Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...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?
Friends And Finally Scotland
Day 2 and 3 of Andy's Scottish expedition - and he's only just reached the borders. He's having way too much fun and should be focused on heading North.
Breakdown Recovery - Expectations V Reality
If you're unlucky enough to break down it might be wise to manage your expectations regarding your recovery insurance.
Llangollen
Andy starts his trip to Scotland... by going to Wales! It is a long way from London Village to The Highlands though, give the man a break.
Calmly Into Cochem
After the previous day's temper tantrum and failure it would be fair to say this day is a better day.
Andy's Scottish Expedition
Ren prepares us for a handful of posts from a friend travelling through Scotland.
Kicking The Saddlebags
Ren is having one of THOSE days. He's a very naughty boy and he needs to take a chill pill. It's them bloody foreigners fault.
The Trouble With France Is
It's Chunnel Time and Sharon's made a new friend. Finally in France Ren is finding the going frustratingly slow.
Prologue And Excuses
It's the whys and the wherefores and the excuses for making this trip. You don't need a reason to travel, but it makes it easier to justify the expense and effort.
Cochem And The Blue People 2019
The Dynamic Muppets are off to meet up with The Blue People. Somehow this has also become known as the Frankenfurter Trip.
Accidents Happen Part 3
Pocketpete is heading in the right direction after his motorcycle crash, but it is still far from plain sailing.
See More What's New
Latest Posts
What Is A Carb Heater?
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The carb heater should unscrew from the carbutettor and the new one would screw back in!
I'm afraid without knowing what bike you have etc etc it's hard to be more specific. Also are you sure it's the heater? Not the wiring or even the thermostat that turns the power to the heater one and off?
21/10/2019 2:06:27 PM UTC
What Is A Carb Heater?
james said :-
I have a broken carburetor heater how can I remove and replace it
21/10/2019 9:49:07 AM UTC
Breakdown Recovery - Expectations V Reality
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Upon reflection Pocketpete, I think it would be easier all round to just wait a while for the breakdown truck.
21/10/2019 9:01:11 AM UTC
Z250SL Tappet Check And Adjust
Snod said :-
True enough, already found a place selling them for £2.50. I guess I can live with that though I miss being able to adjust tappets and locknuts for free..
20/10/2019 10:55:59 PM UTC
Z250SL Tappet Check And Adjust
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Ebay 7.48mm dia shims. You'll find plenty at around £3 a pop. Grab a couple up and down of your sizes because, well, things settle.
20/10/2019 10:29:37 PM UTC
Z250SL Tank Rubber Issue
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I think it's what I'd call "finger trouble". Someone picked up the wrong rubber from a big pile of rubbers...
20/10/2019 10:26:43 PM UTC
Breakdown Recovery - Expectations V Reality
Pocketpete said :-
You could always do ny trick and crash it. Then police move it for you lol.
My Honda came with aa cover for the first year or so. I used it once I think when the brake reservoir fell off. They took 20mins to arrive and quick cable tie later I was on my way so pretty good.
Not sure if it covered you for Europe though.
20/10/2019 8:17:37 PM UTC
Z250SL Tappet Check And Adjust
Snod said :-
Just checked mine at a smidge under 19500 miles and found clearances very similar to what you reported above. I'll have to buy a couple of shims for the exhausts but the ones that were in the exhausts are slightly thinner than what was in the inlets so they can be used on the inlets.
Anyone got a 2.80 and 2.85 shim kicking about? Give you a fiver for them, can't say fairer than that..? Kawasaki appear to want £9.65 for each one :(
20/10/2019 7:43:21 PM UTC
Z250SL Tank Rubber Issue
Snod said :-
Had the tank off mine today, thought of this post and checked the rubbers.. Both seem correct and don't allow much slop. Sharon got unlucky somewhere!
20/10/2019 7:31:15 PM UTC
Breakdown Recovery - Expectations V Reality
Ian Soady said :-
The other thing to remember, as Snod mentions, is that all the insurers have to do if you break down overseas is to take your bike to a garage where you'll be left to foot the bill if it can be repaired. They only have to repatriate it if it can't be repaired in a reasonable time (usually a couple of days). So if, for example, your £200 bike needs a £500 component plus £200 of workshop time is it worth having it fixed or would you be better off cutting your losses or going the rented van route?
Of course all of us here maintain our bikes in perfect condition so won't need any of this.....
With respect to the free breakdown cover provided by insurance companies (I use Peter James and have this) I've never actually tried it. Maybe one day I should break down and call both them and Britannia?
19/10/2019 8:03:23 AM UTC
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Latest Chit-Chat
Go To Chit-Chat
Ren - The Ed said :-
'driech' - Yes I remember hearing that and having to enquire what it pertained to. When said with a thick Scots dialect and with heartfelt passion it is an almost perfect word.
In Wigan they have "clempt" and "chauve"
20/10/2019 9:22:15 AM UTC
Upt'North said :-
Jim,
Now you've started the Scottish phrases, I remember the first time I heard this, it was in Northumberland, probably a haggis eater coming south for the sun. I think it was in the butchers in town. And to think it all started out as the Queens English.
Mony a Mickle Maks a Muckle.
Still makes me giggle just typing it.
Upt'North.
20/10/2019 12:16:48 AM UTC
Jim said :-
I'm a coffee drinker, but you're welcome any time. Brrr, that does look chilly - 'driech', in the local parlance.
19/10/2019 9:39:52 PM UTC
Upt'North said :-
It looks just like November, I hate November. It's that realisation that Autumn has long gone. My bones ache just thinking about it.
Upt'North.
19/10/2019 3:22:28 PM UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
My beautiful scenic ride this morning...
19/10/2019 9:52:25 AM UTC
Upt'North said :-
Although my teapot is technically an English teapot filled with English water and English tea it will definitely be at your disposal, might even be a choccy digestive.
But definitely not Scottish tea or indeed Scotland by about 15 miles.
Upt'North.
18/10/2019 11:00:12 PM UTC
Borsuk said :-
I won"t tease you with picies of Scotland Ren. Got home from work today so me and the bike will go out and about and send you picies of Spanish mountains instead.
18/10/2019 9:11:19 PM UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Oh yeah, worra bunch of wise-asses! Keep on tempting me with your images of bonny Scotland. Well I'll wipe the smile off ya faces when I'm forced against my will to go up there and have a look for myself. Then, hah, then I'm gonna land on ya doorsteps and demand tea and lodging.
So, err, which one of you meanies is gonna put me up first huh?
18/10/2019 7:59:28 PM UTC
Jim said :-
Happy to oblige... Cairn 'O' Mount yesterday. Cool but bearable. Upt'North - tried the cafe opposite Balmoral, excellent as you said. Just to keep Ren happy, that's the end of my week's holiday today, and it's chucking it down over most of Scotland. Still, four days riding out of five is pretty good.
18/10/2019 5:20:33 PM UTC
Upt'North said :-
You know you're just asking for another sunny picture of Scotland to be posted?
Upt'North.
18/10/2019 3:41:15 PM UTC