If you where wondering why our blog is called "rat round the world" then one look at the bike and it should all become clear. I'm not going to go into the philosophy of the whole bike genre just go look at ratbike.org.

It's mostly an R80 BMW, with a few bits of Honda Superdream and some bits found in a skip, lots of cable tyes and duct tape. We have made our own pannier racks out of scrap metal from skips, these are designed to keep the panniers locked.

A reserve fuel cage was made from concrete reinforcing bar to take a 1 gallon can, using a old belt to make secure.

The seat is made from high density foam, raised at the back so Nikki can see the road signs and give me orders (sorry I mean directions). We did look into getting gel seats, then found air seats meant for a car but fitted the bike well, also saving a fourtune as they where only £4 each! bargain.

After doing some basic maintenance I have decided to ignore any niose that isn't the wind or the birds in the trees. Oil leeks have been fixed by replacing the sump gasket or what was left of it!....I just hope it wasn't put in like that.

not much more to say really, other than we shall see........