The Motorcycles

SINCE WE ARE GOING TO DO THE TRIP COMPLETELY UNSUPPORTED, WE NEEDED BIKES THAT WE COULD BUILD UP, MAINTAIN AND FIX OURSELVES ON THE ROAD.

Why them?

Single cylinders, therefore simple mechanics (even girls can understand)

Yamaha spares are freely available, even in Africa

Robust construction so that even a bush mechanic can fix it

Proven reliability - the bikes have been going for 20 years - no reason why they wont go for another 20!

1VJ models, have both kickstart and electric start. If our electrics break down, we wont be stranded

They're very, very sexy!

600cc engines - enough power to carry us and our luggage, yet not too big, to become completely uncontrolable

We are both 5.9, so the height of the bikes are not a problem for us

We couldn't get TWO identical Suzuki DR650s in good enough condition

Preparation:

WE KNEW THERE ARE CERTAIN LATENT PROBLEMS WITH THE 1VJ MODELS, SO ARE PREPARED TO MAKE THE NECSSARY MODS TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. WE PURCHASED A COMPLETE SPARE 1VJ ENGINE FROM GERMANY (ON EBAY) - TO ENABLE US TO WORK ON IT, WHILST THE BIKES KEEP RUNNING

Ignitions: replace ignition switches and barrels since the originals were knackered
COST: £19 TIME: 2 HOURS ----- WATCH THE VIDEO

Stator: one of the bikes showed charging problems. After endless diagnostics, it transpired that the stator was faulty. The faulty stator was removed and sent in for rewiring. However, in doing this, the bolts were sheared off inside the engine cover. This had to be rectified by drilling and rethreading.
COST: £65 TIME: 8 HOURS ----- WATCH THE VIDEO

to be continued...

Technical Spec:

Year of Manufacture..................1986

Engine........................................Single Cylinder, 4 valve, aircooled

Engine Capacity.........................595cm

Dry Weight.................................155kg

Transmission.............................. 5 gears

Start............................................Electric / Kick

Brakes.........................................Disc Front / Drum Rear


XT GIRLS HOME PAGE	XT GIRLS - THE MOTORCYCLES
ROUTES GOOGLE MAPS Trip Reports XT Girls History The Bikes WHY Ténérés? PREP & MODS TECHNICAL SPEC DOWNLOADS	The Motorcycles SINCE WE ARE GOING TO DO THE TRIP COMPLETELY UNSUPPORTED, WE NEEDED BIKES THAT WE COULD BUILD UP, MAINTAIN AND FIX OURSELVES ON THE ROAD. Why them? Single cylinders, therefore simple mechanics (even girls can understand) Yamaha spares are freely available, even in Africa Robust construction so that even a bush mechanic can fix it Proven reliability - the bikes have been going for 20 years - no reason why they wont go for another 20! 1VJ models, have both kickstart and electric start. If our electrics break down, we wont be stranded They're very, very sexy! 600cc engines - enough power to carry us and our luggage, yet not too big, to become completely uncontrolable We are both 5.9, so the height of the bikes are not a problem for us We couldn't get TWO identical Suzuki DR650s in good enough condition Preparation: WE KNEW THERE ARE CERTAIN LATENT PROBLEMS WITH THE 1VJ MODELS, SO ARE PREPARED TO MAKE THE NECSSARY MODS TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. WE PURCHASED A COMPLETE SPARE 1VJ ENGINE FROM GERMANY (ON EBAY) - TO ENABLE US TO WORK ON IT, WHILST THE BIKES KEEP RUNNING Ignitions: replace ignition switches and barrels since the originals were knackered COST: £19 TIME: 2 HOURS ----- WATCH THE VIDEO Stator: one of the bikes showed charging problems. After endless diagnostics, it transpired that the stator was faulty. The faulty stator was removed and sent in for rewiring. However, in doing this, the bolts were sheared off inside the engine cover. This had to be rectified by drilling and rethreading. COST: £65 TIME: 8 HOURS ----- WATCH THE VIDEO to be continued... Technical Spec: Year of Manufacture..................1986 Engine........................................Single Cylinder, 4 valve, aircooled Engine Capacity.........................595cm Dry Weight.................................155kg Transmission.............................. 5 gears Start............................................Electric / Kick Brakes.........................................Disc Front / Drum Rear