Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Was it you who a while back posted here about Black Widow exhausts?
They're looking attractive at £200 or just less.

Anyone retrofitted HIDs?

Yep. It's been utterly fantastic. Currently live by the sea and they haven't seen an iota of corrosion either on pipe or fixtures.
Someone tried to steal it and failed but they got away with the wrap band and the baffle. The company sent me new ones for free.
So even though I forgot to install the band again,the pipe hasn't moved a mm.

Anyone want to buy a Vespa GTS 125 in silver, great nick, just passed MOT? thought it was best to ask on here first before putting on Gumtree

No doubt. The bird is 250kg or more. You wouldn’t know when it’s moving. Especially with the weight so low.

The smt was 190kg and was great for it.

I'm a fan of lighter bikes in general. Makes for less exhausting work over time. I noticed braking was harder work as well on a heavier bike.

Saying all this actually. I'm really curious about the KTM adventure stuff now I've had a go on one of these.

Sounds fabulous - I had a go on the last of the aircooled multistradas and it was a great bike. Seeing the race ones getting pasted up Pikes Peak by Carlin Dunne is an eye opener too.

I'm with you on the light though. I want my next street bike to weigh no more than 170kg. I find the more weight, the less feel through the tyres. And the greater the yardsale action if you get it wrong... :)

Yeah I’d take a 1290 super adventure.

That said if they do a 790 adventure I’ll have one.

You know, if money starts growing on the tree in my garden.

Yeah, the price they're going for is basically round the world trip monies. Fuckers don't depreciate much either do they?

@Jung Yeah exactly that. I got back on my bike afterwards and it felt like a plastic toy. A very painful and angry plastic toy.

Better depreciation than a GS.

..and seemingly way more reliable. Way out of my budget though; so reckon I'll start hunting for an Africa Twin.

If this ends up a chunk cheaper than the KTM, could be a right winner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-4_rYHMg2w

Practical farkle for the Triumph.

Feels pretty beef. I've got some Hylomar blue on order which I'll add when it comes, but in the meantime I'll just lube with some oil.

Battery is holding charge on the minder. So crossing my fingers I can get the stupid Triumph oil filler cap off with a big screwdriver I found then get her running. I'm taking a selection of coins and some grips just in case though.

1 Attachment

Does that mean the t7 is happening/ finished/ maybe can buy soon? It's years late to market, but hoping it's the perfect answer. Not terrible weight, good off road skills, not unbearable on road, luggage capacity, efficient (55-65mpg and a 18-20litre uaableb tank please) and not cost KTM money. Yes please thank you

He is absolutely shredding that thing! Which for a change, looks like it's a bike that's comfortable in it's element as opposed to behemoths like the Tiger/GS. I don't mind those bikes, but fuck me sideways, how much shit can you possibly need to carry on an already heavy bike?
Light/nippy/fun/fixable with a roll of electrical tape.

Gents, we are in accord. Hopefully for once, it actually stays true to the prototype. 12" of suspension, proper metal bash plate, bark busters etc. If they suddenly crap it and stick anything less than a 21" wheel on I'll scream.

I don't really get the point of the massive ADV bikes - they're the range rovers of the bike world. Not for me.

Been looking through my RSV manual and surprised to see is says warming the bike on the sidestand is a no no, but rather just start riding. Is the logic here it can overheat without airflow to the radiator? Good for the neighbors mind.

It's probably something to do with oiling a bearing while the bikes leant over. Nowt to do with overheating.

I've never really bothered warming up modern 4 strokes. Just ride gently for 5 minutes.

I've never really bothered warming up modern 4 strokes. Just ride gently for 5 minutes.

That makes sense. Will continue doing the same in that case.

My Suzuki was good to go on the button from cold, the Kawasaki is down on power for about 20 seconds but then runs fine so I just start it while I take the lock off

Update on getting my scrambler back on the road....

Even with a tool I couldn't get the oil filter off! Going to have to get some proper grips and maybe drill it. Fuck the idiot who did it up so tight last time!

Bike wouldn't start:

• engine mgmt lights all came on
  
• clicking from starter motor, but wouldn't come on turnover.
  
  

Stupidly I didn't leave the battery on the minder all day in the office like I meant to... Or take a multi meter with me. So I can't really diagnose whether the battery was the issue.

A multi meter reading this morning was just under 10. Internet says the EFI needs a fair bit of power to start and the OG battery is not great anyway.

Forum thoughts?

Going to do some reading of my Haynes at lunchtime.

1 Attachment

9.92 volts is no good. You could try leaving it on the minder/optimser for 24hrs first, but even if you recover the battery, the chances are that it won't last long especially going into Winter. My hunch is that this should sort it ...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Yuasa-YTX12-BS-Motorbike-Motorcycle-Battery-Inc-Free-Yuasa-Biker-Snood/300951187183?epid=574132772&hash=item461216aeef:g:VM8AAOxyXDhSe3sh:rk:11:pf:0

Bang a big screwdriver through the oil filter and wind it off? I've only had one fall apart with this method but it was easy enough to pick it out of the threads once it was shredded. I honestly thought that was how everyone did it without a wrench. If you are a bit posh you might want to wear some marigolds!

Good suggestion.

Just need to get a 2nd oil pan/similar to grab the fresh oil.

It's just such a fucking PITA finding the time and planning the logistics, not to mention doing it in the dark with a torch and car headlights. I'm wondering if I could cheekily move my insurance from the lockup to my house, then call my free breakdown recovery on my insurance to transport the bike back to my house.

Had one recently that had a huge hex fitting, 32mm ISH. Snapped off trying to undo it. Ended up using 3 separate big screwdriver poked through it to get It to come off. Fell apart into that many pieces had to take exhaust manifold off and cut the last pieces off the oil pump with a Dremel. Was genuine vw part fitted by a VW indie with a 4' breaker bar obviously!