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.   

All ready to go back together!!!

Evening, and hope you've all had a great xmas, Its been busy on the work front, the Buell has been sat awaiting a few jobs, mainly the ignition problem..

Well, stand back, it's all sorted, found the broken wire, so managed to repair and also lengthen the wires, as the run through a lovely magnesium casting, but the wires are a touch short, and this causes a known break problem, so I hope I've cured it.. time will tell..

The Exhaust was next on the list, time for a re-pack, nice and easy, drill out the rivets, repack with fibre, and re-rivet.. all good, so as 2014 draws in, the bike is just awaiting me to put all the bits back and get out for a blast.. 

Have a great new year, and all the best for 2015!!!!

Merry Christmas!

Just like to say to all, have a great Christmas, if you manage to get out over the holidays ride safe and enjoy, Ill be in the shed fixing the Ignition problem as soon as I get five minutes, need to hear that engine note again, and soon..

Merry Christmas!

Oh dear...

Evening my Bloggers..

Well it was rather a nice day, so I thought Id venture out and try the bike as its been a while..

So off I go, and soon felt right at home easing out with the Saturday traffic and winding my way through the outskirts and out onto the M3 for a short blast down to the next junction to just give the bike some room to breathe, 60,70, 80, tut tuy, but all was good and the bang and pop from the pipe as I shut the throttle and headed down to the worst roadworks around told me all was well, or so I thought, not a moment later, the management light was on, and the bike popped, burbled and spat itself to a halt... and stayed there.

Nothing else to do, but call for help, which thanks to the insurance company never came through, so a good mate helped out and we shoe horned the bike into his van and home to the shed it came.

A look at the usual culprit found nothing, so with the battery on charge, it will be back for a look at whats going on soon.. 

NEC for Motorcycle Live first thou..!

Rubber side down guys! 

Time fly's by to fast...

Cant believe its been a month already.. 

So many things on the go, the Buell is sitting there all clean, polished, Carbon fitted, pads waiting to bed in, and try those new Renthal grips.

But a few jobs around the house, and work being rather busy have left me running out of time, and the bike being giving a dust off.

However, I have found a few more goodies that would look rather nice, so once again, there's a list, and I will enjoy getting through this one...

So thats it for the moment, all is good, and yes, I do just stand there with a tea in hand, looking at what else can be removed, polished, or what it would look like painted to match, theres plenty that will keep me busy I'm sure!

Be back soon

Steady Journey's...