Bianco2564

Totally agree, 2 strokes race reps of this era look and sound fantastic. RGV, TZR, NSR, KRIS, RS, never see the likes of them again (for a good reason though, smoke and fuel consumption are not great features).

Full day in the garage. Started by changing the oil and filter on the Kwak 250, done almost 2000 miles on it since Jan. Things are much easier with a spin on filter. Then moved onto the R1. Went to a work colleagues funeral yesterday and a group of us followed the hearse on bikes. The weather was pretty wet and we got soaked, I'm sure Carl was up there laughing at us.... It got fairly dirty so gave it a wash. First time I've riden the R1 since January, felt pretty rusty on it for a few miles but f@k does it shift when I opened it up. Next was the RGV, finished the brakes off and took the fairing off the clean it all up. Although I've never riden it in the rain, the dirt on the engine and frame was considerable. Changed the engine oil, I've only done 464 miles since the engine rebuild but that was over 5 years ago. Keep finding bits on it I want to spruce up or replace but where do you stop?

It was a regular thing a few years ago on the road between Southam and Banbury to see old tyres in the hedge every 100m or so. I think the perpetrators were lobbing them out the side door of a moving van.

Fitted a rear reflector to the RGV, found a scrap sheet of carbon fibre at work and fixed it behind the number plate. Repainted the gear lever and fitted a new lever rubber.

Some fast fit tyre centre round here take them for a small fee.

Similar situation in Rugby Tesco filling station last week, I pull into the queue in my car, its busy as always there as its a small place, two pumps occupied by two scruffy looking builders vans, both guys were talking and not using the pumps. I go to another pump put the fuel in and get ready to leave and they are still gassing; Kn0b 'eads.

Yes I have got the kit to swap tyres and I have a guy at work that can do it too. However on this occasion, my man at work is away for three weeks and I didn't want to risk damaging the rims I've just spent £120 on. Fitted a new tyre to the Kwak the other week, need to get a bead breaker though, that was the hardest bit.

Got the wheels back in the RGV this evening.

Got the tyres fitted today. Went to a local car tyre place that also does bikes, asked how much ,£50 for the pair.... err thanks, bye. Left there and went to a little Indy bike shop on the outskirts of town, never used them before and he did it for £20.

Founders Day at Stamford Hall has a large autojumble for this era of bike. http://www.foundersday.co.uk/founders-day/

Did a bit more on the RGV wheels. Despite masking off the disc mounting faces and bearing bores, they missed the sides of the spigot where the dIscs slide over, spent an hour scraping and polishing it clean. Once this was done refitted the discs and fitted the new bearings. Just trying to line up somewhere to fit the tyres on Monday. Fitted new pads to the front of the Kwak, if it saw the slightest bit of rain they would stick to the disc overnight and drag the following morning. Not sure what brand were fitted when I bought it, now fitted EBC.

Thanks, very pleased with the result. Banbury powder coating did them, seen Henry Cole use them on some of his restorations

Picked up the RGV wheels from the powder coaters.

1981... the year I met my Mrs and passed my bike test.

Took the wheels out the RGV getting ready for powder coating. Cleaned up the rear caliper and carrier and gave them a coat of paint. Need to order various fasteners to spruce it back up.

Sold the scooter today, guy came over with a trailer, paid me cash and took it away, no fuss. Paid £750 for it 4 years ago, did 25000 miles on it and sold it for £600.

Bled the brakes on the Kawasaki. Dragged the RGV out into the sunshine and after a few failed kicks pulled the plugs out. Dried them off and it started a few kicks later filling the garden up with smoke, but sounded as crisp as ever. Plan is to get it on the road this year, not ridden it since 2019 Pictured with the 250R.

Not selling the Silverwing to an ebay timewaster. Writing was on the wall with the manner of his messages, so didn't hold out much hope anyway

Me, this morning, getting my kit on, Mrs B started talking about one of the grandkids who whacked his face last night and was going to be off school. Got a bit distracted but continued to get ready, got on the bike and set off. Only got a short way up the road and thought my right foot seemed a bit draughty. Pulled over and found I hadn't zipped the boot up .

I don't very often go for a ride for the hell of it, family life doesn't really fit it with that. I do though ride everyday to work and clock up almost 250 miles in 4 days. It is more of a faff than going in the car but once you get in a routine of getting the bike out the garage and my kit on, its worth the effort. Having a decent route to work also helps motivate me to use it, going down a boring motorway or dual carriageway would be less fun.

@Pie man, have to be honest Oxford products have never floated my boat, but these were cheap and thought will give them a go.

I bought a pair of these Oxford over trousers, used them for the first time yesterday, withstood a 30 min drenching ok. Fitted nicely over my RST textile trousers, they have lost their rain proof ability. Cost £20 from sportsbikeshop.

A lad at work, 20 years old on a 125cc, insurance is £1300

I considered one to replace Mrs Bs 120d however it made no financial sense. Cheapest lease deal for an equivalent size car was £300 upwards and that was far in excess of what the BMW costs a month to run.

Not everyone in an Mcar has the need to race everyone all the time, despite lots of egging on. As said the older E30 & E36 were slower but from the E46 onwards all will hit 60 in sub 5 secs. Stats for your leaf-e+ with 215hp say 7.3 secs which is no slouch for a shopping car . No doubt it will launch well and catch the unsuspecting off guard but don't think for a minute you could out drag an M5 if it was trying.