Looking across to the snow capped alpine mountains seen from the back seat of a motorcycle

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Glyn said :-
Crikey Ian that's rotten. I can only hope that the time taken to do all that work was as, if not more, pleasurable than riding them. This is the case for me these days I must admit. If I'd have known that some undeserving fellow was going to relieve you of the Greeves then I'd have tried to talk you into giving me the saddle first as I think it might be just what I'm looking for to fit the K1100 BMW with a 60's scrambler vibe. I'm looking forward to reading about your replacements and hope they're not too sorted and there's work to be done and reported on. Commiserations my friend and I hope you bounce back soon.

11/03/2024 17:12:37 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
I am pleased you can think of moving on Ian.
It must be devastating having two bikes stolen. I wish you all the best in your search for replacements.

11/03/2024 19:37:17 UTC
Sharon said :-
Oh Ian,
I am so sorry about your bikes. You have a much more philosophical attituded to the loss then I think I could ever muster.
I do worry about ever coming across my bikes being stolen. I know the right thing would be to quietly call the police and let them deal with it. Knowing in reality by the time they turn up the bikes will be long gone.
I fear however that I would grab my axe and chop off their arms in a fit of rage.
I am rather possessive of my possessions. Having had to save and work so hard to get what I have I would not let it go easily.
The first thing I do each night and on waking each morning is to check the shed is still locked and all is as it should be. We should not have to live in fear of thieves be as your own sad story has shown the fear is all too real.
I used to have reoccurring dreams of my bikes being stolen when I first got them and even dreamed of the return theft of a replacement.
Having them stolen out on the street is bad enough but from your own locked garage and knowing they now know bikes are is residence that is just truly awful for you.
We can only hope that Karma comes to ride alongside the thieving gits. That she then judges them and sentences them to what they deserve.

12/03/2024 00:19:44 UTC
Sharon said :-
On a lighter note Rod,
I am so excited to hear of your wife's (name of wife please) adventures on her new, I mean your bike.
Keep us updated.
I am already aware of how much the Kawasaki 400 feels planted on the road compared to the 250. However I am equally very aware of the weight when maneuvering.
Last week I parked the 400 in my usual spot at a local bike dealer. No problem there. However when I then got on the bike to leave, expecting to just paddle it backwards out of the parking bay like I do on the 250, then well err, nothing happened, I could not move it. Fortunately it was a quite day at the shop so the other couple of bays to my side were empty so I could just ride the bike in a circle out of there.
But the weight is an issue there is no denying it. I am certainly glad I did not go even heavier and get the 650. Sure I could ride it on the rode no problem but as the extra 20 kg of the 400 is already letting itself be known to me then I am confident I made the right choice here and kept it as light as I was able.

12/03/2024 00:32:00 UTC
Glyn said :-
The issue of bikes and their weight is being discussed a lot these days. Most of my recent bikes have been heavyweights. The BMW is indeed the sumo wrestler of my collection but is easy to get on the centre stand whereas the Honda Deauville seems to carry it's weight higher off the ground and could easily be lost whilst being manoeuvred around the garage (or anywhere else). The easier machine by far was the Yam Dragstar that hid it's 225kgs well as it was so low by comparison and only fitted with a sidestand. It seems that there is a lot of older BMW K bike riders out there considering fitting a sidecar or even a trike conversion to keep themselves riding this vehicle of choice. Many are buying bikes in the 125 to 250cc category which is probably the most sensible option although I would opt for the trike myself if it wasn't such a minefield on the registration issue of highly modified machines.

12/03/2024 06:28:25 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Many thanks for supportive thoughts. A couple of PCSOs came round yesterday and gave me a smart water kit and told me what I should have done.... They tried their best. I don't think there's any realistic prospect of getting them back and probably if I did they'd be in such a state that I wouldn't want them anyway.

I am going to fit an alarm system to the garage with the sounder in the house so hopefully any repeat attempt will make itself known to me.

12/03/2024 09:58:56 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
The alarm is definitely a good idea Ian, I would suggest two sounders, one very visible on the garage and the remote/secondary indoors. PIR/PIR's would be the way to go.
I like smartwater, I'd put it on the Norton ASAP. All credit to your local force too, a nice secondary service.
Upt.

12/03/2024 11:30:24 UTC
KiwiJeff said :-
Hi Ian, Shocked to hear you had those two lovely bikes stolen. I was looking forward to a ride report on the Tri-Greeves and have enjoyed your build reports. Both unique bikes which makes them hard to replace compared to my Bandit which is readily replaceable. Good luck with finding some suitable replacements searching out and buying new bikes is always interesting and fun.

13/03/2024 09:57:43 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Thanks Jeff. My only real regret is that I never managed to actually ride the Tri-Greeves but it's quite possible I would have hated it anyway. I'm still quite confused as to who would have wanted 2 bikes that are pretty well unique.

13/03/2024 13:29:38 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I'm still (slowly) negotiating over the CCM. However, I did see an ad in Real Classic that sparked my interest. A grey import Yam SRV250. It's essentially a Virago engine in a featherbed copy frame. I got my brother to pop over and have a quick shufti and although his report wasn't glowing it sounded good enough that I agreed a price of £1,150 with the seller.

This is the model although I don't have a photo of the actual bike. Just need to sort out transport for it (it's in Peterlee). Not the nicest colour. I haven't decided whether to just ride it around or to treat it as a project - much depending on whether the CCM comes to join it.....

According to howmany left there are only 10 in the country. Even rarer than the CCM of which there are either 48 or 100. The former figure was from someone who said the bloke making the petrol tanks died after number 48.


Posted Image

16/03/2024 10:58:34 UTC
nab301 said :-
That is a lovely looking SRV, the only possible downside is the (lack of) power output , did you shift on an CB250 RS Honda for that reason ?
Nigel

16/03/2024 12:52:48 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Yes, but also because it was kickstart only and I'm starting to appreciate electric legs. The spec says 27 bhp which should be enough as it's about the same as my ES2 which to my shame has barely turned a wheel in the last year.

17/03/2024 10:14:13 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
CCM, meh.
SRV, nice. I didn't know the beast existed.
Upt.

17/03/2024 12:42:04 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I'm not really a Bullet fan, but this looks a real beaut, just posted it incase someone's got a wedge that's burning a hole in their pocket. Ian?
Upt.
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bikes-for-sale/enfield/trials/100111576/...

18/03/2024 09:46:22 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
You talking to me Upt'? Looks a bit flash to my mind and too expensive. This is a proper trials Bullet ridden by me - unusually looking in control....


Posted Image

18/03/2024 10:21:03 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Nice flash though.
I thought it sounded a bit on top side price wise but I wouldn't have a clue on what all the trick bits add to the value. If anything.
Perhaps Ed will bite. I know he's hankering for some'at.
Upt.

18/03/2024 13:00:30 UTC
nab301 said :-
@ Upt , that one looks nice but as you say it seems a little expensive , around £5 k new from the factory without all of the extras , discontinued now afaik and early Himalayans seem to be cheaper...
Nigel

18/03/2024 15:46:22 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
CCM: 124kg, 42bhp, electric start, frame tig welded by a craftsman in Bolton....
Enfield: 187kg, 28bhp, kickstart, frame unknown but based on pre-1955 design.....

19/03/2024 10:30:50 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Well if you're going to use hard facts this discussion will go nowhere.
Pffffffftttttt.

19/03/2024 11:03:23 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
The 187 KG figure amazes me. They must fill that frame with lead.
Colin Chapman obviously didn't do a spell at RE.

19/03/2024 11:05:46 UTC

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