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Is it actually adjustable? I'm not sure if it will make much difference. My eyes ARE however drawn to your primary drive. That's a LOT of wear. You need a new drive chain (primary, chain, secondary)..!

I read the book as a PDF a long time ago, the part which struck me the most saccadic masking which I never knew about. Really explains those moments when you're about to pull out of a junction thinking it's open and brake oh there's a car you didn't see. Makes you realise how much easier this is to occur to bike riders when we're a third of the size. Video here explains it, apparantly we're all completly blind for about 40mins a day due to this masking. Our vision is almost an illusion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOz7buiQ7G0 Oh forgot to add I spoke to someone last week who explained the concept of progression makes you safer because it forces you to plan ahead, commit to actions with confidence, reduce unpredictability, and stay in control of the traffic situation. It should be about smooth, safe efficiency, not speed for its own sake.

Today we have been maily doing. Front forks. Yolks and bearings sorted. Polished up the fork legs and fitted them along with the headlamp brackets. Next job is front mudguard and centre stand, then I can lift it down and fit the wheels. Tony

Frame being painted. Can't do anything with it now for 48 hours while the paint hardens. Tony.

Sounds like a goer!!! Get ON with it!!!

Finally after delays in delivery, the bikes and spares are due to be delivered weds morning. Yaaay.

Wow... I remember those seats!!! Welcome in, by the way...

I put copper slip on my axels. Seems to protect them...

Seeing the damage in there and on the ali casing I can only think that some object got flicked up by the front tyre and smashed its way into the casing. Now that the bike is happy again I may take the cover off one of these days and revisit that with some Belzona liquid metal. For now I must have the healthiest 33 y/o FJ1200 on the planet with new coils,leads,caps,plugs, refurbed carbs and adjusted valve clearances 🤣

I have updates ...... the damn thing is FIXED !!!!!! 🤗🤗 I ordered 3 things last week. A magnetic pick-up sensor with wire & plug only in Poland, a rotor in UK and a back plate with sensor and wire complete in Holland. The Polish magnetic sensor & wire only arrived yesterday and I was ready to take hammer & chisel to the blob only to find it crumbled at the lightest touch. Some dick had 'glued' the sensor on with window putty or badly mixed epoxy. Clean up, install new sensor, lead wire and plug behind the heat shield to the other side of the bike and plug into the loom. The bike ran smooth today and stationary at traffic lights quietly rumbles on tick over, no drama. I treated her to an oil change and a chain lube just now and all is good in Yamaha FJ1200 world. Thanks for bearing with me, your suggestions and commiserations 👏

Hello from Banff Scotland. Working on an 97 sr125. Been riding a Honda NTV Trike the past few years and now want to return to 2 wheels but need to do the CBT first hence the sr125, should have don my bike test back in the days when you could ride a 250 on a provisional, but gave up biking for 40 years after my uncle was killed on my 20th birthday in a bike accident he was only 21 & he and I were like brothers. I'm excited to get out and ride and live again, so... here I am.

Hi guys sorry for the delay in responding. The reason I asked about the spring length was that for years I have had trouble engaging neutral. With engine switched off it was easy. I now can engage neutral easily. Culprit 2 warped clutch plates (brand new) replaced with 2 of the original plates and works brilliant. Thanks for the input.👍till next time.

So last week I had my DT MOT'd for the first time since 2021, then took it to Carrog in North Wales camping, with some people I know from an Aprilia forum I'm on. Had a great ride over on the Friday, and our Saturday rideout only had rain for the last 5 mins. Very wet ride home on the sunday though! Few pics below!

Replaced the front indicators this morning and sorted the speedo. Now tackling the switch gear, kill button was not working and the starter button was missing. Lucky I have loads of spares that came with the bikes. Waiting for front caliper seal kits x two, then I can get the front brakes working. Tony.

Muddling Through Making progress is a key mantra for IAM/Roadsmart training, it means proceeding briskly, confidently and efficiently while maintaining your safety and that of others. It is something police officers are trained to do so that they can reach emergencies without causing accidents in the process. This police derived methodology has been translated into advanced training for civilian riders. My initial reaction was to think, ‘this is just what I need’ as I was experiencing increasingly frightening incidents with drivers who often seemed in no mood to take prisoners. What caught my eye was their reference to defensive riding. The process kicks off with a taster session, it works both ways, you find out a bit more about the course and it enables them to assess your performance. I was allocated an observer, their word for a tutor. The training takes place on a one-to-one basis, each session is a little over two hours with a break in the middle. The cost of the course is in the region of £160 but you end up paying nearly twice that as you must contribute to the observer’s fuel plus buying coffees and there are booklets they advise you purchase. The associate, or trainee, goes first following directions given by the observer behind via their indicators. This was a surprise as I thought instruction would be by radio link. On the good side, it makes you use your mirrors. I found it a strain as my old bike vibrates the mirrors and the observer’s big adventure bike had lights and indicators close together. In parallel to the above I went on group ride outs on the advice of my observer, these are set at three levels. The beginner one was OK, but it quickly became obvious that my heavy 1980’s tourer, with shaft drive, wasn’t as nimble as the powerful modern racers and enduro type machines ridden by the others so I slowed the following riders and felt stressed for doing so. After this, the observer encouraged me to take bends faster using various techniques and I improved as a result but not before a few occasions when I got it wrong and I was lucky not to have been injured. This process hardly felt that safety was the uppermost consideration no matter how much they said it was. More ‘do or die’ in my opinion. My tutor signed me up for a level two ride out which turned out to be too fast for me. I tried to maintain position, but it was getting scary and I felt the lead rider was charging through bends on their 150 bhp bike in situations where, it seemed to me, impossible to see far ahead. I wonder if attaining an advanced rider qualification does not feel like an immunity against misfortune. At another point on a second ride out the route flicked to a metaled farm road, raised about the fields it passed across. My bike started to oscillate, I had to slow as I was beginning to lose control, meanwhile the lead bike became a speck in the distance. It felt dangerous. When I confronted the ride organiser about this speed matter I was told that I should go at my own pace, I suppose that meant that they would wait up ahead. However, there is a pressure to keep up. When I mentioned the oscillation issue, I was told to get better shock absorbers, my bike had only just passed its MOT with no advisories. I upgraded anyway even though I don’t ride like that. The experience left me both fed up and humiliated. I was told that Rospa were less concerned with making progress so I had a taster session with them only to find, if anything, there was more of an expectation to overtake – when safe to do so of course. I quickly found that I did not always see the need to overtake when they did. The course involves relearning ingrained habits, it reminds you to keep your bike in top condition and makes you think about positioning, hazards, to read the road in advance and how to pass in the safest way. I'm a plodder though, too long in the tooth for pressing forward. I will nip by other vehicles if necessary but the words 'making progress' jars as I'm happy to stay in line. For me, the term is better applied to motorcycle endeavours like becoming acquainted with far off places and upgrading my bikes.

the response that occurs to me is that, here in the uk anyway, one has to be a little bit careful not to upset motorists, road rage, things kicking off etc so i would think twice about hovering behind a car with full beam on as one wouldn't want to nuisance/irritate them. as preciously mentioned, led running lights or spotlights aren't quite so intrusive especially if set lower.

Regulation 27 (Restrictions on the use of lamps) https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1796/regulation/27 The Highway Code says to use dipped headlights in daylight if visibility is reduced, and to only use main beam when it won’t dazzle others. Using main beam in the day isn’t illegal per se, the law says main beam headlights must not be used if they cause dazzle or discomfort to other road users. During bright daylight, they usually won’t dazzle, but in lower light or if you’re directly behind someone, they can. So technically it’s not outright banned, but if it’s judged to be dazzling, it can be an offence.

somebody correct me but i don't believe we are alowed to travel about during the day on main headlight beam here in the UK, not withstanding adventure bike style high level spotlights have the same effect. I've installed a couple of led spotliughts for improved daytime visibiity but not connected then up as yet, something I've done on previous motorcycles, they do help with filtering as they attract the attention of motorists ahead going in the same direction.

Well it's been almost two weeks of me driving like an ass with my full beam on, well day time only. Haven't had one person pull out yet. Obvisouly on a small time line and a sample size of one this could be totally irrelevant. But feels like people are seeing me easier.

Guess it's one of those things, it depends. Where I live I don't get the luxury of nice open roads, I'm about 10km from the city so my riding is nearly all city type riding. I don't think IAM would run courses in this type of enviroment. I just try and ride defensively always.

I thought my output shaft bearings were going a couple of years ago. There was quite a bit of trepidation..! Turns out I needed a new chain... ... lol

i don't know alex, we know where we are going and look ahead for potential dangers anyway don't we? Best not to be in a hurry. Staying in control, owning the road - that is easier if there's space ahead so leaving a gap behind the car in front is surely good enough. So many vehicles are bulky with dark windows which doesn't help but nevertheless not sufficient reason to go for overtakes - I stay in line unless it gets really tedious. Eventually you get to clearer areas.

they have always been marginal at best. Think I welded a plate under each one after checking the pivot wasn't worn

getting there 😊

Swingarm bearings are great, no slop or play in them at all.

not too bad really

Gunk is the famous degreased but petrol may be cheaper, works well with a stiff brush usaually. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/145758872650?chn=ps&_ul=GB&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-166974-033325-9&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=145758872650&targetid=2274951440814&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1007155&poi=&campaignid=22093844385&mkgroupid=173144283077&rlsatarget=pla-2274951440814&abcId=10153141&merchantid=9884324&geoid=1007155&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22093844385&gbraid=0AAAAAD_Lr1fWtM-keLbZXQFh_Jg2vroCu&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2IDFBhDCARIsABDKOJ6nuG7HlCwpv8e9VMSm3-311AYFdXXCNfNyWHG1Dcqt_NWZ54Bcpw8aAgM9EALw_wcB

Not what you'll be wanting, but since I work in a forklift repair shop, I use our giant parts washer..! 😁😎 lol Who knows what's in the fluid, but it's at least part Paraffin...

My bike has LED lights, but you've made me think about having extra lighting. I might ride with lights on full beam in the day and see if that makes any difference. I think half the time they do see me, just don't care, or underestimate size/speed etc.

Todays little jobs. Started stripping aall the rear mudguard off. Then took off the rear shocks, chainguard and took out the rear wheel. If I get a chance tomorrow, the front end will be coming off. Tony

incidentally this is a nice site alex, well done setting it up and keeping it going...🙂

I take loads of pictures and store them on the pc in their own folder. always useful for when the memory plays up on re asembly.

hopefully the photos will help you reassemble the bike in due course lol. just joking 😄

After some tree pruning this morning and a nice coffee and belgium bun, yum yum, I made a start. Crap silencers and down pipes came off, not sure what to do to rectify this mess. But anyway coils came off next, followed by the luminition box and wiring. Then the front crash bars, foot rests, brake and gear lever pedals. Lots of bolts later and some swearing and the engine is out and on the floor. I will continue stripping the frame down when it gets cooler. Tony.

spot and running lights may help, led lights are fairly sharp and bright, i put the spots on for filtering and i'm so paranoid now that i have running ligfhts front and back plus a lit reflector to the side.

I use my bike daily for commuting to work so get the worst of the issues due to riding at peak hours through a city. Three main culprits, pulling out from junctions even when they bloody see me, pulling out on roundabouts very frequently i think the drivers think they'll fit along side me, and lastly quickly pulling out of stationary traffic into the lane i'm in as they think there;s a space, or even if it's a bus lane and I'm in, they decide to swerve out quickly in to the bus lane as they're turning left in a few hundred meters.

those carbs are really fickle, when you think they are clean, clean again. 😁

great weather for tinkering. I need to get mine running as its been off road since 2018 (pre covid)

Going to start 2 new write ups in the projects section. One for each bike as I now have a plan of action, be easier for me to keep track if I do that. Won't get so confused with what bike I am talking about.

I did mine with the manchester branch and although they were always mentioning making progress, this didn't phase me and even lost the observer one time on the twists. he then claimed i was speeding when I defiantly wasn't. I do enjoy a spirited ride, although I do like to look around if touring so ride accordingly. I got different observers each session which provided a balanced approach as it def is their personal approach within the framework. I got a lot out of it and suss a lot of idiots out before they make their move. I do think its depends on who you have observing.

Welcome aboard, look forward to following what you go wtih.

Well it gives me something to do when the weather is ugly and I cant work on the car restoration. :)

good luck with those then 🙂 I find that I have enough to do keeping chain tensioned, oil changes, tyre checks etc on my one bike lol.

dunno about u amb but there's two likely areas we are most likely to get wiped out, junctions and overtaking imo - maybe bends too but with experience most have got the hang of them

haha - i thought i was reasonably balanced, depends on your tutor's i guess, i did end up with the basics but didn't like the forced pace. the near serious accidents i've had were associated with overtaking so i'm a bit on the anti-overtake side of things unless driven to it but even then it needs planing as opposed to a routine thing.

they don't often go wrong in my experience although it makes a difference i believe if a bike has been left out in cold and damp conditions, vibration and age take their toll too I suppose.

I test rode one of the sportsbike style SOLO bikes (full fairing). It did everything I wanted it to and it was like s**t off a stick. But there was no soul to it... It was merely something to get you from point A to point B. Would be good as a commuter bike. The problem is, when you view them like that, who cares what they look like? Who cares whether it's sportsbike styled or cruiser styled. Why would you pay extra for styling or extra acceleration???

Well, as some of you may have noticed, there have been one or two slight, minor, hardly noticeable changes to the Forums... I'm sorry, I'm English, sometimes we don't realise that Sarcasm Mode is engaged! So, long and short of it, I blame Alex, he broke it!!! lol No seriously, there's been an upgrade to Invision v5, and it obviously hasn't gone as smoothly as possible. I got this message from Alex last night: Hi Paul, Hope all is well. I've seen your comments on the board but can't respond! The upgrade to v5 of the forum software has been a disaster. It was fully tested in the same environment, applications etc. I also waited for two revisions after the v5 went live to ensure we didn't have this issue. All testing went perfectly. However on rollout and after migrating the databases, I discovered there's an issue with certain member groups breaking the WYSIWYG editor. I'm in one of those groups. Invision have a ticket on this and they've discovered it's a remnant from v2 of Invision in how the member groups are allocated. They have a fix coming but we just have to wait. They gave me some solutions to try I could do manually but none of them worked. An absolute pain in the ass. Alex So, for those of you wondering, it's being worked on and hopefully things should be fixed soon!