Ttaskmaster

Local mechanics should be able to custom-make you a cable to any length. Mine did. Following that logic, for a couple o' squid, they should happily chop yours and sort it out for ya.

Nice one, G!!

RiDE Magzine are famed for doing reviews of stuff. They even have the BIG Book Of Kit in electronic form on their website.

Just about any motorcycle parts shop or mechanic's should be able to supply these.

Someone went to Air Cadets, didn't they? Yes, done properly you would get lift. However, it'd need to be notable lift and as mentioned - The box would be unstable.

Yep, that's another thing on the syllabus. However, dragging the rear just controls speed - Feathering the clutch (ie running with the clutch half engaged) is specifically to control the amout of revs delivered to the drive chain. The idea is that no matter how many revs you put through the bike, the delivery remains constant. Thus, feathering should eliminiate the jerkiness at low speed, regardless of what your bike's fuelling is like. Or, as my instructor said; "Feathering properly, you should be able to rev it's f**king nuts off and it'll still move at a smooth, constant, controlled low speed". It was great hearing that from a copper

Nononononono-noooooooooooo...... Test-ride the bike Although I do have friends who can test it. One in particular is a mechanic (ex-Honda and MTC, now working for Triumph). :thumbs-up-smiley: You live in Reading???!!! My sincerest condolences Which area? As for the test-ride - I was half-joking, but if you or anyone does want to call me on that I will happily keep to my word. Basically, I'd take it for a little run down the motorway to make sure it can indeed breach an indicated 74mph. Thereafter, I'd explain in detail how I do this, which is always easier in person that typing a load of waffle (and I do ramble). If the bike doesn't, then we'd talk about possible faults, fixes, parts, places to get it fixed etc.

This is true - They only sell a connection to you (if you consent to it), according to the blurb. However, I still don't like the idea. Anyone who phones me trying to sell me double glazing etc usually gets the full force of my creatively expletive vocabulary!!!!!

At the moment it does.... It being a Cruiser, the first thing I'd do would be to customise it, of course. Olive Drab paint, a few decals and SULACO 02 painted in white on the side, for starters (yes, I like it because it looks like a Dropship). Thereafter, who knows - But I have plans.... As for the laid back position - I think it'll be standard Cruiser for me. That girl on it is fecking tiny, so I'd be about the right size!! Really? We have several round our way. The DN is a bit small - It was never intended for the Western market, though. They are already importing more because they've sold all the UK Market Test ones here, most of which were pre-orders. Nope - Doesn't bother me and in fact is quite close to the sort of bike I have always wanted to try out. I'll test ride and if I like it, it shall be mine. Am I FUCK!!!!! I might get a set of Draggin Camo Cargos and matching jacket, to go with the militarised theme, though - For occasions when I'm feeling special

Soon to enter production is the Suzuki G Strider. This is the sort of bike kids like me grew up wishing actually existed.... and now it's HERE!!!! An answer to Honda's DN-01, the G-Striker is one of those half-Cruiser, half-Scooter jobs (the latter only because it's automatic) with ultra futuristic styling and fancy gizmos. Don't hold much hope for decent luggage, though Here's some links: Clicky Clicky Clicky What do you think?

Not slagging off Yamhas - Just the tossers who buy their dealership franchises. Last one tried to rip me off something chronic - I went in there asking about buying a brand new bike (two of them, actually). Instead, he 'sized me up' and tried to offer me shite money on a PX for a £600 clapped out, fucked up Diversion he'd clearly had sitting around for too long. WTF???!!! I told him to jog on and took my large wad of cash far away from the stupid twat. He didn't ask specifically for Yamaha dealers and in my experience, our local independents are better than the local Yam ones. In actual fact, with the exception of two Honda and one Yam places, most branded dealerships I find to be very obtuse and unhelpful. Kawasaki are awful - I asked about one of their bikes and he just said, "It's over there"..... while actually waving in the general direction of the helmet stand. The only Yam ones I've found to be very helpful are Pro-Bike in Newbury.

You might have better luck with our independent dealers. Both the local Yammie ones I've spoken to have been c**ts, along with the Kawasaki one, too!!

Apparently every 650, Classic and Custom, takes the same size tyre (170/80-15M/C 77S)...... But different models of Bridgestone/Dunlop - G702 or D404 for Classic, G546 or K555 for Custom. Does the 20kg of extra Classic weight make that much difference? Other than that, I see no problem. Is this wheel you found from the same type of bike as your 650?

Anyone else who cannot breach an indicated 70mph on their 125 Drag, come see me in Reading and I'll test-ride yer bike!!!! I haz insurance, BTW Carolez Nash likez me..... unlike the twat I just beasted for emailing me a whole passage of text in TXT SPK

See - Shit happens. Not every day, else that'd be a bit far-fetched, but shit is happening!! I was talking to some 'local guys' about this and mentioned your comment. Apparently that's quite common out on the West Coast - Clubs favouring a particular style of bike (beyond it just being an American brand) almost like a symbol of Club identity. SOA started as a club in 1967, so it fits that they still ride outdated styles. I don't like them myself, but it makes sense......

First off - CBT is Compulsory Basic Training. Since 1990, anyone wanting a motorcycle licence in the UK has to do CBT and then take a test, usually with a few days training in between. CBT is not a test per se, but a course wherein they teach all the basics, like clutch control at low speeds. You old farts probably never had to do it Quick ride around the block with the examiner watching and if you don't fall off, you pass... right? Generally almost every V-Twin bike I've ridden will get jerky and juddery if you open the throttle too much. It's because you're flooding the engine with too much fuel. It has to be a smooth progression. 5th gear on my 125 was an overdrive, but on the 650 it's what takes me from 65mph to (ahem)mph where I usually cruise on motorways.

The American is starting to embed itself in his latest interviews, but go watch Byker Grove, Hooligan or Queer As Folk - he played Nathan Maloney in that last one!!! "The chicken has landed!!!!"

For cleaning, I use Muc-Off. For polishing, I use Autosol. For keeping crap at bay, I use ACF-50. It doesn't keep crap away so much as forms a barrier between crap and bike. The crap sticks to that and then you can wash it away afterward.

OK, I'll admit I'm no mechanic, but..... ... If you want more pull from a low speed, do you not simply drop down a gear or two? That's what I was always taught in my training...... Low speed to me is anything below 25mph and if you don't have enough pull, then you're in the wrong gear. My 650 can chug along in 2nd anywhere down to 10mph before I have to drop and alter the gear ratio. Are 1300s not the same, then? Again, have I missed something? Way back on CBT, I was taught to 'slip' or 'feather' the clutch during low speed manoeuvres. I thought this was standard procedure for any geared bike, although with V-Twins it's not always neccesary because they chug..... What am I missing?

Both the scenes mentioned above are copied directly from real life MC activities that made the papers. The latter was a power tool. I won't say more, in case of spoilers for those who are still watching season 1. Peggy Bundy may not have required good acting, but I think she does a stunning job of being the powerful woman in this show. I know a couple like her, which is what sticks in my mind the most. She can be so evil as Gemma that I keep expecting Ted Bundy to show up as hired help!!! I guess I have a good imagination, so I can overcome bad acting. Hell, I can even imagine Kevin Costner portraying his characters with depth!! Jax is annoying, with his Gangsta style, but apparently even that's correct. Been talking to some West Coast MC peeps and they say that's very much what the young'un Bikers are like out there Even more bizzare is that the guy who plays Jax is actually from Newcastle and normally speaks with a heavy Geordie accent

By 'not looking' you can use your peripheral vision to see both your blindspot, and the direction you are traveling. Hazards come from all over the place. If there is something in your blind spot, then really you've cocked up the rear observation somewhere along the line. But like I say, I'm being pedantic. I wouldn't worry about these too much. A shoulder check isn't something you should be doing on the move (before you move yes). These are from days when bikes had crap mirrors and as a new rider your concentration need to be in the direction of travel. Work out where your blind spot is by getting someone to walk around the bike, find the spot where you can't see them and make sure you get your lifesavers covering that area. My Varadero had wierd mirrors that covered the blindspot. Glad you said that!! I have wide shoulders - To the point where both the XJR400 and the GS500's mirrors are crap and I had to do a full Shoulder Check. The ER5 was great, though!! So yes, it depends greatly on bike and lid, as well as the Rider's own peripherals. Once you're more experienced you'll habitually develop better awareness (I rarely glance back nowadays as I make better use of my mirrors). But for the purposes of the test and initial training I'd still say it's better to get used to seeing the blind spot. A Lifesaver is turning the head in-line with the shoulder, so you can peripherally see your blind spot. It's around 120°, off your back quarter just past the 4 o' clock (for the right side). My current mirrors cover it, but I'd rather see for myself as I know I can still get caught out by small/low vehicles. I always shouldercheck when changing lanes or passing a feeder lane/entry ramp on a motorway and large roundabouts as many people do stupid stuff there.

Katey is the wife of the writer. You'll start taking it seriously when you see the ending of the episode where that girl gets raped. It's a graphic ending, but very justified, I think. Oh, and the part where the former member is wearing the wrong tattoo......

Which, ergo, is going to be over the speed limit, regardless. If they were doing a legal speed of 70, the rest of the group doing 112 would have stood out a mile. If he was keeping pace with the group he'd have been speeding just like the rest of them.

Most accidents happen within FIVE miles of home. Glad you didn't go down, chap. I wasn't so lucky last time - Lightweight 125 bike, wet road, drizzle and despite being upright, a feather touch on the brakes sent me straight down in a Lowside.

Do not confuse a Lifesaver with a Shoulder Check. A Lifesaver is a last moment glance into your blind spot, immediately before you commit to the turn. Yes if you're turning right at lights, or turning right anywhere - Right Lifesaver. Same if you're turning left, Left Lifesaver. Same for exiting a roundabout. Don't get into the habit of just doing the head movement, though - Actually look and see that it's clear. It's called a Lifesaver for a reason and it has already saved mine a few times. Shoulder Check is looking over one or both shoulders, to observe the road around you. It is the Observation part of OSM-PSL. - Observation - Signal - Manoeuvre, which is further broken down into: - Position - Speed - Lifesaver