Pete

Take a look at Baglux tank covers, they look the biz. http://cat.lloyd-cooper.com/ArtImages/Options/89/ER5_TANK_COVER.jpg http://www.rigsville.org.uk/products/triumphtankcover.jpg

Ooo I'm already on the list, but was going to say yes put me on it anyway. Great, I'm on the list, I'm very excited! Can I bring a girl too or is that not allowed?

Splendid!

I don't see the problem in having a top box you bunch of ageists! I'd quite like one too but am making do with my panniers and tank bag at the mo. Like Frankie says just get a universal plate then decide on size.

It did burn down yeah but they're slowly getting it back together again (or as much as they can do anyway). If you take a look at their site there's some really impressive work on there - how they've taken seemingly completely burnt-out bikes that have burned all the way to the frame and then built them back up again immaculately: http://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/ I'm jobless mate so anytime suits me nicely! And I only live about 20 mintues down the M42 from it Oh by the way, this bit's interesting "Discounts available for parties of 10 or more Coaches always welcome"!

This is something I've considered as well. The only answer I've ever come up with is based on the fact that whenever I look at buying another bike if the mileage is over 30,000 I have to think really hard whether it's worth it or not and what other things like alarms/extras are included. The reason being that I don't mind a high mileage bike myself, but I know that I do a lot of miles and when the time comes to sell I don't want to be stuck trying to get rid of a 50,000 mile bike. When I look for a car it has to be under 70,000!

You've been reading my HID thread haven't you?! I'll be keeping an eye on this one... Where have you seen HID kits for less than £80? I want one!

Oh! I've always used WD and an electric toothbrush because I find it works better than parrafin! In fact I do just as you've described - WD to clean, wipe off excess, add chain lube then let scottoiler take over. Never had any problems and didn't think there would be because WD is very light oil and ends up being flung off the bike by the time I get to the top of the road anyway! That said I do tend to go for a quick five minute ride after the WD stage before I put the lube on, just to get the chain warmed up.

Whilst reading up on the ZX9R (considering next bike, as always!) I was reading about common problems and found this: PLUG CAPS Number one cylinder's plug cap can come loose, meaning the bike will run on three cylinders until around 5000 revs. Pop it back in place and all's fine. So even though you say it's running on 4 but seems like three have you checked that? The plug might be working but the cap might not be pushed in far enough...I hope it is that simple!!! Here's the website I found it on btw: http://www.visordown.com/road-tests-use ... /4316.html

Lovely weather we're having! I quite fancy seeing the sea and will be going to either Aberystwyth, Barmouth or Weston Super Mare later on today...probably within the next hour or so if anyone's up for it? Can't decide where...maybe not even the sea, just somewhere nice and relatively far away! Post here if you're interested. If no one gets back today and the weather's good tomorrow we could go then instead/as well! EDIT: Please note, I don't take the piss with speed so no cheeky monkeys on this ride thanks...I don't fancyb a speeding ticket, just a nice relaxing ride

Ha ha Thats the easy bit Lou! Shouldn't take long to be honest, the bike is already stripped pretty much. I have the tank suspended from the roof, so i can get to it all quite easily. Should be a couple of fun filled hours tomorrow!! That is such a good idea! Can't believe I didn't think of that when balancing my carbs instead of running back and forth trying to fill up a funnel while someone else held it in place! Good luck with it Dan. No one should have to experience the pain you've had to. On a lighter note, if you ever decide to sell your bike can I have first dibs please because it looks like all the tricky work will have already been done!

Scoots have their place, just like other types of bikes. I'd probably own a scoot if I lived in London...but I'd keep my big bike for sure! And some people just like riding scoots, just like some people like marmite

Just look in an outdoor shop like Millets or Blacks See: http://www.millets.co.uk/product/560368.html http://www.millets.co.uk/product/119023.html http://www.millets.co.uk/product/119024.html

Take it to get a plug! The garage will look at it and if they think it's unsafe to plug they won't do it. Or you could just leave it in there...though I don't recommend that! I know someone who got a screw in his back tyre a couple of weeks after fitting it, thought balls to getting a new one and rode to the south of France and back on it! Not very responsible IMO, but a plug is fine.

Pilot Road 2s are looking impressive! Have anyone heard of or tried out the Continental Road Attack tyres? I haven't read a bad thing about them elsewhere, but they seem to be a less used tyre than say the PRs or the BT021...

Just tell everyone where and when you'd like to go mate and see who says yes

Good move getting a battery charger. If the battery is charging OK off the charger, then working OK for half an hour and then stuff starts to die it sounds to me like the alternator just isn't keeping the charge up. I'd get the alternator out for testing, also check your reg/rec to see if that's playing up.

Ah i really didn't think about that mate, however there really is no shops near by me that would sell helmets. I can see your point of view i meen the helmet i have at the minute is a XL however it nearly tears my lugs off when taking it off. Surely there are some down in Newcastle? Does your dad know of any local shops, just for trying things on? Here's one I found just by looking on Google for "motorcycle shop Newcastle": http://www.mandsmotorcycles.co.uk/find_us.aspx but can't say if it's any good or not! I love Caberg helmets, good quality for the money too, I have 2 of them. Mine are a white Justissimo and a black V2, both great and I love the internal visor. To be honest I wouldn't ever go for a Nitro helmet just because the quality isn't as good as others. That said it will of course have passed all necessary safety tests to be sold in the UK...but I'd still be looking at the likes of Caberg because they just feel much better. Like others have said, definately best to try them on before buying.

I think if I can find the Maxxis at a good price for my bike I'll give them a shot. I've been reading other reviews about them and people are very impressed but one thing that does come up a lot is that they seem to take a long time to get any heat into them and people forget and end up slipping a bit. Can't really grumble at that kind of price though!

Gasket gunk? Surely just replacing the gaskets is all that's needed? Sometimes you don't even need to replace them, it depends on how worn they look. Are you thinking of the paste you can use instead of OEM gaskets?

Bosch ones in Halfords are pretty steep so I've never bought one just because they're expensive! Varta are superb and I've heard many good reviews. I used Varta and really noticed a difference when I replaced my old one with it (don't know what the old one was but it wasn't charging properly). I've not heard much about Numax for bikes but they're THE number one battery in the leisure industry (i.e. caravans and motorhomes) so should be up to scratch. I bought my Varta one brand new off ebay for about £30 incl. postage, bargain. EDIT: I think your battery type is CTX9-BS or YTX9-BS if made by Varta. Here're some that I found on ebay, but do double check that code if you go ahead and buy one: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/YTX9-BS-VARTA-BAT ... 286.c0.m14 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VARTA-YTX9-BS-MOT ... 286.c0.m14

Lol! Weird size is probably right! My rear is (rear tyre...) 150/70-ZR17 69W, but for that price I'd certainly be happy to go for the front one in the bundle as well! My front tyre size is 120/70-ZR17 58W. Just wondering but these Maxxis Supermaxx tyres don't seem to be dual compound, or am I mistaken? I guess it's not of huge importance as I never get my knee down anyway but would be nice to have the confidence boost in the twisties.

Cheers Techno, I'll see if they do them in my size! They sound just the ticket. XmisterIS I almost got excited about that site, but they don't do my size !!

Sweet does it make much difference at speed?

Cheers folks, some good reading ahead of me there then! I'm liking the sound of the Michelins, particularly Fazer Pete's comment about them being better than the Pirellis. Frankie I'll take a look at the Maxxis Supermaxx, how do you fair when cornering with them? j4ff I think my Diablos are single compound which is why I don't have a huge amount of confidence in them. I've had them for nearly 9,000 miles though so they've had a good life as the rear is just coming to an end and the front is still going strong. I'm considering dual compound for extra grip in the bends but also want something that'll do 5,000 miles +.