What have you done with your bike today?

[Dark-Strom]

Ran the Ninja up to temp, added some more fuel stabiliser and fitted the optional high seat (+30mm) that I picked up before Xmas, brrr

[2112]

After a bit of faff with a Givi Trekker 58L top box which I had to return (I eventually got a full refund as the lock was fitted incorrectly) I thought, bollocks lets save a few quid and go Chinese. So, I took a punt on a 65L 'generic' aluminium top box for a very reasonable £145 to the door. I fitted it today to the original Tiger 1200 rack (a fair bit of drilling required) and it's looking good. I slapped on a few decals I had lying around, which some folks may recognise. Is it as good as a Givi ? Err, no - but it's not far off, 7 out of 10 I'd say. The standard locks are appaling quality and will be replaced (£19 for two), the lid hinge pins are open to being tapped out (I have a cunning solution to this) but everything else looks good. The waterproof rand is nice & squishy, forming a very tight seal so should be watertight. The mounting plate is good (the fitting kit went in the bin mind...) and has bolted up well. It's much better finished internally than a Givi box and at 65L volume is cavernous, easily enough room for two full face lids, gloves etc. It even has two handy pouches built into the padded lid and an elesticated strap to help keep things in place. I also quickly  checked and both panniers can open without issue, but it is close. It may look a bit odd on a smaller bike due to its generous proportions, but on a bike the size of the Tigger it looks like it was made for the job - happy 

[kwackboy]

Had a free day today and seeing as I'm not using my bike atm I delved in to the depths of my enthusiasm to do a 24k valve clearance check and, as expected they were all comfortably within spec... 

While I'm in there its getting a new set of iridium plugs, a K&N airfilter, when it arrives  and I'm moving my spot lights to a different location.

It's going to be apart for around a week , let's hope I remember how it all goes back together   

[Brockett]

I made up a device with various petrol pipes as a sight tube to determine the fuel level in the float chamber for the four carbs. The correct level is marked on the outside of the floatchamber. The level are all too shallow by about 6mm. I am more and more convinced that someone has installed modern float neddles and they are a wee big bigger than the OE parts. I will have a go at bending the tabs on the floats to see if that corrects the fuel height. 

[kwackboy]

Completed a 24k service and now my BMW is back together and ready for the year ahead, whatever it brings.
After checking my service notes I noticed I hadn't changed the oil and filter since June 2022 although I'd only covered 3500 miles .. 

Opps ..!

[Asmith61]

Fired up the Harley yesterday and bought it up to temperature.
It is due for its first service (1000 mile) I was planning on taking it to where I bought it  ( Maidstone Harley Davidson ).
There is a local independent motorcycle shop, I popped in yesterday to have a browse, it is only a small shop selling second hand Harley Davidsons, the owner was out collecting bikes and I spoke to his wife asking her if they could service my Harley she replied they did services on all bikes especially Harleys.
I asked if they did the services on site ? And was told no they do them at there workshop off site.
Not sure how I feel about having it done there ?
Just wondered if you good people had any thoughts?

[Upt North]

Can Harley's break?
Will they fix it at the franchise if and when it does, if it's not serviced there?
Your call, but I would stick with the franchise until it's out of warranty at least.
You will get no goodwill from HD if you've not kept a franchise FSH.
Upt.

[nigel s]

I would get the first service done at the supplying dealer.
It will give you another year? to think about what to do next time.

[2112]

Dealer only until the warranty is out for my tuppence worth. As it happens my tigger will be staying with Triumph for it's servicing as my local lot (Newcastle) are very good and perfectly reasonable from a price point of view too.

[Steve T]

Went out beak spotting on my beak equipped bike . . . and found some birds with beaks!





Maybe the big man has a point - even the ducks are hiding theirs!! 

Steve T

 

[Asmith61]

I appreciate all of your replies 👍
And I now know you are all right and that is what I needed to hear 👍
I will wait until the spring then arrange to take it to the main dealership.
Thank you all.

[nigel s]

Weird one,but I have been reading "An Immense World" by Ed Yong.It is about animal senses.
A duck sitting on the water can see all around it and above it in a hemisphere AT THE SAME TIME without moving its eyes.
Quack.

Ho Hum

[The Doctor 46]

Reference above from nigel s. So the duck has the same characteristics as a good motorcyclist needs then.   

[Rusty Nuts]

But the duck can't see the pike.

[nigel s]

Nature raw
In tooth and claw.

There is a nice quiet spot I sometimes stop the bike at on the river Waveny.
One time the water upstream of the wier was jammed with fish,odd.
Looking up the river you could see a whacking great pike sitting on the river bed thinking
"which one first"  ............aaahhhh.......... that's why.
It is not unusual working in some basins to see a mallard with ducklings going down the side of the boats then .......
plop, one disappears, nobbled by the local pike.

[TLPower]

Today I finished fitting the cruise control. My faffing turned what should be a couple of hours work into a little bit longer.

The kit I used didn't require any cutting or splicing, it is just a case of plugging into the bike's harness.

https://veridiancruise.com/products/KTM-1190-20-23-adventure-duke-cruise-control

[Rusty Nuts]

Posh git.

[Brockett]

Aw c'mon Rusty....  he's not posh.

[Brockett]

Nice work TLP 

[2112]

Nice work TLP, one you've had cruise you'll never go back. Just saying...