Mon
Start 7.30, ran over a kangaroos tail 8 am. It came out from my right and I could not stop. Missed the body but the tail went under both wheels, I could feel the bump and the pull to the left. Saw the kanga hopping off into my dust, no fall on my part so I simply kept going. It is all tar from Gregory Downs to Winton now. Asked the tourist office about accommodation, and staid at the pelican camping ground. Could do with more trees. A pub is one block up the road.
Tues
Adjust both valves by 1/4 turn both. Tried to clean starter but it needs more striping than I am prepared to do here.. Replacing the bolt on the front of the starter a 6mm bolt with an Allen headed bolt means you can get this one in and out with the standard tool kit. Similarly the 10 mm by 45 mm bolt on the left rear of the starter can be replaced with an Allen head to make the job easy and able to be performed on the road. Had lunch with a Dutch couple touring by pushbike from/to Tenterfield. They intend to travel to three ways and down to Adelaide then back. Some months on the road. I go to the historic museum. They have a 4wd truck with solid wheels (no flats - rto note) 4 wheel brakes (drum exposed) built 1920's!! Very advanced for its time. Found my father in the electoral roll, this has given me which station he worked at, something lost over time.
Wed
On to Longreach and the Quantas museum, OK but over priced. The rear tyre is faulty, one half of the circumference is worn out and the other half is about half worn. I manage to get a "King" tyre that fits 4.60 18 more knobby than road but it will get me home. On to Barcaldine. Looked at the worker museum ok with a student discount $5.50, but other wise I don't think so. Rang Carnarvon Gorge- fully book to the end of the month. The council showground is open for camping, about $6 for the first night second night free. If you want you can bush camp down the road, and use the show ground facilities for free. Except for the washing machine, which is, some coins ($2?).
Thurs
Got four lamps 5w for the instrument panel. Replaced the blinker lamp. Oil change and top up gear oils where needed. The OZ dollar is now 54c us ! What is going on? Check web for alternative oil pressure switch that is weeping. Go back to worker museum . Bush fire colours eastern horizon, and spreads overhead.
Fri
Off to the east. I am starting to feel cool, will need liner in jacket soon. The scenery is good, some bends and ups and downs for a change as I approach Emerald. Try for an oil pressure switch here, no go, Repco say they can have one tomorrow. I go to the tourist office for advice. They say there is a new place to camp just before Carnarvon. Have lunch and go on to Carnarvon gorge. I stop at Roylson to buy some food at a store (open 1862) and the old bloke wants to talk, he has some interesting things. On to Carnarvon Gorge after the turn off the road turns to dirt, but good flat dirt. Some dry creek crossings then a wet one that gets me. I am off line and give it some throttle to get up the other side, the green slime has the rear wheel slip and I slowly drop it on the dry part of the concrete. The new campsite has been open 7 days! And is almost full of unpowered campers, the powered ones are less popular. They have some safari cabins that are also popular.
Sat
Into Carnarvon Gorge, and the ranger station has a good display and they offer a campsite... some people have cancelled, but the amenities block I looked at was not clean... I walked up to Big Bend and looked at the sidetracks to 3.30 pm (Cathedral Cave, Boowinda Creek, Art Gallery, Aljon Falls, Amphitheater) then I return for an introductory talk.
Sun
Do Moss garden, hellhole gorge, Mickey creek and Warrumbah gorge. Lunch at oasis lodge but I am pressured way - nothing like Broome!
Mon
Walk up the Bluff, the rock pool and part of the ridge to see devils signpost. Slide show is off.. Back to camp. I remove the oil pressure switch and apply silastic to the threads and gasket faces. Cook diner, its cooked but Kathy Freeman is running so most of the camp goes to the rangers private quarters to see it. they return to say she has won gold.
Tues
Off south, I hope the weather holds. The jacket liner is useful in the mornings but comes off at midday. Injune is full of bad drivers.. back to civilization. Lunch at Miles, more Olympics on the TV. Through Warwick (the police here have a reputation of really enforcing the speed limit to with in 1 km of the limit! So watch it) and on to Killarney the potato capital of OZ. There is a waterfall out here too but it has been dry out here. Stay in the pub. Ring Paul Rooney to see if I can stay and get some info on his specials and other bits and pieces.
Wed
I wander around the boarder region till lunch, it is a good area for bike riding and scenery but don't do both at once. Looks like yesterday's silastic job is working on the oil pressure switch. Talk bikes, boots , and life style till late.
Thurs
More talk to 10. I try a special mainly for the brake a 320 mm with a Harrison caliper. I think its ok, good feel and power. I check with Paul on a brembo 4 pot caliper he thinks that would be OK. I check the floating arrangement. May be if it was sealed with silastic it would last longer? At least it would keep the dust & water out. Off to Rob Pops via the scenic route. A light lunch then On to robs- more talk of bikes, trips and people.
Fri
Up at 6.30 - sunrise. Pack - mossies are out. I figure a long boring ride on the tar home with out diversion will see me there. I am worried by an oil leak - possibly a rear main bearing seal, 5 drops on Paul Rooney's floor. You cannot see that when you park on dirt. I arrive home with out trouble, the R80 G/S has another off centre run completed. But lots of problems on this trip. The bike is getting on, so maybe a restoration/development is in order for this bike. The idea of a K75 G/S special is appealing if this removes some of the problems with out getting different problems in return. My experience with the K11LT is that there are less problems and very much less maintenance. So that maybe my new main project. First problem is getting a cheap K75 suitable for my budget and purpose.
You can e-mail me at Yahoo. File dated 15 November 2000
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