The Bikeshite Thread

[Cavcraft]

5 hours ago, andy18s said:

No Billy,just a couple of examples of the completely shagged out stuff over here

Some "nuggets" do turn though

It'd be worth getting your hands on some of those crappy ones (like in your pictures) as if you ever visit Blighty you could probably offload them for a nice few quid.

[hairnet]

56 minutes ago, Cavcraft said:

Had a better look at the AR today, which arrived revving it's knackers off.  Took forever to start, he said he's chucked some 2T into the fuel tank 'just in case' which (hopefully) explains why it smokes like it does, i.e quite heavily! Anyhow, I lobbed some more fuel in to thin out the oil,  topped up the 2T tank with some of Castrol's finest and then tried again. It started, still revved far too high, but at least was running. Found what I assume is the tick-over screw, adjusted that and it was lots better. Will try a new plug too, then see what it starts like from cold. Everything seems to work (possibly night light on rear out though) but strangely the oil light comes on with the neutral one.

It seemed to pull pretty well for a 50, at least in the first three gears, but I think it could probably run a bit better still. He suggested whizzing the carb off and cleaning it again as he had done so recently and thought there might still be shit in there.  There are other issues (side panels have broken lugs, though can possibly make some new ones to hold them on) but it wasn't massively expensive to buy.  Also scored a (second hand) belly pan for the MBX50, as well as a proper (s/h) fuel tap. The plan was to fit the fuel tap today, and see what was needed to fit the  belly pan. Failed on both scores, (cba with the fuel tap, and asked on line ref belly pan) but gave the bike a run round the block. It still struggles occasionally, but does carry on running, if I'm lucky the fuel tap might sort that. It was good to have the AR to compare it to, both interesting in their own way (imho) and so far the Kawasaki seems quicker from the off, but haven't had it flat out yet.

Took the opportunity to have a 'team photograph' of hopeless old sports* mopeds,  was going to run the Derbi up/down but the battery is still flatter than a steam rollered pan cake.

 

 

Then went to take the TS for a blast, but ham fistedly broke the fuel cap, so went out on the X7 instead.  Some kn0b (probably in his estate agent mother's 1 series BMW) had to come past me at 200mph as I'd mildly had him off at the lights, but despite having an easy chance to catch up and burn him off, couldn't be arsed. His car might have been quicker, but not stuck in traffic it wouldn't!

 

 

Came home, did a quality* repair on the TS fuel cap, taped up the indicator arm (started hanging off again almost immediately) and went for a blast. It's fucking ace fun, lots of noise and a decent lick of poke.

 

 

 

There is a dreadful video clip of the AR being ridden, but not sure if can load it on here. 

you coulda dropped it off the bridge while you were there (joke) 

 

[Cavcraft]

Out on a local scooter ride out, and this was by the river...

 

 

 

...still probably the best looking 4 stroke ever made, imho.

 

 

[martc]

^^^^^^ Shame about the so called 'silencer' though; it detracts from the glory of it and I bet it doesn't make the rider any friends.

[andy18s]

Nice field bike

[MrDuke]

Is the theory test that big a deal if you revise for it properly? I wasn't going to book my DAS until I'd done it, just in case I failed, but the possibility of further lockdowns has made my feet a bit itchy. I'm tempted to book the earliest possible post-test slot anyway, just in case stuff gets shut down again and I have to wait umpteen months to do it.

[Jerzy Woking]

5 hours ago, martc said:

^^^^^^ Shame about the so called 'silencer' though; it detracts from the glory of it and I bet it doesn't make the rider any friends.

Looks like a period correct Alpha system. Had one on my GS850 Suzuki. It was fairly loud, but not the loudest at the time. On the plus side, there wasn't much of it to polish.

[strangeangel]

6 hours ago, Cavcraft said:

Out on a local scooter ride out, and this was by the river...

 

 

 

...still probably the best looking 4 stroke ever made, imho.

 

 

As handsome as that is, I'm going to have to disagree...

 

 

Only in those colours, though!

 

[AlsoMike]

13 hours ago, MrDuke said:

Is the theory test that big a deal if you revise for it properly? I wasn't going to book my DAS until I'd done it, just in case I failed, but the possibility of further lockdowns has made my feet a bit itchy. I'm tempted to book the earliest possible post-test slot anyway, just in case stuff gets shut down again and I have to wait umpteen months to do it.

Its not too bad really, there are plenty of practice tests online to get used to the questions. Worth doing a couple of different ones so you see a good spread of questions. After that its just getting the timing right on the hazard perception part, which again you can practice online.

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

This is what is for sale in italy between €200/400. All no docs so not sure what can be done apart from fun on private estates.

If only i had a truck load of cash and a truck.

[LostnotFound]

On 8/10/2020 at 10:06 AM, AlsoMike said:

Its not too bad really, there are plenty of practice tests online to get used to the questions. Worth doing a couple of different ones so you see a good spread of questions. After that its just getting the timing right on the hazard perception part, which again you can practice online.

I'd second this, I took out a copy of the book with all the questions in from the old town library. But in reality I'd have passed whatever just not at 100% as anyone who has a driving licence should do.

For every question about braking distances there are ten asking if you should flash your lights to get slow people out of the fast lane or what does a red triangle mean etc... So given the amount you can get wrong just a little swot up will sail you through that bit.

I'm old so hadn't done the hazard perception for my car licence. That's well worth practicing online or on an app just to get you used to the mechanics of the video game which is all it is.

Double check this but, but certainly a couple of years ago when I did mine, they only counted the first click after the hazard. So the tip was to click when you see the hazard then again a second later to make sure you registered you'd seen it if you happened to jump the gun if that makes sense.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

May need to make some room at the inn, as there is a Moto Guzzi V85 TT in the pipeline......

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[hairnet]

eyetest for yon fella

 

[Bren]

On 8/8/2020 at 8:58 AM, blackboilersuit said:

They don't make them like this anymore. Dragged my GPz1100 out of the lockup yesterday and brought it back to the house. 1980's fuel injection might be somewhat crude but it sure is a lot better than carbs. Two year old stale fuel in the tank but with a fresh battery she fired straight up first press of the button. No MOT or tax so it was just a quick run up the road to home. Now stuck in limbo slightly. It's going to be rebuilt into a different frame (freshly powder coated with v5) as the current one has damage to the lower frame rails. I can't tear it apart because I've applied to keep the plate of the bike as it stands (because nostalgia) but that process could be subject to inspection so I need to keep it in one piece until Dvla process that application.

Next year when it's back on the road then I'll probably dispose of my ZZR1100 as the GPz has so much more character and there's no room at the inn for two aging Kawasaki sportsbikes.

That is fit.

[strangeangel]

On 8/11/2020 at 2:37 PM, Sir Chocolate Teapot said:

All no docs so not sure what can be done apart from fun on private estates

 

 

NOVA is not the problem it once was, in fact the last two I did were a piece of piss. I'd be willing to bet that the NACC could issue dating certificates for the majoritiy of those little beauties (£20 a pop). Throw in £55 for the DVLA and you're on the road.

 

[martc]

 

13 hours ago, They_all_do_that_sir said:

May need to make some room at the inn, as there is a Moto Guzzi V85 TT in the pipeline......

Did I mention I got a new V7 III a couple of months ago? I can't explain how flippin' ace it is. I've had Guzzi's on and off for literally decades but the last one (a Spada III) was in the 90's. Riding the V7 felt so familiar and yet so different as the gearbox is so much better than in the days of yore. The V85TT''s are brill' and so much more characterful than the boring, ubiquitous, over bloated, 'orriblle BMW's and slightly anonymous Africa Twins.

Our investments in Mandello Tractors has helped to contribute to the following good news -

'July saw a major surge in sales and registrations of powered-two-wheelers of all kinds, as new statistics released by the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) show.  Every possible category of motorcycle, moped or scooter saw double-digit growth or better last month, with total sales and registrations for motorcycles up by a remarkable 42% year-on-year. Trail/endurance bikes and adventure sport bikes were particular success stories, with 62.7% and 47.6% year-on-year growth respectively.  Meanwhile, scooters did even better and this category saw a spectacular 56.6% surge in year-on-year growth. The MCIA also noted that training schools have been “reporting record levels of first-time riders taking their CBT training”, so industry observers believe that a reluctance to use public transport during the COVID-19 pandemic is seeing many people switching to two-wheels instead.'

see https://www.bmf.co.uk/news/show/bikes-sales-see-huge-july-surge

[LostnotFound]

Has anyone ever done the 'National Road Rally' I've done similar on a pushbike which were fun, it seems like a good excuse to plan a random route and have a date to make sure I go for a ride when the diary is clear of any events that I'd usually use an excuse. I'd only do one of the shorter options, for a general bimble.

 

 

[hairnet]

was in september?

theres a kiwi version and was looking at it hoping it was in november when i was planning on going

its the end of feb 21 - when im now hoping on going

but i decided id rather do 2-3k without a need to be putting the miles in to be somewhere at a certain time

not a rally but i do this - have done for quite a long time now

www.irishphotorally.ie

have done it in as little as a week (spread over a few months)

or have taken the full time - with a week to spare to put entry in

did a smol version few weeks ago and 1800 kms in two days

 

[LostnotFound]

The UK one is September, the mileage in normal years is between 120 - 600 I think so not quite on that scale, I did it I'd be looking at the 200 miles in 10 hours pootler version, more than that for me would be a nice day out just to see what different roads I'd end up down. More than that especially with time restraints just sounds like a grind. 

1800km in 2 days, isn't that Iron Butt style? 

First things first the VFR needs to behave itself for its MOT on Wednesday, hopefully it won't catch Covid from the Luton testing centre ?

[hairnet]

1 hour ago, LostnotFound said:

the mileage in normal years is between 120 - 600 I think so not quite on that scale, I did it I'd be looking at the 200 miles in 10 hours pootler version

1800km in 2 days, isn't that Iron Butt style? 

First things first the VFR needs to behave itself for its MOT on Wednesday, hopefully it won't catch Covid from the Luton testing centre ?

here to the boat for ireland is 120 miles :P

how many visit to a cafe is 200 miles in 10 hours :D

can get to germany in that

1800 km is normal wasnt that bad although not done a trip on the new honda so not used to the seat - never been interested in iron butt as i go further for more interesting stuff

https://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/524821-Irish-Photo-Rally-2020

i start on page 4

[They_all_do_that_sir]

PDI on the V85 on Monday, so I should be able to collect it early next week. Beyond excited.

Did I mention I won it I had read all the reviews when it came out and loved the look of it but could never justify spending that much on a bike, other priorities and I've enough monthly commitments without financing a toy.....

So when I seen BOTB selling tickets to win one I had to grab a few, just for a laugh.....and only bloody won the thing!

I'll probably be selling the firestorm - if I didn't have a credit card to clear I would probably keep it too but it's a lovely problem to have!!

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[hairnet]

^^ now THATS interesting

go on................

were you in dubai when you bought the ticket :D

 

[hairnet]

1 hour ago, They_all_do_that_sir said:

 and loved the look of it

(sorry stevie)

 

[hairnet]

Rut roh

[Cavcraft]

Saw this today (it was a 20 plate) and was impressed...

 

[andyberg]

7 minutes ago, Cavcraft said:

Saw this today (it was a 20 plate) and was impressed...

 

Proves old bikes look best ?

[pilninggas]

Sold my RG250 today to a decent bloke from Bexhill.

The ZX10R goes on Monday.

Slimming down the fleet is bittersweet, but good overall, as i hated having to choose on Sundays.

Will end up with just the NC700X, hopefully a brand new GSX-S1000 (negotiating with dealer atm) and the XJ600 long term project.

[Jazoli]

1 hour ago, pilninggas said:

Sold my RG250 today to a decent bloke from Bexhill.

The ZX10R goes on Monday.

Slimming down the fleet is bittersweet, but good overall, as i hated having to choose on Sundays.

Will end up with just the NC700X, hopefully a brand new GSX-S1000 (negotiating with dealer atm) and the XJ600 long term project.

I'd negotiate very hard with the suzuki dealer as they are struggling to shift them, have you tried the CB1000R+? or the Z900? I've been test riding a few and found the suzuki a bit meh to be honest in comparison with the other manufacturers bikes.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Saw this today (it was a 20 plate) and was impressed...

 

Love those. Not covered in shite plastic, look like a proper bike

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[Jazoli]

2 hours ago, andyberg said:

Proves old bikes look best ?

Its brand new