Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Must resist. Still months away from lockdown end and a full license anyway. Bloody lockdown.

All the byway fun has me looking for a lower capacity (lower than 650 anyway) dual sport/enduro/supermoto for better green laning. Gone off a fully fledged weapon.

My last ride ended in a head-on with a car coming the other way overtaking without seeing me.

Touch wood I've only had a couple of small offs, but often I get chatting to someone who has a similar story. It always helps to be reminded what can happen and to slow down.

Been thinking about an RSV4 RF or 1198s as a next bike and my head says Aprilia but my heart says Ducati.

Pics don't do it justice. I went down to a workshop somewhere down whitechapel ways and a 1100s was sitting there. It's a well balanced machine and even the front has grown on me. It's got good lines and once moving, it just looks right.
I think bikes look shit sitting still anyway.

@lynx Just missed out on one with immaculate history, regular belt and timing change, no clock or tank issues, Merchesini wheels and freshly rebuilt bouncy bits.
Just can't justify it at the moment.

Talking of Ducati 7.5s enjoying this little series.

https://youtu.be/dFHeZKPZwlI

Vertical filming..............

And surprisingly it's still watchable. Fair comment is fair though, think he sorted is out by episode 3.

Yep, surprisingly. Got halfway through 3 and lost concentration. Will continue tomorrow.

If I had a garage/shed/garden, I'd be 4 bikes deep now.

The triple 8 is a thing of beauty that could get me back on a bike

An SP5 rep of course

I know I’ve probably said this about a million times on here but I was stood, sweaty cash in pocket, in Frontiers on Wimbledon chase ready to buy an SP5. Eventually left in a huff as they completely ignored me. Bought a year old TL1000s instead. 1998!

Which is to say I love those bikes. SP4/5 in particular - proper 125hp old school twin Wallop.

Another daft idea sorted. Neoprene stanchion covers, made from an old wetsuit.

I was getting too much dirt on them going over the byways. Should do the trick.

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It is one of those did you make a good decision or not. But you definitely had fun.

Isn’t that going to hold water and fuck them right up?

Don't worry about belt changes, we can do it together. As it is really easy.

Should get on with fixing or getting rid of my collection of broken bikes.

Ah I don't really regret it, I would have destroyed the Duke with the things I did back then. And I absolutely LOVED my TL. 125 dyno verified donkeys and a fat old powerband at 6k. That bike was a true partner in crime, I shed a tear when I eventually sold it.

It’s only for the dry to keep the shit off until I can find some correct size gaiters.

Another project series if lockdown is getting you down

https://youtu.be/M7CfKLeO_zA

Amazing. I've got a notification open on a few websites to see if one crops up. Looks like a fun bike to work on.

What have you got in the two wheeled pile?

Always wanted a TL, then I wanted a cagiva x raptor as I think that is the best looking frame for the engine.

Rode a few friends 'widow maker' tl and it really was utter rubbish. Still say properly set up static sag and chain and it really was a fun bike. The the fireblade went from widow maker to tourer.

The guy with the two Ducatis in my garage has a desmosedici too. Trying to persuade him to import it, there’s enough room...

Mine was a 97, so original 'widow-maker.' All that was bollocks really, it was just a lot lighter and faster than anyone expected and the response of the EFI more immediate. I fitted a hyperpro damper and sticky tyres and it lapped it up. Bumpy roads you had to dial things back a bit but still managed knee down, peg down at the wrong end of 4th gear on the street. It makes me queasy thinking about some of the imbecilic fuckwittery I got up to on that bike without it missing a beat.

The only genuinely sketchy thing it did was intermittently go on to one cylinder whenever it rained. Let's say it was better if you were pointed in a straight line when it went back on to two.

Persuade harder. Then I'll happily pay a fee to come and stare at it.

Just watched this on Prime (not sure where it’s free, Vimeo probably). A very nice 35 mins on flat track racing.

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