07/10/07

Time flies when you're having fun. Well I'm here to report it flies either way!

On the up side the "new" GeePee is doing great. I estimate I'm getting about 55 miles to the gallon which is a little lower than the Brat, but I do think the transplanted carbs will benefit from being balanced. It rides well, sounds better than the Brat and looks tidier too.

I've been neglecting the VTR somewhat so took it out today for a run to the Chalet for breakfast and a run through the back roads for 50 miles or so. I wasn't sure it would start given the length of time it'd been sitting but start it did. It was good to be back on the VTR actually and I do intent to try harder to use the VTR for playtime rather than the easy option of just riding the GeePee all the time.

On the downside we've been trying to buy a house for the past six months and it's now getting to the final weeks before our mortgage offer expires and we're still no closer to getting the vendor agree a completion date. It's extremely frustrating!

On another note it's my birthday soon, starting to feel my age a bit too. The spirit may be willing but the body isn't always in agreement. Even the lightest physical tasks can leave me feeling like I've been run over the following morning...

I almost forgot! I've sold (sort of) the ZZR! It doesn't feel like I have as the new owner is Michael. The good thing is I can still see it, hear it, even go out riding with it, it's just not me riding him and given the way I was riding towards the end that's not such a bad thing! I thought I might feel a bit funny watching someone else riding him but I don't really and at least this way I know he'll be looked after. Plus it was pretty criminal leaving him stuck in the garage so much. I'll have to do some changes to my site as a result, but even though I'm not the owner anymore, or even riding him... he's still mine really!

16/09/07

Where to start!? Well part of the reason I haven't posted is that I was that disappointed I just didn't feel like saying it... however, fingers crossed, everything is OK now!

That's confused you hasn't it!

I was considering buying a CB500 to replace the Brat as my commuter. I was struggling though to find one within my budget (ideally less than a grand) and in good condition. It got to the the point that I kept seeing tidy GPZ's going on ebay for a fraction of the price of equally good CB's, and so when I found a GPZ that seemed like a good deal we went down to see it and I bought it.

P reg, 2 years younger than the Brat with half as many miles under its belt, original twin exhausts (cause twinners are grinners ya know!), bodywork in good nick, including a belly pan, started and seemed to run fine... it just seemed like the answer to my prayers.

Went to collect it on the 2nd, and took it for a short spin before giving the final nod. I only went for about 6 miles and most of that was at a considerable pace... my main concerns being any loss of power or blue smoke. Everything seemed to be absolutely fine so off we went. I was pleased as punch, glad to be back on a GeePeeZed and feeling like I'd won a small lottery. Until I reached Sevenoaks (I'd collected the bike from Maidstone services) when I felt a change in the power delivery. I ignored it at first, thinking it was me being paranoid.

By the time I reached Godstone it was more pronounced, but only at lower speeds... it became lumpy and uncooperative, with the power coming and going. At Redhill it tried to die at the lights, and was only running on one cylinder, so I kept the revs up and cut through the back routes to Leigh and home via the back door so to speak. As soon as I reached home it died.

We investigated the spark plugs and found the RH side soaking wet and very black. Swapped it for a new one and thought we'd fixed it. It got me to work and back before dropping back to one cylinder again. Since then its had plugs tested and swapped a few times, swapped the ignition coil, ht lead (both on the RH side) even swapped the CDI unit... just in case.

Finally sent the bike over to Capital where Ken found the pilot jets very oddly adjusted, tried it again, still the same. Ken wondered if the fuel shut off plugs weren't closing so we tried swapping those from another set of carbs. It ran better today, but still not right.

So although we'd put the Brats' carbs in once already, I pulled out the P reg carbs and took the Brats' apart and found the reason why they hadn't worked properly when we'd tried it... the pin on the RH side was on the wrong side of the cage thing that sits on top. So having put that right, cleaned them and made sure this set had the best screws, bits and bobs all round, transplanted the Brats' carbs into the new bike.

I've taken it for one run of about 32 miles and it hasn't missed a single beat. I'm feeling pretty positive it could be fixed now as its feels much better all round. So really the Brat's heart (or maybe lungs would be a better metaphor) now lives on in the new GeePee.

The plan is to strip as much from the Brat that I may find useful and ebay or bung the rest. I don't know and can't even guess what is wrong with the carbs from the newer bike but I suspect the bike was sitting in the sun for a long time so perhaps something inside is stuck or has been eroded with time. There was way too much petrol in the RH bowl in spite of the float being intact, set correctly and even changing the shut off pin didn't work. So, without further ado, here's the newest member of the family...

18/08/07

Collected my VTR frm Capital Bikes today. Had a new rear tyre fitted and some odd noises investigated. A little while ago I noticed a strange note to the sound of the VTR, at first I ignored it but as VTRs have a reputation for the cam chain tensioners failing and sometimes causing a lot of damage it started to worry me. The main problem was it wasn't a rattle as you'd expect from a CCT problem, it was a deeper, more hollow note. Peter at Capital agreed he could hear it but nothing could be found to explain it. I'm happier now I know its nothing serious (I do have a very bad habit of catostrophising). It still bugs me that its there mind!

Good to have some rubber under the back wheel, especially as there is more rain headed our way...

07/08/07

It's raining! Still, not too much and we have had some lovely sunshine of late. So much so that I even washed the VTR yes, really!

I've bought some new summer trews off Ebay, they're the last seasons Tuareg rally pants I think... they're great. Not as cool as I had hoped for summer, but very snug and waterproof to boot! So am well chuffed with that purchase, just need to shift a few bits lying around I think.

31/07/07

Incredibly, *touch wood* the rain seems to have let up a little. Dry weather, two days running has meant I can finally wear my summer boots with confidence, which reminds me I really must update the gear section soon.

Riding the VTR is good for me, overall I'm a little less aggressive on that as opposed to the Brat. Maybe I feel I have more to prove on a little bike... or maybe I just like thrashing it harder, yep, that sounds more like it!

It's Ollie's funeral tomorrow, at noon, so I'll be taking a little time out to just sit and appreciate what we have to be thankful for in this world and hope that Ollie has a chance to explore somewhere new, where, I am sure he'll charm them all as he did here.

26/07/07

Well, let's see, I'm still reeling a little from the shock of Ollie's death. I've written a poem for him - I'm not sure I like it but it does say something of what I feel.

Monday, I set out for work and realised before I reached the end of the garage that there was something amiss. Swapped to the VTR and decided to check it out later. As soon as I got home I removed the tank and checked the diaphragms in the carbs - I was sure that one of them wasn't settled in properly. I was right, so I fixed it and triumphantly put everything back together. It was raining but I had managed to do most of the work under the cover of the garage. Having learnt my lesson about test riding I fetched my lid and etc and went for a spin... only to realise again within a few minutes that all was not well. Time, daylight and patience having run out I put it away and took the VTR in the morning.

Once again when I got home I stripped the tank off and this time set about trying to get the spark plugs out. This should be quite an easy task however they are so boxed in and having filled up with debris which it is extremely hard to get out of the hole it took some time and fiddling. No. 1 was all black and sooty, so once again, convinced I'd found the problem, Michael (having just arrived) was despatched to Beakys for a new pair of plugs. New plugs in and everything back together again and I was off, sure this time it would be fine... and indeed for a few moments it did feel a little better and then it started smoking like a chimney.

I can only surmise that the rings have gone - again. I simply can't justify spending any more money on that bike. I've had a lot of fun with him, spent far, far too much on him, but that's the end of the line.

I'm now looking at CB500's preferably the Sports model, with the little fairing for my commuter. They are renowned for outlasting the competition.

It's ironic that I'm now looking at the first bike I owned, when at the time I didn't have the knowledge or the skill to appreciate what I had at the time! Still, life's like that.

22/07/07

I'm not sure where to start really so I guess I'll start with the light and unimportant. I had the GPZ out today for a little ride about. Twice I lost most of the power, getting a top speed of around 70 with no real acceleration. Fortunately I was able to ride through it and normal service resumed. I can't find a discernable pattern but took a few bits apart when I got back to see if there was anything obvious. Drained the carb bowls, cleaned the whole things a bit, checked the fuel lines/filters. No obvious blockages or cause for concern. I still think its some kind of fuel issue.. just not sure where to check next.

We spent yesterday at the Surrey Wildlife Centre in Lingfield. A small zoo, but all native, British animals. I like this kind of thing so was having a great time in spite of the rain.

Friday I had a text from my mate Andy around 5ish saying he'd just heard about Ollie. BSB practice was occurring at Mallory Park, ready for the weekend races. I checked online immediately thinking only that Ollie (Bridewell) had had a crash. Nothing could have prepared me for the news - Ollie had not just crashed, he'd suffered a fatal crash. I'm struggling a little bit with this news, I'm not normally one to get upset at such things, it's just that having met Ollie a couple of times, seeing him around the paddocks both in and out of race mode, combined with him being so young (21) it really has hit rather hard.

I know he loved his racing, but he was such a lovely young man who had so much ahead of him, so much that now will never be. My heart goes out to his family and friends at this terrible time.

Ollie Bridewell - #46

11/12/1985 - 20/07/2007

Let his light live on in the many memories he gave us.

14/07/07

Okey dokey, well it is with some trepidation I sit at my shiny new laptop to prepare an update... not only have I been really brave and moved to the dreaded Vista but many of my regular programs have also been upgraded or changed. Fingers crossed it all works properly!

Let's see, what's new apart from the pc? Well it's still raining although there are signs of cessation in the near future I reckon. The Brat has been behaving pretty well of late, making me feel guilty for recent thoughts of upgrading him as well as the pc!.

Assuming everything works properly I'm going to go through some of my older entries and bring them up to date as I have left some of them too long (as well as spotting some typos when reading through).

28/06/07

OK, so who cancelled summer?  I don't know about the rest of you but I'm getting a little tired of rain...

Yes, I know, we do need the stuff but it really should only rain at night, either that or someone really needs to come out with some properly waterproof waterproofs! Yep, my replacements for the last lot are letting water in now too. Must dig out that receipt... I got rather wet coming back from the KillSpills wash up (yes, haha very funny) meeting in Leicester last Friday. Course it was one of those weird days, one minute torrential rain then when I came off at the A43 to cut through to the M40 I got bright sunshine and dry roads! I wasn't daft enough to take any layers off though, just as well as I got wet at least three more times before getting home. It was a little hairy during the torrential period on the M1, even at about 60mph the Brat and I were aquaplaning more than once.

We broke down briefly on the M40 - after behaving impeccably all the way up there on Thursday night, through horrendous traffic on the M25 (if I ignore the constant rear brake fade... after all who needs brakes!) up to Nuneaton Bedworth and then over to BMF HQ Friday morning, down the M1 in submarine mode and then on the nice dry M40, when I was being nice, just cruising along at about 80, I just knew we were stopping... pulled over and shut down, five minutes later ready to go again... So I really need to check out the fuelling, its definitely a fuel issue, it only happens when the tank is 2/3rds empty, I thought it was a flooding problem but this time the throttle was rock steady.

By the time I got home my headlight had fused, the rain maybe? and being more than a bit knackered, so, not seeing the light in the garage I managed to forget to turn the key to off before removing it and heading into the house. Result? Fried battery anyone? Wouldn't take a charge at all, so Monday it was the VTR's turn to see some wet stuff (well it needed washing anyway!) Fortunately Capital Bikes had a battery in stock so Ken very kindly had it charged and ready waiting for me after work so everything is back to working order again (for now). I was extra good on Tuesday night as it was such a nice evening I even cleaned and adjusted the chain...

The VTR goes in for a service on Monday, quite a big one the 16k... fingers and wallets crossed! I'm making slightly more effort to shift the ZZR, I've decided I'd swap it for a fairly new GPZ500s as I really can't rely on the Brat forever (or keep throwing money at it).

Let's see, what else is new and exciting....

I've resisted the temptations and urges to buy an mp3 player, until now. We spotted the Creative Zen V 4gb player on sale at Currys and I did rather fall for its sleek little body! Mikey bought it for me as a pressie so I (we've) been fiddling with that most evenings. As my laptop (OK, Mikeys' but I use it!) is a little old now the USB isn't really up to the job so it was more that a bit tricky to get it all talking to each other properly but we seem to have cracked it now. I'm not sure how much daily use I'm going to be able to get out of it, but I'm doing my best!

08/06/07

As usual time moves swiftly on whilst I look the other way...

I've just been fiddling with my guestbook again, anyone who owns a website will probably know of the never ending battle with the spambots or individual posters who post link after link in a bid to increase their own (or their clients) site rating in the search engine wars. I beat it for a while by making sure my guestpage and the results page are not actually looked at by search engines (making the posting of any links completely pointless) and yet now suddenly I'm getting a few back. Anyway I came across another way of shutting them out, so fingers crossed this time!

Lets see, KillSpills day at Donington was a success. I was very worried about the long distance and the refuel but overall everything went exceptionally well. Spotted Chris Walker once inside BikeFest and got my piccie taken with him. We stayed at a lovely old inn at Braunston, near Oakham; The Old Plough. Excellent food and very friendly with a cosy "local" feel even though as we discovered through chatting with the manager the majority of "locals" don't tend to frequent the place! We're looking forward to an opportunity to return.

07/05/07

Aren't Bank Holidays great? That will be why we get so few of them... All weekends should be 3 days in my book.

We joined my RoSPA group for their social rideout yesterday. To follow on from my recent riding I chose to take the VTR, which I wouldn't normally do on a RoSPA run simply due to some of the road types we tend to frequent. This time was no exception and there were a few occasions when I was wishing I didn't have the Storm to worry about whilst picking my way over the gravel patches and latticework tarmac on some of the smaller lanes. Still, overall a good day was had although I was completely knackered by the time we reached Rye and cried off of the return group run in favour of a leisurely easy route back through Turners Hill to Crawley and home in time for tea.

Saturday I did a bit of maintenance on both the VTR and the GPZ. Tightening the chain on the VTR turned out to be easier than either of the other bikes. An oil change and a new cush drive should keep things ticking over nicely on the Brat *fingers crossed*.

Any of my regular readers (do I have such a thing!?) might be wondering what was wrong with the Brat last weekend... well I was rather wondering that myself till Thursday evening. Having finally picked up the right spark plug socket and some oil I was ready to get stuck in. Before I dove in head first I tried to start it and was confused when I couldn't get it running (it would start before but wouldn't stay ticking over).

Upon examination of the fuel tap it suddenly dawned on me...

Whilst I might have ground to a halt for some (still) unknown reason, the reason I couldn't restart the bike was that I had in fact turned the fuel tap to OFF, not RES as I had intended. Given that the fuel was off it was quite amazing that we managed to start the bike as many times as we did, although it also makes perfect sense as to why it couldn't tick over. 

Whilst exceedingly embarrassing it was also quite a relief as I really can't afford anything expensive to go wrong right now! A quick run to fuel up proved that everything seemed fine after all and Fridays run to work went quite normally.

Still, a lesson learned (I hope!) and a few more miles on the VTR.

02/05/07

As usual I've let too much time go by! Lets see, where are we and what's been happening... 

Well over Easter we had a nice long break and went up to Scotland on the bikes, stopping at a few places along the way, it was a really good trip and the weather was with us - no rain to speak of and lots of bright sunny days. I'd never really been to Scotland before other than a quick business trip to Edinburgh by car in winter so wasn't to sure what to expect. I really enjoyed it, the terrain is a little like the Lake District (which I love) although more rugged and bigger and covers a larger area with far less roads and less people. We've started a little journal of our holiday here...

Since then the Brat has had a fit and has stopped working again. I had to be recovered home by the RAC Saturday last from East Grinstead following a little rideout with Mikey and Lost. I need to do some tests but it may well have blown the rings (again).

So I'm commuting on the VTR... not too bad given that the weather is nice now and I've found a way of attaching a bag to it to carry the necessary junk in. I just wish I had that extra inch on my legs. Still, we'll see, I'm hoping it might be good for me. It's just so much easier on the GPZ...

The annoying thing is, since having the new (secondhand) shock fitted and fork seal done its been running so well. I did take it up to Peterborough a week ago and was a little worried that prolonged use at high speeds might have a detrimental effect, I just didn't think it would be this bad!

01/04/07

Well the GPZ's shock has been going from bad to worse and now its pretty much gone for good. The RH Fork seal has been weeping for quite some time, so the Brat is booked in for a day with Beaky tomorrow to have both done. I picked up another 2nd hand shock and this one was only £20 so it has to give a bit more life to the beast yet. Yesterday I changed the clutch (yes, again) - I seem to get about 7k regardless of whether I use the cheap plates or the EBC ones. Although to be fair the plates never seem that worn - the springs are always a bit shorter though. So I did that and overhauled the front brake caliper as well and boy was that overdue - quite embarrassingly so in fact. It was such a different bike taking it down to Beakys in preparation for tomorrow that I almost didn't want to leave him there, not having that front end drag (that creeps up in such a manner you don't really realise what it is) was really nice. Am very much looking forward to Tuesday mornings ride to work!

Due to the clutch problem I had the VTR on my commute on Friday, and yuck what a day it ended up. I was panicking at every junction - would I get my feet down OK, look for any adverse cambers, how's the wind etc, but all was OK in the end if a bit more stressful than normal. Had the VTR out again on Saturday to collect my parts from Hove (Wemoto). It is hard to remember that the bikes are different and need to be treated as such. Oversteering was the easiest mistake as the VTR needs next to no encouragement to turn in whereas with the current lack of suspension the Brat needs to be thrown in quite brutally at times. Still it's all good practice as we're off on a tour of the NE and Scotland over Easter so that'll be on the VTR so need to get some miles under our belts beforehand.

15/03/07

Saw what looked like a nasty accident on my way to work this morning. Biker was down but not out. He was in a lot of pain but seemed to be in good hands. Nothing I could do for him unfortunately so I got back on my way. I was running an hour later than normal and I had forgotten how bad traffic was at that time. Makes me very glad I have the earlier commute. 

27/02/07

Today I put in a SORN on the ZZR, bit sad really but it just doesn't make sense to pay for tax and an MOT right now when it's not going to get used...

Winter is on its way out but that of course means rain ready for Spring and lots of it, still it's been mild so not that bad overall.

Not really sure what to say, doesn't seem much to report right now, just chugging along trying to get to the nice weather!

17/02/07

Time, as usual has gotten the better of me, far more time has elapsed than I would have preferred. Lets see - I ended up on the train twice more following that last entry. Unbelievably I'm going to be on the train this coming Friday too - and not because of the weather. A colleague is leaving us and for once I fully intend to be able to let my hair down at the party.

Had a new front tyre fitted by Beaky today. I had intended to take the loose wheel down to save money on fitting but it turned out I didn't have the right tool for the job and couldn't get one quickly, locally. I have ordered them (drain plug sockets to use on the front axle) from a local supplier for next time though. Feels so much better with a round wheel again. Since my little snowy spill I've been a little jittery about the front end, convinced for some reason that the front wheel is going to fall off. Thankfully that is now solved and with a quick chain adjustment this morning everything is running great.

Had a little run down to Worthing with Mikey and Lost Again (aka Paul) just to srcub the tyre and get some lunch.

I'm hoping to get out on the VTR tomorrow if it stays nice. I really must get on and do something about the ZZR too, although just can't bring myself to sell him still...

Was treated to a lovely home-cooked meal on Valentine's Day along with some new boot socks I had requested

The 12th was Michael's birthday, which we celebrated in style complete with birthday cake and candles. Who's to say when you're too old for cake huh?

26/01/07

As usual, I spoke too soon! Winter is here now and don't I know it. 

Wednesday there was quite a lot of snow, but being me I decided I would be fine as I was sure that the main roads would be gritted and wouldn't have any snow to speak of... getting out of my road was fine, as although there was lots of snow its was fresh and good packing snow so plenty of grip still. However when I got to the top, the main road was not, as I was convinced it would be, gritted, at all. Simply pulling out of our road at a slow, smooth pace sent the back wheel right round, turning me about face and landing me on my bum. I don't think I touched the brake as the front would have just tucked under, I think there was simply nothing for the tyre to get hold of. Fortunately a friendly passer-by helped us up as getting up in those conditions was far from easy. 

The glimpse I'd had of the big roundabout near me and the state of the road/traffic with cars slipping and sliding had already decided me that my best bet was to head home. This wasn't to be easy as simply trying to get back down my road landed me on the other side! The same chap spotted my second attempt at two wheeled skating and was quick to come to my rescue once again. We ended up putting him on the bike with both feet down for stability to get back down my road where Mikey was already on his way up to meet me. Mikey and my rescuer swapped places and we made it back home without further drama, although not without plenty of slipping and sliding! 

No damage done apart from a small mark on the exhaust but given the state of that it hardly matters. For me a nice bruise and a few stiff joints and a bruised pride. I ended up on the train incredibly - as much as I hate public transport I wasn't happy to drive in those conditions either.

Thursday was just a bit of ground frost and today has been better still. It's supposed to get better so who knows, maybe I won't get any more snow...

21/01/07

It may be winter but it was mild enough today! Been out and about since half nine (till four). Boxhill first to meet up with Keti from GB Bikers (and other forums) then down to the Sussex Oaks pub near Ashurst on the A264 to meet up with Mandy from GB Bikers who I've not seen in an age! Down to Ogri's/Wessons at Horham for lunch and back to Surrey to McD's on the A272/A24 junction to meet another GB-er, Matt. Fast dash (no, officer that means "sedate") back to Boxhill to finish in style. Only about 120 miles in all but as 98% was on B roads and lanes a fair amount of concentration involved.

It was great to be on VTR again - nice to have a bit more power than is readily available on the GPZ. I don't go nuts mind you, there's always more power there than I need but just occasionally it's good to give in to the need for speed!

19/01/07

Well it is the start of the year, you wouldn't expect too much to happen! as I don't get that many comments in the guestbook I've been a bit slow checking on it so it was a lovely surprise to see I had not one, but two comments!

Was really looking forward to last weekend as it was to be a beautiful day Sunday - as indeed it turned out. I, however was laid up in bed from Saturday pm thru till Tuesday night laid low with some kind of lurgy. Went back to work Wednesday although it's still hanging around... in fact I feel a bit worse today. Typical, as the weekend is again forecasted to be particularly nice.

Would very much like to get the VTR out on Sunday. Would also like to get the ZZR out, just to check on him.

06/01/07

2007? Yep, its here already, Happy New Year - sorry I've been a bit lax of late. Christmas was fabulous - had two weeks off - enough time to really relax - first in a long, long time.

What will the new year bring I wonder? Not sure - but I have resolved to try and get out a bit more and be a bit more outgoing than I have. Truth is I've been having a few problems which kinda go back to my last accident and it seems further still. My GP referred me for counselling a while back after diagnosing me as "clinically depressed" back in Sept.

It's kind of a tricky subject - once I would have been the first to laugh and scoff and say 'easy, just cheer up' but it does seem to be a lot more involved than I would have ever thought. Many people have found it hard to believe as I always put a cheerful face on everything - I'm usually the first with a joke or a funny quip in the face of danger/despondency. It seems that's par for the course for people like me who just bottle stuff up - for years, as it comes to light.

Still, I think I'm on the right path, just need to follow the yellow brick road...

Been spending more time listening to music than I have in a long while - just bought James Blunt's CD - yea I know behind the times... really like it. That and Pink's latest - I'm Not Dead Yet (which I can relate to!) with another bargain - Sugababes - Angels with Dirty Faces have been circulating constantly in my cd player/computer.

It's crazy how cheaply you can pick up CDs now - less than £3 in Tesco! Great bargain but it does make you wonder how they can justify the full price when its released.

Mikey borrowed the laptop and allowed an MS update onto it which means I've ended up with IE7 - Yuck!! Hated it that much I've binned it and taken to using Opera rather than put up with IE7. Found a few sites that I struggle with - mainly game sites but hey I suppose it stops me wasting time playing games and maybe I'll get on with this a bit more eh?

Winter riding so far has been pretty good - not too cold and not too wet! I've a feeling that will change all too soon but so far it's be pretty nice. The Brat is behaving impeccably - the VTR's battery was dead but it's charged now and just waiting for a nice day when it will go back in and hopefully go for a run out.