fifthwheel

I am just about to fit into the leathers now but another month should do it (I am on the ketogenic diet) I went to J&S Doncaster and bought an Armadillo jacket and Oxford rainseal trousers for over the leathers. Put the gear in the top box and went for fuel, the heavens opened the rain was bouncing! I put on the gear and gave it a good test I did get a bit wet as the rain got in through the zip in the jacket and my feet got wet as my old boots are short so a gap was left between the boots and trousers. The shop didnt have my size of boots in the type I wanted so will buy boots later. Thanks john.

Hi all, going for some DAS training next week and looking for gear as rain is forecast. I have leathers I am slimming into but need to buy something this weekend for over my jeans and wax jacket that I am wearing at the moment. I am training for the Mod 1 test. Should I be looking for one piece or two piece rain gear. I also need boots so advice on those would be appreciated. PS I should be able to get the leathers on before Mod 2 john

Thanks for the replies, thats put the brakes on that idea then. Yes great motivation for the big bike test. john

Hi all, this might make some good entertainment for the forum but I had an idea to take my solo camping gear to Spain this year. To cut down on riding I have been looking at taking the ferry to Santander and riding across to Roses on the east coast. But wait for it I ride a YBR 125 on learner plates, should I even consider it? john.

My mistake I should have said get my A licence later, my typo.

The reason for the question is I had a couple of hours training on a big bike this week, and if I dont sort myself out I am not going to nail it. I made a balls of the slalom and the figure of eight, I have improved a lot on my 125 this last few weeks but If I dont get any better with the big bike I might go for my 125 licence then get my A licence later. Edit my typo.

Hi all I hope it wont happen to me but in the event of me not passing my Cat1 test and my CBT and theory are running out, If I pass my 125 test would that preserve my Cbt and theory. If so could I take my Cat A test when it suits me.

Hi all, repeating I suppose what must have been asked before, looking for advice for first bike after hopefully passing my test. Really green when it comes to bikes but would like a cruiser style bike with a bit of performance around £4000. As an old timer I dont really like the look of modern sports bikes prefer Honda Pan Honda Shadow etc boring I know but thats how I am. Looking for a bike as light as possible with a bit of go. does such a thing exist? Dont mind what age I buy I would be buying on condition. Would love a Wing but too heavy for me. Thanks John.

I suppose I was being a bit Yorkshire tight asking the question. I thought I might be able to take the MOD 1 on my own then go to a bike school for the MOD 2. Looking forward to it but need more L plate practice first.

Thanks for the reply, hopefully going for the tests this summer.

Morning all, can I take my MOD 1 test on my 125 then MOD 2 on a big bike, or do I have to take MOD 1 and 2 on a big machine. I think I know what you are going to say. Thanks John.

Thanks for the reply, glad its as it should be it will save my bacon when I stall it. john

Not really worth starting another thread but the bike will start when in gear with the clutch squeezed. I thought the neutral light had to be lit to enable the starter, do I have a fault?

Hi all, I passed my CBT last Sept and have been getting a bit of practice on a twist and go Honda Pantheon 125 scooter. I am hoping to take my big bike test this year. I have just bought a Yamaha ybr 125 from 2012 as I really needed a geared bike to get the right experience. I never felt really confident riding the scoot it just didnt feel right when cornering, there is nothing wrong with it and I realize its just me being nervous. I went for my first ride yesterday on the ybr well what a difference, I feel much more confident especially when cornering, the bike is more comfortable I feel I have been riding it for years. Could it be the 18" wheels making the difference I dont know, but very pleased with the bike, I wanted a Honda but this came at a good price so looking forward to the good weather. John.

Is this any better ? I forgot that it was a screenshot of a PDF , I keep all my manuals in my phone but of course I can zoom in on a PDF . I can read this on a standard phone but it helps if you rotate to landscape configuration. Thats looks the same as I posted above thanks Bob.

I have an ER500 and am a member on Facebook group, there is a file section and I have pinched a bit of info from it. Is this the text you were trying to show me? This explains the valve in the rad cap and I can only assume the Honda being the same. This is the only way it can return to the rad, thanks for the link if it is the same. The system is pressurized by the radiator cap t o suppress boiling and the resultant air bubbles which can cause engine overheating. As the engine warms up, the coolant in the radiator and the water jacket expands. The excess coolant flows through the radiator cap and hose to the reserve tank to be stored there temporarily. Conversely, as t he engine cools down, the coolant in the radiator and the water jacket contracts, and the stored coolant flows back to the radiator from the reserve tank. The radiator cap has two valves. One is a pressure valve which holds the pressure in the system when the engine is running. When the pressure exceeds 93 ∼ 123 kPa (0.95 ∼ 1.25 kgf/cm², 14 ∼ 18 psi), the pressure valve opens and releases the pressure to the reserve tank. As soon as pressure escapes, the valve closes, and keeps the pressure at 93 ∼ 123 kPa (0.95 ∼ 1.25 kgf/cm², 14 ∼ 18 psi). When the engine cools down, another small valve (vacuum valve) in the cap opens. As the coolant cools, the coolant contracts to form a vacuum in the system. The vacuum valve opens and allows the coolant from the reserve tank to enter the radiator.

No sorry Bob cant read it text too small. john.

I couldn't read it it was too small and I couldn't see any way to enlarge it, will try again.

Are you saying the pressure cap opens, then the water flows into the low pressure container, then when cooled vacuum draws coolant back into the rad. If so what makes the pressure cap open to do this, or is it always held off its seat? or are you winding me up. john.

It's an overflow tank IF your coolant expands or boils and its also a top up or reservoir. Fluids always find their lowest level so if you take off the body work and look at the bike from the side it will become clear to you how the system works. Maybe this will help . Notice that Kawasaki call it a Reserve Tank and not an Overflow Tank . Sorry Bob, is it Bob? The only way coolant can return to the system as I see it is if there is a one way valve in the radiator cap that works when the pressure cap is on its seat. If this is the case then I have never seen or heard of such a thing. They say you learn something new every day. john

How can it flow back when the pressure cap is closed? Vacuum would pull the pressure cap on to its seat even more. I am not being argumentative but just cant see the point of the flimsy low pressure tank with a rubber filler flap. Is it just to stop the coolant running on to the road.

I understand how the pressure cap system works but on my Honda the pressure cap is on top of the rad under all the bodywork. Daily checks can only be done by looking at the low pressure overflow tank. This coolant to my mind cannot ever return to the main system. The pressure cap lifts and coolant is passed to the low pressure tank with a rubber cap. When the engine cools the pressure cap rests back on its seat and will not as I see it let coolant back to the rad if needed.

I have seen plastic expansion tanks on all kinds of engines from contractors plant to bikes over the years. What I could never understand is how the coolant gets back into the rad after the spring cap has opened and lets the hot water out. If it never needs to be put back why the tank? My Honda scooter has this set up, The plastic tank is the only way I can put coolant into the system as the rad cap is hidden under the bodywork. I cant see the point topping this low pressure tank up if it cant get in to the system. Thanks John.

Thanks everybody, was thinking of going to J&S Doncaster they bragg they are the biggest bike shop in Yorkshire. john

Sorry guys this must have been beaten to death but I am about to buy a helmet and am snow blinded by the choice. I am a total newbie and a very old timer at that. I have a Honda 125 I want to ride for a while to get a bit of experience then take my big test. I am looking for a helmet just once for both bikes. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks john