Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Pretty sure that if I fitted the original exhaust & air filter + did one of those fuel cleaning thing, the number would be lower.

But I've got a new motorbike so I will sell the Bandit shortly.
Will MOT & get an oil change to make it easier to sell.

So this got delivered last night, my first bike & much excite! Its an older carb version YBR so no ULEZ, but I'll be skirting around the outside and hopefully getting a full licence before the expansion.
Sorting the mirrors today and tick over is set on the edge of stalling when warm so needs bringing up a touch. And it smells bloody lovely!

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Welcome to the club

I fiddled with my suspension the other evening as both fork stanchions were set differently with preload right in and loads of dive and the rear shock had compression/rebound up pretty much full. Put everything slightly higher than stock (and front/rear preload up a notch as I’m fat) as I want a baseline to work from and it rides so much better! Next up is sag when I’ve worked out how to do it on a sloping drive...

Next up is sag when I’ve worked out how to do it on a sloping drive...

So much easier to have someone help. It really is worth it to sort out the bouncy bits. I see it now the same as chain wear and brake bleeding.

I thought I would put this here before hitting Gumtree.

I am selling my Suzuki Bandit GSF600SK4, about 25,000 miles on the clocks, full service history.
First registered 22/03/2004.

Owned by myself for the last past 11 years and only selling because of the new central London ULEZ emission zone requirements (which it does not meet)

It was quite high mileage when I bought it in 2008 but it is now quite low mileage for the year since I only use it a couple of times a month.

The previous owner added the twin headlights and a complete Bandit 1200 rear end, which both suit the bike. I have also added bits to the bike as I went.

This is a London bike which has been kept outdoors all it life so do not expect a garage queen or a show bike, this is not it.
Although it has never been crashed or been involved in an accident, it has been "pushed over" twice in my ownership - this is what careless drivers do in London, reverse into your bike and do not have the courtesy to pick it up...
The bike has also been stolen once when I was visiting a friend in East London, a group of youths snapped the steering lock and cut all the wiring loom to attempt to start it. It was found the next day, they cut too many wires to hot wire it! I had to get the steering lock replaced and the wiring redone.
So the HPI might not be clear but I will check.

All past MOT's - currently valid until 25/05/2019 but will renew.
Past mileage record:
2007 = 12,267 miles
2008 = 15,252 miles
2009 = 17,546 miles
2010 = 18,388 miles
2011 = 19,245 miles
2013 = 20,012 miles
2014 = 21,284 miles
2015 = 23,661 miles
2016 = 24,832 miles
2017 = 24,942 miles
2018 = 25,125 miles

Service History:
05/04/2004 - 593 miles - Mikey Oates Motorcycles, Glasgow
24/02/2005 - 4,499 miles - Mikey Oates Motorcycles, Glasgow
28/10/2005 - 7,515 miles - Clyde Motorcycles, Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire
03/08/2006 - 11,305 miles - Owners Service
05/11/2008 - 16,426 miles - D.Brook, Full Service, Chain & sprockets
22/08/2009 - 17,544 miles - Saltire Suzuki, Edinburgh - Full Service including cam belt adjustment
07/09/2010 - 18,392 miles - A Graham Harper, Glasgow
06/06/2013 - 20,075 miles - FWR Motorcycles, London - Oil & Filter
17/06/2014 - 22,520 miles - FWR Motorcycles, London - Clutch / tyres / suspensions / filters / pads
04/05/2016 - 24,830 miles - Burwin Motorcycles, London - Full service / Ohlins Fork springs / braided brake lines / refurbished calipers TL1000S front & Hayabusa Rear
25/04/2017 - 24,942 miles - Burwin Motorcycles, London - Service including spark plugs, oil and filter, solving wiring issues
TBC - Burwin Motorcycles, London - MOT, oil & filter, fresh fork oil.

Invoices:
06/04/2004 - 0 miles - Purchase invoice - £4,899
25/04/2009 - unspecified mileage - Oil top up & exhaust gasket - £45.31
09/05/2009 - 16,864 miles - Replace fork springs and rear shock, both Hagon - £342.60 for parts + £97.75 for labour
19/05/2009 - unspecified mileage - Full stainless steel exhaust fitted (purchased a new Bandit 1200 full exhaust on eBay) - £67.27 for labour
22/08/2009 - 17,544 miles - Full service and MOT - £399.99
07/09/2010 - 18,392 miles - Service & MOT - £207.53
11/03/2011 - unspecified mileage - Fork oil and seal - £72 for labour
16/06/2014 - 22,520 miles - Full Service including full clutch basket, tyres (Maxxis Diamond 120/70 ZR17 & 180/55 ZR17), fork oil, brake pads and sprocket carrier bearing - £736.57
04/05/2016 - 24,830 miles - Full Service including refurbished front & rear brake calipers - £401.15
25/04/2017 - 24,942 miles - Service including spark plugs, oil and filter - £252.55
05/10/2018 - 25,150 miles - New fork seals, forks oil and new horn - £148.80.
30/05/2019 - Miles TBC - New rear tyre valve - £40
TBC - MOT & Oil change - Will get this done next week at Burwin

Looking at the last 5 years alone, I have spent £1,579.07 on the bike and ridden it around 4,000 miles. So all in, it has been well cared for.

In terms of parts added, there is a full Bandit 1200 exhaust and upgraded suspensions so it rides well.

Not sure what else to say!

I am after £1,000 + what I will spent on the MOT/Oil change next week (and the rear tyre valve) so it will be about £1,200.

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needs pictures!

Done!

MOT booked for Tuesday 4th June at Burwin Motorcycles in Hackney.

Would also swap for a disc titanium frame (touring)

I live on the IoM, Our roads are shocking, They do look after the mountain though.

Mountain always looks smooth. How’s is it there today? Wet TT?

Very wet so far, Practices called off this afternoon and it's looking grim for tonight. Next 4 days weather is awful.

But its so pretty when its nice.
I was up there recently for a Trauma course. Great fun.

Bummer man - sucks if you went over to watch practice week. Still I bet the pubs are heaving...

Best to check and lubricate your chain regularly.

https://youtu.be/nVrpvOdrtPQ

New Hagon shocks arrived to replace the bust Tec Bike Parts piggyback shocks. Well packed and look decent, albeit not super bling. They're definitely porky. I can imagine the weight is on par with the stock ones.

No idea when I'll manage to replace them, but took a quick pic.

Hoping the non-piggyback will be more OEM looking, and not fall apart randomly like the tec ones. Although surprised by how visually dominant the chrome is.

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https://www.manxradio.com/webcams/

Current view of the Mountain

Looks like its a lovely day

for ducks

https://www.facebook.com/iomrpu/videos/429764221138292/

Glad no one was seriously hurt, but sweet Jesus does all sense seem to evaporate from a lot of people when open throttles are allowed.

Right, Anyone with expertise bleeding systems?

I can bleed whatever bicycle system you throw at me, but I'm struggling here.
Tokiko calipers with an R6 Brembo MC. Even before this the brakes were spongy at best. I thought new MC would change things.
Nothing. Even bought a vaccum bleeder, but the nearside caliper seems to barely let any liquid go. I've done maybe two dozen bleeds so far and nothing.

Spongy galore, what am I missing here, full caliper rebuild?

Abs?
Vacuum blender should have done the job.

What a knob. Prime reason why I hate riding in groups.

Non Abs

Utterly stumped man. I've tried every approach apart from removing the whole system and hanging it from a bike stand or something. It feels like there's a giant bubble stuck somewhere and no amount of pressure removes it.
Really want to sort this out before the track day or it's all out of the window.

Weird.

I'd get the caliper above master and then vacuum again. Give it all a good shake to promote bubbles up.
If that fails strip the caliper.