The Bikeshite Thread

[blackboilersuit]

After returning from Scandinavia last August the plucky little XR250 was parked up with a leaking head gasket, becoming difficult to start and using oil. Naturally the best thing to do was to leave it languishing until 5 weeks before the next trip before ripping it apart! Thankfully rings,gaskets & seals are all that's required other than lapping valves and cleaning everything. One cam cover bolt snapped flush so the head is coming with me to work tomorrow to make use of the pillar drill so I have half a chance of drilling down the center of the remains.

 

The fruits of today's labour........

 

[Jerzy Woking]

Got it at last-it was a real "will they, won't they" affair getting it registered, but surpringly it got done today.

 

Off tomorrow to rack up the first 500kms so I can get the first service out of the way.

 

 

Almost an unintentional white room shot.

[Guest]

First run out on the rebuilt ZX9r. 100 miles or so with an MOT in the middle, which it passed. First time it's been on the road in 3 years. Bike was fine no issues, pulls like a ZX9 should and very happy with it.., I was really rusty- took it very canny and tried my best to avoid the hailstorms. Was really worried I'd get issues with the hand I buggered up a couple of years ago, as I've not been on a bike since. Hand was fine for strength with the clutch but fingers suffered badly from the cold- always had heated grips on my bikes, but seriously considering heated gloves- any recommendations?

 

[Jerzy Woking]

I've a pair of Gerbing heated gloves at home that I only used once. They are good - your hands never get hot, but they don't get cold either. Was never sure about their construction in an off either, as they are textile for the most part, and my usual glove is made of kangaroo leather.

 

The only reason I don't use them is that they are an appalling faff to get on. Once on you have to plug the lead into the glove. As this is waterproof it is a very tight fit, and takes some time one handed. If the leads were longer you could wear them like a six year old does with his mittens and the string running down each arm.

 

I must have had these in a drawer for about three winters, happy to flog them off cheap, but won't be back to the UK until mid June, when I beleive the North will be hitting 55F on a near daily basis.

[Aston Martin]

MSX sidecar thing.

 

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/modified/check-out-titchy-adventure-sidecar

[martc]

Of course, in the olden days, you would do this (with a fishing rod slung across your back)...

 

Alternatively you could replace the box with a wicker basket full of pigeons.

[willswitchengage]

 

Found this outside Hatton Cross railway station at the weekend, 315 SMT a 1958 BSA UNKNOWN which has apparently never had an MOT. It looked abandoned but isn't present in the Streetview photos from a year ago.

 

Anyone hazard a guess what it might be?

[castros_bro]

B31/33?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mine is a bit more basic

 

[castros_bro]

XT600 ***************************************** SOLD ************************************, Surrey

 

 

 

needs a bit of work, previous owner had it running well but decided to remove carbs for a clean (I am told) so broke off all 4 exhaust studs and removed the starter.  Then decided to drill out broken studs whilst engine still in frame which didn't go as planned. Exhaust header has been "misplaced" but the original back box, starter etc are present.  Needs head off and proper drill to remove studs - a couple of local companies here do a real broken stud removal service. Located near Guildford in garage next to the XT600 I ride but garage is to be vacated. Buy it and go via Weston Beach race and the BOOM festival to my local bike fest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[doug]

Do you have a V5 for the XT?

[castros_bro]

Do you have a V5 for the XT?

 

Yes, I have one in my name.

[doug]

Yes, I have one in my name.

 

I will have it! PM on the way.

[castros_bro]

I will have it! PM on the way.

 

 

 

 

 

I'll wander outside in my socks to find a phone signal.

[strangeangel]

B31/33?

 

 

DVLA says 650cc so I'm going with A10...

 

 

It's probably a GENUINE BARN FIND, which would explain the lack of MOT history - the ones it's had will all pre-date the computerised system, and it'll never have another one 'cos it's exempt. I'd be very surprised if it has been abandoned.

[strangeangel]

...seriously considering heated gloves- any recommendations?

 

 

Would a set of handlebar muffs (combined with your heated grips) do the job without the extra faff of gloves you have to plug in etc.?

[Mally]

DVLA says 650cc so I'm going with A10...

 

 

It's probably a GENUINE BARN FIND, which would explain the lack of MOT history - the ones it's had will all pre-date the computerised system, and it'll never have another one 'cos it's exempt. I'd be very surprised if it has been abandoned.

 

I used to ride my dad's 1959 Gold Flash, proper one like the photo in Beige.

The common ones were black. He sold it for £60. Mind you it's a while back.

[Jerzy Woking]

Seen (and heard) at a show near me in Dolores, Spain.

 

Ossa 500 twin. Can't recall if they used the Suzuki GT500/T500 motor, or a derivative of it.

 

Well used and protected by numerous oil leaks. Sounded really sweet, with no rattles.

 

Little Lifan 4 stroke moped thing

 

 

With expansion chamber.

 

Disappointed with the sound though. And it must brake well.

 

Finally a a Gilera and a Montessa, both ridden by what looked like 12 year olds.

 

 

There's another show 7 miles north of me that I'll be going to next week.

[hairnet]

wanted to change bars on bike so started taking grips off

 

one off and got the bar weight out

 

throttle side and muthafuka put up a fight

 

tried to get it off the same way but no - went to take controls off to attack from the other side but theyve obv never been off and are stuck shut - dont wanna force them

 

%*&^(*$!!!!!

 

another job for bike shop as well as service and fork seals on friday then

 

grrrrrrrrr

[Jerzy Woking]

^^^ Often the simplest of jobs are simply not. What a bastard.

[strangeangel]

^^^ Often the simplest of jobs are simply not. What a bastard.

 

The number of times I've said "I've got an hour spare now, I'll just do x", and x spirals uncontrollably into a three day marathon split over two weekends with the bike unroadworthy throughout.

[hairnet]

^^^ Often the simplest of jobs are simply not. What a bastard.

absolutamente

 

The number of times I've said "I've got an hour spare now, I'll just do x", and x spirals uncontrollably into a three day marathon split over two weekends with the bike unroadworthy throughout.

 

nope it got half an hour and tea - if it didnt come off simply (ive done it before just not on this bike) it wasnt coming off

 

fukit - cutting them off woulda been easier - as theyve done 53k - but waiting coupla days for new ones cba

 

can ride bike to work all week so not too bad

[martc]

Seen (and heard) at a show near me in Dolores, Spain.

 

20190407_104902.jpg

Ossa 500 twin. Can't recall if they used the Suzuki GT500/T500 motor, or a derivative of it.

 

20190407_105002.jpg

Well used and protected by numerous oil leaks. Sounded really sweet, with no rattles.

 

The Ossa - you've got a rare catch there - this is in fact an 'Ossa Yankee 500SS' one of only 760 made in Yankeedoodleland. The engine is in fact Ossa's own design (by Eduardo Giro) and was made by joining two single cylinder 250cc engines together. It has the unusual feature of you being able to alter the pistons positions by 'a relatively easy method' so that they where either together (resembling a single) or 180deg apart as per a typical twin - no idea why you should want to do this...

 

More details here - https://motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Classic/ossa_yankee_500_ss.htm

[brandersnatch]

^^^ Often the simplest of jobs are simply not. What a bastard.

You’re not kidding. I’ll just put the new seals and pistons in Mrs B’s front caliper on her Triumph. Will the pistons come out? Will they bollocks! I’ll have to take the caliper in to the bike shop tomorrow, let them have a go. Half a day on the bloody thing. I’m knackered!

 

 

One’s too many, ten’s not enough!

[UltraWomble]

In case you missed it on the WW thread - I now has this...

 

 

 

I dont particularly like it but it was cheap. I'd be happier with a 125 if Im honest. but beggars cant be choosers.

 

[strangeangel]

Hyosung! Quality mechanical donkey right there.

[Cavcraft]

That Ossa is magic, iirc they made trial bikes mostly?

 

 

Right, yesterday was very briefly spent mixing it with the big cc boys

 

 

 

..today, however it was time to meet up with the proper* two wheeled men and ladies

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoyed that, despite making my asthma 3,000,000% worse.

[Jerzy Woking]

20190407_113720.mp4

 

The Ossa running.

[LostnotFound]

Aircooled V Twin for Mr Womble, he'll be on a Harley next!

 

Spotted this in town, some people do the L plate thing better than others. 

 

 

[Fat_Pirate]

I'm sure this thread was much naughtier last night... 

[LostnotFound]

I'm sure this thread was much naughtier last night... 

 

I wheelie don't know what you're talking about.