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?
Onto The Ferry
Ren takes a simple short trip and turns it into an unnecessarily arduous ride to the ferry. Then all the Dynamic Muppets have to do is get on the ferry. Should be easy - right?
From The Quaint To The Bucolic
Honey coloured stone buildings all around, words like "quaint" and "charming" abound. Ren endures another day of likeable towns and comfy beds. He'll have to find something to gripe about.
Easing Into The Trip
After plenty of flapping and fretting Ren can calm down and start to enjoy the ride. It's a simple journey today with no purpose other than getting closer to the forthcoming ferry.
A Cotswoldian Reconsideration
It's about time Ren rethinks his position on what is generally considered a nice part of England. It's all very nice, but is it too nice?
Prologue - Some Iberian Mountains
Organising a simple 2 week bike tour should be easy peasy. Watch Ren make this simple task as difficult as possible.
Some Iberian Mountains
Title page for The Batties' Iberian Expedition.
Prologue - The Middle West Of England
In a completely unnecessary level of exposition Ren explains the lead up to a short break. There's genius maps to help in case you're bored.
The Middle West Of England
Title page for a short break in The Cotswolds and Hereford.
Homeward Bound And Epilogue
After yesterday's debacle things are going much better for Sharon and Ren today. It's an easy ride home and the final summing up.
It's Been A Fair Old Day
After a great week in The Highlands it's time to leave. However fate doesn't want them to leave, nor does Ren. Things aren't going quite to plan today.
See More What's New
Latest Posts
Onto The Ferry
Ian Soady¹ said :-
For the first time we splashed out on a commodore cabin on Brittany ferries this year. It was like the one you show, free minibar (soft drinks) free breakfasts, coffee / tea making. Very pleasant of expensive.
When I think back to the days of bedding down on the barroom floor......
29/10/2024 16:34:14 UTC
Onto The Ferry
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Yes, Er'Indoors is gloating. Nice carpet, three windows and a king-size bed.
I know.
29/10/2024 16:04:01 UTC
Onto The Ferry
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ed, your failures our ours. We'll just try this nice looking squiggle on the map and avoid that nasty blue line that is straight, wide and quick. Doh...
Now ferries.....we had a bit of a result heading out to Sicily. Pulled up at North Shields 1 hour after leaving home and were in our cabin within 15 minutes of arriving at the dock. We did have to tie the bike down ourselves mind.
Then a butler (honest) showed us to our cabin....with hot coffee and warm pastries already awaiting our arrival. I kid you not.
It was obviously a mistake, but a nice one.
Upt.
29/10/2024 16:00:44 UTC
Suzuki DL250 V-Strom 6 Month Review
John said :-
Awesome, thanks for the link!
23/10/2024 12:47:50 UTC
From The Quaint To The Bucolic
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
That - boyo - is a farm field. Managed, controlled, manipulated, and tended by man made machinery. Pfffffft.
23/10/2024 10:55:41 UTC
From The Quaint To The Bucolic
Upt'North ¹ said :-
"Nature sure is messy"....
Silly boy Pike.
Upt.
23/10/2024 09:55:46 UTC
From The Quaint To The Bucolic
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'm afraid I didn't get the lemon cake recipe nab301, it wouldn't mean anything to me anyhow - ingredients is a long word but it has little meaning to me. I can mix baked beans with some brown sauce and toast - does that count as baking?
Upt's said - "There is an element of society that believe things can be too damn nice. I ask why?" Why? WHY? Golly man can you not see things can be too damn nice? Look at me, I'm too damn nice I know I am so I have to put on this persona of nastiness otherwise it makes everyone else feel inferior. That's what I've been telling myself all these years anyhow.
Back to reality - it's a question of taste Upt', that's all innit. For me when a place is picture perfect it can feel contrived, unreal, unnatural. Look at the perfectly mown lawn with every blade half an inch, borders so straight engineers set their edges by them and so on. Then look at real nature, that bit of wasteland untouched for eons. The brambles tangle with the nettles and trees, random flowers fight for space with gnarly weeds. Nature sure is messy.
23/10/2024 08:06:45 UTC
Suzuki DL250 V-Strom 6 Month Review
Upt'North ¹ said :-
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/815691/Suzuki-Gw250.html...
22/10/2024 16:22:25 UTC
Suzuki DL250 V-Strom 6 Month Review
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I haven't seen a service manual for the 250 yet.
But they about for the earlier road models. See attached if it works. It didn't work but go on manualslib and search on GW250.
It might be worthwhile checking the UK Vstrom owners site too, someone on there may be able to help with general queries.
Good luck.
Upt.
22/10/2024 16:20:33 UTC
Suzuki DL250 V-Strom 6 Month Review
John said :-
Hi all,
Expat living in China here and had this bike since 2018. Could anyone point me to a workshop manual? My owners manual is in Chinese but I did manage to get an English pdf online but no look finding a workshop / service manual :(
Unfortunately service here is very poor, they aren't interested in changing brake oil, coolant etc, Its basically a case of "come back when it breaks" or when they do replace components they use the cheapest fake product they can find.
Any help would be most appreciated!
Many thanks
22/10/2024 15:48:10 UTC
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Glyn said :-
I have a possible theory that perhaps the oil pump needs to up its game when the power valves open. The extra power might well need an advance in the upper cylinder lubricant supply. Someone will know and I will get to learn eventually. If this is the case then the previous owner ( who removed the oil pump supply in favour of premix) may have been running the engine slightly starved at the upper end of the rev range.
29/10/2024 12:00:22 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Sounds like another fascinating project. I love the problem-solving aspects of rebuilds - apart sometimes from the angst caused by previous owners' bodges!
29/10/2024 10:56:37 UTC
Glyn said :-
Thanks Rod, I agree that’s how the theory has been explained to me. I’m not sure why the throttle cable goes to the rotor on the power valve motor. If it pulls up the right hand side of that lever in the white box then it would pull the cable to the oil pump further when throttle is applied. Similarly. If it slackens the right side of the lever then the oil pump would provide less oil to the inlet manifold with the same application of throttle. As there is no current cable from the junction to the pump, and they’re no longer available, I will need to make one up but have nothing to go on with respect to inner and outer lengths etc.
29/10/2024 08:04:10 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Glyn, It has been a long time since I run two strokes, and I am always worried that I am teaching my grandmother how to suck eggs when posting on here.
The three cables are as you described one for each carb and the third for the oil pump.
When tuning two strokes for performance back in my teens and early twenties the exhaust port would be raised to give better power at high revs. Achieving peak power would make the bike almost unrideable on the roads with very narrow power bands and gearing that was too wide with standard ratios. At this state of tune the clutch would have to be slipped when changing gear to keep the bike in the power band.
The bikes improved with the introduction of reed valves which helped with power at lower revs.
The power valves of the later two strokes utilise a metal guillotine device in the exhaust port. This valve is closed at low rpm and opens ( raising the exhaust port timing ) at higher rpm. This gave the bikes the best of both world performance keeping the higher power of a tuned bike with raised exhaust ports when the power valve is open and low down power when the power valve is closed.
I believe from memory that the power valve on the Yamaha was opened via a cable which is attached to an electronic sensor which detects the engine revs, and opens the valve via the cable at higher revs. I think the unit was located under the fuel tank, but I may be wrong ( its not unusual).
I owned the similar Kawasaki KR1.
I apologise in advance for any distress caused too the Ed on reading the contents of this post.
28/10/2024 21:11:26 UTC
Glyn said :-
Exactly Nigel, the tank is better inside than on the outside. I’ve had all the carb bits in the ultrasonic cleaner and they’re looking much improved. I’m trying to understand the throttle linkage. The cable from the twist grip goes into a 3 way splitter. 1/ left carb slide 2/ right carb slide 3/ to another splitter. This 2nd splitter has 1 cable to the autolube pump (it’s missing) and another to the power valve solenoid. So what does the powervalve cable do? As the revs increase does it allow the valves to open or perhaps it may be part of a power restriction device as the Japanese did not allow full power out of these bikes on their roads. The input cable is connected to one side of a floating arm and the PV solenoid is connected to the other with the oil pump connected to the centre point. There is no fixed fulcrum and so the 3 cables work together in some way. A bit more though is needed here.
28/10/2024 16:41:04 UTC
nab301 said :-
Hopefully the premix may have prevented corrosion in the petrol tank?
Nigel
28/10/2024 14:10:54 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
That's proper ugly Glyn. I bet you can't wait to see the inside of the tank.
Upt.
26/10/2024 23:09:46 UTC
Glyn said :-
Nice job Up’t, I like shiney stuff. I’ve got the TZR home and in bits now. It’s a Jap import with 3,713 kilometers on the clock ( just over 2000 miles). There’s quite a bit of paperwork that would suggest it’s had 1 previous owner before being exported to the UK. Forensic examination (by me) looks like the previous owner threw it down the road on the left hand side as it’s been fitted with non original pegs plus scars on the L/H fairing, clutch lever and bar end. The oil pump has been disconnected, a popular mod as many prefer premix ( I don’t) so there’s parts to find. The bike has been poorly stored and covered in scabs and rust spots. I started by taking the carbs off and it’s not nice in there.
26/10/2024 22:16:54 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I can't say Rod, but it's done 75 miles and one day so far. Haven't even lubed it.
Should have said that's a true 80 and not a speedo indicated 80. Although the speedo is now more accurate.
No Ed, I just flouted the law with gay abandonment.
Pffffffftttttt.
Upt.
25/10/2024 15:45:56 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
As Upt' is not long back from his continental adventure I think he was getting confused between mph and kph.
How long does a modern DID chain last?
25/10/2024 15:27:34 UTC
Latest Chit-Chat
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Ian Soady¹ said :-
Just to clarify, a quick shufti at Companies House indicates that Pidcocks is in fact a family run concern so what I said above doesn't apply.
28/10/2024 12:38:02 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Yes, but....
I agree with much of what you have all said especially the debt business. More and more companies borrow excessively - often to fund dividends - then find they can't sustain that model when borrowing costs rise. Look at water companies, "care" home conglomerates and others. They have been bought out by private equity companies on the basis of loans. The only way they can carry on is to squeeze the services they supply to the minimum. And then we're all shocked when it turns out they're not doing a very good job and are struggling financially. Although oddly enough this struggling doesn't seem to extend to their CEOs and owners.....
Not sure whether this applies to motorcycle dealers or not.
27/10/2024 10:08:55 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
My own thoughts mirror yours. Businesses built on debt are always susceptible to market forces far more than established long running concerns and yes, we know motorcyclists are getting old. Just look at us lot. Not you Madame du Soleil.
I also believe that motorcycles are getting damn expensive, if you want to go either adventure or tour in a BMW emporium you can easily spend in excess of £20K. Now I know I'm a rich baby booming property enriched pensioner, but that's a lot of brass for some'at sitting in your garage.
Have this wave of buyers (us) exploited their ill gotten gains and the piggy bank is now empty.
I still see people spending brass but is it brass or just credit.
Either way, I would expect some more casualties as we go through winter, it's a lean time for bike shops in the UK. Plus there must be a knock on effect with less dealers now ever further apart who will buy into these brands.
My nearest franchised dealer is at least 50 miles away anyway, but that's pretty unusual and very geo specific. I don't think many would relish a 100 mile journey to reset the EMU or ABS module when they throw a fault.
It is also relevant that many manufacturers have insisted on one make palaces to stock their shiny new stock, that costs money and commitment.
Upt.
27/10/2024 09:51:27 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Although Pidcocks will not fit my theory, as they are a long established motorcycle dealer, many of the dealers that are relatively new to the market have been hit by the increased costs over the last few years with rapid growth and borrowed finance.
Completely motorbikes fits my theory as this type of dealer.
They have grown quickly over the last five to six years by taking over other dealers and opening larger showrooms. This growth I believe is financed with borrowing. Now if the stock of bikes in the showrooms have a value of £10,000,000 then interest rates of five years ago would have cost around £100,000. Interest rates today for the same £10,000,000 would cost around £600,000.
So finance will cost an extra £500,000 alone, plus the increase in staff costs, and increase in energy bills ect.
So with all these extra costs and a drop in sales for whatever reason, be it youths not buying or very poor weather through the summer there can only be one result.
Administration!
26/10/2024 19:49:58 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I blame da kidz.
Hanging out at a bike shop this AM and I notice that while there's the occasional young ones about the vast majority are my age and up.
When I was a yoof I was probably the last generation that viewed motorcycles as a cheap and available form of transport, since then it seems, despite "austerity" and various financial crashes and the whole world just getting worse and worse (apparently) most yoofs bypass the cheap motorcycle options and go straight to the car. Or just wait until they're older and can afford to insure a car.
Is it a cultural thing? Safety thing? I can see various possibilities but there's just not the young uns coming through.
There's PLENTY of 125s available in a myriad of styles and prices thanks to the new Chinese brands as well as the established brands. I'd hazard a guess it's still cheaper to insure a 125, although I don't actually know. I dunno, be curious to see what happens.
26/10/2024 14:58:34 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
What's happening to bike dealers?
Just heard Pidcocks have gone under too.
Sales of 1000 cc bikes is well down.
Have we finally run out of credit?
Upt.
25/10/2024 23:00:31 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
"Are we supposed to look for Sharon's head bobbing in the wake?" - oh Ian that made me larf!
I made a very minor alteration to the code and was simply checking to see I hadn't broken owt. You're all very funny, in a horrible way.
23/10/2024 08:10:13 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Perhaps it's a typo, he meant to say just decking.
22/10/2024 18:59:28 UTC
nab301 said :-
Maybe he's sold the bike and bought a Jetski?
Nigel
22/10/2024 15:28:39 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I don't know what our leader is testing for Ian, unless it's our patience.
Upt.
22/10/2024 10:07:09 UTC
Random Link - CBF 125 Tappets At 40,000