Daisy is a country girl, born and raised in our Country & Western Region of Australia (partial to a little bit of Keith Urban, I believe). For her age – 14 (don’t tell her I told you she’s a bit sensitive) she’s in really good shape, I’d even go as far to say as good as new! A bit of negotiation with her current owner and the deal was agreed. Saturday saw Karl & I road tripping in the car (with tools and both sets of riding gear) to Armidale to check her out and hopefully bring her home.
Arriving in Armidale under stormy skies and pelting rain I wasn’t too impressed to be taking her for a test ride in this, but I did anyway and was not disappointed. Came back with a huge smile on my face – the deal was sealed.
Before riding her home (just over 500kays) Karl required to work his magic to lower her for me (lucky it wasn’t that difficult, just tricky working in someone else’s garage in crappy weather). Thanks Sweety!! Geared up and pouring rain we start for home….Karl in the car and me riding Miss Daisy.
What a different experience, the thump of a single, the whir of the tyres, the solid seat (or the concrete g-string as I have renamed it-the seat that is), heated grips, touring screen, IMS 20lt tank and highway pegs – ya gotta love them. How interesting is the ride, well totally different to Angel. The tyres make a burring sound like a baby mack truck..lol, the front tyre isn’t great so tipping in doesn’t happen so I was steering her around. Daisy is more upright, 100kgs lighter, more bouncy and rides through more strenuous conditions with ease – what a HOOT!!! Can’t wait to take her out with some decent tyres to see how we both go.
Daisy clicked over a milestone on the way home.
17,000 original kays (thaankfully the rain had stopped for a few minutes)
We find a lost soul (Smurfette) along the way. A quick stop in Scone for fuel and she says “Oh Smurf, we forgot the jam and cream Kimmie”…lol! We finally after many hours arrive home at just after 9:00pm, tuck Daisy safely away in the garage and head to bed.
Smurfette trying out a spot on Daisy
Daisy is in really good condition, service records, tidy body, ok shoes and a few extra accessories which are all ok. However, I’d really like to see what she’s made of, so it’s time to pull her apart and have a good look. Hoowee, the sprocket cover is yuk and the chain and sprockets are buggered – like 14 years of build up but it doesn’t stop there, she’s like it all underneath.
Sprocket cover
front of the swingarm
dog bone and rear linkage
Sorry, I should’ve warned you that you were going to look under Daisy’s skirt…oops!
Degreaser is my best friend today, but Smurfette also wants to help out (really Smurfette, do you know what to do with that screwdriver).
Kimmie if you can get dirty, why can’t I?
List of parts required: new tyres, chain and sprockets, swing arm chain guide, gaiters (not the snappy type) – not a bad list considering.
List of wants: comfy seat, new grips, HID head light, LED spot lights, panniers, GPS cradle and mounts, power socket and I’m sure there’s going to be more.
Anyways, here she is undressed
So have you figured out what Daisy is yet? Well here you go, meet Daisy!
Suzuki DR 650 – 1999 with 17,390 on the clock.
Miss DAISY!!
