Picollus

First time ever I'm refusing to vote. It's exercising the choice of absention, not a lack of political awareness. I refuse to give my vote to any party as none are even vaguely in line with my political ideology at the moment, and therefore I refuse to come down on either side. Traditionally I've voted conservative, with some lib dem stuff in the past when the local candidate was a particularly good constituency MP, but as someone who works in finance, mostly international finance, I find brexit to big a big smelly bucket of poo and the main parties haven't even factored the costs of it into their various manifesto pledges. It doesn't really matter anyway as my MP is sitting on a Tory majority that would make thatcher blush, but still. Harrumph.

You were very lucky. Cornwall Council are absolute fascists about parking. I have various valid passes etc including court passes and other official related stuff for when I'm called in to do some legal things as an expert and every single time I get a ticket and have to write in with evidence (!) to demonstrate that I was on official business. Muppets.

I really fancied this but the hollow laughter from my boss when I mentioned the dates kinda said it all. Maybe next time.

I have used these on cycling holidays before. They do a job, just not a great job, fine for overall general drying but I found pairing one with a small face towel from primani (99p) for certain areas got a far more pleasing final result.

Also, and I know loads will disagree with me here, don't go to a shop, try on, find the fit and then buy online the exact same thing for cheaper. Like I said, I'll get shouted at for saying not to do that but.... shops play an important role and if we were all just to buy from the discounters online, our high street shops would disappear. I don't buy everything at a shop but if I go there and try stuff on, or get help and advice for an item, using the knowledge of the assistant etc then I feel it's only fair and, most importantly, stops them from dying out. This has been a serious problem with bicycle shops, not just motorcycle shops and it's now really hard to find good local bicycle shops throughout the continent as a result. Motorcycle gear shops are already a bit of a rare commodity so don't contribute to making it worse!

I have a flag made of plastic from a champions league night at the bridge, heh. You were right on the dehydration thing though. I had some toast and marmite, lots of salt on top. Vile but it definitely helped. Somehow I made it through. Although now I have the joy of a completion meeting tomorrow, so possibly not a good thing, I reckon at least nine hours.

Last time I had a drink was around 9pm last night. I actually don't drink all that much, got most of that out of the way years ago and ive battled with alcoholism so it's rare, but after Chelsea won the premier league last night.... yes I got thoroughly twatted on champagne. Decade or so of free drinks at every bloody function took its toll, by way of explanation for the drinking thing. I have a meeting at 2pm. I need to be suited and booted for it, which means I need a shower and a shave first. Not sure I can make it. I might die between bedroom and ensuite. Kill me please. Just a rant to be honest.

I don't yet own this bike. I'm just pricing up a project and from what people are saying about it on the interwebz that rev thing is accurate. But I've got all the tools that the world would ever need stuffed into my dads old garage (went to dig out a welding unit for his gardener the other day and found four....!) so I'll steal a multimeter soon as I do pick up this new bike. In other unhappy news, I appear to have allowed myself into being talked into actually working again... so won't have as much time for dossing about and annoying people on motorbike forums, ahem, so it's a mixed result really

Meanwhile, in Northants....

Thought that was you, wearing a Mankini on the A30 yesterday!

also. Too much gear already, I'm a bit of a fashion freak so I have a few outfits to suit different occasions ranging from full on stormtrooper to wannabe James dean. You definitely need leg protection and back protection, especially if you're riding on motorways regularly. It's not about your own abilities, it's protection or insurance against the potential of stupidity in others. Kevlar jeans at the very least.

Mate, I did say I wasn't talking about my normal bike, which is modern and does just fine. Was talking about older technology stuff, pretty sure that it I am in fact correct as I've seen it mentioned on so many sites. No one was talking about thrashing anything anyway, just making sure to ride at slightly higher revs if only doing a short run in order to ensure that the battery does recharge fully from generated power. So for a 5 gears bike, riding in third or fourth instead of fifth over a shortish journey. If you think that over 5k revs is thrashing a 125? Hmm...

Hmm. Talking about a 125 though... you may be right, but I've read a few places where they suggest that this is the case, I.e. Ride for 10-15 minutes at highish revs to recharge fully from a single electric start.

Oh dear...

Cheers boss. You'll probably hate what I'm planning, but it might prove useful for some and hey, it's only money eh

If one swaps a battery out for something new with the same voltage output, but a different CCA will the new battery require more robust wiring to handle the increased ampage? Also, as I understand it, a battery requires about 10-15 minutes above 5000 or so revs to fully recharge(edit - from one electric start) If the new battery requires to receive charge at a higher rate than the old battery, is there's a quick and easy way to check the output levels of the existing regulator rectifier to ensure that they are transferring sufficient current? For the avoidance of doubt, this is for a new project that I'm planning, not for my KTM which I would never mess with! Second edit - sorry had typed caa instead of cca lol. Aviation law on the brain it seems.

I found sizes to be weird and all wrong and varied. I got a set of alpinestars jeans by trying on different sizes. I'm normally a 36/36 but had to go 38/34 for some reason. Whatever, it works' but you really do seem to need to try them on.

Was just joking that 10bhp Is about the most a Chinese 125 can yield in power so if you did both then you'd basically have an extra bike worth of power.... a poor joke. Sorry, drinking cider and researching my latest brilliant project... feel free to ignore me.

So I found you did both then that's the same overall power increase as about a Chinese 125!!

Oh yes. I have a sneaking suspicion that my prep school and the prep school in the books were one and the same...! You hav face like tomato and spend time skipping about sa Hullo clouds hullo sky hullo sun etc Stalker

This thread is inspiring me. I could do with a project, maybe I could pick up a cheap Chinese bike and see exactly what it would take to make it an acceptable ride.... hmm... might make for a fun blog

Oh yes. I have a sneaking suspicion that my prep school and the prep school in the books were one and the same...!

Before my very recent joining the forum, but hi Also, don't be silly, every fule kno there are no other motorcycle forums!

I have 4 (count 'em!) pedal bikes. A really brilliant way to keep fit and much cheaper to transport overseas if you're flying. What did you get? I'm a massively spazzo Trek fanboi even more so than my KTM problem...! Still no car tho!

Nothing wrong with a 125 in your forties, I love mine. I think when it comes to a Chinese 125, you could be on a hiding to nothing unless you are: A) capable of extensive maintenance yourself; B) fully prepared for the fact that unless you want it to fall apart within six months you are going to need to replace, as soon as possible, a minimum of: 1) the tyres 2) the exhaust 3) the battery 4) every bulb or LED unit 5) every single screw, bolt and washer C) comfortable with your understanding of how to change oil, how to tighten the chain, how to clean and regularly ACF the thing and put it under a roof or at least under a water proof cover every night. Now there is, vaguely, an argument that you won't need to do all of the above immediately, which means if initial price point is your primary barrier to entry and you are comfortable with the later investments for stainless steel rather than chocolate that many of these components initially come with then it could be OK. Not great, it's never going to be amazeballs, but it might work out ok if you're prepared to learn with a spanner and put the hours in to do all the extended ongoing maintenance that you're going to need. Ultimately it's up to you, if you have the time and the inclination and it's the only way you'll get a ride then maybe it could be for you, but personally it's not for me. Up to you mate, it's your money, just be prepared for some weird problems along the way and be prepared to spend a fair bit as you go along to keep it on the road. Long term you won't really save any money, especially taking into account depreciation, but initially it might get you started. Good luck next keep us informed! *edit* oops, forgot spark plug, definitely one of the first things to change apparently.