Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Anyway, let's talk late night biker cafes in London with good coffee. I used to go to Bar Italia off Old Compton Street, but the coffee's shit these days. Or maybe I'm a coffee snob. Probably the latter.

There used to be rows of bikes parked there. Some rich persons' Harleys, presumably part of the gay crowd. And some OTT sports bikes with Ohlins everywhere and a letterbox plate. Probably ridden there at 100+ from some shithole on the A11. (I have to make assumptions because I don't talk to random bikers. Unless they're women.)

I tried somewhere new tonight, a place called Shot, off Berkeley Square. £4.80 for an espresso, which is reasonable, given their overheads. Open til 12 every night. It was all ultra luxe, with flames outside, catering to the arabs-with-Lambos crowd. All the customers and staff looked Middle Eastern. I was surprised to be let in. I think they were stunned that I even wanted to. Very friendly, and really good coffee, with a big choice of single origin beans. I think I'll go again. But there'll never be a row of bikes outside. More likely to be double-parked Rollers.

Sounds like a tough situation.

Do you think the recent damage is bored “fuck you, just cos” kind of damage, or actual attempted theft damage?

I’d certainly opt for a second chain that helps keep the bike upright. If you can’t stop them trying, at least stop them kicking it over.

I've always thought they were thief-proof

I thought the same about my kwaker gt550 but it still went. Was being used by the local dealers when I found it. I’d go for an extra lock as a visible deterrent.
If it’s a k series can you not just pop the mirror indicator pods off and take them indoors?(the ones on my work k1100rs were always falling off!

I think the most likely explanation is a thief checking it out. It wasn't knocked over. And he didn't try to steal it. He would have seen the big expensive lock and chain and wondered what the bike was. He didn't mean to knock the mirror off, it's easily done when pulling at the cover. Sensible owners add bits of string to stop the mirrors falling on the ground. I did that the other day, 3 years late but it will probably still save me lots of money by preventing the smashing or loss of the mirror housings. They're the same height as car mirrors and they don't fold. Surprising that i still have them.

Ah, we cross-posted! I don't like popping the mirrors back on, it takes so much force, and they end up all wobbly.

Yes I eventually had the ones on mine fitted with little cables so they weren’t smashed all the time :) aside from that the rs was a great bike. I bought a k1100rt years later and strangely that was the worst bike I ever owned and nearly put me off bikes forever,

Do you have anything noisy on there? I use a disc alarm lock up front for the purpose of being a noisy inconvenience.

The 19mm chain through the ground anchor is for security, the cover is so my arse doesn’t get too wet in the morning. The tracker is just for recovery, OK I’m in a lower crime area with a front drive but still London (technically).

I'd say some kind of bell would be more useful than a disc alarm. We're desensitised to alarms ringing, but an annoying bell? That will wake the dead.

Need to be rid of this now. Fresh MOT, V5 and recent service.

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Well. Longest trip this year, since retrieving it from storage, was taking it back to winter storage today. :/

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What’s the pack on the back of the v50?

Just a drybag strapped on with bicycle innertubes. :)

They’re a lovely pair of small blocks.

Thanks.

Before splashing on a pair of TCX Drifter boots;
Does any one know of an alternative with a similar style, but maybe a shorter shaft? Or otherwise toned down a bit?
I love the look, but they are very overkill for my kind of riding.

Forma Adventure?
The do a short version

Alpinestar Corozal might be a little cheaper.

In other news, might have made some custom CBR600F3 embroidered patches this morning…

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Lovely. You have a machine to do this?

Superb. Can you do me one which says Loud Pipes Are For Paedos ? I want to go on the offensive.

£160 spent on a second sold secure gold lock and chain. I hope nobody takes a grinder to my neighbour's fence.

@Airhead @nick_h. Gotta wait a while until I’m set up and ready for requests. But. Yes. To both questions.

Designed a DR350 one based on the OE graphics.

Still making tests, and working out what frays etc.

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PM fam

This felting material is already looking a better candidate.

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Felting stuff melts on the edges better too.

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