A motorcycle parked in front of a tent on a pleasant green campsite

Welcome To Bikes And Travels...

...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!

2 motorcycles with luggage with stunning Welsh mountains in the background

Spring has sprung, now we have a few months of warm pleasant rain to enjoy after the cold and miserable rain of winter. What excitement and adventures will this year bring?

What's New?

CB500X Tappet Time Again Ren loves the CB500X except for one service job. It's time to do the unthinkable, it's time to do the tappets. He's a grumpy old grouch.
Sunshine And Sadness Striking lucky with the weather the dynamic muppets are having a look around North Wales' properties. It's not all glorious though with a bit of bad news.
Dodging Weather To Wales Ren sets the scene, faces impending disaster, has some luck and then gets lost. All in a day's muppetry for the dynamic halfwit.
A Winter Weekend In Wales Title page for a short winter trip to North Wales
Z400 First Impressions Sharon's got the Z400 home. Now it needs some prep work and a first ride. Nothing is ever as simple as it should be in Sharon's world.
Spring Clip Or Peened Rivet Is there anything wrong with spring clips? If you're looking for answers you've come to the wrong place.
Home From Penrith There's time enough to enjoy a little detour on the way home from Penrith. Ren is also pondering his atypical indifference towards a place he feels he ought to adore.
Fastest Purchase In The (North)West Join Sharon on a terrifying journey where she meets a stranger and throws money at him. There's fear and excitement and trepidation and joy. Buckle up!
Sat Nav Leads To Learning Ren has a terrible admission to make - he has moved to the dark side. Maybe this means we won't need to hear him griping and whining about being lost anymore? Doubtful I'm sure.
The Hadrian's Wall Experience Ren takes Sharon for a (very limited) Hadrian's Wall experience. There's a lot of tea to be consumed too. It's another day of leisurely exploration.
See More What's New

Latest Posts

Honda SH125 Mode Test Ride Review Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
125cc you say? Oh I do apologise, times must be real hard for you then. Maybe we need to start the Bogger Benevolent Fund?
19/03/2024 07:20:04 UTC
Honda SH125 Mode Test Ride Review Bogger said :-
Ren, the Mode is a 125cc. Tut tut.

Bogger
18/03/2024 13:28:18 UTC
CB500X Tappet Time Again Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
nab301 - the tank was on and connected when I did the 5 second start - but - the high pressure fuel pipe was empty and this would not fill up with gravity. When you disconnect the high pressure pipe there are a few small drips from the fuel in the pipe but the tank does not self drain. As such when the pipe is reconnected it won't self fill until the ignition is on and the fuel pump runs. I can easily imagine a temporary air blockage.
18/03/2024 07:59:17 UTC
Honda SH125 Mode Test Ride Review Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
This retirement lark seems to be suiting you Bogger. And there's you moaning about not having enough money then splashing out on a new, BRAND new SH300 Mode! Yes we expect pictures soon and perhaps a review?
18/03/2024 07:54:12 UTC
Suzuki DL 250 V Strom Valve Clearance Check Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
When I changed the brake fluid on the 500 I didn't do any fancy computer stuff, just bled them as I would any other bike. BUT - be sure, definite, certain and positive to ensure you keep the master cylinders topped up. It is my understanding that bleeding the brakes after say replacing the pistons and getting air in the system is when you need to do the computer stuff. I'm hoping I don't need to find this out the hard way.
18/03/2024 07:50:20 UTC
Suzuki DL 250 V Strom Valve Clearance Check Ross said :-
You can download a copy of the GW250 Inazuma service manual, free, from here

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/815691/Suzuki-Gw250.html

HTH

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/815691/Suzuki-Gw250.html...
17/03/2024 16:43:19 UTC
Suzuki DL 250 V Strom Valve Clearance Check nab301 said :-
Thanks Upt , much appreciated , I'll treat as normal and if you don't hear from me in the next few weeks you'll know it wasn't a success!
Nigel
17/03/2024 15:57:02 UTC
Suzuki DL 250 V Strom Valve Clearance Check Upt'North ¹ said :-
Nigel,
I asked a man who knows. Who said just change the f'in fluid. That is a quote.
When pushed he relented and said a manual abs activation is a good thing but no need to re-bleed.
I told him off for swearin.
Upt.
17/03/2024 12:37:16 UTC
Honda SH125 Mode Test Ride Review Bogger said :-
That's the one Nigel. A mate has bought a new SH125 and will be going on that to the Czech Republic with me. It will be good to do a comparison, speed, climbing ability, fuel consumption etc.

I'm off camping on it next weekend. With the under seat storage I'm hoping I can get away without having to fit panniers. From the packing I've already done and testing various bag options I think it's easily doable. Most of my sleeping kit will fit under the seat, which is a big bonus.

I'll take some pictures when I'm ready for the off.

Bogger
16/03/2024 17:22:10 UTC
CB500X Tappet Time Again nab301 said :-

Ren , yes I'll probably check the clearances myself, sometime ... Did you do the 5 second start up without the tank connected? I may have misinterpreted what you did , as UPT says , just ride it .
I'm with you on the Z400 valve clearances and having to answer to Sharon especially after her comments on bike theft.. Good luck !

"Quote Sharon said :-"
"I fear however that I would grab my axe and chop off their arms in a fit of rage.
I am rather possessive of my possessions."

Nigel
16/03/2024 13:10:02 UTC
See More Comments

Latest Repair-Chat

Go To Repair-Chat Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
How's the neck Glyn?
18/03/2024 08:00:28 UTC
nab301 said :-
Thanks Glynn , those engines are supposedly bulletproof, fair play for sticking with the project , the only bike I spent as much time on is my current'03 Enfield Bullet 65 which has stubbornly remained a useable rolling project . It could do with a new wiring loom but I can't seem to work up the enthusiasm to create a new one.... my previous '98 350 purchased back in '02 (as a non runner!) now sold , had an inoperative L/h rear indicator eventually traced after unwrapping the complete loom to an unjoined wire in the middle of the loom ,obviously there since manufacture and must of rolled off the production line in that condition!
Nigel
16/03/2024 12:41:16 UTC
Glyn said :-
I couldn't find anything wrong inside the engine Nigel. Just new o rings and a good clean plus a few gaskets and I Painted the casings. Even the valve clearances were correct. According to the MOT history the 24k recorded miles seem to be genuine. However, almost everything forward of the tank was worn out. I had to fit new headstock bearings, wheel bearings, discs and fork seals. The problem with taking all the fairings off ( done by previous owner) is that the frame under the saddle area has many different angles that don't line up with anything causing most of these cafe racer conversations to look a bit odd. Here's a pic of the left side that might show what I'm talking about.
Posted Image
14/03/2024 19:42:02 UTC
nab301 said :-
Glynn, looking good , the headlamp position/ height gives it a Vincent Black Shadow look! was there much work needed on the Engine?
Nigel
14/03/2024 15:55:19 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Looking good Glyn - make sure you keep it safe!
14/03/2024 10:49:45 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
It'd be handy to wash your skiddies on the move.
Side panels are normally the gopping part on specials, they look OK.
Keep up the good work.
She might want a new washer!

14/03/2024 09:24:05 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
HAHA! What's the spin cycle like on that Glyn?
13/03/2024 20:34:11 UTC
Glyn said :-
Just a quick update on the K1100. I've had the engine out and in bits. Then put back together and all painted. I've got the digital Speedo working on all functions and made the old chrome Lucas headlight fit. Then I had to sort out the wiring which was mainly the neutral light and start inhibit Circuits. I'm currently trying to fabricate side panels from the metal body of an old washing machine. If it works out with the bikes lines then I might have to re-register it as a Hotpoint.
Posted Image
13/03/2024 17:17:03 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
"oscilloscope"?? Say what? I'm sorry nab301 you appear to have mistaken me for someone who knows what he's doing and has such tools as an Oh-silly-scope. I'm flattered you think me capable of plugging one in let alone being able to calibrate it and make any sense of the readings. I've got a £10 multimeter - will that do?
06/02/2024 07:56:02 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ren , the clogged filter , bad as it was is probably still within the parameters of the fuel injection system (compensation) , maybe hook up your oscilloscope and look at live data with the old filter , it's all beyond me though!
Nigel
05/02/2024 16:43:48 UTC

Latest Chit-Chat

Go To Chit-Chat nab301 said :-
@ Upt , that one looks nice but as you say it seems a little expensive , around £5 k new from the factory without all of the extras , discontinued now afaik and early Himalayans seem to be cheaper...
Nigel
18/03/2024 15:46:22 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Nice flash though.
I thought it sounded a bit on top side price wise but I wouldn't have a clue on what all the trick bits add to the value. If anything.
Perhaps Ed will bite. I know he's hankering for some'at.
Upt.
18/03/2024 13:00:30 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
You talking to me Upt'? Looks a bit flash to my mind and too expensive. This is a proper trials Bullet ridden by me - unusually looking in control....


Posted Image
18/03/2024 10:21:03 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I'm not really a Bullet fan, but this looks a real beaut, just posted it incase someone's got a wedge that's burning a hole in their pocket. Ian?
Upt.
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/enfield/trials/100111576/...
18/03/2024 09:46:22 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
CCM, meh.
SRV, nice. I didn't know the beast existed.
Upt.
17/03/2024 12:42:04 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Yes, but also because it was kickstart only and I'm starting to appreciate electric legs. The spec says 27 bhp which should be enough as it's about the same as my ES2 which to my shame has barely turned a wheel in the last year.
17/03/2024 10:14:13 UTC
nab301 said :-
That is a lovely looking SRV, the only possible downside is the (lack of) power output , did you shift on an CB250 RS Honda for that reason ?
Nigel
16/03/2024 12:52:48 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I'm still (slowly) negotiating over the CCM. However, I did see an ad in Real Classic that sparked my interest. A grey import Yam SRV250. It's essentially a Virago engine in a featherbed copy frame. I got my brother to pop over and have a quick shufti and although his report wasn't glowing it sounded good enough that I agreed a price of £1,150 with the seller.

This is the model although I don't have a photo of the actual bike. Just need to sort out transport for it (it's in Peterlee). Not the nicest colour. I haven't decided whether to just ride it around or to treat it as a project - much depending on whether the CCM comes to join it.....

According to howmany left there are only 10 in the country. Even rarer than the CCM of which there are either 48 or 100. The former figure was from someone who said the bloke making the petrol tanks died after number 48.


Posted Image
16/03/2024 10:58:34 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Thanks Jeff. My only real regret is that I never managed to actually ride the Tri-Greeves but it's quite possible I would have hated it anyway. I'm still quite confused as to who would have wanted 2 bikes that are pretty well unique.
13/03/2024 13:29:38 UTC
KiwiJeff said :-
Hi Ian, Shocked to hear you had those two lovely bikes stolen. I was looking forward to a ride report on the Tri-Greeves and have enjoyed your build reports. Both unique bikes which makes them hard to replace compared to my Bandit which is readily replaceable. Good luck with finding some suitable replacements searching out and buying new bikes is always interesting and fun.
13/03/2024 09:57:43 UTC
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