[katrina ratcliffMember]

Lefty… it’s been great to read your views and see the photo’s….. learning all the time reading such posts…

Thanks for sharing and I’m looking forward to reading more.

When I get back from APC I’m going to attempt my first top end rebuild on the CRF230 with some help from a friend. Reading this is starting to put things into place from my research so far…

Kat

[katrina ratcliffMember]

That went quick…… Sold to Jeffro…..to keep his pinkie’s warm on the Tenere. 😆

Kat

[katrina ratcliffMember]

Happy Birthday Krusty… it was great catching up on the birthday ride…. hope the day is special and you get some orange bits!!! :woohoo:

Kat

[katrina ratcliffMember]

Hey Ian… certainly got the bling thing going there……. good to see you are keeping busy pottering on your bikes whilst you waiting for the injury to come good….. won’t be long I’m sure…. hope to see you out there soon getting that beast dirty!!

Kat

[katrina ratcliffMember]

Update on APC preparations……………

Made good use of three day long weekend that had foul weather and got stuck into stripping down the bike in preparations for the Rally.

First job was checking the steering head bearings……it confirmed that the bearing were in need of replacing…. now I know why I was having trouble steering….well I’m blaming the bearings

Next job was installing my new Eagle Screen (400mm – touring) and you will notice I put an Old Bull sticker above the headlight……

Next was to check the valve clearances………. the exhaust valves were both to tight but the intake valves were ok

The accelerator and clutch cables were lubed up and we ran a spare clutch cable as precaution and a new spark plug was installed.

Next was to mount the GPS and 2-way radio and it’s associated power cable… (may need to rethink the mounting of 2-way)

but noticed the subframes had some cracks in the arse end of the bike. I put that down to ………… not my big butt ………. but maybe loading up the back on past long adventure rides carrying all my stuff (including tools).

So the subframe had to come off and sent to welders to stiffen up the frame

The bike felt a bit naked

So by Monday afternoon the bike was in bits and waiting for subframe to come back….. hope to have it all back together for Sunday’s ride….

Will keep you posted on further preparations activities…. have decided to wait a week before the ride to spend the day with Amy / TB and Steve Adventure Moto – to do wheel bearings, chain, sprockets, pads, oil change and air filter…. the rest will be done between now and then….

Kat

[katrina ratcliffMember]

The King deserves a big sloppy kiss…… :kiss: :kiss: :kiss: …maybe 3….

Happy Birthday matey

Kat xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was great catching up on the Birthday Ride and seeing you in fine form!!…

[katrina ratcliffMember]

WOW Pete, you definitely made sure the weekend was full of adventures on and off the bike. Looks like your bikie angels were working hard…. you couldn’t have had better people looking after you. Glad to hear you got home safely. The OBT love well and truly out there.

Kat

[katrina ratcliffMember]

Hey Rachael another Chic on OldBulls…… YEH… 😆 , It was so nice to meet you on the weekend…..and it was a shame we didn’t get an opportunity to go for a easy ride around Sunny Corner. Flying Fish, Alyssa and myself are keen to take you out some time soon for a ‘girlie’ ride. I’m sure Wolfie, Smick400 and Stephen can entertain themselves on some other tracks whilst we have some fun. I think Alyssa is doing the Yamaha Off Road Riding course in September at Dargle which I’m thinking of also doing to sharpen up my skills….. maybe you might be interested in coming along…. keep in contact.

PS… you can bring a cake along on any of our future rides …. it will definitely help us ride better.

KatGirl.

[katrina ratcliffMember]

It’s not often I get a chance to take a 4 day weekend and have an opportunity to do a spot of camping, riding and socialising with mates around a campfire. So got there early on Friday, set up camp, bikes off trailer and prepared. It wasn’t till late that afternoon that Trailboss formally advised of the cancellation and I understood the situation. Unfortunately I had one too many drinks so couldn’t drive home…. camping overnight was the only option…. so did a spot of more drinking, cooked up some Indian food and slept with the sounds of snoring coming from Mal’s tent!!

Next morning I decided to change my ride option and instead of getting lost on single trails I decided to head for Hill End for more of an adventure ride (plus the knowledge there was a pub made it more tempting)….I wanted see if I could hook up with Flying Fish (no pun intended) and some old buddies…Strucky, Fish and Eagle. I was thrilled to not only ride with these guy’s/girls but got to meet some other’s along the way.

The ride was at a comfortable pace and had everything from rocky sections, water crossings, slippery mud and ruts. We were lucky and had Steve with his GPS leading the way. Only got lost once that required us all to turn around. I demonstrated to Fish my turning skills by hopping off my bike and leaning it over on the side stand and twisting the bike 180 degrees….got a belly laugh out of him that was priceless.

After quick fuel at Capertee we headed to Hill End. By this stage I had blue lips so did what anyone would do when you’re cold…… ride harder and faster. Decided to push my limits flying on the slippery dirt chasing Strucky. Came in hot on quiet a few corners but managed to make the bike’s arse go all over the place. Strucky nearly kissed a 4wd coming the other way but was able to just get around it…. that was impressive. It was great riding with Flying Fish and enjoying the banter over a pub lunch with drinks….. got to teach you how to drink rum and coke!!… We hogged the two heaters but the boys didn’t seem to mind. The other highlight was seeing Steve ride his yellow beast in slippery conditions and showing how its done ……. and he and Clubby using up the F counter when discussing their sleeping arrangements for the night….. “Golden Chain” was mentioned about 100 times by Clubby….

Got back at 4pm with my whole body blue and the bike was shaking due to my shivers. I was amazingly welcomed by smick400, Alyssa and Stephen with a hand to strip down out of my wet gear, hot water bottle down my top, rum/coke poured, nibbles and the use of Alyssa/Stephens Castle full of heaters and shelter from the rain…..

The night was then shared over a meal at the Hall (thanks to who ever arranged that at last minute) then back for an auction that made my belly sore with laughter. I was overwhelmed by the support from the OldBull community for our APC challenge ….. TB, Steve, MickP, and Pete the Wulf, and Matt from Bikes & Bits….

Despite the cancellation and weather it was special to catch up with mates that made the most out of a bad situation.

Special kiss to TB, Chris and other for your tireless efforts to foster this amazing community of people.

Kat

[katrina ratcliffMember]

Hey Mick, been reading your post and the responses you got and I’m thrilled that you’ve had the courage to share your story. What is also special is the support and love from the OldBull family.

My Dad was in his late 60’s when he was diagnosed and after the operation and radiation he was one of the lucky ones…unfortunately he wasn’t comfortable sharing his story with his sailing mates. It wasn’t until some of his mates succumbed to the same cancer that he spoke up. Unfortunately it was too late for some and the last couple of years he has gone from one funeral to another.

So I suppose blokes need to continue to share their personal challenges and know there is support out there.

Kat

[katrina ratcliffMember]

EAGLE`02 wrote:

My SPOT link for those wanting to see what we are up to over the weekend :whistle:

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0mhBqEqeqrLe1JuSXXv7Mviejqixr41dP

It will be active from about 5.15am Friday

I’m sure you will be active before 5.15am but the spot doesn’t track that…. ha ha…. look after Flying Fish (and her bike).. I need her in good condition for APC Rally….

Kat

[katrina ratcliffMember]

OMG Teza….I was hoping to have a giggle with you on the Grade 3 ride. Even lined up Alyssa and Flying Fish to giggle too. Last time we caught up was in Hampton and you did your shoulder (if I remember correctly). Well your wifey is going to kill you … and probably sell your bike whilst you are in hospital. Just remember the value you will bring for the next 8 weeks being around the house…. or in bed!!.. ha ha….

It would be great if you could come out for a drink but I know what its like after an operation and last thing you need is 90 blokes getting you pissed and having too much fun!!!

Take care… and it’s only 8 weeks for bones….. longer to get the wife happy again……. good luck.

Kat

[katrina ratcliffMember]

Hi Chris…. good to see you on this forum as well… There are a few of us that hang on both sites to get the best of both worlds….. Lucky you made the statement that ORE are “friendly people” cause you would have been in trouble on Sunday’s ride!!!

Welcome to the nut house…..

Kat

[katrina ratcliffMember]

Happy Birthday Crash……. hope its a sweat experience today!!!

See you next weekend chewing the fat over a few to many rum and cokes…

Kat

[katrina ratcliffMember]

Boony wrote:

Why don’t we just all crap in a pile like normal bulls

Ha ha Boony…. after a few rum/cokes you bulls will miss the pile!!!… crap will be everywhere….

From a ladies perspective it will be sorted by riding about 2km from the camp site with my pocket “pooper scooper” and wipes and enjoying the experience….sorry boys if you hear the little Honda 230 singing early in the morning…… its your wake up call.

Kat

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