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...It's about bikes...and travels...mostly on bikes!
Autumn is upon us as the nights draw in and the weather changes. Is it time to put the bikes to bed for the winter?
No of course not! It's not like Ren's bike could get any dirtier could it.
What's New?
A Better Bolt
In the interest of moaning Ren gripes about the means of tightening bolts. In the interest of being positive maybe he's found the solution too.
Big Trips On A Small Bike: Part 3
After a 4 year rest (blimey) Mark decides the GN125 could do with another ride out. But where to go? North. Way North. Way way way North.
Thank You For The Curse
Ren is having a minor issues with gaseous leaks. Never one to take responsibility for his own actions, guess who he's blaming for his predicament?
The Wonder Of The West Coast
Andy is up on the West Coast of The Scottish Highlands now, and it shows with his achingly beautiful pictures.
CBF125 Rear Tyre And Chain Again
Fancy an existential crisis? Or a moan about "professionals"? If you're lucky there might be something about tyres and chains inbetween, but don't hold your breath.
Big Trips On A Small Bike: Part 2
Mark rather enjoyed his Highland trip on the Suzuki 125, so why not go just a little bit further this time? Maybe dip a toe into Europe?
To Fix Or Not To Fix Or How To Fix
Ren's CBF125 has a drink problem. It's taste for oil is reaching the point of at least considering doing something about it. Should he, and if so what should he do?
Bealach na Bà Ain't So Bad
Andy is making his excuses for a late start today, but it's all self-inflicted. It's time to be overwhelmed by the not really scary Applecross road.
Big Trips On A Small Bike: Part 1
Mark has quite an exotic history of powered 2 wheeled velocipedes when a humble 125 crosses his path. Reluctantly he takes it for a little spin to see what it's like.
Big Trips On A Small Bike
Mark has a story to tell...
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Latest Posts
A Better Bolt
Upt'North said :-
British Association screw threads, or BA screw threads, are a largely obsolete set of small screw threads, the largest being 0BA at 6 mm diameter. They were, and to some extent still are, used for miniature instruments and modelling.
They are unusual in that they were probably the most "scientific" design of screw, starting with 0BA at 6.0 mm diameter and 1.0 mm pitch and progressing in a geometric sequence where each larger number was 0.9 times the pitch of the last size. They then rounded to 2 significant figures in metric and then converting to inches and rounding to the thousandth of an inch. This anticipated worldwide metrication by about a century. The design was first proposed by the British Association in 1884[1][2] with a thread angle and depth based on the Swiss Thury thread,[3] it was adopted by the Association in 1903.
All you ever need to know about BA. Now you can forget it Ren, it'll make your Ed hurt.
I used these at ERF, can't remember what on or for.
Upt'North.
23/2/2020 10:11:27 AM UTC
A Better Bolt
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
It's like the annual meeting of the JIS appreciation society in here! In spite of all the love I still believe a hex is the best option. I'd like to see hex woodscrews (I know they exist but they aren't commonplace).
What he deuce is BA? If we're going esoteric how about 3 sided heads? I am aware of a 4 sided Allen style woodscrews. Along with 6 sided torx there's 12 sided. It's all mind boggling, when I am emperor of the world there will only be 2 choices, simples.
23/2/2020 7:28:36 AM UTC
A Better Bolt
Ian Soady said :-
I'm always right, you know that. I was wrong once but I think I got away with it......
I agree JIS is better although have to admit that Pozidriv with new screw and driver runs it close.
And what's wrong with BA pray (although 3BA is very uncommon). They are a peculiar thread which I think were originally based on watchmakers' series. The pitch varies as a function of the diameter. And as you know, the bigger numbers are the smaller sizes. I have a set of BA taps and the smallest sizes are like needles. I couldn't imagine actually using them.
Some of my favourite bedtime reading is a Machinery thread manual which includes all sorts of esoteric threads.
22/2/2020 12:35:25 PM UTC
A Better Bolt
Upt'North said :-
Ian, when you're right, you're right.
It's quite strange too that although these screws have been around in the UK from the 60'ies the bits are not more common place. I'm sure if you bought a set of Draper/Bosch/SnapOn bits there wouldn't be a JIS in sight. I'm guessing if you bought a set in Japan it would be all JIS.
From tackling JIS and Phillips for years I think the JIS is a superior screw but obviously only with the correct driver.
Upt'North.
Now what about 1 BA, 2 BA and 3 BA.
22/2/2020 12:23:13 PM UTC
A Better Bolt
Ian Soady said :-
Correct Upt' but not the other way round. I found the fit of proper JIS drivers a revelation - although there are few makers (Vessel is the only one I know of) and they're not cheap.
22/2/2020 9:58:54 AM UTC
A Better Bolt
Upt'North said :-
What about the Chinese. Not in general or horrible germs but the screws. I wonder if they're JIS. I suppose the safe option is to use a JIS driver as I believe these can be used on Phillips without issues.
Upt'North.
21/2/2020 12:56:16 PM UTC
A Better Bolt
Ian Soady said :-
I agree about JIS and I only learnt about them a couple of years ago after 50 years or so of chewing them up with the wrong drivers! The correct ones fit perfectly and don't rock about like the wrong ones.
John: yes, you're right but I didn't want to overburden Ren who as we know likes things simple... We have had several discussions here over the years about bolts etc - far more interesting than oil or tyre threads.
21/2/2020 10:54:14 AM UTC
A Better Bolt
Snod said :-
You can put plenty of torque into a crosshead screw if you use a wrench with a bit in an adapter. This also allows you to keep pressing into the screw while you turn it, I actually quite like JIS screws now. You have to find the right bit though, it should fit "just so" otherwise you're on the fast train to chewdom, choo choo!
20/2/2020 10:48:05 PM UTC
Thank You For The Curse
Borsuk said :-
No idea what so ever Upt.
All I know is that I now have a hairy chest for the first time in my 58 years and my ear hair grows 5 times faster than the ones on my head. I am not quite a silver back but I am getting there.
20/2/2020 9:15:13 PM UTC
A Better Bolt
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Aaaah John Watson - I have heard such thing before! You can correct me if I am wrong but the true definition of a screw is that the thread(s) go all the way to the head whereas a bolt has an unthreaded area before the head? It's just when I wur a lad we had bolts like as shown holding our bicycles together and screws where what you used to hold bits of wood together. I accept your correction but maintain that - you know what I mean.
I knew this would stir you to action Ian. I quite agree the actual bolt pictured is too feeble and shallow for the rigours of motorcycling especially under the duress of my clumsy paws. As a point in case though imagine a sturdier bolt (screw?) with both hex and allen, or to go belt and braces why not torx and external splined (external torx?)
20/2/2020 4:26:40 PM UTC
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Jim said :-
Cheers for that info Ren - looking at a used Triumph. I'll post more later.
19/2/2020 9:53:54 AM UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I've only been there twice in my life but there's a couple of things that might help. They are owned by MotoGB who also own - ahem - Millenium Motorcycles (St Helens), Orrel Motorcycles, Preston Superbikes, Bolton Motorcycles, Wigan Motorcycles, In2Moto (Warrington) and probably a few others I haven't remembered. While part of a group the shops do seem to be individually in competition with each other - within reason.
MotoGB are the importers for Sym and Royal Enfield and several other names. They're a big business.
What bike or at least brand are you looking at Jim, and are you looking new or used?
18/2/2020 4:01:24 PM UTC
Jim said :-
Hey folks - does anyone have any experience of Robinsons of Rochdale? Thinking about buying a bike from them.
18/2/2020 2:44:18 PM UTC
Snod said :-
£5 a night and £1 a litre is actually more than I expected, I thought it was dirt cheap out there?
17/2/2020 9:38:38 PM UTC
Borsuk said :-
Our current location, Oualida
17/2/2020 4:28:33 PM UTC
Borsuk said :-
Our current location, Oualida
17/2/2020 4:28:33 PM UTC
Borsuk said :-
It not quite what I thought it would be.
There is a damn site more greenery than expected. We are currently going down the west coast and there is a major dedesertification programme going on. So far the only sand I have seen is on the beaches. Most of the towns we have stayed at have discovered tourism is an industry and are upgrading the main streets and seafront areas to bring in more tourists. I have been to other parts of Africa over the years but this is the first time as a tourist, it is a lot more civilised than downtown Lagos or Luanda.
Even the local driving is not as manic as I expected, no worse than Spain in my opinion and a lot more sensible than Trinidad where they build a car around the loudest horn they can find then just press the accelerator and horn at the same time and ignore the traffic laws.
Diesel is around 90p a litre, petrol a pound, Local food and camping prices are cheap, average £10 a night for a TT and 2 people including electromactrikery. Place we are at just now is £5 per tent for one person, i think, another £4 per person extra. Most places we've been are flat rate for tents I think, cant say I have really looked.
Upt, by ICE do you mean the stereo in the van or the Wife. :-).
17/2/2020 4:21:34 PM UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Aaah Morocco. What are you making of Morocco? I am told it is a happy stepping stone away from Western culture but not TOO deep into African culture? You agree? And yes you are having far too much fun Borsuk, we'll not be having any of that happiness or pleasure here on Bikes And Travels! Sort yourself out man.
Storm Dennis didn't do much here in the grimy North West although the news tells me it caused more havoc in Wales and Yorkshire. Any issues up your end Upt'?
17/2/2020 9:11:03 AM UTC
Upt'North said :-
In Morocco? In the TT with an ICE.
You're having way too much fun Borsuk.
I bet it's blummin warm too, we've even got a storm named DENNIS to endure, I mean Dennis?
Upt'North.
15/2/2020 9:34:59 PM UTC
Borsuk said :-
Yes the half van things. I am currently in Morocco. They are everywhere here, from simple trailer versions to full tuktuk types.
The wife and I are touring in the (cover your eyes upt, ) SPTT.
15/2/2020 8:13:04 PM UTC
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