Iceland 2014 - Planning & Preparation

[Daj]

Respect the trolls and hidden folk. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulduf%C3%B3lk

Daj

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[bth2bth2]

If you are travelling alone don't go too far off the beaten track.

i believe its not hard to be off the beaten track over there.

brian

[namtip]

Joth - what a brilliant blog! I might be PM'ing you over the next few weeks asking questions.

I will be riveting a new chain methinks - then I don't have to worry about spare links/clips. As for coil, CDi, and rectifier, I will be installing new ones and taking the old ones as spares providing I have room.

Thanks for all the responses so far - I really appreciate it.

And yes, I really don't want to go upsetting the trolls/hidden folk...!

[Joth.Hill]

No problem, I will help where I can.

Joth

[hounddog]

Sounds like a fantastic trip. Here's a few tips I've picked up from overseas bike travel

admin - get a EHIC card ( free from nhs ) , important even if you have medical insurance .
Leave a trusted friend /relative in UK with copies of your passport, bike papers, insurance details , bank card emergency numbers etc, and website and phone numbers of MT parts suppliers just in case a part needs to be bought and couriered out to you .

Carry a spare set of bike & lock keys, and spare specs if you wear them

If a MT500 falls off its stand or you drop it, the bits that most likely tend to break are the front brake or clutch lever (unless you have bark busters of course)- I rode a MT500 about 100 miles with half a front brake lever once which was quite entertaining ! - Not a totally silly idea to carry spares

Worth carrying a lightweight foot pump or 12v inflater, much easier than a bicycle pump
Pair of good inner tubes and a puncture kit with fresh rubber solution glue,(old stuff goes solid with age ) , decent quality tyre levers

Usual spares and tools per FAQ 2.8

Check your brake shoes to ensure enough lining left for the trip.
At night if parked outside , a bin bag over each end of handlebar will keep the rain out of the switches

And most importantly , enjoy

[Bunker]

Practice changing the clutch cable and timing belt. Oil your cables. Check your nuts n bolts are tight.

[namtip]

Practice changing the clutch cable and timing belt. Oil your cables. Check your nuts n bolts are tight.

I've practiced both, and the cables will be getting a good oiling. I checked nuts and bolts a couple weeks ago and to my shock some of the major ones were loose . Not rattly loose, but no real effort on a spanner to turn them either.

Worth carrying a lightweight foot pump or 12v inflater, much easier than a bicycle pump
Pair of good inner tubes and a puncture kit with fresh rubber solution glue,(old stuff goes solid with age ) , decent quality tyre levers ... And most importantly , enjoy

All good tips Ian and duly noted - thanks. I have two fresh puncture kits, a hand pump (with CO2 option) and two quality tyre levers in the post. Barkbusters are fitted so no worries about the levers breaking in a fall. EHIC card - hadn't thought of that - good call.

[hounddog]

and keep away from active volcanoes

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28870969" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BIGYAM]

Cambelt, and i would take spare cam and crank seals for sake of about £8 =pullers for the pulleys, spark plugs/tubes etc

[twmtomos1]

id carry a couple of cam belts ,and locktight had the top pulley come loose,also it would be worth taking Minter with you problems solved