Brisbane (Burpengary) to Torquay

Burpengary to Torquay - 18th April
So at last I set off into my full adventure, day 1 proper! Thanks to my "Queensland fixers" Paula & Ian, who put up with me for a month, feeding me and helping in many ways to get the bike roadworthy and on the road.
I set off (thats me leaving Ian & Paula's house)around 11am on Sat 18th April, heading towards a familiar place name, Torquay, in Hervey Bay, which is the step-off point for those going onto Fraser Island, the world's largest sand Island and home to many free roaming Dingos.

Heading up the Bruce Highway I had read about a rather good detour, that would keep me going in the general direction, but a great road anda break from the mundane main highway.

First turn off was onto the famous Steve Irwin road, where his famous Australia Zoo is situated. A quick stop there for a picture (and to say I'd been past it) then on my way. Now, to the detour, on up the road I sawe a sign with one of the place names I recognised from the Australian Motorcycle Atlas that I'm following and it was on this detour road, so I headed off! about an hour later I was entering a town that I didn't expect to see, as I should have gone way past it ages ago! It turns out that I had gone too far up the Croc hunters road and turned off too late, so instead off doing a clockwise detour which should have ended further on up the road, I did it in reverse and ended up further back than I started! Bugger! I kept going but the time was getting on and I had been warned, especially by people who have travelled by bike here before, not to ride at night and especially at dusk, beasties like to roam the streets! and I really dont fancy hitting a 'roo on a bike!

I did end up dashing the last 30kms or so in the dark, it was a nervous time I must say, but got to Hervey Bay and the campsite at about 6.30pm.

As it was dark I thought I'd get a backpacker cabin instead of puttin the tent up, same price too and I had the cabin to myself, which usually sleeps 4, shared kitchen, toilet & shower.

I haven't done much today, bought a few essential tools for the bike, adjusted the chain, went out for groceries and a bit of a ride around. Off to Bundaberg where they make the rum tomorrow :)

Finally - I think we have a result!

I've been here a month now...and haven't turned a wheel! Why? well in my wisdom (not) I decided to eventually buy a bike I hadn't seen before, I've done it before off New Zealand's famous Trademe auction site without a problem. So I saw a KLR650 that was a little too far away to go and see, but the description looked promising, "As new, perfect condition, you will not find a better KLR of this vintage" a few photos (which weren't that good I have to admit) a few phone calls and the deal was done. It was a good price, so I thought I was onto a winner.
Problem 1, was when it took almost 2 weeks to arrive with the guy givin me this and that excuse. Then....it arrived, loaded in the back of a furniture delivery van that had brought it the 1100 odd kms. It didn't look good! first thing the driver said was that he'd broken one of the rear indicators off moving it. Then on further inspection, the gear shifter was bent into the engine, the clutch lever was bent back on itself beyond repair and the tank had a dent/gouge in it, all this on the left side, so it had obviously had a fall on route (it wasn't strapped down either!)
The left fork seal was literally pissing out oil, the other rear indicator was nearly hanging off, he said he would reinstall the baffle on the muffler, his version of that was to "weld" on a stainless car tailpipe, it looked bloody awful!

Then there was the general condition of it! what a piece of shit, I thought! badly painted panels over the original plastic bodywork, rusty this and that, dirty and generally unloved and abused. NOT what the advert said at all, I was gutted to say the least.
I didn't really have much choice but to keep it, he had 90% of my money and what were my chances of sending it back on the truck it came in and getting my cash back? not much I thought, that way I'd have no bike AND no money.
I sent a very strong email to outline my disappointment and to ask what was he playing at, he basically just shrugged it off and even txted me a few days later to ask where the remainder of the money was!
So to cut a very long and painful story short, I decided that I was stuck with this bike, lessons were learned and I had to make the most of it.
So apart from the engine, it was pretty much stripped and sorted, even a new coat of black paint.
Fulls service, new oil and filters, new fork seals and oil, all linkages inspected and lubed, even some new mods recommended by the very wise people of the KLR.net forum, whom without I'd have been even more stuck! I had to get a second hand original muffler to replace the abomination that was there.
New parts were sourced by Ian who got them from the Kawasaki dealers near where he workd in Brisbane, thanks heaps Ian!

So now she finally stands, just a few tweaks left to do including new brake pads, final test ride, checks etc before I hit the road this weekend.

So, unless you are prepared for what may lie ahead, never buy a used bike you've never seen before! I felt really let down, but now I think I have a good bike to start this trip on.
A massive thank you goes out to Ian & Paula who have put up with me (and put me up) for the past month, especially as it was intended to only be a week or two! Thank you so much guys.

Ok, next blog will be on the road - I promise!!! :)