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

First topic message reminder :

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.]

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.

weasley wrote: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.

But now you've got a hairy helmet???

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Hope you get the oil light issue sorted, and I REALLY hope it is the switch.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. Good to see one of the other T cat veterans out and about!
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]...Hairy helmet...you worry me!!

Anyway, today I was mostly playing on my 550 Kwack...

Cosford, chilled little pootle on the 550 (10/04/2016)

I couldn't join a few of the lads at Silverstone this weekend for BSB, but I was determined to at least get a few miles on a bike in over the weekend. So I a happy lad once I managed to get out this afternoon on the 550 for a quick jaunt up to RAF Cosford to meet up with another old friend of mine. Great sunshine and just warm enough to be comfortable.

After a quick cuppa and obligatory light salad at the Spiders Web Cafe we headed into the museum. I go there quite a bit (it's free to get in...) and it always interesting to have a mooch about. I focused on the test and experimental hall today. It is quite amazing what stuff the UK was working on the 50's and 60's. Shame those skills are not so prevalent now.

Anyway a pleasant little bimble, good to catch up with old friend and check out some fascinating aircraft and one or two classics parked up at the cafe in Quatt on my way home.

A few pics....

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The VC10 has been put back together now and makes for an impressive backdrop...

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As did the Nimrod once we parked up. Based on the DH Comet, the world's first jet airliner the Nimrod was perhaps the finest maritime patrol aircraft of the period

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The Bristol 188. A near mach 2 capable test aircraft that was used to provide data for the development of Concorde amongst other things. I think it just looks amazing

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I followed this Blade (?) based SF some the way on the A442. Not my sort of thing, but interesting all the same

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The mighty straight six Z1300...it somehow had way more 'attitude' than the slightly earlier Honda CBX-6

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Tidy BSA, not a clue what model, but I am finding this kind of bike increasingly appealing

Well I use my bike every day for work and college and never shy away from a rideout whether it's raining or not so been out quite a lot so far this year. Already done 3k miles since Christmas and I still can't get enough.
We lost a dear friend last July and had many things planned for this year and finally crossed some necessary bits off the list. Last month had Polly decat'd (always had the piss taken out it for being too quiet) and 2 weeks ago had ecu reflashed because apparently it was too slow lol.

We also agreed to do trackdays and this weekend I took the plunge and did my first ever track day, obviously in the novice group and so glad I did. Always thought myself as a good rider on the road but the track is a different ball game especially without my buddy.
Didn't help it was peeing down first thing but dried up lovely. Reminded me of Bc6 getting soaked then having an amazing sunny day.
Learnt a lot about the bike and myself (I ain't that great at positioning myself) but steadily improved throughout the day.
All in all had a fab day and in memory of a pal crossed a 'must do' off the list.
Hopefully the link to the vid and pic works. If not can someone pleeeaaasse help them work. I'm on my phone and struggling to sus it out.

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Sat too close to the tank but looking sexy in my new boots and suit
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have been trying to get my RD finished for the summer, but waiting for the backend to come back from the chromers

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even gave the sv a clean

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That is a nice RD

yamrdtez wrote:have been trying to get my RD finished for the summer, but waiting for the backend to come back from the chromers

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Now THAT is a motorcycle! I love RD Yamahas having owned 6 various models over the years....this was my 1980 RD250E

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Radar wrote:

yamrdtez wrote:have been trying to get my RD finished for the summer, but waiting for the backend to come back from the chromers

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Now THAT is a motorcycle! I love RD Yamahas having owned 6 various models over the years....this was my 1980 RD250E

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PS. Any chance of a go???

Radar, really enjoyed the read regards your 250. yes mate you may have a blast when it's on the road. i also have 5 other rd's.
1x 1980 125
4 x 250's 1 E model and 3 D models
all are in various states of restro

Catnapper wrote:That is a nice RD

cheers Buddy

What do you do with them once finished

Catnapper wrote:What do you do with them once finished

i have restored around 15 RD's in the last 10 yrs, have made some money in the past doing them, but at today's prices for parts you find it very hard to break even when finish. the bikes i have left i will be keeping towards my retirement funds.

last one i sold

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one to do, 250 mono shock special

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my 250 E

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yamrdtez wrote:Radar, really enjoyed the read regards your 250. yes mate you may have a blast when it's on the road. i also have 5 other rd's.
1x 1980 125
4 x 250's     1 E model and 3 D models
all are in various states of restro

Cheers, glad you enjoyed it. I am cursed in so much as I can barely ride to the shops without 'blogging' about it.

Jealous of your RD collection. I just sold my last RD, a 1986 350 YPVS F1. Regretting it

yamrdtez wrote:my 250 E

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Lovely. The RD250 was the bike largely responsible for me getting into biking in a big way...

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This was the bike I had a first high speed ride on:

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nice blue that.

Radar wrote:

yamrdtez wrote:Radar, really enjoyed the read regards your 250. yes mate you may have a blast when it's on the road. i also have 5 other rd's.
1x 1980 125
4 x 250's     1 E model and 3 D models
all are in various states of restro

Cheers, glad you enjoyed it. I am cursed in so much as I can barely ride to the shops without 'blogging' about it.

Jealous of your RD collection. I just sold my last RD, a 1986 350 YPVS F1.  Regretting it

never owned a PV but had a 1980 LC in kenny roberts colours. must say the LC' s are much smoother to ride than an AC, but that said the AC as a rough edge to it that gives you that grin factor.

cleaned the cat today

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