Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
What's New?
Back When I Almost Quit
Back in the past Ren had his doubts about continuing to ride motorcycles. Turns out he's crap at riding motorcycles, no news there then. Or was something else afoot?
An Even Longer Ride Homewards
There's more big miles today, and not to anyone's surprise - more chaos. Traffic jams and sheer foolishness means some folks are having a REALLY bad day.
A Good Start To Heading Saaaf
It's an easy and chill ride today as The Dynamic Muppets make their way southbound. A lucky cafe find, a lovely village and fun in a pub? This can't be Bikes And Travels, surely?!
A Long Ride Homewards
After another big breakfast there's a long ride ahead for Bogger and pals as they get their teeth into the journey home. Of course there's a disaster, admittedly it's only a minor inconvenience.
To Rebel Or Not To Rebel
Ren's getting on a bit and the newness is wearing off. Will his aches and pains be alleviated by a different bike with a different riding position? It's time to see if rebellion is the solution.
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.
See More What's New
Latest Posts
Back When I Almost Quit
ROD¹ said :-
I think we are all shaped to a certain extent by our experience though life.
My first bike, a BSA C15 I was told by my ACU instructor that the bike would be reliable if I did not thrash it. I respected this guy very much and I looked after that bike. My next bike was a 650 BSA with high lift cams flowed head close ratio gear box swept back high flow exhausts ect. This bike was riden hard and I eventually wrecked the engine.
I then had a few changes in my life when I lost my mother at the age of 16 and moved to a car at 17.
At 18 I purchased a Norton Commando 750 this was also thrashed, and eventually I knocked out the bottom end. So to cut a long story short. Suzuki GT 380 crank shaft failure. Yamaha RD 250 seized engine. Suzuki GS 250 seized engine. I could see the KR1 going the same way!
At this time I had also owned a Kawasaki Z1000 and a GS 850 Suzuki. These larger engine bikes I did not have any trouble.
The KR1 was fast enough, but you did have to thrash it to get the performance and it was not in its power band until it was doing 70mph in top gear. This type of engine characteristic encourages fast riding.
When I purchased the Kawasaki GTR the ride was totally different to the KR1. My first touring bike was a detuned lazy bike with lots of mid range power and would pull cleanly from under 30mph in top gear. It never felt stressed, and I did not need to work at getting the power,
I no longer needed to play a tune on the gearbox for a rapid overtake, just twist the throttle in top gear and go, and I was no longer worried about wrecking the engine.
I had found my bike, and kept this bike for 19 years.
I hope this explains and I have not gone on too much.
It is probably for these same reasons I am enjoying the K1600 now.
17/09/2025 16:43:48 UTC
Back When I Almost Quit
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
It is spelt "philosophical" Bogger. I'm not cleva I has a spill chucker.
It is an age thing I suppose. When you're young the hormones are raging and being competitive is actually quite natural. It would also be healthy in a stone age tribe, necessary even for survival and getting the chance to pass on your genes. In our modern world though with fast bikes (and cars and guns and and and...) raging hormones seem more likely to permanently prevent survival and the passing on of genes.
I reckon that 350ADV that Rev. Mick! hired in Spain would be right up your street Bogger.
It took me quite some time to realise that for some folks tinkering with a bike is equally if not MORE important than riding it. I think like me, Ren and while I do take pleasure in fiddling with the oily bits it seems less so than some. For me it's a means to an end - ie keeping the bike on the road rather than the end itself - the pleasure of tinkering. To each their own.
ROD said "I remember the day I changed my KR1 for a GTR 1000 and realising that power is much more important for my riding pleasure than speed." Explain more ROD please. Is it the "oooomph" you like or the under stressed purr of the big motor at legal speeds?
17/09/2025 08:39:37 UTC
Honda High Pressure Fuel Connector
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Hi Timbo. You're quite right and that's why I had to edit the article after I wrote it - adding the video at the start of it.
I'm still learning... Thanks for the tip.
17/09/2025 08:21:07 UTC
Honda High Pressure Fuel Connector
Timbo said :-
There’s an easier way to do it, push the fitting back onto the tank/injector, it’s should move about a mm, with it pushed back press that white clip inwards, as in towards the centre of the fitting, again this should go in a mm or 2, then the fitting just slides off no tools required and no risk of breaking anything
16/09/2025 16:14:45 UTC
Back When I Almost Quit
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Good to see some positive Pirsig comments. I've always had at least one bike in the shed for the last 50+ years but during that time have definitely had fallow periods. Currently I'm as engaged with restoring / modifying / fixing bikes as I am with riding. There have been times in the past when a month has gone by without a bike turning a wheel, and since I no longer "need" to get anywhere much winters don't see the shed door opening very often. Over the decades I've done extensive continental touring, commuted year round in snow and ice, "competed" in pre-65 trials as well as just going out for a ride. All have been fun but some have fallen by the wayside.
It certainly isn't about speed for me, as I've only ever had one bike that would easily do a ton, and on which I tried it just to see. It felt no different to 70 except the road furniture seemed to be appearing rather suddenly. It's about enjoying whatever it is at the time. At the moment I have 2 bikes which do much the same - the Norton and the B'Zuki - hence partly why I'm researching the idea of fitting a chair to the latter. My current restoration project - a 1048 BSA 250 is a charming little machine and I see it being useful for popping down to the shops and other local trips. Or maybe I'll hate it and it will have to go.
16/09/2025 10:36:42 UTC
Back When I Almost Quit
ROD¹ said :-
I think we all go through moments of realisation in our riding journey.
I remember a police motorcyclist telling me I was riding like a predator, and on a motorcycle I was always the prey.
I remember riding with a mate who a few years later was Barry Sheen's team mate.
I remember the day I changed my KR1 for a GTR 1000 and realising that power is much more important for my riding pleasure than speed.
As long as our chosen ride does what we need as a rider, then the bike is the correct bike.
If the bike remains in the shed, as the Fazer did, it's the wrong bike.
16/09/2025 09:11:07 UTC
Back When I Almost Quit
Bogger said :-
Wow, we really have gone all filosofical, philosofficel, err thoughtful haven't we.
But you know what, I agree with you entirely. But don't mislead yourself. It is an age thing (muffled laugh).
I've got two big BMWs. Don't use them. What I do use, is a 30yr old 250 Yamaha Majesty, all the time. The other two bikes I use on a very regular basis, are my Honda super Cub125 and the SH Mode 125. Says it all I suppose.
The only thing I'm toying with is getting another scooter with a slightly larger engine displacement. Hmm?
Bogger
16/09/2025 08:34:39 UTC
To Rebel Or Not To Rebel
nab301 said :-
Excellent Ren , thanks.
Nigel
15/09/2025 16:18:10 UTC
To Rebel Or Not To Rebel
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
This will show you the components - watch the whole video for more details
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJOGKCbvMo8&t=120s...
15/09/2025 07:45:36 UTC
To Rebel Or Not To Rebel
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Oddly I thought I'd find a youtube video that would explain slip assist clutches. I'm still looking for one that actually shows you what's going on...
15/09/2025 07:40:03 UTC
See More Comments
Latest Repair-Chat
Go To Repair-Chat
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I missed that one due to dithering. There's this (see link) which has been beautifully finished but I couldn't stand the colour and it would be a shame to repaint it.
In a totally different direction, this weekend's Pugh auction has a tasy Watsonian trials job which might fit the bill with a couple of bags of gravel as ballast:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/257018884282...
16/09/2025 10:25:44 UTC
nab301 said :-
Looking at the price of new (Velorex and Watsonian) sidecars, anything for under £2k looks cheap!
Nigel
15/09/2025 17:32:55 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I keep looking at this. I think it would match the B'Zuki nicely. But a bit on the pricey side for me, and do I need it yet? But since when has that stopped me?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/236283575792...
15/09/2025 14:53:39 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I had to look up Reliant Regal - apparently the Regal is the forerunner of the much better known (and maligned) Robin.
15/09/2025 14:43:49 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
So I would guess it's a UK conversion? I'll be interested to hear how you feel about the conversion as you go through the trike.
15/09/2025 14:41:21 UTC
Glyn said :-
The rear axle is from a Reliant Regal van, very common on the Goldwing Trikes because the ratios suit rather well. Interestingly, the Reliant was a 750cc with about 1/3rd of the power of the Goldie yet I’ve not heard of any failure yet. The conversion was described as a good quality DIY bespoke. It has passed the single vehicle test and correctly registered as a Trike.
15/09/2025 13:06:51 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Sheeeeez Glyn! I reckon I gotten all of your bad luck... pfffft. Yup I are be looking forward to seeing where this 'ere trike extravaganza leads us. We'll have Glyn on his 1.5 litre "Goldy" and Ian broken down at the side of the road on his vintage off road combination. Glyn - might I suggest the following. Fit a towbar to the trike and keep that flatbed trailer handy. Also become familiar with the area around Redditch. You and Mrs Glyn can enjoy lovely days out retrieving Ian from various houses as the locals supply him with tea.
I need to know Glyn - is the 'Wing's rear differential a bespoke thing or something "off the shelf". I know the Yanks can buy things like a "Dana 40" axle. Is it a kit or a DIY conversion?
15/09/2025 07:55:37 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
That's handy. I've occasionally hired trailers - there's a local place where they're about £50 / day - but often it's actually cheaper, and certainly less hassle, to trust one of the specialised movers. Their rates have gone up a lot recently, but the last bike I had delivered cost around £150. The disadvantage of course is possibly not seeing it before it arrives although I have been lucky in the past.
14/09/2025 10:18:43 UTC
Glyn said :-
I have a round trip of 360 miles to pick up the trike. The best courier quote was £500! So I measured a LWB transit 3 times to assure myself it would go in. However it would need that much space again for the boxes of bits plus 3 scaffold boards. Then I found this lurking in a friends yard. Long enough and wide enough for the trike plus its own loading ramp. A phone call later and it’s mine free for the day. The Transit has a tow bar. What was that I said about being a lucky guy?
14/09/2025 08:24:14 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
That'll keep you busy for a while, I look forward to regular updates.
I mentioned that for the future I may be looking at a trike or even better a Norton Wasp. So what should come up on ebay? See below. However I have been rethinking and have now come to a tentative conclusion that a better option may be to fit a light sidecar to the B'Zuki. With 40-odd bhp it should handle the extra load OK especially as the chair will almost always be empty apart from a couple of sacks of sand to provide ballast. There's a trials chair on ebay for £400 - odd. However, it's much too early. Or is it..... Sourcing (and probably making) fittings will be the main difficulty/opportunity.
I do have experience with outfits having run a 16H Norton (500 sidevalve) with a pretty Watsonian Avon chair back in the early 1970s. I removed the sidecar after a fraught trip at christmastime back from Bishop Auckland to Brum in freezing fog. We stopped near Derby to try to thaw out and my wife flatly refused to get back in the sidecar. Eventually a passing lorry driver helped me persuade her it was her only option and she tearfully complied, never to get in it again.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286815293103...
13/09/2025 10:27:51 UTC
Latest Chit-Chat
Go To Chit-Chat
Glyn said :-
It’ll need a bit of patience though, I don’t pick it up until Wednesday and I’ll need a bit of time for the rebuild but should be there by Xmas if you’re still waiting.
15/09/2025 22:17:06 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Fear not Ian - I'm arranging for Glyn to come and collect you on his trike...
15/09/2025 07:56:28 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
It's starting well now with a gallon of Texaco's finest E5 in the tank. The first fine day with no other commotmets I'll venture out. Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye....
14/09/2025 15:42:54 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'm glad it's not just me...
Ren. Feeling slightly smug and less dumb than usual
10/09/2025 20:27:52 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ian , at least you posted a reply I was scratching my head wondering what the issue was! .
I had something similar on my current Enfield 10 yrs ago , I eventually sorted all the electrical issues and the bike would pull "strongly" up hill but had issues on downhill stretches , you've guessed it, fuel starvation downhill below a certain level in the tank.
Nigel
10/09/2025 15:45:16 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Oh the embarrassment!
I took the tank off the Norton to check the fuel flow. There was nothing with the (newly fitted) tap in the "On" position but a steady flow from reserve. Clealy I'd effectively run out of petrol and hadn't even thought to try reserve. When I stopped, putting it on the prop stand probably tilted the tank enough so that a bit of fuel flowed into the tap (on the left hand side) so was enough to start the engine and get me home. And my fan club may remember that I'd come to the conclusion that the previous breakdown was fuel starvation - yes it probably was, and for the same reason.
I think the tap allows a very generous reserve which of course is a good thing. Which may be foolproof but not against this fool.
I should have applied Occam's Razor and gone for the simplest explanation first.
10/09/2025 14:50:49 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I already pay the nice people at Britannia recovery £150 a year so am very happy with their service. And I also have breakdown cover "free" with my insurance but haven't tried them yet. No doubt I will one day.
Meanwhile the Norton is languishing while I work out what to do with it. In the meantime work continues on the little BSA C11. And the B'Zuki sits there saying "Why don't you just take me out - I'm far more reliable than that old clunker." Which is of course true.
10/09/2025 10:30:20 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Oh Ian! Well at least you got home under your own steam. Is it worth getting a used motorcycle trailer and teaching Mrs Soady how to hook it up then sat-nav to your pin? It might be a prudent investment. You could collect and deliver your own motorcycles too!
As for actual repairs Ian? Goes to show just how reliable modern vehicles are. As/when/if we do go fully electric there'll be even less physical repairs save for the rolling chassis. Most of it will be diagnostic and mostly by replacement not careful investigation.
Shim check and replace K1600 nab301? A quick search suggests £700-800 at a workshop, a grand for an official BMW dealership.
09/09/2025 13:06:11 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Yes, labour rates for bikes are ridiculous especially when very few actual repairs are done these days. The local small garage I take my car to charges £70+VAT which is fairly cheap - and they do a very good job. But even if I wanted to where will I find a local garage which can fix my Norton?
09/09/2025 12:58:15 UTC
nab301 said :-
I think we all do our own repairs for the satisfaction of diagnosing correctly and also for cost saving . I remember as a 14 tear old repairing my older brothers Yamaha 80 (2 stroke) and correctly diagnosing a blocked main carb jet just on his description of the issue.
Ren , as for tyres if you can choose when to fit them , they always slip on easily in summer on hot days , or I suppose you could turn on (or up) the heating at home....
Wandering around a local dealer recently there were numerous signs stating that workshop labour rates are €100 euro inc vat per hour , I wonder how much a valve check on a 24 valve 6 CYL BMW is ?
Nigel
09/09/2025 11:43:18 UTC
Random Link - Annie's 90th Ride Out