Frank's big ride

That small dream became a reality recently after Wheeler managed to travel 13,000km from the east coast to west and back on the Honda agriculture bike fitted out with a self-built sidecar 'outfit'.

"I was using the CTX regularly on my land but just found that I needed some extra room to carry tools and the like. So one day I just welded up and fitted the sidecar, and it's never missed a beat since."

After meeting and photographing hundreds of Australians and travellers along the way, Wheeler is now temporarily resting in Mansfield, Victoria before deciding on his next move.

"This has definitely been one of my more fascinating journeys," said the 20-year resident who is well known for his exploits in the USA as well as in Australia.

"I met Aboriginal elders, survived a cyclone as well as heat of up to 55° Celsius, and still managed to finish five weeks earlier than I had first planned!"

Wheeler is no stranger to challenges having previously ridden around Australia some 35 years ago on a 125cc motorcycle on a bet. (Ed's note: it was on a Hodaka, and it became the stuff of worldwide legend partly because the trip was far more difficult then than it is now.)

As far as the CTX200 Bushlander, Wheeler says the bike performed flawlessly: "It is a tough little machine for sure."

Built for reliability, quality, durability, comfort and economy, the CTX200 is designed from the ground up to suit the specific needs of the modern day Australian farmer.

(For more info on Wheeler and Hodakas, see filmmaker Peter Starr's website at http://www.starrfilm.com/articles/OdeToHodaka.html. Honda is at http://www.hondamotorcycles.com.au)