Gerontious

That said Beziers is probably the Languedoc equivalent to Kettering only it's African immigrants in jogging pants and hoodies hanging on every Street corner.

You can easily check... the place has been extensively photographed by the google streetview car. most recently.. last summer.

In South Africa (where Aldicarb is popularly known as Two Step) it is widely used by burglars to poison dogs

After 4 years of safe riding....

Oxford do good covers.. two types, one thats like a tent fly sheet.. so very light. they're not 100% waterproof. but they are very breathable.

the second type is like a heavy duty plastic. not breathable.. but completely waterproof. both types have plus and minus points... for instance some people dont like completely water prrof covers as they can act like a sauna of sorts.. water from a wet covered bike cant easily evaporate off.

J&S at lenton or.. possibly cheaper online. if the size is an issue.. then dont leave the top case on 24/7. mine is only used when i need it.

swings and roundabouts.

as for sheds.. Im not a fan of the metal crate type.. but I have been looking at strong/secure wooden sheds. made to order and installed.. http://www.beastsheds.co.uk/beast-sheds

which would be a complete turnaround for me as currently.. and for the past 16 years I have had zero security on my bikes.. relying only on keeping them completely out of the view of prying eyes.

what motorcycles, where....?

Jaso is to say it's been tested and won't cause clutch slip

well yes. and so this means its a motorcycle oil.. and so its ideal for a motorcycle engine that has the clutch and gear box lubricated by the same oil.

And relevant to the oil spec suggested for my bike!

well.. not exactly.

firstly.. yamaha recommend yamalube 4.. a motorcycle oil. (obviously.. they woould.)

And.. more importantly that the oil regardless of brand is JASO MA compliant.

only motorcycle oils are designated JASO MA. as you quoted in post number 17

this is the spec for your oil cut from page 8.1 of the owners manual, which you missed out in that post.

so... if the oil you are using in your bike is not JASO MA compliant. (and no car oil will be) then you're not using the oil spec suggested for your bike.

you also said in the same post (17)

No where in that does it state that I MUST use bike specific oil if it does then I have missed it!

well.. the truth of the matter is that they dont need to. if you followed their suggestion then you would only be using Motorcycle oil.. as that is the only oil that will have JASO MA written on its label.

seems to me Yamaha.. wouldnt expect you to ignore the engine oil bottles with pictures of bikes on them.. and go for one with a car on the label.

or am I missing something here.

My question to those conducting these tests is, would they put Castrol GTX into the gearbox in a car, rather than gear oil? If its shear properties are good enough for a bike gearbox, then surely it'll be good enough for a car gearbox?

worth repeating.

I read that article.. and straightaway noticed that it was almost 23yrs old.

really.

I tried to find information on the Author, or other articles/papers from Professor Woolum. of California State University... but nothing. nothing at all.

i was hoping for a serious discussion.. but it seems its easier to go down the conspiracy theory* rabbit hole.

never mind.

*Motorcycle engine oils are a con.

This is all probably very confusing to new bikers.

But there is a way to sweep all confusion aside... if in doubt use Motorcycle oil in your Motorcycle.

how simple is that?

Tango mentioned a brand 'Motul" and so i thought it might be useful to see what they have to say about this.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MOTORCYCLE OIL AND ENGINE OIL?

In a passenger car, the engine is separated from the gearbox and the clutch hence different lubricants are used which are specific for each mechanical component. For example, the engine oil in a passenger car can be formulated with a variety of friction modifier additives to achieve fuel economy benefits without causing any compatibility problem with the clutch. The gearbox lubricant is also specifically formulated to resist the very high shearing and contact pressures found when the gears are in operation.

Most modern 4-stroke motorcycles have their engine, gearbox and wet clutch combined together in the same unit and as a result all three components are lubricated by the same common lubricant.

Technical constraints for the 4-stroke engine, gearbox and clutch are very much different so the 4-stroke motorcycle lubricant must meet all of these: from Fuel Economy and high temperature stability for the engine - to shear stability for the gearbox - to anti-slip properties for the clutch!

This is why Motul are offering specific products for individual applications: whether it’s for your 4-stroke motorcycle or passenger car. By choosing the right product, you’re ensuring that the mechanical components of your bike or car are protected by a dedicated lubricant meeting the technical requirements set out by the Original Equipment Manufacturers.

So far in this thread.. and in most threads where "passenger car oil' is being promoted for use in bikes.. the emphasis has been on the clutch.. friction modifiers, clutch slip and so on. but.. if a clutch fails.. this isnt the end of the world. new clutch plates aren't prohibitively expensive and in most bikes replacement is fairly straightforward.

but.. theres another component thats just a little bit different. The gearbox.

By using passenger car oil in a standard 'unit' motorcycle you are using an oil to lubricate the gearbox that was never intended for this use. passenger cars.. and bikes designed in a similar way use GEAR OIL for the gear box.. oil that as mentioned in the quote above is designed to "resist the very high shearing and contact pressures found when the gears are in operation."

Car oil isn't.. car oil has a dual purpose.. to lubricate and cool a petrol burning engine.

So... I have to ask what evidence there is that this is fine in all circumstances. using engine oil to lubricate a gear box. and if its fine.. why do we have gear oil?

is the gear section of a unit motorcycle somehow different to a gear box in a non unit motorcycle.. like a BMW Boxer. and how are they different? The Boxer has GL5 80w90 gear oil specified.

why cant you simply use an ordinary car oil in that gear box.. like GTX. i dont know of anyone who would.. and yet this is effectively what you are doing.

Trusting an oil that was never designed for the use you are putting it to. to lubricate your bikes gear box.

Im genuinely interested to know why this is OK.

why the statement from Motul above is wrong or misleading.. and really there is NO DIFFERENCE, Car oil is fine for bikes.. fine for the engine, clutch AND gearbox. even though car engine oil was never intended to come into contact with a gearbox. (any gearbox)

The only bike I would happily use car oil in.. is a bike thats been designed like a car. and thats the BMW BOXER.. plus a few others.

in those bikes the engine and clutch are completely separate... so the oil doesn't need to do anything special for the clutch. also.. the gear box is separate too.. so it uses dedicated gear oil. (though for this discussion that doesn't matter)

the reason.. one of the reasons bike oil is expensive is the additives it contains to allow it to lubricate (and cool) a clutch without causing it to slip. (something car oils lack) and there are far more cars than bikes.. so they can justify a higher price due to not selling nearly as much.

I think it can be hit and miss using car oil in a bike.. get it wrong and thats a ruined clutch... or a bike that aint moving as it should. is this a risk worth taking for the sake of £17. (£17 if you must buy from halfords)

I think not.

Telferizer (In Manchester) do a ram mount.. this is the actual fixing point that allows other bits to be attached... including a sat nav. They produce one specifically for your bike.

but.. i guess it all depends on what you actually mean by sat nav. a proper motorcycle one. a modified car one.. or a phone.

anyway.. here is the link for Telferizer. http://www.telferizer.com/products/

Its a Chinese bike?

with a union jack on the side... well-I-never.

and a website whose primary language is Dutch... have to admit that surprised me, I was thinking these bikes were perhaps being manufactured for a British custumer.. shop or company.

be interesting to see how it fares.

I got this. To be fair I did buy it for myself.

 

Is this the one ?

Rob posted his glee at getting this guitar discounted in the Black friday sales.. back in November.

http://medias.audiofanzine.com/images/thumbs3/gibson-les-paul-studio-50s-tribute-humbucker-satin-gold-top-dark-back-1169603.jpg

Doesn't matter what or which forum it is.. if you see the name CaNsA anywhere.... run. hide

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w40/motobiker/hidesbehindsofa.gif~original

Choose to be blue!!

The owners manual. (what I looked at again just now - like)

says thusly.

This model is equipped with a quartzbulb headlight.

however quartzbulb is just another way of saying halogen. says the all-knowing google machine.

designed to confuse.. (and grossly amuse)

more tea vicar?

I'd avoid halfords, rip off place!

perhaps thats why i called it Halfrauds... maybe.. ish.

the clue is in the mistake.

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w40/motobiker/manny.gif~original

Happy easter and may all your eggs be fresh.

Owners manual. (what I just looked at like) says

Bulb voltage, wattage × quantity:

Headlight:12 V, 35 W/35.0 W × 1

Tail/brake light:12 V, 5.0 W/21.0 W × 1

Front turn signal light: 12v 10.0w x 2

Rear turn signal light:12 V, 10.0 W × 2

Auxiliary light:12 V, 5.0 W × 1

they sell the headlight bulbs at halfrauds

(Ravished By The Sheer Implausibility Of That Last Statement)

Well.. theres your answer, these laws came into effect on 1st January of this year.. so an entire riding/touring season has passed and silence?

elsewhere in Europe?

"The French law refers to a passage in the helmet ECE 22-05, according to which individual countries may require the use of reflective stickers. according to the legal experts Michael Nissen from ADAC, this Regulation shall only in the distribution of motorcycle helmets in France. When driving in France is only required that the helmets be homologated according to ECE 22-04 or -05 must. subsequent attachment of reflex tickers is not required by the foreign lawyers believes. "

above lifted from a German bike magazine website and translated.

So... ADAC which is the German AA/RAC type organisation are saying it only applies to french riders.. and helmets bought in France (which come with stickers in the box)

That makes 3 of you.

4 if you include me too.. though i do try not to be unnecessarily pedantic.

some say you will get done

the 'some' that say this.. are they saying it because they HAVE been done.. or because they think they will be. theres a difference.

The article quoted seems to be saying on the one hand.. if you own a helmet that didnt come with stickers.. so thats any UK helemt. you will be OK. then it says.. its up to you?

thats clear then isnt it. especially when they end that 'Its up to you?" with a question mark.

clear as mud.

Next time i travel to France.. I wont be putting stickers on MY helmet.. but I will be keeping an eye on the forums and see if the gendarmes lay seige to the tunnel exit and make a mint from fining every biker that comes off the train.. or.. from the ferry port.

personally. i thinks its all bollox. those who say you MUST.. are saying that because they want to sell you stickers. A little like the scam that went on with breathalysers a couple of years ago.

Unfortunately I can't donate until after the 21st.

Orange isn't really my colour... Red would suit me better, how much would a moderatorship cost? Hard cash plus fees paid and no need to campaign.

Campaigning is a lot like hard work.... Bribery, not so much. Tap tap tap kerching.

Perfect.

seems better than a recent post on this very forum where a woman was referred to as 'IT'.. and nobody cared. nobody cared in the slightest.

The worry is, if it survives it is likely to produce offspring as well.