Road trip to Portugal, May 2018

An update on my proposed trip to Portugal and my machinations on luggage, bike type and so on...

In the 4 weeks since my first post I have viewed quite a few bikes and loads more on line. Thing is, until you do "visit" them and their owners you often have a rosy impression, which usually evaporates on viewing. And another unexpected twist - upon seeing one bike or other my wife said "I quite fancy joining in with this adventure" which has shifted the goal posts a very long way!

So, finally, I have bought a 650 Transalp in fine condition with Honda panniers, nearly new tyres, chain etc. It is taller than my 450 which adds to comfort for two people but it is not a big bike which I just don't want these days. I think the camping side of things has now been replaced by a hotel tour and a ferry to Santander but I still get to visit the AJS and Matchless do in Portugal, which was the original motivator.

All I need now is a top box to complete the luggage set. Garage has 4 bikes in it now which is getting tight... The TA will be here soon and I can go over it with a fine tooth comb, as they used to say. Pix soon.

Thanks Richard - you are not far from Plymouth are you? I will miss the camping element of my trip and the French leg as yes, we will return via Santander. This is to keep the whole thing manageable for my wife as out of practice pillion and me as out of practice two up pilot. So I will do the French element another way and indeed another day. The outward leg is Portsmouth to Bilbao as timings fit better for the weekend rally we will attend. Now I need to plan the actual route avoiding motorways as far as practicable. And fettle the TA. And buy some more gear. And a top box. Hah, that's me busy at Christmas - excellent!

It has been a busy month since the Transalp arrived and little of my time has been spent on the bike, dammit. Any way, lots of er, stripping, cleaning, re-sealing and greasing has gone on back and front as duties permitted though there is much still to do. It is worth noting that while the bike has always had routine servicing the stuff Honda refers to as "when required" is the really long and tedious stuff like suspension linkage greasing, head bearing greasing and fork oil replacement, none of which has ever been done.

Note also that the bike is built around the rear monoshock which takes some getting at; similarly the head bearings because of the wretched fairing. I am reminded why I like standard layout, naked bikes so much. And I haven't done the valve clearances yet...

The various needle and roller bearings and the internal spacers where all remarkable well preserved bar one spacer and associated seal. Wemoto cheap for the seals - genuine Honda 4x as much.

Biggest trial was removing the swing arm pivot pin (surface rust) which clearly had not been greased on original assembly! Grease is often agonisingly skimpy or absent on original parts in my experience - why do they do that? Needed my 7 1/2 lb lump hammer to shift it. Had me worried for a while. Oh and one nut on the final link under the swing arm - I slipped off and rounded the bugger with no room for cutting and drilling. Sacrificed the next size ring spanner smaller and hammered it on with a million tiny whacks from said lump hammer with about an inch of swing; all went back clean and greased so dead easy.

So yes bojer, going ok and am re-learning some things I haven't done in a long while, which builds confidence. I haven't had this to do on my 450 but I may well give it a similar seeing to next winter so I know all is good.

Next is de-lacquering the fork sliders since they are off at the mo but paint stripper ain't wot it used to be...

A rather glum update on our proposed trip...

The transalp has turned out to be a fine bike with a soft but torquey engine, very nice. A few trips have shown it to be very suitable if a little taller than I imagined. All set until a few weeks ago when my dear old Mum (92) fell and banged her head, bless her. She is in and out of hospital(s) and I have no idea where she will end up as she normally lives on her own quite happily, though I live close by. So, trip cancelled and most deposits refunded but I now have a bike I doubt I will use much, sigh.

Back to the 450 as it is easier to park at the supermarket etc but it is time for new tyres, which will be another story...