The Bikeshite Thread

[5speedracer]

On 17/03/2025 at 21:45, 5speedracer said:

CHEAP CHINESE BENELLI REAR SHOCK OUTRAGE!

There is a bit of B road near Turriff that is an excellent test of suspension, the Benelli failed fairly miserably. Front end was fine but the rear had me feeling like I was constantly being kicked up the arse like Bishop Brennan (topical reference). A bit of thinking had me concluding is was jacking itself down and losing suspension travel.

The Trk 702 road biased version has preload and rebound settings, the X version adds compression. A read of the manual suggests 11 clicks out for sporty riding and 13 for comfort, mine was set at 9. As the roads are shite and I ride a lot of B roads I set it at 13 and had a wee run, not on the Turriff road but on a good mix of surfaces. I must admit I was expecting adjustment on an unbranded fairly basic shock on a cheap Chines bike to be mostly ornamental. But no, gone is the kick up the arse feel and in comes a lovely supple ride but without any wallow, as I say outrageously good and very not cheap Chinese shite.

As an addendum to this I have read that QJ, owners of Benelli, have a JV in China with Marzocchi. Looks like Benelli bikes run unbranded Marzocchi suspension then, no wonder it handles and also explains the 50mm forks 😁

[Hawkeyethenoo]

On 16/03/2025 at 19:52, doug said:

@Hawkeyethenoo

@Cavcraft 

Keep up at the back... 🖖

 

[DeanH]

Made the most of the weather today with a run to the strines inn for a coca cola in the sunshine. Another green lane on the way home.

[hairnet]

Shrewsbury honda ftw

Gb350s

Couldnt sit on the one that was as i walked in as sold

Talked to sales chap for a bit

I turn round to leave bike is gone open the door and the chap is about to ride off on it

Biiiiice

Jealous cos im in the car

 

[martc]

1 hour ago, hairnet said:

Shrewsbury honda ftw

Gb350s

They're a big thing in India where they compete directly against the Enfield 350 and like the Enfield they're made in India. Except the models that come to the UK which, curiously, are made in Japan.

[martc]

The Zero needs a new front tyre as the current original one has squared off make slow speed handling and crossing white lines a bit peculiar, it feels like it's falling off the edge of the tyre. There's still plenty of tread on it but I guess 4,300 miles isn't too bad.

Both tyres are Pirelli Diablo Rosso III's , the back one is quite new (only done about 1000 miles) as I replaced it due to a bad puncture. Talking to the UK importers they say that the Michelin Road 5 is a good/better alternative. Now my question is can I put a Michelin on the front and keep the Pirelli on the back until it wears out? Or should I stick with a matching front tyre?

[hairnet]

59 minutes ago, martc said:

They're a big thing in India where they compete directly against the Enfield 350 and like the Enfield they're made in India. Except the models that come to the UK which, curiously, are made in Japan.

hness is almost the same but slightly different apparently according to indian guy who has one and modified it on oddly a bmw forum

they said they get more in tomorrow so might go up on way home and get a sit on one

 

 

[Iamgroot]

Finally got it together! 

Will have a run round the houses tomorrow if it isn't pissing down.

[hairnet]

Dri

Bble

[Rustybullethole]

On 21/03/2025 at 17:20, martc said:

The Zero needs a new front tyre as the current original one has squared off make slow speed handling and crossing white lines a bit peculiar, it feels like it's falling off the edge of the tyre. There's still plenty of tread on it but I guess 4,300 miles isn't too bad.

Both tyres are Pirelli Diablo Rosso III's , the back one is quite new (only done about 1000 miles) as I replaced it due to a bad puncture. Talking to the UK importers they say that the Michelin Road 5 is a good/better alternative. Now my question is can I put a Michelin on the front and keep the Pirelli on the back until it wears out? Or should I stick with a matching front tyre?

I wouldn't sweat running odd tyres. In fact its quite rare i have a matching set. 

Opinions vary.

 

[Rustybullethole]

Tyres swapped out for 50/50's today as the seasons changing and i'm doing more road miles. Motoz spanking new rear and very old tkc front.

Set about the fork seals too. Bushes were unexpectedly pretty fucked much more so on one leg and then couldn't find the new seals id had in my hand this very morning. After a stress i decided to just clean up and wack back together with fresh oil as they're be coming apart again soon. 

Trail riding tomorrow so need it in one piece.

[Iamgroot]

On 21/03/2025 at 17:20, martc said:

 Now my question is can I put a Michelin on the front and keep the Pirelli on the back until it wears out? Or should I stick with a matching front tyre?

I've a pirelli on the back and a Michelin on the front of my FJ12, no problem at all.

[hairnet]

unless theyre worn to fuck you wont notice 

or youre rossi

 

[catsinthewelder]

@Iamgroot That looks fucking ace 😎

[Iamgroot]

2 minutes ago, catsinthewelder said:

@Iamgroot That looks fucking ace 😎

Thanks! The pictures flatter it, but I'm quite happy with what I've cobbled together 😁

[hairnet]

spoke to gadge in shop about mine

40k well used 16 plate nc750

1500

looooooool

 

[Rustybullethole]

I spoke to guy in the shop about fork bushes. After telling me they were on back order and that often means they are discontinued he invited me down for coffee and to look at the new Himalayan. Lol.

 

[hairnet]

https://www.bike-parts-royalenfield.com/royalenfield-motorcycle/assignment_spare_parts/RAH00704_K

[twosmoke300]

Another enduro race in the bag ! No pics sadly .

Up near Oxford . The Chairman’s Chase it was called . 3 hour hare n hounds . I rode brilliantly ( for me ) . One quick pit stop and managed to stay consistent for the whole 3 hours . Last lap was my fastest too I think .

Bumpy old track in places and some huge jumps ( I don’t jump ) as it uses some of Ashdown mx track . But also miles of twisty forest single track . Fucking loved it and the Honda was in its element again . Don’t even feel too ruined today . 

[hairnet]

Sadly its not @Six-cylinders scooter

Glad i didnt tho ( distance)

[Cavcraft]

21 hours ago, hairnet said:

Dri

Bble

That'd be too much power for you 😝

[Rustybullethole]

7 hours ago, twosmoke300 said:

Another enduro race in the bag ! No pics sadly .

Up near Oxford . The Chairman’s Chase it was called . 3 hour hare n hounds . I rode brilliantly ( for me ) . One quick pit stop and managed to stay consistent for the whole 3 hours . Last lap was my fastest too I think .

Bumpy old track in places and some huge jumps ( I don’t jump ) as it uses some of Ashdown mx track . But also miles of twisty forest single track . Fucking loved it and the Honda was in its element again . Don’t even feel too ruined today . 

Great event that. Did it take in the hills? They're the best bit of that mx track though like you say there's some great stuff around there. 

 

Edited March 23 by Rustybullethole
Found the pic a mate sent me.

[Rustybullethole]

Nice bit of Kent lanes today. Four of us at the start then another mate joined us on his enduro bike a bit further in. Thats was the point it got a bit silly when we made the fatal error of following him. More than once. 

Great days riding and nice mix of bikes.

Edit; Fork seals held out, may be a puddle in the morning we shall see. 

Done a fucking wheelie today. Off a bump though proper front up in the air jobbie. My Honda Melody 50 is easier to wheelie than the Himi. 

Mate Dan's 690 weighs about 30kg less as has 50 bhp more.

690 probably the best bike for the job though all had fun from Honda Dax 125 to 1000cc Africa twin.

Oh and my exhaust fell off. Lots. 

Edited March 23 by Rustybullethole

[twosmoke300]

1 hour ago, Rustybullethole said:

Great event that. Did it take in the hills? They're the best bit of that mx track though like you say there's some great stuff around there. 

 

Yeh we did the hills in your pic . Not done any mx stuff like that before tbh and the G out in the bottom took me by surprise 😂

[Rustybullethole]

13 minutes ago, twosmoke300 said:

Yeh we did the hills in your pic . Not done any mx stuff like that before tbh and the G out in the bottom took me by surprise 😂

Its great hey. The valley of the last hill used to be even more violent. Like spine crushingly so. Can also remember pelting down there one winters day and it being full of water. Fully committed by the time i saw it, far too late to avoid an ice bath.

[martc]

Any idea what this Honda is? The frame, suspension, wheels, mudguards and air filter look like a PC50, but it clearly isn't one. We're in France, mid 1970's.

[hairnet]

its a ps50 sports (chortle) moped

[mat_the_cat]

For the first time in 10 years I have a bike again! I'd been tentatively on the look out for the last year or so, but funds were usually the problem. For the first time in my entire life I've been able to put a bit aside each month, so when @Stinkwheel mentioned he had a late VFR750 for sale I was fairly interested!

It was exactly as described, and if anything he'd downplayed the condition, so the whole process was as buying a vehicle should be. I was thinking of riding it the 90 minute journey home again, but common sense and a leaking front tyre meant I picked it up in the iLoad last Saturday.

Despite not desperately needing to fix anything, the first thing I did on getting it back was to take it apart 😂 The side stand switch I already knew had failed, so swapped that out. But there was a bit of weirdness with the neutral light too, and whenever the clutch was pulled in, the light would come on even when in gear! This turned out to be the diode pack, but at nearly £50 I made my own.

There was also the regulator/rectifier I wanted to change for a MOSFET version, for greater reliability. The existing thyristor type runs fairly hot and is apparently a bit of a weak point, so had already been changed.

The MOSFET version was a touch bigger, so a tiny big of metalwork was needed before I could fit it and crimp on the new waterproof connectors.

My OCD wouldn't allow my to leave the fusebox alone either 😂 Looks like over the years various different replacements had been fitted, so I wanted to sort that out.

Some of them showed a bit of oxidisation too, so probably worthwhile doing.

Ah, that's better!

Last little job was to do what I always do with a new arrival on the fleet, and that is to inject it full of wax!

Only the seat support is steel, so a quick job to protect that from moisture. Next is fitting a USB charger, an LED voltage indicator, and the leak from the front tyre (which again I was made aware of).

[Rustybullethole]

Cross town traffic played with, time for a shit breakfast. 

[Stinkwheel]

10 hours ago, mat_the_cat said:

For the first time in 10 years I have a bike again! I'd been tentatively on the look out for the last year or so, but funds were usually the problem. For the first time in my entire life I've been able to put a bit aside each month, so when @Stinkwheel mentioned he had a late VFR750 for sale I was fairly interested!

It was exactly as described, and if anything he'd downplayed the condition, so the whole process was as buying a vehicle should be. I was thinking of riding it the 90 minute journey home again, but common sense and a leaking front tyre meant I picked it up in the iLoad last Saturday.

Despite not desperately needing to fix anything, the first thing I did on getting it back was to take it apart 😂 The side stand switch I already knew had failed, so swapped that out. But there was a bit of weirdness with the neutral light too, and whenever the clutch was pulled in, the light would come on even when in gear! This turned out to be the diode pack, but at nearly £50 I made my own.

There was also the regulator/rectifier I wanted to change for a MOSFET version, for greater reliability. The existing thyristor type runs fairly hot and is apparently a bit of a weak point, so had already been changed.

The MOSFET version was a touch bigger, so a tiny big of metalwork was needed before I could fit it and crimp on the new waterproof connectors.

My OCD wouldn't allow my to leave the fusebox alone either 😂 Looks like over the years various different replacements had been fitted, so I wanted to sort that out.

Some of them showed a bit of oxidisation too, so probably worthwhile doing.

Ah, that's better!

Last little job was to do what I always do with a new arrival on the fleet, and that is to inject it full of wax!

Only the seat support is steel, so a quick job to protect that from moisture. Next is fitting a USB charger, an LED voltage indicator, and the leak from the front tyre (which again I was made aware of).

Glad things are progressing with the VFR. Always good to see you, usually at Citroen related things though, so talking bikes was a nice change

I'd never even opened the fuse box, amazing collection of seemingly random fuses you had there 😂

And to echo your sentiment about buyers/sellers, was really good to sell a bike to someone who for once, I absolutely know isnt an idiot who will ruin it in 5 minutes. In fact exactly the opposite, it now has a chance of being properly looked after 👍

(as opposed to me just bypassing the stand switch when it failed kind of thing)