Which begs the question, which bike for a lap around oz?

My point exactly, our old clunkers (by modern standards) like 95 and can run on 91 no problems. Fuel injected bikes (modern 'Adventure' bikes) are a different matter.
 
My eyes glaze over when they get technical on fuel injection but there is always mention on something called a Donegal that allows crap fuel to be used. They do some HIGH TECH stuff on bikes that go way off-grid, to me the best option is to use a bike that's cheap enough to abandon if it goes to shit. I am talking The Stans or Mongolia, not Oz.
 
Agree with you Vince; something you are happy to walk away from if everything turns to shit, not some exotic $25000 techno whizzbang behemoth (unless of course you are seriously cashed up and prepared to take the hit).
 
I thought most of these modern technobikes had algorithms to allow just about any fuel from melted candlewax to rocket fuel. Problem is they are prone to software problems so you need the correct software to flash in to get them to run again. And that on top of mechanicals.
 
Just thought I would ask the lads down under in OZ, can you still buy those 'ugly as a hat full of chopped up dicks' plastic 5 gallon Jerry cans that are easiy converted into the best panniers ever? I have searched Amazon and army surplus stores and outfitters from here (SouthernCalifornia) to British Columbia without success. I have a rack that supports my 35-year-old Eclipse soft luggage but the rack was originally built for those ol Plastic Jerry cans and the Eclipse bags are degrading, just wondering,Cheers Dave.
 
Not sure, Dave. But I've still got the ones that took me around Oz, flat steel rack as strong as buggery - survived all the corrugations and bull dust and vibes of the SF. I might do some searching out of interest.
 
For my trip around Oz, I made panniers out of thin plywood, then put a layer of fibreglass cloth inside and outside. Only cost a few bucks for materials. They were immensly strong. Bike fell over on them a couple of times and did no damage.

I saw another bloke with a couple of plastic toilet cisterns as panniers. Pretty much perfect as they are. Just remove all the internal bits and plug the inlet and outlet holes. They even come with a lid so no need to cut them up.
 
Piranha Brother 2 said:
Not sure, Dave. But I've still got the ones that took me around Oz, flat steel rack as strong as buggery - survived all the corrugations and bull dust and vibes of the SF. I might do some searching out of interest.
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7
Yeah, I have the same rack (flat steel) I made with basic hand tools and a vice way back in 77, it has never cracked and never had a bolt come loose. It has done double duty as a third seat on several occasions(in Peru for a week) and has carried a keg from the Kalamunda pub to the house on Lesmurdie Road. Ugly rack but you can't see it when it's in use. I believe it was you or your brother who introduced me to plastic Jerry can panniers. Thanks a million served me very well !!!
 
I don't care what Bike you use - Just do not use leather saddle bags - Fiber Glass Carriers or Samsonite Suit Cases work.
 
Seen a few 5litre ones but no plastic jerries for a long while. I have 2 steel ones for 2stoke and petrol. Bunnings sell everybloodything.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/garden/garden-tools/fuel-cans-funnels
 
Andy J said:
I?m falling in the Atlas camp if it?s got to be a Laverda, but perhaps with appropriate modifications. As for finding one in Oz, I note Cosi says he has one.... :D
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Checked this today, Cosi doent have an Altas.
 
I have tried from keeping a sly eye on Atlas owners in Oz over the years there are 2 and a half Atlas,s in Oz that I know about. One in South Oz imported years ago and Yogis one plus some big bits of another also owned by Yogi. I cannot afford or even have space for one anyway but there a rare bike in Oz.
 
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