TENERE TRAGICS TAKE AIM ON FACEBOOK!

Dear Ténéré Tragics fans and followers: We have just made the shift from this Blogspot page across to a dedicated Facebook page to post all our Ténéré Tragics news, mail, photos and ride reports. You will also be able to post your Comments on the Facebook page.

To view the new Ténéré Tragics Facebook page, please go to

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tenere-Tragics/118714944907441

Please 'Like' the new Ténéré Tragics Facebook page and please be sure to circulate this link to your family and friends so they can follow 'Live' updates from next week's 2012 Ténéré Tragics Mountain to Mountain Run event.

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TRAIL MAIL: PROGRESS IN THE READFORD'S YAMAHA DUBBO WORKSHOP!

Hi Clubby: It's getting close now, so time for another update from our corner of the Tragics world!

I have a new set of off-road maps arriving Monday for my Garmin. They were only released last Thursday! Hopefully I can get my head around the new program. These type of maps are very basic, unlike roads and highways where you can plot everything. Anyway I have maps (printed types) as well!

Updates on our bikes are as follows:

1). Col has just had new tyres and H/D tubes fitted, fresh chain and cogs, new fork seals/oil/spacer, front brake master cylinder and caliper rebuild upgrade and then a test ride -- but, oops, there's an oil leak! The next time I see him will probably be as we are leaving to go to Bathurst next weekend as he will be working away all this week.

2). Pete has now picked up his bike after its blue slip, green slip ... and a massive rebuild! It's going through rego next week at Wellington. His bike had a rebore, head rebuild, new front rim/spokes, two new tyres and tubes and new fork seals. It had the same front brake rebuild as Col's bike, except it also included a new braided line as we couldn't get the brakes to pump up as the hose was old and bulging under pressure. It also scored new chain and cogs, new chain guide, new front and rear fenders, repair of the taillight bracket and flashers ... plus heaps more items too many to mention now!

3). My 'Baby' has been upgraded with a sump mod, Hepco bash plate, Yamaha engine bars with Col's version of a support bar (powder-coated), electronic cruise control, adjustable windscreen, wind deflectors (modded), extra power outlet, GPS, UHF, music, Bagster tank cover, SW Motech tank bag, GPS ram ball and new tyres as it was assembled. We've also given it a paint job (as per the European Off-Road 2012 'Special Edition' model). Took her for a test ride today Dubbo to Molong (gelato factory) to Mumbil to Wellington and home -- all went fairly well in the rain all the way! Marg and some mates also came along for the ride. Test fitted the luggage when I got home, but I still can't decide whether to topbox it or run a waterproof bag (as per Arkaroola trip).

Anyway, that's our news, can't wait until next week -- hope you had an eventful weekend of pre-planning!

-- Dave, Ténéré Tragic #21

Crikey, Dave, has there been any time for paying customers' bikes in the Readford's Yamaha workshop over the past month?! It sounds like you boys and your Ténérés have been keeping the workshop flat-out! Can't wait to see Pete's '83 model, for it sounds like it has had a serious make-over -- excellent! And exactly what colour is your 1200 going to be? The European Limited Edition model is available in a couple of different colour options (the white/red one is shown in this photo), so which one have you re-created? As for me, well, YES, I did have an eventful long weekend of final pre-ride route checking. I absolutely sizzled for two days down south and was hampered by a closed section of state forest that is now being logged, so much re-routing work was required there. Then yesterday, I was out near Bathurst and, like you, got piddled on from a great height for the entire day. With the weather so unpredictable these days, I would say all Ténéré Tragics this year best be prepared for blazing heat and drizzling rain, as we are sure to cop it all at some stage over the five days of the ride. Okay, mate, see you boys at Bathurst next Sunday arvo ... for crying out loud don't forget the printed maps!

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TRAIL MAIL: TRAGIC JOHN ON THE WAY!

Hi Tania & Clubby: It's Friday, February 24, as I write this note and I'm just about to toss the panniers over the seat ready to leave in the morning as I set off for the 2012 Ténéré Tragics Mountain to Mountain Run. I have had to change my route and will be coming via Echuca in Victoria, so if any of the other Tragics heading north out of Victoria catch up to a Ténéré, I will be more than happy to have the company. Looking forward to the ride and catching up next week!

-- John, Ténéré Tragic #36

Good luck on the long trip south, John; we can't wait to catch up again at Bathurst next weekend. Now, for those who don't know, John hails from the Northern Territory, so needless to say he has a few miles ahead of him in just getting to the Tragics event -- but can you believe he is going via Victoria to get to Bathurst?! Once again John's a definite candidate for the Most Kilometres Ridden in getting to the event Award!

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

FOR SALE: XT1200Z SUPER TENERE

Our good mate Dave Williams from Fair Dinkum Bike Tours Cairns just sent us a note to advise a good mate of his has a little-used Yamaha XT1200Z Supere Tenere for-sale -- here are the details:

2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere 1200.

Price $16,000.

Blue/silver.

8900km.

Still has two brand new Continental tyres to go on, existing rear nearly shot, front 90 per cent good.

Fitted with bar risers, Pivot Pegz, Motorrad Garage alloy bash plate and crash bars.

Never been dropped or even scratched.

Solo Qld rego till June 2012, but it has the rear pegs on it. Nothing changed from original.

Only ever ridden by an excellent mature rider on Sundays!

For more details, call Dave on (07) 4053 6999 or (0412) 950 192

TRAIL MAIL: THE SA CREW ARE READY & RARIN'!

Hi Clubby & Tania: Getting very excited. Only nine sleeps until we leave Adelaide to head to Bathurst. It's great to now have all the information on the fuel/food stops. I think Glenn and Michael were considering if they can set me up as a mobile food truck complete with an esky full of beer to meet them at the lunch stops ... but we’ll see. Café Latte anyone!

The ute and trailer is ready to go and I am more than happy to have sponsors stickers added to the vehicle for the Run and also if needed to be back-up for Pete. Here’s hoping no fellow riders will need a lift back ... unlike last year!

Attached is a photo of the boys' bikes as they were getting ready for a recent ride – unfortunately Greg who owns the white Ténéré is unable to make it to Tragics. In our group of friends there are seven Ténérés in total but I haven’t been able to get them all together for a photo. Michael is unsure if he is taking the ’88, which won him an award last year, or his recently acquired 750 Super Ténéré. He also has an ’83 sitting in the shed if need be. Too many options!

Well, back to the prep. Look forward to seeing you all at Bathurst.

-- Caron, Ténéré Tragic supporter, wife of Glenn (Dambo), Ténéré Tragic #14

Great news, Caron, and congrats to all your SA crew as you tie off all the loose ends for your Ténéré Tragics trip this year. Can’t wait to catch up with you all again, and thanks also for the offer of acting as an added support vehicle running from each overnight stop to the next. I am sure your vehicle and trailer will come in handy at some stage or another ... but you might live to regret the offer of Cafe Lattes -- Wolfy and Russ will be stopping you every chance they get! Can’t wait to see just which Ténéré Michael arrives on this year! Okay, I need to get out and do some more pre-running. C U soon!

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TRAIL MAIL: TRAGIC RALPH IS READY & RARIN'!

Dear Tragics: My preparation is almost complete on the 660: Service - tick; Tyres - tick; Staintunes on - tick. I really can't wait, just need those little wobbly mirrors, but from where? Oh, and I better book those hotels!

-- Ralph, Ténéré Tragic

Thanks for the fast update, Ralph, it will be great to have you along this year as a Ténéré Tragic virgin! Now, if I may, I need to make a quick introduction to all our fellow Tragics that you will actually be 'hard at work' on this year's Run -- as Ralph is a freelance journalist and will be writing a number of articles on the event for national magazines. Ralph, if you need any info from any of our Tragics re any matter Ténéré, do not hesitate to ask ... they are all fountains of information on all things Ténéré related!

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TRAIL MAIL: READFORD'S MOTORCYCLE CENTRE IS A HIVE OF ACTIVITY

Hi there Tragics: I thought I would take a moment to send in a photo of our workshop with a 'Triple Treat' of Ténérés being prepared for this year's big ride. There's my 1200 waiting for a heap of goodies to be fitted; Col's '86 ZS getting some TLC; and Pete's '83 600 undergoing major surgery. There have been much fun and games with time constraints based around work and parts availability making for interesting scenarios as to when these bikes actually be ready to ride!

Best regards and we'll see you all at the Mountain.

-- Dave Readford, Ténéré Tragic #21

Now Dave, we have ultimate faith in you and all the boys there at Readford's Motorcycles in Dubbo getting that mighty trio of Ténérés ship-shape for this year's Tragics Run. Look forward to seeing you in Bathurst.

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TRAIL MAIL: TRAGIC COLIN'S BUSHPIG IS ALIVE AND RUNNING!

Hi Clubby & Tania: Unlike last year where I was still trying to get the Bushpig up and running while the rest of you Tragics were already on your way to Arkaroola, this year I have the old girl off the bench and have even managed to go out for a shake-down run. You will notice in the picture there have been a few changes since last year. The flammable saddle bags have been replaced with some hard panniers and I have done some major revisions to the front end. Funny how replacing a leaky fork seal can turn in to a $500 front end overhaul with new seals, wipers, bushes, fork boots, steering head bearings and a set of Hyperpro springs to replace the stacked-out originals.

One of the many advantages of living in the country is that you don’t have to go far to find some good adventure riding. In my case, living on a dirt road, the adventure starts as soon as I head off down my driveway. I was having a good ride on some of the great dirt roads and tracks that run around the Clare Valley area here in SA until I stopped to take another picture after about 70km of riding. It seems that the Motoz Tractionator that I put on the rear is a bit wider than my previous rear tyre and it had been rubbing on the inside of the oil tank and caused a small crack to appear, making the rear of the bike an oily mess. Luckily I was only about 15km from home, so a had a slow ride home, stopping every few kilometres to check that I still had oil in the tank. So the bike is now back in her normal position on the work bench while I repair and modify the oil tank to stop a repeat performance on the big trip.

-- Colin, Ténéré Tragic #6

Nice one, Colin, the old Boy Scout theory of being prepared is clearly the order of the day this year -- good stuff! But it just won't seem the same if you don't roll up to greet us at the start of the ride with the delicious waft of molten saddle bags in the air and emu feathers jammed inside the engine fins! Take care on the long ride across from South Aussie and we'll see you at Mount Panorama on Sunday week.

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TRAIL MAIL: TRAGIC STEVE SHOULD WORK ON A MAGAZINE!

G’day fellow Tragics: Look ... it’s all very good for Clive to give us his preparation and maintenance tips for this year's Ténéré Tragics Mountain to Mountain Run ... but what about the Tragics whose idea of ride preparation is a wash and a wander around and then a full tank of fuel? I mean, what's wrong with riding till bits break or fall off then repair? It saves money on maintaining bits that don’t break and fall off!

And then we Blog-on to see a competition to see how far you can spread a Ténéré over your shed floor. Some of these dinosaurs look like they have been separated back to their basic elements and are ready to be put back into the earth. I just hope these reconstructors took some photos as they dismembered their pride and joys, otherwise they will be belting along wondering if they tightened up the feaffle valve nut to the correct torque setting and did they use the correct grease on the woofle pin and why do I have two nuts and a split-pin left over?

Being a veteran at the annual Ténéré Tragic rides (yes, I attended last year), I have some advice and comments for all riders attending this year:

1. Team up with someone on a 1200 so you can swap on the transport stages.

2. Team up with someone on a 600/660/750 so you can swap when the dirt turns up.

3. Don’t listen to all the 'experts' about how high you can pump up a HiddenOwl tyre to push it over the bead (95psi is too much, but that's just my tip).

4. Look for modifications on other bikes and then destroy the resale value of your own bike by copying others (thanks Troy!).

5. Pack the Liquid Metal at the top of your gear (actually, that's Theo’s tip).

6. Look out for Clubby’s hopeless ideas of distance and degree of difficulty (Hmmm, remember the Rock Farm?!).

7. Soak up the great atmosphere (that's everyone’s tip).

Now, in the Pre-Ride build-up: You should lie awake at night for weeks earlier worrying about do you have the right gear, too much gear or not enough gear? And ask yourself did you wander around the bike enough? And then ask yourself if you're good enough to keep up with the pack or will you drop your bike off the stand in front of 74 Ténéré Tragics who will look on in cool detachment thanking their lucky stars that they didn’t drop their bike first.

During the Ride: Rehydrate your body every night of the ride with barley, hops or grape juice. Rest your body by camping in small tents on even smaller carry mats in the rain. And enjoy the company of 74 other Tragics who all have a story to tell.

After the Ride: Do not sit down for two days. Tell all your non-Tenere mates how fast/quick/sideways/high/deep you went. Then get right in and book a place on next year’s Ténéré Tragics ride.

-- Steve McMillan, Ténéré Tragic #27

Ripper yarn, Steve, and you know what's best? It's all bang on the money! Love your style, son, and your sense of humour. You should get a job writing for a dirt bike magazine -- send us your resume. See you at Bathurst! Oh, and go do one more lap wandering around your bike: chain tension looks a little slack in the photo you sent ... Oh, and another thing, Lance 'Russ' Turnley wants his chair back.

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TRAIL MAIL: TRAGIC DAVE IS READY & RARIN'!

Hi all Tragics: With only two weeks to go before we all meet at Mt Panorama, I've been doing some prep on the bike. All new wheel bearings, steering head bearings, chain and sprockets, brake pads, brake fluid, air filter cleaned and oiled and finally the engine oil and filter done. All my spare tubes, patch repair kit, spark plug, levers etc are tucked away in the tail bag. I have just been doing a final fit of the luggage and the only thing I have left is to see Steve from AdventureMoto.com.au for either a tank bag or a clip-on map holder.

Looking forward to catching up with everyone on March 4! -- Dave Harrison, Ténéré Tragic #43

Definitely looking good, Dave! In fact, I am guessing you may well be a long way ahead in bike preps than many of our fellow Ténéré Tragics! Can't wait to see you in Bathurst for the start of this year's event!

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

TRAIL MAIL: TRAGIC KEN INVITES QLD TRAGICS ON THE ROAD TO BATHURST

G'day Tania & Clubby: Only a few weeks to go before the next Ténéré Tragics ride, can't wait, it should be good, looking at the general outline of the route you've told us about, and looking forward to and wondering about all the other things (obstacles/rocks/rivers/hills etc) that you haven't told us about?

A few of the Tragics -- Mike #19, Dave #8 and myself Ken #13 -- are planning to set off on Saturday 3rd March 2012 from the Maccas at Beaudesert, located on Brisbane Street (meet at 7.15 to 7.30am for 8.00am departure).

We plan to travel via Rathdowney, down behind Stanthorpe and on to the New England Highway at Tenterfield. We will proceed down to Tamworth then onto the Hunter Valley, stop over in maybe Denman. Sunday will then be an easy ride via the Bylong Way down to Bathurst arriving early afternoon in plenty of time for the Tragics get-together.

If any other Tragics wish to tag along, they can meet up at Maccas or elsewhere along the way.

-- Ken Henderson, Tenere Tragic #13

Thanks for the heads-up, Ken, as no doubt other 2012 Ténéré Tragics from up your way will most likely want to meet up and ride in convoy. Have a safe ride and we'll see you all at Mount Panorama. And hey, great photo ... quite the fleet you've racked up there, son!

-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1

THE WOLFMAN'S 'KING KENNY' XT1200Z SUPER TÉNÉRÉ TAKES TO THE GRID!

The clinically clean and immaculately arranged workshop at AdventureMoto.com.au is always a hive of activity and just lately head-honcho Steve 'The Wolfman' Smith and his crew have been busy twirling the T-bars piecing together his mount for the fast-approaching 2012 Ténéré Tragics Mountain to Mountain Run ... and we can safely say Wolfy's beast is really going to stand out from the crowd. In fact, it will be one of a kind.
He'll be riding his faithful XT1200Z Supere Ténéré that last year in the Flinders Ranges was box-stock blue, but for this year's Tragics Run has been decked out in a wicked yellow/black colour scheme that pays homage to one of Yamaha's most legendary of all Grand Prix racers, King Kenny Roberts.
As the final touches were put on the bike this past week, we dropped in at AdventureMoto.com.au HQ to check out the yellow beast and snap a few photos, as well as get the word from Wolfy on just what work has been done to the machine -- so hang onto your cheque-book and check it out:
+ Custom yellow/black paintwork by MotoPaint.
+ Waspworks custom tank graphics, screen adjuster and rear suspension link.
+ AltRider crash bars, rear luggage rack, bash plate, exhaust heat shield, rear brake master cylinder guard, universal joint guard, sidestand switch guard and sidestand foot.
+ Yamaha high screen, wind deflectors and headlight protector.
+ GYTR Slip-On muffler.
+ Barkbusters VSBars handlebars and VPS Barkbusters handguards.
+ Kaoko throttle cruise control.
+ PivotPegz Mark 3 footpegs.
+ The Little Trimmer (Castle Hill, NSW) custom carbon-look seat upholstery.
+ The Suspension Shop (SA): YSS progressive fork springs and valving, lengthened HyperPro rear shock with remote reservoir.
+ Kenda Big Block tyres.
+ 3BR USB Power Connector outlet.
+ Wolfman Genuine Side Racks and Dry Saddlebags (not shown in photo).

+ Rox Risers Vario bar riser kit (not shown in photo).
+ Double-Take mirrors (not shown in photo).
No doubt Wolfy's XT1200Z will have all our Super Ténéré riding Tragics drooling at the mouth, so get set to take a much closer look at it when we all arrive at Mount Panorama in a month's time to kick of the 2012 Ténéré Tragics ride – and don’t forget all the bolt-on goodies are available from AdventureMoto.com.au, so check 'em out!
-- Clubby, Ténéré Tragic #1