Mississippi Bullfrog

I have Grip Puppies on both bikes. Not because of vibration but because they are just more comfortable and I found that both bikes handle better with them on. I can't explain why that should be but having fitted them to one I was amazed at how better the bike felt so bought another pair for the other bike.

A weird experience this afternoon. We needed a few bits from the shops and as the weather was good I decided to cycle over the fields to the shops. It's a path used by a farm so it's very muddy most of the way. The last mile at the far end has a couple of houses so there's a single lane road that leads to the houses. At that stage a found a lady reversing back down the lane going away from me. She'd obviously trued to drive all the way through not realising the lane petered out at the farm. I followed at a safe distance as she didn't look to confident reversing and I didn't want to pressurise her. She got to the houses and backed into a driveway, going a long way back and then stopping. When she didn't move I just kept going as the road was clear Just as I got level with the driveway she shot out, missed me by inches as j had to swerve onto the verge to avoid a collision. Half a mile further she had stopped to ask for directions. So I pulled alongside the driver's window and asked her if she'd seen me back there. She looked completely blank and had been oblivious to my presence. Bearing in mind I was in hi-viz and had been following her for quite a distance before she pulled into the driveway. I don't fit my camera when I go across the fields but I will in future.

That's a good idea. I have a tool for extracting rose bushes (the mechanical type, not the horticultural variety) which would be ideal for that kind of job.

Know anyone near with a press? My local workshop used to do bits for me over their lunchbreak for bottles of beer.

I got caught washing a cylinder head in the dishwasher. It did not end well as for some strange reason the dishwasher never worked again.

I didn't get any in the first place.

Just to be awkward we eschewed an air frier in favour of a remoska. We rarely used the oven these days.

I'm pretty sure that the wicked witch of the west didn't ride a Triumph. She's probably just eyeing up another British company she can destroy.

I would not be worrying about it. It's an older bike, it hasn't been ridden for a while, it has carbs, the weather recently has been very wet and cold - it's not unusual for them to fire up and have a lazy cylinder for a bit. Probably nothing more than a damp or oily plug. Use it more often. You'll probably find it sorts itself out.

I also use eggz - having tried many different types and brands. But ear plugs are a very personal choice. What works for one won't for another. Yes, helmets make a difference. But they aren't the key thing. I have a Schubeth and a cheap Caberg Duke 2. The Schuberth is quieter but I still wear plugs with it. The two biggest things are the bike itself and wearing something around your neck to stop the air buffeting the bottom of your helmet. For example - my Caberg Duke 2 can be just as quiet as the Schuberth if I put a scarf around the base of the helmet.

This reminds me... I meant to purchase a set of braces to see how they go. Wearing a belt with the seating position on the Bobber leads to numerous excursions into hedges...and not of the heroic kind. (Gentlemen of a certain age will know what I mean.)

Maybe I'm biased but I think Triumph have got build quality sorted. A friend has the RE which he likes a lot. But put it next to a Triumph and you can see the difference. I suspect the Triumph will cost more though.

Has he looked at the new Triumph 400?

I have a pair of these. Brilliant in cold weather.

6mm...you long haired yobbo.

I went to our local Turkish barbers on Friday for a cut. It is usually an all male environment where there is peace and quiet. Not this time. A mum took her 12 year old for a cut, then sat at the back on her phone gabbing non-stop on her phone telling someone about her night out and she said....so I said....then he said....then I said....and then there was a falling out.....so then they went for a take away.....and I had...but she ordered....but when it came she wanted what I had....so he swapped.....but then she sent it back.....and then there was another falling out. And then she (I assume aforesaid she) walked past and stuck her head in the door....and another falling out ensued. I felt sorry for the 12 year old lad.

I am meant to putting up the Christmas tree. However, a mate who plays in a band has wangled me tickets to a brewery party he's playing at. So it looks like I'm going to be a very happy roadie instead.

The first bit of snow, just an inch or so of it, and the inability of people to drive in anything other than perfect conditions is evident. The lanes round us are perfectly passable yet there are cars down ditches, embedded in hedges, thumped into trees. Even just abandoned on single lane roads that are flat and level thereby blocking the road for everyone else.

Tunnocks caramels come out as front runner. With Jaffa cakes* running a close second. *Technically not a biscuit, the defining factor being that when left to go stale a biscuit goes soft whereas a cake goes hard. (Not that Jaffa cakes have ever lasted long enough to go stale round here.) Jammy Dodgers also feature. Rich Tea biscuits are not in favour. Discussion of Garibaldi biscuits is banned as it leads to acts of physical violence and people falling out.

The engine in the Bobber is the same as in the Thruxton. The biggest market is the States where octane levels tend to be lower. Several guys I know in the US report that they've had running issues if the use super unleaded, which disappear when reverting to standard octane fuel.

I think you need new sprockets and chain. Get a nice shiny gold coloured DID chain.

It is also -7.5 outside. On the happy side it is now so cold the air is drier so defrosting my wife's car was quicker than usual. I think I shall focus on indoor tasks today.

Old school method was to clean the visor then wipe it with a cut potato. Afterwards you can have chips. Win win.

I tried hand guards and found them to be pretty useless. I did think about handlebar muffs but they look a bit naff. I'll stick with my heated gloves.

For those adverse to using supermarket fuel - a mate who works in the refinery tells me that all petrol is the same. Tankers have separate internal tanks. The first is for Shell, the second for BP, the third for Esso, the fourth for Sainsburys, the fifth for Asda, the sixth for Morrisons etc...... The same fuel from the refinery goes into all the tanks. The only difference is the additives different brands add to the fuel.