The Bikeshite Thread

[Jerzy Woking]

Found this yesterday, Bike magazines Giant 250cc Group test from June 1975.

Great test, because it was from a time when biking journalists wrote their own stories, and not just rearranged the words from the manafacturers sales brochures.

https://davestestsandarticles.weebly.com/cz.html

[brandersnatch]

4 hours ago, Jerzy Woking said:

Work used to buy my boots, a new pair every couple of years. Loved the Daytona EVO Sports GTX (because of the inner boot protection*) but even from new they leaked. You would think at £700 a pair they'd at least resist water resistant, not water attracting.

 

*Had two incidents with them. First when a car hit me sideways on, breaking the footpeg and gearlever clean off my CBR900. Second was when I dropped the work ZZR1200 on ice going down the slope into the work car park. Got pinned across the ankle by the bike, was there at least 5 minutes before some one saw me. No damage to foot/ankle in either incident.

I tried to buy Daytonas a couple of times but they are the wrong shape for my feet. My last winter boots are TCX something goretex and were waterproof for three Limobiking winters so about 75000 miles. They still keep the water out, not that they’re getting much use lately since I don’t ‘have’ to go out in the rain. 
It does occur to me that it’s a bit daft talking about waterproof winter boots to you now too 😂

[Jerzy Woking]

I still ride a few times a year across mainland Europe, where it does rain on occassion. The first 600 miles always seem to be dry though.....

[castros_bro]

Was looking at these for some obscure reason and maybe they need a new copywriter

 

[bear-in-the-air]

On 9/28/2023 at 7:09 AM, Rustybullethole said:

Welcome and enjoy. Hope not to much damage done in the off. If you haven't before id recommend a little off road training. Its great for learning bike control and has enabled me to stay upright more times than i can recall on the road. Mostly just enjoy and put the miles in. 30 odd years down the line it still makes me smile every time i swing a leg over a bike. 

What should I look for training wise? Anywhere you recommend?

[catsinthewelder]

Saw this parked up in Bridgnorth the other day.

[tom13]

Thinking of getting a Trail bike such as a DR350/650, XT350, KLX, XR etc.

Any recommendations for specific models or leads to any that are for sale?

 

[5speedracer]

On 9/28/2023 at 9:35 AM, brandersnatch said:

I’ve got a pair of Spada boots which sound like the ones you’re describing. During the 400 miles of heavy rain I rode through coming back from Holland they leaked like a sieve. 
They do look pretty cool though 😎 

That'll be in the hours I haven't tried them for.

[Cavcraft]

On 10/4/2023 at 8:00 AM, catsinthewelder said:

Saw this parked up in Bridgnorth the other day.

Ace little things these, though the predecessor (RS) looked a little nicer, IMHO. 

[Cavcraft]

Oh yeah, these magically found their way here today...

I know they're crap, but a (metallic blue) 250 US Custom was the first ever bike I had a pillion ride on and started a 43 year love affair with 2 wheelers.

I did buy one circa 1985, but because I was used to 2 strokes I rode it like a KH250 everywhere and surprisingly* fucked it up quite a bit. 

 

Anyhow, one is a 400 and the other a 250, both have stood a long time.

[tom13]

23 minutes ago, Cavcraft said:

Oh yeah, these magically found their way here today...

I know they're crap, but a (metallic blue) 250 US Custom was the first ever bike I had a pillion ride on and started a 43 year love affair with 2 wheelers.

I did buy one circa 1985, but because I was used to 2 strokes I rode it like a KH250 everywhere and surprisingly* fucked it up quite a bit. 

 

Anyhow, one is a 400 and the other a 250, both have stood a long time.

Nice those. I prefer them in Flat tracker style though. You get an spares with them such as forks and yokes?

[Cavcraft]

2 hours ago, tom13 said:

Nice those. I prefer them in Flat tracker style though. You get an spares with them such as forks and yokes?

No, just the bikes themselves. I think parts are still about for these though. Well, hopefully anyway!

[hairnet]

On 10/1/2023 at 12:10 AM, Jerzy Woking said:

The first 600 miles always seem to be dry though.....

FACEPALM

[Barry Cade]

Do not recommend Oxford "BoneDry" boots. I'd have been as well riding in just my socks..

[Paul-l]

On 9/26/2023 at 3:09 PM, tom13 said:

Any recommendations for cheaper waterproof Off Road Enduro/Adventure style boots?

I have a pair of sealskinz socks for inside my trials boots. They work a treat, lovely dry warm feet, but with the odd sensation of the insole floating around in the water sloshing around inside the boot!

[andy18s]

9 hours ago, Cavcraft said:

Oh yeah, these magically found their way here today...

I know they're crap, but a (metallic blue) 250 US Custom was the first ever bike I had a pillion ride on and started a 43 year love affair with 2 wheelers.

I did buy one circa 1985, but because I was used to 2 strokes I rode it like a KH250 everywhere and surprisingly* fucked it up quite a bit. 

 

Anyhow, one is a 400 and the other a 250, both have stood a long time.

My dad had a 250 US Custom back in the mid 80's,and I spent a good few hours on the back running to his job and back.

Whilst he was running a wood treatment plant (ETC Sawmills) I'd be riding the bike around the yard,getting practice before I could ride legally on the road.

 

[Jerzy Woking]

21 hours ago, Cavcraft said:

Oh yeah, these magically found their way here today...

I know they're crap, but a (metallic blue) 250 US Custom was the first ever bike I had a pillion ride on and started a 43 year love affair with 2 wheelers.

I did buy one circa 1985, but because I was used to 2 strokes I rode it like a KH250 everywhere and surprisingly* fucked it up quite a bit. 

 

Anyhow, one is a 400 and the other a 250, both have stood a long time.

A bloke at the pub had a 650 Custom, sounded lovely and was much better proportioned than its smaller siblings.

[hairnet]

Are we nearly there yet

[Iamgroot]

On 10/4/2023 at 8:00 AM, catsinthewelder said:

Saw this parked up in Bridgnorth the other day.

Saw this or an identical one today by the Sainsbury's at the bottom of Clee hill 

[hairnet]

Ahh now

[catsinthewelder]

2 hours ago, Iamgroot said:

Saw this or an identical one today by the Sainsbury's at the bottom of Clee hill 

I used to live right behind there.

He wouldn't have much fun riding up it!

[Iamgroot]

4 minutes ago, catsinthewelder said:

I used to live right behind there.

He wouldn't have much fun riding up it!

He was heading leominster way when I saw him, maybe to avoid going up! 

[Rustybullethole]

Day two Norfolk trails here we come 

[UltraWomble]

Shite bikeness achieved. 

[hairnet]

cant be thats not the back of billys car

[fordperv]

Would my little SV650 class as shite? I didn't know what to buy, I was drawn in by the low insurance cost for a new rider, the V twin sound and I love how it looks, it rides nice as well.

[Cavcraft]

Whoops...

 

GPZ305, belt drive. Been off the road since (I think) 2010, but low mileage and not quite as bad as it could be. It turns over well, though chucking a splash of E5 into the tank hasn't made any difference yet. New battery tomorrow and will check fuel is getting through (and what state it's in now it's gone through the tank) plus make sure it's sparking etc. The tank was empty which is probably a good thing. It's cleaning up pretty well and they're a nice looking little thing, imho.

[andyberg]

9 minutes ago, Cavcraft said:

Whoops...

 

GPZ305, belt drive. Been off the road since (I think) 2010, but low mileage and not quite as bad as it could be. It turns over well, though chucking a splash of E5 into the tank hasn't made any difference yet. New battery tomorrow and will check fuel is getting through (and what state it's in now it's gone through the tank) plus make sure it's sparking etc. The tank was empty which is probably a good thing. It's cleaning up pretty well and they're a nice looking little thing, imho.

So very nearly bought a brand new one.  The reliable ones were red though😂 

[tom13]

On 10/8/2023 at 10:35 AM, Rustybullethole said:

Day two Norfolk trails here we come 

Watch that rear rack. I think they are 3kg max load.

[tom13]

Peaks ride the weekend. With some of the Himalayan owners.