London - Cape Town (then NZ)

[Cold Kiwi]

Ok, some people have said im a bit crazy, but assured me that on this forum i would be in good company.

(the short version)
I am over in the uk on a working holiay visa and have picked up a kawasaki ZZR600. my visa expires in 10 months, and I have a few options.

1 - sell bike, fly home
2 - ship bike home, fly home
3 - big adventure south, then ship bike and fly myself the final bit home.

so my plan is to head south from london, through france and spain, and then into africa, heading down the west coast until i get to dakar.

once I get there, I am hoping to catch a ferry around to cameroon (or somewhere near there) then ride south to cape town.

I've spent a fair bit of time looking over it all, and it seems possible, only a few big things i havnt got a clue about....

1 - the distance between petrol stations!
2 - the legality of getting my bike there.
3 - a ferry from senegal to cameroon, I've been able to find one site that says there is one, but no more information than that.
4 - the best time of year for this journey???
5 - all the jazz about carnets and stuff.
6 - well, there is the matter of if my bike will make it, but im optimistic... as long as i look after her.

and if there is anyone else mad enough to join me on such an adventure.

looking at heading out june/july 09, dont know how long it takes, but it will take as long as it does.

Tom