Advice from Geoff Udy
Trouble-shooter for the 08 Quad Cape Ride
QUAD SETUP AND BARE ESSENTIALS FOR A CAPE YORK ADVENTURE
I am assisted Les Jensen (www.aussiequadadventures.com.au) for his 08 Cape Scrape and here’s some of the thoughts and experience from the 07 and 08 epics.
You have to be real practical and minimize non riding clothes and maintenance gear to an absolute minimum or you don’t get started, as support vehicles sometimes have to traverse much of the adventure route as the quads do and space/weight is limited. A 60ltr drum sized soft canvas dust and waterproof carry bag (Aussie Disposals type) per person is ideal.
1. TOOLS
Try not to double up on repair type tools and spares so communicate with fellow riders and organizers to avoid duplicating other than light maintenance tools and spares. Most minor crash damage and breakdowns can be straightened or improvised repair effected from the assorted brain pool of experience sufficient to complete the ride, as broken bike and rider transport is also very limited.
2. RIDING GEAR
Boots, MX full height or the now available AXO & Alpinestar shorter quad and mountain bike style, inner sole pad removed and finer sox made for more room and comfort with less heat and prune foot at days end from the many water adventures. Nylon pants include knee pads – Dri Rider full breather type enduro jacket, as arms in and zip up = body armour – water pack-pockets and the ultimate protection on in a flash, quick to get on and off and is all seasonal with zip in waterproof and thermal liners. I prefer Rivet short synthetic/carbon fibre knuckled full breather gloves and THH peaked open helmet with a graduated flip up visor. There are heaps of opportunities to swim and generally cool off in crystal clear creeks and rivers. Quick dry synthetics are the go including Lycra jox or Speedos, as you will get wet regularly in our tropical north.
3. NON RIDING GEAR
You don’t need much and it’s not a fashion environment. 2 pairs shorts –spare sox and jox-1 track pants or jeans- several light tops -1 jumper or jacket –scuffs, thongs or trackies but not all. Cap or fold up hat and tinted safety glasses are great on or off the quad. A compact toiletry set, towel, torch and a HEMA Cape York map to fully understand the significance of where you are.
4. TOOLS
Try to pack most tools on your quad and only use these tools for your pre Cape set up and maintenance so you know you have only what you need, correct sizing and they work! I really get excited about miniature tools sufficient to perform most adjustments etc in a kit in my jacket pockets and only maintenance ones in a kit on the quad. Tubeless repair plugs are essential and a small air line (valve to valve) as punctures and bead pops are not uncommon. A 4mtr x 30mm webbing strap is real handy and beats the hell out of that wait for the sweep crew while your mates are maybe only 5ks ahead writing your name in the condensation of a well earned stubby. (Note: 4mtr is long enough for a bogged snatch out while 2mtr or less is safer for open towing, less roosted dust and rocks and reduced impact during a panic stop.)
5. QUAD SET UP
New machine is best, near new great, however an older quad with sound motor /gear box should do it however be aware of sand, water and distance emphasis that may not have been dominant in past rides. Sand and water are a mischievous team and laugh at lubrication. New chain -sprockets-brake pads –wheel, axle and swing arm bearings are a must. 3000k means tyres new or as new – check wheel alignment (toe in or out can stuff up front treads in a day if it’s real bad). Make sure all air intakes are sound and original e.g. lids on air boxes/holes taped over and all breathers are high and sound (carby/crankcase/diffs etc) Logan’s Raptor 350 kept stalling in even moderate water until I remembered previous Can-am BRP trail bike assaults to the tip and raised the carby breathers after which it would idle along in close to a metre depth and never stall. CVT models need good sealing around the CVT cover and sound high air breathers. One CVT belt shredded on the second last day only because grit had somehow got into the pulley shaft and restricted the freedom of movement allowing temporary slackness of the belt-overheating and destruction. Most CVT belts seem to last forever without such aliens around the components and are not regarded as delicate or wear items-I would like to know the full story, I’ll bet it involves too much revs and sandy deep water crossings.
6. RIDING NOTE
4WD and most 2WD drives will idle through most sandy deep water however if you try to increase speed the wall of water resistance is sufficient to scurry the sand out from under the drive tyres dropping the diff onto the base and you go no where. Patience is not only a virtue but also essential for successful deepwater sandy crossings and can greatly assist in mud also! It’s not all wet so back off in the dust and try to ride in order of speed and ability-fastest to the front so everyone gets to see everything and ride well within your comfort zone. Bumbags are popular but not real safe in my opinion, it’s rather like strapping a log across your back and have contributed towards paraplegic results from relatively minor over the bars type get-offs, if you use them try to restrict their contents to smaller and softer type essentials.
3000km = approx Melbourne-Cairns without the traction so conserve everything to make sure you are one of the many successful riders there and back, higher gearing helps sport quads. Logan’s Raptor was +3 front sprocket teeth from standard-it’s not for high speed rather than lower revs in the long fast parts and better loading on the motor. Invest in a professional tune and service and tell your mechanic where you’re going and how far, if you’re good enough at it he’ll want to come along.
By Geoff Udy (Trouble-Shooter) 07 4697-8240.
For more further information, contact Les Jensen (Trail Boss) 07 5520-0858 or 0418-723-155
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