Ian Frog

That`s such a shame but given the location in the middle of the tyre and the amount of wear left I would get that plugged by a tyre shop and keep it as a spare at the least, especially given the price of the ruddy things now. Cheers Ian

Done

Would you be alluding to Oliver`s Mount perchance? Cheers Ian

Isn`t that bollocknaise ? I`ll get my coat! Cheers Ian

Very nice indeed and one more saved. I know cafe racer is not everyone`s cup of Bovril but given what you started with credit to you. Cheers Ian

Hmm insurance company being polite or helpful ? I believe you have better odds on the lottery ! Cheers Ian

Well we had a very nice week on the little V.Strom and taking the small roads etc into account it aquitted itself well, riding mainly 2 up it trundled along the motorway at 100 kph easily enough and seemed happiest on the twisty country roads in the Northern 1/2 of the island. I get @Davidtav`s comment about the dash but given it`s a LCD unit speed, revs, fuel level, flashing low fuel warning, temps for engine and air available, 2 trips mileage and ABS indicator in reality not much more needed. I think if I was in the market for a cheap commuter I would definitely consider one seriously. Cheers Ian

There is a statue of this prawn on the road to Orzola and I have always wanted to stop and get a pic of a bike in front of it. As it's in the middle of a major road Carol was less than keen! So I was pleased to see it's brother in a car park at the Jameos De Aqua just up the road. By the way this riding in winter lark seems easier this year. Cheers Ian

Back in Lanzarote and hired the little V.Strom again. Famara beach 22degrees at 10 past 10 in the morning so will bimble till late lunch then retreat to shady bar ! Got bike for a week for 375 euros includinginsurance which I didn't think was too bad. Cheers Ian

He knew where to buy a good bike that had been well looked after! Hee Hee must relist my gen1 Hayabusa again before spring. Good to see you about @fastbob nice to see the Dyna out and about. Cheers Ian

Just a thought have you tried bump starting it ? Stick it in second clutch in and either paddle forwards or use a hill ! Not for the novice but you can also run alongside and leap onto saddle as you drop the clutch. (works better on small bikes believe me on this). Cheers Ian

+1 for Richa with Goretex great gloves and worth trying on as sizing can be misleading. Cheers Ian

Have you looked to see if it will fit through any holes in the rear sprocket? Not ideal I know and possibly a bit mucky but secure none the less. Cheers Ian

Bugger ! 2nd hand Suzuki tap or @Hairsy Ali express sounds like best option. If I have an old one in any of my random boxes I will let yo know and for the postage you`d be welcome. Cheers Ian

Is there a prime position on the original tap? You could use it to verify no carb leaks and also to run the bike as gravity fed. Forgive my ignorance if no prime option available. Cheers Ian

Fortunately not ! Cheers Ian

Tell you what I have met him and that is not a bad likeness! Cheers Ian

Something else to consider is if you are right handed you might find you are happier with your right hand uppermost when leant over. It is something we noticed when instructing drivers on an off road course with Johnathon Palmer`s course in Bedfordshire, when taking drivers up through a lorry trailer where they could only see the sky while they ascended we could tell which hand was dominant by the way they pulled the steering wheel. Cheers Ian

Alcohol and class B`s the breakfast of champions. Cheers Ian

London has always been ridiculous for insurance premiums. I remember back in the early 80`s when I was a London despatch rider the premiums including goods in transit were eye watering. A group of us ended up all registering at a friends address (8 of us apparently living in a one bed flat in Hove lol). Don`t think you`d get away with it nowadays. Cheers Ian

The bit about the warranty not being valid if repairs are done somewhere other than the franchised dealer. I believed that wasn't the case. Cheers Ian

Right I am going to put this here because it`s sort of related and the insurance side of this video is worth watching and taking note of . 4 years ago 44 teeth posted a video on you tube called "The insurance industry`s dirty secret + legal hints and tips" I was surprised when Andrew Dalton from White Dalton said at 2.00 minutes that it`s a popular misconception you can have a motorcycle serviced or repaired outside of the manufacturers franchised dealers without affecting the warranty. He went on to say it`s ok with cars but not vans or motorcycles!!! I like many didn`t know this and I will be digging around for more info but if anyone has the time take a look and let me know what you make of it. The story of the biker knocked off in the bus lane is very interesting as well. Cheers Ian

I don`t know if this will be of interest to you but were you aware that Steve Parrish is doing an evening with at The Stirrup Cup on Monday evening. Cheers Ian

Modern paint stripper wouldn`t strip mud off your socks as all the active ingredients have been downgraded due to health and safety. I have seen very good results from using high pressure steam cleaners but you would have to be very careful of electrics and bearing seals. Cheers Ian

Then put it outside your house and hang a scrote from it when they get within grabbing range (recipe for tar and feather available online). Cheers Ian