2017 update - Dakar rally fever

Well it's been a while, but I'm finally getting round to sorting out my trusty little EXC 300. She needs a bit of love before she's ready to hit the trails properly once again.

With any luck, over the next couple of weeks, I will be sorting out all of the following niggles:

• Replace gearbox oil
• Fix the side stand (the whole thing fell off and now all I have left is the stand itself)
• New grips
• Fix the lights
• Find the electrical short and fix it
• Service the electric start
• Charge the battery
• Replace the gear lever
• Replace the fork protector stickers
• Sort out the rear mudguard fixings
• Strengthen the clutch perch
• Re-seat one of the fork seals
• Fix footpeg mounts
• Sort out the shock bearing

You may be wondering where all this is leading?

I've made no secret of my love for rally racing; when the Dakar Rally arrives every year, I am completely hooked and I can't help but wonder when it will be that I make the start line. Cryptic as that may sound, those of you who have already put 2 and 2 together (and not made 5) will know that I want to pursue roadbook rally racing.

In practical terms, what that means is that I will need to swap my beloved 300 for what's likely to be a 4T rally bike.

More news coming soon...

P.S. don't get me started on KTM side stands!