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 Thoughts On The Galloway Coast
Home time once again and Ren's mulling over the whole experience. Was it worth the effort and should a return trip be planned?
The NC500 Continues
ROD covers most of the NC500 is one day and still has time on his hands. He's hoping to get all the best bit's done before Storm Agnes spoils the party.
Around Dalbeattie
It's time to explore the area around Dalbeattie, to see what's what. It's all going rather well until Ren's vivid imagination runs away with him.
Cairngorms And The Start Of The NC500
After a restless night ROD finally reaches the NC500 and sets out in the correct (counter clockwise) direction. Will tonight's sleep be better now he's learned how to install earplugs?
A Long Way To Not Far
There's a big job breaking out today and Ren is worried if they're up to the task. They have 4 hours to cover 35 miles, OH NO! Fear not, even Ren can get this wrong too.
In loving Memory Of Zen - My First Bike Love
It's been a long time coming but alas and alack it's time to set Zen The Keeway 125 fly free. Get your hankies ready folks, it's a tearjerker.
The Road North
ROD wisely selects the motorcycle of choice before heading out into the big wide world. There's some rain, some Scotland and a questionable choice of sleeping arrangement.
ROD's Rapid NC500
Title page for ROD's NC500 trip.
Exploring The Machars Peninsula
The Machars Peninsula on the Galloway coast receives a good dose of looking at today. What the area lacks in superlatives it more than makes up for in charm.
Abject Failure
Yay. Ren's got a great new way to fit motorcycles tyres. It'll be easier than making a brew. Well it would be except for one important factor... the tyre.
See More What's New
Latest Posts
The NC500 Continues
ROD¹ said :-
nab301, Yes Nigel the nc500 does not disappoint for the scenery.
As for any spelling mistakes, I did warn people that writing was not my strong point, and I am sure that our editor has saved many more mistakes like this, but this one has slipped through the net.
I still love the old RT!
01/12/2023 20:28:27 UTC
The NC500 Continues
ROD¹ said :-
Bros Steve, I guess most of us have a budget to work with, some higher than others.
We all make choices how we use that budget.
Some will choose hotels and less trips, some will choose campsites and more trips, and some will choose wild camping and even more trips.
I would love to stay in hotels, but the cost, benefit equation stops me.
01/12/2023 20:29:27 UTC
Royal Enfield 500 Classic Test Ride Review
nab301 said :-
Lovely photo , I have to agree, The Enfield Bullet is great on low speed back roads.
Nigel
01/12/2023 15:23:45 UTC
The NC500 Continues
nab301 said :-
Rod, some great scenery there and the RT looks pretty good too. Just to lower the tone a bit Should there be a "T" somewhere in damp crouch .... as for the damp patches , I always reckon you're ok as long as they're cold and damp , if they're warm and damp get worried!
Nigel
01/12/2023 15:19:15 UTC
The NC500 Continues
Bros Steve said :-
Very interesting write up. I also saw the video of the guy on the 100 and yes he did spend a lot on hotels, some of the prices making him raise an eyebrow and doubtless loads of others me included.I like camping but have to admit to liking hotels when travelling in Europe. Maybe I will consider camping again sometime.
01/12/2023 12:26:43 UTC
Royal Enfield 500 Classic Test Ride Review
Manny said :-
My 2020 C5 is a joy. It is as lazy as I am and a willing partner in all my backroad adventures. Not a highway bike, but for anything else , an excellent companion.
01/12/2023 00:09:49 UTC
Brief Ride On A Honda Innova 125 - By Ren Withnell
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Hi Art Tidesco.
There are plenty of people who've ridden Honda "underbone" (C90, Innova, Wave etc) motorcycles not only from Lands End to John O'Groats but around the whole world! You'll be fine going from Bristol to London. Before you do though - be sure to check the tyres, oil level, chain adjustment, lights and brakes. A 20 minute inspection to make sure everything is OK might save you a lot of heartache.
I can point you to posts on here where folks have toured on the Innova - I'll add a link to Rev. Mick!'s recent Hebridean trip. Look up Nathan Millward (Oz Postie Bike) and Ed March (C90) to find other's who've travelled the globe.
https://bikesandtravels.com/biker.aspx?ride=7415...
30/11/2023 13:35:06 UTC
Brief Ride On A Honda Innova 125 - By Ren Withnell
Art Tidesco said :-
Unbelievable I was talking to a friend the other day about getting a bike on which to pass my bike test now I have retired and it turns out he has had a 2015ish Innova he bought from a friend who was going to use it from the back of his camper when camping but then changed his plans. Anyway my friend bought it with 1,000 miles on it thinking his daughter might get on to it. She didn't and neither did his brother and now here I am about to purchase the bike, my first since the, seemingly inevitable, C90 I had in 1985. My first thought on agreeing to make the purchase is I can't wait to ride it from Bristol where it has been living to London where I do live and next was has anyone ridden an Innova from Lands End to John O'Groats, it is good to know I am not entirely alone thinking an Innova will make a fun tourer ! Thanks to all those who have contributed useful tips above or below as the case maybe.
30/11/2023 11:09:04 UTC
Around Dalbeattie
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I looked up Bridge of Dee and ended up at Aberdeen. Nah, that can't be right - I see, there's a tiny "area" south west of Castle Douglas.
Apparently I went along both the Galloway and Ayrshire coast some 50-odd years ago but I recall nothing of it. I don't know why my mother thinks I should remember holidays we took when all I was likely to see was the side of my cot.
28/11/2023 08:13:01 UTC
Around Dalbeattie
CrazyFrog said :-
We were stopping at a nice little B&B down the road at Bridge of Dee Ren. It was my 1st visit to south west Scotland for ages, and I was very heartened to find that apart from a few more caravan sites, it hasn't changed much at all.
27/11/2023 20:07:07 UTC
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Latest Repair-Chat
Go To Repair-Chat
ROD¹ said :-
Just a suggestion.
Why not fit the chrome cover and fit a warning light of some description in that?
16/11/2023 19:17:48 UTC
Glyn said :-
Thank you Gents. Oddly enough I went to Feked ( a Brit bike parts supplier just around the corner) where I bought the rim. He found an MZ picture with that bowl although he thought it unlikely that Lucas would make a one off for MZ. He also found lots of similar bowls with an ammeter on the top. I'm not sure how I'm going to fill those holes now as it's quite shallow when the lamp unit is inside. I'd like to put the temp guage there but that won't be easy. I went to some trouble to fit the Suzuki ignition switch and so don't want to go that route on the headlamp.
16/11/2023 18:58:11 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
https://www.themzshop.co.uk/store/ets250-trophy-sport/electrical-parts-ets250-tr...
16/11/2023 16:25:34 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
A further look on the internet shows it is an ignition switch. The switch and keys seem to be readily available, but the chrome cover a bit more difficult to find.
16/11/2023 11:08:03 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Rod, I'd never have said MZ, I just remember their gorky headlights.
Good catch.
Upt.
16/11/2023 11:00:11 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
That does look like it - definitely not a British bike fitment though.
16/11/2023 10:59:43 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
https://youtu.be/C3lF18LG0fw?si=k4oXpdQQh_3NLUlg...
15/11/2023 19:44:51 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Yes, I also think it is a space for a switch.
I also think it is a LU60818 unit used on the MZ TS250?
15/11/2023 19:27:39 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Just so I look stupid.
The run switch? Key? Thingymabob? I seem to remember a black plastic switch thingy.
But yes Ian will know.
15/11/2023 17:22:22 UTC
Glyn said :-
I've bought this rather lovely Lucas MCH61 headlamp bowl for the project at a bike jumble. There's some work required to make it work but I'm going to be fitting an electronic speedometer in the large hole. My question (aimed probably at Ian) is what goes on/in the Y shaped hole above it? I think it was probably for an ammeter as the light and ignition switches of the day fitted through a 1/2" hole. I obviously need something to go in the hole so if anyone can identify what it was and where to get it I'd be most grateful.
15/11/2023 16:19:29 UTC
Latest Chit-Chat
Go To Chit-Chat
Rev. Mick! said :-
Thanks Nab301,
As you are in the Republic too it is on Donedeal. It’s up in Ballina and I have to get some fencing in Mayo. So as I would have a big trailer.
Where are you, I’m in Brandon down near Dingle.
01/12/2023 21:25:43 UTC
nab301 said :-
@ Rev. Mick!
Sorry, no experience of the SR 250, are we talking about an oldie mid 90's or something newer? Looking at an old copy of used motorcycle guide suggests in one sentence that the old ones are indestructible but goes on to say "expect 40k miles from a reasonably treated example and half that from one that hasn't had regular oil changes. Bad ones will be vibey and mechanically noisy"
Pre 2020 , a mechanic In a bike shop I frequented owned a new version SR400 , my only comment on that newish bike was that it appeared to suffer from corrosion....
Nigel
01/12/2023 16:08:27 UTC
nab301 said :-
"Ren - The Ed¹ said :-"
Obviously I'm gunna say ride it all year round, it's a motorcycle not an ornament.
However... Are you planning to keep it forever and run it into the ground, or trade it in sometime for some other new ornament?
Ren , no plans really , but for maintenance reasons I generally try to use just one bike through the winter , I'm thinking (after reading Sharons article on selling her 125) I'd like to shift my 23 year old R1100s BMW because I use it so little ( owned for 20 yrs) but like Sharon I keep making excuses and realistically in my case it'll be worth more for parts .
I did a lot of miles on my 125 in the last 2 weeks and it's definitely warmer on a slow bike in winter so maybe I've answered my own question !
Nigel
01/12/2023 15:56:27 UTC
Rev. Mick! said :-
Hi Guys,
Not sure if right section.
Has anyone had any experience of a Yamaha SR250? Might go and look at one, anything to be aware of?
30/11/2023 20:12:58 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Obviously I'm gunna say ride it all year round, it's a motorcycle not an ornament.
However... Are you planning to keep it forever and run it into the ground, or trade it in sometime for some other new ornament? If you'll be looking to trade in sooner or later then bring it into the living room close to the fire (remove all combustibles such as fuel beforehand). If the good lady complains put some fairy lights on it and call it a new style Xmas tree.
Oh my eyes, far far too shiny.
30/11/2023 16:56:15 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ren , avert your eyes , a gratuitous photo of a relatively clean motorbike originally in preparation for winter.... which seems to have arrived here with temps of -1.5deg c locally last weekend , salt appearing on the roads and wintry showers today. I've been using my 125 for the last fortnight, question is , should I make my Suzuki a winter garage queen, aka I'm too lazy to keep it clean and rust free over winter whereas the 125 rusts regardless of the season and tlc it receives!
Nigel
30/11/2023 14:09:32 UTC
Rev. Mick! said :-
I am also not sure he knew anything of America. He set believing he was sailing to India. In fact even when he got to America he thought he had arrived in the Indies.
28/11/2023 21:29:39 UTC
Rev. Mick! said :-
I am sure the idea of the spherical earth was well known to Columbus and other educated people. However how sure was the crew, they nearly mutinied to return.
The Vatican was still preaching against many of these ideas of astronomy. Coppernicus and Galileo were being attacked well after 1540. No one had actually sailed round the globe till about 1515. If you are an ordinary seaman lost in vast ocean reflecting upon your own mortality, while sailing into the unknown because the skipper had some notion.
24/11/2023 10:37:57 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
It's essentially down to the individual. I prefer paper maps on the bike but welcome the convenience of satnav in the car.
Oh, and Columbus would almost certainly have known about America from the earlier Viking visits which are quite well documented. Hardly anyone thought the earth was flat in the Middle Ages.....
https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/history-and-civilisation/2023/01/vikings-in...
23/11/2023 12:34:42 UTC
Rev. Mick! said :-
I would not visit my brother as he lives in Southern BC. The idea I had was for the other side of that, as you say, very large country. The East side seems more remote and less popular.
Nowadays on a remote trip if the s*** really hits the fan, you can just set off your Garmin In Reach and there you are. Everyone, including I am sure the USA spying network, would know where you are. I think you can even send texts by that device. I am sure it makes it all safer, for me I feel a little sad that it is getting harder and harder to just disappear and fall off the end of the world.
I am sure if there were an incident in a remote area of Northern Canada and you were not carrying one you would be censured. Probably be required soon to have one on State land. The ghosts of my hero’s like John Muir, the British Indian Survey “Pundits”, Tim Severin, Patrick Leigh Fermor, Alex Supertramp and co would all be laughing at us. I despair sometimes that all adventure is becoming so unadventurous. Imagine Columbus who set off not knowing if he would fall off the end of the world, literally!
Sorry early morning rant.
23/11/2023 09:11:16 UTC
Random Link - The Relativity Of Speed