The city of Nice seen from the surrounding hillside bathed in sunshine

Welcome To Bikes And Travels...

...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!

2 motorcycles with luggage with stunning Welsh mountains in the background

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?

Hereford And Home A brief note on the last couple of days of this short trip and Ren is reflecting on just how much countryside there is out there.
Distant Memories Ian Douglas heads a long ways back down memory lane, sharing a few flashbacks that seem oddly familiar. Hard times and/or halcyon days.
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.
See More What's New

Latest Posts

The DIY Camchain Tensioner Glyn said :-
Oh I forgot to say; they are indeed an embellishment that have a nice visual and practical advantage.
10/11/2024 09:18:10 UTC
The DIY Camchain Tensioner Glyn said :-
In your picture the bike appears to be leaning to its left on the stand. However, the right hand guard appears to be lower. Is this a design feature or are your fingers longer on your right hand?
10/11/2024 09:16:09 UTC
The DIY Camchain Tensioner Upt'North ¹ said :-
They are indeed unique, and only surpassed in ingenuity by your packing skills.
You're welcome.
Upt.
08/11/2024 16:11:10 UTC
Hereford And Home Upt'North ¹ said :-
Don't we all Ed, don't we all.
But no Halfords.
Upt.
08/11/2024 13:51:11 UTC
The DIY Camchain Tensioner Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Yeah, a good painter can get a much better paint job done than a Yammy or Kwakker robot set for maximum profit. And I suppose if someone wants "concourse" I believe it's called then fine, that's their thing. You can probably guess my thinking on "concourse" though.

My problem is I'm seldom improving my bike, rather fudging it. But that's a matter of opinion too - while I know you all hate my handguards I believe they greatly improve my bike's cold and wet weather comfort levels. I'll admit they aren't visually stunning but when you're as handsome as I am you can get away with it.

They are magnificent aren't they.
Posted Image
08/11/2024 12:22:10 UTC
Onto The Ferry Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
nab301 - I have GREAT NEWS! Upt has sent me the first part of his ramblings from his recent excursion. Thus and therefore you'll be able to compare our experiences for yourself.

ROD - I'm afraid you're right. I blame Sharon, obviously. As you already know I'm a roughty toughy mean and moody well 'ard biker type. Sharon is the one who FORCES me against my will to stay in these nice places. As for normal camping tours being resumed - there is some actual tent action coming soon, but I warn you it's not ALL tent action. Deepest apologies from Ren (the not really well 'ard biker).
08/11/2024 12:13:49 UTC
The DIY Camchain Tensioner Glyn said :-
I sort of agree Ed but, if Yamaha we’re not trying to make maximum profits then they would have built their bikes using stainless steel fixings, stronger plastics, a decent coat of primer and top coat on their painted parts and sintered brake pads etc. I also sort of understand the enthusiastic owners that want everything to be as factory finish. However, I believe that it’s possible to improve on the bikes and don’t have much time for those who speak with sustain of my braided brake lines that are “not right” and that cable clip shouldn’t be there and that nut is not original. All hail the home mechanics be they badgers or brilliant engineers.
07/11/2024 22:10:24 UTC
Onto The Ferry ROD¹ said :-
Nigel, It seems to myself that Ren is spending many nights in hotels and static caravans just lately.
Maybe normal camping tours will resume on the Spanish tour.
07/11/2024 18:51:08 UTC
Distant Memories Bogger said :-
I had lots of fun back in the day on my SS50 and then a KH100. The were lots of shenanigans that we got up to.

One standout episode of madness, on my behalf, involved a trip to an aqueduct in deepest darkest Staffordshire.

We climbed up to said aqueduct and were having a mooch about. I took a long hard look at the body of water in the upper canal and said it was so narrow I could jump over it, no problem!

Obviously my mates took me up on this act of bravado. Needless to say I rode home very wet.

Why are teenagers so stupid? Still am I suppose.

Bogger
05/11/2024 11:17:10 UTC
Distant Memories Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
My first forays into motorcycling were with a group of friends loosely acting as a club known as "The Animal Crew". Me on a Honda H100A (which is what put me off 2 strokes) trying to ride with lads on XJR 900s and Gixer Slabsides. That wasn't working (obviously) so I hung around with a few other "yoofs" all of us on 100cc bikes because they were cheaper to insure than 125s and not much slower.

We were terribly adventurous, managing to get as far away from Leyland as, ooooh Preston and Southport and even Wigan!

I once bravely and heroically managed to get to Lowton all on my own. My motivation was purely carnal, vying for the attention of a pretty young lady with the nickname "Bina" as she like Ribena. I failed to gain her affections and the late night ride home, lost and lonesome in the dark, was terrifying for an 18 year old who was so far from home he might as well have been in Mongolia. Lowton was 25 miles from my home.

I daresay many of my explorations and mileages were covered in the search of illicit liaisons. Ormskirk, Skelmersdale, Chorley and Blackburn were all explored, interesting roads and routes found, and many times I had to ride around in search of a sign pointing to somewhere that I knew to get back home. Half the miles were covered in exciting anticipation, the other half were ridden in the sadness of failure due to the rejection of my advances.

I'm a persistent git and on the rare occasion my advances were accepted and I started dating a girl I'd find a thousand ways to get to her place. Mostly because I was lost.

I can look back on these times with a smile. BUT! Like any young man those times were filled with angst. "Does she really like me?", "Will they laugh at my silly little bike?", "She's dumped me, my world has ended, I'm never going to recover!", "Does my hair look cool, have I got the right t-shirt on?", and so on and so on and so on.

I'd like that young man's body back, I want his energy and his libido. I do not want his paranoia, I don't want his moods, I don't want his delicate ego and I don't want his attitude. I miss the highs, but I sure do not miss the lows of youth.


04/11/2024 12:41:00 UTC
See More Comments

Latest Repair-Chat

Go To Repair-Chat Glyn said :-
So there’s been progress on the TZR. New lower rear shock bearing (£76 may the lord forgive them), new sprocket cush drive, new wheel bearings and grease seals. I’ve fitted a new ( not crappy Yamaha) fuse box and blade fuses.The frame , swingarm and various other bits have been painted. Sadly, there was a nice gold heavy duty chain fitted but it’s covered in rust, especially on the rollers and will have to find its way into the recycling bin.
Posted Image
10/11/2024 18:05:56 UTC
Glyn said :-
Harsh Ed, harsh. Perhaps we could settle this with a race off, my 250 against your 500 (or your Honda 125 if you prefer). I will probably win providing I can prevent the thing from breaking down for the duration of the event.
I've solved the Autolube cable problem. I was given an LC cable to try. The pump 90 degree end, adjuster and nipple were perfect but the joint end had an inline nipple instead of the required T nipple. I found an old steel nail and drilled a 1.5mm hole in it. I then cut the nail 4mm each side of the hole and soldered it on to the end of the cable. Incidently, the autolube pump works in exactly the opposite way to which I described above. It actually provides more oil at high revs. The reason for this is that when on a long straight, if you shut off at the end of it and use engine braking, the the lack of oil can cause the engine to seize. Similary this can happen when travelling downhill. Barry Sheene would get over this by taking a large blip of throttle but it was a risky thing to when entering a corner.
04/11/2024 20:44:06 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Ewwww! I've got that sting from a little vomit in the back of my throat just from seeing that image.

Maybe I've got PTTSSD - Post Traumatic Two Stroke Stress Disorder. Where there's blame there's a claim - Glyn my lawyers will be in touch.
04/11/2024 16:05:00 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I can almost smell it!
03/11/2024 12:16:41 UTC
Glyn said :-
Picture for the Ed. He loves these bikes don’t ya know.
Posted Image
02/11/2024 18:57:21 UTC
Glyn said :-
By Jove it goes! Yes indeed it’s alive. I rigged up a fuel bottle, sprayed brake cleaner into the intakes and she fired first kick. She ran second kick and really well. The smoke was overwhelming but I’m putting that down to the oil in the crankcase. I couldn’t take a ride as the clutch refused to release but that should be easy to rectify. So, supercharged with success I proceeded to take the thing apart.
Posted Image
02/11/2024 16:44:07 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ian, what do think about Vacuum Fuel Delivery Devices?
I know, I'm sorry. God made me say it.
The ST11 have a Vacuum Cotrol but no actual fuel tap. These can be problematic when age gets at the diaphragms. They're often bypassed and plugged without issue.
Upt.

02/11/2024 09:55:45 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Don't mention vacuum taps Glyn or I'll give you the sorry sga of my little Yamaha V twin. I think I've finally sorted it out....

No idea why Yamaha used such a ridiculous system whose only merit is that people didn't have to remember to turn the tap off when they parked the bike up. Instead they had to use the prime function if they left it more than a couple of weeks.
01/11/2024 14:57:51 UTC
Glyn said :-
The oil is very much a yellow shade of brown so I’m thinking it’s premix with the fuel element evaporated Just like I found in the carbs. If so, it would indicate a faulty shut off valve in one of the carbs plus a leaking fuel tap. The latter is a vacuum operated device of which I’m not happy with because I’ve had this failure before on the Diversion. In that case, I modified the tap to give me on,Res and off loosing the prime position. You had to remember to turn it off when you finished riding but you never had the crankcase full of fuel.
01/11/2024 13:38:52 UTC
nab301 said :-
@ Glyn , Oil in the crankcase is surely better than rust? Is it oil from the gear box I wonder or did a previous owner add oil to protect it in storage?
Nigel

01/11/2024 12:00:17 UTC

Latest Chit-Chat

Go To Chit-Chat ROD¹ said :-
Technology marches on, but I see they have left the usual room for valve adjustment, very tight!
It will be interesting to see how the bike is developed, and brought to market.
09/11/2024 18:48:40 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Looks nice as it is. A shame it'll probably be covered by pig-ugly plastic.
09/11/2024 14:32:58 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Now that's an engine, don't ya thunk. Electrically boosted. Oooooo ay.....oooooooo.
Honda of course.
V3.

Posted Image
08/11/2024 16:46:43 UTC
Rev. Mick! said :-
Having been away travelling,I am once more struck by similarities between meditation and long motorcycle journeys.
From someone else in the Sangha I found this:-

https://castbox.fm/vb/322075957

If you have other Podcast sites it is Episode 198 of
"Urban Dharma Podcast". Not at all technical.
https://castbox.fm/vb/322075957...
30/10/2024 16:52:12 UTC
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
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