Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
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?
Let The Chaos Commence
It's a typical start to a trip and overall things seem to be going well. Except for the weather. And the traffic. And the suspect motorcycles. And the disorganisation.
Them There Alps
Title page for Bogger's retelling of the tale of a curious trip to The Alps with friends.
Pothole Ouch
I'm sure we've all had a similar experience. Ren's been shaken by a pothole, poor Ren. You'd think riding an adventure motorcycle and being experienced he'd know better. Nope.
Charging Troubles (5v not 12v)
To keep the lights on and to keep going in the right direction Ren needs charging. It's time to update and rethink the USB power setup on the 500
CB500X At 40k And What Next?
Ren's 500 is getting on a bit now. Where's the bike at and could there be a new addition to the stable?
Not A Lot To Say In The Best Possible Way
Walking and some motorcycling with not a lot to report, which is a good thing. Ren is pondering the disadvantages of going to nice places.
The Tourer Transformation Continues
Sharon's shiny new Z400's transformation from naked street machine to grand tourer is well under way. She does enjoy spending money far too much for Ren's liking.
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.
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Latest Posts
Let The Chaos Commence
Bogger said :-
Yes, tubeless tyres on the C125. Much better than tubed tyres. They're not overloaded, we are just making the best use of the available space.
Bogger
25/04/2024 20:19:40 UTC
Let The Chaos Commence
nab301 said :-
Interesting , the C125's appear to have tubeless tyres which may be handy.
Ren , could I take the opportunity to unreservedly aplogise for anything I may have said here re overloading your bike(s)...
Nigel
25/04/2024 15:48:41 UTC
Let The Chaos Commence
ROD¹ said :-
Ren, This is why I admire (maybe envy) riders who enjoy travelling with little power. Its the light weight, and doing mega mpg.
I know I am in a minority as a motorcyclist, as most people make this statement which I do not understand.
" It's more fun riding a slow bike fast, than riding a fast bike slow."
For myself it's not about how fast you go, but I like the feeling of always having effortless power on tap. I do not enjoy thrashing three shades out of a bike.
I have also found that if you use all of the small bikes power the mpg drops dramatically which for myself defeats the object.
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy low powered bikes on the lanes and b roads, but I prefer a larger bike for riding distance even if I do not cover the roads any faster.
25/04/2024 09:42:34 UTC
Let The Chaos Commence
Bogger said :-
Upt, just keep reading.
Bogger
25/04/2024 08:59:41 UTC
Let The Chaos Commence
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Admire, or feel sorry for ROD?
I recall a conversation with a drag rider - "I spend an absolute fortune trying to spend less time doing that which I love doing". Is it not right to say that if you love motorcycling and the riding of a motorcycle then surely the best motorcycle is a slow one? Why do 100 miles in say 2 hours when you could do it in 3?
Plus - when you really think about it - yes Bogger and pals would not get as far as a "big" bike in an allotted amount of time, but is there really all that much difference? With speed limits and traffic I'm sure the difference is way less than most folks imagine.
Anyhow, Bogger does these silly things so we don't have to. Just enjoy the ride from the comfort of your own home. I'm just praying Sharon and I don't face the same rough seas on our 20-something hour crossing to Spain.
25/04/2024 08:02:33 UTC
Review of the Honda ANF 125 Innova - By Peter Hawker
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Oh my word! A naked Innova - how rude.
It looks so strange that frame without the context of all the bits attached. Good luck with the build Jon.
25/04/2024 07:54:09 UTC
Let The Chaos Commence
ROD¹ said :-
I admire people that undertake these trips on small capacity motorcycles, but is it a tour, or is it an endurance test?
I am looking forward to the next episode.
24/04/2024 11:18:21 UTC
Let The Chaos Commence
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Sounds like the perfect start to a bike trip, rain, wind and bumpy seas. Very Woolerumnal.
Those bikes look like badly wrapped kebabs.
When does his rear end fall off!
Upt.
24/04/2024 09:38:32 UTC
Review of the Honda ANF 125 Innova - By Peter Hawker
Jon said :-
Only just found this Innova site. I'm putting one together from two tea chest's full of bits & I thought I'd change the front end ! I've got the engine stripped because of big end failure ! Watch this space ?
23/04/2024 23:18:44 UTC
Pothole Ouch
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Don't go to Brussels Rod....not that you would.
You'll be cancelled.
Upt.
18/04/2024 18:45:13 UTC
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Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ian, you've got me all twitchy. In a good way.
Those Cobalt drills sound like something I need in the tool kit. Well I want them, I may never need them.
I've had a quick looksie on the interweb thingymabob and the prices are all over the shop. Is there a make and type you could recommend?
I've seen screwfix do Bosch 5% Cobalt at a reasonable price but I'd probably prefer to buy a set from somewhere if possible.
Ta me duck.
Upt.
25/04/2024 18:53:31 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
The Yamaha saga continues....
It's taken all this time to get rid of those screws. Soaking in penetrating oil for a week made no impression. My HSS drill bits had little impact. So eventually I cut them off flush with the flange with the thin disc in the Dremel, carefully centre popped them and used recently purchased cobalt drill bits to drill out the remains. I didn't bother trying to save the threads as there's plenty of room behind for nuts so just drilled 6mm clearance holes. I must say the cobalt bits were a revelation - I normally just use HSS but also have some TIN-coated drills which have probably lost their coating by now. I could probably have drilled the heads off using the cobalt ones.
Still waiting for the bits I ordered from CMS in the Netherlands.........
25/04/2024 12:46:39 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Yes I'm aware myself the notion of lying on the floor in the rain gets less and less appealing as I get older. I'm unsure if I'm too tight or too poor to pay someone else to do something I can do though.
25/04/2024 08:05:21 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
My car is a 12 year old Kand Rover Freelander and yes I'd trust it to take me to the South of France - with or without caravan, although these days Normandy / Brittany / the Loire seem far enough. Sadly although the spirit may be willing I'm afraid the flesh is too weak to make any sort of long distance bike journey but when I was doing that it was aboard a 30 year old Norton Commando which I'd completely rebuilt myself and it never let me down although occasionally presented me with interesting intellectual problems to solve.
I confess to letting others do the necessary for the car as (a) I can afford it and (b) lying underneath seems to have lost its allure. Of course back in the day I thought nothing of changing the big end shells on a Morris 1000 in the street. Although the pleasure that gave was short lived....
23/04/2024 14:25:11 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
It goes to show that if both the Yammy and the BSAZuki were in prime condition you would only have been initially happy, as opposed to the now dirty and frustrated happiness you're presently suffering/enjoying.
For myself one concern is that of "ready to ride" -ness. How do you go on with your car Ian? I don't think you run old machinery and spend all day lying on the floor of the driveway with the car on jacks trying to refettle that seized brake arm or setting the timing with strobe and feeler gauges.
Would you, now, as a maturing chap, take either of your bikes to the south of France and back with the good lady in tow? I'm not talking of the physical aspect (comfort etc) I mean would you trust the bikes to make the trip? Would you feel confident towing the caravan with a 1960's car to Spain?
In a perfect world I'd have a garage and one bike for all the time use that gets fettled and messed with and used and abused. Then there'd be a nice bike that's in perfect order with low miles, kept in mothballs until that week or 2 away somewhere nice.
23/04/2024 13:09:50 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
You're probably right Ren for some but I think I may be far from a "typical" rider. And as I've mentioned there are few modern bikes I'd want. And how would I occupy my time if not lying in a pool of oil cursing some far-away designer or ham-handed previous owner?
23/04/2024 10:47:42 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
PCP is fine for a certain kind of rider, and that rider is perhaps the most common type of rider.
You put a not insignificant but manageable amount down and pay X pounds per month. For this you get a shiny new motorcycle that you will use on dry Sundays, one evening a week to visit the bike meet and one, possibly 2 motorcycle holidays per year. Approximately 4,000 miles annually, maybe a little more. You get the bike annually serviced twice then on the third year you complete your PCP deal by trading in your now 3 year old 12,000 mile bike for another new shiny model and a slight increase in your monthly payment.
This way you know where you stand. X pounds per month plus a little extra for tyres and the annual service. Your motorcycle is always less than 3 years old. You're not dealing with seized brake calipers. You're not dealing with fitting a new chain and sprocket kit. You're not dealing with camchain tensioners. In fact you're not dealing with seized in exhaust bolts or mangled sump nuts or complex wiring issues and on and on and on and on.
There are times when I'm elbow deep in dirty oil and blooded knuckles and desperately worrying if my bike will actually be fit for our next trip - I think I might just sign up myself! But then with a PCP bike for the deal to work the bike must be in a resaleable condition after the 3 years (or otherwise depending on the deal). I couldn't fit my amazing handguards. I couldn't bodge in my USB charging system. I'd have to drastically reduce my mileage.
PCP might not be for me, and probably most of the readers of this type of blog. But for a lot of folks it makes a lot of sense.
23/04/2024 07:34:09 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I'll let the cut-off screws rest in penetrating oil for the time being - no rush to sort them out.'ve ordered the bits I need from CSM in the Netherlands who seem to have good stocks.
I see a DIY induction heater project in the next episode!
Nigel
22/04/2024 13:29:10 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Yes, looking up. And yes, the oil was very diluted and petrol-like. If I had a 2 stroke I could probably have used it.
There aren't really any "modern" bikes I fancy although that SWM I mentioned here a little while ago was quite tempting. PCP? Just another way to be ripped off. And as you know I like getting my hands dirty and a challenge only makes it more worthwhile.
The gift that keeps on giving is of course the theft of the Tri-Greeves and XBR500 both of which were pretty much ready for riding.
21/04/2024 10:23:14 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Are we looking "up" here Ian I'm guessing? Logic says it is but the image feels like we're looking from the side.
I hope you're garage is well ventilated as I reckon that oil will be 20 to 50% petrol now, slowly evaporating into a combustible gas with the air.
Logic also dictates as soon as the weather improves your motorcycle(s) will decide now would be a good time to demand some mechanical attention. You could always purchase a new fangled motorcycle with warranty and servicing carried out by someone else, all in an easily affordable PCP package. Trade in and re-sign every 3 years and never have to get your hands dirty again. No?
21/04/2024 08:36:25 UTC
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Rev. Mick! said :-
Not sure what you meant there Ren.
It was unlikely I was doing me D.P.Gumby imatation with me ice cream and knotted hankie on a miserable pissing wet day in the Outer Hebrides. We wanted to whizz up the archipelago and get to the bothy, get fire going and have a single malt while looking out at one of the most amazing west coast views.
We’ve spent a lot of time up there and know what it can be like. Great blast of a ride though despite weather.
The Devon (and probably Kernow) tour might involve climbing gear too. There are a few routes I want to do or repeat as it may be the last time.
Commando Ridge at Bosigran.
Devil’s Slide on Lundy.
Doorpost at Bosigran.
Climbers’ Club Ordinary at the Dewerstone.
Plus I have a number of very good school buddies down there.
Also ideas for big trip this year, initially focusing west, Colombia, Jamaica or T&T. All very interesting and I have not been for years. Imagine rural Jamaica on a 50cc scooter.
However Albania has been suggested, looks very nice, very very cheap (for Europe), there seems to be good bike and scooter hire. So ideas are once more being tossed around.
https://www.madornomad.com/motorcycle-travel-guide-albania/...
25/04/2024 19:03:03 UTC
Glyn said :-
Both bikes are still tucked up in the garage for me. It's rarely more than 10°C at home but we're currently touring the Monmouthshire and Brecon canal in a 61ft narrow boat. Mrs Glyn is happy so that'll do for now. I have to say that a 61ft boat is a bit of a handful for two (elderly) persons and I can't wait to get home and back to some work on the bikes. A bit off topic I'll agree but my short story does come under the heading of "travels".
25/04/2024 17:20:07 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Tour Of Devon Rev. Mick!? At the pace you went across The Outer Hebrides a Tour Of Devon should take you 2 days I reckon. Throw in a bit of Cornwall.
46f Upt'. I'm gunna have to google that. Ah, just under 8 proper sensible degrees Celsius (or centigrade). 8c is perfectly warm, you just forgot to put a jumper on after being in the nice warm car all winter.
23/04/2024 07:16:26 UTC
Rev. Mick! said :-
You do have to love cubs.
After a complete winter of neglect, due to the very good weather in Ireland currently, the Cub was wheeled out from the back of my niece’s husband’s shed.
Looks like a barn find but started 2nd kick. Battery not even flat.
The summer is coming.
First thinking a “Tour of Devon”.
21/04/2024 20:28:30 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Got The B MOT'D at Berwick-upon-the-Tweed.
First ride this year, blummin freezin at only 46 of your f's.
I've decided there's only two weather seasons, I officially decree it! We now have Woolerumnal and Summer. Summer is optional. Woolerumnal at this moment has continued unabated since June 30th 2023.
Pffffffftttttt.
Upt.
21/04/2024 09:21:57 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
That'll be the long and the short of it Upt' yes. It's only money, but without it we're screwed.
21/04/2024 08:38:52 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
That's a lot of money for a retainer. But of course you'll be paying for delivery from Belgium overnight, whether you want it or not, plus the profit of the Chinese manufacturer, Honda themselves, the dealer etc.
That must be a common part on other models too with Nissin calipers.
The metal is fairly funky too, like a spring stainless if memory serves me right.
But it's only money.
Upt.
19/04/2024 08:31:39 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
This little sliver of metal. About £10. What the flip?!?!
18/04/2024 16:53:53 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Harsh Upt', harsh, however also funny.
nab301 - Pfffft. Right where to start.
Evening 1 - remove rear wheel, clean rear wheel, get into the usual battle royale with rubber, fit tyre, collapse in a sweaty heap.
Evening 2 - clean the cush drive and sprocket carrier, clean the swingarm, clean the rear brake, balance the wheel/tyre, work out how to use chain tool, break chain tool because you don't know how it works, cut chain with angle grinder, fit new chain, use the now broken chain tool to flare the soft rivet, collapse in a sweaty heap.
Evening 3 - fit new front sprocket, fit new rear sprocket, refit rear wheel, spend an age looking for a sliver of metal from the brake mount, look online to see how much a new one would be, kneel and injure oneself on the sliver of metal while looking for a bolt, cry quietly into a brew, fit brake pads and caliper, torque everything, collapse in a sweaty heap.
This lunchtime - refit sprocket cover.
Now all I need to do is worry about have I tightened everything up. No wait, oh no, have I overtightened anything?
18/04/2024 16:50:51 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
He's obviously far to busy counting his fingers and toes, which isn't easy when you use them for counting.
18/04/2024 16:02:50 UTC
Random Link - CBF125 Exhaust - It's Time