Shepherd

I'm an ATGATT rider, a cager and had a Smidsy. Been riding since end of Covid.

@Old-codger just replied to a similar question here May be worth a try?

It's frightening how and why you know this! (Note to self: do NOT piss Amber off)

To add to the above - thanks for a great thread. Even for a 'panic mechanic' like me, I enjoyed it. Maybe I didn't understand some of it, bit I read every bit.

Congratulations. It makes it all worthwhile. Now the learning really begins.

Tried and failed to pick my Winter doer upper from off the bonnet of my daughters car. Apparently it's been a little breezy whilst I was on my hols? Gonna have to get the neighbours help on this one - Deauvilles are not the lightest bikes. Might try pushing it up using the car, can't do any more damage.

My so called 'Intensive' car lessons in 1985 equated to 1hour each day Monday to Thursday, with a 2 hour lesson on the Friday which gave time for the test in Grays, Essex. It was 3.35pm, school chuck out time. I sat in queuing traffic on the original A13 for most of it. The examiner was new, more nervous than I was. When the emergency stop came, he kept looking over his shoulder for a space behind me to avoid a collision. Just kept an eye in the rear view mirror, anticipating the tap on the dashboard. I was stopped by the time he turned around to face the front Total cost was less than £100 including the £17.50 test fee. Not been on bike for long. Cbt was £99 in 2018 Rode on cbt until lockdown restrictions eased for Mod 1 & 2 same day. Had to ride from Southend to Ipswich for tests, as local centres were fully booked. A great ride home from there with a smile bigger than my visor

Congrats, the hard bit is done. Enjoy mod 2 on Monday, treat it as a ride out with your buddy.

Hippo bags are quite popular around here - may be worth a go. I've seen them collect their own branded bags, but also the builders tonne bags too. https://www.hippowaste.co.uk/

The doer upper winter hack I got from (unknowingly) 4th Dimension was a Cat N - non structural write off. 1 fairing from the breakers and an ignition lock / immobiliser antenna from Aliexpress and all sorted, taxed and mot'd. Less than £250 including the road tax and a bike back on the road for about 40% of it's true value. Mind you, it is a Dullville.

Yep, been there, done that

My turn again. I've got myself a doer-upper Deauville for my Winter commute. First day of road tax yesterday and work is just 4 miles away, so ideal for it's very first run. Except that it wouldn't roll. Starts fine, gear engaged fine, but I couldn't roll it off the drive. Turned it off, and jumped in the car in my bike gear as I was now late. Got home and found the end of a bungee hooked in to brake disk ...

Can you keep the height but tilt the bars forward a little?

This. I work in 'Big Ticket' retail, and it has been tough since the Covid rebound died around a year ago. People had money they hadn't spent and things were recovering to make up for the furlough shortfall - but then it just stopped in it's tracks. It's gonna stay tough for a lot of retailers for a long time I think. The days of big 'First day of Sale' takings are long gone, and it's a long slow burn. Most retailers in my trade are fully discounted all the time for fear of being dearer than others. Footfall is low, and those that are out and about are taking forever to commit to spending. I've had 2 or 3 customers since Christmas that have been fannying about since lockdown ended without getting their money out. Notice how many stores didn't open on Boxing Day this year? People don't need to rush out and buy, it'll be the same price for months. Shep

And approximately where https://what3words.com/products/what3words-app I think @Bender and I have the same friends group.

Slightly off topic, but I think the dangers of hearing damage should be highlighted at CBT and training lessons. I was unaware of it until I bought my first 125cc and took it home 20 miles along the North Circular and A13. Ears were ringing at the end of the journey and haven't stopped since.

Just bought one of these for my pillion Daughter and Wife https://www.thevisorshop.com/en/Oxford-Belt-connector/m-31786.aspx (2 different people before you ask )

For that warm squidgy feeling between the toes

Reminded me of these: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805716807358.html?src=google&aff_fcid=b3f8e86e615b46879db87a50b38edcb8-1702045372075-03355-UneMJZVf&aff_fsk=UneMJZVf&aff_platform=aaf&sk=UneMJZVf&aff_trace_key=b3f8e86e615b46879db87a50b38edcb8-1702045372075-03355-UneMJZVf&terminal_id=fe1b1fa38e354dae9ff08a537bf24395&afSmartRedirect=y&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa Love the product description ... something lost in translation methinks

In the past 2 weeks since I started this plea for help, I've cut out as much of the nibbles / biscuits / crisps etc as possible. Very little bread, but lots of homemade soups. From 14st 2lb to 13st 11lb and quite happy so far. Doesn't sound a lot, but I've done very little. It's obvious, but hard - eat sensibly and in moderation. I think boredom is/was the main problem, hence posting a little more on here and picking up a book to occupy the mind. Thanks to all above for the input, I will make an effort to get to the gym, but I'm not scraping ice off the bike or car to get there! July sounds about the right time ... Shep

I use findmysamsung straight off the google page - no app installed etc that I know of? Maybe it's built into Samsung phones? I don't have location on, and it picks up from my works wifi apparently. Don't give up just yet.

@onesea

Try cmsnl, diagrams look a little clearer. What model is it?

Yep, I'm beginning to realise just how much of the little training I've had is already being put to good use. I think the Police Bike one I did first was more about 'making progress' all the time, whereas I was and still am happy to sit behind someone if they're travelling att a decent speed. A guy called Mick Jones took my Firebike course, and Nick Brown took the follow up. Both were much more about the road / awareness / position etc and made so much sense. I think I'll end up emailing them for further courses. They are a lot more local for me, and I didn't feel talked down to at all. Thanks for your reply. Shep