Ray's Blog

Bikes

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 11:29:11 GMT

Originally published at supple.co.uk. You can comment here or there.

I think the standard motorcycle test should include the following guidelines:

- Rev’ing your stationary bike to over 8000rpm in a car-park does not make people think you are cool

- If you do want to wear full one-piece race leathers for riding to a pub in, then having nice, shiny knee-sliders that have never seen any action whatsoever will highlight you as a poser rather than a seasoned racer.

- If you are very slight of stature (height and build) then try not to buy an extra large motorcycle helmet, as you will look like the Mekon

- If you do not heed the above guidelines, then please keep your voice low when talking utter bollocks about how to ride performance bikes, rather than drawing attention to yourself by speaking so loud that everyone can hear you, when it’s clear you’ve gone out and brought a Sports bike that you can only ride fast in straight lines and spent more money of accessories rather than training on how to ride it to it’s full potential.

It’s Alive! Muhahahaha!

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:07:28 GMT

Originally published at supple.co.uk. You can comment here or there.

Wahey! My bike lives!

My mate Pete spent most of Sunday with me working it and the results have been very positive. The new set of carbs fit in fine, although we did notice they were restricted, which is bad. Thankfully just a case of swapping the caps from the old set and I have an unrestricted bike again. Total oil change with new filter, air filter change, fresh fuel, new and fully charged battery and a dismantled, cleaned and rebuilt clutch - The result was a bike that fired up straight away, and after lots of initial smoke and steam from the water and other crap in the engine and exhaust being burnt off, the result was a bike that was happily ticking over.

Not yet ready to ride though, but the last few tasks are fairly simple now that the engine is sound:

1) Brake callipers need dismantling, cleaning, rebuilt and bled as they’re all seized up. I will keep my eyes open for a replacement set as well though

2) Loose wire or corrosion in one of the front indicators as it’s not working

3) Need to take the front forks off, give them a clean, put on new fork seals and add fresh fork oil.

4) Carbs need balancing, although Pete has given me a jetting kit so I can get even more performance out of it. Will fit that before plugging it up to the balancers.

Only a few hours work at the most

The petrol tank has had a good coat of petseal, which should have dried by tonight so I can attach that back on and put the petrol in. Other than that, it could do with a good respray and clean

Best start getting some insurance quotes, though it’s generally under £100 for the year as it is a F Reg bike.

This is all happening at a good time, as my car really is on it’s last legs.

Ooooooooo

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 13:47:09 GMT

Originally published at supple.co.uk. You can comment here or there.

I had a look at the Kawasaki Direct website last night.

A brand-spanking new ZX10r has £1101 off and there is the option for three years interest free credit.

The temptation to pay the £99 deposit and get one of these is overwhelming, but that little voice in my head (that is normally not heard over the many others shouting “kill” and “murder”) said “No, although you probably spend the equivilent monthly repayments on beer and crap food - you don’t want to get a new bike that is the two-wheeled equivilent of sex as you will suffer from consumer guilt syndrome and you’ll probably be too worried about having it at the front of your house despite the big ground anchor you have concreted into the floor”.

No, resist tempation. Get thee to a nunery