Fiddlesticks

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...

Thought I'd share a little pic of my old headstock bearings... .. And the new ones going on... (Yes, I know there are better ways than tapping them down!)

Welcome along

I'm Spartacus!

We went for a cheaper brand (similar use case). No issues with earplugs.

My next thing after the house move - learn to sail. Curious as to how you go about getting your own swinging mooring installed?