The Down under chronicles

[fjmartin]

Blackbike, I did a search for "mandarin silly" and found the pic and then used photoshop to change what was written on the board and put the CSC logo on the hat and text on the shorts. I went to carstickers.com, uploaded the pic and ordered a 4"x4" clear vinyl sticker to put on the bike...$6. I liked the name since it has triple meaning for the color, the country of origin and it's sweet like the bike.

[BlackBike]

Hehe, we'll done.

I didn't notice the csc logo on the cap.

My rx4 (if it happens), will probabbly be silver with either black or red accents like csc corporate guy's silver and red. Beautiful bike

Thank you for the details, I really like it!

[Citroenjunkie]

I'm home!

What an awesome ride! It took 8 hours door to door and used about 20 litres to do the 560kms from Auckland to Dannevirke.
I learned a lot along the way.
1. I love adventure bikes, especially Zongie. Roadworks, unsealed gravel, potholes, mud covered surfaces used to freak me out and I'd end up holding up traffic as I gingerly rode my sports bike over them. Now stand up and crack on! Preferably with the throttle wide open.
2. 250cc bikes have more than enough grunt. No I didn't set a new speed record, but I did pass a hell of a lot more than I got passed, including a few 650 bikes from a number of we'll know makers.
3. I'm quite capable of picking up a 175kg fully laden bike. Yes it fell over. Yes it was my fault. Yes I know that making a low speed u turn on a steeply cambered road is foolish and no my downhill leg isn't as long as I'd have liked! Did I damage the bike? No the crash bars and corner protectors on the panniers work perfectly. Only the smallest scratches. The bike didn't loose any fluids even though the steepness of the slope meant that the wheels were higher than the handle bars for a bit. And with the "butt to seat squat thrust" technique we were vertical again in seconds. No damage except to the ego. Interestingly the only vehicle which stopped and came back to help me was a lowered ute filled with rowdy backward facing cap, youngsters!
4. Zongshen is the Chinese for,"will run underwater!" When I bought my bike a month ago I looked up the long range weather forecast. Torrential rain was promised. it won't happen to me I thought. Well it did. I rediscovered the dubious joys of the slow cold trickle into the crotch. The gradual numbing of the fingers as my gloves absorbed litre after litre of water. The squelch of saturated socks as I moved my foot to change gear. Did the rain spoil my ride? No way! I had a ball.
As I was riding through the fourth patch of impenetrable rain I looked at the sad little people in their climate controlled cages and thought, "Suckers, you don't even know you're alive!"
I'll have a go at loading the pictures I managed to take in the dry moments, but I'm already planning my next trip, somewhere dry maybe?

[Citroenjunkie]

[Citroenjunkie]

[fjmartin]

Sounds like a great adventure! Welcome to the Zong adventure club! Oh, mine has been "down" more than a dozen times now. Only scratches on the crash bars! That's what the bike is for. Have fun!

[BlackBike]

Citroenjunkie..I was going to make that very comment..."alive" !

[Ron B]

Great story. Love the orange! .......ok, gotta ask.....who else noticed the exhaust?

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by Ron B

Great story. Love the orange! .......ok, gotta ask.....who else noticed the exhaust?

Nice catch! I wonder if that heat shield still buzzes!? ;-)

[Citroenjunkie]

Originally Posted by Ron B

Great story. Love the orange! .......ok, gotta ask.....who else noticed the exhaust?

I have to ask, what about the exhaust?

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by Citroenjunkie

I have to ask, what about the exhaust?

Yours appears far more "bendy" than the one in the States.

[Ron B]

i was just noticing your has more drop than mine

[Citroenjunkie]

Fascinating I wonder why? There is some sort of electrical sensor on the pipe on the first bend. Maybe something to do with emissions regulations? We don't have any rules here like you do in the Sates. I assumed my bike was an American market model, but perhaps not. I'll have to take a closer look.

The guy I bought it from gave me the plastic panniers, a black screen and a set of new off road tyres as part of the deal. Any suggestions for the boxes?

I also wanted to ask if anyone has fitted the centre stand?
Also, my side stand wont stay down as there's a lump of metal stopping the spring from moving across. Its really irritating and makes the bike really unstable. I intend finding my hacksaw and removing the offending metal. Yes/No?

[fjmartin]

I have the centerstand. Love it for doing bike maint but always use the sidestand for regular parking as it's kind of hard to get the bike up on the centerstand...especially when the boxes are loaded.
I'd chop off whatever is in the way and paint it so it doesn't rust. But having the centerstand for checking oil, changing oil and more importantly in the field...changing a flat makes it great!
I started with the plastic panniers and top box and they are OK. They are NOT waterproof and not really large. Since you have the upgraded aluminum luggage I'd just stick those on the shelf.

[rjmorel]

If I remember right CSC specked a SS header pipe which isn't as long. Maybe to go along with the FI. I believe a longer head pipe will give more torque from my motocross racing days 45 years ago. rj