Pete

Take a look at Bike Safe. Not a long course and only costs £100 (I think). That's something you do in a weekend, and I've heard is a good thing to do for the less experienced if you're thinking of doing advanced training.

Yeah I like muc-off as well. Failing that just use any old car shampoo, but definitely not washing up liquid. Don't use a pressure washer either unless it's on the fairings and only if you've taken them off. Some people do but I don't take the risk of forcing water into places it shouldn't go. Use a citrus-based degreaser to get all the sh1t off like grease and black crap that gathers around the side stand, etc. Dry with a chamois leather, a cheap one from Tesco will do. Then put some wax on. Again Tesco have a deal on the Simoniz products - buy 2 things for 4 quid or something. The spray on wax is good and won't leave white crap all over your black bits

Mad. Good that you're happy with what they said, but get this...... My brother used to work at Marks & Spencer and one day some old couple came in complaining that "these trousers are falling to bits. They've gone all thin on the back and the stitching is coming out...we've still got the receipt". After looking at the receipt my brother couldn't believe the couple wanted a replacement pair of trousers...they'd bought them 6 years ago! He told his manager who just said "give them a replacement, bin the old ones".

Not sure about the ignition barrel as I don't know much about them - I'd just go for a new one (after waiting to hear what other wiser sages say on here first). As for the speedo check the connection to the front sprocket (if that's where it is). The speedo on my GSX600F gets the speed reading from the front sprocket and if the connection were loose (i.e. after a fall ) it could be knocked out of kilter. For the throttle cable I'd take the fairings off (on my bike anyway!) and check the throttle cable location under the tank. It could be that it's just been knocked and wedged under something so when you move the cable it gets grabbed along the line somewhere. I doubt it's anything to worry about, just get it seen to soon

Certainly not bad quality, Phil. Was that with the 60 odd quid jobby you got? Must say I drive a bit more...reserved (?!). Hope you had your blue lights on for some bits...

I remember a friend of mine having a split in their tank and they got it welded up. You'd probably need to paint over it to protect it after.

Thanks for the update, Dan! That's cleared up my question of whether or not to buy a 'blade!!

It's definately a possible from me!

Yep, mine's a complete twat to get the front brakes sorted! I think it's just "one of those things" with the older models (mines a 1999 600). I've tried everything - leaving a cable tie around the lever over night (which did firm it up for about 5 minutes - thanks Colin for that tip), bleeding them numerous times, using braided hoses. Yep, I think they're just born to be spongy! Must have fixed it on the newer models... Looks like a great day out there! I'm semi-glad I wasn't there on my old(ish)-style GSXF. I'd've put everyone else to shame with my (nearly) retro chic !!

Nice find! Use this to translate: http://translate.google.com/translate_t#

Yeah mine gets hot in traffic too - more reason to filter! I first noticed last summer when it started over revving when at a stand still !! I tend to filter now or flick the kill switch if I'll be still for ever such a long time.

No burger bar? Outrageous! Should have said about the jacket, I'm thinking of selling my slightly worn white Akito Edge. I'll see what fleabay wants for it!

It does sound like a chore Bill, you're right. But it's really a piece of piss once you've done one. I do remember a while back actually recommending an impact wrench to someone. He liked it - I think it was one I saw in ScrewFix, just a cheapy 12V thing but it packed a massive punch.

Brake lines shouldn't be too tricky, but the sprockets might be a bit tricky to get off. Might need to bring some heat !

total w**kers! i hate not being paid. josh though i'm still ok to go what say we organise for another date so more people can make it? damn...looks like i'll have to think up something else to do with my lady friend!

Good point, but it would be a handy thing to have at certain times such as when forced to hand over the helmet at a cinema. I started a thread a while ago about that and it seems it's the norm for cinema staff to have the helmet off you. Would be good to have a sensor to see if it's been dropped whilst in their care...

Like everyone's said it sounds right on to me. I think alot of the time it comes down to preference. Jackets especially seem to vary depending on whether you want just a nice leather jacket with a comfortable fit or a more racey style one like RST which tend to be shorter and tighter. With the jeans you've done right, I purposefully got ones that were a bit looser so I can wear jogging trousers and thermals underneath in the winter, but that's just me. They will be tight at first, especially around the back of the knee, but like you said just like a new pair of boxer shorts the more you wear them the more you will break them down until they accept you and become a part of you

No thanks Phil!

I wish I'd done something like this. When I grow up and become a Moto GP rider it would be nice to look back at the exact date that I did certain things.

Free? Tell me more and I'll see if I can swindle it!

If there's no fluid at the nipple I'd check the master cylinder first. However, could you not try slightly loosening the banjo at the caliper end to see if anything happens...ever so slowly though!

bump. Would be nice to get some more people on this trip! If it was so good last year like everyone says then why not come again?

Any of these any good? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Suzuki-SV650S-SV6 ... 286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LOOK-SUZUKI-SV650 ... 286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/suzuki-sv650-engi ... 286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUZUKI-SV-650-ENG ... 286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Suzuki-SV650S-SV6 ... 286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUZUKI-SV650-SV-6 ... 286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUZUKI-SV650-SV-6 ... 286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2002-Suzuki-SV650 ... 286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Suzuki-SV650-S-SV ... 286.c0.m14

Silly me...I was expecting to see Coldplay's lead singer taking a whack!