Motorcycle Thread - Post it all

[Mattyp]

Somehow managed to wrangle a 5day weekend the other week...while most were waving flags and frying shrimp I got the old girl out for some laps. It had been too long (15 months or so) since my last brap, so it took a session to get back into it and at one point was thinking wtf am I doing here as all the jumps are kicky booters now, but got on with it and had a blast .. felt like a truck had hit me the next day, moto is hard work...

 

[beeb]

Somehow managed to wrangle a 5day weekend the other week...while most were waving flags and frying shrimp I got the old girl out for some laps. It had been too long (15 months or so) since my last brap, so it took a session to get back into it and at one point was thinking wtf am I doing here as all the jumps are kicky booters now, but got on with it and had a blast .. felt like a truck had hit me the next day, moto is hard work...
View attachment 406635

Does the Chevy badge on the fairing still add 5kW like on a Commodore?

 

[Mattyp]

Does the Chevy badge on the fairing still add 5kW like on a Commodore?

Unfortunately not, just a throwback graphics kit to when the GOAT was a green bike.

 

[Minlak]

So we had a fatal accident up here again yesterday and “The Facebook” and various other motorcycle groups are all “this has to stop” and “we need to organise a motorcycle awareness ride” and “cars just don’t see us”
The motorcycle ran a red and nailed the car so hard it spun it completely around - the statistics say over 50% of motorcycle accidents are rider fault - the rhetoric that has crept in around #motorcyclelife and comparing chicken strips and speeds and racing is the reason - people not caring enough about their own safety and using the terms like “I was in the right” instead of self preservation is what’s killing motorcyclists

We have the local Paradise dam road it’s 16kms of twisty road and speed signed at 60 - 80km an hour - they are doing road works on it now and I wanted to see the condition of the road and what they have done - so far they have only cleared to sides for the road to be realigned but it means some trash or loose dirt and gravel is on the road surface in places - I went alone cause I know most of the people that would have come for the ride just cannot control themselves and would have had a lay down for sure. The road wasn’t bad and you can still ride it well but paying attention to where they cleared gave you hints on where to be cautious

Riding around town I am very aware and visible

 

[Minlak]

When you absolutely dont want to wait around to die

2020 Ninja Z H2
13000kms on the clock

Have a leo vince exhaust - sports screen - new handlebars - mirrors - tail tidy coming - comfort seat - frame sliders

Then considering some more aesthetics changes but in no rush for them

Was weird riding it home - didnt feel the need to race anything as it didnt seem like it would be fair - just stuck the speed limits (ish)

 

[indica]

2020 Ninja Z H2

Nice looking bike.

The other rider has just ordered a Honda CB500f - very excited.
@rextheute still loving the Interceptor

 

[DougalStrachan]

After watching a few videos on the tube of you my son and I attempted to change the rear tyre on his KTM 125. We nearly made it! but I managed to put the tyre lever through the tube as we neared completion. The disappointment was very evident and we decided to give it up for the day (we'd been at it for a while). I learn't a few things and after getting a new tube and some spoon style tyre levers (Rather than the curved ones we had) we'll have another crack at it when he gets back from work experience. Figured we may as well teach ourselves to do it, but it certainly is quite a bit harder than MTB tyres.......

 

[Mattyp]

After watching a few videos on the tube of you my son and I attempted to change the rear tyre on his KTM 125. We nearly made it! but I managed to put the tyre lever through the tube as we neared completion. The disappointment was very evident and we decided to give it up for the day (we'd been at it for a while). I learn't a few things and after getting a new tube and some spoon style tyre levers (Rather than the curved ones we had) we'll have another crack at it when he gets back from work experience. Figured we may as well teach ourselves to do it, but it certainly is quite a bit harder than MTB tyres.......

Just make sure you keep both sides of that tyre in the valley of the rim as much as possible to pop it on the last bit...I normally use dishwashing liquid/water on the bead, but the proper tyre fitting goop is much better and results in much less headaches. There's also the argument of whether to talcum powder the inside of the tyre or not...I've tried with and without, I think it mainly helps with the tyre not wearing rubber off the tube as it all squirms around when you're riding.
There is definitely a knack for it and only practice can really help.

 

[DougalStrachan]

There is definitely a knack for it and only practice can really help.

Hopefully I don't get too much practice! But yes. Also thanks for the tips, after watching the vids I thought that the specialist lube for the tyre was a bit much, but after attempting it I can see the benefit, will prob just do soap etc. but I just used Isopropel first go so will up the slippery factor. Hopefully this is all easier than the top end rebuild and muffler repack we'll be attempting after (It's a 2 stroke so I believe it'll be easier than some)

 

[Lazmo]

Ha ha, yep when I was a lad, blah blah, back in the pre tubeless pre radial daze, dirt bike or road bike, I fitted, and balanced, my own tyres.

Firstly put some air in the tube, just enough that it doesn’t get pinched by your levers, then get the far bead as deep in the well as you can get it, work evenly up both sides, and yes a slippery soapy concoction is good. I have some old trusty flat steel tyre levers, that always got the job done as they were strong as. Given that, I had to change a flat on my SS50 recently, and pharked if I could find them, so I had to use some crap alloy ones I had… they did the job, barely.

So, next time you are at a crappy market, at the tool stand, look for old school flat steel motor bike tyre levers. If you get some good ones, you can really lay into it, and not damage your rims. Although I used to use nylon rim protectors on my bevel Duke borrani alloy wheels.

 

[SummitFever]

After watching a few videos on the tube of you my son and I attempted to change the rear tyre on his KTM 125. We nearly made it! but I managed to put the tyre lever through the tube as we neared completion. The disappointment was very evident and we decided to give it up for the day (we'd been at it for a while). I learn't a few things and after getting a new tube and some spoon style tyre levers (Rather than the curved ones we had) we'll have another crack at it when he gets back from work experience. Figured we may as well teach ourselves to do it, but it certainly is quite a bit harder than MTB tyres.......

Running rim locks? They can make things a bit trickier.

Putting one or two clamps on the tyre to keep the beads in the center of the rim can help greatly or just stand on the opposite side.

Three tyre levers is also a must and taking very small "bites".

Before you know it you'll be changing two tyres with a mousse tubes in less time than it takes to say "special stage".

 

[DougalStrachan]

Running rim locks? They can make things a bit trickier.

Putting one or two clamps on the tyre to keep the beads in the center of the rim can help greatly or just stand on the opposite side.

Three tyre levers is also a must and taking very small "bites".

Before you know it you'll be changing two tyres with a mousse tubes in less time than it takes to say "special stage".

Yep running rim lock. I was using 2 borrowed levers that were just a PITA shape, so got a couple of flat / spoon ones and 1 curved (Seems to be what people were sing in the video's I watched). And taking smaller bites at it seems to be the go - hopefully I'll get the parts and time to have a crack again next week.

 

[Lazmo]

A decent sized heavy rubber mallet comes in handy too...

 

[DougalStrachan]

A decent sized heavy rubber mallet comes in handy too...

Oh FFS why didn't I think of this. Anyway all good stuff for round 2

 

[Ultra Lord]

Yep running rim lock. I was using 2 borrowed levers that were just a PITA shape, so got a couple of flat / spoon ones and 1 curved (Seems to be what people were sing in the video's I watched). And taking smaller bites at it seems to be the go - hopefully I'll get the parts and time to have a crack again next week.

Ballards levers ftw. They have a large one with a handle meant for smacking to help brake the bead, christ I needed it with mouses.
I have 5 levers and I use all of them hahahaha. I hate changing tyres so damn much. I’ll end up buying one of those fancy stands eventually but damn that’s money I keep spending on tyres instead.

 

[Lazmo]

Well today I finally bought some new boots. My trusty Fusports are starting to fall apart and hurt like hell to walk in, and today I was near AMX, so I tried on a bunch of boots. Luckily the ones that felt best, were on sale and were the last pair they had in my size. Took the VStrom for a test ride with them when I got home, and although they feel stiff compared with my old ones, they’ll soften up and will be fine. Certainly much better to walk in.

So, I made it a bit of a motorbike day, and washed both bikes, lubed the chains and changed the oil on the SS50. Ha ha, now it selects neutral while stationary, with ease.

 

[Minlak]

Big day for the bike - oil change - clutch fluid flush - brake fluid flush - cooling fluid flush - slip on - new bars - sliders - new seat - fork seals - new fork fluid - looks much better - few more things to do then just enjoy
Old set up

New set up

 

[Lazmo]

Big day for the bike - oil change - clutch fluid flush - brake fluid flush - cooling fluid flush - slip on - new bars - sliders - new seat - fork seals - new fork fluid

Geez, and there I was thinking that I had a bit of a motorbike day

 

[Dales Cannon]

Exhaust looks great.

 

[Lazmo]

While having a bit of a motorcycle day on the weekend, I noticed the rear pads on the VStrom were near the metal. The fronts had some meat still left in them, but I ordered a full set of nice shiny new pads anyway... and tonight installed the rears.

Obviously a test ride is due tomorrow.