What have you done with your V-Strom today?

[nigel s]

Waving the empty one while NOT mentioning the war will work too

Ho hum

[nigel s]

A cross country scuttle up to Hunstsanton on this glorious morning ( at least here it was )
The teen in the dustbin exhausted VW Polo going up was a source of amusement, I could hear him from 5 cars back.
I made my way to up behind him bopping past the other cages and he decided he wanted to play then
I followed and kept back because I got that feeling...we all know the one....and sure enough he nearly overcooked it on a double switchback series of bends.
Fortunately I was turning off just up the road and didn't have to deal with him any more, so held back laughing to myself.
Hunny was indeed sunny, but I didn't stop long, a few bikes on the front.
On the way back I rode into a field for a piss, lid on gloves off , and halfway through....WTF ,is that NOISE.
Look around .. nothing .. look up and two Bi planes were slowly cruising past very low.
I gave a wave with my free hand and got a wing waggle back.  Managed to get the phone out and grab a pic.Probably not the first time they have seen that, sneaky beggars

Ho Hum

[Upt North]

Chain lubed and adjusted, now in Ghent.
I suspect 4000 loaded touring miles has killed the oem chain.
But that's for another day.
All you able to ride we hope you're enjoying it.
70 and full sun here today.
Blummin lovely.
Upt and Er'Indoors.

[Ianmc]

      Quick run down to Huggys this morning,loads of bikes going the opposite way towards the”Run to the Wall” venue.Surprisingly Huggys was chocka,hardly any parking room left.A cuppa and a look around the “For Sale” items on the field.Bought a plastic box for a new impact driver I have,only a quid 👍.One of the best live bands I have ever heard playing rock music using a full size double bass.
     Steady run back to the Donington Park Superbike Factory cafe,a very nice beef and onion panini with a mug of latte for lunch.Then home,surprisingly warm today after the initial 3.5deg.C first thing.

[UK_Vstrom650]

Cleaned the rear brake pistons and the front throttle side - went to do the clutch side and the dust seal poked out 
Did notice a weird judder yesterday so probably a sign of this.
New seals ordered but no riding for me for a week 

[nigel s]

At least the pistons look rust free, that is a plus.

[Sir Trev]

Picked a random place about two hours ride away and ended up in Kidderminster.  I knew it was one end of the Severn Valley Railway heritage line but it turned out this weekend is their Autumn Deisel Gala. Decided not to go for a ride (a day ticket is how much???) but did get some amusement watching the proper enthusiasts get excited as a Class 25 (I had to look it up on Google) set off with lots of other enthusiasts hanging out of every window. They looked really happy so I hope they too had a good day. Lovely day for a ride out on two wheels, got to use my heated grips first thing as it was a tad nippy in The Chilterns, but had to take a layer off at lunchtime as I was overheating. Was nearly collateral damage in some apocalyptic road rage on the brief bit of M40 on my route this morning but that did not take much shine off things. [heads off to see if footage of it is still on the dashcam memory card]

[nigel s]

Autumn winds.....
A run up to Bury ( normaly 120 miles round trip ) turned into a 200 mile b road fest.
Anything to avoid the 30mph road works on the A140.
I like it when you wander about on roads you don't know , then all of a sudden pop out just near the road outside where you want to be ...ahhh that's where that road comes out..
Bloody windy mind , all side winds there and back
Tiring when it is like that, but a good tired.
Talking of tyred...that new tyre will be going on next weekend now, I was just starting to get white lining today.I probably could go another couple of weeks and still be legal but the minor roads I favour aren't the best surfaced and make a decent tyre that tracks true all the more important.Since I paid for it a couple of weeks ago now , it feels almost free , ALMOST.

Ho Hum

[Pannier Down]

My tame mechanic (eldest son) fitted ultimate addons heated grips. A much neater installation than I would have managed,  they look good and feel toasty. I took the opportunity to clean everything I could reach while the tank was off. Ready FOR BSB at Brands next week.

[nigel s]

Pannier Down,
Amazing how damn dusty it gets under the tank/seat  ....And feathers/dead wasps sometimes too..
Cleaning under there when the chance comes up always makes me feel good

Ho Hum

[Phild]

Practiced packing the bike for Moto Camping……

[Upt North]

Tied er to the deck and had a coffee.
Tomorrow, Blighty.
Upt and Er'Indoors.

[Joe Rocket]

Seems a bit extreme Upt North...... 

Oh, the bike! 

[nigel s]

Arf

[Upt North]

No, Er'Indoors.
The B's in the cabin.
Priorities, priorities, priorities.
It was hell of a job to get er in the lift.
Upt.

[Upt North]

You will be pleased to know the painters have finished and the view is again splendiferous.

[Joe Rocket]

I sincerely hope you're sharing this with Er'Indoors.......... 

 

[nigel s]

I have been on Fleabay window shopping bikes, yeah, dangerous..I know.
I found a nice Fazer 1000 ( gen 1) so went to have a look this morning.
The 650 IS staying. Just so you Know.
My first use of the heated jacket for 9 months due to 7c, I should have checked it still worked before I really needed it , but there you go it worked OK.
The hour and a half up to GL bikes near Bury was good , a little visor rain but mainly dry on the twisty bits
The fazer was super clean for 35k, started on the button. Even the front brakes hadn't seized , a plus on a Fazer.
The exhaust studs were good, another Fazer problem at high miles, as was the EXUP.
Unfortunately, someone had snapped a bolt off in the EXUP housing plate.
Not unsurmountable , but..£2400..hmmm
While I was there I had a look round and this gen 3 650 had a side bag set up I haven't seen before, the mounting plates were unusual, but looked good
The ride home was a bit wetter but all good.
I checked out GL bikes  when I got home and the reviews were mixed , they also sold cars /camper vans/ vans, and I had the impression they would be happy closing the whole place down today and selling airfriers tommorrow , ( One 1 star review simply said " the salesman was ugly " ..which made me smile) so I will sleep on it, plus that KTM 990 SuperDuke is in the mix...somewhere.
Or I may keep my cash and save up for an XSR900GP ... may take a while 

Ho Hum

[Phild]

I had one of the last Fazer1000’s before they dropped the model, replacing it with the FZ1. I put 40k miles on it before selling it to a buy who wanted it for

Still stands as my favourite ever bike.

If the EXUP valve cover bolt is snapped off then it’s probably had issues. Did they snap it before or after fixing it?🤔

The dealer?…… Jack or all trades, master of none?🤷‍♂️

[nigel s]

Phild,
I  think the bike is genuine, but the dealer is less so.
If I am paying dealer price , I want to know I have dealer back up. Not sure on those blokes.
If I was to get another Fazer thou,  I would  probably hold out.
There are a few FOCCER (  FOC ,Fazer owners club ) bikes that come up every now and again, one of those with ALL the mods would be my choice.
Pretty much as on here for the strom
I bloody loved my previous gen1 ,fast , comfy, reliable,200 miles on a tank (if you could hold yourself back ) took me everywhere,  but it is a bit too near my 650 ( as in an all round bike) to serve my needs for a mental SECOND bike. Though a sorted Fazer is certainly capable of the odd ..ahem.. mental moment
We will see

Ho Hum