Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

In London it is quite hard to get the bike over to the edge of a tyre especially a big 180-190, hence weekend fun or buying race part worns.

These kind of bikes are not supposed to be used only in London.

No one buy a set of burned tyres used in a race.

But they can be used as recycled waste, I think.

Just porn, doesn't mean anything

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcz9PiU4Dyw

I think it's that time of year again when we have to issue a notice to all those fairweather bikers on their brand new BMW GS's to learn how wide their bikes are and to observe the time-honoured rules of filtering: wide gives way to narrow and slow gives way to fast.

Basically, everybody give way to my Vespa.

Except me, I'm thinner and faster on the SH300. :)

Poppycock - there was a time when 90+% of my 'spirited riding' happened in London. Principally because riding an hour to get out of town seemed like a schlep when there were a profusion of one way systems and industrial estates on my doorstep that were designed for knee-down goodness.

LA is exactly the opposite, the city is god awful to ride around but the surrounding hills are ace.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a brake bleeding tool? One that pumps from the caliper seems to be better than one that sucks from caliper, but also more expensive. Any thoughts?

Bonus points if it can also do my mountain bike. Or do you have to keep tools for different DOTs separate?

Buy a syringe. You can either draw the fluid out or push the fluid in.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Large-Plastic-Syringe-plastic-tubing/dp/B009LEEOVW

Did you get your knee down on your commute?

Mine has always been filtering with very little leaning over. Apart from in redditch....the clover leaf junctions were lush.

Thanks. Is 100ml enough to push through the whole system in one go, do you think?

Not had a real commute for about 18 yrs, back then, YES. Absolutely everywhere. I had to be at my desk in Canary Wharf at 6.30am and once got there from Kingston in a little over 15 minutes.

Latterly I used to play on the twin roundabouts under the a40 at paddington basin, with a loop around the canals (ersatz ballaugh bridge on westbourne terrace rd) - then down to Queensway for a little coda.

Park Lane GP and of course a little industrial estate in Park Royal that you probably know.

Anywhere really, as long as the roads were relatively smooth and traffic allowed.

Not sensible but great fun!

On the mountain bike then yes, on the motorbike no. I use ptfe tape on the bleed nipple so I can draw or push the fluid through without introducing air and then leave the brake on (cable tied) so the air in the system can find its way out.

If you can wait till after next week and are London based can show you how to do it.

Ah I was either down from Romford to elephant and castle and then again from Sidcup to Brixton. The most part was filtering or spent trying to avoid car drivers. But occasional evening trips to the Ace or Dinner in central meant the both joy and fear of Park Lane. Also different bikes made the route more fun...the dirt bikes....

Thanks for recommending London Scooters for tyre changes, Wizard. Quick and cheap; only a tenner for both.

But I've just noticed - now I'm back at home - that the drive direction on one rim is wrong. Vespa wheels are interchangeable, with the narrow side of the rim on the left, and they've fitted one with the narrow on the right.

I even reminded them that Vespas aren't symmetrical when I handed them over. Will have to pop back and get one changed.

Not sure I follow about the tape. Would love some tips though. Bled my mountain bikes without problem, but on the Vespa I'm attempting to change disc, rebuild caliper and master cylinder with new seals, fit new pads, then bleed.

If you want a hand, will be after next week. Are you replacing the brake line with a braided line? I'm not sure/wary about replacing master cylinder seals. If the bore is scored then the new seals won't solve any problems.

I'm going to this tomorrow. http://thebikeshed.cc/2015/03/31/london-tickets/
I went last year and was slightly panicked by the utter hipster douchbaggery on show, but I have to admit that some of the bikes were pretty. Anyway, a mate is taking his kids to look at the bikes, and it's an excuse to meet up with them and have a pint or two.

Set myself the goal of having my first motorbike by next summer. Time to start saving.

Nice to hear you are out having pints. You must be feeling better!

Nothing wrong with filling the master cylinder and pumping the brake lever while opening the bleed valve with a bleed hose on. It's worked for decades. Vacuum and pump systems are useful for larger systems or garages doing loads of fluid changes. Having 2 people helps but you can reach the bleed valve and brake lever on most bikes single handed.

Pints is definitely doable, and I'm almost eating normally. Stamina is a bit of a problem, but I'm definitely going in the right direction.