The Bikeshite Thread

[Jerzy Woking]

Aye, its one of the problems only recently been shouted about. Check both mine when I change tyres both good fortunately. 110k is a great number.

There is one on ebay atm with 90k, I was very tempted, my house is like a home for old fireblades!

Id have no worries in buying high mileage bikes (I have purchased many).I'm convinced that simply getting the oil as hot as it cab get on each ride is the key to longevity.

 

My GSX-R750 did 180,000 miles before it was killed (somewhat spectaculately) in a crash in 2003). I have no doubt that the engine would have surpassed 200,000 miles, although the electrics needed constant wire splicing due to the loom failing. Also had the original exhaust system on it, which by then was 18 years old and still good. Indeed as it had a daily wash during the winter when the roads were caked in salt, it looked the same as other bikes that had done a tenth of the mileage.

[srad34]

Id have no worries in buying high mileage bikes (I have purchased many).I'm convinced that simply getting the oil as hot as it cab get on each ride is the key to longevity.

 

My GSX-R750 did 180,000 miles before it was killed (somewhat spectaculately) in a crash in 2003). I have no doubt that the engine would have surpassed 200,000 miles, although the electrics needed constant wire splicing due to the loom failing. Also had the original exhaust system on it, which by then was 18 years old and still good. Indeed as it had a daily wash during the winter when the roads were caked in salt, it looked the same as other bikes that had done a tenth of the mileage.

I have no problem either, mrs srad on the on hand......

[Jerzy Woking]

Wimmin, eh?

[srad34]

Wimmin, eh?

To be fair to her, she puts up with me and my fickle ways so I don't do too bad

[Eddie Honda]

Arsebiscuits

 

[srad34]

Arsebiscuits

 

IMG_20161003_172612.jpg

Is that an RT1100?

[hairnet]

this might look funny but it isnt

 

simple fix but a pita

[Eddie Honda]

Yes, it's an RT, briefly mentioned mid-July and lost in the forum upgrade.

 

I've done 2k of 101k and haven't got round to doing the shagged paralever bearings yet. Rear tyre is square, so I'm just going to fork out for another used final drive, do those bearings and change the tyre while I'm in there.

 

Will rebuild this FD later as I need bike for work and Mrs Honda would rather I not nick her* Honda Jizz.

 

Last night I was fannying around trying to get the right-hand fairing off (missing screws and seized ones) so I could disconnect the fuel supply hose and pump some water out of the tank. Still running a bit shite, but wasn't running at all.

 

Long term project and I'll have a stab at plastic welding all the cracks up, etc.

 

[mutter, mutter]

Should've got a Pan Euro

[/mutter, mutter]

[srad34]

Yes, it's an RT, briefly mentioned mid-July and lost in the forum upgrade.

 

I've done 2k of 101k and haven't got round to doing the shagged paralever bearings yet. Rear tyre is square, so I'm just going to fork out for another used final drive, do those bearings and change the tyre while I'm in there.

 

[mutter, mutter]

Should've got a Pan Euro

[/mutter, mutter]

I have a 2000 one as my daily, 76k, misery grey colour and weighs 3 metric tonnes, top darts old chap.

These are better than Pans unless ur a dwarf....

[plasticvandan]

Annoyingly, mr man has lost (!) The mz fairing.however,I have a better,shiter plan,for just £10,I have a 60s Avon handlebar fairing to go on,just waiting for my paint to cure then I can FAFF for a day fitting it.possibly some attempted perspex cutting too.

[LostnotFound]

So paddock stands.... 

 

Given the TDR only has a side stand and I need to get the rear wheel off, I really need to get a paddock stand. Given I've had no experience using one let alone knowing what the difference between them is, on a scale of 1 - 10 how much will I regret just buying the cheapest generic one I can find?

[Guest Hooli]

Cheapest one works for us on most bikes. Doesn't fit our 14s as it doesn' go wide enough.

 

 

 

As to the RT/Pan posts, I had a ST1100 & it was great for annoying sportsbikes as they really don't like you keeping up around the twisties. With a huge touring screen it was also good for eating ice cream at 100+mph in an open face lid Sold it as I could only get Avon & Bridgestone tyres to fit the rear & both were shit in the cold or wet - not much use on my then winter bike.

[Guest Hooli]

Just had another thought - anywhere under the TDR to use a trolley jack? it's what I do on my 14. I jack it on the centre stand bracket (stand not fitted due to non-standard exhaust).

[Fat_Pirate]

I have one of those £20 eBay paddock stands and it's been fine for everything.

 

I've got next week off and fancy having a bike trip for a few days.  Can anyone recommend anything over the Channel?  I've done the Vosges region of France but that seemed to involve thousands of hours of autoroute.  I want lots of great bendy roads rather than any particular destination.  Cheers!

[Guest Hooli]

Northern Spain, you can get a ferry, it's warmer & the Picos de Europa is great is you don't fancy getting to the Pyrenees. Best bit is no frogs.

 

EDIT: The Vosages aren't far from the ferry at all & you'll find nowt better in northern froggyshire.

 

Could get off the ferry & head for the Harz in Germany, but it's a days ride to get there. Or the Black Forest etc etc

 

Fuck it, just go to the Alps. It's worth a day on the motorway.

[hairnet]

going to the picos in 3 weeks

 

you live 10 seconds from 3 ferries

 

dont do northern frog at this time of year its miserable like here

 

'we're  all off to sunny spain - y viva espana'

 

ferry isnt cheap but its better than caning down the autoroutes

 

look up potes la hermida and riano

 

the white bits on the map <3

[Fat_Pirate]

I do fancy Spain, but ferries are more than £400... that's NEW CAR money!

 

Going to have a look at the Alps.  I keep thinking about Scotland but it's so far and it's bound to be cold/wet

[hairnet]

Its worth it 24 h on the bike or in comfort

 

I threw 398 at them

 

Its a holiday

[strangeangel]

I have this fine evening made a purchase... it must have been the quality of the photo that attracted me.

 

[LostnotFound]

I have this fine evening made a purchase... it must have been the quality of the photo that attracted me.

 

 

Definitely, I wouldn't dream of buying a vehicle without a picture showing at least a few dark patches on the ground to give them impression of what it would look like if it was leaking oil.

[Dave_Q]

An Aprilia Habana? I trust it was sufficiently bargainous.

 

SWAP 4 FCKD PIGGIO TYFONE when my eBay winner inevitably fails to turn up?

[strangeangel]

An Aprilia Habana? I trust it was sufficiently bargainous.

 

It was indeed   It apparently RAN WHEN PARKED (in 2009); I've only had time for a cursory inspection since dragging it out of the BX, but it runs when you tip fuel into the carb, which leads me to suspect the vacuum-driven fuel pump. Replacements can be had off the bay for £20, so fingers crossed that's all it is!*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*It won't be, though, will it?

[Dave_Q]

I dunno, if it RAN WHEN PARKED then maybe it WONT NEED ANYTHING FOR MOT.

 

It COULD B A SIMPLE FIX IF U NO WOT UR DOING, maybe the seller just didn't NO WOT DESE R WURF?

 

Did you get a V5, or can it B APLLIED 4?

[strangeangel]

 

 

Did you get a V5, or can it B APLLIED 4?

 

Unbelievably there was not only a V5, but 2 KEYS!!1!!1!! How often does that happen at this end of the market?

[Eddie Honda]

2 keys! Astonishing.

[strangeangel]

Well, I've just got back from the local curry house after a very satisfactory fettling session on my new ride. The fuel pump was stripped and cleaned, some decent clips fitted to the vacuum pipe, bit of fresh fuel and it now starts on the button! Next job will be to refit the bodywork (some of which will need painting) and get the lights and such working.

 

Have I really just got away with turning a cheap garden ornament into a working scooter without spending any cash? Previous form would suggest not, but watch this space!

[plasticvandan]

Winter Bike Of Doom is coming on nicely, 60s Avon fairing (£10 bike jumble find) painted,edge trims off eBay,brackets made from old mirror stems and some stainless off cuts

Much nicer than some of the ugly generic screens floating about.

[strangeangel]

^^ the fairing actually looks like something MZ themselves might have fitted, nice job!

[DodgeRover]

2 keys! Astonishing.

Obviously neither of them will actually fit the bike, it will come supplied with a screwdriver....

[strangeangel]

I spent my half-day profitably today, making a start on getting my new winter hack roadworthy...

 

Lots of surface rust, and not much frame paint, under the plastic footboards. A quick go with the rotary wire brush and some spray wax will suffice for this job.

 

The inner plastics were well faded, so time for a dab of Mer. It's the best stuff I've found for smartening up sun-faded scooter bits like this.

 

There's been quite a bit of hacksaw action

 

And I've had to replace some of the block connectors at the back to get the lights working - all were very crusty, and one simply fell off. The wiring is not good at all; it's rock hard in places and very brittle! On an Italian scooter too - who knew??

 

I have prevailed, though - all electricals have been restored to working order, save for the indicator idiot light, and the bodywork is back on. More pictures tomorrow when it gets light!