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?
Home And Epilogue
There's very little to say about the final leg home so Ren lets us know what he thought about the trip. Did you know that from Liverpool to Potes is about the same saddle time as Liverpool to Fort William?
Days Of Luxury In The Final Summary
Oh my how the other half live! In contrast to Bogger's chaos and Ren's miserly way Upt' shows us that travel can be comfortable and luxurious. This is the final leg - the only question is will the weather and the chain hold out?
Chillin' At The Bruce Pollard Rally
A few notes from what ought to be an easy couple of nights in North Wales. It's Ren though innit, making the easy seem hard is his thing.
The Rest Of The Misery
The miserable crossing of The Bay Of Biscay continues for longer than expected or desired. The Dynamic Muppets keep their calm and even manage to keep their breakfast down too.
Old Men Crossing Rivers
I'm getting rather concerned for Bogger. Not much beer, early to bed, no-one lost, and no mechanical tomfoolery. There's a catch, surely there's a catch
Honda V Kwakker Headlight
Are Ren's eyes failing him? Are LED headlights just plain poop? Maybe Sharon's new Z5 can bring some illumination to Ren's world.
The Beginning Of The Misery
Ren is not having a good day at all. He's trying to stay positive by clinging to the memory of an excellent adventure and the handrails. I'm sure you'll all enjoy sharing his distress.
Dodging Rain And A Dodgy Chain
Considering we're covering Italy and France these are brief notes from Upt's homeward journey. He seems to be having a great time but he might be missing his shaft...
Michael Finnegan
Sharon is sprinkling her new Z500 with accoutrements and necessary alterations. It's all good but she's still not fully feeling it just yet.
Not Too Much Chaos
It's all going far too well - I mean losing half your crew is an everyday occurrence ain't it? Well it is for this lot. There's little mention of beer.
See More What's New
Latest Posts
Moto Winch Anyone?
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Damien,
Enjoy your trip.
Firstly, don't fall over.
Secondly, when you do, be careful.
Thirdly, watch the you tube posts on lifting Goldwings and Pan Europeans, there are techniques which can make it easier, as apposed to easy.
Upt.
25/04/2025 10:44:06 UTC
Moto Winch Anyone?
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Firstly Damian Galvin - you're braver than I am!
Your website is based in Bucharest, Romania so I'm guessing that's where you're from. To get to Georgia I figure you're going through Turkey as Ukraine and Russia are "a bad idea" at the moment. Good luck! It sounds epic.
25/04/2025 07:46:08 UTC
Moto Winch Anyone?
Damian Galvin said :-
I'm about to go in a long solo trip to Georgia & picking up my 300kg loaded Africa twin along gives me sleepless nights. Airbags filled via the exagaut cannot work as you can't run the engine when flat on the ground. The jack system looks possibly ok, but I'm very skeptical. But probably I have no choice but to try. I will share the trip experience on my blog here, in around 4 or so weeks
https://www.whitemountain.ro/blog-motorcycle-road-trip-romania-georgia-armenia-turkey-bulgaria-%7C-tips-hidden-gems-45.html
https://www.whitemountain.ro/blog-motorcycle-road-trip-romania-georgia-armenia-t...
24/04/2025 23:02:45 UTC
CB500X Poor Starting
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Last night I dreamed I went to Manderley again.....
23/04/2025 14:16:35 UTC
CB500X Poor Starting
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
It's possible you went - ask 'Er Indoors she'll know. It's more likely you spent all that effort writing it up for Motorcycle Sport and the trauma of dealing with me has made an incorrect connection in your noggin.
22/04/2025 11:57:03 UTC
CB500X Poor Starting
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Did I dream I went to Portugal?
Thinking......
Pffffffftttttt.
22/04/2025 11:13:48 UTC
CB500X Poor Starting
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I don't seem to have a Portugal trip for yourself in the archives Upt'? Integrated dishwasher? Oh my how the other half live.
21/04/2025 17:19:07 UTC
Home And Epilogue
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Thanks nab301 - but "or else" what?
I know what you mean Upt' - what you actually mean is you like the butler service on your posh ferry so next year the plan is to go posh back to The Netherlands using the same posh service then head to The Alps via Germany. No doubt that too will involve some nice hotels and luxurious guesthouses. Oh my how the other half live eh?
As for cities - I still find it best to avoid all but the smallest ones.
21/04/2025 17:17:53 UTC
Home And Epilogue
nab301 said :-
Nicely summed up Ren, I'm busy making the placard to stand outside your place(s) of employment " Give Ren and Sharon 3 weeks holiday " or else....
Nigel
21/04/2025 14:49:21 UTC
Home And Epilogue
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Nice Ed, just looking at your pictures is enough to entice one back for another jolly.
But, having gone their on the boat (in calm conditions) and ridden all the way I'm thinking that Germany, Austria, The Alps etc are probably a little cheaper and easier to get to from our abode.
We do enjoy Portugal and will hopefully return on the bike, the value for money is unbeatable in my opinion and the country offers just about everything you could hope for on holiday.
I think we may ride all the way next time, but when? It won't be this year.
There has been a series on TV recently presented by Mr Bright Pants Portillo. If you haven't seen it it's a great insight to other cities etc.
Upt.
19/04/2025 16:46:44 UTC
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Latest Repair-Chat
Go To Repair-Chat
Glyn said :-
It wasn’t that badly packed but doesn’t take much to break if hit from the side. The broken part was in the packing. Seller is reluctantly offering to take it back but that doesn’t help me that much. Anyone for alloy sand casting?
25/04/2025 17:33:18 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
If it were a 4 stroke you'd never have had to remove the clutch basket in the first place...
The defence rests M'lud.
Ally welding... anyone?
25/04/2025 10:55:35 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Nowt to do with being a 2 stroke Glyn.... The photo on ebay doesn't show that damage so it must have been badly packed?
25/04/2025 10:01:32 UTC
Glyn said :-
The replacement clutch basket arrived from EBay …broken! You’re not wrong about these 2stroke things Ed!
24/04/2025 17:32:12 UTC
Glyn said :-
Thanks all, I got there on the eBay just before you Ian. It is actually from the 250cc 403 engine. I got the seller to measure it and count the teeth on the cogs and it seems to be the right part. I’ll be placing the order.
22/04/2025 21:35:20 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
https://www.inmotiontrials.com/?s=Clutch&post_type=product...
22/04/2025 19:04:04 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
1 step forward, 2 steps back, we've all been there me o'd mucka.
There must be one somewhere, but where?
Upt.
22/04/2025 19:00:50 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
OH POOP! I feel your pain Glyn.
22/04/2025 12:46:51 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Oh no, I've had similar happen to me. Usually when I'm rushing or tired....
That looks a tricky thing to remanufacture. If it was me I suspect I might just stick it all back together although wouldn't feel comfortable selling it on like that. No clutches available on ebay?
This looks a bit similar?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335865901371?_skw=fantic+trials+clutch+basket&itmmeta...
22/04/2025 11:45:59 UTC
Glyn said :-
It never rains but….. I knocked the Fantic clutch basket off the bench, it hit the floor and 3 of the web pieces broke off! Oh deary me and there’s no new parts available. I’m about to have the parts delivered that I ordered and cant finish it when they arrive now. Will be a long hunt to find something that I can use. Why do they make them in cast alloy, surely they should be steel. That’s going to be a possibility as it doesn’t look too difficult to remove the part with all the cogs on and make a steel basket.
22/04/2025 11:24:47 UTC
Latest Chit-Chat
Go To Chit-Chat
ROD¹ said :-
That BSA looks later than the C15.
Maybe a Barracuda??
25/04/2025 22:34:33 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
That's a C15 which is a kind of descendant of the C11 although different in almost every respect. Nasty little things being essentially an overgrown Tiger Cub.
I've had a chance to look over the C11 and found a few bodges and creative modifications but it seems basically sound. The front brake - and indeed the forks - are decidely dodgy so will be a priority then I think I'll whip the cylinder head off and have a look inside there. I also need to find some way of making / adapting a prop stand. I don't want to spend too much money on it but it's mainly something to keep my mind and hands occupied.
25/04/2025 17:09:57 UTC
Rev. Mick said :-
I too love tea. That is why travel in Southern Asia is such a joy.Proper tea not factory tea bags.
Sitting with my back on a 250 Honda in a tea estate in Sri Lanka with fresh made tea as the sun sinks. In Assam wow,on a river boat down the Brahmaputra.
The Iberian peninsula does tend to be more coffee focused. I don't really like coffee but my buddies often need it to start the day.
Get a camping tea press, never been any where they won't give you a fill of boiling water plus some nice Assam tea leaves (my preference) and away you go go. Ladies on Indian road maintainance gangs make tea on the side of the road with a few twigs. Mini gas stoves are now tiny.
Iberia has amazing herbal tea no need for milk.It is sacrafice I know but in the end drink what the locals drink. It makes the first proper tea when you get back so nice.
I am joking, a bit, when I say, you could wander around looking for cafes with Union Jacks displayed. Men in Union Jack underpants making proper PG Tips where they understand what your asking for. You can get a proper full English breakfast with Heinz Tomato Ketchup. There are lots of really nice couples from places all over England to talk to.
Having said that, when travelling with herself I have visited Irish bars in many many towns and cities round the world. Have to keep her happy
25/04/2025 09:09:38 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
There's one important item not covered Rev. Mick - tea. As my recent Iberian expedition has clearly demonstrated Johnny Foreigner may well be friendly and helpful and kind, but they can't make proper tea. As such where's your water boiling system and tea bag supplies? I bet you're one of those uncivilised types that drinks - oh I can barely say it - coffee. Bleurgh.
25/04/2025 07:49:58 UTC
Rev. Mick said :-
As to gear. I always use my own helmet. I've got 20kg on Ryanair so pack the helmet in the middle. Don't really need motorcycle boots on a scooter, but if you've got some spare weight why not.
Put in hammock, tarp, bivvy bag, sleeping bag and mat. Sleeping covered.
As we shall be doing some mountains, walking boots and outdoor gear much of which can be riding gear.
The ADVs we agreed have top boxes and have 40 litres under seat. So you have masses of room.
Put it all together in an 80 or 100 litre duffle. We then persuade either hotel in Malaga or hire company to mind bag.
The rest of the space can be filled with nonsense. Marino wool tops and legwear don't smell even after a month. Heavy merino socks, plus liner socks.
If you need the kitchen sink Ryanair will take your money.
I recently spent a month in Nepal (not with bike) on 12 litres. I have never been any where ( Afghanistan aside) that did not have markets that sold clothes, toothpaste, shampoo, batteries. You've got a huge amount of hard currency you can buy the best. You don't have to take it back if you are stingy just give it to nice people you meet, if you don't want to ship back.
In Sengal a rip off (or possibly real) Tommy Hilfiger t.shirt was €2 and you get to haggle with amazing stall holders.
Always eat local food, it's really good that's why local people eat it. My only rule is buy food where you can see it cooked, if you don't like what you see don't eat it. Even if you end up paying it's not expensive.
Always take a Spork unless you really good with chop sticks. Headtorch and Antisan.
There billions of people around this planet who can travel on tiny amounts of "stuff".
25/04/2025 01:02:22 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Do you want another one me o'd mucka. Currently £410 at a Birmingham auction house?
Plus buyers premium of course. VAT?
Upt.
24/04/2025 17:02:27 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
The little Beeza has arrived after a tortuous journey round the North Circular for some reason. It looks pretty good although plenty of issues to get my head around. Which was of course the principal reason for buying it.
No rush so I'll just ponder it for a while until I develop a plan of campaign.
24/04/2025 16:26:30 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
So reading that Rev. Mick - I have to ask - how do you carry your kit?
You're off to Huelva to collect a few ADV350s from The Spanish Mafia and a tour up the border. Do you hire gear when you're there or take your own? I can imagine using "someone else's" jacket and pants but not a helmet. Them things take a while to break in and the fit is quite personal and important. On the other hand carrying a helmet is a pain in the ass but I wouldn't trust baggage handlers.
24/04/2025 07:49:03 UTC
Rev. Mick said :-
Interesting article.
https://www.advrider.com/fly-and-ride-smart/
23/04/2025 08:30:38 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
It's being picked up on Wednesday so hopefully will be here by the end of the week. I was considering renting a trailer and going to get it myself from the south coast as the bike tramsport people are getting expensive but eventually saw sense and decided to help out a small business!
I can't decide whether to try and start it as it is or do some investigation first. P{robably the latter as its history is unkown to me.
21/04/2025 14:35:48 UTC
Random Link - France, Germany And Belgium 2012 - Going Home Through The Channel Tunnel