Lito
Race Dog
Hi - so as I start auctioning off parts of my Katoom - Akras, tyres, chains, sprockets, panniers, etc and get ready to set sail sometime in the next year, I thought it would be most befitting to offer an ode to the almighty Katoom, similar to the Dakar that was stolen.
If you will allow this moment of "verlang en hartseer".......
The day I got it ............
The stuff I got with the bike.. extras!
Washing her - full of pride
Remove the stupid looking spots on the crashbars, and ready for the ride with the 2x HP2 and 1200 and 1150!
Here we go!
Less than 10 minutes later......... crash into the blunt back end of a mx jump over a ditch at over 100km/h. This is within 24 hrs of owning it
Those Hepco Bekker bars are the shiznit
Within 4 hours
A couple of weeks
After 6 weeks of crutches, and having a main ligament gone forever on my ankle, I get these from the States :lol:
And these
errrrrr..... before getting the boots, this was the first ride back on the bike. R300 Brackenfell.
Full lock sideways stop
Small jump
First Grabouw ride, with ol Toren Wings, who came 9th this year I think in the GS Challenge
I then couldnt handle the Katooms power on the road. I felt edgy and nervous. Plus, my handlebars would go into headshake when released at any speed under 80 odd if I remember correctly. They would rip out, if hitting a pothole or bump at that speed. Something was wrong. Turned out to the Scorpions. But in the meantime, no better place to roadtrain than the RooiEls road. Standing at Hangklip
Overtook 12 out of 15 superbike riders in a group on Clarence Drive, it was great.
With McDuff and Mango
Then, it was time for a forum ride, meet the members. We did a Spes Bona, and surrounds ride. The bike was screaming like a banshee. That day was marked by huge winds. It even blew the Katoom down sadly.
We did some training at the area behind the Velodrome. Emergency stops etc. Twas fun and McDuff did the biggest wheelie ever on the short steep rampup. Was great to witness. We then went onto to Heins place and stopped off to have fun :? in the sand. It was blistering hot. I almost blacked out
Masehares F650 died (battery it turned out) and the faithfl Katoom dragged her out. The blimey had the bike locked in gear though despite assurances to be in neutral
Absolutely stuffed. Check us sitting in our bikes shadows. Cant explain the heat. We were both dehydrated pretty badly.
The very next day - Sunday - I set off on this 560km loop ride into the Karoo. It was double hot, and I really shouldnt have gone. My dehydration crept upwards, and though I consumed 5litres of liquid that day, I was dead. Not a good riding day for me.
This was the most difficult sandbed i ever rode in. Short, but so hot, and the sand like castor sugar. Heres the Bimmer struggling
The Katoom resting in the shade
The route for that day
Then it was off to Grabouw
I then invited McDuff, Mango and Hilde and Mark and this forum to Grabouw for the weekend.
It was Hildes first ever ride on the bike. It was quite an initiation
She is 6foot4, and I am around 5ft 10 to 11, and so with her standing on the pegs, it took some adapting.
I quite literally peed myself
The bike lapping it up
it was beautiful terrain
Smoke break
What a good bike
Then it was time for modifications
Something learnt on AdvRider
Ditto
Also, this: EPC and SAS removal. This meant that the bike had no more restrictions in power, in 2nd gear. And would help in reducing popping
The twin carbs. I adjusted fuel screw mixture and cleaned jets and adjusted the clips on the needles too
This one is for KE - this was the extent of garbage on my radiator
SAS crap removed
Blanking plates put on
Cut and grinded away and glued into place - the Sommers Door mod
errr. which goes where? :lol:
Doing the TSB myself on the Stator bolts - thanks Maverick for organising the Gasket etc. Awesome
Rocking and Rolling
All back together again - spot on
Right - lets ride! more to come later
If you will allow this moment of "verlang en hartseer".......
The day I got it ............
The stuff I got with the bike.. extras!
Washing her - full of pride
Remove the stupid looking spots on the crashbars, and ready for the ride with the 2x HP2 and 1200 and 1150!
Here we go!
Less than 10 minutes later......... crash into the blunt back end of a mx jump over a ditch at over 100km/h. This is within 24 hrs of owning it
Those Hepco Bekker bars are the shiznit
Within 4 hours
A couple of weeks
After 6 weeks of crutches, and having a main ligament gone forever on my ankle, I get these from the States :lol:
And these
errrrrr..... before getting the boots, this was the first ride back on the bike. R300 Brackenfell.
Full lock sideways stop
Small jump
First Grabouw ride, with ol Toren Wings, who came 9th this year I think in the GS Challenge
I then couldnt handle the Katooms power on the road. I felt edgy and nervous. Plus, my handlebars would go into headshake when released at any speed under 80 odd if I remember correctly. They would rip out, if hitting a pothole or bump at that speed. Something was wrong. Turned out to the Scorpions. But in the meantime, no better place to roadtrain than the RooiEls road. Standing at Hangklip
Overtook 12 out of 15 superbike riders in a group on Clarence Drive, it was great.
With McDuff and Mango
Then, it was time for a forum ride, meet the members. We did a Spes Bona, and surrounds ride. The bike was screaming like a banshee. That day was marked by huge winds. It even blew the Katoom down sadly.
We did some training at the area behind the Velodrome. Emergency stops etc. Twas fun and McDuff did the biggest wheelie ever on the short steep rampup. Was great to witness. We then went onto to Heins place and stopped off to have fun :? in the sand. It was blistering hot. I almost blacked out
Masehares F650 died (battery it turned out) and the faithfl Katoom dragged her out. The blimey had the bike locked in gear though despite assurances to be in neutral
Absolutely stuffed. Check us sitting in our bikes shadows. Cant explain the heat. We were both dehydrated pretty badly.
The very next day - Sunday - I set off on this 560km loop ride into the Karoo. It was double hot, and I really shouldnt have gone. My dehydration crept upwards, and though I consumed 5litres of liquid that day, I was dead. Not a good riding day for me.
This was the most difficult sandbed i ever rode in. Short, but so hot, and the sand like castor sugar. Heres the Bimmer struggling
The Katoom resting in the shade
The route for that day
Then it was off to Grabouw
I then invited McDuff, Mango and Hilde and Mark and this forum to Grabouw for the weekend.
It was Hildes first ever ride on the bike. It was quite an initiation
She is 6foot4, and I am around 5ft 10 to 11, and so with her standing on the pegs, it took some adapting.
I quite literally peed myself
The bike lapping it up
it was beautiful terrain
Smoke break
What a good bike
Then it was time for modifications
Something learnt on AdvRider
Ditto
Also, this: EPC and SAS removal. This meant that the bike had no more restrictions in power, in 2nd gear. And would help in reducing popping
The twin carbs. I adjusted fuel screw mixture and cleaned jets and adjusted the clips on the needles too
This one is for KE - this was the extent of garbage on my radiator
SAS crap removed
Blanking plates put on
Cut and grinded away and glued into place - the Sommers Door mod
errr. which goes where? :lol:
Doing the TSB myself on the Stator bolts - thanks Maverick for organising the Gasket etc. Awesome
Rocking and Rolling
All back together again - spot on
Right - lets ride! more to come later