Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
What's New?
Heading North In The Rain
It's wet, it's cold and Andy is just getting on with the business of travelling. There's not a lot to see, just a few notes from the day - and a beer.
Lincolnshire - And Dryness
There's something new in Lincolnshire today - DRY! Contain your excitement folks, Ren has found a cheap cafe and there's an awful lot of flat.
The Art Of Doing Something That Is Nothing
Bogger has many plans for the day, alas the temptation of food and beer is more alluring. It's a chill day but that's fine, I'm sure there's more chaos to come.
Easy Home And Epilogue
An easy ride home today - and a few notes from Ren regarding ashes, Wales and... The Ikea Effect? Maybe Ren needs (another) holiday.
Good Weather, Good Scenery, Bad Surfaces
It's time for Andy to start the return leg of his big trip. It's all sunshine and hot weather, the views are still good too. The roads... well they're not quite as good. You can't have everything can you.
Feet Forward, Food, And Friends
It's a much more relaxed day for Bogger and Pete. There's a handful of miles to ride, people to meet, food to eat, and of course the odd beer.
Mooching Around The Mach Loop
The Dynamic Muppets take on the Mach Loop! OK, it's far less impressive than it sounds. There's some countryside, a cafe, and all the things you'd expect.
To The Most Southern Tip Of Europe
Andy reaches the final destination of this trip. "You can see Africa from 'ere".
Haulin' Ass
It's gonna be a long long long ride for Bogger and Pete today. Our brave heroic riders are up to the task and it all seems rather easy overall. Hopefully the digs at the end of the ride will allow their asses to rest comfortably.
Bothering The Locals And "Hills"
The Dynamic Muppets are bothering the good people of Lincolnshire as well as bringing the house prices down. There's tea and cake and sweeties too, hills, and spooky stuff.
See More What's New
Latest Posts
Z400 First Impressions
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Hey Ben - this is a bit of a shock for Sharon. I'll add a link to Sharon's blog below and if you look back you can see the details etc of the crash.
Essentially Dec 1st 2024 Sharon was rear ended at a roundabout. As such the insurance company recovered the bike that day and that was the last we saw of the bike. From the scant details we received - yes the end of the exhaust was damaged along with the number plate, rear light etc etc. We did consider purchasing the damaged bike back but what we COULD NOT get from the insurance company was how bad the damage was. My concern was that the rear subframe may have been bent and that would put it beyond any economical repair.
Between Sharon's solicitors, the third party's insurance and legal team and uncle Tom Cobbly and all - they are STILL cocking around with sorting out a final settlement. They are a bunch of charlatans.
https://bikesandtravels.com/biker.aspx?ride=508...
14/03/2026 17:54:42 UTC
Z400 First Impressions
Upt'North ¹ said :-
This a post from Sharon Ben, I'm sure Sharon or Ed will be along soon to fill in the details.
I would like to continue to wax lyrical about how I and Etsuko rode off into the sunset to adventures new as I begin to bond even further with this bike and my new luggage set up. Alas it hurts me to say that myself and Etsuko have parted company. We were forced apart rather suddenly.
It was December 1st and was rather mild for the time of year. It was decided that a break was needed for Ren from sorting out his late mother's house so a day's riding was in order. One minute I was riding along and the next thing I knew there was this tremendous noise all around me, a fleeting view of a car's windscreen and then a car's wheel coming towards me.
I was flat on my belly on the floor. Etsuko was further up the road battered and broken on her side. We had been rear ended with some force. The recovery vehicle took Etsuko away. An ambulance finally arrived and I was taken away to A&E.
Upt.
14/03/2026 15:44:44 UTC
Z400 First Impressions
Ben said :-
I now own this z400 and it is amazing,I’ve done some modifications of my own(put standard lowering links back on),full akrapovic headers,chain n sprockets ect,random question but when this bike was in your possession,did the end can have the damage to the carbon tip?,as since I’ve bought it in July 2025 it’s had damage and been registered as a category N
14/03/2026 09:56:20 UTC
Heading North In The Rain
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I've felt that unexpected Spanish plain cold Andy, around the same time of year too. It can be blummin chilly.
13/03/2026 23:17:29 UTC
Heading North In The Rain
nab301 said :-
Almost too much choice on the menu !..
Nigel.
13/03/2026 12:58:16 UTC
Lincolnshire - And Dryness
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I struggle to imagine anyone being jealous of my lifestyle...
11/03/2026 07:46:35 UTC
Lincolnshire - And Dryness
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Nidger, when you're right, you're right.
Upt.
09/03/2026 16:14:20 UTC
Lincolnshire - And Dryness
nab301 said :-
Ren don't listen to them they're only jealous of the nomadic lifestyle that you live...Upt is definitely suffering from cabin fever! The sooner he gets out on his bike the better.
Nigel
09/03/2026 15:29:25 UTC
Lincolnshire - And Dryness
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Yes I can understand the sequence is always out of kilter. There's a reason for that. I try to get at least one new page on the site weekly. However our trips and those contributed by others such as Bogger don't end sequentially, get written up sequentially, and therefore I don't publish them sequentially. This I am sure leads to confusion not only to you the dear reader but also myself.
You'll note at the bottom of each story is a selection of links (unless the story only merits one page) and that's where you can follow the sequence of each tale. PS if anyone's thinking of contributing I'm happy with one page stories. I tend to write quite wordy pages, Andy Grey's posts are written on his mobile while on his trip so they're more like notes. You might only want to write a summary of a 4 week tour of eastern Europe and that's fine too! We like pictures though, we love piccies.
Yes they make Wagon Wheels still Upt'. However either I've grown a lot or they're a lot smaller than I recall. Probably both. No, no tanning was undertaken, it was a bit too cool for that. Sharon didn't have her bikini anyhow.
09/03/2026 14:50:40 UTC
Lincolnshire - And Dryness
Upt'North ¹ said :-
You're my hero Ed. You really know how to treat a girl, an out of date Wagon Wheel and tea from a chipped mug. You should write a book.
"Days out for less than a fiver". Perhaps a periodical, I'd subscribe in a jiffy.
Do they still make Wagon Wheels, I'll bet they're smaller.
Did you get a tan?
Upt.
09/03/2026 12:26:26 UTC
See More Comments
Latest Repair-Chat
Go To Repair-Chat
Glyn said :-
There was still some small pieces of the silicon liner in the tank so I’m hoping that the Kreem liner will hold it in place. It seems I may have wasted £49 if I only intended to coat and prevent further rusting. The inside of the tank was in a terrible state when I started.
13/03/2026 16:11:41 UTC
Glyn said :-
There was still some small pieces of the silicon liner in the tank so I’m hoping that the Kreem liner will hold it in place. It seems I may have wasted £49 if I only intended to coat and prevent further rusting. The inside of the tank was in a terrible state when I started.
13/03/2026 16:11:40 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
For my own part I've never had a problem even after leaving petrol in for 6 months or so. Maybe it's my ambient temperature (read cold) garage?
12/03/2026 15:34:03 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
It's hard for me to form an opinion - because I've never had a tank go rusty on me - because I've always been using my bikes which means a constant steady replenishment of fuel in the tank. Rust appears to only be an issue if the tank is stood for a good length of time (with or without fuel).
12/03/2026 14:35:29 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Later I added some water which just sat at the bottom of the jamjar and left it for a few more months. This was the result. So yes, water is a problem but it has nothing to do with ethanol. Of copurse the environmental benefits of ethanol are dubious in the extreme unless it's made using waste organic material rather than food crops.
12/03/2026 10:13:09 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I'm afraid I don't subscribe to the "ethanol ruins tanks" view. Yes, ethanol does have a small hydroscopic effect but that would actually absorb any water vapour and hold it in suspension. And how much water vapour is available above the petrol level anyway? I did a small experiment some years ago in which I submerged carburettor parts in a jamjar of E10 for several months. The parts were completely unaffected. See photo.
The diminishing number of older folk who remember the 1950s and 60s may recollect Cleveland Discol. It was up to 20% ethanol, which was provided as an alternative to ethyl lead by Distillers' Company. There were, as far as I know, no reports of any damage. My dad for one swore by it.
Of course some "rubber" materials don't stand up well to ethanol.
12/03/2026 10:12:40 UTC
Glyn said :-
I’ve just used the Kreem tank liner kit on the Triumph. It took me a long time to decide to take this route as there is some negative feedback about liners if you research them. The Triumph had the original factory silicon liner break up and break off into what looked like brown leaves. I did get it mostly clean with electrolysis but it had started to flash rust. Further reading seemed to suggest that most motorcycle tanks are being ruined by Ethanol additives. The fuel absorbs water and this starts to rust any untreated metal tanks. Is this true? I’m not sure but most bikes I buy, that have not had frequent use, do seem to have damage. So I bought a kit (£49) and proceeded with the fairly complicated and lengthy process of cleaning and coating. It all went as described and I now have a white film covering the interior of the tank. I allowed some of the product to “cure” on an old metal plate and it’s gone as hard as rock in 24 hrs. I guess time will tell but, if it does stick as advertised, then I won’t get the jets clogged with debris from the tank. I’ve fitted extra filters in the two hose feeds to help.
12/03/2026 08:56:05 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
God may have rested but being wicked there's none for me. Screwed it all back together with my home made blanking cap and miracle of miracles it started well and seems to run OK. The choke is much better with the cable as it can easily be positioned mid way and is easy to adjust in flight. It will be a while before the road test as it needs the chair body fitting after its repose in the shed. I did find a 4mm cobalt drill under the bench but no sign of that adaptor.
10/03/2026 11:57:14 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Genesis 2:2-3, God rested on the seventh day after finishing the work of creation, TPS assembly, blessing and sanctifying it as a holy day. No mention of knees I'm afraid. But I'll try, raise up Ian and be healed for you are blessed. No?
I can guarantee that little widget is with my 10 mm socket.
Pffffffftttttt.
Upt.
10/03/2026 10:55:31 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Oh bu99er. The adaptor for the TPS arrived yesterday with the cable operated choke. In my enthusiasm opening up the packages the little adaptor, which is only a few mm diameter disappeared probably into the black hole that has taken up residence under the bench. I've looked for it but no success so far so I made the choke cable instead. I'll have another search later.
However I have verified that the TPS and its mounting plate do indeed interfere with the choke housing so will need to modify them. I may try it with my home made cap first of all although my knee is still giving me gyp so should really rest it. How can I rest with all this work to do?
10/03/2026 10:13:12 UTC
Latest Chit-Chat
Go To Chit-Chat
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I wonder whether there is a parasitic drain on the 12 volt battery, perhaps connected (pun intended) by its being somehow feeding into the electric drive system? I don't know whether it would be possible to temporarily put an ammeter in the main battery connection and see if that shows anything amiss?
14/03/2026 10:01:14 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Nidger, we have a mild hybrid Hyundai 48V. This certainly struggles after a couple of weeks of lay up. The Toyota has got the 1.5 litre HEV 177V set up. They both have 12V running batteries. From the interwebthingymabob it would seem that lots of hybrids struggle on lay ups and I'm hoping that a trickle charge to Er'Indoors Toyota will make all the difference as and when a longer period of none use occurs. Manufacturers will only tell you that regular use is required.
I am also hoping that our use of fewer but longer runs may negate the need for extra charging but time will tell. We seldom do journeys of less than 15 miles each way.
My opinion so far is that the Hyundai uses an over complicated, clunky and probably unnecessary 48V system to achieve mid 50's mpg; the Toyota which we've only had a week makes better use of the larger volt system, it's better thought out with EV only use and potentially achievable 70 mpg plus.
I wouldn't run either without a manufacturer's warranty, 5 years for the Hyundai and 10 for the Toyota.
Upt.
13/03/2026 23:39:12 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
I think 20bhp would be a bit low for Ren, especially as Sharon is going for bigger and more powerful bikes.
And of course it is not a Honda.
13/03/2026 22:02:59 UTC
nab301 said :-
Rod , did you sell it to Ren, he's been without two bikes for far too long now !
Nigel
13/03/2026 17:17:54 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Someone once said that "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result".
I have just sold the Royal Enfield HNTR.
Some of you will remember, I have been here before.
Same reason as selling the Suzuki Inazuma, 20 bhp just restricts my riding.
Although having two bikes is nice, I only really need one.
Wait; what do I know. I am clearly insane!!
13/03/2026 16:54:29 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I think, being a bloated plutocrat, he has 2 cars Nigel......
13/03/2026 15:38:30 UTC
nab301 said :-
Upt , your post sent me down a few rabbit holes on mild hybrids, including some sort of a regen button if the 12v battery discharges after lay up. what does the car manufacturer suggest in terms of the " 12v static battery life" ? It would be interesting to know what the acceptable parasitic drain is. I know that the optimate literature states a max of 5 amps through the obd port but also the optimate email mentions Toyota while you mention Hyundai! Afaik Toyota hybrids like the prius don't have a 12v battery.
Nigel
13/03/2026 13:47:01 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I believe it's a 60 amp battery Glyn. I just want to eliminate the seemingly regular issue with HEV cars of the 12V battery being borderline for extended rest periods. If we had to leave it on charge through the optimate for a day or more upon our return then it would be fine.
Our Hyundai Mild Hybrid 48V is a little temperamental and after 2 weeks or so whilst it will start all the menu's, of which there are many, reset and leave you scratching your head to reset the same.
Thanks for the 5 amp information, you're a very helpful chap. I'll buy you a drink later.
Upt.
11/03/2026 16:49:31 UTC
Glyn said :-
The OBD 2 port can take up to 5 Amps. I didn’t realise that it had a permanent 12volt supply though. The optimate battery conditioner / charger that I use on the bikes puts out approximately 2 Amps. However, if you’ve got a 100 Amp battery it’ll take more than 50 hours to charge because of the clever way it brings the battery up to full charge.
11/03/2026 15:08:20 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Yes.
11/03/2026 12:35:47 UTC
Random Link - Quechua Clic Hiking Lamp Review