Its Cold outside....

That is very true, But the workshop is full of Buell in bits...!

Nothing serious, but looks like it is, I had the stock exhaust modified, as I wanted the standard look back, so off it went to Tubbs Speed and Innovation, for him to do his work, and I set about removing the other one.

No drama removing it, found all the bits for refitting the stock one, and awaited the return of the pipe.

Fast as fast can be, the pipe was back, and I fitted it up for a test firing, sounded awful, not the exhaust box, but the rear header blowing, so, in I went...

Seats, Airbox, Baseplate, Battery, rear plastics, Subframe, Shock, Fan, and in... 

Luckily all studs look good, although missing a nut which has been allowing the rear to blow, but other than some cleaning up, all good.

So a few parts, some fresh black VHT paint for the box and the header, some cleaning and plenty of copperslip on assembly should see the beast back in one piece ready for the MOT!!!!

So thats it at the moment, but that is bloody cold out there, so no working late, as the tea doesn't get topped up enough once the darkness sets in, I think some brewing equipment is on the cards...

Thumbs up to all those winter bikers out there, Ride safe!

All going very well...

Evening.

Its all going very well, Bikes looking good, although not being used at the moment, BSB Marshalling is really good, in fact, its brilliant, up close and personal on every level, amazing just how quick these guys are, truly amazing...

And if I did not have enough to do, the Jobs is going very well, and now a new project is underway, with a campervan conversion, its all pretty busy, here in the workshop....

All the very best, ride safe! 

Thats gone quick...

Wow, doesn't time fly when your having fun.....

Its been rather busy, change of job, was a rather interesting sudden move, but hey, sometimes you just have to.

The Buell is looking rather good, and as sweet to ride as ever, not too many miles been put on, but have been out and about enjoying the bark from the pipe, and the grin factor is waaaay to high to scale.

I've recovered the seat with Blue Alcantara, which does look rather good, and gives a nice planted feel when riding through the twisties, other than that, its the odd blast, and plenty of fettling in the workshop...

Ride safe guys, Enjoy the sunshine!  

Time for some extra spring...

Yep, that time of year, and I really need some extra spring! it was fairly easy for me when I was fishing to keep the weight stable, walks around the lake, starving for 2 days etc, but now with the fishing gone, I've put a few pounds on and I've got to do something about it..

diet and more exercise as I no longer walk miles around a lake pushing god knows how much fishing gear around on a regular basis, then living on tea and biscuits.

Now in the workshop is a rather sad looking bike, front, rear suspension, flat tyres, cobwebs and dust,

after a clean and some wind in the tyres, replace a broken cable, adjust the brakes, service the rear shock and a trip around the block, its back, and this means I'll be out having a few miles of cycling to help burns some excess fat.. 

Not sure what is more dangerous, the Buell or the push bike, time will tell...!

  

Nice day..

Sunshine and dry, why not go for a ride, why not indeed..

one push of the start button and Bang, into life, no hassle, a nice deep thump from the Harley Davidson 984 motor, a quick check of the electrics and I was on my way, straight into the good old Basingstoke traffic.

A rather nifty U Turn and another more traffic free route was soon under the tyres.

Out through the back roads onto the twisty roads more suited to Supermoto riding was where I was heading, I've not really pushed the Buell, and today was not really the best day, but once out into the country, the roar from the pipe and the rumble of the engine soon had me winging my way down those lanes like I'd never been away from them for the best part of 6 years!!!

The new front pads work very well, the tyres although coming to the end of their life, still have enough feel in them for confident riding and the suspension is just about right giving an all round big smile.

A spirited ride, I think would be a safe bet to describe my riding this morning, nothing dangerous, or risk taking, but fairly quick, and enjoying those back roads.

The Buell just oozes confidence, and even making direction changes mid corner are no problem or a cause for worry, unlike the Ducati 916 days, change direction mid corner... yeah right. muscle the thing back upright and prey there is still enough road left to continue...

Think that's why I always wanted a Firebolt, it does corner so well, not the fastest bike out there by any stretch, but I think I'd best get a stock of sliders and a few sets of tyres...

The Café car park was next stop, and a welcome cup of tea and chat with an old friend was very nice, nice to see a few other bikes about, but as we chatted the chill was getting very noticeable, so a steady ride home down the Alton road back to Basingstoke was in order, with a slight detour just to wind it on for one last time before, home, and parked up, and another cuppa and a warm up! 

A really nice, nice morning ride, something I've been looking forward to for some time.

No pictures today, just forgot to take some.. 

Ride safe.

  

Frustration, Pain and high Octane..

Well its been a while to say the least, but as the light bulb in the sky pays a visit, and the daylight stay's with us longer, it always gives me a sense of enjoyment, and boost's the enthusiasm levels, to the point of wanting to get out for a spin and blowing off some of the cobwebs, well as the weekend rolled in, and the week's holiday was drawing to a close, a bright sunny day seemed like a good time..Wrong!

The bike has not been run for a while, and was very reluctant to start, in fact did not run correctly and stalled refusing to re-start, so time to take the plugs out for a clean, and see if that does the trick..

I've had a few bikes in the past and feel pretty confident in what I can and cant do, but removing the 2 plugs on the Buell was a real test, the front is easy once the airscoop is removed, but the rear.. well that needs some time, its tucked away behind the frame with only very limited working space, and fingers need to bent into some rather strange angle's to get the plug back in, but after  an hour of blood sweat and tear's all was good, and the starter span up with the engine barking it's approval instantly,

The roar from that pipe was music to my ears, and I was soon out and ripping up the rear tyre on the ring road, so nice to be back out and enjoying the bike again.

After looking into some of the more common tuning tips, the airbox was removed and given the 1.5" hole saw in a few key places, to help with air intake, also a rather trick Keyless ignition system has been found, and placed firmly on the top of the list, removing the problem with the wiring breaking at the original switch.

Cant wait to get stuck into that one...

A service is next on the agenda, along with a touch of polishing, and if I can sneak some new rubber in without being caught, well I think I might be ready for some real biking fun... 

So the first ride of the year was not all play sailing, but very rewarding in the end..!

Ride safe, and have fun Guys.