Happiness is

[King Rat]

Out and about in the Peak District, on my way to do some fishing on the upper Dove.



Lightweight, compact kit is all you need.



On the way home I went from Milldale through Wetton, down into the Grindon valley and across a little ford (about 3" deep only) up the hill to Butterton church. Then turned down the hill and went through the long cobbled ford. If you don't know this ford it is a good one, about 60 or 70 yards in total, the road actually uses the riverbed and it has been cobbled to take the traffic. There are two streams that feed into the ford but only one was running, so again it wasn't even tyre deep, but quite slippery. If you go in the winter, be aware of icing on the cobbles.

Then it was over the moor to Waterhouses and home through Ellastone. Up on the tops the sun was just going to bed.

 

[Ash]

Happiness is :

Ash's XC no 2

Bougt in more or less standard trim.
So needed to make it easier / suitable for me to ride it..

First was Fastaway Evolution footrests ( that I had on a 1150 GSA )

You can see the difference in peg heights from the pictures -

First piccy : standard XC footrest - hieght

Second piccy : fastaway footpeg

Last piccy fastaway Footrest - hieght

 

[Ash]

Next was Hepco & Becker main stand..
A must for ease of maintenance..

 

[Ash]

Then a Wunderlich Fender extender & just a standard rubber bike Fender extender.

Plus a square of rubber ( old yamaha Fender extender ) to the front XC frame downtubes. ( 1st piccy )

Just to add a tad more protection to the front of XC.

 

[Ash]

Next was a 09 reg year model sidestand..
Leans XC over more ( easier to get on / off with my busted body )

1st piccy standard 07 sidestand ( bike more upright )
2nd piccy 09 & 07 sidestands ( shorter is 09 stand )
3rd piccy 09 sidestand ( bike Leans over more )

 

[Ash]

Next up : Rox Antivibration Risers

I did have to record route the throttle cable to allow Rox risers to fit properly as they make the handlebars much higher, a must for me..

And hard wire my Garmin zumo 395LM & TT locking mount..

 

[Ash]

Up next : Grip puppies.

Just to try to further try to reduce any vibrations from the single cylinder engine..

I have total wrist fusion on my left hand & a u/s right shoulder + 50 - 70 % numb fingers on my right hand, so I wear wrist supports on both wrists.
So anything I can do to reduce any vibration / resination is a must.

 

[Ash]

Hepco Becker rear rack was next up...

As I use a H/B Journey top box..

 

[Ash]

Then Hepco & Becker pannier frames.

I use Wolfman Expedition soft panniers..

 

[Ash]

Then Hepco & Becker pannier frames.

I use Wolfman Expedition soft panniers..

Picture of Wolfman Expedition panniers fitted to my 700GS

 

[Ash]

Now was cut seat foam down to get rid of the hump at the rear..

I use a Airhawk seat cushion over the top + a sheepskin.

So by cutting the foam down I can move about when needed.

(pins in both my legs & ankle )

 

[Ash]

I ordered a Scorpion Stainless can via eBay + a generic stainless exhaust shield.

Fitting was a doddle even with my arms / hands..

As the XC lives outside under an R&G cover in the summer, the standard can takes a year to cool of & even with the pannier frames fitted the heat coming of the exhaust means I can't cover bike unless I leave it for the exhaust to to cool.
The scorpion can cooks so much quicker..

 

[Ash]

Next was BMW engine protection bars...

 

[Ash]

Hopefully won't need the next item : New spare cush drive rubbers.

But as BMV no longer make / supply them, so it was worth getting a new set from Nathan -

Losttheplot : http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showth...or-maybe-Xcountry?highlight=Cush+drive+rubber

 

[Ash]

Oddessy battery came with the bike so that was an easy one..

 

[Ash]

I had a eBay bargain purchase a set of BMW R1200R clear handgaurds.
They were listed as Genuine BMW & are certainly well made including the frames.. ( but no markings )
A bit of bending & filing & they fit a treat..

 

[Ash]

On my last XC I had a tinted Isotta screen.

But after much searching couldn't locate one, luckily did manage to locate an Isotta clear screen + fitting kit.
From: www.euronebike.net
So fitted that..

 

[Ash]

Up next was a Bagster Black / Grey tank cover.

Took quite a while to arrive as they are special order..

But less chance of Ash scratching the plastics with a cover on..

 

[Ash]

Next is the Airhawk seat cushion & sheepskin cover..
Plus a Wunderlich screen extension that I had on the 700 GS, works a treat on the XC..

And my Blue badge on the screen to annoy all those that fink people with disabilities should be locked indoors.
Plenty of folk look & mutter whilst walking away saying -
" how can disabled people ride a bike "
Fuckwitts

And it annoys traffic wardens who say " you can't park there "

So I point them to the Blue badge

 

[Ash]

Last for now : is a LED H4 headlight bulb..
I replied to a thread in the 11XX section about cheap spot lights by King Rat ( also an XC owner ) -
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/478494-Riding-lights

And Paul - Obertone said he had a H4 LED bulb set he wasn't using & I could have them FOC ( thanks Paul )

So duly fitted, the 3 pin connection now lives well taped up outside the headlight to allow the cooling fan / bigger bulb to fit inside the plastic headlight & taped the whole left..
Much brighter & a doddle to do..