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@pdlouche
Bit of a CSB/TL:DR, lots of progress.
A few weeks ago I passed Mod1 with a clean run, but failed Mod2 because I took an evasive manoeuvre - chopped lanes on a nasty roundabout, car was stuck between lanes against a central reservation and cars did panic things around it, so option 1; lifesaver’d, swerved a bit, and crossed the white line to avoid option 2: getting rear-ended during an emergency stop.
Gutted, examiner only saw me change lanes, and didn’t care why. Horribly annoying as again it was a clean run until that point.
I have a Mod2 re-test next week, but used the downtime to get the 125 working best as possible. Appreciate why it’s 10 working days between re-tests, I was livid for a week.
My braking is on-point though - avoided T-boning a solid 90degree turn across my path yesterday while training on the Bandit 600. Nasty roundabout. Coming around in lane 1, audi cuts me up from lane 2 to take the exit I’m already passing. Scary close.
So much work done to the cafe’d GN125 in the mean time, not just adding thicker foam to the seat and a new cover. Mechanics had already replaced tyres for Pirelli City Demon, and fitted brand new forks, and I already popped on flipped clubmans, new levers, new indicators, bar end mirrors etc.
Over the weeks I sorted:
350mm Hagon rear shocks (replacing 310mm oem)
New exhaust gasket (after new exhaust a few weeks back)
Massive overhaul on the Mikuni carb - new diaphragm, new top plate and spring, new choke assembly, new idle screw, etc - I bought a NOS Mikuni CV to cannibalise to rebuild the original
HiFloFiltro air filter
HiFloFiltro oil filter, fresh oil
Removed top case of engine, sealant to fix oil leak
New carb-engine gasket, o-rings where missing, new fuel line (thanks E5)
IN valve tappet clearance
New tacho cable
New sidelight bulb
Tightened side stand with a thicker washer to reduce suicide a little.
ProGrip 714’s
Plus some other bits like chain slack, lots of rattlecan action to tidy up surface rust.
Got it MOT’d this morning and it passed without any issues. Only advisory was for solo rider only, as I’d removed the pillion pegs, grab bar, and flattened the seat. Tester even complimented how smooth it was running, that normally they have much more rattle from the tappets.
Must say, after doing all that stuff with the air filter, carb and engine it certainly cleared up the running issues. No bogging, no sputtering, no high idle or hanging and very rare idle drop/stall issues. Been really bullying it into corners, pinning it into the red before shifting, and getting the most out of the tyres and the engine. Feel quite confident leaning it hard as necessary. It’ll sit at 60mph on the flat, even creep over that at times, so now 50mph cruise is easy on anything but an incline, and lots of throttle left when leaning tight around roundabouts.
Fingers crossed I can sort the last of the niggles and tidy-ups, pass Mod2, and let someone else benefit from my hard work in return for cash toward a big boy bike.
For sure I’ll miss the 85mpg, though.