Overland To Egypt

I'll be setting off with a new chain, an Iwis Megalife, supplied by chain experts, Sprockets Unlimtied. This company are undoubtedly the UK's leading suppliers of chain and sprockets for classic and vintage motorcycles. Their advice and service are also first class.

I've fitted a 12 volt top quality Yuasa battery to my Bantam to power indicators, powerful horn, Sat Nav and run a daylight.
The Yuasa website also has some useful information on battery maintenance and how to select a battery for your bike.

I’ve tried to fit stainless steel fittings to the bike where possible. Halcyon, famous for their motorcycle goggles, make beautiful handlebar and bar-end mirrors with most components stainless.
I’ve chosen a pair of their Stadium 850 handlebar mounted mirrors.

The gearbox oil drips onto the main bearings on late Bantam engines such as the D14/4 I will be using.
Penrite oil did a fantastic job preserving my engine on my 2008 ride to India and I'll be using their 20/50 multigrade in my Bantam's gearbox for this journey.

Poorly stored, contaminated petrol was an issue on my ride to India. This time I'm fitting an In-Line Alloy Fuel Filter from UK supplier AJS Motorcycles. This has a replaceble micro mesh filter and is far more robust than the more commonly available glass bowl type filters.

My Bantam's donor D14 engine sports its original Amal MK1 Concentric carburettor. These are now made by Burlen Fuel Systems who have kindly provided a major repair kit. This comprises everything needed to ensure smooth running, including float, needle valve and gaskets.

I want to run the bike all day with its lights on, so I'm using an LED tail light and a quartz halogen 10W, 12V bulb as a daytime running light fitted into the pilot light hole. Both draw minimal current. All bulbs came from Paul Goff, a specialist supplier of classic motorcycle electrical parts.

Bantam spares for the journey are supplied by Bournemouth Bantams. Parts include clutch plates and a clutch extractor, wheel bearings, gaskets, crank seals, rectifier, condenser, points, spark plugs, gear and kickstart rubbers and assorted nuts and bolts.