The Bikeshite Thread

[Cavcraft]

On 04/07/2025 at 10:10, Dave_Q said:

Stuck an AliExpress car play screen on the NC.

Works well and only £30.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EG8j7ue

Ooh, liking that. Had planned on a sat nav for the BM, but ended up with a split view dash cam.  If the mirror mounted phone holder I've ordered doesn't work, I'll get one of those. Can you pair it via bluetooth to your helmet/ear pods?

[Cavcraft]

On 04/07/2025 at 13:17, DeanH said:

Thank you. 

No, I haven't got to the bottom of it unfortunately. I got it out of the garage yesterday and my nice new inner tube had decided to go flat...

Oh, that's a pisser. Pinched the tube, leaky valve or an actual puncture? Hope it's sorted soon.

[DeanH]

50 minutes ago, Cavcraft said:

Oh, that's a pisser. Pinched the tube, leaky valve or an actual puncture? Hope it's sorted soon.

Can't be sure as I took the tube off and made a few more holes on the way out.

I'll admit to making a DIY rim tape with gaffer tape the first time round, as that's what the previous tube had. When I took the tyre off it had all bunched up, so could have rubbed through.

I've stopped being a mingebag and bought a proper rubber tape this time. And I have given the inside of the wheel a serious wire brushing. All ready to go back together, just need to borrow my neighbours levers.

[Dave_Q]

1 hour ago, Cavcraft said:

Ooh, liking that. Had planned on a sat nav for the BM, but ended up with a split view dash cam.  If the mirror mounted phone holder I've ordered doesn't work, I'll get one of those. Can you pair it via bluetooth to your helmet/ear pods?

It comes up with the standard android auto controls like in a car including Spotify etc, I've not tried it with headphones as I don't tend to use them on the bike, but I'll give it a go and report back.

[catsinthewelder]

On 06/07/2025 at 17:13, Barry Cade said:

Last 2 times I've stopped to help a biker, I've been in the van.. which is  full of tools, testers jump packs and other useful things. It's also a Transit with space for a bike  if need be. Both times I've been told,  I'm waiting on the recovery , thanks but f*ck off. 😆

 

Plonkers, I'd be far happier if someone turned up and fixed it than just towed it home.

[hairnet]

On 04/07/2025 at 10:10, Dave_Q said:

 

Rutroh

[Cavcraft]

Ordered a new throttle cable and a new carb for the Honda 90, from different sellers. Had an absolute bastard of a job trying to fit the cable, it's possibly too short. Sacked it off (due to the heat) but will try again later, or something. The new carb is another Chinese thing, it's pretty similar to the old one and I need to find the thread locker because on the old one the two float bowl screws used to work loose, and it was only a small L shaped screwdriver that could get to them to tighten them up again. Reluctantly now to need to cough up for a new seat  too (catches have broken) or try and get the base welded by someone. 

Free time seems to be dwindling by the week, not been out for a good blast on any of the bikes for a bit. Getting royally pissed two days on the road hasn't helped that. 

[hairnet]

Not much miles as the floaty thjng @Floatylight

Hour and half to here - google said 2 hours

Got lost at sprucefield - always take the wrong exit at the roundabout for the petrol station

Craic was not less than eightly on the westljnk a1 m1 @Faker 

[hairnet]

[hairnet]

Does anywhere sell the boxes of emeralds apart from at Christmas 

 

@The Vicar

[hairnet]

ffs it rained for two hours then within 10k of the place it stopped

was nice coming back - had to ride the same road back out - quite windy so lots of the road dried out

craic was 90 on the n22 lol

[hairnet]

 

Stopping for pez ice cream and 10 mins rest at the services 

 

Left just before 10 was here just after 4

 

Not so bad

[Cavcraft]

22 hours ago, hairnet said:

Does anywhere sell 

 

 

 

16 minutes ago, hairnet said:

craic 

 

God save us.

[hairnet]

sez man from blacon

[hairnet]

Tomorrow

[hairnet]

Today

Only the two

[hairnet]

Epic fail today

To do the one near the hotel

Thr dark blue line

Then shoulda kept going on the light blue line

But it kept trying to send me via stripe up the middle lanes

Fuck that in the middle of no where on gravel

So ended up heading south towards coachford then ended up in cork

The whole point of the light blue line was to avoid cork

Coupla hours back to dub via the one in the mountains tomorrow

Backs fucked couldnt find me support

 

Craic was 150 on the isle of man n22 ( and later the n25 and n30 to herr

So kept going

[hairnet]

mad thing was it took same time from hotel to castlequarter

 even with the detour than as id planned it

wtf

[Fat_Pirate]

I've taken the week off to catch up with a load of maintenance tasks... first up (yes, I realise it's Wednesday already), changing the oil and coolant on the Pan European.  Plan was to get it done before lunch, but the bastard fairing takes so long to remove, even with the fancy 'leccy tool I bought off somebody on here; this is the 3rd time I've done it but still struggle to do it in the right order.

That tub of fixings is from ONE SIDE of the fairing - there are bolts, screws, various clips, all in multiple sizes so you need to remember what goes where...

...that made me hot and tired so I went and had a lolly and sit-down.  Came back, removed a drain screw on the block to be rewarded with a thimble-full of coolant, then it took me 30 mins to get the bastard back in as access was so awkward.  That required another lolly, and some crisps too. 

Oil change included spilling a load on the drive and swearing a lot, this is the law.

Putting the fairing panels on was another almighty ballache, where all the internal panels need to be lined up in the correct order, then fitting it into the myriad slots around the headlamps, mirror, etc, without breaking anything.  This was followed by another more serious break, featuring tea and toast, a really nice M&S yogurt and a couple of Simpsons episodes.  There may have been a nap too.

5pm - finished, the conclusion of a long hard day at work, but tomorrow I have to change the rear pads on my KTM, so likely another back-breaking 8-hours of slog.

[Heidel_Kakao]

@Fat_Pirate All that faff makes a compelling argument for naked bikes!

Have anyone ever bought a bike and then wished they had waited because they released a better colour scheme later on?

I mean I really like the colour I chose but the black on black of the new SE makes it look evil in a good way.

The main reason I didn't go for an SE in the first place was I didn't fancy the yellow ball scheme.

[Shandylegs]

Remembered to turn off indicators this time and passed my Mod 2 earlier this week 🫣

Bike insured (surprisingly cheap) and taxed. Psyched myslef up for the first solo trip and then found I had no clutch! It's not been used that much over the last couple of years, luckily fresh fluid and a good bleed through sorted things out.

I've been concerned that I'd struggle with the riding position - tall, too heavy and getting old. However, from an hour pottering around, it all seems ok.

The bike seems quite civilised, dare I say it, not that quick. Suppose that will come if I ever use the other 75% of the throttle left 🤣

Very happy tonight!

[catsinthewelder]

Christ, is that a TL1000?

Good luck!

[Shandylegs]

10 minutes ago, catsinthewelder said:

Christ, is that a TL1000?

Good luck!

It is.  😬

[scdan4]

1 hour ago, Heidel_Kakao said:

@Fat_Pirate All that faff makes a compelling argument for naked bikes!

Have anyone ever bought a bike and then wished they had waited because they released a better colour scheme later on?

I mean I really like the colour I chose but the black on black of the new SE makes it look evil in a good way.

The main reason I didn't go for an SE in the first place was I didn't fancy the yellow ball scheme.

There's always a better bike the week after you level up. This is a good thing as it helps drive the n+1 = biking nirvana...

 

I'm getting old, primer grey and rattle can black from the factory . Used to be you'd have to damage the factory finish yourself first before applying the street fighter/ fixing coats of paint yourself, angrily, wincing through the painkillers....

 

I mean, you're halfway there already...... (Sorry if too soon 🙂)

Praps their insurance will end up buying you a new one.. .

[andy18s]

1 hour ago, Shandylegs said:

It is.  😬

Loved my Tls, would wheelie at any opportunity.  .

[Heidel_Kakao]

19 minutes ago, Shandylegs said:

It is.  😬

"Due to its problems, it has earned the title of ‘The Widowmaker" Well biking is a relatively dangerous pastime so if you are going to take risks may as well go all in!

[Heidel_Kakao]

@scdan4 I am hoping they can repair it to as good as new but I wouldn't say no to a replacement if it went that way. It's funny but I really like old cars but when it comes to bikes so far I like new bikes that look retro. I will get a classic bike eventually as I would love a Norton Commando.

[Rustybullethole]

2 days into a 4 day moto camp.

Kawasaki still waiting on parts so am 250 4 stroke mounted. Not spent any real time on one before though can really see the appeal. 

Edited July 31, 2025 by Rustybullethole

[UltraWomble]

How shit is an indian built BSA Bantam 350 likely to be?
Thinking that at less than £100/month for 3 years it might be worth a gamble, then rinse and repeat when the MOT falls due and its likely to fail on all sorts of things like fork seals & headstock bearings.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/127273617213

[Cavcraft]

1 minute ago, UltraWomble said:

How shit is an indian built BSA Bantam 350 likely to be?
Thinking that at less than £100/month for 3 years it might be worth a gamble, then rinse and repeat when the MOT falls due and its likely to fail on all sorts of things like fork seals & headstock bearings.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/127273617213

The black ones look nice.