Ian Frog

Now I have had a week trundling round Lanzarote on the V-strom almost always 2 up and in great weather I can say with some certainty what a cracking little bike it is. comfortable for both rider and passenger very little noticeable vibration and it seems to be fairly economical. I believe this would make a very good comuter and be quite capable of the occasional longer trip with no problem. Not sure how much luggage could be used before passenger carrying is compromised but I suspect it would be fine. In summary I was impressed and wouldn't hesitate to recommend one if someone was considering it. Cheers Ian

Which one of our esteemed forces were you in ? Cheers Ian

Hired it ! Well yesterday to be precise! Teguise market Lanzarote this morning and 5 days if bumbling about to come. V.strom 650 seems quite nice so far I will attempt to abuse it a bit and let you know what I think during the next week. A bit hot for a crash helmet this afternoon at 32degrees but will be back out and about in the morning. Hope the weather at home is keeping you all amused . Cheers Ian

@Gerontious Thanks for that backs up what I hoped would be the situation. Relatively simple quick rummage over breakfast then off we go! Cheers Ian

I am in total agreement with your methodology and have done something similar for next year. Ferry is booked to get us to Santander and we will prebook first nights hotel. Reason for post is do you have a recommended provider/app for finding accommodation on your route ? We are sort of thinking of booking or researching over breakfast each day and plan to bimble in the Pico`s and possibly invade Portugal with an overnight in Porto. Cheers Ian

If it`s an engine cover and therefore liable to temperature fluctuations why not speak with someone who does Cerakote. The colour options are surprisingly comprehensive and the finish is really nice. Grabrails in the past I have had them powder coated with good results. Cheers Ian

I have a list of names of people who need battering starting with DVLA,HMRC and others ! Could you give me the address of this place seems a great deal. Cheers Ian

Popped the Busa on the bench for a thorough and invasive clean and check up prior to MOT and then lising for sale. Anyone with sensible offers is welcome to contact me through the site and chat. If I save fees and effort I am sure that will be reflected in the deal. Cheers Ian

Why not just twist the wires together with the ones that go into the plug for you 2 bar electric fire and use an extension lead to get them both to beside the bath for maximum luxury. Cheers Ian

I must confess we aren`t heading anywhere this year by bike. However in our defence ferry for next year Plymouth to Santander and return 14 days later booked the other day. Plan is Picos and into Portugal as last trip N260 and over Pyrenees into France and then trek North to Calais for ferry was great. Cheers Ian

Welcome aboard! Don`t forget to keep us posted with photos as the restoration gets going. Looks tidy enough hope that extensive bodywork doesn`t hide any nasty surprises. Cheers Ian

Hi @fastbob good to hear the Harley still going ok. Ullapool is a lovely place. Cheers Ian

To be fair a lot depends on "how far down the line" will actually be ? I wonder what happens to values once we are told to stop using squashed forests and dinosaurs in the tank? Cheers Ian

@Steve_M Good choice ! Enjoy. Cheers Ian

N260 by any chance? Dead jealous to be honest. Cheers Ian

Agreed I have used a lot worse then that ! Cheers Ian

I have a suspicion it's to aid the passing if emission regs. But you are right most modern exhausts are fookin ugly and usually huge. Cheers Ian

small weight saving exercise ! The standard enormous can joins my growing redundant exhaust collection. Cheers Ian

Tsk Tsk creases in the tape reveals a shoddy job ! (what passes for paddock humour lol) Cheers Ian

I hope you don`t mind me chipping in my opinion? I would leave the restored bike exactly as it is ! After all you have spent a lot of time and done a fantastic job so why risk damage by disassembling a perfectly good machine. If the one you have tracked down is your original why not examine it and treat it to a usable light restoration and use it keeping your current machine for best. If space is a major issue personally I would part with one of the others to finance and provide necessary space/funds. Or do what most of us would ! Buy it and worry about space and funds afterwards. Either way good luck. By the way I currently have 7 and supposedly 2 are for sale but doesn`t stop me looking at ebay regularly lol. Cheers Ian

Black Widow was once called Sandy Bike Spares and I have visited their place and seen the lengths they go to to get downpipe fitment correct even to borrowing customers bikes if an enquiry comes in for something they have not done before. Unlike Kerker I might add that after many years still require major amounts of faffing about to get to fit. Cheers Ian

That`s correct the proximity to the side wall is what decides whether it`s safe or possible to repair. I have ridden over 4000 miles on a repaired tyre on my ZRX including a fair amount of "Spirited" riding with no problems. Cheers Ian

When you watch it think about the distance between your drive sprocket and the pivot point of the swingarm. For years many manufacturers and specialist race and custom builders have tried to make that gap as small as possible for the reasons he mentions. Cheers Ian

Yes mate You tube and whilst he gave the road bike a right slagging the off road machine has a hidden gem in the engineering. It was posted a few days ago. Cheers Ian