Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Yeah I noticed those. That would be a pain to set up as I don't have facilities to plug a soldering iron in. Might revamp the whole setup to LED's and just replace the relay.

Need a place to do some soldering?

You any where near N1?

Just buy some cheap bulb ones, save yourself the headache.

Ohhhh, risky offer that I humbly thank you for. Already having ideas about Shock and spring swaps....Shoulda known this tinkering marlarky is a communicable disease from cycling.

@TM Yup, just got some decent sealed ones for peace of mind.

Till the itch returns....

This MT-07 seems like a good deal:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-MT07-/252466360534?

It would nicely replace my '04 beater 600 Bandit.

Maybe too nice for London use...

first proper ride on the Speedy on Saturday to put some miles on so I can get first service in and accessories fitted - full leathers, touched 114mph briefly on dualler - sat at 85-90 for most of it - effortless - track mode is totally balls out.......

New chain and sprockets are a doddle to install, she just yanks away now! Next up, bleeding the brakes. Not exactly...inspiring despite braided hoses. These bleed pretty much like Shimano hydros from about 5-6 years ago.
Any recommendations for all rounder tyres? Conti Road attacks have cropped up a few times.

I'd go with a road sport tyre - they last a ton longer these days and are much more fun to ride. I've had Dunlop Sportmax Q3s which I liked - they really are hard in the middle at the back but are grippy enough otherwise for substantial abuse, warm up very quickly too.

Pirelli Rosso Corsas were also good a couple of years back.

I recommend changing tyres every 18 months whether they need it or not - best handling improvement you can get for your bike.

Just ordered a pair of Pirelli Supercorsas (soft front / medium rear) to try next.

What's your mini tour baggage set up?
Picture courtesy of @psy

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I'm really interested in adding luggage to my Bonneville. Unfortunately they don't make black pannier racks. #gothproblems

I've been blind/lazy and didn't realise my scottoiler had run out of oil, so my chain looks pretty grim and covered in surface rust. Is it worth trying to revive it or should I just get a new chain fitted when I get my forks serviced soonish?

Powdercoat?

Clean with oil and a brush, tooth brush the rust will clean off.

Hammerite?

o-rings aren't likely to be knackered?

Probably not. Clean it lube it and run it for a bit - if it stretches quick, new chain time. New, high quality O ring chains seem to suck up and extraordinary amount of abuse.

Good to know! Will get scrubbing.

My ten quod eBay "made in Japan" brand China chain has almost totally binned it after 2 weeks amd 800 miles. Junk

coolant question

My coolant is low so I want to top it up. What do I use?

Given the ages of the bike and how much I'm using it at the moment I was planning on following this YouTube guide and replacing it.
https://youtu.be/j4EBL7Hh3p8

However I won't be able to get around to doing that for a week or so. Hence wanting an interim solution.

Cheers.

It's summer so water would do it. I assume it's an older model as you mention age.

2010 - so not ancient by any means, but still 6 yo. What is the importance of its age?

I was thinking of using either regular pre-mix coolant from halfords or distilled / deionised water with a bit of antifreeze.

Wouldn't be fussed about antifreeze in an interim top up.
Unless you are not in the south east of England, I can't see it dropping below zero in London any day soon.

MCN this week has a mid season service schedule, mentioned using water and vinegar to clean out the gunk if your coolant is off colour when you drain it.

Cheers.

That ^ video also mentions a vinegar solution. Seems cheaper than the £6.99 for the RadFlush product in front of me in halfords.

... Still can't seem to find out what to actually replace the fluid with when I do change it.

Pre-mix coolant though if it's not overheating, I wouldn't bother. It is worth running a caustic flush through if you do though.

Only my front tyre arrived, frustrating my plans for a weekends twattery....ah well.

I've been perusing Ebay for some suspension upgrades....I really like my bike again now with the flat bars and the only thing that really lets it down are the suspenders (front brakes could bite a bit harder too...) I'm seriously tempted to buy some second hand gold bits and spend some proper time setting it up. Cartridge kit in the front, Ohlins rear with correct spring weights, maybe a bit more rear ride height, solid rearsets and maybe the Brembos off a later GSXR that bolt straight up and it could be a real weapon.

The only thing putting me off is that it already has 40k on the motor - runs like a top but still...

The reason I mentioned age is some of the newer coolant systems need specialised additives. Usually high performance stuff in cars though.