What have you done with your bike today?

[2112]

    

[Brockett]

Went on our usual run around the block to Oulton Broad Via Grumpys at Earsham for a bacon and egg baguette and a coffee. 161 miles and the XJ600 went well after an unpromising start when I forgot to set the petrol tap to prime and it wouldn't start. Yeah that's what happens when I fix the petrol tap and  then forget how it works. ( Before I fixed it, it was on all the time. Doh! )

[kwackboy]

During the 4 years I've owned my BMW I've always wanted to upgrade the wheels to a more "popular" tyre size , namely,  a 170/60/17 or 180/55/17 rear and a 120/70/19 front.

So, tomorrow,  armed with a set of rare original Hubs that took me months to aquire, I'm visiting a custom wheel builder to have a set made ... 

[TLPower]

Kerching. 

[kwackboy]

A little over a third of the cost of importing a custom set from America...

So,  a smaller kerching... 

[2112]

Looking forward to seeing some pictures of those when they're done. Gold or black rims ?

[kwackboy]

Going for anodized black with stainless spokes, very similar to what I've got now.

I would like coloured spokes but they wouldn't come in stainless.

[TLPower]

Tubed or tubeless.

I recommend tubeless. 

[kwackboy]

I'm asking that question when I get there tomorrow,  if they can make them tubeless I may pay the extra depending on what process they use.
I have trust issues with tubeless spoked rims .

[TLPower]

That sounds like a polite swerve of the KTM sealing band type of seal. 

The only issues I've heard of is when tyre fitters "nick" the seal resulting in a slow puncture. I'd have that every time compared to a tubed spoke wheel which rapidly deflates due to the 36 spoke holes and the valve stem being additional air escape points to the puncture. I had a couple of rear wheel punctures on the Navigator with tubes, both times the tyre was flat within a couple of minutes, the rear tyre puncture I had on the KTM gave me plenty of time to find a safe stopping place.

Being mobile again only requires a sticky worm or other temp repair with tubeless, with tubed you need to carry a spare tube, tyre levers, wheel removal kit and someone with another bike to break the bead.

Been there, done that, it's shit. 

[kwackboy]

My preference is tubeless obviously and hopefully, if the company can, the new custom wheels will give me that option but to be honest, I'm really not put off by tubed wheels.

Over the years I've lost count of the amount of tubes and tyres I've replaced , I've also seen a few leaky tubeless spoked wheels, some of them being KTM ... 

But yes , tubeless is way better and if I'm convinced I shall go for it ... 

[TLPower]

Yesterday.

I met up with a couple of ex-rallying chums at the Green Hut Ollerton. We all moved onto two wheels after competing on four. One showed up on his Guzzi Le Mans 111, the other on his Guzzi Stone. The older Guzzi is quite a thing, long, low and sounds magnificent. I had a quick spin on the Stone which was still on it's o.e. tyres which are atrocious to say the least, I have never experienced "tram-lining" like it. It also fought tooth and nail before it would tip in to a bend and it wouldn't settle on it's side. Very, very stable though with a punchy engine, though the "swivelling hips" thing is weird when you rev the engine at standstill.

I had the large breakfast which was excellent, I judge a breakfast by it's sausages and the mushrooms and they were exceptional, please take note Yonderman...

[Rusty Nuts]

Another bloody retired breakfast tester.

[StromGeeza]

Do we need a breakfast testing sub-forum on here?
We could post helpful links to recommended biker caffs, and places that offer blood cholesterol level testing.

[2112]

Nice pics, I had a red Le Mans 111 way back in 1987, great bike if a little bit heavy steering around town. I wouldn't fit on one now...

[Barbel Mick]

Never mind about the sausage & mushrooms, the black pudding at The Green Hut is bloody lovely!! 

[Rusty Nuts]

Stromgeeza......


https://www.v-strom.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=7311.0


Oddly enough, last post by TLP.

[crump]

Took the FJR for mot, passed fine with one advisory which is it will need front pads soon (I already knew that, in fact told him before he started).
Not bad for a 21 year old 86,000 mile bike.
Only 1009 miles this year, definitely been neglecting it since getting the Vstrom.
Had a minor problem for a while getting the head bearing adjustment right, sorted now so will be putting a few more miles on the old girl.

[Asmith61]

The Radiator on the Harley is very vulnerable so I ordered a guard which came today.

I have also removed the baffle from the S&S exhaust it now sounds excellent and pops & bangs when you close the throttle 🤣 and it does make the bike go better.
And now I have run it in I have started to open her up.
I have still only got it in Road mode, so once I have done a few more miles I will change to Sport mode.
I am waiting for a set of handlebar risers to be delivered ( I believe this will make the bike more comfortable)

[Robotstar5]

Started it!, been sitting for about 3 years and not started for the last couple, first press of the starter and away it went, very impressed.
I will give a clean and service and get it MOT'd so I can sell it.