What did you do to your bike today?

[smallfrowne]

Eeeee yes interesting journeys I do enjoy. My eyes have always been wide open with the orange stuff though, so a little 3 month wait at the roadside for some back ordered part is built in to my adventures. It's a very fun bike though, but a shame they don't just buy in their engines from Rotax . They (my eyes) have popped out ever so slightly more just lately having seen the extent of valve train failures on them. I did just check mine though and there is no wear, so got to be safe for another half a tank full at least.

 

And just like that the postman has delivered me a new starter solenoid to wrap up the recommissioning of the big Vif.

 

This was the original, modified, to the horror of a passing Frenchman, by me:

 

Dirty Garage Man has recently done a video on fuse rot, I think that is what this thing was suffering from. Could have been a 30 year old fuse for all we know.

 

[smallfrowne]

I've put it on eBay. But I've ridden it to donington, not for a track day though. They've some other noisy event on. 

[peepae]

Put new  front brake pads in - but didn't have a C clamp and pushed the pistons back as good as I could  was a fight getting the actual new  pads in... little pin to hold it in place, is it on the err... side too.

Ordered a C clamp and will do it again then

[husoi]

Did a loop from home, near Peebles, near Moffat, up to Lanark where I got soaking wet, up to Airdrie, Cumbernauld, M80 to Dunfermline then home. 

[Shepherd]

30 minutes ago, peepae said:

Put new  front brake pads in - but didn't have a C clamp and pushed the pistons back as good as I could  was a fight getting the actual new  pads in... little pin to hold it in place, is it on the err... side too.

Ordered a C clamp and will do it again then

Mastic gun works just as well

[S-Westerly]

Rode down the A46 which was virtually empty so good fun. Then into Bristol to snoop around SBS but bought nothing except some cleaning stuff. Came home up the motorway to beat the rain but it never arrived.

[jr71]

oil change and MOT. and now the weathers turned lousy again!

[JRH]

Just got back from a 170 mile run. Blue sky and 20deg here in the midlands.

[smallfrowne]

Sold it. Goodbye big viffer. Swan song turned out to be getting me to and from download every day over that weekend, 300miles ish. Handy since the M1 is mainly roadworks between here and there. Mind it was pretty fun getting out of the car park using the wet grass to find traction because the Michelin 2ct's couldn't find grip on the mud. 

 

 

[bonio]

2 hours ago, smallfrowne said:

Sold it. Goodbye big viffer.

Well done mate.

[smallfrowne]

Cheers, it's a bit of an effort getting shut of stuff but kind of freeing; I could get used to it. It's funny it reminded me of a very early memory of my dad getting rid of his xr2i. My little lad came running up the drive to see it in the bloke's van. "Look, it's in the van going to a new home". 

"No. It isn't." And sits firmly in on the path, crossed arms. 

 

 

[Throttled]

Rode it, for the first time in weeks, due to getting an infection that is not testing as covid, but is like covid, but harder to shake. Happy that it started first time and ran fine. I even managed a challenge tag.

[Gerontious]

So exciting. Cleaning the chain the old fashioned way. Paraffin and a brush. And I’m still not missing the shaft drive. It’s quite satisfying to be honest. Just a shame it’s not one of those glittery gold ones. But we can’t have everything - can we.  I’ll leave it an hour and then go for a ride and oil it when I get back - when it’s nice and warm.

[Simon Davey]

10 minutes ago, Gerontious said:

I’ll leave it an hour and then go for a ride and oil it when I get back - when it’s nice and warm.

Does that help? 

Will the oil adhere better, or is it to do with link expansion? 

Or... 

Is it because it'll be dry? 

[Gerontious]

14 minutes ago, Simon Davey said:

Does that help? 

Will the oil adhere better, or is it to do with link expansion? 

Or... 

Is it because it'll be dry? 

I do it the old fashioned way.., which is actually what the manufacturers tell you - if you read the box. Paraffin to clean and EP90 (Gear oil) to lube. The reason to do it to a warm chain is it allows the oil to penetrate. In between the sliding plates. This helps prevent stiff links. And also keep water out. And so corrosion at bay. We call it lubing. But with modern sealed chains that’s not the actual purpose - it’s about rust prevention more than anything else. Which is important ti me as the bike lives outside. So when we are in Germany you will see me at least once oil the chain as soon as we get back to the hotel. It takes just a couple of minutes. Do it when the chain is hot and it’s easier.

Edited June 26, 2024 by Gerontious

[Bender]

1 hour ago, Simon Davey said:

Does that help? 

Will the oil adhere better, or is it to do with link expansion? 

Or... 

Is it because it'll be dry? 

Yes, heat helps it get into where it needs to be.

[Gerontious]

10 miles round Hoveringham and back and done. I forgot to mention. After a ride the rear wheel is much easier to spin as the grease in the bearings is also nice and warm.

[Stu]

Had a ride to Willingham woods tonight 

 

Good ride but someone had dropped all the oil out of their car all the way through the layby! 

 

It was a lovely hot rod that looked as though it had loads of time and effort spent on it! 

 

It was a little bit slippery

 

 

[Simon Davey]

18 minutes ago, Stu said:

Had a ride to Willingham woods tonight 

 

Good ride but someone had dropped all the oil out of their car all the way through the layby! 

 

It was a lovely hot rod that looked as though it had loads of time and effort spent on it! 

 

It was a little bit slippery

 

 

Looking like a good evening. 

The guy who left the oil slick must paint white road lines for the council 

[Nick the wanderer]

9 hours ago, Stu said:

Had a ride to Willingham woods tonight 

 

Good ride but someone had dropped all the oil out of their car all the way through the layby! 

 

It was a lovely hot rod that looked as though it had loads of time and effort spent on it! 

 

It was a little bit slippery

 

 

Did you have to take out a mortgage for a butty and a cup of tea?

[RideWithStyles]

Goes to show how terrible their lane discipline and un attentive they were.

[S-Westerly]

About to leave Glos. for another grind up the motorway to Northumberland to see my Dad. May do the Fosse Way to Leicester to at least ameliorate some of the boredom. Adds only about an hour time wise so it's nearer 6 than 5.

[Simon Davey]

25 minutes ago, S-Westerly said:

About to leave Glos. for another grind up the motorway to Northumberland to see my Dad. May do the Fosse Way to Leicester to at least ameliorate some of the boredom. Adds only about an hour time wise so it's nearer 6 than 5.

 

Safe journey. 

Do you listen to music, or even the radio? 

[Tinkicker]

31 minutes ago, S-Westerly said:

About to leave Glos. for another grind up the motorway to Northumberland to see my Dad. May do the Fosse Way to Leicester to at least ameliorate some of the boredom. Adds only about an hour time wise so it's nearer 6 than 5.

 

 

My backside is howling in protest at the mere thought.

Respect.

[S-Westerly]

34 minutes ago, Simon Davey said:

 

Safe journey. 

Do you listen to music, or even the radio? 

Nope. Just the bike as I don't like distractions while riding.