mattycoops43

You don't LEGALLY need self levelling. Aren't most bikes reflector headlights? Mine are?

They are a nightmare when people retrofit them to cars that don't self level. They would be MUCH worse on a bike where putting luggage on or a pillion on makes them aim high, and far too many riders don't bother to adjust the level.

you've never rounded off a screw, caphead or bolt then by having the wrong size tool and trying anyway? or using 'universal' grips? Not much fun having to drill and tap a screw out cos you have mashed the head with the wrong shape screwdriver!

thats a horrendous idea on a bike!

2 years my spada was 6 lol Yep, I will be disappointed with 2 yrs! My Furygan leather jacket is over 20yrs old and going strong, but just looks so dated now!

One bit of advice. I would agree with building up tools as you need them, but if you try and do a job and can't get a tool on properly, go and buy the right tool to do the job! It is really easy to do damage trying to get the wrong tool onto something, and there's a lot of places on a bike where you need a certain type of socket etc to get on it properly. For example, I spent a day trying to get the head bolts undone on a gs, then went and got a long reach socket for £3.99 and did it in 5 minutes. I also still have that socket 14yrs later! Matt

What diameter are the forks? can't believe they're the ONLY forks that diameter? Yes, alternatively you can change the whole front end, any front end with the same yoke measurements will fit, (as long as the fork length is close) probably easiest to measure yours or take them to a bike breaker and compare with others.

Yes, you're right, but on a wet filter, you'd be surprised how much difference that slight discolouration makes. I don't know if they have changed, but k&n's used to be bad for this, worse than other makes. The best type was the old vortex oil filters on early landrovers, a big cannister full of coarse wire wool, with an inch of engine oil in the bottom. The oil wicked up onto all the wool. The air was directed into a vortex through the wool and any dust particles stuck to the oil, any big bit fell to the bottom. Good enough for desert conditions, no loss of airflow AT ALL, and only needed engine oil topping up every few years. Only downside is they were about 18" high by 10" round and weighed a ton!

I'm not a fan of K&Ns for the simple reason that the airflow changes drastically as it gets dirty through use. They are designed to be cleaned obviously, but because they are wet filters needing oil, i tis much more drastic than on a standard dry filter which will provide roughly the same airflow for a lot longer before it gets clogged. I am not knocking K&N's, they do what they are meant to, but I am saying unless you're in a race situation where it will be removed and cleaned very frequently, most peoples maintenance schedule is just not up to it. Or to put it simply, a dirty K&N is worse than a dirty paper filter. So, you're bike will be fuelled correctly for about a week until it gets dirty, then it won't run right. I used to fit gas kits to landrovers, and we always took k&n's off as they were not reliable enough to keep a gas system running right as they are much more sensitive to mixture than petrol engines.

Careful, you're starting to sound like a F1 driver now!

I'm only joshin mate! and yes, you got several stone on me! That's why I can take the mick, it goes downhilll you know. Not the done thing to mock people bigger than yourself, unfortunately, this means I can take the piss out of everyone!

Looking at that top pic though,I can see where you can gain a coupla tenths! Just look to the inter abdominal weight carrying compartment (gut) Definite bulge in those leathers! or are you just pleased to see me?

Yes Moo, but on a psychological level, the 'fun' you are talking about is partly to do with endomorphines being released into your brain, because you in a 'risky situation'. Now, how risky it actually IS is down to your riding skill and ability (and desire to break the law too). What we are looking for is the middle ground where our brain gives us the happy feeling, without us actually being in too much danger. Adventure sports are the realm of adrenaline junkies, I have seen a programme about how their brains are basically broken and they don't get the normal feeling of fun/adrenaline until they are hanging off a cliff by their left toe. Welcome to it!

Yep, me all know about MY moment. Thing is falling off BLOODY hurts. A LOT. but then, that's why we get an adrenaline rush from riding, cos it feels dangerous!

Forget bike racing! Who's the proper fit chick in the green dress? Is she available?

Yes, but the way a weld looks tells you how strong it is. You should not HAVE to grind a weld down if it's done tidy. It's obviously all done by hand as opposed to robotic welding. This means it's quite possible to get a 'duff' weld on a bike (not picking on yours in particular). None of those look like they are about to fall apart, but you are much more likely to get corrosion in the holes and voids, plus in a bump, more likely to pop apart. Personally I wouldn't worry about it apart from checking for corrosion more often.

Added a none of the above. What other things should go onto the list? Where is the option for 'Went off a humpbacked bridge up a hill at 80 on a CX500, got 5' of air and accidentally went right over the bonnet of a volvo estate that pulled out of a lane on the left just as I was flying past'? I then went 200yds up the road and THEN nearly fell off I was shaking so much when I realised what I had just done. (5am starts, used to regularly try and see how much air I could get over this bridge)

I don't think knee down or peg down are something that you would do by accident, you have to be pretty committed to do either.

Often tight spots in a chain are caused by the sprocket wearing uneven. more on one side than the other. In other words, your sprocket is not round anymore. This will knacker a new chain in short order I would have thought?

Try applying for a PASSPORT!

yes, especially if you have a fuse that is ok, but not making contact in the fuse box. Pull all fuses and clean the contacts and wd40 them too!

Sounds like your ignition switch is gammy, spray a load of wd40 in it and give it a good wiggle.

Glad you got it sorted, it's always a pain in the rear when it's a combo of minor things like that!

Glad you got it sorted! Should be a good little runner.

Got to be honest, I have had a couple of weise rubbery rain suits that have been 100% waterproof. It's all a pay off, waterproof is easy if you don't mind being sweaty on the inside cos it doesn't breath. Have to say tho, my last set of textiles were waterproof, after 3 months, I re nikwaxed them to keep them waterproof, then fell off, so can't say bmuch about longevity of the proofing.