Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

I took the Vespa for a new MoT this afternoon. Great day to be riding a classic scooter.

However, in the whole of the past year I have done a mere 45 miles on it. I think I need to ride it a bit more. I wish there was secure parking at work.

Final call for any adventurers up for riding to the Nürburgring on the Fri/weekend of May 15/16th. (Closer/alternative destinations considered).

My first bike was a Yamaha trx 850, powerful enough to get your heart going but because it's a twin you don't have to rev the nuts off it to get your heart going...

Saw this in Ragusa, Sicily, it is even uglier in the flesh..

I had one that sometimes wouldn't go into neutral, never a problem apart from that, it's probably fine!

What kind of riding are you planning on doing with it?

Will check oil levels this weekend.

Too much could be as bad as too little.

I had a KLR250 that wouldn't downshift if I had too much oil in it.

I have a puncture (which hopefully I can fix) but need new tyres for my 600 bandit.
Can anyone reccomend any? I've never got new tyres before - do i get them from the net then take them to a garage for fitting?

Just go to the boys at Essential Rubber in Gillender St (Bow.) They're spot on to deal with - I'm running Dunlop Sportmax Q3s at the moment and am very impressed. Good balance of grip and longevity....depends what sort of riding you do really!

You go to FWR in Kennington and ask them which tyres they have for your bike. Then wait 30 mins while they fit them, pay them, ride away and enjoy your new rubber. They are the best and usually the cheapest option.

I'd definitely avoid FWR. I'd had some poor service from them a couple of times, but the last time I used them they made a serious mistake. I was working as a courier and had a rear tire replaced. The next day, whilst a work, I noticed that the the rear axle was loose and the nut that should have been holding it on was missing. Fortunately I noticed after a few gentle miles 'in town', rather than having the wheel lock up on the motorway.

Happy with the service at Essential Rubber.

Essential Rubber are great. They've been my go-to tyre and MoT people for 10 years.

Re tyres, anyone - not on s crosser - changed their own?

I did mine on the above mentioned klr250 and it was a doddle so wondering how hard it can be on a sports bike type tyre and wheel.

Sports bike usually have tubeless tires - they can be changed by hand, but it is very hard work without the tools found in a bike workshop.

Talking of which, I have a set of tubeless rims and tyres in the cupboard for my Vespa. Anyone know of a place open tomorrow that can put 10" tyres on without buggering the rims?

Yeah think the ktm is tubeless.

I bought several very large tire levers to do the klr, that's no gonna cut it though is it?

I wouldn't recommend it. 'Breaking the beading' is the difficult bit. Some places might put the tyre on a bare rim for you cheaply .

Whereabouts are you? I'd suggest London Scooters in SE1 - they are usually open Saturday mornings, but as it is a bank holiday weekend probably best to check first - 020 7378 1667.

I'm in Bromley...

I've never had a problem with FWR in 15 years. Always a risk with mechanics that they get sloppy though. I left my own back wheel loose one time, didn't pick it up for 10 miles! Might try Essential Rubber though.

Dave from FWR died a while back so no idea who took them over. After two interesting MOT fails from essential and one from chas bikes. Oh and the tyres are in stock as I'd paid for them but not when I turned up. If Mick (essential) is around then you are alright, if not....

Depending on which bindit you have, MK1 or Mk2 different tyre sizesfor cheap tyres I liked the conti roadattacks,the maxxis were nice too... er modern tyres it is all down to your preference. Avon seem to have a bad rep for cracking tyre walls. Why not ask over at the bandit owners club as they are quite helpful.

Fo MOT's I've been using Clapham North MOT's for many years. They've been good about all my cars and bikes, some of which were in challenging condition. You can rock up on a bike without an appointment, cars used to be the same but now you need to book. Sadly they are closing to make room for a wine bar.

Some kind soul banged into my Vespa in Farringdon yesterday while I was at work. Slightly deformed the leg shield and popped the end of one of the floorboard runners off. Luckily they left all their insurance details. I mean, of course they did, who wouldn't? The note must've blown away in the wind before I got back to it...

WAC.

I thank the lord for private parking every time I get to the office.

It's annoying, but it's never going to be pristine in London. Let the accumulation of patina begin...

I'll try and get that new rubber sorted for it today. It may end up looking like crap but I can keep it in fine fettle mechanically at least.