The Bikeshite Thread

[CreepingJesus]

I might have that! If I find it, I'll scan it in for you.

 

Odgie was writing odds n ends for Custom Car from the north west, last I saw. Decent bloke too: when AWOL was closing up, I sent them money for random march, and he sent my postal order back, with a typically scatty letter, some stickers and an original Rich King doodle.

[hairnet]

You lot are all very old

[PiperCub]

GB500 was based on the XBR500. Both had the same excellent RFVC engine.

My XBR stayed in one piece despite a 626cc overbore and mucho thrashing

 

Ahhh,  XBR500 - that's it, thanks mate, was racking my brains to remember!!!! Good looking bike, retro without being too 'Try-Hard' as much retro-themed stuff often ends up being.

[CreepingJesus]

Just "passed" this

 

Wasn't feeling very confident to be honest until we got out on the road, but then it seemed to come together.

 

Still a bit unnatural when using the controls but guess that will come with practice.

 

Weather was swinging from pissing down, to baking sun, and back all day. When we were doing our emergency stop practice one of the other guys hit the deck like a sack of shit. That knocked everyone's confidence a bit but I managed to keep it shiny side up

Well done! There's nothing like watching someone else chuck it on the road to make you think.

[PiperCub]

Odgie is still around. He still writes for 100% Biker now. He writes up his project builds for them. Nice bloke and genuine.

In a very brief foray into writing I tested a Honda CB400 Super Four for Grey Bike, my only published work lol. I can't remember the year, I've not got a copy anymore.

 

 

One's too many, ten's not enough!

 

I might have that copy, recall a SuperFour test (may or may not be yours as I think there was done more than once). I'll look then out if you like and scan & email you a copy. 

[brandersnatch]

I might have that copy, recall a SuperFour test (may or may not be yours as I think there was done more than once). I'll look then out if you like and scan & email you a copy.

That'd be cool. As far as I can remember the photos included the Honda next to my BMW K1100LT, might help to pin it down

 

 

One's too many, ten's not enough!

[PiperCub]

I'll try to look tonight when I get home & let you know tomorrow. 

[PiperCub]

Well done! There's nothing like watching someone else chuck it on the road to make you think.

 

And you say "You OK mate?"

But in your head you think "Better you than me"

[CreepingJesus]

It's whatever makes you comfortable, tbh. I think the theory would be that if you're riding a sub 250 day in day out, you'll get used to it, and work it quite hard. Whereas a 500-600 wouldn't be working nearly as hard to do the same things. All you can do is suck it and see.

 

And you say "You OK mate?"

But in your head you think "Better you than me"

Definitely. Felt so damn guilty the first time I thought that, lifting a mate off his bike with what turned out to be a badly mashed up left foot.

" Yeah, it's a bad junction that, Andy..." 'And I'm bloody grateful it wasn't me.'

 

But then, I suppose we get that perspective sooner or later.

[Dave_Q]

The thing is, as my DAS instructor told me, you can make a 650 or whatever go as slow as you want, using that rotary control thingy on the right there.

 

I did my DAS on a 650 Suzuki thing, whatever the replacement for the SV650 is called, it was low, fairly light and easy to handle. 

 

I am, not massive, but I am 6'2" and about 16 stone and the 125 I did my CBT on just about barely did 50, although it was worn smooth and a better one might have been a tad faster. 

 

Honestly, DAS isn't too difficult and the nerves will be about the same on a 125 as a 650 or 1000 or whatever.

 

A DAS course is pretty expensive (I paid about £500 all in) but on the other hand 125s are ball-poppingly overpriced for what they are - make that investment in getting a licence upfront and you have so much more choice of bikes for less money.

 

Also, if you're not keen on riding a "bigger" bike once you have your licence you can happily get a 125/250/400/500/whatever and change freely in the future without having to pass more tests. 

[Tamworthbay]

Any love for AJS on here? I need to shift my old mans Model 20 project this summer, never did get around to finishing it just too many other things.

[DodgeRover]

Nyphur do whatever you feel comfortable with. If you are planning on covering some distance then you would be better with a 500 or more really. Otherwise just scratching about you can have a laugh on just about anything.

[Guest Hooli]

Any love for AJS on here? I need to shift my old mans Model 20 project this summer, never did get around to finishing it just too many other things.

 

Proper old bikes

[Guest Hooli]

Nyphur, I find bigger bikes a lot easier as they have decent brakes n tyres. The option of getting a bit of space behind you in traffic makes life a lot easier too. The weight is a bit of a worry to start with, but I found them more stable & easier after an hour or two.

 

I did ride a 125 for 13 days, that was enough to get bored of the lack of power/brakes. But then I did do 450miles on it in that time.

[Dave_Q]

This looks keenly priced, and vaguely near your bit of the country I think?

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Honda-CG125-Japan-Heritage-Model-/132210382012?hash=item1ec85a54bc:g:MqgAAOSwAPVZLeIK

 

The flipside of 125s being relatively pricey is they hold their value well, I don't see that staying for sale long at that price or losing you any money.

[DodgeRover]

The only time you need to worry about gears is when moving off from a halt. Any other time the engine revs will tell you if you need to go up or down.

When at a standstill there's nothing stopping you trying to change down again to make sure you do have it in first.

 

Anyway it's common knowledge* its quicker off the line in second with 10000rpm and a burning clutch

[DodgeRover]

How about this GS125?

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-SUZUKI-RED-/332234776411

[brandersnatch]

What DodgeRover says is correct. It doesn't matter which gear you're in as long as it's the right one. Just like your car you'll almost instinctively know when to change up or down.

 

 

One's too many, ten's not enough!

[LostnotFound]

Doing DAS is definitely a sensible option, you will want to move on from a 125 relatively quickly. But even if that's after a month you'll still have saved a day or so training so can offset a little of the cost, you know what the controls are for you just need a bit of practice, my training school basically said there was no real point paying them for what would be expensive bike hire whilst I taught myself. (so the non autoshite way might be renting a 125 for a weekend?)

 

Another bonus is you'll have a bike for the summer to ride around. I don't know what it's like in your area, but I booked my das last week and the mod 2 isn't till the middle of August as everything is booked up.

[5speedracer]

Ahh yes my sv had cartridge emulators in the forks , revalved gsxr shock , rejetted and sticky tyres too 😄 Giant killer

Are cartridge emulators much good? More to the point are they easy to fit? Forum opinions vary.

Just bought a Sprint RS that would probably benefit from them.

[5speedracer]

Thanks guys.

In true AS decision I'll probably read all the advice then do whatever the hell I want anyway

 

I think by the way I was still fumbling with the controls at the end of my 2 hours (never COMPLETELY sure what gear I'm in after getting up to speed, still nervous of stalling when pulling away from a stop, shocking clutch control) I think going straight to DAS would be money down the drain.

 

I think I'l buy a Jap 125 and see how I get on. If I find I've "cracked it" control wise, and am bored of it performance wise in 2 weeks I can sell it on hopefully without losing too much money.

 

Have to say I did enjoy getting the 125 up to speed* though (even if that was a maximum of a heady 55mph), with the instructor in my ear going "come on [other guy], we're going to have to catch up to [me], he's just shot off up the road like a racing snake"

My tuppence worth.

500/600 every time. A 125 will just frustrate you and feel less safe due to its lack of power and speed in real road situations.

[twosmoke300]

Cartridge emulators made a massive difference to the sv . But scary drilling out the compression damping hole inside the forks but well worth it if you push on a bit

[5speedracer]

Cartridge emulators made a massive difference to the sv . But scary drilling out the compression damping hole inside the forks but well worth it if you push on a bit

Thanks, winter project methinks.

[PiperCub]

That'd be cool. As far as I can remember the photos included the Honda next to my BMW K1100LT, might help to pin it down

 

 

One's too many, ten's not enough!

 

OK, think I've got it here. Is your name Pete? Were you DR at the time (still?)? If so, then yes, there's a photo of you lounging on the Super4 next to a big-ass Beemer (LT?). 

 

If this is what you want, let me know before 7pm tonight (I'm off shift 'til Monday morning otherwise) so I can scan it and email it to you. PM me with your email address. 

[Guest Hooli]

Thanks guys.

In true AS decision I'll probably read all the advice then do whatever the hell I want anyway 

 

I think by the way I was still fumbling with the controls at the end of my 2 hours (never COMPLETELY sure what gear I'm in after getting up to speed, still nervous of stalling when pulling away from a stop, shocking clutch control) I think going straight to DAS would be money down the drain.

 

I think I'l buy a Jap 125 and see how I get on. If I find I've "cracked it" control wise, and am bored of it performance wise in 2 weeks I can sell it on hopefully without losing too much money. 

 

Have to say I did enjoy getting the 125 up to speed* though (even if that was a maximum of a heady 55mph), with the instructor in my ear going "come on [other guy], we're going to have to catch up to [me], he's just shot off up the road like a racing snake"

 

I'm glad I did a couple of weeks on a 125 to get used to being on a bike etc.

 

DAS for august I'd say...

[brandersnatch]

OK, think I've got it here. Is your name Pete? Were you DR at the time (still?)? If so, then yes, there's a photo of you lounging on the Super4 next to a big-ass Beemer (LT?).

 

If this is what you want, let me know before 7pm tonight (I'm off shift 'til Monday morning otherwise) so I can scan it and email it to you. PM me with your email address.

Yup that's me. Just seen this at 19.11 lol. That'd be great thanks so much. I'll pm you now.

Great place this.

 

 

One's too many, ten's not enough!

[PiperCub]

Sent!  Hope you enjoy it!

[andy18s]

Some ideas if you go for the full licence

[brandersnatch]

Sent! Hope you enjoy it!

Got it thanks. I'd forgotten the action shots lol.

 

 

One's too many, ten's not enough!

[michael1703]

This should be in the grin thread but.. Was at an auto Jumble and saw a familiar looking frame and subframe on a stall,no price on it, I was only looking at it to satisfy my brain as to whether it was a J model zx6r or an E model zx9r, bloke running stall says, tenner and its yours, I didn't haggle, I've got enough spares kicking about to make a bike out of it