lucky

I can come! excellent news. not been out much at all this year. Lucky

Cancelled the run. Sorry guys. Should my bike and couldn't get a spare. How much are tickets at Santa pod?

Yes, quite a small group though. See you Sunday

I'll be up for a Sunday meet up, haven't been out much this year

At the moment cats and emissions aren't tested. There is note about excessive smoke some where but don't worry about it. I assume your going to or have fitted one, which exhaust system did you pick?

Hello everyone, Long time, no post. A lot of talk about MoT test regulations recently, so being a tester thought i would share this link with you : http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/d ... guides.htm It s all up to date and is what I work from when testing. Just remember the MoT test is the bare minimum standards at the moment of test. Hope this helps Lucky

Hello, I'm an MoT tester and here we go: Does it need indicators? If fitted they must work front and rear. However if they are completely removed including switch its an advisory Mirror? You don't need them but if you have one it must be on the O/S. again an advisory Working indicators? As above Working bulbs in the dash display thing? Not part of the MoT What tests does the exhaust go through? - I did my own little repair using a bake-bean tin so would that be okay? As long as the noise it makes isn't excessive a small blow is a pass an advise. Working fuel sensor? not tested Does it need a stand? No, funny enough All the bolts in the crank case? - The mechanic didnt put them all back!! Nope just an advisory Horn? must be fitted and working. Tax? no What condition does the break pads have to be in? above 1mm in thickness and not contaminated by oil Full details of the MOT manual can be found at : http://www.transportoffice.gov.uk/crt/d ... guides.htm Hope this helps the MOT guide is the current one from what i have seen. Lucky

Garmin units are lovely to use great features clear maps good to use. Maps are constantly updated (at your cost) TomTom rider has better maps, you can reveiw your route before hand, the map data updates quicker its a better A-B nav. Ive used TomTom rider, rider 2 also Garmin quest, street piolet, zumo 550, 450 660 and 220 and the BMW navigator range. Fav unit has to be the Zumo 660 like i say the map could do with updating a bit quicker round town. Also when directing off route the garmin units give distance as the crow flies not road distance like the Tom Tom Hope this helps Lucky

Hello everyone, I just want to put forward the otherside of the argument. I work in a Franchised bike Dealership My bike (A BMW R1100S) had a 48,000 mile and 12year Annual service done at the dealership I work at to the manufacturers specification when that bike was launched. The service schedule has now changed to make ownership more affordable. They did everything (including lubricating the clutch splines). Changed all consumables, stripped cleaned and lubricated everything. And adjusted what was left. They also MOT'ed it and cleaned and valeted it. This took nearly 16 hours of workshop time and £221 in parts (this was parts at cost). If i had had to pay for this service it would have been £1021 + vat. So £1225 at our lower labour rate for older bikes. Would you pay this kind of money every time you go in for a service? I wouldn't (and don't). And thats before anything they found wrong was put right. Tyres, brakes, batteries, ect..... Now when a customer comes in we can't expect them to pay that much, Especially for a £1650 bike (thats what i paid for it) So some of the service parts don't get done either by customer agreement, the manufacturer taking items out of the service schedule or past knowledge tells us what needs to be done and what doesn't. We are of course completely open about all of this, and agree the work that is going to be done before hand. If we didn't do this no one would come back to us. But equally by the dealership not giving you the option or informing you that items are due is just stupid they are throwing money away. Also some manufacturers (ducati, BMW, Harley) are better at keeping to the service schedules than others in my experience, but equally it also depends on the dealer network. Others seem hopeless. Mainly bikes sold on price with heavy discounting the dealerships anticipate that you don't want big bills and try to live up to this expectation. They are also competing for work against each other. how many people phone round for quotes? the difference on a 4 year 16,000 mile service on some kwaks a few years ago varied between £250 to £1061. one is a full service (brake line and coolant hose change,ect) the other is for a run of the mill valve clearance check. who would you go to? So basically it comes down to the normal things Cost, benefit and wanting to do the work (or picking other work that pays better). And just remember that even if it has a FSH that parts still could be knackered. A service doesn't include a chain and sproket replacement or tyres even if they're completely worn out. Dont know that any of this helps, but I hope it gives an idea of the thought processes that dealerships use. The only way you can ensure of the work they are going to do is to use a garage you trust and talk through with them what you expect.

Phil, PM sent. Mainly its logo's but drop me an email and you will see what I mean.

Thanks. Just prefer to give work to people I know (on the forum anyway), rather than a company i haven't dealt with before.

I wanted some stickers made for my bike, so thought i would PM Deej. That was a while ago. Just checked his profile and he hasn't visited the forum since Feb anyone know where he is? Or can anyone else help me? Thanks everyone. Ben

Hello all, I used to know a guy that worked in South African mining. He said there attitude to health and safety was a sign on the wall that read "The stupid will suffer". Never has that statement felt more appropriate.

I'm in Scotland and currently still in plaster. So I'm afraid i cant come, shame to miss it though.

You can re-use the wheel bearings you remove provided that they aren't worn, notchy or damaged. They are normally under a tenner from a bearing supplier new, unless you have a R1100S then the RHD bearing is stupidly expensive. I'd always use new seals though. Are they masking the wheel for you? the disc mounting points and bearing houses. £48 is a bargain though, if thats blasted and coated.