Fiddlesticks

Now this is interesting. On the way home the cruise control failed to switch on. Same on my commute today, along with a check engine light on the way home. Coincidence? Conspiracy? Cock-up? Here we go again. I have three Windows laptops squirrelled away in a crate somewhere. Abandoned by the kids when they left home. For reasons best known to Bill Gates only the oldest, most knackeredest of them will connect to the OBD dongle so the Explorer can tell me where it hurts. It is a single purpose device - even its version of Internet Explorer gets the brush off from most modern websites. So after 20 mins finding it, about the same booting it up, and again getting it connected, the TigerTool gave me the good news... P1577 Brake light switch 2 correlation error with switch 1 .. I cleared that fault code like a boss Triumph tech. Didn't even go for a test ride, but pretty sure tomorrow's ride in will prove everything's fixed. Fingers crossed.

Happy birthday

Take this as entertainment, rather than science, but interesting nonetheless...

Sadly I missed a recent demo evening where they set them off on willing victims. Apparently, it was good fun. I hear they are a game changer, and people are walking away from accidents that otherwise would have been serious to fatal. Haven't bought one, probably should.

Here's my unscientific test as to how strong my recent bacon strip repair was.... https://youtube.com/shorts/QBk3jUg2t8E?feature=shared

Do you regularly ride in bad weather? If so, what is your approach to keeping dry? My old IXS Navigator suit has a basic drop liner which isn't all that effective. I've cobbled together an outer shell which is none too flattering but does the trick. Having pulled the trigger on a GoreTex laminated suit, I'm still considering adding a decent rain suit over the top for the worst weather. Overkill? Or a sensible way of keeping the new gear clean and dry? I had a look at the Scott rainsuits at J&S recently and they seemed pretty good.

Up to Sportsbikeshop Preston for a few bits. Got off the motorway... No rear brake! Pulled over straight away, rather than "oh, I'll sort it later". Glad I did - the bolt which the pedal hinges around was so loose it fell off in my hand. So easily screwed back to place, thanks to the guy who ran the roadside caff who had the right size hex key handy. A timely reminder to dig out a spare and add to the travelling kit.

Also, at 38 you might be able to get a speed awareness course... Assuming you haven't already done one recently.

Can you not argue it was one continuous bout of speeding? I seem to remember something about this.

I popped in to the new place on Saturday. It's the old Simply Motorbikes Triumph place. Was still a bit sparse, but it was only a soft opening. Sat on a couple of Rocket 3's (I can dream). Initially it'll be sales only, with servicing taking place at Whitchurch Rd. (Christleton).

On a separate tack, probably the best argument against balancing wheels with dyna beads. Wouldn't fancy having a thousand little marbles flying round inside the tyre smacking into the back of the plug.

I wouldn't worry about the bead being broken. They're hard enough break when you want the tyre changed. The bacon strips work well. Not sure about anyone else, but my method is. 1. Pull screw from tyre. 2. Use rasp/file to clean up hole. 3. Put on nitrile gloves. 4. Peel off a bacon strip. 5. Use blade to pick off all the bits of backing paper that have inevitably stuck to it while in packaging. 6. Thread it exactly half way through the needle. 7. Coat it in rubber cement. (Poss. not necessary, but it makes me feel better). 8. Give it a min or two to go tacky. 9. Stab it into the hole (straight, no twisting or screwing), leave an inch poking out. 10. Pull out the needle with one swift, fluid motion. 11. Inflate tyre. 12. Cut off the excess. 13. Test for leaks with water/tea/spit. 14. Retest pressure regularly until paranoia gets the better of you and you replace the tyre anyway. Have fun

Didn't this happen once before?

Hi

I was wondering if someone would notice that Yes, don't rub it in, the tyre has done 2.5k miles since I fitted it in Feb. to replace the last one that had been attacked by a screw. Some people are babe magnets. I'm just a magnet. Metal finds me irresistible. There's a new one in the post. I can't really justify taking Mrs. Fiddlesticks away over Easter with a bacon strip standing between a nice ride and a rapid unscheduled disassembly. Dem's the breaks. Life is good, I don't complain.

Great to read your write up @ChrisBiggsUK Have fun on the next one.

All done. Time for a evening ride somewhere.

Know it well. Mrs. Fiddlesticks is from Goole. The day after her 18th birthday we packed all her belongings into the back of my car and we drove off into the sunset.

Sadly not, but we have friends who will take the wood off our hands.

The tree surgeon left the last six foot of the cursed sycamore tree sticking up above the back wall as it was riddled with barbed wire and he didn't want to ruin his chainsaw. So when I got home from an unrelated allen key finding expedition I had to attack it first with the angle grinder to get the wire out of the tree. Then wreck my own chainsaw finishing the job. (Fortunately I had a spare chain). One last big tree trunk to go - probably in three pieces.

Adding to my collection of allen keys... Bit of damage to the rear hugger, but not terminal. Successfully plugged at the roadside.

Good luck @ChrisBiggsUK Try and keep a good amount of space ahead of you, that way when everyone slams on you can slow slowly and mitigate the risk of being rear-ended. Post a few pics!

Own phone here. Smarty, contract £8 a month.

More rum required...

And the old cups... Vs. new...