Author Topic: What have you done today (Read 35657 times)

The Doctor 46 · « **Reply #800 on:** March 10, 2025, 18:52:26 »

I went out to do some chores today and then went for a nice ride then called into my local Suzuki dealer's caffe for a cup of tea just before it closed. While there I decided to ask for a quote for checking the valves (V-Strom 1000 2012) and adjusting if necessary. I also said I would like them to change the plugs and air filter while the tank is off. I would provide the iridium spark plugs and filter.

To be honest I had no intention of having the work done there but wanted the ridicules high quote first before shopping around. I nearly fell over when I was quoted £456 total and that includes any shims it may need. So, the bikes booked in for the 2 April though I'll drop it off just before they close the day before so it's stone cold when they do the job.

I'm shocked, £456 is a lot of money but I was expecting it to be a minimum of £600 at a main dealer. I'll change the oil and filter sometime in the next few days and all will be well. I'm a happy chap.

Pete O Tube · « **Reply #801 on:** March 14, 2025, 11:18:00 »

Yesterday I sold my V-Strom 1000 - to Superbike Factory who offered me more than I thought I could get selling it privately or part ex, it was a pretty slick experience and when they came to collect, there was no haggling over the price as, as the bloke said, the condition was as described. I only lost £700 on that bike in a little over 3 years of ownership, not bad depreciation.

So today, I've ordered a Triumph Tiger Sport 800, should have it in 7-10 days.

Still waiting to hear when the Hornet 1000 SP that I ordered will be available.

The CFMoto 450MT that I have on order will be cancelled as I can't see that being here until June at the earliest given the KTM distribution issues (haven't been paying their shipping and customs fees).

Upt North · « **Reply #802 on:** March 14, 2025, 12:23:21 »

Good information about the sale.
Ta me duck.
Upt.

2112 · « **Reply #803 on:** March 14, 2025, 13:24:39 »

Today, saw me book a holiday to Colmar, France in July. We've been before, but only for a few hours each time, it'll be nice to have the time to explore it properly. The only fly in the ointment is flying from Edinburgh, not the handy 20 minuets that Newcastle Airport is for us. A train from Morpeth is the best option for us, when the tickets get released.

Joe Rocket · « **Reply #804 on:** March 14, 2025, 20:04:24 »

2112, for a fee (a very big fee) I could ask my daughter to go back to Tourist Guide for the area. She worked for a company organising visits for Rhine cruises to Colmar, Strasbourg, Friebourg, and Basle. Oh, the Black Forest too. She still lives there and my son in Strasbourg too, our visits to the region are always special, it was Christmas in Strasbourg last year.

Covid killed it all off for her unfortunately.

Enjoy Colmar but I think July will be very busy...... Haut Koenigsbourg Castle is a must too.

2112 · « **Reply #805 on:** March 15, 2025, 06:08:10 »

Yes, it's a cracking place. The Mrs is eyeing it up for Christmas this year as it happens

2112 · « **Reply #806 on:** March 16, 2025, 09:29:06 »

Today, it's been a case of packing our bags and heading off to see friends in Norfolk area. Then it's off to Beverley, Hull for a few days with the wine group and then heading home. This retirement lark is non-stop mind !!!

Asmith61 · « **Reply #807 on:** March 16, 2025, 10:39:39 »

enjoy Mr & Mrs 2112 👍

Upt North · « **Reply #808 on:** March 16, 2025, 18:52:08 »

Only just watched the blummin Toon beat a load of scousers.

Brockett · « **Reply #809 on:** March 16, 2025, 18:58:03 »

Not many "scousers" in that team.

UK_Vstrom650 · « **Reply #810 on:** March 16, 2025, 21:58:43 »

First bit of gardening of the year today. Have had a good cutback of various bushes and apple trees - am hoping it's just in time for this year although think it should have been done a few weeks ago. Never mind. Got the shredder out and made some chippings for the bushes too.

Also had an empty of the loft, the wife has decided to sell all her motorcycle gear as it's been in storage for years and she says she has no interest in going on the bike. All the kit is hardly used so shame to sell, but no point keeping it. Might pop it in the For Sale section in a few days - in case anyone is interested ahead of it going on Facebook market place etc.

crazyhorse · « **Reply #811 on:** March 19, 2025, 19:39:30 »

Hello

Went slightly mad and purchased a Yoshimura RS12 slip on exhaust for my 800RE, and fitted it this afternoon (nice and easy).

Sounds very interesting if a little on the noisy side, but as it does not have so much depth (physically) as the standard unit, it looks as though my adjustments of the rear drive chain will not give me so much back pain leaning down to look at the RHS swinging arm adjustment marks.
Also less strain on my poor old knees as well...Happy days!!!

Crazyhorse

The Doctor 46 · « **Reply #812 on:** March 19, 2025, 21:34:36 »

I was riding a very familiar B road today and caught up with a BMW 4x4 police car on blues and two's chasing a VW Golf. They were hitting 80mph, the golf showed no sign of stopping and the chase went on for about four miles before a Volvo 4x4 came up behind me, he came from a junction off the A30.

I slowed and let him pass and then followed the three of them and was wondering whether I should pass them all and slow the Golf to a stop but then thought better of it because he could have rammed me. Suddenly the golf pulled in and stopped, the Volvo stayed in the middle of the road with a sign in the back window lit up saying "Do not pass". I hung back and watched then the Golf was off again and the chase began again, it was great fun because when cars moved over and stopped to let the police through I followed too.

After about 10 miles the Golf and the cop cars stopped and did a U turn, it was then that I noticed that the driver of the Golf, front seat passenger and one in the back were wearing Hi Viz jackets and realised this and I would say that it was a lucky one too.

The Doctor 46 · « **Reply #813 on:** March 19, 2025, 23:22:30 »

I have reread the above post and realised that somehow I have, while editing the original text after previewing messed it up and lost some of the post too.

. I'm too tired to out it right now so it's going to have to stay as is. I may amend it tomorrow. I am sober too.

TLPower · « **Reply #814 on:** March 20, 2025, 07:22:58 »

It was all a dream, just like Bobby Ewing in Dallas.

They do it round here all the time, they do love a game of cops an' robbers. They usually finish at a McDonalds have a chat then go again.

The Doctor 46 · « **Reply #815 on:** March 20, 2025, 07:37:03 »

The story of my ride yesterday, continued.

I realised that what I had been chasing was not a real pursuit but an exercise and that one of those police cars could have dropped out of the chase at any time and booked me for speeding which I didn't expect they would do if it was for real. I think I was lucky.

Further into the ride I caught up with another BMW 4x4, I followed knowing that there was a safe overtake coming up (I do know the road well) but noticed four oblong, white coloured things on the back window. Guessing that this was a police car too I stayed and followed until the T junction at the end of this long road (it was the main road before the A30 and follows it). When we came to the T road the BM was turning right so I came down the inside to turn left, sure enough the driver and passenger were in HI Viz and this was a cop car too. I'm glad I didn't pass because I would have had to speed again to do so. Another bit of luck.

Anyway, enough of that now. I'm going to shower and take a ride across Dartmoor to Plymouth buy something then return home so a couple of hours nice ride again today before having to take my friend somewhere in my car, Yuk! I hate driving.

The Doctor 46 · « **Reply #816 on:** March 20, 2025, 07:42:49 »

TLPower. I was a firefighter for 30 odd years and used to go out training often in a Landrover Discovery. I always felt ridiculous turning off the blues and two's then driving at or below the speed limit before pulling in for a debrief and a swap of drivers. Other drivers must have thought it was ridiculous too if they hadn't realised we were only training.

mr_diver · « **Reply #817 on:** March 20, 2025, 17:00:06 »

Booked the Varadero's wheels in for a tyre change in the local place.
Used them for the car stuff a few times, but they'll do bike MOT's a service/tyres, but don't have all the tools and stands so take your loose wheels in... Just need to remember how I jacked the bike up with the centre stand to take both wheels off now.

Take wheels off Sunday, drop in Monday on the school run and pic up later or Tuesday after the school run and fit back on later on Tuesday.
I'll also need to find my supply of wheel weights, as they also can't do the balancing, but cheaper and more convenient than any other place fairly local.

The Doctor 46 · « **Reply #818 on:** March 21, 2025, 14:58:17 »

Well I've had a day off from riding, I needed to wash my bedding. While the washing machine did it's thing (two loads) I decided to clean the cooker and deep clean the kitchen. When I'd finished my back was aching so much I had to take pain killers but I felt good for what I had achieved.

I washed my hands and arms then went into the kitchen to make a well earned cup of tea and guess what, the kitchen looks just the same as before I started. What a waste of time!

Brockett · « **Reply #819 on:** March 25, 2025, 18:53:13 »

After lunch I cut a hole in the Bosch Dryer as per the Youtube video to make way for an inspection flap ( soon the arrive from Ebay) . There is no easy way to remove the build up of choking fluff from the condenser or the heat exchanger. I did strip it down a few years ago and I am not feeling the need to get up to my armpits in that again. The hole I cut allowed some slight access to the condenser. I used a pump up garden sprayer to inject some warm water, then some detergent and after an hour a number (at least 10) of extended squirts from the sprayer into the fins of the condenser. Three hours later and the water is at last pumping out a little clear. It started out looking like a sewage spill without the pong. A full strip and clean takes about four hours. Labour charges mean it is just not cost effective and it why most machines at this stage get junked and replaced with new ones. Bosch and the others must be rubbing their hands since the Govt. wants to ban the sale of the all other types.