Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

^ For example, here's a pretty looking GS750 their engines were built on needle rollers so they're virtually indestructible. I had one for a while but years and years ago, I once rode it from London to Donnington with little to no oil in the sump (found out later) and it never missed a beat:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/suzuki-gs750-not-gs1000-/120854452607?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item1c237c997f#ht_500wt_934

Thanks BQ, the triumph looks a lot slimmer which I'd prefer for filtering. How's that et3 of yours btw, got it on the road? (it's Ben - Regals brother who has the workshop with Trevor @ Project 13)

Oh Hi Ben!

Yeah, it's still sitting there getting no love.
I still mean to send it over to you and get it restored. I even bought one of those wicked SIP digital speedos for it.
Shortly after speaking to you and Trev my girlfriend and I got married, which hoovered up the scooter money, so I have to save some up again :-)

Idle fantasizing (idle 'cos I'm broke), never had a new bike, hmmmm, thoughts:

Triumph Bonneville?
Moto guzzi V7 classic?
Kawasaki W800?

Hmmmmmmm?

I wouldn't bother with the Kawasaki because it's too vintage in execution as well as look, and if you're going down that route why not get a real old Brit classic?

You know I love the Thruxton but sometimes wonder if I'd prefer the more upright riding style of the Bonnie. They are a quite a heavy machine.

I love Guzzis and really must try a V7. They are smaller bikes, and much less powerful, but lighter too, and the look and sound ace. No idea about reliability but my colleague has a couple of 850s that he says have never gone wrong.

^ For example, here's a pretty looking GS750 their engines were built on needle rollers so they're virtually indestructible. I had one for a while but years and years ago, I once rode it from London to Donnington with little to no oil in the sump (found out later) and it never missed a beat:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/suzuki-gs750-not-gs1000-/120854452607?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item1c237c997f#ht_500wt_934

That's nice. Apart from that horrid tail-light.

I already have a 79 Beemer which is (very) slowly getting back together. I may never act on it, but the notion of something actually like brand new was tempting.

Thoughts so far, new bonnies with reverse cone megas top of the list. I love guzzis and have had 3 in the past but it's softer tuned than the others. Kawasaki have always been my favourites of the big four, but I agree there is a bit too much faux about it.

Could also throw a ducati monster into the mix.

Or if price wasn't an issue (yeah right!) guzzi grizzo.

I have a Griso.

It's fucking awesome.

That is all.

Bad Science, you're not Ben Goldacre, are you?

Sadly not, I might get girls if I was.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaDBET0oij8&feature=related

The film that made me want a bike.

are you going to be doing many imaginary miles on your imaginary bike?

I'm constantly deciding what new-ish bike to buy were it not for the fact i hardly use the one I have - i had to change the fuel as it had gone off a couple of weeks ago. I think i'd have either a griso (I liked that cafe racer one that was kicking around on the blogs a few months ago), a thruxton with all the excess bits stripped off or a ducati hypermotard. I know it's the moterised equivalent of a bmx but i really want one of those hypermotards. Sat on one at the bike show a couple of years back and it feels like you are sitting on the front wheel, your head is pretty much over the front mudguard. Got to be in black with termi cans. Every time i see one i want it, i'd advise you to buy one of those in your dream.

B.

Good question, I cycle everywhere partially by choice and preferance and also as it seems to be the only way I've found to combat the effects of eating all the pies. My imaginary bike will likely therefore do minimal miles, but as with the beemer I have, to me it's psychologically important that it exists.

Make sense? No?...

Hi, I need some advice.

My bike (derbi Mulhacen 125) got knocked over when parked and has suffered damage to the right side.

The main parts are;

1) the throttle (? the twist grip part you accelerate with),
2) probably the handle bars, and
3) the aluminium front brake lever (as in the actual lever has snapped)

Just to explain the throttle and the bars. The twist grip doesn’t twist without force and won’t spring back when decelerating. I think the bars are slightly bent which is stopping me from removing the throttle. The bottom of the grip has a lip which is also hampering me removing it.

The place in Camden I’d go to to get it fixed no longer does Derbi’s. I’m a bit tight for money so I’m thinking about doing the work myself....

...so the question is, how hard can it be?

I’m ok on my bicycle stuff and I can get access to household tools, but I don’t have motorbike specific tools.

Also what about cost?

I found this website which seems to stock parts. http://www.derbimotorcyclespares.co.uk/spares/epc2.asp?PageiD=06&modelID=2083&m=MULHACEN+125+4T+E3++2007-09+HANDLEBAR&uID=0

So I think I need parts 2) and 6) definitely. The handle bars are a maybe, and I’d guess I could buy any old ones? So +£50 min. Anyway's to reduce cost?

Lots of thoughts and input needed and appreciated.

Cheers.

ps I'm having trouble uploading photo's but will try and post a pic.

I would take it all apart and have a look, I would be very surprised if you need a new throttle assembly, reinstalling it will probably sort it out. It has had a knock and has probably moved and the grip is tight against it, or something silly.
The lever blade should be available from any shop and it would be a case of removing the one pivot bolt and the adjuster. As the bars are steel, if not excessively bent I would leave or maybe try and bend them back.

Cheers. Thats really helpful.

I'm going to try and take a proper photo tomorrow morning.

You're right I think a part of the grip has sort of folded under so I can't get it off. I *think *that the bar is very slightly bent under the grip which may be another reason why I'm struggling to get it off. You can kind of just see it on the underside of the bar end.

Have you removed the bar end weight to see if the throttle turns? That photo is doing funny things to my head, but it doesn't look too serious. You could use the brake lever until the MOT, which it wouldn't pass, and the throttle tube could be persuaded back to the right shape with a file/emery cloth.

I wouldn't bother with the Kawasaki because it's too vintage in execution as well as look, and if you're going down that route why not get a real old Brit classic?

You know I love the Thruxton but sometimes wonder if I'd prefer the more upright riding style of the Bonnie. They are a quite a heavy machine.

I love Guzzis and really must try a V7. They are smaller bikes, and much less powerful, but lighter too, and the look and sound ace. No idea about reliability but my colleague has a couple of 850s that he says have never gone wrong.

I looked at all three bikes last year and opted for the Kawasaki - The Guzzi is far more "vintage in execution" and I was not too impressed with build quality of the Bonnie. The Kwaka is a great bike to ride, a lot of torque at fairly low revs - pulls away nicely in any gear. Really pleased with it. Having said that, the new improved 2012 Guzzi v7, in particular the "storm" model would make the decision more difficult if I was making it now.

Interesting. My Thruxton is 5 years old now and lives outside in the rain, and it still looks brand new when it's clean Nothing has ever gone wrong on it either. Mind you it is made in England. The later ones may be made in Thailand which may account for a perceived lack of quality.

By vintage I meant pushrods and rockers, etc.
They do look nice, but so much like an old BSA I would just go for the real thing.

The good thing about the Trumpets and Guzzis is you get old bike looks with new bike ease of ownership.

I must admit, I've seen your Thruxton earlier in the thread - great looking bike. The engine on the Kwaka is my favourite bit. Chrome plated bevel drive linked to overhead cam - tis bootiful. My statement on build quality was bound to bite me on the arse - I got the bike out of garage this morning, first time since weather took a turn - had a look under the lovely chrome mudguards and noticed little rust spots - only had bike four months, with hindsight I should have sprayed everything with ACF50, which I've now done, but new to the motorbike game.

hugo7 as 36X18 hinted at I'd say the impact has jammed your bar-end into your handlebar (even if only by 1mm or 2) thus restricting your throttle movement. Take it out and see how the throttle action is without it before popping it back in. Your lever although broken is ride-able. File / smooth the rough edges down so it doesn't cut into your hands / gloves and look for a pattern part as a replacement (much cheaper, often just as good). Someone like M&P accessories or similar.

Sorry if repost...

Rode Safely Victor Horsman Liverpool 1955 - YouTube
#![URL="http://youtu.be/gUxRmDHeE44"][/URL
]

Latest creation from the Spirit Of The Seventies boys

i'm not convinced by spirit of the seventies. Can't quite work out why but there's something a bit off about their stuff for me. Mind you, I have issues with all kinds of arbitary objects and designers so as you were.

B.

I really like most of their bikes, although if I had a new Triumph and a few grand to spend on modifications I'd currently go for this, hands down:

http://vimeo.com/14754222