Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

I went to the Britsih Super Bikes at Brands on Sunday. Fsking terrifying to watch. Walked all round the circuit but watching from the start of what's laughingly called the straight was the best spot I think. As they accelerate off clearways and disappear away from you up the hill for the first time it looks like they're just barely keeping the thing on the ground let alone the track. Whole new perspective and level of respect.

They're usually a bit slow to reply! Fair play though.

FYI: The baffle's held in with one crappy little screw, it kept rattling loose, so I riveted it. However due to the temp changes and the shaking, a single rivet shook loose, so I drilled another couple of holes and riveted the baffle in three ways; solid as a rock. However I think a small piece of flash go in the expansion pipe.

That small pipe is designed to be removed for de-coking the, hence the little screw.
I do have no need of the Polini, but I think the ET3 pipe is better. It's just a total pain in the arse when you need to remove the wheel.

Is my scooter finished yet, Ben?
I keep seeing all these lovely 50 specials, ET3s and Ape pickups in Sorrento and feeling wistful.

Hope to start the engine today, you're cabled up and nearly ready to rock. Do you want to come to the dyno or just leave it to us? Presume you want us get it MOT'd right?

Saw this in Palermo. It looked embarrassed at having it's picture taken in this state.

Actually probs posted that a million times in this thread alone. Please disregard.

At the risk of sounding mega-boring, a Honda, all the way, if you just want reliable transport. I have a bad feeling the finish quality has gone down hill recently, but usual maintenance should keep them looking ok.

Thanks for that. Been looking around, and it looks like a 1998 Piaggio Liberty 50cc 2T is the choice. Cheap and cheerful. Hopefully no problems with it n viewing tomorrow.

Everyone in Italy seems to be rolling on these big wheeled scooters now. Not very stylish of course but they are versatile. (Piaggio Zips are really tiny. I did a CBT on one years ago and my knees were almost past the leg shield.)
I'd go for a 125 if you can. 50s are very slow and unless you got your licence before 2001 you still need to pass a CBT, so you might as well take advantage of it.

Everyone in Italy seems to be rolling on these big wheeled scooters now. Not very stylish of course but they are versatile. (Piaggio Zips are really tiny. I did a CBT on one years ago and my knees were almost past the leg shield.)
I'd go for a 125 if you can. 50s are very slow and unless you got your licence before 2001 you still need to pass a CBT, so you might as well take advantage of it.

I had a look at the bike. Unfortunately it was just in bad shape.

The seat lock was broken, indicators were faint to a point that after 1 metre you couldn't tell.
Rust or corrosion everywhere including extreme discolouration and scratches.
Front mudguard was cut down, I assume because it had a crack previously.

I am actually banned by my girlfriend to get anything bigger you see. She didn't want me to do a bike test at all. I convinced her by making a promise. I said that if I had a crash, I would not ride a bike again.
As a man of my word, I have kept it.... Until now! I told her that a moped can only do 30 MPH like my bicycle so it's a good idea for me to visit her/get to work and save money on trains/cabs. (Optimistic, very, very LOL)

Oh and the new promise to letting me get a 50 cc, I must take driving lessons. I have never driven a car properly before ever. Yep, I am thingy whipped as they say!

I had a Kwak 636 B1H.

Until..

Because some idiot woman didn't see me and cut me up on Amhurst Road at the junction to downs park I believe.

Jeffing hell - what came off worse you or the bike?

I would say I came off very lightly.

Small fracture in my left hand.
Slight left knee injury to a ligament which I have pretty much lived with and still causes pain now.
Muscle pains on my shoulder and back. Recovered now.
The crash was a while a go, Dec 2011.

If you're only allowed to get a 50 I'd look at a Vespa ET2 or LX50, for the reasons that they are tough and reliable, good to ride, and there are thousands of them on the market at any given time, so you can shop around until you find a good one.

Now then, I've been to see Inchpincher today. My ET3 is all coming together very nicely...

Dat zorst!

Sounds fruity. Lots of smoke at the moment though.
And I really do think it needs the headlight rim on it.

Was having some trouble with my bike and a fellow fomunger on zxrworld traveled 85 miles (+ the return leg) to lend a hand, which not only restored my faith in humanity, but was seriously helpful and knowledgeable too.

We did various test to the carbs and balanced them, but notably ruled out the cam chain, and got half way through the dreaded shims.

I thought Phillip Schofield's contestants on The Cube had a hard time, but getting the shims in/out was challenging enough for me.

Gasketed in to minimise getting oil on the plugs

Cleaned up a bit

New shim installed and all the valve clearances within the required distance, so very happy. Now that the bikes all back together it's a lot more eager to start, it may be down to turning out the pilot air screws a quarter too, but it inspires much more confidence than before. There is still and bit of tapping from what sounds like the valves but I can certainly live with that.

If you're only allowed to get a 50 I'd look at a Vespa ET2 or LX50, for the reasons that they are tough and reliable, good to ride, and there are thousands of them on the market at any given time, so you can shop around until you find a good one.

Now then, I've been to see Inchpincher today. My ET3 is all coming together very nicely...

Looks pretty good. My mechanic who sells scooters is getting a Piaggio Zip in. What do you think of those?

They are OK scooters, but very tiny.

I shall have a look when it comes in then. I am not that tall at 5 foot 8 but pretty heavy at 96KG. Yes I am heavy :s

If you're only allowed to get a 50 I'd look at a Vespa ET2 or LX50, for the reasons that they are tough and reliable, good to ride, and there are thousands of them on the market at any given time, so you can shop around until you find a good one.

Now then, I've been to see Inchpincher today. My ET3 is all coming together very nicely...

I don't even like scooters BlueQuinn but this is seriously lush!

I agree it looks in great condition. What year is that model? I do like the look of Vespa's but they are more expensive than Zip's and I am on a budget ATM.

Was having some trouble with my bike and a fellow fomunger on zxrworld traveled 85 miles (+ the return leg) to lend a hand, which not only restored my faith in humanity, but was seriously helpful and knowledgeable too.

We did various test to the carbs and balanced them, but notably ruled out the cam chain, and got half way through the dreaded shims.

I thought Phillip Schofield's contestants on The Cube had a hard time, but getting the shims in/out was challenging enough for me.

Gasketed in to minimise getting oil on the plugs

Cleaned up a bit

New shim installed and all the valve clearances within the required distance, so very happy. Now that the bikes all back together it's a lot more eager to start, it may be down to turning out the pilot air screws a quarter too, but it inspires much more confidence than before. There is still and bit of tapping from what sounds like the valves but I can certainly live with that.

Is there a way of doing the shim without taking the cams out?

Certainly, I probably wouldn't have even conceived the notion of changing the shims if it meant taking the cams out. Looking in my manual it does say you should, but with a screw driver and a strategic tap you can release the rocker arms enough to change the shims, then just release them snapping them back. Granted the inlets are harder to do as they are slightly more hidden though.

Is there a guide on ZXRworld?

PM'd

Sold my Superdream (super nightmare) last night, just waiting for the new shock to arrive at the shop for this then I get to play with it!