Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
What's New?
Norton Electra Starter
Ren was wondering what Ian's pawls were for, Ian has provided an answer! Details of the starter mechanism for a Norton Electra, particularly the actuating ratchet.
Dad's And A Detour Prologue
So come on Ren, what's the excuse this time? A few notes on the where's and why-fors of a lightweight tour south of The Ship Canal.
Dad's And A Detour
Title page for a really easy week's trip taking in family, forests, and scenic valleys.
5 Ferries In One Day
5 ferries? In one day!? Surely not (don't call me Shirley). That'll be 5 fools on 5 bikes attempting to use 5 different ferries. What could possibly go wrong? Not a lot thankfully.
Making A Simple Day Out Complicated
There's only a short ride into town today for the lads, nice and easy. Even so Bogger manages to get himself stranded through sheer stupidity. At least the food and beer is cheap.
Some Rain, A Unicorn, And Disorder
What is Ren doing today? No, he doesn't know either. Mist, rain, cafes and slippery roads are on the menu, plus there's a new member in the group.
To Book Or Not To Book
Do you book or just turn up? Ren never used to think about booking but not any more. What's changed, is this a thing or just a Ren thing?
Let The Fun And Fretting Begin
It's the first ride out of the week, an easy one to get things going. Girvan provides the destination for a simple ride that'll get Ren fretting as usual.
Poland To Czech With Nitwits
After a night in Poland the British Buffoons head into The Czech Republic. They're tired and reading between the lines getting a little grumpy, but there's booze and food so they'll be fine.
Bungling To The Bungalow
The first day of the South West Scotland Adventure is a total washout. Ren is moist and Sharon is leaking - and yet it's not all bad at the end of the day.
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Latest Posts
Dad's And A Detour Prologue
ROD¹ said :-
The trailer is a twin wheel.
I have never hit the kerb with the trailer.
The trailer is only 1 MTR wide, so no wider than the k16s panniers, and not much wider than any bike with "normal" handlebars.
I think she can still remember that I said about the braking not being great with the trailer down porlock hill!!!
28/08/2025 17:48:14 UTC
Dad's And A Detour Prologue
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I suppose I'd be a bit nervous about forgetting about the trailer and striaghtlining bends - possibly hitting the kerb. Is yous a single wheel or twin wheel type Rod?
28/08/2025 17:40:22 UTC
Norton Electra Starter
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Yes indeed it's genuine Plumstead welding. Better than mine I have to say although it wouldn't have passed muster at Bracebridge Street. It is a bit of an odd design.
28/08/2025 17:38:08 UTC
Norton Electra Starter
nab301 said :-
I remember as a youngster dismantling the malfunctioning Sturmey Archer 3 speed Epicyclic gearbox on my bicycle....
as for Lucas the prince of darkness Ian is correct I remember an old timer who worked in the industry telling me that the Bike Industry named the price and Lucas manufactured it to that (low ) standard .
Ian is that sprocket as it was OE , welded to the centre (hub") ?
Nigel
28/08/2025 16:01:22 UTC
Dad's And A Detour Prologue
ROD¹ said :-
No, I don't think it's just the cost.
I think it is a perceived danger, or just uncomfortable knowing the trailer is following.
I think if we had used the trailer more often then she would not be bothered about it.
We have only used the trailer two up on a couple of occasions the biggest was a trip to Devon around 9 - 10 years ago.
I have used the trailer much more traveling solo, and have learnt a few tricks for a more pleasurable ride with the trailer.
28/08/2025 12:22:35 UTC
Royal Enfield Himalayan Review
Chuck said :-
I've never had one. Can't comment on ride quality or dependability. All I can say is they should offer some updated, more powerful options. These bikes look like scooters from the 60s. Hope to see something better in the future.
28/08/2025 12:04:48 UTC
Norton Electra Starter
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Waiting for the man....
I thought you may like to see a pic of the Electra resting at the roadside.
28/08/2025 09:57:58 UTC
Dad's And A Detour Prologue
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I totally get all the benefits of towing a trailer ROD - it's something I have considered myself. But you said the wife is not so keen on towing - is it the additional costs?
28/08/2025 07:55:18 UTC
Norton Electra Starter
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Eeeee by 'eck, it's like stepping back in time listening to you 2!
28/08/2025 07:51:39 UTC
Norton Electra Starter
Upt'North ¹ said :-
The great Lucas motto...
Get home before dark!
27/08/2025 18:55:40 UTC
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Latest Repair-Chat
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Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
There's no doubt at all you've done an excellent job Glyn. But - could you just not see your way to putting a proper engine in it?
28/08/2025 07:56:39 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Credit where credit is due.
Well done fella.
26/08/2025 22:59:22 UTC
Glyn said :-
There’s a pretty big Biker night a few miles from where I live, so I thought I’d take the TZR out for a run and a look around. There was a huge turn out so imagine my thrill when my little 2 stroke won bike of the night. Even more so because I didn’t even know they ran a competition. No cash prize but a rather nice T shirt was the prize.
26/08/2025 20:02:29 UTC
Glyn said :-
From memory and experience the villiers engined bikes were fairly poor, James, Dot, FB., etc. The bigger twin 250’s were ok in the Greeves, especially the motocross bikes. In its day, the Aerials (Arrow and Leader) were a bit of exciting engineering and went ok. I liked them but the styling was love it or hate it. However the Japanese we’re coming and really tore the industry apart with far superior machines. Generally they were low capacity but when the likes of the multi cylinder bigger engines such as the GT380, 550 and 750’s arrived that was a real eye opener. The TZR is brilliant and I weigh in at 74kilos these days but the 17 year olds in the 70’s were probably nearer to 65 kilos.
25/08/2025 17:36:26 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
It was just the Fanny-B, but I have to say I'm not a fan of Villiers in general, although the twins were quite nice. I did rebuild an Ariel Arrow a few years back and it was quite a nice bike.
For some reason I've never tried one of the 70s high performance 2 strokes but would quite fancy a go on one, although I'm probably too heavy these days!
The Arrow:
25/08/2025 16:46:39 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ian , I thought you didn't like 2 strokes or was that just the Francis Barnett, and come to think of it didn't you Triumph a Greeves too ? Heresy I say!
Nigel
25/08/2025 16:03:30 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I think you've got those the wrong way round Upt' Lifting the front wheel is a biker thing. We motorcyclists are a more sedate bunch.
Which is not to say some of us don't enjoy a zesty 2 stroke - a pleasure which Ren denies himself. I wouldn't mind a shot on the TZR if I could get my leg over it.
24/08/2025 15:03:59 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Will the TZR return 80 mpg? Who gives a toss. It's as light as a feather, it's got 56 horses and belches blue smoke whilst elevating it's front wheel with aplomb in the first three gears.
10 out of 10 from me.
If you couldn't enjoy imitating Kenny Roberts exiting a bend with the front wheel lifting.....them I'm sorry.....you're not a motorcyclist. But you're probably still a biker, which is a completely different thing.
Well done with the fix Glyn.
Upt.
24/08/2025 09:52:09 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
According to my quick Google search the TZR 250 outputs as much as 56hp. That's 9 more than my 500 for half the capacity. Considerably lighter too.
However. Will the TZR 250 return 80mpg if ridden sensibly? Will the TZR motor achieve 60, 80, even 100 thousand miles before requiring a rebuild?
2 out of 10? I'm not that generous...
23/08/2025 20:03:32 UTC
Glyn said :-
I’ve had some really useful advice from forums in the past but there’s no filter so all sorts of inaccurate information can get on there from people who think they’re helping. Ren will hate me for saying so but the TZR is a revelation. The performance from a 250 is astonishing. Yes it does the “ring a ding ding” thing on tickover but when you hit 6k+ and the power valves open it sounds just brilliant. It’s hard to believe it’s 40 years old. Where’s 40 years of progress when the TZR outputs the same bhp as my 600cc bike? Also, I’ve properly set up the Autolube pump and there’s very little smoke emissions now. Come on Ed it’s worth a lot more than 2 out of 10.
23/08/2025 19:08:31 UTC
Latest Chit-Chat
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nab301 said :-
Ren , looking forward to the review , was it anything like this...
Nigel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBs3oIU0-sE...
28/08/2025 17:13:48 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I got to ride the Rebel. There will be a proper report on my findings soon.
28/08/2025 07:57:26 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I suppose if you have a backrest and suitably padded seating area, plus feet forward (maybe on footboards rather than footrests) it could be rather like sitting on a Laz-ee-boy (sp?) watching the super bowl. Like others here I prefer a slight forward lean with a bar rise of 2-3" although on a fully faired bike like the Tiger and V-Strom I had I preferred higher bars as there's no wind to lean on. I am surprised that the forward footrests on the B'Zuki are quite comfortable.
I have actually been on part of route 66 though in a massive RV not on a bike. It was a most dispiriting experience. It's no longer a major road so it's potholed and many of the various roadside "attractions" are seedy and run down. One of the amusing things about major routes in the USA (although I'm not too sure about the "U" in that term) is the massive roadside hoardings telling you about a taco bell or dunkin donuts 60 miles ahead.
26/08/2025 12:32:22 UTC
Glyn said :-
That makes sense, so why do they call them Cruisers then? My imagination gives me images of thousands of Harleys making that Route 66 5k mile trip you mentioned in an earlier post.
26/08/2025 11:59:06 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I've never spent a lot of time on a cruiser style bike but I can't think how they can be comfortable because all the weight goes through your arris and not your legs and arms. A slightly forward leaning position has always provided the best results for me.
26/08/2025 11:00:44 UTC
Glyn said :-
Something I never considered in the past was the comfort of a bike. I could jump on any machine, thrash it about and never worry about how I might be in pain or in some discomfort or other after I got off or later that day. The Suzuki gives me back ache and I probably couldn’t ride it more than 20 miles before a break. So I don’t think I will be able to cruise the cruiser. The TZR has much less effect on my back but the weight of my upper body is very painful on my hands. The ZZR1100 was generally something I could live with and I put a few thousand miles on that. The BMW 1100 gave me severe pains in my right leg and groine. Are bikes trying to tell me something?
25/08/2025 17:48:37 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Yes some folks bucket list includes Route 66. I'd pay someone else to do it for me.
Not Ed though.
I was driving in Nevade once and we picked a spot in the distance to measure how far away it may be, yes we were bored. 12 flaming miles and not a single input required from moi. Straight and level, 12 miles?
Not another vehicle, person or building in sight.
19/08/2025 18:49:27 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Yes, hadn't thought about that as I hadn't looked at the link. Assumptions again! I suppose if you do hundreds of miles on freeways and never have to slow down or change gear there's some point to them.
I can't imagine a much worse way to use a bike however.
19/08/2025 11:46:47 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ian, I think the forward pegs Ed refers too are just accessory footrests that clip on the frame/bars. They have no brake or gear lever compatibility. I would think traditionally made for the US interstate market.
Upt.
19/08/2025 11:01:56 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Don't highway pegs come with some sort of extensions to brake & gear levers? Plus, how can you say someone standing on the footrests isn't in control? Ask a trials rider whether they're in control when standing - in fact that's exactly why they do it. Unlike the GS riders Upt' refers to.
19/08/2025 09:53:09 UTC
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