KTM 690 Rally Build

  Since I've been riding around on the same tyres for the past 6 years I reckon it made sense to put on a new set of tyres. Not that the old ones were totally used up but it just felt better to have fresh rubber when you start the trip. I also like to put in heavy duty (3mm) or ultra heavy duty (4mm) inner tubes to minimize the risk of punctures. The tools needed Lift the front wheel off the ground with the enduro stand. Undo the four front bolts with a torx key and undo the main bolt with a big wrench. Empty the tyre of air by removing the valve stem (if you have the tool) or just pressing down the little spike inside the valve. Put the tyre on top of the new tyre and break the bead so the tyre comes off from the rim. Repeat on other side. You can also use the tyre irons to help doing this. Start about 20 cm right of the valve with one tyre iron and another 20 cm further away to get the tyre off the rim. Press down the tyre on the other side so it stays in the center drop to give ...

  On a bike the clutch is a pretty useful thing to have working. I have had a couple of incidents in the past with non working clutch, in southern Brazil and in Holland, and it is a pain especially when starting the bike. However, the clutch is not as critical as in a car and especially at speed you can change gear without using the clutch. I heard MX riders prefer to do it instead of letting go of critical fingers on the handlebar. However, given I have time before departure and the fact I haven't even change the clutch fluid once since I bought the bike I reckon it was about time anyway to give it some love. First of all you need some tools. A large syringe with a hose and some new fresh hydraulic fluid. I found some of the Motorex hydraulic fluid in the bike shop nearby. A second syringe is handy as well to empty the master cylinder with and this one needs no hose. Key tools is a 8mm wrench for the bleeder valve on the slave cylinder and a 5mm hex key to loosen the master cylind...