Darkest-Star

As Stu days its about personalisation, I've done nowt but an aux socket on mine, I'm going to do mirrors and indicators but only due to damage. With cars all I had done was stereos and a towbar, brighter bulbs nothing else. I do like to see other bikes with a bit different on them and I suppose those owners like the attention. I'm not after excess speed or power that's gonna make my hair white and my pants brown due to fear although, I did like the sound and looks of a Ninja 1000sx I saw the other day. Green paint of course, nice colour that.

Never seen it mentioned on the forum but if anyone has heard Blyth MAG are doing their annual egg collecting, fundraising event around Northumberland tomorrow, come say hello to the owner of the orange vstrom (chances are there may be more than mine. It's the first time I've done this charity event. Really looking forward to it. Might see my next model of bike

I really enjoyed the whole series of vids, watched them last night and watched others on your channel, good to see the whole family on the bikes too. Would I be up to a challenge like that? Well who knows?

Couldn't loosen one of the nuts, I think I could have had both feet on the ratchet handle and still it might not have budged. The nut has become damaged with the effort. Local Suzuki dealer will have them to order in a week. I would have thought it would be an item to keep some of but never mind, brakes aren't affected.

Got the torque wrench and recommend settings, there's a lot of bolts on the bike the same. Paranoid previous owner maybe, he rented 2 garages 1 at home and 1 at work and never went out in the rain. He sold the bike as he was losing the use of 1 garage. Thanks for reply.

Just taking off the front calipers for the first time, the bolts were loctited on and were a total PITA to get off. Is it best to Loctite again or is it individual preference?

Transporter bridge at Middlesbrough and the funicular tram at Scarborough

Had a PM about my score and duly updated

Shopping for a tent today to use at the rally and other times was going to buy a Coleman Cobra 2 but it seems a little narrow at the end as I like comfort and a comfy airbed will be used. So after consideration, I will be buying a Coleman Darwin 2 man Plus tent. I can also get a free camp stove in the deal

Today's achievements: Langley Castle Centre of Britain Hotel Lanercost old bridge

Pencil me in for the weekend, I can't guarantee I will be there as I start a new job this month and don't know the arrangements for time off later in the year. Viewed last years postings about the meet and fancy a trip down. Could take the long way and catch a few challenge 100 sites also!!

Guy Martin does really well considering the difference in budget he has compared with other riders. He doesn't appear to bow down to the establishment and will do things his way. Would like to see the GP riders take on IOM without their run offs and gravel.

Bought this last year, first time out since the winters end.

Did my CBT last year year with A1 motorcycles in Gateshead. Went with them as the nearest test centre is right next door and they know the examiners well and know the routes they use for module 2. Anyway, on the day there four of us, two new to riding and myself and another lad had ridden before, seemed like the other does his CBT every two years for his 125. We registered, paid, had license checks etc. then safety lecture do's and dont's and shortly after out on the yard. They supply 'gear' to use, helmets gloves and jackets with a hi viz over for safety. The gloves, we were warned, were a bit sweaty and a bit smelly. A BIT??????? I scrubbed my hands or about 30 minutes when I got home and used bleach and I could still smell eau de sweat the day after. We had the walk around the bikes, Yamaha 125's, learnt the controls brakes etc, started up, instructed on clutch bite points amount of throttle for this and eventually selected first gear ant were allowed to travel forward and stop using rear brake only, then front brake then both. We did loops around the yard clockwise/counterclockwise, slow nd a bit faster, instructed not to look at the clocks "they won't tell you anything" look ahead where you want to be (very important and valuable advice). What seemed like about 1 hour or so later the two complete novices took a break and us other two went out on the roads, simple as that. Put intercoms on and of we go. I don't know all the roads around Gateshead and Swalwell but we rode around for some time here and there, various road types, roundabouts and junctions, got left behind at a junction in Team Valley but I know that place well and the instructor was still in contact by radio. When we got back he did say we both did well, I knew I had missed a couple of gears and didn't cancel indicators once or twice but for the first time in a long time I was chuffed. I was more amazed when the pass cert. was issued it seemed that easy. So if you are reading this and planning to do CBT good luck and relax and enjoy. Get gloves in advance ( I assume other instructors have minging gloves!!!) A1 at Gateshead are good lads with good banter. Not sure how girls would react but I suppose language would be moderated in their case.

Trying nav free on and off at the moment in the car seems alright can download maps for UK Europe and beyond. Gave Google a go had to select areas in map to cache then plan a route but that was the actual map application not the navigation app.

Does anyone do this and if so do you use Googles software or 3rd party?