Foxy Stoat seeks Pig

so you have been out on it today? how far did you go? how long was you out?

If it wasn't charging at at least 12 volts then your battery would go flat and the bike would soon come to a halt

It may be as DRZ has said!

Was out for probably 45 mins or so. Not sure how many miles covered though. Just riding about aimlessly really.

the problem is if you are only getting 11v now then going out on the bike will cause a flat battery again!

Ah crap, I probably shouldn't have got out on it today then

Yeah that should be fine

Excellent thanks, will try and make a trip in tomorrow or failing that after work on Monday

something like this?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-mas830b-digital-multimeter-600v/75337?kpid=75337&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&gclid=CPmFxbbBktACFbcK0wodHkQPzg#product_additional_details_container

removing the fuse will do nothing for the charging system

Have you got a multimeter? we can teach you

Its not as hard as it sounds

I don't have a multimeter but could be an essential piece of kit. I'm keen to learn so will be one up and will seek advice how to use it Would one from Screwfix (cheapness)do or should I get one from Halfords?

Really enjoyed tinkering today. still trying to work out which wire is the tail light before snipping anything and I have a negative wire from the battery that runs right to the back of the bike and then seems to end in a connector that isn't being used.

Also discovered I have a K&N filter but no idea how to clean it yet so I left in well alone.

removing the fuse will do nothing for the charging system

 

Sorry, I meant regarding the leaving the grips on/someone switching them on and leaving me left in the car park.

I figured its only a short 15-20 mins ride to work and I could just wear my winter gloves. Rather that than spend 3 hours in a cold dark car park.

Do you use the pressure as per the manual or by the tyre manufacturers recommendations??

I've removed the fuse in the heated grips as a temporary fix. hope that doesn't cause any other issues.

If it's only charging at 11 volts then you need to look at the charging system

Oh dear, changing a battery sounds simple, looking at the charging system doesn't

No, haven't done anything to it yet. So very annoyed with myself yesterday, although I know I turned the grips off. The RAC check the battery and said it only charges to just over 11volts and should be more. Do I need a new battery? aswell as sorting the grips of course.

I'm new to this game. Took CBT in May and picked up a 125cc. First time I got to 30mph I couldn't believe how windy and noisy it was and couldn't quite fathom going any quicker. But with time and experience I upped the speeds to 40 then 50. My 125 couldn't do much over 50 anyway but I was comfortable at that speed and then thought nothing of it. Then passed MOD 2 and got my first 600cc and the learning starting over again, getting to 60-70mph, the wind, the noise, the almost coming off first time I passed an articulated lorry and bus when the wind blasts hit me. Now after a little bit of riding at these speeds I think nothing of it. I still suck on corners though! I think for me its just and time and experience that makes things seem more 'normal'.

Ok, so it happened.....got out of work and flat battery. three hours later I get home. Of all the days to forget my phone as well, wife was very worried. God bless the biker parked next to me who lent his phone to the RAC.

When I set off this morning the noise had gone. By the time I was in town (about 15 mins ride) and the bike had warmed up I could hear it but I have to really concentrate hard on it to hear it.

Any revs or traffic noise and I cant hear it but it is there because when I pull into the car park and its quiet that’s when I can hear it most.

I may be overly worried of course or maybe it should be like that. My CG had a kind of a groan when of the revs but I just carried on regardless.

Appreciate all your advice so far

I don't know how so that would be a no from me worth looking into?

Checked brake pads aren't worn / sticking?

I Haven't but I'm pretty sure it's not brakes. When I was spinning wheel yesterday when cleaning the chain I could hear the noise. Sounding like from the front sprocket area but now sure. I have checked the nut is still as it should be just in case.

I had a simular thing,best description was felt like a seized chain link but was gearbox input shaft bearing gave up and broke the cage.

Took clutch cover gasket off and could move it 1/4" up and down

Was it a big job to fix?

hey peeps new to the forum. mod 1 booked in for next Monday (7th Nov). had my first lesson on big bike yesterday. instructor said I did well and the time flew by. got another lesson just before the test but i'm a nervous wreck. nerves cant settle. get the feeling I'm fluking practise and come test time i'll be diagnosed with chronic shaking syndrome if there's such a thing.

Good luck, I had the nerves and the shakes, I tried that Rescue Remedy not sure if it helped any. If you are like me you just have to acknowledge you are going to be nervy and shakey. U-turn was my biggest worry which went well, passed without any issues even with the nerves. For what it's worth I was far more worried about MOD 2 than MOD 1, although a lot would see it differently.

And don't even think about riding OVER a mini roundabout instead of around it

Never have after I got bollocked by my instructor for doing so on ride back from my MOD 1 test.

Good luck with it.

On a side note.

Try contacts again. Much easier in the winter.

I'm tempted to try contacts, my glasses have been knocked about so much now i'm not buying any new frames.

So I've noticed on my last few rides that there is a kind of whirring grinding noise when I'm coasting at slow speed, in traffic or coming to a stop. I cant pin point exactly where its coming from. I'm very paranoid about any kind of noise/creak/groan after my last breakdown.

Its difficult to explain the noise, I think to describe it a 'grinding' noise is too harsh. When I apply revs it goes,when I roll off throttle it comes back but of course higher revs and the noise would be drowned out anyway.

As I said could be my paranoia and worry setting in. Noisy when coasting with no revs.

Any ideas from my very vague description?

Thanks all.

Paraffin sounds like a great cheaper alternative to WD40 cleaner, although It did clean it very well.

Cleaned and waxed my chain yesterday. Probably didn't need to but gave me something to do. I used WD40 Chain Cleaner and WD40 Chain Wax. half a tin of each, so i thought i wonder how often i shoulkd be doing this? Could get expensive. Probably doing around 100 mile a week commute at the moment.

Thanks i have been keeping to the right but it's just recently when wet when i have switched to the middle of the road, purely because the worn tracks looked more greasy/slippery. All this is on a major A road so doing 60mph.

Having only been riding a few months I've tried keeping my riding to dry days only... ventured out this morning on damp roads and the rear was VERY loose, guessing the tyres were a little cold. Question for those with a bit more experience - how long generally does it take for the tyres to warm up? When warm is traction really affected that much? It knocked my confidence a little and was reluctant to do anything but take it very steady back home

Autumns here, roads are going to get cold, wet and greasy. Time to forget about speed and concentrate on riding in a full defensive mode. Wet leafy covered roads can be treacherous no tyre hot or cold going to offer any form of grip here. The centre of the road were a biker generally ride becomes the most dangerous remaining cold wet and greasy through out the day , suggest you keep to the roads well worn tyre tracks which generally are kept clear of leaves and dirt by traffic, also any heat if any available is going to happen here, be very careful crossing through the centre of the road this is where the roads will remain cold wet and greasy. Take your time look at the road, learn to read the road conditions and think well ahead, brake sooner - smoother stay safe.

This is interesting. As a new rider i have been sitting plump in the middle of road purposely to avoid the well worn tracks (thinking there would be less grip_. Also didn't want to be too far left to end up in gutter/drain country and not too far right so not in too close proximity to oncoming traffic. I may have to rethink my logic and road postioning.

I have ordered a fused 4 pin relay. Have some wire somewhere and some spade connectors, although you can be sure they will be the wrong size.