Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Tech
Tech ALL bikes: "Generic" tech questions and answers. Maintenance, general discussions etc.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 13 Sep 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 46
Moto powered boat!!!

OK... about to cross the gap Columbia to Panama. Requirements are a boat.

It has been rumoured that a couple previously built a raft and powered it with their bikes. Does anyone know the source of this?

While myself and Conrad arnt keen on the raft idea we have come to the conclusion that buying a hull and using something like a VW dif to run a prop powered by our two KLR{s is an exciting option. Do people agree? Thoughts/Advice??. Will be in Turbo in a week to hopefully commence the build.

Safety? ... Solutions?? ... Hull for sale?? Donde Diff?? (Medellin)
__________________
brigginggaps.com.au
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Sep 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
There was a report (on here I think - I haven't done a search) a few years ago about a couple of guys who used their bikes (one was a KTM?) to power a paddle wheel raft a couple of hundred miles up the river Niger.

One of them eventually packed up through overheating - lots of revs, relatively low speed.

One thing doing it on a calm river, another on the sea.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 16 Sep 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 46
hmm.. would defiantly want to cut the radiator out of the system and run a hose out and under the water. The only restriction at the moment is the potential cost of a suitable hull. Turbo in 4 days to find this out.
__________________
brigginggaps.com.au
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 16 Sep 2009
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
www.paulnoyverlag.com

I believe you are referring to 'Fast Guido' from Switzerland!

Bumped into him on the Great Ocean Road last year, what a dude. You'll find some pics of his KTM powered raft on the website, I think it even had a bar area!!
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Sep 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 46
Awsome!!! Thanks alot Mike.
__________________
brigginggaps.com.au
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18 Sep 2009
El Aleman - Jens's Avatar
HU Germany Meeting Organiser
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Worms, Germany
Posts: 487
Good luck!

Hi,

good luck with your boat idea! Some Germans built similar things, but I don´t know if they made it through... They wrote a book about it:

"Abgefahren"

They were travelling on 2 XT 500s, they also have a website, something with abgefahren...

If you can not do it, I recommend a German Sailboat "Stahlratte"(steelrat)
they have a website and explain how to contact them and where the start, I know for sure they thake bikes!

Friend of mine did it a couple of months ago, check out their website, great pictures!

The Bundschuhs

See you one day at the HU Germany Meeting!!!

Jens - El Aleman

right now at Cusco!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11 Oct 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 46
The boat is a 1964 orange life raft. Have been working on it for a couple of weeks now and will drop the bike in tomorrow to try and line some things up. All goes well we will vamos to Panama in another week.

Two KLR´s connected to a land cruiser differential which powers the prop. Cooling system for the bikes is the last thing on the list, perhaps a submerged radiator.

How many have done the gap powered by motorbike before?
__________________
brigginggaps.com.au
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12 Oct 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Dorset UK
Posts: 395
I'd think twice about running river/sea water through the cooling system. As last post a submerged rad would be much safer

How about just pumping the tyres up a bit
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 21 Oct 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Wales
Posts: 46
Keep the saltwater out of your cooling system, raw water cooled marine engines have to run pretty cold in order to prevent salt blocking up the coolant passages, your bike engine is likely to be running hot enough to block itself up,

have fun.

Stewart
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 13 Nov 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 46
Its alive and hit the water today!!!!

Cooling system is returning cool water to the bike.... (:
Departing pronto


There is an engineering report on our sight and we will have more spacific pics and video soon.
__________________
brigginggaps.com.au
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 13 Nov 2009
DarrenM's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Coventry
Posts: 126
wow thats impressive, I had doubts when you first started. have a safe journey.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 13 Nov 2009
palace15's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LONDONISTAN, England
Posts: 1,034
All the very best with this project, and look forward to reading about your progress.
__________________
'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 13 Nov 2009
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,187
Excellent! I think you guys need to do a video diary of the crossing...
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
USB-powered portable mini-microwave. Just big enough for a tin of soup SpitfireTriple Equipment Reviews 6 12 Aug 2009 16:00
Solar Powered Laptop - might come in handy. Alexlebrit Communications 2 30 May 2009 16:16
Boat down the amazon eg9jc South America 13 27 Jun 2008 00:46
RTW with a biodiesel powered Landcruiser 4WDTraveller 4 wheel Overland Travel 2 27 Feb 2008 22:15

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:13.