Leaderboard

Joining a forum is rewarding and fun, its a community of like minded people with a common interest. like any community, club or group on the 'Net' its good 'netiquette' to introduce yourself, this can be a simple "Hi' or better still a brief intro about 'you', this can include your first name or nickname, your bike/bikes, and where your from etc, its up to you what you put in your intro. This is not an 'on-demand' garage, and it is considered rude to barge in with a "how do I fix this" type question on your first post, however there are a wide variety of members with knowledge and skill that are only too happy to help you out- its just good manners to say 'Hello' first Use the 'search' facility there's tons of info already on this forum and it might help with your question/problem, there is also the option to PM (personal message) a member or a Moderator. Stick around, you might learn something (might) 'Start new topic' on the bottom right of this forum is the place to go

Just finished making this for her first birthday, it's not until August but wanted to make use of the crap winter weather.. Although the design is mostly mine, I did pinch the idea from a Canadian web site and used his method of putting it togerther but of course I had to make it as a v twin. It's made from 3 sheets of 2' X 4' plywood cut out with a router and then glued/pinned/screwed/dowelled together, the forks are made out of a bit of scrap 2" X 4".that I shaped with my router and a home made jig and the headlight is made from a wood furniture foot bought from the bay of fleas. I must say that I am quite pleased with it and hope that she will enjoy playing on it.

A retired guy sits around the house all day so one day his wife says, "Barry, you could do something useful, like vacuum the house once a week". The guy gives it a moment's thought and says, "Sure why not. Show me to the vacuum". Half an hour later, the guy comes into the kitchen to get some coffee. His wife says, "I didn't hear the vacuum working, I thought you were using it"? Exasperated, Barry answers, "The stupid thing is broken, it won't start. We need to buy a new one". "Really", she says, "show me - it worked fine the last time". So he did videos.files.wordpress.com/Xblfe4qf/retired-vacum-cleaner_dvd.mp4 nicked this from 2 stroke forum

Went for a ride today and stopped for a quick cup of tea, as it happened I met a mate of mine and we got talking to this lovely old lady of 84, turns out she was a biker chick way back in the 50's. I then spent the next hour or so talking to her. She was a district nurse most of her working life and did most of her rounds on various 250's turning up at patients houses in bike leathers. She told me that although she had known her husband for 60 years she wouldn't marry him until he learnt how to ride, she finally agreed to marry him after he took her to the I O M TT and he started riding himself 40 years ago. Sadly she had to give up riding after a parachuting accident when she was in her late 60's. She is still fascinated by bikes and was thrilled when I took her round the car park to look at all the bikes there and it made her day when the bike owners were only to willing to spend a little time telling her about their bikes. She only stopped there for a cup of tea not realizing it was a bikers haunt and went away a very happy old lady.

About 3yrs after our last dog was put to sleep we have succumbed to the lure of another. We have rehomed this beauty from Guide dogs Scotland. Just need to get the cats onside now.

Beautiful looking dog! After losing our last dog, hubby and I swore we'd not go through that again... but we fostered this little darling and fell in love. After a year now, he's definitely our little man. They fill your heart while they're here for sure.

Just thought you might like to share in a moment from my history? I was watching a film about Ramree island in Burma during the second world war, my dad was there with the royal air force as a radio operator for the air force while they took the island and eventually Burma back from the Japanese, he saw CHANGI where the Japanese had held prisoners of war during the final years of the war and has no sympathy for the Japanese at all. Anyway the TV program was about the mass killing of Japanese soldiers by crocodiles as they tried to escape from the allied forces and get back to their home. Was not really expecting to see anything of real interest but just to get an over view of what it was like for my Dad when he was there 70+ years ago. I decided to watch the thing right to the end even including the final few reels of film that were shot as the troops entered onto the island, and guess what! there was MY DAD riding on the front of a tank (SEE PHOTO) you could have knocked me down with a feather, how often have you seen your father from 70 odd years ago younger now than both my son's, I was astonished and to tell the truth moved much more than I can say here ( being a big hard biker!) I confess to shedding a tear when I saw this, I couldn't stop thinking "THAT'S MY DAD! Just thought you might find this interesting in one of those life can kick you in the nut's moments

Not sure if this will help, and it doesn't stop everyone who wants to be a tit, but when you're riding straight down a road with cars waiting to pull out, weave slightly. It breaks up the optical illusion that makes a narrow image look like it's standing still. Works the same with or without lights on and I commute every day. Although with your luck Grouch, I would also consider sacrificing a goat to the gods before you get on the bike in the morning...

I managed an Iron Butt on a Street Triple, so am guessing the FJ will provide you with more comfort than you think. Short rides for me are just irritating and dull so when I had a bike I'd always go for long rides. My suggestions, for what they're worth: - stand when you can. I found the ST too small really on long distances, plus it's slightly sporty stance meant my knees gave me more jip than my butt. This helps both. - leg dangle when you can. - shuffle about in different seating positions. Hang a butt cheek off the seat (attractive...), sit further forwards, further backwards, keep tensing - whatever you can muster on the bike really. With the ST being so small I used stretch back onto the pillion seat for a nice change. - when crunching motorway miles leaning excessively over the tank can take the weight off your rear end, help stretch the back and ease pressure on your wrists. - get some practice in before your trip, building up that distance stamina will help no end and is a perfect excuse when the weather is so nice...! - remember to consciously retain a loose grip on the bars. When focussing so much on the distance and dull motorways it's easy to cling on harder without fully noticing it until you start hurting. - probably one more for the knicker wearing ladies like myself... But make sure your boxers (or whatever) and bike trousers don't have seams cutting across your pressure points. They will give you grief in the end. - avoid a backpack. I did my Iron Butt and 1800 miles over a few days in Scotland with one, and they definitely take their toll. - do shoulder rolls, head tilts and any other stretches to keep your back and neck from aching. - mentally play games on long dull motorways. I don't know... Count the red cars or something to keep your mind ticking over. - ear plugs / headphones for music to reduce air flow noise and make things generally more comfortable. - in the run-up, get doing some stretches in the house. Holding your arms out in front and legs in a specific position will take their toll. - practice grabbing an energy drink or sweets whilst riding should you need the energy without wanting to stop. That could be something as easy as using a Camelbak or like me grabbing some Jelly Babies from an unopened zip on my tank bag. Definitely keep hydrated though as it'll stave off cramp. As others have mentioned, you can of course spend some money on creature comforts. Some ideas are: a more cushioned seat, Airhawk (apparently well worth it), sheepskin (just don't get them wet), padded cycling shorts, those wrist clips on your throttle to allow your right hand to rest, throttle locks. I suppose what I'm trying to get at is that depending on you and the bike - it may not actually just be your rear end you need to think about. For me and the ST I identified the following which I've listed in order of greatest bugbear: 1. Head woes (no wind protection and majority motorway speeds created undue pressure on my forehead). 2. Squashed ears (made worse by a number of piercings and only taking my helmet off twice). 3. Knee pains (lanky legs and small bike). 4. Rear end (despite having a more cushioned seat). 5. Boredom / fatigue (your crunching dull motorway miles, not fun country roads). 6. Pulled muscles the next day (mainly because of zero wind protection and it was my arms and neck that suffered the brunt).

ypou will need to be a certain age to get this one , if you dont get it look up Dexys Midnight runners on you tube

Been a while but shes complete. heres the result, Ran her down the drive , sounds good, M,O,T, and tax next.

Just got back from Hull, bloody windy on the motorway and it was down to 40 mph on the higher levels. got home no problem though and the bike sounds aamzing, very comfy to ride and has good road manners. Front brakes are , the back ot so but I can give them an overhaul ( they are the same as the FZ rear brake too) need to give it a service for peace of mind and I had a squeel from the clutch from standing start blasting off the line, maybe thrust bearing or something. need to keep watching the speedo as It crept up to 90 in some places. Its got 35k on the clock any way here's acuple of pikkies owner painted and not the best, but good enough for what i'm using it for just need some hard pannier frames and panniers if anyone has some lurking?

photos are here Folks miserable bastards at oil can interlude on the ride out, that rd350 behind mine was in a duel with me. we were doing a ton round one bend ( a long one) Dg heads, very nice our now, traditional Scabs beach photo the infamouse chinky meal which took 3 hours to be served. This is the first or second of the individual starters that we got. Kev running the gamot of soup jokes whist trying to enjoy it got a group photo in the chinese. Tommy ordered a load of food at the end thinking it would take at least 1/2 hour, came in 5 mins and there was too much. there was a caveat in that any wasted food was to be charged so Tommy stuff some insdie his kecks, Kev had the bright idea of each of us breaking it up and distributing the entrails across 8 plates

Just got a letter today of the district commissioner. I'm going to recieve a Chief scouts commendation for good service to scouting.

That is amazing. I tip my hat to her. On one of my camping jaunts this year (with the dog, so in the car) I saw an old lady nipping down the A6 in the opposite direction. She was on a moped (no L plates) with an open face helmet, a good old "kagool" - not sure how to spell that! And the worlds largest grin on her face. At a guess she was into her early 70's. Perhaps late 60's... Gave me the biggest grin ever. As a lady myself, she is an inspiration. Ok, so I don't want a moped - but I have visions of a sidecar on my bike when I'm too old for the weight. Why not, eh?! As long as my reactions are still sharp enough...

Pulled the trigger on a vmax this evening. Practically stole the damn thing. She is lightly modded to exactly how I would tweak a max. Motorcycle bucket list complete. So if anybody wants a tdr......

Pulled a short video together now that I'm back from my work travels. I tried to throw some music over the top (by a Welsh band, naturally) but after upload to YouTube the audio quality became distorted - so you may wish to mute. UPDATE: I've now sorted the music quality, and it'll default to 1080p if viewed via YouTube, rather than the embed below. In truth I had actually managed to film probably about 70-80% of the entire ride out on both days, so this video barely scratches the surface! Tommy is lucky, on the ride home I had put the cameras away so didn't get to capture my leaving him for dust on that beautiful, flowing road I'll see what photos I took on my phone and share any worthy ones later. But for now, sit back and waste 5 minutes of your life...

I don't have much riding experience, but I too have done winter on a bike - with my YBR 125 and Tiger 800 I used to cross the Pennines each day for work (100 miles daily). That was fun at times... But my most suffering bike was the ill-equipped (for winter riding) Street Triple which was clocking up 600 miles of commuting distance a week. Anyway I realise now I've picked up the F800GT just how much a little bit a fairing drastically improves the long distance riding experience! Today I've done about 200 miles to get me back into the swing of 10 months without a bike and was loving the fact I didn't have to think about holding my head in place on fast roads, or that fact that when it rained I didn't get soaked, etc. However as with Cynic and Jimmy - I don't think I'll be going through the 2-wheeled winter motions again unless I absolutely need too. Why I did it before I don't really know as I've always had access to my own car... Perhaps it was just youthful enthusiasm at the thought of being on 2 wheels?! For example this weekend I was looking at camping with my bike but when I looked at the weather forecast I decided against it, even though it's only a bit of rain... I tip my hat to the folks who do ride through winter (through choice like me, or through no other option). However equally I can't blame those who buy the bike of their dreams and wish to treat it well by bringing it out on only the nicest of days. At the end of the day, like me my bike is a hobby and the car is just a given

This made me smile, also made me remember some old friends.

Not for everyone but if you think it would help and make you feel safer then buy one, only cost a few quid. Been riding for over 40 years and never had one but been knocked off more times than I like to think of most of those were dummies who pulled out IN FRONT of me with a head light on so if they don't see that then there's not much hope for these dumb f**kers. S.M.I.D..S.Y should be nailed to the road and run over a few times to make them aware of how much it hurts. Oh and I want to say " I'm not your mate you dumb arse" when I'm laying in the road. PS SMIDSY = "Sorry mate I didn't see you" just in case you didn't know!

On Wed I was riding alone the M40 on my way to meet my daughter, I was in the outside lane following a Discovery doing about 80 when suddenly the car in front of it flipped sideways, somehow the discovery swerved and missed it by inches and was fighting for control in the middle lane, as luck would have it my exit was coming up and I was already preparing to move over to the inside lane so I gunned it and went for the safe gap that was there as utter mayhem unfolded behind me. It took a quite a while for my heart slow down and my bum to stop twiching, I like to think that it was quick reactions that saved me from being toast but really it was mostly just plain fucking luck.

ho fuck it ! I can't wait to show it off heres a sneak pre view.

Finally back on the road after nearly 4 months. I repaired all the damage and replaced the ignition myself as well with the help of a friend. The ignition was a nightmare to swap. It was held in by headless bolts.

Ooh... Somebody must have seen me out and about last weekend...

she actually texted him today and wished him all the best for the future. Gave her the empowerment back she was missing when he dumped her by text. Looks like she's turned the corner thank god

an oldie taken from BARKWINDJAMMERS thread. Sharing with Kev !! The guys were all at Squires. No one wanted to share with Kev, because he snored so badly. They decided it wasn't fair to make one of them stay with him the whole time, so they voted to take turns. The first guy (pilningas) shared with Kev and comes to breakfast the next morning with his hair a mess and his eyes all bloodshot. They said, "Man, what happened to you? He said, "Kev snored so loudly, I just sat up and watched him all night." The next night it was a different guy's turn (SirCardboardDave). In the morning, same thing, hair all standing up, eyes all bloodshot. They said, "Man, what happened to you? You look awful! He said, 'Man, that Kev shakes the roof with his snoring. I watched him all night." The third night was Drews turn. Drew was a tanned, cowboy type, a man's man. The next morning he came to breakfast bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. "Good morning!" he said. They couldn't believe it. They said, "Man, what happened?" He said, "Well, we got ready for bed. I went and tucked Kev into bed, patted him on the butt, and kissed him good night. Kev sat up and watched me all night."

Picked her up last night She's great went round some back roads and then onto the M3. Had a job keeping her down to 80. I'm properly fixed now. My first therapy session since October.

No looser ther Bippo,If I am gardening or anywhere and hear a bike I always try to get a look. Just like titys they all make me look.

So I recently acquired a brand new ybr125 0miles. After a bit of a shakey start (I felt so uncomfortable it was unreal just so nervous on the road) I hit the 40 mile mark on the bike and suddenly out of nowhere I fell in love. Having owned the little baby for a week now and covered just over 80miles I look forward to comuting to work everyday as its just so relaxing. There is no real reason for this post to be honest but perhaps someone like me who was nervous as hell after passing there cbt will see this and know it does become so much fun. Picture of bike is below. Www.Imgur.com/p56p1nf

I'm back! Ended up in Cornwall - what can I say, I like the place! I left a rainy Manchester on Friday, but the weather cleared up as I neared Birmingham. Anyway, 300 miles later and I hit Cornwall after sunset. The wind had really picked up and it was throwing it down again. Struggled in places as the wind was blowing me off course. Put it this way, I used to struggle with cross winds on my little YBR as it didn't have the weight, but after 6000 miles on the Tiger, this is the first time I found it a real issue. Anyway, because I was running behind, I really didn't fancy pitching a tent in the dark and so checked into a hotel for the night. A good opportunity to dry off my bike gear. Bright and early start on Saturday - took a scenic route to a supermarket for food supplies then made my way to the campsite. Needless to say, the campsite was incredibly lonely...! Just me in fact, plus the owners were in France. So definitely peaceful... Tent pitched (in the wind and rain), items dropped off, and I was back out again for a general ride-about. It had cleared up again at this point, so was really nice taking in some fantastic roads. Got back to my tent before darkness, which is where it got interesting. Sure you can imagine just how saturated the fields were with all the rain of late, even walking on the grass was ripping it up and showing just mud. I took it slow and made it to my tent, popped into neutral. Right foot was already on the ground. I went to put my left foot down as I needed to dig out my side stand puck and that's where it went wrong - my foot just slid on the ground and the bike reached the point of no return - uh-oh...! I couldn't support it and so had no choice but to guide it to the floor. This is the first time I've dropped a bike so went into immediate panic - my pride and joy! Anyway, off with engine (as it was still running) and then began the mental will-power to bring a 210kg bike back upright. That wasn't easy I can tell you... But I did it , and the bike fired up first time (after I remembered I had flicked the kill-switch, durr...!) However, I was so relieved to see that the bike had zero damage on it, not even a scratch - suppose thats a good thing about dropping it on soft ground! Well after that I tucked into the whiskey I'd bought in a hip flask. I had to cook in my tent as winds were reaching 30mph. One of the reasons I'd bought myself a tent with a large vestibule. Despite the weather the tent remained fully intact and I was more than warm. I'm also glad I had ear plugs to drown out the wind. Slept really well despite the elements - must have been the whiskey...! Sunday wasn't very fun at times, the gusts were just crazy and if you encountered a road running parallel with the wind it was just immense. But it's all good practice for me, so can't complain. Anyway, I made my way home this morning, left at 1.30am as this was when the winds had died down and would remain calm until much later. Pretty uneventful ride home, I wanted to make good time so just stuck to motorways and was back at my house by 6.30am. Despite the weather and my (embarrassing) drop, I really enjoyed myself! It's my intention to make the most of 2014 - with my first trip over the Channel via bike, completing an Iron Butt endurance ride, and as many UK camping trips as I can squeeze into the year. So all-in-all this was really good practice for me. It's allowing me to build up my stamina on a bike and get used to things like carrying luggage etc. I know it isn't a Yammy, but I really can't fault the Tiger. Sure, it has some niggles (don't they all), but it really does swallow up the miles whilst effortlessly carrying luggage. I even used the in-build power adaptor for the first time to charge my phone - handy thing to have on camping trips.

Went out with the daughter yesterday, not the most auspicious start as the first stop was for fuel just outside the next village. And my wallet was in my normal jeans I had changed out of, Doh, daughter had to wait there while I went back. Think I'm going to be hearing about that one for a while. Otherwise got out did some of the better bike roads with some high speed stuff then turned off into the back country, old 16th century villages and single track roads around the edge of the county working back. Only around 60 miles but with the country stuff (some 10mph) we were out maybe 3 hours all told and we were both suffering with numb backsides by the time we pulled up at home. The TDR seat is hardly FJ quality and with little room to move about it gets a bit uncomfortable. Will soon toughen back up with a few more rides. Was good to be out. Warm sun, crisp air, perfect.

That makes me 45, or 35 or 28. Most recently 28. So after squires can I say I rode a 28 year old repeatedly and at length all weekend? Even left me a little sore.

Pic of my 99% completed XJ900 31A - just brake fluid and a press of th e starter button required.

l picked this up at the weekend, the end result of a 10 year search. A 2005 F4, they are uber rare here in Canada as MV have only started being sold directly recently. One owner before me 4690kms never seen rain, i havent had a chance to take it out for a proper airing yet as its been pissing down for the most part since i got home.

Cheers guys n gals you're the best

Is that why the wife's knickers used to be marked C&A?

Im with Cynic, definatly crap in the carb if not you might be getting more air in the system making her run lean after the crash. (does she sound louder at all like the exhaust are blowing?) Also don't fob folk off when giving you advice, if you are not willing to spend an hour taking off the fuel tank, (two bolts) then removing the carbs (two pipes and loosening two screws) and removing the float bowls (8 screws.....4 per bowl) and blowing out the jets with a can of air from maplins (£2.99) then refitting whilst installing the two new spark plugs (cost of say £10) grand total of £12.99 and about 2-3hrs work But i guess having a rip off grease monkey do it for £30 an hour and a slap dash workmanship is much more worth it.

Started work as an apprentice electrical engineer nearly 49 years ago at the ripe old age of 15, been working for myself as a gardener for the last 7 years or so after getting really pissed off with the rat race, now as of today I'm retired. I've been reducing the amount of work I've been doing over the last couple of years untill it was'nt worth keeping my little van, so thats it no more work, feet up and relax and i can hear those country roads calling me already.

thought I'd start putting the pikkies from the Classic TT on here. no doubt Tommy will do the same too ready for the off arriving at the camp met a couple of guys from Newcastle, this is Barry he asked me if i knew what the weather was tomorrow and I said yes Peel Castle chillin on the Glencrutchery road found Kev's trousers for sale in Douglarse Joey Dunlop and Tommy Murray's Museum near Fairy Bridge this moose was hanging around so took a pickie. wanted to know what the character was, she said Lindsey. so its Lindsey the moose, with a mte we arranged to meet there got grandstand tickets for the friday at the creg we were all on yammies tommy couldn't take the stress on the minature railway note his red cummerbund he acquired at Jurby Festival (was a scorcher) lake at Ramsey where we stayed for 2 nights in a flat offskies waiting to go on the ferry

the Bolton peak distric in all its glory with steve coming at me the long twisty roads and the pennine moors , from here onward to the mosely arms for refreshments. this made me chuckle MELLOW YELLOW . at the pasty pea ride.

Well your all full of cheer and good news ani't you! Take no notice of what happens to others, it's what happens to you, inside your own head is the place you get better from first, tell the cancer to "fuck off" then do what you want and then make like it's not happening. not easy and your afraid, well don't be, find something your interested in and keep busy, sitting around waiting for the men in black to turn up won't make you a happy person to live with. DO SOMETHING that you have always wanted to do but couldn't find time for and do it NOW!

Can we please keep this calm? There seems to be a growing amount of hate on the forum of late... Far more than on other bike forums I'm on. Although I can normally see the lighter side of remarks made on here - some of them just go too far. Lalla - I'm sure Fazerstun exists. I ended up Googling them (sorry) and you can see they exist on UKBF which is the forum both them and Ttasky refer too. We are all bikers. Let's try to respect the wishes of others by not sharing their username if they ask. Let's accept apologies made by simple mistakes. Let's be grateful that Fazerstun is still with us, and not a statistic. And let's try not to become an elitist forum. Things like this just make us look like idiots.

Free to a good home. We bought Hovis as a pedigree but it turns out he is inbred.

Cynic suggested a regular drawing for the forum, this is the first, it was promted by membership of a motorbike club I once used to go to and some of the (almost unkind/unfeeling) comments I used to hear there although it's quite funny looking back...maybe this will promt a few comments from forum members, I hope so