Iceland 2014 - Planning & Preparation

[namtip]

I'd like to announce that I'm setting off on a jaunt to Iceland on the 10th September this year for approximately two and a half weeks. This is the first time I have done a bike trip anywhere near this length (in terms of distance and time) but it has been my dream for about 5 years now. And yes, I'm going on my MT, and probably completely solo...

Over the past few months I've been slowly prepping the bike (lots of riding and tinkering ) and getting hold of equipment. Now the time is drawing near I've realised there is so much more that needs to be done! I'm currently awaiting some shiny new Hagon shocks in the post (my Ohlins are fine, but too old and a bit creaky to trust), and have just placed a large order with Sportax for a completely new clutch and other bits (make me grin Gary!) as well as with Rex's Speedshop for a new CDi and rectifier (to go with a new coil I had off of them last year). Looking forward to lots of wheel and cambelt guide+tensioner bearings from George too! A new chain and sprockets are probably also on the menu as well as new tyres as soon as I figure out which ones I want (motorway riding to Hirtshals in Denmark to catch a ferry, then tarmac and gravel roads in Iceland).

What I'd really like to kick off in this thread are what failure modes have people experienced while out and about on MTs, the symptoms, causes, and remedies - this is so I can make sure I have all possible bases covered before I leave. I'll start with my own recent experience:

Symptom: Chain broke
Cause/Reason: Clip broke/fell off and I didn't have spare link/clip on me
Remedy: Carry spares!

Please keep the thread going with your personal story of disaster so that I can get slightly wiser and hopefully not break down! Of course any other advice on planning and preparation will be heartily welcome

[arceye]

Spare carb rubbers or plenty of tape.

[ellrider]

10,000 miles done in a week between 4 MTs, one hole in exhaust remedied with jubilee clip, one flat battery remedied by tightening battery to frame earth. Not much goes wrong with these other than general wear and tear items. I wouldn't go changing everything for the sake of it as you may introduce problems, stick with the tried and tested items already fitted.

[woodruff]

These are from my personal experience.

Symptom: Had to keep stopping to talk to people about 1939 to 1945
Cause: 'Army' bike
Remedy: Paint any colour other than Green

Symptom: Unable to find bike in morning
Cause: It was exactly where I had left it
Remedy: Exit Hotel using same door as entered by

Symptom: Bike felt 'Different'
Cause: Key not unique
Remedy: Keeping as low a profile as possible return Ralf's MT and get on my own bike.

[Joth.Hill]

Hi

Fantastic place to Visit, Ride and Reasonably cheap

Went to Iceland in 2012, your route will most likely take you to Denmark ? then to Iceland, Both don't use the euro, also Iceland was not covered by the standard European breakdown cover, Insurance or Medical Cover back in 2012 (Need to Check your Policy) !!!!

I have uploaded the book I wrote on my blog if you need any further information. URL Below

http://www.qtg.co.uk/forum/

Must agree with the earlier post (if it is not broke don't fix it), also don't do anything to the bike if possible while travelling, on one trip we did over 2000 miles without a hitch a kind dealership offered me the facility to check my tyre pressures and the valve insert broke, it was a Sunday and the ferry was the next day.

Always be kind to the bike if you ride with sympathy it won't let you down.

Joth

[Thumper]

Re chain

Far better to rivet rather than use split link. Quite easy to do with the right tools

[bth2bth2]

agree with above.
if it runs ok and you havnt had any major issues . leave well alone. just give it a good service and a good run before you go.
new chain (riveted) ,sprockets and new clutch plates wont go amiss.
i would carry a working coil,reg/rect and possibly cdi unit . if any of these go u/s it could be a show stopper or a few days wait for an item to be posted to you but if you breakdown in the middle of nowhere ??? also carry the usual cables and odds and sods.

sounds a great trip. good luck.

brian

[Minter]

I wondered if it was you Colin! If you want to come for a ride out to Oxford I'll give you're bike the once over and fit the new clutch FOC if you like..
Regards Gary

[Bonnielad]

Best o' luck mate. Looks like a great trip.Just enjoy the experience and remember that whatever happens is still part of the experience.

Steve

[ellrider]

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