Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Made the deposit on the Duc this evening, signing purchase agreement on Wednesday and then wait for another 2 weeks whilst the dealer does the Desmo service / fork service /oil and filter service / paperwork. Pick up scheduled around the 10th of June by the looks of it.

Should be getting my gear later this week. Time to run around the house like a power ranger until actual bike arrives.

I rode from Louth to Grimsby wearing new Crowtree leathers on a crappy mountain bike to break them in for a race the following weekend. The guard on the train back to London had to pull me out of them. He let me sit in 1st class and sent me a free drink for being stupid. Follies of youth...

I just got a road and gravel bike.....even more challenging!

Do that gravel hill

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I used to ride to the south of France to the ex in-laws every year. One year I went canoeing the day before riding back and got sunburn on my knees. I could get into my one-piece leathers ok, but as soon as I bent my knees on my 748 it was utter agony.

I had something similar whilst using shinprotectors in Chamonix on my DH bike. Quite painful haha!

I really need me some knee pads for the mtb. I now have the fear.

Anyone else had that combination of tight trousers and high rearsets where your legs go dead? Hate that.

Finally figured out why my old bike runs bad occasionally, giving symptoms of lean AND rich seconds apart from each other....

1) Someone previous has changed carbs to another of same make and model, but different variant which had a vacuum pet cock on it, found this really early one, blocked it, but then found internally with the carb today that the spring thats mean't to keep its little flap shut was broken. So depending on load its been pulling vacuum down on the cv bellows on one carb, roll on throttle slow = no problem, jump on it = behaves like shit.

2) Both emulsion tubes worn, some holes too big from wear, main bore down the centre ovalised and then a pile of gritty congealed old fuel jammed near the base.

3) Needles worn (changed them a few years ago, but think the worn emulsion tubes have really made them wear fast).

4) Had altered needle height severely myself to try and get it leaner (as always running rich).

5) valve clearances way off on one exhaust valve, cam lobe is potentially keeping it open as zero clearance in it. The other exhaust valve is perfect though. Both inlets are slightly tight, only just off bottom of spec.

6) blown out gasket between manifold and rear pipe.

Will see what happens when I put it all back together with all new bits. Graphite doughnut for exhaust cost a fortune and had to import from Germany FML. Japanese carb rebuild kits surprisingly not that bad price wise via Canadian ebay seller, quality of them feel really nice.

All the bleeding time. I think I've hit the sweet spot with this current suit though.

Speaking of which, what did you use to dye that suit? Mine is black and white and it could do with a refresh.

https://www.pinkbike.com/video/536926/

Best enjoyed with a pair of decent headphones and volume at 10.

Without the dB killer you can literally feel it in your stomach standing next to it, fantastic.

Signed the contract this evening, now need to wait a bit as they're busy and the entire service still needs to be done. Plan is June 15th for pick up.

Brilliant! Sounds fantastic too

Hmm. Seems a bit quiet. Sure anyone will hear you manoeuvre?

Busa, bro

Https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0KdYHUh78pI

Now the anxious wait for the delivery van. My advise, if it's possible, is to try and forget about it otherwise it'll feel like eternity. Very excited for you buddy.

Damn, that wait would kill me! Congratulations dude, that's a mega bike!

Cheers lads, much appreciated.

The wait doesn’t bother me much to be honest. Absolutely slammed at work atm.

I still have to figure out which led bulbs to get for the front end. I know it’s H11 but I’m looking for something without any additional ballast. I also found out the led tail light I ordered isn’t allowed here in Italy as the indicators are not far enough apart. So I guess I’ll end up with some led indicators instead and leave the tail light as is for now.

Found these which I like;

https://vimeo.com/303005697

Aha didn't know you were in Italy - lucky fellow! Whereabouts?

Must be a thrill to ride in terms of speed and all but it’s sooooo boring / fugly to see imo.

Vicenza area, Veneto region.

Cracking twisties on the doorstep! I really miss riding in Italy.

It’s a really nice region imo. I will most definitely take it for a spin in the Dolomites this summer.

idiot alert
My bike has a puncture, what size tube do I need?

tyre says: 130/80 17, i must confess, i don't know what they mean (130 is Width? 80 no clue / 17 inch wheel?)

(yes it is tubed, wheels are spoked and not tubeless friendly)

Something like this? Or maybe its UHD cousin

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Yeahhhh boiiiiii.

Man, I’m really psyched for you. Played it on some decent speakers and you can feel the punchy rumble thumping through your body. I can almost anticipate what cosmos ripping rumble it’ll make through the hills when it reaches 10k.

Happy for you man.
It’s summer though, so how urgently do you need the lights conversion? Are the lights THAT bad?