Re: Calming the Storm - Motorsports Debut with Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2016

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This is awesome! Congrats for being brave enough for participating and all the best for the actual 'Storming of the Citadel'!

If you do have time, please do tell us how you have prepared yourself and your bike beforehand. And which bike?

Re: Calming the Storm - Motorsports Debut with Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2016

Thanks.

Have the 4 day weekend coming up. Hoping to get a lot done.

Should have some details of gear and bike prep by Tuesday

Re: Calming the Storm - Motorsports Debut with Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2016

25^th

To this:


To this:


And finally this:

Re: Calming the Storm - Motorsports Debut with Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2016

25^th
I picked up the centre stand from service centre, and the impact screwdriver and other tools required.
Let the madness begin:


By night, the entire bike is stripped down, and ready for the modifications to begin.
Shit just got real:



I got to work on my clutch. The nut that held the centrifugal oil filter onto its shaft was really stubborn. After several failed attempts the previous evening and earlier in the day, I decided to give it 1 last go. And finally, my persistence paid off and the nut loosened. I was ready to change my plates, however 1 out of the 4 bolts that held tension on my clutch plates was stuck. All my attempts at loosening it only resulted in it getting rounded off. Bad luck after all that effort.

The long queue as the parts wait to be reassembled on the bike:


I think I need a bigger table!



26^th27^th


28^th
The end of the long weekend means that I was back in office. However, the considerable list of pending work meant that I took a half day off, hopefully my last.
Picked up engine oil on the way back, and post the oil filling, inspected the bolts one last time before firing the bike to life. Took it outside to lubricate the chain, and let it sit for a while as I went to return the centre stand, drill some holes to mount my rally plate bracket, and picked up some thin steel sheet for the plates.
Used the foam sheet from previous night as a guide to make the initial cut for the front number plate, and then modified the design a couple times by just eyeballing it. Then bent the sheet to give it some stiffness.


The side number plates were simply cut to size before I packed up all this stuff into a backpack, and headed over to Karan Moto Mart again to help with the finishing touches.
Drilled holes in the brackets and plates and had them riveted on. Front plate was also riveted. Then all 3 plates were painted black before the front plate received a formality registration plate.

Finally, my favorite part of the entire build: my name on the side, along with the Indian tricolor.
My name, my nationality, my blood group, and a motivational message, all in one.
Presenting my Desert Storm Impulse:

Re: Calming the Storm - Motorsports Debut with Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2016

Wow what a well done job. Awesome. Hoping all goes well at the Desert Storm!

What tyres have you plonked on?

Also isn't it a bit risky to have that sharp edged metal at the front of your bike. A bit risky methinks.

Re: Calming the Storm - Motorsports Debut with Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2016

Tyres: Front is the stock Ceat Gripp XL, new set; Rear is MRF Meteor, 1 size up on the stock Ceat (120 section vs 110 on the stock)

as for the plates, a little concerned yes, but there's about 3 layers of electrical tape over the edges to get rid of the sharpness. Open to any other ideas for further protection.

Re: Calming the Storm - Motorsports Debut with Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2016

You can bend them into a C or V down outwards .... This will trap the debris coming up as well. Then you can put the rubber beading on it for further protection ... you know the kind we put on edges for kids protection.

Re: Calming the Storm - Motorsports Debut with Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2016

Ready for my first transport stage:
Jaipur to Delhi.

Will be meeting my service guy in the evening, and hopefully unloading my heavy luggage.

Also prepared the GoPro mount on my helmet. The photo of my living room is just a teaser.
But don't hold your breath. It will take me ages to edit the GoPro recordings before they are ready for upload.

Re: Calming the Storm - Motorsports Debut with Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2016

GoPro view

Re: Calming the Storm - Motorsports Debut with Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2016

Day 0, and the start of Desert Storm 2016.
Scrutiny start was at 8am at Noida, since i used the previous day to get as far as Gurgaon, it was an early start for me.
Reached the event site at around 7:30, and surprise surprise, there's hardly anyone there. By the time the documentation checks and all started, it was close to 9:30.
I used the time to get acquainted with some of the other competitors in my group. All really nice guys to spend time with (hope it stays that way through the length of this really gruelling and mentally challenging rally.

There's Binu John aka Big Binoo, a veteran rallyist with over 35 rallies to his name. On his 2nd rally after a 13 year break due to an injury.

Rajanish aka Rajji, ATF Inspector from Mumbai by profession, and entering into offroad racing for the first time. A challenge to himself after promising his daughter on his 50th birthday. Also to set an example that age and lone of work are not obstacles in the way of following your passion. Helmets off to you sir!

I did manage to get a big smile from one of the organisers when he flipped through the records for my documents, only to see a big 'Docs OK' stamp there.
Then the process began. Fitment of GPS tracker, stickers, and finally the technical scrutiny.

Cleared the scrutiny without much fuss. Had a few words with the Chief Scrutineer before the event started. He too had reached the venue around 7:30, after having left from Chandigarh at 4am. A motorcycle rally veteran himself, who insists that unlike what rally organisers think, Riders are the future and pride of rally, where as Drivers always have been there, and always will be.

Anyway, clearing scrutiny means that my Day 0 is completed. Rest of the afternoon will be spent getting out of the heat, before hopefully some more socialising in the evenings as things cool off.

Re: Calming the Storm - Motorsports Debut with Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2016

Hey. What happened. How did it go? Would love to know how the entire rally panned out

Re: Calming the Storm - Motorsports Debut with Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2016

Hey,

The event did not go well at all for me.
The terrain was all deep sand from Day 1, which was something that i was not entirely prepared for.

I got eliminated from the event within the 1st km of Day 1.

Lost interest in updating this blog almost immediately after that.

Despite getting knocked down, i refuse to stay down, and have started preparing for Dakshin Dare, which comes up in August

Re: Calming the Storm - Motorsports Debut with Maruti Suzuki Desert Storm 2016

That is terrible. Within the 1st km? Could you elaborate if you don't mind sharing.

I don't think i know about the Dakshin Dare, where is this held? Are you considering the Raid as well?