The Bikeshite Thread

[They_all_do_that_sir]

No idea what's happened with that pic of the races, photophucket has lived up to it's name I guess.

Tidy job, I've a set of head bearings in the shed waiting to go on, I'm not looking forward to all the dismantling......

 

Sent from my D6603 using Tapatalk

[Jerzy Woking]

My 600 Bandit has a fractured exhaust clamp on No 4 cylinder which has resulted in a less than gas tight seal.   No. 1 cylinder has had the same happen because that has a two pice clamp on it (which means I don't have to remove the whole exhaust to change it, just cut off the old one and bolt on the new).

 

Only trouble is, I can't find anywhere that sell them - I've tried all the Bandit specialists with no luck...........

[Guest Hooli]

I'm amazed you can't get Bandit parts, they are such a common bike.

 

Tidy job, I've a set of head bearings in the shed waiting to go on, I'm not looking forward to all the dismantling......

 

 

That was the fourth set I've put in this bike, I can get them out pretty quick now. Had the advantage this time that the forks were already out n stripped as I'd sent them for rechroming a month ago.

[Jazoli]

My 600 Bandit has a fractured exhaust clamp on No 4 cylinder which has resulted in a less than gas tight seal.   No. 1 cylinder has had the same happen because that has a two pice clamp on it (which means I don't have to remove the whole exhaust to change it, just cut off the old one and bolt on the new).

 

Only trouble is, I can't find anywhere that sell them - I've tried all the Bandit specialists with no luck...........

 

Give fowlers a ring, they list a clamp for the 600 bandit and have a couple in stock, they'll check the part for you

 

I'm guessing its a pre 2000 bandit as the later ones have integral clamps and have no separate part number.

 

 

 

https://www.fowlersparts.co.uk/parts/5287229/gsf600s-s-x-95-99/muffler

 

Fowlers are brilliant and have microfiche's of pretty much everything, I have used them for years

[Jerzy Woking]

Standard Bandit ones are easy to get, but means removing the whole exhaust system to put one on, which is a real twat of a job.

 

This is the type that is in my No 1 exhaust , two pieces meaning the exhaust can stay in situ when putting it on (after disc cutting the split one off).

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KAWASAKI-ZX9R-ZX-9-R-ZX900B-95-NINJA-EXHAUST-CLAMPS-X-3-PAIRS-/122380827336?fits=UKM_Make%3AKawasaki&hash=item1c7e773ac8:g:eikAAOSwdGFYuWwE

 

Unfortunately the dimensions on the Kawasaki clamps are different.

[Tamworthbay]

Boiler plate, angle grinder, power file, job done, cost £2 and an hour.

[doug]

Jerzy, what is the bore of the clamps you are looking for? Also pitch of the stud centres and stud dias. I will have a look what I have.

[Jerzy Woking]

Jerzy, what is the bore of the clamps you are looking for? Also pitch of the stud centres and stud dias. I will have a look what I have.

 

 

I'll check tomorrow - been busy rearranging my garage, moving crap from the floor and putting it in the loft space. Also fitted the £25 Akrapovic copy end can ( in what seems decent quality carbon) to my CBR600 in place of the heavy standard end can. Sound is not too loud and has a really nice tone - hope I can hear it going through the Limehouse Link tunnel tomorrow.

[UltraWomble]

Anyone want to swap something tall-ish for a CB500 thats causing me hip pain?

Noe?
KTNXBAI

[Eddie Honda]

Fowlers are brilliant and have microfiche's of pretty much everything, I have used them for years

+1

[hairnet]

is it cos i hipster?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HANWAY-SCRAMBLER-125-BRAND-NEW-2017-/182479169834?hash=item2a7c9b292a:g:7zAAAOSwEzxYd682

 

[Jerzy Woking]

Or a real hipster

 

https://www.fbmondial.com/en/hipster/

 

Uses the Aprilia liquid cooled engine. Really nicely made if you are into that sort of thing.

[strangeangel]

The Habana can stand up again without the aid of a wall. The stand pivot was (predictably) rusted into the mounting plate, as firmly as the bolts that hold the stand mounting plate on were rusted into the engine. Both ends of the pivot had sheared off, which is what caused the stand to make a break for freedom as described earlier. What fer do then?? 

 

Aprilia, In their infinite wisdom, had used a hollow alloy tube for the stand pivot to ensure maximum strength* and  100046546% resistance* to rusting itself to the steel sleeve. At least the bastard was easy to drill out. One big bolt, a couple of washers and some swearing later and it's upright again.

[Dave_Q]

Does anyone find that you get worse attitude from car drivers depending on what youre riding?

 

I'm getting lots more horns from car drivers while filtering - I'm doing the same legal and sensible filtering I was on the blade but drivers seem to like it less when the exact same thing is done by a shonky old scooter.

[strangeangel]

Are you sure it's not the smell they're objecting to?

[DodgeRover]

Does anyone find that you get worse attitude from car drivers depending on what youre riding?

 

I'm getting lots more horns from car drivers while filtering - I'm doing the same legal and sensible filtering I was on the blade but drivers seem to like it less when the exact same thing is done by a shonky old scooter.

Never had anybody get iggy while I've been filtering on any bike, maybe project the image you are likely to put a toecap down the side of their car if they are silly???

Loud pipes save lives in this situation, drivers can be completely oblivious to anything happening behind or to the side of them making it seem like you have appeared from nowhere and made them jump, whereas if they hear the 100db exhaust note coming up they will move over.

[blackboilersuit]

Late post for last weeks collectionings........

 

32 years after I first rode one in my teens nostalgia has gotten the better of me and I've purchased a 1976 Suzuki TS250. Yet another project I don't really have time for! It's a UK bike that's ended up being used as a field bike for 20+ years. Documents long since lost. The frame/engine numbers are good though and the history checks out so I'm hoping to eventually get it back on the road. Ever since I started renting my new lockup I seem determined to fill it with tat I don't have time for 

 

 

 

[DodgeRover]

I had one of those on a P plate, one of the few bikes I have regretted selling.

Have you seen the Frank Melling book on converting on to Enduro spec?

[blackboilersuit]

I'd never heard of the book or author before but I've just bought a used copy of it from ebay.  Once the bike is back on the road you're welcome to have a go on it to relive your youth. The brief test ride I had round the sellers field last weekend was amazing. A real flash back to being 15 again. I was so thrilled it was easy to gloss over having paid a bit too much and underestimated the amount of resto work needed. To be fair this normally happens whenever I buy any vehicle  but at least this time I don't care. I'm just thrilled to have one in the garage     

[martc]

Or a real hipster

 

https://www.fbmondial.com/en/hipster/

 

Uses the Aprilia liquid cooled engine. Really nicely made if you are into that sort of thing.

 

Didn't realise FB Mondial were still going, I've seen a few of their 1950's/60's lightweights, very pretty and very Italian. Not sure if I like that Hipster or not.

 

OK I've decided - I don't like it.

 

If you would like a bike from another "are they still going?" Italian brand (and genuinely still made in Italy), take a look at these SWM offerings - some of which are quite nice looking and not attempting any hipster mimicing. You can buy them here and they have had a good reception from the press.

 

http://www.swmmotorcycles.co.uk/models

[Dave_Q]

Are you sure it's not the smell they're objecting to?

 

NO M8 I WASH EVERYDAY.

 

It's only been a few horns when rejoining the queue near the front when the traffic starts moving again, I'm not bothered by it just never had it before. 

 

 

My wife suggested it might be because people think I am a teenager / L-plate peasant and therefore suitable for horn based bullying. 

 

I have tried horning back but the horn on the vespa sounds like the death croak of a tiny wind up electric keyboard.

[strangeangel]

My wife suggested it might be because people think I am a teenager / L-plate peasant and therefore suitable for horn based bullying. 

 

I have tried horning back but the horn on the vespa sounds like the death croak of a tiny wind up electric keyboard.

 

Your good lady is most probably right. I imagine these idiots think that a Fireblade-toting Real Biker will get off and kick sand in their faces were they to make free with the horn.

 

Vespa horns do indeed suck, and their feeble electrical systems probably won't support the addition of a Stebel Nautilus copy, the solution I employed on my previous commuting hack, a 110cc Honda 50. This was made even louder by dent of being fixed to the rear rack under the top box, and occasions when deployed it made car drivers quite literally jump out of their seats.

[Guest Hooli]

Most peds/scoots are ridden by twats who can't go in a straight line & wobble about in the way. They annoy me in the car as I know they'll hold me up once the lights change.

 

For reference, I normally ride a GSX14 everyday so well aware of how car users treat bikes.

[Gingerwomble]

I hate guys who can't ride a moped properly

[DodgeRover]

I'd never heard of the book or author before but I've just bought a used copy of it from ebay. Once the bike is back on the road you're welcome to have a go on it to relive your youth. The brief test ride I had round the sellers field last weekend was amazing. A real flash back to being 15 again. I was so thrilled it was easy to gloss over having paid a bit too much and underestimated the amount of resto work needed. To be fair this normally happens whenever I buy any vehicle but at least this time I don't care. I'm just thrilled to have one in the garage

If you don't mind me saying if costs are an issue I think you might be best going down the looks like it was modified in the 70s route, rather than a full resto job, there looks a lot of bits missing that I think will be pretty much unobtainable like the chromed mudguards, clock set and lighting, although I may still have the original huge back light and number plate mount from mine which you are welcome to if I still have it. I replaced it with one from a Fantic which was about a third of the size!

They ride and go surprisingly well don't they?

 

I'm desperately trying to remember the reg number of mine I think it was ONW 68P or something similar, I would love to think it had survived.

[strangeangel]

Most peds/scoots are ridden by twats who can't go in a straight line & wobble about in the way. They annoy me in the car as I know they'll hold me up once the lights change.

 

For reference, I normally ride a GSX14 everyday so well aware of how car users treat bikes.

 

The irony is strong in this one.

[Guest Hooli]

The irony is strong in this one.

 

Why? most peds are too bloody stupid to be on the road, the same as most car drivers.

[Jerzy Woking]

I've never had a problem when filtering,  whether it be on an S1000RR or a 125 scooter,  either on the M11 or A13 to/from work. I estimate that 50% of scooter riders in London are complete arseholes.

 

What is a worry (to me) is when entering the 30mph limit into the village I live in when riding one of my litre plus bikes, no one overtakes me. However, if I'm on one of my 125 scooters, riding in exactly the same road position at exactly the same speed, 8 out of 10 times the car behind me just HAS to overtake, breaking the speed limit and going on the wrong side of the road where there is a right hand kink where you can't see what's coming. One day there will be a head on crash which I will be prepared for. Wankers. 

[Guest Hooli]

What's a speed limit?

[blackboilersuit]

If you don't mind me saying if costs are an issue I think you might be best going down the looks like it was modified in the 70s route, rather than a full resto job, there looks a lot of bits missing that I think will be pretty much unobtainable like the chromed mudguards, clock set and lighting, although I may still have the original huge back light and number plate mount from mine which you are welcome to if I still have it. I replaced it with one from a Fantic which was about a third of the size!

They ride and go surprisingly well don't they?

 

I'm desperately trying to remember the reg number of mine I think it was ONW 68P or something similar, I would love to think it had survived.

Costs not an issue but I don't want a mint example so perhaps resto was a poor choice of words. I'm after a bike that looks well cared for but hard used hence why I started with a good(*) example of a field bike and not a tidy US import. Lights will be small universal ones that look that part. Clocks will probably be from a GP100/125 as they are near identical save for a different red line on the tacho and still reasonably plentiful and cheap. Mudguards will be in the style of the original (I love the trials mudguard look of the original chrome). I'm thinking pattern trials mudguards in plastic or alloy fitted to home made stays made out of plate and 8 or 10mm thick wall steel tubing and 2 or 3mm steel plate. Frame etc will be painted with black tractor paint using a brush and foam roller again to fit in with the well cared for but not immaculate look.