Let us know what you've been up to.....

Come on then, who's out riding this weekend? Where ya been and what ya been doing?

I'm stuck in work till Thursday, Adventure 990 still off the road awaiting repair following last years accident (I've resorted to buying the parts myself instead of waiting for the insurance payout).
She'll be back on the road early April just in time for an offroad trip through Portugal.

New KLIM jacket and trousers have arrived, am I the only person who has shrunk over winter? Following some 'Oooooh! You've put some weight on!' comments over Christmas dinner and being given the all clear by the surgeon to start exercising my shoulder I've pulled my finger out and started training again. Have lost 5kg so far and had to buy 32" breeks!

RC8-R has a load of tasty go faster/look better bits which have arrived in the post over winter so next weekend I'll be fitting them to prepare for my next track day (Valencia again on 25th April)

2016 is shaping up to be a good one so far.

In the meantime, I'm bored senseless and looking forward to home-time to watch the racing at Qatar. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Not much riding so far this year, furthest I have ventured is to Gloucester on the MV!

However the Duke is through the MOT and Thundercat will go through next month without an issue next month I am sure

Biking trips in the offing so far

Scotland for WeeMac16, Wales for BC8 and I am off to France/Belgium and Germany in June.

Looking forward to getting some more miles on my MV too.

Here is to a good summer

I've only managed coaches and ferries this weekend as my modes of transport.

Bike(s) will get some tlc between now and next weekend as Euan and I are hoping to dress up and do the Glasgow Easter egg run.

Will go on whatever bike appears to be working.

Scared to try on the leathers. Diet starts tomorrow.

Cheers
Rosco

Couple of short outings this week as shakedowns/battery charging exercises after the standard 5 month layup.

Have to hand it to the Cat (again)
It sat there since October but, same as every year, it fires right up within ten seconds when the battery is reconnected.

(I should maybe treat it to a full service this year. Front end is increasingly feeling like holding onto a jackhammer and the rear shock is pretty much gone.)

Not much to write home about regarding riding this weekend Chris unlike the previous weekend which saw me brave 4 counties and even crossing the Thames

I was on the bike on Saturday but only to go to a supermarket only a few miles away, but one which I've not been to before. It was one of those I shouldn't be on the bike day's. If it wasn't people walking into the road looking the wrong way, a car stopping in the middle of the road without indication (managed it without brake lights!), a few folk pulling out in front of me, I added to the shambles by managing to go the wrong way a couple of times.
There was no way I was going for a longer ride after that!

Good news on your shoulder and your ability to exercise it again, well done on losing the kilo's, I can't remember when I last fitted into 32's I believe the KLIM kit is excellent.

My leathers had shrunk in January, but fortunately have returned to their normal size, just as well because my attempts at losing weight seemed to have floundered a bit

Radar wrote:

Scotland for WeeMac16, Wales for BC8 and I am off to France/Belgium and Germany in June.

I'd love to be doing more forum ride outs this year Tony, feel like I've been missing out the last couple of years but they just aren't fitting with my rota unfortunately. I may make a very brief appearance at WeeMac on my way further North, watch this space.....

Rosco wrote:

Bike(s) will get some tlc between now and next weekend as Euan and I are hoping to dress up and do the Glasgow Easter egg run.

Will go on whatever bike appears to be working.

What's the theme this year? Pretty sure you can cobble together 1 bike out of your 3 knackered ones  

Wooster wrote:

(I should maybe treat it to a full service this year. Front end is increasingly feeling like holding onto a jackhammer and the rear shock is pretty much gone.)

Might be an opportunity for an upgrade? I hear good things about the Hagon stuff.

SteveCat wrote:

Good news on your shoulder and your ability to exercise it again, well done on losing the kilo's, I can't remember when I last fitted into 32's I believe the KLIM kit is excellent.

My leathers had shrunk in January, but fortunately have returned to their normal size, just as well because my attempts at losing weight seemed to have floundered a bit

I'll do a bit of a report on the KLIM stuff after I've used it in anger, but it's excellent build quality. Feels indestructible, has that lovely D30 armour everywear and loads of adjustability. Build in Back & chest protector too.

Get back on that rowing machine Steve, I've been surprised at how easy it's been to fit a bit of gym time into my routine. Though I'll admit it's much easier when I am up here working and it goes to pot when I'm back home! Better things to do than drag my hungover carcass out of bed for a 6am session

Luckily I have some added motivation this year, some beach/pool party related Stag weekends later in the year has everyone involved training pretty hard. We're all determined not to be the most out of shape lad in the group so there is a little bit of competitive spirit and p***-taking creeping in

This is what I've been up to;

Your mic sounds fine.
Good vid.

-edit- It occurs that you already know the sound is ok. Doh!

Up t'Manor Cafe, not far away from my neck of the woods there (Richmond). Looks like a good ride out.

Hi Chris - made it out twice this weekend on short runs in the sunshine, two up on the Sunday.
Saturday finished with a numpty error as I managed to run out of petrol.
Had a cat for years, no petrol gauge - no problem - never came close to running out.
Buy a new bike complete with on board computer read out including petrol gauge, warning lights etc and manage to run out a mile from home!
On the positive side every biker who passed, in either direction, stopped to help out.
Cheers
Billy

Not been out yet this year, seem to have been busy each time the sun has been shining!

Not been out this year yet either.
Bike is still hibernating in the garage since last September.
Home a week on Thursday so hoping it will rumble back into life and get some miles under its belt this time home.
Can't make WM this year either so gutted about that.
Really looking forward to BC and hopefully I can get to BM but other than that with my rota being changeable I doubt I'll get any more group runs this year.

I'm still watching the MV & AMG story unfold & it's looking quite unstable right now along with having my local MV supplying dealer go tits up it not looking bright right now.
I certainly wouldn't have bought yet if I'd known, let's hope for reliability!

Been riding through winter. Not really had winter down here in Shropshire. Admiring the Welsh hills with their snow.

Have changed the ecu software on my TT600 last week so looking forward to testing it out properly this weekend. Be like having a new bike.

Awaiting the longer days to get evening rides in.

Been out today with chicken tim, bob, and gremlin, got about 500 miles on it now, booked in for its first service next week, loving it. Its everything I hoped it would be, and then some.

Been riding the cat through the winter on the dryer days. Still not doing many miles just purely due to the fact I work weekends so can't really get to any shows/meets on it :-(
Getting ready to do an oil, tyre and brake pad change along with some cosmetic improvements ready for the summer.
Had planned on chopping it in this year for something newer but have decided to get married instead..... look at me all grown up haha

Congrats mate.

Great to see everyone coming out of hibernation, other than the masochists among us.....

dudeofrude wrote:Been riding the cat through the winter on the dryer days.....

but have decided to get married instead.....

Congrats/Commiserations

I have only had mine out once this year I started sealing and changing bits and the MOT ran out but hopefully it will be sorted soon

Thanks guys and yes Eddie.. my sentiments exactly haha

Been out 4 times already, Last Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. (Week off shift)
About 350 miles in total, sun was out but still a bit fresh!!!
Now the rain starts AGAIN!!!!!!!

Thought I'd write a wee update as it seems farily quiet on here again.

Last trip home I had to get the RC8-R ready to go to Valencia so I stripped it all down, gave it a good scrub and got to fettling.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Nemesis TCS installation was a no-go, to get to the front cylinder and fit the new parts I needed either tiny child hands with gorilla strength or to strip down the airbox and throttle bodies. A task for another time.....

Instead I fitted the new bodywork. After a spill in the gravel at Jerez and then Focused Events 'dedicated transport specialists' (leant up against the side of the truck and tied down with a ratchet strap and an old duvet!) she was looking a bit sorry for herself so I purchased a set of pre-painted track fairings from motoxpricambi in Italy. Top quality stuff, fits almost perfectly and the finish is gorgeous. 31 seems to be significant in most big occasions in my life and is my usual number at most track events.

Now the mighty KaTooM looks mean and ready for 2016!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Returned to Shetland after Easter weekend with a van load of parts and got to work on the 990R to get ready for the Portuguese trails. Not many pictures here but here is the worst job I had to do.....anyone with spoked wheels will feel my pain! New rim tape.....

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The tyre hasn't been ridden on since July last year and has been sat in a garage all winter so the rubber was solid. It took me an hour of sweating and swearing to remove the tyre. Who needs a gym when you have tyre irons and a manual bead breaker!
A further 20 mins of scuffed knuckles got the temporary gaffer tape repair removed and new heavy duty rim tape stretched and fitted properly.

Got knows what the neighbours thought I was up to, all the grunting and sweating, talking about stretching rims and lubing up the rubber.........

After I refitted the tyre and wheel with new chain and sprockets it's roadworthy and ready to go. Will pop out after work tonight to top up the fuel tanks and then if the weather is fit I'll ride to work for the next few days to make sure everything is OK for heading south next Wednesday.

Here's what I have been up to:

MV gets it's first proper outing - at last - (13/03/2016)

After several months just sitting in my garage I finally dragged the MV out into the sunshine got some miles on the Brutale!! The weather was perfect today so I hooked up with a friend who was riding his recently acquired BMW GS Adventure. We raided an old mate Mike down the road in Gloucester. I did around 100 miles toady on its' first proper outing. It feels seriously quick, although I think I might wind the suspension back a notch as it reacts a little to harshly to ruts in the road surface. The bike is a beauty to ride and the only negative I can come up with so far is the dash readout is a bit pants and changing modes is frankly baffling.

My friend looked great on his Adventure and looks to have made a good acquisition there. Mike has a FZ Fazer 1000 and was keen to see our new bikes. It was good to catch up over a cuppa and a few biccies too.

It was a cracking sunny day...easily the best weather of the year so far and great to be out on a bike, here's to many more this year!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

So that's what it looks like outside the garage!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
It got the seal of approval from my old mate Mike...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Hardened bikers on the tea and biccies...

Out and about in Worcestershire/Shropshire border country - The bacon runs out! (25/03/2016)

Good Friday and the sun is shining, but the weather forecast is dire for the rest of the Bank Holiday weekend. So when a mate txted inviting me to join up in Ludlow as he made he way over to Bucknell in rural Shropshire to test ride a CCM I leapt at the chance and dragged out the MV for only its' 2nd proper outing

I am still getting used to the beast so took things gently we rolled over the hills through Cleobury and over Clee Hill before getting to the ever delightful Ludlow to meet up with the big E and his good lady wife in the shadow of the castle.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Matey and his better half

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Throughout my ride today I came across loads of people out on classic British Iron and I managed to capture this lovely Norton in Ludlow

From here we had a chilled, if somewhat erratic journey over to Bucknall. Here representatives from CCM themselves were waiting in a pub car park with the demo bikes. I hadn't booked up for a ride but I did try one for size and the low seat option worked for me. These CCM's seem to be real adventure bikes, light, low and manageable...I could imagine riding one over all sorts of terrain.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
CM450, my friend looked very much at home

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
This charming little general store in Buknall is still open, looks unchanged for years. This could be the 1950's!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Typical of the lovely roads and charming countryside I spent the day riding along and through

Anyway he enjoyed his test ride while had a natter with his Mrs for a while before wondering off home via the bikers Cafe at Quatt...word had got out about the poor weather for the weekend and the place had been busy all day with raiding bikers desperately trying to get a ride in before rain stops play. So much so in fact that they had run out of bacon...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! But apart from that I had a cracking 90 miles on the MV as my confidence in it continues to flourish....

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
The MV soaking up some rays...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
There are some lovely, 'chocolate box' villages to meander through in Shropshire

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
4 O'clock and the bikes were still rolling in at the cafe...hence no Bacon (or salad...)!!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
At least the gentle spring sunshine nearly made up for it

Here is how he got on with the CCM

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Just over a week ago the Thundercat passed the MOT without any hassle so it was its' turn to have some fun:

Bromyard Speed Festival 3rd April 2016

The sleepy Herefordshire market town of Bromyard reverberated to the growl and howl of race bikes and classic cars last weekend. I joined a few friends and went over to see what all the fuss was about. I made my way over riding some cracking roads on my 600 in company with with Champs who had dusted off his trusty ZX6R especially for the occasion. It was the first proper outing for my 600 this year after it passed the MOT last week. Riding it again was like slipping into a comfy pair of slippers. Odd to describe a 100bhp, 150mph machine like that, but there you go. My other friends both turned up cars including a lovely old 1974 Triumph Stag with a superb V8 sound track.

The event was excellent. Bromyard is charming place, a real quintessentially English town; medieval, Victorian and Edwardian buildings lining tight streets. The cars and bikes taking part were limited to 40 mph but at least one of the guys in an Escort rally car was really pushing hard at one point. He got warned.

Bromyard is the place where Morgan Cars first started up before moving to Malvern, so they were the overall event sponsor. There was a real mix of vehicles from land speed record cars, Morgans, classic rally and hill climb cars and of course bikes, including a mobility scooter powered by what looked like a C90 motor! The large enthusiastic crowd lined the streets and packed out the pubs and cafes between the action. The town did really well out the event and fair play to their council for showing such imagination as to stage the event. It was great to catch with the guys too and I really enjoyed the ride home on a lovely sunny day with my mate keeping me company again on the ZX6R

...and now for the pictures...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Team 600 taking a rest after a cracking ride over to Bromyard

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Checking out the start line

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Definitely a lost child...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Some beautiful cars took to the streets and you can see how close the crowd could get to the action

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Meanwhile in the classic bike paddock somebody has taken a hack saw to a GS1200

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
888. 851, 996 bellissimo!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
I hope it runs better than my KH250 used to

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Lovely air cooled RD

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Rare 500cc single Vincent

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Gamma, Gamma hey! RG500

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Pair of gorgeous Brits...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Local MV Agusta dealer Ed Cosker had a large stand and brought along some impressive classics as well as new bikes to show. Like this stunning Laverda Jota...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
This lad didn't taken his lid off, raise his visor or say a word to anybody as he moved about the crowd...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
The over enthusiastic Escort

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
The crew for the day...we are a tough looking bunch...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
KH led the bikes away in a haze of sweet smelling 2 stroke oil

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Ariel isn't just a washing powder you know...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Clutch rattle, but God it is a good looking bike

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Air-cooled in action...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
The guy on the motability scooter with a C90 engine got one of the biggest rounds of applause and cheers, even when his exhaust fell off!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Even a near 100 year old outfit can keep a mere car at bay...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
I should of entered my Ducati!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
Delicious little Triumph on the Ed Cosker stand

Anyway, that's it folks!

Sounds like a busy few weeks Tony!

My test ride did not go well.....

Oil pressure light came on after 2/3 miles and will not go out. Bike has been idle since July last year so I suspect some corrosion has got into the switch.

Not good considering I'm due to ride from Shetland to Yorkshire on Wednesday and then on to Portugal on Sunday morning. Will be working on it tonight to eliminate possibilities but I'd bet money that the sensor is knackered.

Oil level good and no excessive camchain noise (the tensioners are hydraulic).

Will check the oil filter and screen for signs of moisture tonight, good thing about these bikes is you can lie them on their side and remove everything I need to look at without losing any oil at all!

Mine came out of hibernation this morning! I got up early, went for a hour's MTB ride in beautiful (if a bit nippy) morning weather. Then got home and after a bit of brekkie took the bike to get my hair cut. I took the scenic route home. I don't know if it is lack of practice or what, but it still managed to surprise me. The brakes were 2-finger anchors, the engine purred like a kitten and it didn't half get a move on! And all after being pulled out of the garage with the only prep being checking tyre pressures and bulbs. Such a great bike.