The bike is a 2017 Suzuki DR650SE

Mileage at start of trip about 24000 (90% pavement, 10% dirt and gravel).

Mods and farkles (in no particular order)

Acerbis 5.1 tank
Sargent seat
Acerbis plastic skid plate
Acerbis X-Factor handguards
Lynx S faring w/ custom dash board
Protaper handlebars
RAM mount
Go Cruise cruise control
Steel braided front brake line
Drag speedometer
Dirtracks heavy duty side and top rack (with numerous post purchase welded reinforcements and attachment points for luggage)
7.5 rear suspension spring
.52 front fork springs
Lowered foot pegs
Motech center stand
Warp 9 brake pedal
Case protectors
JNS case saver
Fender brace
Home built electrical system (replaces stock harness)
Lithium iron battery (Shorai LFX14A1-BS12)
LED bulbs everywhere except HID low beam headlight
Twin Air air filter


Tires

At start of trip:
front - 90/90-21 Heidenau K60 (new)
rear - 120/90-17 Mitas E07 (about 3K miles)
IRC heavy duty innertubes


Preventive maintenance for this trip

Complete engine rebuild to replace 3rd, 4th, 5th gears, piston rings and exhaust valves
Rear suspension and linkage bearings replaced
Wheel bearings replaced
Steering head bearings regreased.
Fresh brake pads
New sprockets and chain (525) (Drive sprocket is 15T. I tried 16T for awhile but didn't like it hauling a heavy load.)

August 4-5, 2019

When I arrived at the camp ground I noticed a line of dark gooey residue between the fins of the engine right where the cylinder and cylinder head meet.  I assumed that it was oil and thought "blown head gasket."  In the morning I pulled the tank and took a closer look.  Lo and behold the dark stuff was cable lubricant that leaked out of the throttle cables and dripped onto the fin at the rear of the engine.  This happened because I squirted an excessive amount of lube into the cables before I left L.A.

I wiped up as much as I could.  What came away on the paper towel looked mostly like cable lube but also looked like there could be a little bit of oil mixed in.  I'll keep an eye on it and will also watch for any blue smoke that could be another sign of a damaged head gasket.  It's hard to believe that gasket could be damaged.  I just installed it a couple of months ago and was pretty careful.  But.... stuff happens.

August 8, 2019

The Mitas E07 didn't look like it would make it to Whitehorse where a replacement is waiting.  So I picked up this Karoo 3 in Prince George today. The size is 130/80 (stock on the DR is 120/90). So far, I like how it feels on the pavement (not that I test any limits). If I go up to Salmon Glacier tomorrow, it will get a workout on loose gravel.

August 11, 2019

Repair items to include next trip:
   assortment of metric o-rings
   engine gaskets (at least side case gaskets and head gasket)
   sealant for cylinder head cover
   carb rebuild kit including float assembly