The Bikeshite Thread

[5speedracer]

TRK 702 in The Square at Tarland with the excellent tearoom in the background. Passed 4k miles on Sat and it's smoothing out nicely. They do seem to take a bit of running-in which may put some buyers off. Not sure if the QJ 900 will be the same as basically a larger version of the same engine.

Uncle Wangs ECU (Bosch) has been £108 well spent going a long way to curing the low rev inconsistency a lot of Euro 5+ bikes suffer from. So far nothing has fallen off and a good clean would have it like new.

[hairnet]

1 hour ago, Bmwdumptruck said:

Aparently the Triumph bosses walked in one day and basically said they’d need to dump Yamaha to carry on selling Triumphs, but instead ended up leaving losing them as a Triumph dealer.  Stupid Triumph. 
 

that happened to the local honda place here - been here since the 60s - old brick looks like the end terrace of a row early 90s they had a mini red and grey glass front put on which looked odd with the rest of it

honda wanted them to move into a purpose built building closer to the centre of manchester

hunts told them no - we make ££££ here (theyre on one of the busiest roads in manchester as is) 

honda dropped them and theyre now a yamaha dealer

the honda place now is near strangeways which is a pita and ironically they do triumph

[hairnet]

ffs

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/366440905433

 

[hairnet]

ffs

you go to trouble of adding advert but dont take pics first

theres also another thats 200 more but its right at the valve check service at 14500 miles

sadly the white ones which i like all have the red frame - which makes me barf more than fennel or star annise

[Crackers]

Be still my beating heart.

If only I had many thousands in the bank to throw at these two. Would pretty much be my perfect garage (although I'd have a DesertX when they come down in a price a bit).

[Cavcraft]

11 hours ago, hairnet said:

ffs

you go to trouble of adding advert but dont take pics first

theres also another thats 200 more but its right at the valve check service at 14500 miles

sadly the white ones which i like all have the red frame - which makes me barf more than fennel or star annise

SBF do that a lot, guessing it's newly in stock they haven't prepped for resale.

 

11 hours ago, hairnet said:

that happened to the local honda place here - been here since the 60s - old brick looks like the end terrace of a row early 90s they had a mini red and grey glass front put on which looked odd with the rest of it

honda wanted them to move into a purpose built building closer to the centre of manchester

hunts told them no - we make ££££ here (theyre on one of the busiest roads in manchester as is) 

honda dropped them and theyre now a yamaha dealer

the honda place now is near strangeways which is a pita and ironically they do triumph

Not a fan of Bill Smiths in Chester, but they lost Triumph to some national chain who built a fancy new showroom in Deeside. National chain went bust and Smiths got Triumph back. I hope they made Triumph grovel first.

 

12 hours ago, 5speedracer said:

TRK 702 in The Square at Tarland with the excellent tearoom in the background. Passed 4k miles on Sat and it's smoothing out nicely. They do seem to take a bit of running-in which may put some buyers off. Not sure if the QJ 900 will be the same as basically a larger version of the same engine.

Uncle Wangs ECU (Bosch) has been £108 well spent going a long way to curing the low rev inconsistency a lot of Euro 5+ bikes suffer from. So far nothing has fallen off and a good clean would have it like new.

They are a very tempting proposition.

[Crankshaft]

Just found these photos of some proper bikeshite I had for about 3 years, sold in 2019:  Honda CB400N Superdream.  Quite a late one with, I think, its original dealer number plate.

[Crankshaft]

More Superdream pics - I can’t remember why, but in summer 2017 I went looking for surviving old-style phone boxes in local villages.

[Crankshaft]

Here’s another old crock I had for a few years and sold in 2021 - Suzuki GT250 X7.  Two-stroke twins make the loveliest noise!

[Stinkwheel]

17 minutes ago, Crankshaft said:

Here’s another old crock I had for a few years and sold in 2021 - Suzuki GT250 X7.  Two-stroke twins make the loveliest noise!

Great to see these.

I’ve got an early CB400N. They are about 200% better then the 250N’s were.

And agree, 2stroke twins make a very special noise. Even at tickover 

 

[primeradoner]

28 minutes ago, Stinkwheel said:

Great to see these.

I’ve got an early CB400N. They are about 200% better then the 250N’s were.

And agree, 2stroke twins make a very special noise. Even at tickover 

 

I've  also got an early CB400N in blue.  I just need to dig it out of storage and get some use out of it.

[Crankshaft]

This thing was quite amusing - Honda Cub 90 Economy, with posh electric starter, sold in 2015.  I took it green laning once - highly inappropriate equipment for that game.  As I reached the end of a rough byway, where it met the road, a bunch of loitering yoofs gave me cheers and applause!

[Crankshaft]

59 minutes ago, Stinkwheel said:

Great to see these.

I’ve got an early CB400N. They are about 200% better then the 250N’s were.

And agree, 2stroke twins make a very special noise. Even at tickover 

 

Actually, Superdreams sound really nice too, don’t they?  360-degree crank like old Brit twins (without the oil leaks and debilitating vibration!)

[5speedracer]

21 hours ago, Cavcraft said:

SBF do that a lot, guessing it's newly in stock they haven't prepped for resale.

 

Not a fan of Bill Smiths in Chester, but they lost Triumph to some national chain who built a fancy new showroom in Deeside. National chain went bust and Smiths got Triumph back. I hope they made Triumph grovel first.

 

They are a very tempting proposition.

If I was buying now I'd go for the QJ900SRT which looks to be pretty much the same bike but with a bigger engine, more power and kit. 

[DodgeRover]

My friend and old boss has passed away; Jeff Hall of Jeff Hall motorcycles in Sheffield. If you were anything to do with road bikes trials, motox or green laning in South Yorkshire pre 2000 you would have been in the shop. It was the place of dreams when I was a kid to go and look at the bikes we couldn't afford 

 

Couldn't find an older photo when it used to say Bultaco Montesa Fantic as well as Honda Suzuki and Yamaha. If my memory is correct he got his Yamaha dealership when they offered him bikes on a 12 months interest free credit and sale or return.

Legendary in the South Yorks TRF for doing 200+ miles green laning every Wednesday on his XL125R then later on a Serrow,.then it would be back in the workshop getting repaired.

Sponsored Sheffield speedway meetings and we had riders pop in regularly, the most memorable being to pick up old tyres to take back to Russia for protection in ice speedway, what did you think to Buxton then René? - it is cold, it is wet, it is a shit hole like Russia.

Sadly missed.

[93fxdl]

The seat on my bandit had become a bit shabby and  had split, being a cheapskate, I decided to recover it on the cheap. eBay supplied stretch suede and carpet glue. Some time spent, glueing trimming and stretching gave me a better looking seat, even covered the strap to match, now the seat makes the rest of the bike look shabby 

Ttfn Glenn 

[Liggle]

Passed my Mod 2 today, had my first ride on my first big bike, I am grinning from ear to ear 😀

[Iamgroot]

And what a great first bike! 🎉

[Cavcraft]

Congrats!

[Jerzy Woking]

Well done, both on passing the Mod 2 and having a VFR as your first big bike

 

[hairnet]

On 05/06/2026 at 21:34, Cavcraft said:

SBF do that a lot, guessing it's newly in stock they haven't prepped for resale.

 

 

still havent after nearly a week

theres another two and theyre the same

ill just go somewhere else

[Hawkeyethenoo]

Arrived today at 10:30am. Fireblade! 

Having been collected from Bournemouth yesterday morning at 6:30am by https://movemybike.co.uk/

Who I can highly recommend. I'd looked at collecting it myself with our van, but the hassle of taking that out of service for 2 days, diesel, food and overnight stop costs, it worked out better just getting it collected and delivered up to it's new retirement home in sunny Scotland.

The history of the bike is, it's what was known as a grey-import via KJM Superbikes back in the day, which was a popular option as it meant the bike was a few hundred quid cheaper than one bought from a Honda dealer.

The mileage is correct at 7800 as the bike has been dry stored all of its life, it's really very clean indeed. I was all over it today and struggled to find anything a-miss, or even a stone chip. I bought it from a lovely chap called Mark, he's owned it for 13 months and bought it from a collector who'd owned it for the previous 7 years. It's only covered a few hundred miles in the last six years, but has been kept MOT'd nearly throughout, only missing a couple over the years.

That was what Mark told me and the VCheck completed confirms that.

Nothing else to do but get it's arse in the air using the new Abba Stand which is a great bit of UK made kit! and set about a full wash N polish and check over.  

 

Because it's been looked at more than ridden, the servicing is somewhat behind, I could tell that by the colour of the brake fluid which looked more like Tango, than DOT 4. To be fair, the lever didn't feel horrible, but it was high time it was changed. I've only done the front for now and the lever now feels very spot on and will stay that way in use, I'll do the rear later and am considering a HEL braided upgrade probably over the winter along with a coolant change. The timing of that may be brought forward after checking the coolant as it's probably as it was from the factory... 

I can get a set of the correct NGK Iridium plugs for £86 from Halfords with the trade card, so that's happening too. Gave the chain some basic clean and lube maintenance and it came up looking nice N shiny.

Tyres are date stamped 2012 and even though they are as new, I have a new set of Michelin Power 6 and new right-angle valves ready to be fitted on Monday coming. Confidence is everything with motos and if I'm riding around thinking about the tyres, that will soon evaporate. 

Plan is to have everything ready and its ticket to ride issued for 1st July. Hopefully will be able to head North for a few days and show it the sights so to speak. 

Riding position is focused yes, but the seat is comfy, the suspension should be pretty compliant if not full plush. I look forward to having a play with the suspension and seeing what needs tweaked if anything?

There you go, the day I bought a CBR954 Fireblade, finally...

[Hawkeyethenoo]

Looking forward to getting the fairings off next and doing an oil service, was only done last May, but oil is cheap and I like Castrol Power 1. That and a Mahle filter was under £50, one of the few things that seem still reasonably priced for now at least.  

[Hawkeyethenoo]

A must visit for all Honda Racing Machine fans - https://global.honda/en/RACERS/

[S2000]

Added this to the collection…. Love it!,,

[Mudster]

3 hours ago, Hawkeyethenoo said:

Arrived today at 10:30am. Fireblade! 

Having been collected from Bournemouth yesterday morning at 6:30am by https://movemybike.co.uk/

Who I can highly recommend. I'd looked at collecting it myself with our van, but the hassle of taking that out of service for 2 days, diesel, food and overnight stop costs, it worked out better just getting it collected and delivered up to it's new retirement home in sunny Scotland.

The history of the bike is, it's what was known as a grey-import via KJM Superbikes back in the day, which was a popular option as it meant the bike was a few hundred quid cheaper than one bought from a Honda dealer.

The mileage is correct at 7800 as the bike has been dry stored all of its life, it's really very clean indeed. I was all over it today and struggled to find anything a-miss, or even a stone chip. I bought it from a lovely chap called Mark, he's owned it for 13 months and bought it from a collector who'd owned it for the previous 7 years. It's only covered a few hundred miles in the last six years, but has been kept MOT'd nearly throughout, only missing a couple over the years.

That was what Mark told me and the VCheck completed confirms that.

Nothing else to do but get it's arse in the air using the new Abba Stand which is a great bit of UK made kit! and set about a full wash N polish and check over.  

 

Because it's been looked at more than ridden, the servicing is somewhat behind, I could tell that by the colour of the brake fluid which looked more like Tango, than DOT 4. To be fair, the lever didn't feel horrible, but it was high time it was changed. I've only done the front for now and the lever now feels very spot on and will stay that way in use, I'll do the rear later and am considering a HEL braided upgrade probably over the winter along with a coolant change. The timing of that may be brought forward after checking the coolant as it's probably as it was from the factory... 

I can get a set of the correct NGK Iridium plugs for £86 from Halfords with the trade card, so that's happening too. Gave the chain some basic clean and lube maintenance and it came up looking nice N shiny.

Tyres are date stamped 2012 and even though they are as new, I have a new set of Michelin Power 6 and new right-angle valves ready to be fitted on Monday coming. Confidence is everything with motos and if I'm riding around thinking about the tyres, that will soon evaporate. 

Plan is to have everything ready and its ticket to ride issued for 1st July. Hopefully will be able to head North for a few days and show it the sights so to speak. 

Riding position is focused yes, but the seat is comfy, the suspension should be pretty compliant if not full plush. I look forward to having a play with the suspension and seeing what needs tweaked if anything?

There you go, the day I bought a CBR954 Fireblade, finally...

I can confirm the riding position is really comfy and they are well capable of touring. Took mine to Poland and Czech republic including stopping a night in Colditz castle. Photo taken from the trip (which I can hardly believe was 18 years ago). Looks like I caught a few flies.

I kept mine about 12 years but eventually just fancied a change. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I liked mine.

[straightSix]

On 09/06/2026 at 17:25, Liggle said:

Passed my Mod 2 today, had my first ride on my first big bike, I am grinning from ear to ear 😀

 Congrats! My first bike after passing was a vfr750. Felt like an absolute rocketship after my 125

[Jazoli]

On 09/06/2026 at 17:25, Liggle said:

Passed my Mod 2 today, had my first ride on my first big bike, I am grinning from ear to ear 😀

 

9 hours ago, straightSix said:

 Congrats! My first bike after passing was a vfr750. Felt like an absolute rocketship after my 125

Me too although mine was somewhat older than both of yours 😁

[Liggle]

9 hours ago, straightSix said:

 Congrats! My first bike after passing was a vfr750. Felt like an absolute rocketship after my 125

It certainly does! I thought it felt a bit flat lower down after the Z650 learner bike but once my new rear tyre was scrubbed in and I revved it out I soon changed my mind 😂

[hairnet]

21 hours ago, Hawkeyethenoo said:

Nothing else to do but get it's arse in the air using the new Abba Stand