Mississippi Bullfrog

A decent alarmed disclock. A hi Viz vest. Some ACF50. The finish on the current Hondas isn't quite as corrosion resistant as older models so give the frame some corrosion inhibitor.

I remember being told this many moons ago. Then one lovely day on a brilliant road I rode frequently I set myself into a bend and these words popped into my head and I slowed down. Coming to the apex of the bend I discovered a tanker on its side totally blocking the road from wall to wall If I had taken it at my usual speed I wouldn't be writing this....so it's good advice.

Start 8.00am Christmas Eve through to 2.00am Christmas Day in my main role....but also covering our local hospital out of hours all night through to 9.00am Christmas Day. Then I get 30 minutes off duty Christmas Day start at 9.30am with Christmas lunch for anyone on their own (75 expected)... finishing at 8.30pm. Then I'm off duty on Boxing Day. Back on Thursday. Hey ho.

I've used lithium batteries in model aircraft for years - in which application the cells operate with none of the usual safety designs incorporated into most lithium uses. They do that in order to extract the performance needed for flight and they are brilliant. The two main issues are charging and accident damage. A damaged battery can sit there for a long time whilst heat builds up - then they explode. I've known guys crash a model, stick it in the car and fly a spare model for a couple of hours, then their car suddenly catches fire. But in normal use they are light years ahead of lead acid technology. However, I wouldn't retrofit one to a bike designed for a lead acid battery. There's little to be gained as a good lead acid coupled with a decent charger will last you for years. I'm sure at some stage I'll buy a bike fitted with a lithium battery but until then I'll stick with lead acids.

I would second the suggestion above that having had one you'd be better off just using normal chain maintenance. I had one and it was always either no oil or too much. On one occasion I returned to the bike to find the rear tyre sitting in a puddle of oil which ruined the tyre. Since getting rid of it I've used spray wax and have found that to be a much better way to keep chains clean and lubricated. Oil on chains attracts grit and turns into a very effective grinding paste which leads to more wear. If you use enough oil to wash the grit off then you'll end up with oil flung everywhere.

Not into BBQ but I have been given a very fine Cuban cigar for Christmas, apparently the brand which was Castro's favourite. So I'm smokin'

Is something in the mechanism gummed up? I've had cable operated carbs do similar things when people used WD40 to lube the cable or mechanism. WD40 is not a lubricant - it is a dispersant (which is what the D stands for) so it drive out lubrication. I use a spray with teflon in it and that seems to sort this kind of thing out.

If you get a carb Honda 500 it’s nearer 60bhp but then you can’t ride them on a restricted licence. The output is more down to engine management mapping. Plus the larger engine has more torque which in terms of riding is of more interest than bhp numbers.

Can't really see much on my phone from the photos, but the corrosion around the exhaust fixings is usual due to the heat (and to be frank the poor quality of components used these days on some bikes) I'd rub some copper assembly compound onto them as it's resistant to heat and will prevent corrosion forming.

Let's not spoil it! Summer is coming That means I need to buy a new lawnmower. Mine has fallen to bits. Mind you, we've just been up to our new house and it seems the rabbits, badgers and moles have destroyed the lawn anyway.

Basically what Fastbob says. It doesn't sound like you have access to a secure garage and if the area you live and ride is as described then your only option is something the thieves don't want. Even then I'd fix some kind of immobilizer on it as if they can't make it go they'll dump it.

This is where many insurance companies claw back the lower premiums they offer to get you in the first place. It's why sometimes not buying the cheapest can work out better in the long run. Change of address, change of bike, basically anything that means pressing a few buttons means cher-ching in terms of them conning more money out of you.

When I was a nipper this is how we used to clean the chrome on our pedal bikes, it’s very effective. But the best bit is that you need to scoff the mince pie to get at the foil in the first place.

Karma was when at the next set of lights I gently pulled up alongside them and gave them a slow handclap There are times when I can be a complete and utter bast*rd.

Needless to say, if you bought the bike from a dealer keep a contemporaneous record of faults reported to them and take the bike back. They usually have a limited warranty and some will try to fob you off until the warranty has expired. A contemporaneous record can show you reported a problem within the warranty period.

Well most of the year was pretty pants to be honest. But I got a new job which means I'll be living just down the road from Oulton Park so 2019 is looking up. Hoping to move around March. The house has a tandem garage, twice as long but a single width wide, so I'm planning on making a bike den in there.

It is a well known fact that if you brake a biscuit all the calories escape. (With apologies to Fastbob)

People like that really brass me off. I had one a while back do that. When we got the next set of traffic lights they floored it and took off like a bat out of hell. They were just congratulating themselves for burning off a bike when they passed the speed camera.....

The bloke today driving along - wearing earphones so he couldn't hear anything, mobile in one hand busy texting with a cup of coffee in the other hand. I blame power steering, cars are too easy to drive. Back in the day it took both hands on the wheel to drive a car. Anyway - I stepped out in front of him so he spilt his coffee.

Weak China motorcycle

Of course you can. Once you've had that experience of the bike being on top you're a genuine biker.

Yup...born again wus here. I'll ride the CBF through anything but the Bobber stays in the garage until the roads dry out. Too scaredy cat to take it out at the moment. Riding in the winter is a whole different world but stick at it as it's makes you a better rider. And on a hot summer day you can laugh at all the power rangers showing off their enormous skills 'cos you certainly won't see them on the roads at this time of year. And I do have the end of a brake lever on my desk to remind me I am not invincible.

I can see why you are miffed. Last time time I bought a commuter I was looking at new Honda but checked out a few dealers who had bikes in that were two to three years old. The corrosion present on them persuaded me to buy an older Honda which has better build quality.

It is do-able but frankly I think you'll find it lacking in fun. For that kind of distance you really want something a bit bigger. It's not just about power, it's brakes, suspension, tyres, attitude of other road users. Go for it but be prepared to persevere rather than enjoy it, especially in rotten weather. I use 2006 CBF500 for commuting so you don't need a rocket ship to make commuting more enjoyable. In fact owning a 500 and a 1200 I prefer the ease of riding the 500 when the conditions are treacherous.

Nope.