My MM540 Restoration complete

A small request to all: Enjoy nature, enjoy your travel but please don’t spoil MOTHER NATURE. Refill bottles, don’t throw plastic in water bodies or roads. Dispose your garbage at proper place. Cheers!

A little off topic, not related to my travels but just for my own memories I am documenting this one.

I always wanted to have a jeep, back since I was a kid. And finally in the month of April I was randomly checking some jeep pics and came across and internet listing of mm540.
I was tempted, called Dilip Bhai(my friend in Hyderabad) and shared this idea of buying a jeep with him. Then checked my account balance and called the seller. A few negotiations, a small test ride and I got that mm540.
It was an old 1990 model - very hard, lazy like an arrogant bull. I had to tame it and to tame it I had to start rebuilding it.
It took me almost 35-40 days, paper work is still pending, to rebuild it.

I had to check lot of internet links for help, till one stage I was reading good info from teambhp.com but later when I wanted to ask for more I was declined a membership by teambhp moderators. I don't know on what grounds, but I was even more charged to do all the work, necessary findings by myself.

In rebuilding Cobra (that's what I name my jeep as), many people helped me.
Special thanks to my dad, noopur & rahul for some fundings :) and Nasser (the seller) who guided me on a lot of things.

So when I drove the jeep for the first time, I immediately realised that first thing to be taken care of is mechanics and later I can work on looks.

So this is all what I did to Cobra:

Stage 1 : Brake liners, clutch plates, pressure plates, bearings, front frame change, labor & miscellaneous things - Rs 11000

Stage 2: Tinkering, denting, body lining, painting(green) - Rs 15000

Stage 3: Front seat lining, all seat covers(rexine), some mats, new rear seat and replacing the old seats with cushions -  Rs 8000

Stage 4 : Old tyres from Afzal Gunj market : 265/70/R16 - 3 michelline tyres and 1 falken tyres in reasonable condition. - 1500 each = 6000  + 200 fitting +  300 (discs) + 4000(tubes + balancing)= 10500 total. My rim size was stock mm540 - 6.00 - 16" with 4.5 inch thick. A little problem in negotiating sharp curves as the steering is very hard now and I had to go with 1 disc each just at the intersection of axle and tyres to give a little more space to tyres.
The new tyres were like 7000-8000 each, I didn't wanted to invest too much on tyres since at first I wanted to check mechanicals and then do any significant investment on tyres.

Till this point jeep was running but without top.

"Top & tyres will give your jeep a breather", quoted Nasser and I couldn't agree more with this statement.

I got the top work done at Jameel's workshop in Bahadurpura. He gave me 3 options:

1) Half top - 2500
2) Simple top - 5000
3) Half top + convertible top on rear side - 8500

I chose the 3rd one and got the top work done.

Stage 5: Top work + Bars fitted (with leather covering to make 2.5inch dia bar look thicker like 4 inch)
Cost - 8500+ 2000 = 10,500

So in all 5 stages which lasted for 45 days I spent around - 52K


My raw jeep cost = 78000 + paper work(still pending) 1500 + 52000 = 1,35,500

I have to get a stand by tyre, tube,a jack, spanners, some sticker work.

Will post the pics soon :)

Tips for Ladakh Ride

A small request to all: Enjoy nature, enjoy your travel but please don’t spoil MOTHER NATURE. Refill bottles, don’t throw plastic in water bodies or roads. Dispose your garbage at proper place. Cheers!

 

Tips for Ladakh Ride :


Must carry clothes & accessories for self–

1) A good warm jacket.

2) Body warmers (including lowers).

3) A pair of extra socks.

4) Some t-shirts (for layering which keeps cold air away from body due to insulation formed between layers)

5) Good solid shoes(ankle height preferable, avoid sport shoes)

6) A woolen cap (monkey cap will be good to cover ears, neck)

7) A woolen muffler.

8) A pair of good sunglasses.

9) Helmet, riding jacket, riding accessories like knee guard, elbow guard etc depending on what kind of jacket and lower one wears.

10) A rain suit is must. Lower of rain suit can be directly worn over the body warmer’s lower.

11) A good spf sun screen lotion – A big must, else you won’t be recognized after coming back.

12) A pair of cotton gloves inside and riding gloves over it.

13) A small torch and a small knife optional (swiss knife).



To keep your bike fit:

First and foremost – bike should be healthy, serviced and clutch plates, pressure plates, brake shoe, wheels, battery, electrical in top notch condition.

Carry spares:

• Clutch, accelerator wires.
• Spark plug, adapter.
• Complete tool kit.
• Puncture kit including spanners to open tyres and to take tube out.
• Extra tube.
• Extra chain link.
• A little mechanics to adjust air-fuel mixture replace wires and make puncture/replace tube.
• One foot pump will suffice for group.
• Headlight bulb.
• Big plastic to cover your stuff.
• Bungee cords to tie your stuff.
• Some cans for carrying extra fuel; take extra fuel from Tandi from where next fuel station wouldbe after 365 kms. You might get fuel in black, but quality wouldn’t be necessarily the same.
• A few random checks before starting - Check brake, oil level, lights & indicators.
• Saddle bags or carriers to tie bags are must. Don’t tie bags on rear seat, it won’t remain intact.

Some tips for a Rider:

1) Drink lot of water, always tie one extra bottle over your luggage as water will become lukewarm because of sun and it will be pleasant in that cold.

2) Remember Ladakh is the only place in world where if you keep your feet in shade and your face in sun, you can get frost bite and heat stroke at the same time. So don’t over cover yourself if you feel cold and suddenly don’t remove all the clothes if you feel hot.

3) Beware of the rocky & slippery road, ride slow, enjoy the nature and don’t think yourself in a rally (though you will be tempted at times to ride fast and negotiate those curves and mud).

4) Eat less for initial 3-4 days as digestion is aerobic process which requires oxygen which is less there. Particularly on Manali – Leh highway. Once the body is acclimatized to higher altitudes, eat everything out there.

5) Carry some medicines like – Diamox (pop a tablet before going to sleep in Manali), some pain killer (Disprin), Paracetamol, a tablet for vomit & lose motions, a mosquito repellant cream, glucose powder, chocolates & glucose biscuits which will give
instant energy to body.

6) Try to hit the road early, reach your destination and enjoy the place.

7) Don’t drink much alcohol if you feel uncomfortable due to AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). At most of the places where there are chances of getting hit by AMS there are army hospitals providing free oxygen. Don’t hesitate to use them.

8) Be courteous with locals and don’t make fun of their simplicity, style or traditions.

9) The rule says – The vehicle coming in upwards direction has the right of way. Some people don’t know about it but many follow it.

10) Don’t expect variety of food on Manali – Leh highway, expect Rice – Dal, Maggi & tea mainly except at a few towns where you can get chapatti, mutton and some veggies as well.

11) While returning back from Kashmir, try not to ask questions from locals like – Have you seen a terrorist? Do you know any? Why are they doing like this and all. They might get offended.

12) Our army provides free tea at some places, mingle with them and make their day as well.

13) Avoid following short cut trails unless you are in a 4WD.

14) Try Jhang(rice beer) in Keylong or Darcha or anywhere else in Lahaul.

15) Don’t think too much while riding – RIDE FREE, just keep headlights on and keep an eye on the fellows.

16) And most importantly - Environment there is fragile, so love nature don't spoit it. Don't spread plastic waste. Thanks!


Distance from Delhi to Leh -->

Delhi to Manali - 560km
Manali to Leh - 475 kms
Total - 1050 kms(approx)


Best months to travel - June 1st week to October 1st week.
Avoid August if you don't want to get stuck at Rohtang pass.Best Itinerary in my opinion:

 Day 1 - Delhi - chandigarh - Shimla (250 +100) = 350

1st stop at Zilmil Dhaba just after Karnal(Haryana) - 120 kms from Delhi and have the best parathas of North with white makhan and tea..
In Chandigarh must try Pal Dhaba in Sector 22D for best mutton and chicken for some early lunch.
Start early this day as sun will take all the fluids out so make sure to cross chandigarh by 11 am..

Day 2: Shimla - Narkanda - Sainjh (take a left from here) - Anni - Jalori Pass (some 3200metres) - Aut - Take a right and follow highway to Kullu - Manali. Halt at some budget hotel in Old Manali.
Again start early this day to enjoy a drink in Johnson cafe Manali in night. Don't take too many breaks, P&S cameras are best for this route.

Day3: Manali - Rohtang Pass(Rohtang means pile of dead bodies, so be careful :)) - Gramphoo - Koksar(Have lunch here) - Tandi (get tanks refill) - Keylong(headquarters of Lahaul district) - Darcha (It is a makeshift village on banks of river set up by locals only for 5 months a year) Some 150Kms
Stop there, cheap and nice surroundings. You can try some Jhang there (Rice beer) If you want luxurious stay with toilets and nice beds, then stay at Jispa camp some kms before Darcha.
Expect pagal nullah on this stretch. I heard it has lost it's charm so won't be much difficult for riders to cross.

Day 4: Darcha - Sarchu - Pang. You will cover some passes like Barlacha La, Nakeela and Lachungla, along with Moore plains and Gata loops(remember old ad of Avenger) Some 140kms
This stretch will test you as a rider, stamina is needed, avoid alcohol here and drink lot of water. Don't do much physical activities and ride safely. You will see beautiful Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal on the way.

Day5: Pang - Rumste - Upshi - Leh some 180 - 185kms
This day you wiill cross Tanglang la, which was toughest on route at our time.
Apart from it, this route is good and you can cover at a good, easy pace.

*Now if you are short of time:
Do Day 3 - Manali - Sarchu(230kms)
Day 4 - Sarchu - Leh(230-240kms)

Day 6 - Complete Rest and local market visits. Get your permits for Pangong lake & Nubra valley (per person around 50Rs) easy process at DM office opp. to polo grounds, Leh...


Day 7 - Leh - Khardungla (some 37kms) Steep incline and you reach some 18300 feet at highest motorable road in the world.. (after marsimik la which is not promoted as a tourism spot due to it's strategic location) You can either go to Nubra valley and stay one night there or come back to Leh.. All depends on time and mood of riders...

Day 8/9 - Leh - Pangong Tso - Leh (290kms)
Start early to enjoy time at lake.. Don't stay there unless u have ur own tents.. On this route you will cross mighty chang La, another ass breaking pass.. Tangste at 110 kms on this route from Leh has good retaurants and some options to stay...

Day 9/10 - Leh and start for Kargil. It is 220 kms from Leh passing through Fotu La.. I suggest to stay at Drass instead of Kargil which is another 2 hours from there.
Must see Drass war memorial

Day 10/11 Drass - Srinagar (some 175 kms) through Zoji La. You will cross beautiful Sonamarg..

Day 11/12 - Srinagar - Jammu (250 kms of a full traffic highway)

Day 12/13 - Ride a lot on this day and reach Delhi from Jammu..Start early and take less breaks ...

Acc to me in these days, this will be the best route.. Rest you can alter places to stay a few kms ahead or behind, depending on group's pace..

I might have missed some/lot of points, if you have any other doubt in mind feel free to share.

Cheers!!!!