Fast Eddie

Surely they're wanting you to not use a new bag rather than reuse an old one, so if you take no bag, use a competitors bag, backpack, or box then you should still be entitled to say yes.

Well done, given the weather I've still not gotten round to it!

start getting it done asap and if you can't pass all 3 parts before your cbt runs out then just re-do it. So long as you get it done before Jan that's all that matters.

Just as an fyi for others since you've agreed on the other set, but the maplins headsets do not work with these radios. seems the microphone/speakers are wired up the other way round.

Yes we do, tested them up to about 70mph and they worked fine, also did a distance test and they worked clearly to about 1m (thought it was only 1km before but double checked) then just dropped off so no putting up with crackling and disintegration . They are rechargable, but basically the battery packs are 4 AAA batteries held together to if you run out of juice you can just buy a pack and put them in. Also with a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adaptor you can use it for your mp3 player (but not at the same time). Since last night I've been looking for replacement head sets (want closed helmet not the open helmet type we have at the moment). It's cheaper to buy the cobra ones from maplpins (£15 vs £20) which look the same. Will update you tonight once we've picked them up. The vox operation is ok, but takes a few seconds to kick in so you loose 1/2 a sentence, I'd suggest sticking with PTT.

Check out these ones, plus the appropriate head sets: http://www.clasohlson.com/uk/Exibel-FX- ... r362426000 £65 all in. They work well up to 1kmish.

if you do buy a new one, look at the gel batteries where you don't have to worry about acid. e.g. the motobatt brand

My Goretex Hein Gericke jacket has proved to be great, but then again my RST Pro-series trousers have also never let a drop in. At £300 for a full set of the RST I'd stronly recommend them.

I think some folks just like it. You can tell some people just want any excuse to go off on one. Would certainly agree with picking your venues better though.

Good stuff, nice and easy

He reckons it doenst have a choke... IMO if it turns the engine over for more than 20seconds, there is nothing wrong with the battery. Had the bike been standing for a while before you got it?? what state is the fuel in?? rust in the tank?? If it's loosing that much charge over night then i think it's gone. Having just gone through a load of testing on my bike, it'll start when I've just taken the battery off charge, running will charge the battery, but leave it a few days and the voltage is down followed by not being able to start. Regarding the choke, I'd be surprised if the choke disappeared on the 97 model then came back for the 98, or that the Haynes is wrong?

Sounds like your battery is knackered, my bike won't start at 12.3v Also iiisecondcreeps srad is a little temperamental starting from cold, iirc start it, then put the choke on and let it warm up. Should be fine after about 5 mins.

My Datatool doesn't seem to drain it that fast i.e. weeks could go by and i could still start it. However in the recent weather and wind if it's constantly going off then I'd consider sticking it in immobilised, alarm off mode.

Nice photos, Can't pick a favourite. It's almost like they don't need a front wheel! Love the kit too. That 400 is a beast.

That sounds terrible. Not sure what I'd do about the one's in Newcastle area, but I'd be having a serious word with your new school in Aberdeen. If you need your b/f there as well then take him along (or do it over the phone) and give him the biggest dressing down for his behaviour possible. Chances are the instructor already know's he acted like a prick and it hoping you don't pick him up on it. Seems like he's a good guy other than when old guy is there? Hope you get it sorted and good luck with your test. If anything, just keep in mind it can't go worse than sunday's lesson! Ed

Happy birthday.

Yeah It's instant. Guess I'll go ahead and get the new battery as I earlier thought. Stu, Gayle had also suggested that (and we'd already tried that when Gayle had problems with hers) however I was trying to make sure the charging system was ok. Seeing the battery unplugged and loosing charge made me think it was knackered but more knowledgeable people seemed to write that off. Will stick the battery from the gsxr in there soon and give that a try.

yeah that's with it on but not running. Battery is low in that state too but i think that's because it slowly looses about .04v/day. Not sure if this is the major cause of my problems or an incidental

I went out today and redid the tests. Battery was reading 12.4v before I started anything and then dropped to 11.66v with electrics and headlight on. Measuring the draw as someone suggested (20ma and set to V Ohm Ma) I got 0 (in fact I'm not sure i remember the bike even switching on) but IIRC 6.x when using the 10A setting. http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb305/Edviscostello/2012-07-05185718.jpg This picture is from when i first did the tests. Carrying out the tests on the reg/rec (in diode mode) to red: Pin1 674 pin2 715 pin3 686 to black all 1 The 3 plug cable running back to the stator i get 0.7 resistance when off when running I get approx 23v at idle and 70 at 5k revs. If someone could tell my where to find the engine earth ground mentioned that would be great. when i plugged the cables back in the voltage across the battery rose to about 14.23, pretty much stayed above 13, but it wasn't a steady reading, always up/down by a couple of .01v I did notice that the 3 cables either side of the connection got very hot*, as did the reg/rec. the +/- coming out didn't *very in my opinion, not sure how how they are meant to get.

Just wanted to give a quick plug for this new store that Gayle and I visited today. Nice large store selling only clothing, helmets and a small range of luggage. The staff (owners) seemed really friendly and spent loads of time with us. Ok we were the only ones there but still it's a far cry from the attitude of a large store in Hamilton! Range of brands is small-ish, but stock (and importantly sizes) seem good, as are prices. e.g. the RST leathers I've been eyeing up are approx £150 for the jacket on ebay and the same with these guys. Decent size changing rooms and a good range of female clothing.

I agree, the driver will always have to live with what he did regardless of whatever facts we may not have, however it sets a dangerous precedent to be used in the future.

For me, based on a comment Gayle made, i think the most telling indicator that the car driver acted dangerously is that the biker had no chance to take action. Yes the car driver may have been blinded, but the bike had the sun behind him and presumably therefore could see the car. To not be able to swerve/stop, the car must just have gone. No creeping out to try and signal intent or anything. I think the jury let him off because they would have done the same and are covering them selves.

cheers, someone else just sid that off load voltage is meaningless and to do the same test you just said. will give it a go tomorrow assuming it's not pissing down!

Not done any more tests on the bike, but been watching the battery the last few days. Monday Morning 12.7 Monday night 12.6 Tonight 12.56 Think this is the first thing that will get changed then go from there.

Well done, keep your fingers crossed for nice weather!