few guys have wanted more power than you can get out of these engines and have gone to a larger platform, but even they have said that they loved everything else about it. The bike is rock-solid reliable too. I mean valve adjustments at 26,000 miles suggested by the manufacturer??? That's just plain silly right there. Anyway I like the bike, and I think it'll be enough to keep him busy without feeling overwhelmed. I snapped a quick pic of it while its still all shiny and scratch free.</span><br />
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<br />Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-14827545556111004422013-07-09T10:16:00.000-07:002013-07-09T10:18:47.746-07:00New support vehicle<span style="font-size: large;"> Sadly not much news to report on actual riding. I went on a trip to Mammoth but a combined effort from the hotel, wife, kid, dog, and broken motorcycle gremlins only allowed me to use about 1/2 tank of fuel - mostly on the road. Nothing major broke on the motorcycle. Have a small oil leak around the valve cover, but I snapped my fuel filter. A 5 minute fix when your wife isn't grocery shopping 20 minutes away in town in your only other vehicle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> On the other hand, my failed Mammoth trip did light the fire into getting a truck that I would trust to pull my trailer. My Nissan Titan is a lemon. It's on its 3rd rear differential (leaking again), 2nd front diff, 3rd set of exhaust headers, constantly blows fuses to the trailer brakes - I hate the thing. So instead I managed to trade in the lemon for a 2013 Dodge 2500 HD Diesel. Weeee!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Haven't had the chance to tow with it yet but the thing is a BEAST!</span>Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-77127291855850232682013-03-31T08:20:00.001-07:002013-10-18T19:37:42.016-07:00Anza BorregoWhat a neat place! Truly I can say that Anza is a gem in the SoCal area and should be on any offroader's bucket list.<br />
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Day 1: Its about a 3 hour drive from my house to the American Legion in Borrego Springs where I spent my first night. I was meeting my buddy, Chuck, who knows Anza and was just finishing up his own spring break trip. He was leaving the following day so we didn't waste any time and hit the trails.<br />
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We cruised through some sand washes into the badlands and headed up to this overlook. Make no mistake, Anza is SANDY! We dropped back down to the road via Thimble Trail and made it back to camp just as the sun was setting.</div>
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Day 2: We made an early morning run out to the pumpkin patch over on the Ocotillo Wells OHV area border. Chuck didn't want to ride the KTM for fear of it leading to another toy purchase, but he was happy to pose next to his Christmas list gift idea.</div>
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From the patch, we headed out to Calcite Mine, up a fairly steep and technical trail. My fan got a lot of use and the bike held up well to the 1st gear crawl through the uneven road.</div>
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Our next goal was Sheep Tanks - somewhere I'd seen in the guidebook but Chuck had never been to. Unfortunately, we spent all the time we could looking for the trail but never found it before Chuck had to head back to camp to pack up and leave.</div>
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I saw Chuck off and he offered a friendly warning as he departed: "Beware the sand people, they come out at night." Mostly thinking this was a joke, I moved my rig to a free camping area out by Coyote Canyon where I planned to spend the night. Since it was barely lunchtime, I decided to get a head start on tomorrow's ride to explore the Coyote Canyon area.</div>
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Coyote Canyon was my most likely spot to find some water while riding this very dry area. With temps in the low 80's, any trail near water was a worthwhile goal. </div>
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Despite the drought, Coyote delivered with 3 water crossings, the last
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Way up near the Middle Willows turn around I ran into a Land Cruiser with one of Chuck's "Sand People." This thing pulls up and the driver leans out to ask about the trail ahead. I'm so bummed I didn't have my helmet cam on because my brain suddenly realized that sand people were real. First thing I noticed was the passenger - a very attractive brunette. I mean she was at least a solid 8/10. Then I look at the guy driving and I'm immediately thinking he has to be a brother or kidnapper or something. The guy is straight out of a trailer park. Then he spoke and I almost lost it when I realized his jaw was wired shut! "Heysh wash dish roash rike up aheadsh?" Wow Chuck, good call. I bid farewell to the drooler and his hot girl and finished exploring a few other side trails.<br />
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On the way back, I made a detour through town to grab some gas and stopped to snap a few touristy photo ops near the desert art pieces scattered along the main highway.<br />
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The wind was starting to pick up so I headed back to the truck. Since I'd pretty much covered all the ground I was planning on doing the following day, I decided to move camp over to Ocotillo OHV down the road and spend the following morning looking for the elusive Sheep Tanks. The wind continued to build with the setting of the sun and I was forced to hide out in the pickup bed as 40mph+ winds blasted sand across the camp. Thankfully around midnight the winds finally subsided.<br />
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Day 3: Having spent 12 hours hiding in the truck, I'd had plenty of time to study the guidebook and map and felt reasonably sure I could find Sheep Tanks. I set off early as it was already in the mid-70's and looking to be another warm one. I retraced the path Chuck and I had taken from the Calcite Mine and discovered the trail about 300 yards beyond where we had abandoned our search. Whoops.<br />
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The deep sand wash became narrower as I continued upstream, until I found myself in a slot canyon riddled with large boulders, deep sand, and some very very technical ascents. I spent a lot of that ride Flintstoning with both feet on the boulders as I babied the clutch trying to find traction. <br />
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Finally I hit a fork that I was 60% sure was the one right before Sheep Tanks. Progress up the left fork was nearly impossible while the trail up the right fork was only marginally better. Leaving the bike here and exploring on foot seemed like the best option.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXoZKi1uIuVJ5bouRbjdsDFvzHvWMcIr1krw216LZR85ODKssQkwAMT79iyrTYODHpE-Ue2m4ppwzTu3GhvzIiQlGRg2cM-Wk9ZbT1hj6WaCaANYp_mN7C0zvEXVM0w6h5SjbrBQl3HY/s1600/IMG_1732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXoZKi1uIuVJ5bouRbjdsDFvzHvWMcIr1krw216LZR85ODKssQkwAMT79iyrTYODHpE-Ue2m4ppwzTu3GhvzIiQlGRg2cM-Wk9ZbT1hj6WaCaANYp_mN7C0zvEXVM0w6h5SjbrBQl3HY/s320/IMG_1732.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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My GPS didn't show any of these trails, so I couldn't be sure that this was even the fork I was looking for. I concluded that if I climbed up out of the canyon I'm sure that I'd have a better idea of my location. Lemme tell ya, scrambling up loose class 4 in motorcycle boots is no picnic! Unfortunately at the top, I still couldn't see the tanks. The left fork here just gets narrower and narrower.<br />
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The right fork continues from where my bike is just hidden behind that bend.<br />
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And leads up into this:</div>
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Having no definitive answers I slid back down to my bike to sit on a rock and consult my map. I finally concluded that this must be the fork in question and, if the map was accurate, the tank couldn't be more than a quarter mile up the left fork. I decided I'd hike for 10 minutes and then turn around. Some 100 yards of scrambling up some really steep inclines and I finally found it!</div>
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Now I should mention at this point that its god-awful hot in this canyon and there's no wind at all. While doing all this climbing around I kept thinking, "man if I see that thing I'm just gonna dive in!" Reality, however, suggested that maybe swimming in this cesspool wasn't the best idea. The area all around is littered with animal feces and the pool has an unnatural algae green to it. It didn't look deep enough to dive into, although I do think it was deep enough to conceal a few animal carcasses just below the surface. Adventure can't always end in cool refreshment it seems. It was a long, hot descent back to camp, with deep sand after each of the dropoffs threatening to toss me over the bars. </div>
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I loaded the bike up and headed down to Fish Creek, my final camp for the trip.</div>
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Day 4: BUGS! Ugh so many gnats and flies at this camp! Its a shame too since otherwise it was the nicest camp I'd been at. Riding was the only thing that kept the flies away. Luckily the riding here was superb and the trip through split mountain yielded some of the best sights of the trip.</div>
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It was dry, it was dusty, it was buggy as all get out. But an amazing canyon nonetheless. The canyon continues several miles before hitting some pretty difficult terrain up into the mountains. I was feeling pretty haggard by now and lucky to have not had any falls or mechanical break downs. I decided that playing it safe and only exploring the flats was probably my best course. </div>
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All in all I concluded that it was a great trip. I would have liked it to be at least 5-10 degrees cooler, which maybe would have helped with the bug situation at Fish Creek. My goal was to get a random sampling of some of the terrain that this area has to offer and I feel that I accomplished that. The new bike handled wonderfully and gave me no surprises. I'm truly looking forward to my next trip and hope that I'll have a friend to share it with and cover my ass in case something goes wrong.</div>
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<br />Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-17171652310154590032013-03-19T12:31:00.002-07:002013-03-22T20:38:43.121-07:00The problem with blogsNo I haven't fallen off the face of the planet, nor have I abandoned this blog. I'm just eyeball deep with school and I've had no time to ride, let alone update a silly blog about stuff that I used to get to do when I actually had free time.<br />
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The KTM hasn't seen much dirt yet, but I've gotten a few miles in on the street (mostly commuting ugh). Sad to say I'm still working out the bugs and putting the few remaining 'must-have' mods on. The gasket on the clutch cover had gotten sucked into the case and was pissing oil all over the engine every time I rode at higher speeds. Took me forever to figure out where all the oil was coming from since I couldn't duplicate the leak even on a bike stand.<br />
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I slapped on a radiator fan with a manual switch to keep the temp in check and an aftermarket stator to give me some juice to play with. <br />
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The old battery was shot and would only hold a charge for half a day after leaving overnight on the trickle charger - sneaky one Mr. Previous Owner. I swapped it out for a Ballistic battery and saved 3-4lbs in the process. Spent the day today hooking up my LED offroad lights and a 12v socket for the GPS.<br />
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I was a bit on the fence about my fairly ghetto mounting system for the lights. But once I installed everything I really liked the utilitarian look of it. Some might say the lights stand out and don't flow with the lines of the bike, I say it just looks beefy and mean. They're the same Rigid Industries 1 spot/1 flood that I put on the XR months back. <br />
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So next week I'm off for Spring Break. Its the 1st time I've ever actually needed a break from school and I'm desperately looking forward to it. I've set Anza Borrego in my sights and I refuse to cancel the trip. I've been wanting to check that place out since I moved back to California 2 years ago and this is my chance. Hopefully the bike behaves and I have a safe and rewarding vacation.Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-82152322216681946162013-01-07T01:16:00.001-08:002013-01-21T14:00:03.182-08:00Used bikes sure are a lot of work...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"> I love the used market. <span style="font-size: small;">Usually you can <span style="font-size: small;">find a bike in good shape with a lot of mods you<span style="font-size: small;"> want for less than the price of <span style="font-size: small;">new. That said, there are a few pitfalls<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> So far <span style="font-size: small;">it seems I've been pretty fortunate. The P.O. of my 450 seems to have taken pretty good care of the bike, with a few exceptions. Fir<span style="font-size: small;">st, I don't think he ever c<span style="font-size: small;">leaned <span style="font-size: small;">the airbox. This is the area where your engine <span style="font-size: small;">breathes from - wouldn't you want that to be as clean as possible? Yeah I know there's a filter to keep out the gunk but I view air filtering as a process<span style="font-size: small;"> and not a sin<span style="font-size: small;">gle element. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span>If it wasn't then why bother with a box at all? Why not just have an air filter clamped onto the carb intake?<br />
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Second, lets clear the air about the proper uses of duct tape. The stuff is great if you need to <b>temporarily</b> secure something in a dry and preferably clean environment. The stuff turns to crap after a few weeks or almost instantly when exposed to water. So for the love of all that is holy, spend $2 on a proper rim strip and don't use duct tape! When I removed the rear tire and found the crusty tape rim strip I was really optimistic that this had been done in a pinch. Busted rim strip, miles from a shop, use tape! Unfortunately the front was the same which tells me this was most likely done intentionally. You spent $8000 on a bike, DON'T USE DUCT TAPE ON IT! My guess this is probably another one of those "racing tips" that makes sense on the track, but not for real world use. Yeah if you're changing your tires before every practice or race, replacing rim strips would be a silly expense. I can see where tape would be a good replacement. The key factor here is that it's being replaced often enough that it doesn't have a chance to get crusty. Some stuff that's great on the track just doesn't work off the track. It's like brakes. Get a set of race brake pads and you're not gonna be able to stop worth a damn when you use em on your local trail.<br />
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So yeah I've been busy with the new ride. I took apart most of the body work and gave everything a good cleaning. I swapped out the almost-new MX tires for my DOT-legal MT-43 rear and a D606 front. While I was at it, I ditched the heavy duty tubes in favor of a couple Tubeliss. The air filter had probably been cleaned with some nasty solvent and was starting to fall apart so I replaced it with a Uni Filter. The chain was pretty crusty so I cleaned and lubed it in an attempt to salvage it - why you'd neglect a brand new chain like that I'll never know. It might not last too long, it was pretty caked with goo. I also added a couple of cheap fender bags since I tend to use those for carrying day to day stuff like my helmet bag and disc and helmet locks. I changed the oil, a practice that everyone should do immediately after buying a used bike or car - (ProTip: Every seller says its just been changed - change it anyway). I've got some Engine Ice and a radiator fan is on the way to help keep the temps down in traffic. While I have it apart, I'll do the valves and see what kind of shape those are in. Valves are a vastly different job from the XR. I have to drain the coolant and remove the radiators to adjust them. Worse than that, the biggest weakness of the RFS engine are its soft intake valves, so until I can replace them with some Kibblewhites, valve jobs and removing the radiators are going to be the norm.<br />
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All in all I'm happy with the switch so far. It feels like it has 5x the engine and twice the stopping power of the XR. Plus its just fun to see a KTM finally in my garage.Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-78984537195903305502012-12-31T16:38:00.003-08:002012-12-31T16:59:23.733-08:00BAM! Mmmm that orange Kool-Aid is goo-ooo-ooooood. My new-to-me 2007 KTM 450EXC!<br />
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Yeah okay so my last post said that this bike was my runner-up and I was gonna hold out for a 525. That was before I talked with several riding mates (big shout out to all the guys at District-37!). So yeah the consensus was that this looked like a clean bike for a decent price, and had some nice mods that I'd want to do right away anyway. I found a few 525's but they weren't as nicely equiped and most seemed to be in some state of repair. <br />
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The folks I talked to said that the 450 was plenty of power, especially coming off an XR. Also, and this was what sold me, its not terribly expensive to change the 450 into a 525 if I ever feel the need. The bike is pretty clean, although the plastics have some decent wear from your usual dirt spills. They're fine for now, but I might eventually pick up a set of street plastics and keep these for off road use. <br />
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So on delivery it has: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
FMF Powercore silencer, Scotts steering stabilizer, Clarke 3.2 gallon tank, extra
high cushion Enduro Engineering seat, Enduro Engineering aluminum skid
plate, Baja Designs blinker/headlight control switch, Promoto kick
stand, Fastway adjustable extra wide foot pegs, Z Racing tuned and
jetted, Clean Racing valved tuned forks/shock. 1 ride on new Dunlop tires,
heavy duty tubes.</blockquote>
Not too shabby! The tires aren't DOT so those will go. I'll swap em to Tubeliss again of course. The previous owner ran it without mirrors usually but included the stock ones. I put my Doubletake mirrors on as soon as I got it home. I'll need to pick up a different ram ball mount to get them where I want but that's easy enough. Anyway all in all a nice find and I'm excited for the new project. Stay tuned... <br />
Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-54763456770045204292012-12-30T11:15:00.000-08:002012-12-30T11:15:22.983-08:00SOLD! The XR is no more. That was a damn good bike and I'm really hoping I didn't make a huge mistake in selling it. I keep telling myself that I can always build another one - those XR400's aren't exactly rare, even with Ca plates.<br />
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So now begins the dash to find a suitable KTM to replace it with. My preference is for a 2007 525EXC, although a 450 would easily suffice, as would the same bikes in the 2004 year. Why only those 4 bikes? KTM made some nice upgrades to EXC line with the 2004 bikes, so I don't want anything older than that. After January 31st 2004, California made it illegal to plate dirt bikes, so I can't go with the 05 or 06 models. In 2007 however, these models came street legal from the factory, which is a nice selling point, plus it saves me some time of having to run registration history reports. In 2008, KTM switched from the RFS to the R engine, a poor move from what I've read.<br />
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So having a narrow search parameter can be both good and bad. There's a nice 07 450 that has most of the mods I'd like to do already installed, but its at the top end of what I would consider a fair price and is lacking one of the major mods I'd like (a $500 oil cooler). While I'm tempted to jump on this bike, my gut is telling me to wait a few days to see if a nice 525 pops up. I know I don't need the extra power, but I've read that the 525 has a bit more low end grunt, which is great for those slower, more technical climbs. Plus one of the things that I hated on my 400 was any freeway. While it would do em, it just felt like I was buzzing my engine to death at those speeds. Both of the KTM's have a 6 speed tranny so that should alleviate most of that issue, but while I know that the 525 will handle a freeway with relative ease, I'm not as confident about the 450. While I don't think you should buy a dual sport based on its freeway handling characteristics, it certainly is something to consider. Given that both bikes are almost identical except for displacement, why not get the one that has that extra go-anywhere factor?<br />
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So that's it then. A 2007 525EXC, unless a 450 pops up for the right money or I can't find anything else in which case I'll grab that 450 I already found and drop the extra $500 for the oil cooler.Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6337132179751881598.post-62915877993576050352012-11-27T00:57:00.006-08:002012-11-27T00:57:52.837-08:00DNF<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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DNF, or Did Not Finish. That was my 1st LAB2V. I am, of course, disappointed, but really it was as gentle of a DNF as I could possibly have.<br />
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Day 1 went well enough. I had a flat on my front tire after only about 40 miles in. With the Tubeliss, this just meant I lost 15 minutes while I plugged the hole and stripped off several layers of clothing as the temperature was already starting to climb. I took it pretty easy all day, knowing that I had 280 miles to do the next morning. Had one dismount late in the day. No biggie, I was getting kinda lazy and didn't really notice how deep the sand berm was on the side of the trail. I dropped off some rocks and let the bike drift into the sand and out went the front tire from under me. Got to Barstow with plenty of daylight to spare. All said, 215 miles, 62.7 max speed, 7h 8m moving time, 9h 39m overall time, and 30.1mph average speed. Not too shabby considering half the route had a 30mph speed limit due to it being a desert tortoise habitat area.<br />
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Speaking of that speed limit. I seriously felt like I was the only one actually adhering to it. Both days I'd be cruising along at 30 and I'd have bike after bike go flying past me. I honestly felt like I should be wearing a traffic cone on my head given what a hazard I was at that speed. Pissed me off too. I'd really like to do this ride with my kid in 14 years, and with all these yahoo's ignoring BLM requirements for this ride, I just don't know how they'll keep granting us access. I kept thinking; its a flat, wide open dirt road, and 499 other riders participating in this event are just as "skilled" to ride it at 45. The only reason I'm not is because the event organizers specifically told us that breaking this speed limit is the #1 way we're going to lose our permits next year. Best of all, without fail I'd catch up and pass every single person that blew by me when they stopped for a break and I didn't. 5 minutes later I'd be choking on their dust again as they flew passed me - still in the tortoise area. Dumb.<br />
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Anyway day 2 started off decent enough. Very dusty and sandy as we rode from 1 sand wash to another. Everything was fine and we finally got out of tortoise territory (and out of the sand washes yay!) when I had a massive blowout on my front tire. Pulled over to find a 3/4" gash in my tire. Well. Shit. On. Me. I considered my options. The tubeliss was useless. I could try to plug the hole with multiple plugs but knew I wouldn't be able to maintain any sort of pressure for very long. I could try a tube, but honestly with a hole that big I knew that the tube wouldn't last long. I had just dropped out of the mountains and was only a mile or so from the 40 freeway so running a tube was likely to just get me further from rescue before it failed. I was bummed but I called my support crew back home and told them to come get me. I'd try to do what repairs I could and see if I could get the 38 miles back to Barstow via the road. <br />
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Several plugs later I had a tire that actually held air better than expected. It leaked like a sieve until about 7psi but then it slowed to a rate that actually allowed several miles between inflation stops. I limped along like that down to Route 66 and took that back into Barstow. Once there, I pulled into the nearest dealership and bought a new tire and got it all installed while waiting for the wife to show up with the truck. My hope at this point was to try to drive to Sandy Valley and rejoin the ride before sweep pulled out of there at 3pm. She arrived, we loaded up and hit the road as fast as we dared. Unfortunately, at 3pm we were still some 30 miles from Sandy Valley. Damn. Not wanting to risk being stuck out in the desert at night and with no support, I decided that my day was done and I'd do the safe thing and just finish the trip to Vegas in the truck. It wasn't an easy drive.<br />
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So yeah, I am disappoint. But to be fair, there were several lucky aspects to my breakdown. For starters, I didn't crash when it blew out. Also the bike was repaired and ready to finish the ride the same day, and would have if we were 40 minutes faster. Also, if you're going to break down on a ride like that, you have to consider yourself pretty lucky when it happens so close to a major paved road. My support team came through for me. Not just my wife who drove out to get me but my parents who took my kid so that we didn't have to attempt all of this with a 2 year old in tow. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18wuceL5pG9ufHag_lxyC54sZhKKL28kKCyTQl5Hh7F9iuaVgGzNna3qe3BbkVwZ4dJ1eP27xEOjpI9B2PmoEUQlFAFXzm936j77zH1x5wqiv_ir3XuEsC-W1fklouFhRGJMeMxc-AnM/s1600/G0040670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh18wuceL5pG9ufHag_lxyC54sZhKKL28kKCyTQl5Hh7F9iuaVgGzNna3qe3BbkVwZ4dJ1eP27xEOjpI9B2PmoEUQlFAFXzm936j77zH1x5wqiv_ir3XuEsC-W1fklouFhRGJMeMxc-AnM/s320/G0040670.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So yeah I'm thankful that it happened like it did, but still wish it hadn't happened at all. Next year I'm hoping that the offspring will be old enough that my wife can drive the truck out to Barstow on day 1, thereby being in the area if I have an issue. Plan A is to have things like spare tires on hand in the truck. Plan B is to just have another bike ready to go, and I'll just swap my rider number onto that and keep going if there's an issue with bike #1. Either way, I hope the 30th annual LAB2V is my first one to finish.<br />
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Wallrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12314152504015669055noreply@blogger.com0