Bikers and All Related Stuff.

Yelkrub said:
Cheers Nod, the spanner work is all part of the fun to me and always worked on my own bikes but don't have the gear for doing valve shims.
One of the reasons I was thinking harley is because you can fettle them yourself, I do like the Triumphs though.
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After a while, the spannering a Harley needs wears a bit thin. Much as I loved the one I had custody of (actually belonged to a mate who was working in Saudi during the very early '90s and he wanted me to store it and keep the tyres round/battery charged), it needed a fair bit of fiddling about, from regular nut checking and tightening through pushrod and chain checks every 500 miles or so. And there's a good reason for Harley riders to grin - stops their fillings vibrating out!
 
Yelkrub said:
Nod, what are the servicing costs like on the speedmaster? 12k service (valve service)on the street is circa £650 at my local triumph dealer which I think is stoopid money as my zx6r valve service was only £350 and was as much work.
Captain caveman, hope you've allowed for the service in your running cost!
I had Arrow high levels on mine, thought they sounded loud whilst riding but when a mate did a ride-by at full chat on my bike I was suprised how quiet it was.
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Try doing the valves on a CBX1000....There's 24 of them!



This is the reason I decided to take the engine out and refurbish it....2 of the valves were like this.....

 
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Nod said:
After a while, the spannering a Harley needs wears a bit thin.
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I used to help out/get underfoot (delete as appropriate) in a bike shop that specialised in brit iron back in the 80's so plenty of bolt loosening, teeth shakin, bulb popping experience:)
Took one of the owners bikes, a Norton 500ss cafe racer out for a run to the lakes with the lads one Sunday.
Doing 70mph in the outside lane up the M6 near Preston and the primary chain split link came apart:runaway:
Was a quick left hand signal and then move over cos I'm coming through!!
One of the lads saw what happened and stopped with me and we fixed it at the roadside.
Decided against going the lakes, took a longish way home and the fibreglass oil tank split on the way back.
Most days were just fun fun fun though:)
 
Bobsyeruncle; ouch! CBX is a marvellous bike though.
Had a vfr400, doing the valves on that was a pain in the wotsit. All screw and locknut but no room to get in at stuff.
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
Try doing the valves on a CBX1000....There's 24 of them!



This is the reason I decided to take the engine out and refurbish it....2 of the valves were like this.....

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Worth it for the howl though!!! (And that's from someone who prefers big twins and singles to multis!) I remember back in the early '80s being overtaken by a CBX at full chat - the rider then changed up several gears.
 
I was at Bruntingthorpe. End of a long day we stretched the tvr's down the runway, I gave mine some beans. Got overtaken at the end by a ZZR1400 with the rider flat on the tank. We chatted, rider was from one of the bike magazines, we'd seen them with a hyabusa as well, bith unrestricted. Thought he'd put some manners on me but was surprised how fast it went. Apparently he had 212 indicated as he just went past
 
Byker28i said:
I was at Bruntingthorpe. End of a long day we stretched the tvr's down the runway, I gave mine some beans. Got overtaken at the end by a ZZR1400 with the rider flat on the tank. We chatted, rider was from one of the bike magazines, we'd seen them with a hyabusa as well, bith unrestricted. Thought he'd put some manners on me but was surprised how fast it went. Apparently he had 212 indicated as he just went past
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How fast were you going when he "just" went past? Lol
 
Nod said:
After a while, the spannering a Harley needs wears a bit thin. Much as I loved the one I had custody of (actually belonged to a mate who was working in Saudi during the very early '90s and he wanted me to store it and keep the tyres round/battery charged), it needed a fair bit of fiddling about, from regular nut checking and tightening through pushrod and chain checks every 500 miles or so. And there's a good reason for Harley riders to grin - stops their fillings vibrating out!
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Sounds like my Skyjet. :exit: :LOL:
 
Bobsyeruncle said:
How fast were you going when he "just" went past? Lol
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Just cruising really...:D I was giving it full welly to see what it would do, had to stop as the end appeared to be coming up quick but having braked there was loads left.

old iphones really needed to be stabilised...
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Byker28i said:
Just cruising really...:D I was giving it full welly to see what it would do, had to stop as the end appeared to be coming up quick but having braked there was loads left.

old iphones really needed to be stabilised...
140256548.jpg
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I thought you must have been doing about the 190 mark :D
 
Now that's brave, we've taken the cars around the isle of man a few times and I've been once on a bike. Won't get me going that fast on a bike.
I've done 150 on the zzr1200 on a runway, but it's uncomfortable. Mostly I like the acceleration and filtering past traffic
 
So who's got a camera and what do you use.

I used to run one, old school days, sony ccd bullet camera inside helmet, fed into a sony tape recorder (all there was then) run off bike power.

I'm thinking of getting another, but I'm torn over options.
Option 1, Innovv K1s (or Spytech) http://www.innovv.com/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product..._rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=867551787&pf_rd_i=desktop

So it's a dual recorder, I could buy the amazon version, which is car internal cameras and use it in the car, buy the waterproof cameras from Innovv, fit those to the bike. Total cost about £250 for a dual camera setup.
Limitations are poor sound and on the bike, fixed location/direction, so wouldn't necessarily pick up people using phones etc.

Other option would be something like a drift HD ghost, helmet mounted so would look where I look, but one direction only and could be bulky on the helmet?
 
I have a jvc addixion gc xa2.
Pro's;
Waterproof without a case
Std tripod thread x2
Small lcd screen on side
Big start/stop button on top, easy to use with gloves on
Takes blooming good video!
Cons;
Don't know if they still do it!
Battery life about 2hrs dependant on video quality( I carry a couple of spares)
Sound quality, picks up wind noise. I think you can hook up an external mic but the battery/mem card door has to be open to do so and then it's not waterproof.

I used a ram mount to fasten to my tubular handlebars. They do others to mount to hollow top yoke nuts and some that go on your clutch lever mount bolts.
Always meant to try a chest harness, can get a cheap one from amazon or expro or camera king for £10ish.
Tried mounting on the side of my helmet but found it awkward hitting the go n stop button and a bit noisy. Also can't see the little led go out when battery runs out.
The drift looks good and you can get a remote to fit on your wrist and make it easier to turn on/off.
 
Captain Caveman said:
my 09 Street triple is on 9400 miles and have been quoted £530 for the 12k service at Team Roberts Triumph (Doncaster ish). But if my wife asks its a £100 LOL
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£530!!!! Good grief, what does the service involve to justify that much money? A regular service at a main dealer for my Honda 1000 is about £150, including fluids and filters. A big service including sparkplugs and valve adjustments is £300 (the valve gaps have to be individually measured and each one re-shimmed. The shims are £6 a pop and it's quite a complex operation).
 
I have an aging 2003 Fireblade bought new. Only the second bike I have ever owned. The first being a much loved and missed Honda VFR800.



Honda Fireblade RR3 by Steven Finlay, on Flickr

The 'blade was the bike I always wanted when younger and despite it having seen better days, I just can't bear to part with it.

Regards
 
boogie man said:
Good grief, what does the service involve to justify that much money?
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Seat, Petrol tank,airbox, fuel injectors, cam cover removal.
Measure clearances then if any out of spec cam chain adjuster off, cams out, remove shim bucket and shim, measure shim with micrometer and fit appropriate new one.
Rebuild.
New oil, filter, plugs.
Probably the same as the Honda one.
12k service Should include fork head bearing re-grease as well.
Oh, forgot triumph owners tax;)
 
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Yelkrub said:
Seat, Petrol tank,airbox, fuel injectors, cam cover removal.
Measure clearances then if any out of spec cam chain adjuster off, cams out, remove shim bucket and shim, measure shim with micrometer and fit appropriate new one.
Rebuild.
New oil, filter, plugs.
Probably the same as the Honda one.
12k service Should include fork head bearing re-grease as well.
Oh, forgot triumph owners tax;)
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I'd want a night of undivided attention from a high class hooker thrown in for that much money. :)

Nice bike though.
 
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Aprillia RS125, hit by car
ZX6R, hit by car
GSXR600, hit by car and dragged 40m.
Gave up. Lol

Here's me at Donnington on my Gixer a long time ago. Loved riding, ruined by cages.

10408038_10152695290881200_7122124456559252074_n.jpg
 
Finste said:
I have an aging 2003 Fireblade bought new. Only the second bike I have ever owned. The first being a much loved and missed Honda VFR800.



Honda Fireblade RR3 by Steven Finlay, on Flickr

The 'blade was the bike I always wanted when younger and despite it having seen better days, I just can't bear to part with it.

Regards
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I had one of those when they first came out, absolutely loved it.I had it 5 years and did 45,000 miles on it.the only fault I could find with it was the angle of the seat, crushed nuts every time you brake hard.
 
Finste said:
I have an aging 2003 Fireblade bought new. Only the second bike I have ever owned. The first being a much loved and missed Honda VFR800.



Honda Fireblade RR3 by Steven Finlay, on Flickr

The 'blade was the bike I always wanted when younger and despite it having seen better days, I just can't bear to part with it.

Regards
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Steven, love that 954 Blade, they're an awesome machine, I owned one many years ago in white colour, a brilliant (quick) bike, stealth, the shape of the headlights do it for me, it's probably still the best looking Blade to date in my book.....!!

I took advantage of the awesome weather today here in the Central belt of Scotland, rode the V-Strom DL1000 to Callander for a coffee, then out towards Kilmahog and headed over the beautiful Dukes Pass (The Trossachs) which eventually brings you into Stirling, about 65 miles ridden and actually wore my summer gloves......yeha.

Plenty of other bikers out and about, great to see.....!

Funfunfun.

:)
 
macvisual said:
Steven, love that 954 Blade, they're an awesome machine, I owned one many years ago in white colour, a brilliant (quick) bike, stealth, the shape of the headlights do it for me, it's probably still the best looking Blade to date in my book.....!!

I took advantage of the awesome weather today here in the Central belt of Scotland, rode the V-Strom DL1000 to Callander for a coffee, then out towards Kilmahog and headed over the beautiful Dukes Pass (The Trossachs) which eventually brings you into Stirling, about 65 miles ridden and actually wore my summer gloves......yeha.

Plenty of other bikers out and about, great to see.....!

Funfunfun.

:)
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Lucky you. I know the area well and it is a biker's dream.

Regards...
 
Yelkrub said:
Nod, what are the servicing costs like on the speedmaster? 12k service (valve service)on the street is circa £650 at my local triumph dealer which I think is stoopid money as my zx6r valve service was only £350 and was as much work.
Captain caveman, hope you've allowed for the service in your running cost!
I had Arrow high levels on mine, thought they sounded loud whilst riding but when a mate did a ride-by at full chat on my bike I was suprised how quiet it was.
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For triumph servicing try David at muddysump.com. He's a triumph trained mechanic who is now self employed and travels the country. He did a great job on my Tiger 800 and his prices are very reasonable.
 
Spent an hour or two today and took a toothbrush to my rear chain/sprocket, cleaned every link with WD40 then added a little chain lube, oh how I love a moist chain.....!

Then went on to clean the rest of the V-Strom DL1000, sparkling as new condition. So love it.
 
Here's mine.

Owned from new and up to just under 30,000 miles, 18k of which were done in the first couple of years. It's the longest I've ever owned the same bike. I went through a period of swapping bikes every year or so but this one is perfect for me. I've always fancied a second bike to sit alongside this one and flit between looking at a classic of some sort or a new one. Still undecided but the reality is it'd never get used. The one I've got has only done 700 miles in the last year.

CB1000R LP lq by Mark Guppy, on Flickr
 
macvisual said:
Spent an hour or two today and took a toothbrush to my rear chain/sprocket, cleaned every link with WD40 then added a little chain lube, oh how I love a moist chain.....!

Then went on to clean the rest of the V-Strom DL1000, sparkling as new condition. So love it.
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Try parafin it's easier and better.
 
my Yammy 125cc had its MOT last week, the place I take it are genuinely stunned 4 yrs on I still ride it.. when I purchased it from them they said ill be on a 600cc within a year and I said I wouldn't as I have no need or desire to be on one... seems I was correct :)

I do like looking at big boy bikes though, especially a Yammy XJ1200.....YUM
 
125s are very cool if you around town and generally keeping it below 50, my wife started on a YBR125 and it was fantastic. She only moved up to a 250 as when she passed her test she started doing short hops on the M621 and its just not enough. The 250 allowed her 65mph with comfort. Then of course I told her about a CBF500 with a low seat for sale in Bradford Motorcycles and that was it, I went and fetched it two days later. She has had this bike now for 4 years and I see no chance of it being replaced soon.

 
Been into bikes since I was about 13, passed my test at 17 (Now 44) and love anything bike related.

Over those years I have ridden just about any sports bike worth mentioning but my favourites will always be early GSXR's. I personally don't like all the gismos like traction control, abs etc etc. Thats why God gave me hands :)

I have no idea how many bikes I have owned over this time, Yamaha TZR's, RD350's, Suzuki RG500, GSXR600/750 SRADS etc etc



Here is my current stable.....


1. 1984 GSXR400 - The first year of the GSXR and only available as a 400 in Japan. Only done 12,000 miles and awaiting a restoration.

1984 GSXR400 by Roland Patrick, on Flickr

2. 1987 GSXR1100H - Picked this one up fairly cheap, will be having a new paint job and a full engine rebuild

1987 GSXR1100H by Roland Patrick, on Flickr

3.1987 GSXR1100H - This one will be an easy restoration, I already have freshly painted bodywork in the loft for it so get the tank painted and a deep clean as she's done.

1987 GSXR1100 by Roland Patrick, on Flickr

4. 1985 GSXR750F - The first year of GSXR's available outside Japan, this one I am currently finishing off a complete nut and bolt restoration. Ploughed thousands into it!! (this is the before photo) and it's been real labour of love.

1985 GSXR 750 F by Roland Patrick, on Flickr

5. The bike above at the beginning of the restoration just as I was starting to build her back up. All I have to do now is finish the wiring and fit the paint work :)

1985 GSXR 750F by Roland Patrick, on Flickr

6. 2000 GSXR750Y - My daily hack, she may be 16 years old but she keeps up with most of the modern stuff, I have done a bit of mild tuning on this one and she surprises a few on much newer bikes.

my bike by Roland Patrick, on Flickr

gsxr750y 2000 by Roland Patrick, on Flickr


As well as these I also have another 1985 GSXR750F in Red & Black which I'm embarrassed to say that I don't have any photos of yet, In my spare time I also throw spanners around for a local collector who has 16 really early GSX Katanas and GSXR's. If any of you read Practical sports bikes magazine you might of seen two bikes I look after a couple of months ago (1987 GSXR1100H and a 1989 GSXR1100K)

Once the workshop has been built I will add a 2005 GSXR 750K5 and a GSXR1000K1 to the collection as well :)
 
gman said:
Aprillia RS125, hit by car
ZX6R, hit by car
GSXR600, hit by car and dragged 40m.
Gave up. Lol
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Unless they were all parked up and you have careless neighbours then there's one common factor....
 
Had an awesome bike ride today (Tues) on sun drenched roads in/around Central Scotland, a total of 170 miles ridden by myself on the Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 GT.

Here's the bike route I chose;


Stirling - Dollar - over the Glendevon hills - Auchterarder - Perth - A93 to Blairgowrie - Bridge Of Cally - then took the A924 (awesome) road leading into Pitlochry - Loch Tummel (Queens View) - Aberfeldy - Sma' Glen - Gilmerton - back road to Auchterarder - over the Glendevon Hills - Dollar - Alloa - Stirling.


Stopped off at Pitlochry for lunch etc...


S U B L I M E
 
I have loud pipes and a beard. I'm just a hazzard!
 
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