rjh357

I can go all the way up and down on my old XS 250 and can drop her into natural from second, first if I have to, I do practice from time to time and always have. It has helped me out 2 times now with broken clutch cables once to get me home from work on a CB100n only 18 month old but cable had been routed wrong way when assembled by bike shop. The second was all the way from Barmouth in Wales to Stourbridge west midlands again after a cable broke on my CB400N. For the journey from Wales I left it until until 02.00 in the morning so no traffic, all the way home without stopping. A couple of my mates stayed back and we came home together Tricky part there is getting going did it on the 100n by starting it running it up to a few MPH and drop into second most only had to stop a couple of times couldn’t do it now 5 stone to heavy and wouldn’t have the energy to push. On the 400 managed to get it to fire up in first of the starter with a push from one of the mates never needed to go below 2nd on that trip home. It is a skill worth knowing as you never know when you might need it but in those days didn’t bother with breakdown insurance just went out and went where I wanted. Today I have the works full return to home etc but it is nice to know I can do it if I need to. As has been said they didn’t go to the trouble and expense of designing and developing a clutch to add to your engine and power train so always use it, just be practice from time to time and be prepared just in case. Won’t do any harm if you are skilled at it but will make a right mess of your power train if you get it wrong and keep doing it. If you try you will be amazed how little you actually need to stop apart from in a city, with anticipation and right gear stops need be minimal in most circumstances

I was glad my first ride with a pillion on the back was a mate, not long passed my test 18 knew it all etc. In reality I had no idea how much another 10 stone would change the dynamics of the bike. Naturally decided to show off and although a Suzuki GT185 wasn’t exactly the most powerful thing on 2 wheels I still managed to lift the front wheel, instead of backing of the power gently dropped it right of, front wheel hit the road and we both fell off. Luckily no damage to us or the bike and we both had a laugh about it, he was game and we went out for a run round the local lanes, valuable lesson learned and no harm dome thankfully. Over the years I have no developed a few rules; no guys they always want to take over, look what is happening don’t trust my judgment. Girl made far better passengers they were happy to just sit back and enjoy the ride and let you get on with what you wanted to (and maybe later let you carry on doing what you wanted if they liked you). It also felt odd one of you male mates sat right behind you in a position you would much rather be enjoyed by a girl. Seriously though if your first ride with a pillion is a child you will be careful be the same with an adult you get a nervous rider that fights you and the bike and you could be in trouble fast and the way your bike behaves is totally different. Hated and will never be a pillion again unless it is an absolute emergency, mind never be sat behind a leather clad biker chick and at 54 with a non motorcycling wife doubt i will get the delight of that experience.

Well made the most of the weather, there were some cables torn out in the headlamp cowl managed to figure out the previous owner’s logic A new bulb, I can only get 40/45 W not original 20/25 hope the extra couple of amps won’t be too much for the alternator, have to order a 20/25, 99.9% halogen now and thart was all was in stock for today. I have found out I need to look on E-bay for a new headlight as well, nothing to do with the theft it is badly corroded but the silver is still fine but there is almost no metal on the inside of the saround, one of the lugs broke of in fact but will be Ok till i find one. A couple of hours tinkering and all worked, been for a spin 25 miles around the Leicestershire countryside and a 10 mile slam at 75 down a couple of duel carriageways (yes it will do that in 5th but wont hold it in 6th against anything) and all is fine and still working and she didn’t miss a beat. Got myself a longer chain that is easier to get on, as it is secured to house had to juggle things a bit to get it on easy now. I have also found a long hasp padlock that will go in the cut-outs at the base of the disk so additional lock there and very easy to use, also got the steering lock un jammed, security light round side where I store it will be an alarm next. Still have to look for a seat base but it is useable (thanks for tip about 360 and 400 I will add to my searches), also the side panels one of which is lost the other damaged but can take all the time I want with that as not essential, in fact I quite like the rat bike look and 1 thing less to clean. All that is left is to clean it, a dirty word for me as I don’t normally do that but the fingerprint stuff that was walloped all over it is horrible. Thanks for the support I am just glad I got it back and they didn’t start it if they had it would have been thrashed round and then dumped in the lakes or river I am sure of that. Or worse had the little angles been hurt riding it, I might have been done for infringing his or her human rights by having something they didn’t have and allowing them to take it, if I hadn’t had it and had it better secured they wouldn’t have taken it and wouldnt have got hurt so it would have been my fault if thay did. I suppose the best way is to tax us workers so hard we can’t get anything we want and give it to the thieves so they don’t have to risk anything when hay steel it. Thanks all RJH

If you really want legal advice talk to a solicitor a lot of car motorcycle home insurance AA RAC cover etc have access to a legal advice centre even if they won’t act for you, even you union if you are in one might help. Never and I do mean never ever act on what’s his names advice whose dads uncles cousins mom had the same problem. Everyone knows someone that knows someone that said this is how it is; fact is any 2 people in court both expect to win but one of them wont. Let the guy have a chance to see what it is and if it is related to what he did or not, and don’t burn his garage down it might have nothing to do with him. I am an engineer myself and the first thing most people say when I get to a broken machine is well it was working yesterday or this morning or even before they went for brake. Always remember everything that is broken was usually working just before it broke, I am not saying you didn’t have shoddy workmanship it happens but you do need to make sure of your facts first.

Not a good day yesterday trying to sleep after a night shift one more to do when woken by an anonymous phone number about to rip into the telesales person about getting a proper job except it is the Police. Are you the owner of such and such a so and so registration number this and that, yes, were is the motorcycle, at this point you know the conversation is not going to go in your favour. No sadly it isn’t on my drive it is about 1500 yards away down a hidden lane, get dressed walk to it there she is. Ignition wires ripped out side panels missing, for some bazaar reason seat front is torn up in the air. They must have thought getting to the battery would start it not sure of there logic on that. Fortunately on its centre stand so no oli everyere, they must have done that had it to bugger about trying to start it, (they failed all fuses blown which would have happend as the wires to ignition grounded out) Panniers open not forced as they are just old army Ammo boxes that don’t lock (I keep nothing in them). Thankfully she is pushable so get it home swearing and cursing, Police are first class. A lady PC came round took a statement. She has a baby blade herself we have a chat and some head shakes about the lads on scooters and 125s in the summer wearing just shorts trainers and T shirts. (she helped scrap a few of the tarmac this year) I get the full works, forensics duly turns up, she is now covered in finger print hunting stuff but nothing they can use. My fault of course, came home from work Sunday in pouring rain after a 12 hour shift looked at the padlock in a puddle and thought I will leave it this once. Who would want to steal an old XS 250, (had they got her started i suspect she would have been thrashed round the lakes and ended up in one) Wife is even more angry than me her thoughts are, if it is a boys they should have certain parts of his cut off, if a girl should have certain parts of hers sown up for life. So the nitty gritty, have managed to straighten the seat but it is useless now won’t hold shape the spine is broken and corroded bits have broken. It is useable but not much else but will do until E bay comes up with something. Managed to re wire ignition, charged battery and she fires up, a sigh of relief, only problem though is lights. Replaced all fuses but head light and instruments don’t light up and neutral and high beam, low oil pressure don’t work. Sent for a Haynes manual from Amazon only a tenner but the wiring has been butchered in the past I wasn’t bothered as it worked just hope colour codes have been maintained. Can’t be too bad as indicators, rear lamp brake lights horn electric foot all work, than the rain started can anyone please tell me why the car or bike always has problems when it is cold and wet and horrible. Will continue on the lights tomorrow hopefully logic and experience and knowledge will see things through so long as whoever did the wiring lash up used logic experience and knowledge of course. Now it is off to B&Q for a F--K off security light, get a disk lock maybe an alarm all to protect a worn out old XS 250 worth a few hundred pounds but just happens to be my pride and joy and some animal decided to have a laugh with. Could have been a lot worse i suppose looking at a half full glass instead of a half empty one can’t wait to get the old girl back on the road. RJH

Spraying isn’t easy I have done cars many years ago outdoors any yes got a run or to but looked a lot better than before I cut the rot out and welded metal in. As has been said watch lots of videos then watch them again and for good luck watch them once more. Don’t try and run before you can run, practice on something old and useless my mom and dad’s shed door was lots of colours inside. It shouldn’t be too hard with small motorcycle components, not like a car roof or wing; the most important thing I can think of is keep the paint thin each coat thin. Spray it then when you think a coat is dry go have a cup of tea. Then when u think it is dry read the paper so you are sure. A bit of an exaggeration but you get the point runs and sags are caused by too much paint or putting too many coats on before last has dried. As the coats go on thin the paint so last coats are more thinners than paint. Enjoy the experience and how very it turns out you had a go that is more than 99.99% will ever do and you will only get better

Hi again all thanks for the help and suggestions there are some very intelligent and well thought out possibilities here I hadn’t thought about the bigger disk. I know have a few things to ponder on, the MOT ends in may 2014 so I will take it off road for a month there is an oil leak from a couple of rotary oil seals and I need cut out the rot and plate and paint the back mudguard (unless eBay comes up with something). The oil leaks are a 2 edge sword they one on the gearbox output shaft keeps the chain perfectly lubricated, does the job as well as any Scot oiler. It doesn’t drain the oil level at all but I do need to put a drip tray under it when I park at home only 1 or 2 spots but as I use it most days doesn’t take long to mess up the drive. As someone mentioned though the weight is a real concern the bike is very underpowered it is OK for my style of riding but I am about to add small homemade panniers, nothing fancy just some brackets and a couple of E bay ammo boxes but I suspect even that feeble weight will have an effect, not had it 2 up yet I imagine a moden125 would be as good. I don’t care about how it looks just how it functions so I think I will look out for a bigger disk and adapt the calliper perhaps with a new master cylinder. My other thought is I love the feel of the bike, the handling, weight, riding position, all fit me so well I just might look out for a similar age XS 400 that can pull my 15.5 stone and anything else I want to add to it with a little more in reserve. Then strip the 250 and do the full rat bike deal olive drab paint all over cut out as much weight as possible maybe hard tail and a comfy single seat, (anyone do olive drab frame and swing arm powder coating can you even get a Mat finish of powder coating something I need to research). Also do the brake upgrade and anything else I can think off. Once again many thanks I shall conceder the options here and plan repairs and upgrades or look to a 400 for the spring.

Thanks all I am a competent engineer and have checked out the calliper and all is free; I like the idea of the twin callipers from the bigger bike as my forks although oil tight are pitted and will probably eat seals every year or so. Drewpy can you remember all the parts you had to use, fork yolks as well I guess I imagine there a bigger diameter might as well fit tapered head race as well at same time. Might start looking on EBay gather the bits during the winter and can do the work in May for the MOT. Thanks for the suggestions will have a look see if the piston Dia is on the master cylinder

Hi all I got myself an old XS 250 a couple of months ago and have really enjoyed riding it, it has a nice big bike feel is comfy and has enough performance about town to keep me happy and can cruse at 65 to 70 on longer trips. I am loving everything about it apart from the front disk brake it works but takes a big handfull to slow it down, it is working perfectly so nothing to improve there, also has a braded hose fitted. Just wondering if anyone has got an XS 250 or has had an XS 250 brake master cylinder apart and knows the piston Dia. If i can get one even a mm or 2 smaller i will get more PSI for the same effort, (travel will increase but i have room for that the braded hose limits the travel nicely). There are lots of aftermarket brake and master cylinder kits available and is someone knows the diameter of the piston it save me stripping mine. Other option is same diameter but the fulcrum further from the piston but no one on the web pages advertising the aftermarket brakes seem to have that in there info. Of course any other ideas that anyone has tried successfully (or unsuccessfully so i can discount he idea) it would be much appreciated Many thanks

From other threads I am not going to see eye to eye with Ttaskmaster on everything but he is bang on about tools. I am an electrical mechanical engineer and tools are my bread and butter but the DIY mechanic doesn’t need Snap On or Britool or stahlwilly. The Halfords range are ideal for a DIY mechanic strong durable and will last a lifetime, also consider machine mart or Cromwell tools Kennedy range there good for the odd lost one from a set. You won’t wear these items out on a bike or car, if you have an older bike make sure you have an impact wrench you will need it to get the silly cross head screws out then replace with stainless cap screws. The kits are a good way to start a lot of kit at bargain prices and add the odds and sods later, just make sure you get the best Allen keys you can afford they have a poor drive efficiency and very very easy to damage on smaller screws. Buy what you need to do the job and don’t try to compromise with something else I still have most of a set of Halfords Spanners I brought to use on my first Honda C 50 about 2 hundred years ago. The ones I don’t have are not worn or broken they are lost or nicked. Don’t lend your tools to mates unless you are sure you will remember who borrowed them as well. Good luck with the DIY mechaincing I learnt more about machines and how things go together and work messing about with cars and bikes than I did at collage,

(and it's obrien... with an e not an a... small difference I know but it's my name so I prefer it to be spelled correctly ) Sorry about the name thing Obrien I am genuinly (as in not takeing the pee about it) dislexic and sometimes a spell check will pass a word i have spelt right but is not what i ment to use if that makes sense

I think patience has come with age Obrian65 and a few knocks over the years had 2 bad bike crashes one completely my fault 16 and 2nd day out on a bike the other 2 years later, the other guys fault another bike in fact guy lost his licence, actually lost it forever, turned out he had learning difficulties and should never have been allowed a licence. Patience comes out of a sense of survival also I drive as well as ride and believe me there are some right arshole riders as well as white van men and my personal favourite the mini cab. Just too many cars bikes cyclists buses taxies Lorries you name it on the road today and afraid it will only get worse. I hate to drive now just have to do it but still enjoy bike ride either to work and back or out in the country; I just want to carry on enjoying and not get clobbered. Only thing gets my goat is when there is an idiot about where is plod, watching a few speed cameras in places they don’t need to be for some easy tickets.

Sorry but the incident on the road is so different, you were safe at the side of the car if he tried to get out you can slam the door into him but are u 9 stone built like a mouse if you are you might have a different perspective. I ride in hell sometimes same as the rest of us but what are you going to do if you kick the door mirror and someone makes you eat it bet you think it can never happen of course but it can and if it does then you might think again Have you never never ever once ever got it wrong if so you are the only rider, driver, pedestrian, cyclist ever not to. If you have and get your mirror kicked of I suppose you just sit back and thin fair doos i deservd that, frankly you should give up the road until you can manage your temper One day you might kick out to someone with your own mind set that will slam into you and cripple you can’t fight of a transit with your body I guarantee the transit will win I am very sorry but I have made mistakes while driving and riding even while walking and will again because I am not perfect, perhaps you are in which case I most humbly defer to your perfection as i am not worthy of being on the same road as you

Not sure about this one the car with a cam running at the right time the way the driver looked at his own car before strolling after the rider might well be a stunt. Don’t play chicken or stupid pissing contests with a car driver what ever he did to get your gander up all he has is a bent car, rider might be fed through a tube rest of his or her life stupid way to play

Well we don’t know who pissed who off here to start with but there is no excuse to chasing and harassing a driver like that. I don’t care who you think you are rider or biker you are not bloody perfect and you have made mistakes on the road when driving, I have I know I have, as to those that have kicked a mirror off well you are self opinionated pricks. Have you never got it wrong ever I mean ever in all the miles you have ridden not once not 1 little mistake, or are u just Sunday afternoon fair weather riders that rather polish your bike than use it. I would not have knocked the bike over I might have wound the window down grabbed the chin bar of the helmet and shaken him like a rat, but I don’t blame the driver for doing that. And if any idiot tries to take of a drivers mirror and the driver swings over and take you off smashes you bike and puts you in a wheelchair I hope you still think it was worth it, over a stupid mistake all idiots need to be taken of the road car or bike uses alike I will say it again WE ALL MALE MISTAKES EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US CRS VANS LORIES BUSES WE ALL DO IT. Just have a moan and carry on and hope the next time you cock up someone manages to make it worse. the key thing about mistakes is dont make a bad situation worse ever under any cercunstancises.