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nab301 said :-
@ Ian , hopefully after all that effort with the Yamaha you can find a new owner to appreciate it.
@Upt , if you search coolant drips on Vstrom there are quite a few hits but they never seem to get further than that , maybe this is another reason to ride through the winter ! I don't think Ren (or rather his bikes ) have ever developed water pump issues..
The F650 I had years ago developed a pump leak , the single seal actually wore a groove in the pump shaft , the Suzuki set up appears to be a little more technical with 2 seals plus some o rings and a gasket and the possibility (I think) of oil mixing with coolant
Nigel
31/03/2025 13:45:49 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I was in a tent this weekend Upt' while Madam Soleil was wisely ensconced at home in a real house. No spanners were turned so no results as yet.
Let me see nab301... my list of water cooled motorcycles comprises of 2 CB500Xs, a Fazer 600, a CB400 Super Four, an NT400 Bros, and an NT600 Revere. Let me see... 260,000 miles roughly. So far no water pumps have been replaced. So far...
You've cursed me ain't ya.
31/03/2025 15:03:13 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
About my dripping issue, no not that one, the waterpump weep hole!
You could be right Ed, what am I saying, you're always right Ed.
Went to it in the garage today.
Dry.
Rode it about 20 miles to Berwick-upon-the-Tweed for its test.
Rode it back.
Left it running outside my buddies (I've only got one) garage for ten minutes, Rode it into the garage and parked it up.
All dry.
Does parking a motorcycle up for 6 months in the perma frost of the NE allow a little condensation to collect or even a couple of drops of coolant to pass the seal?
Dunno, but on reflection I suppose a seal which resists the passing of a little wet over 6 months would be a rare thing indeed.
01/04/2025 16:36:49 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Timmy testers place.
01/04/2025 16:38:43 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Even messier than my garage!
02/04/2025 10:20:32 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Looks a bit like my kitchen that. Proper workshop.
02/04/2025 12:49:44 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I think I've sorted out the Norton's starting. The key is just to hold the button in for a couple of seconds at a time - no more - and it starts reliably after 2 or 3 attempts hot or cold. I've just taken the little twin out for its first real (well 25 miles or so) run and it went very well and started first button push after stopping for petrol after 10 miles or so. So I'm very pleased.
It does seem rather under-geared (unless the speedo is reading very slow) as it seems to want to go everywhere in top gear, pulling lustily from an indicated 30 mph. And all the cars on the 50 limited road I was on were doing 40 according to my speedo.....
Brakes excellent, handling up to Norton (though maybe not Featherbed) standard. Gearchange a little clunky, clutch frees well enabling neutral at a standstill from either 1st or 2nd and with no slip. The engine is still rattly.....
It's very well balanced, always nice when you get your feet on the rests as soon as the wheels turn with no wobbling or feeling it's going to topple over.
In fact I was going to take the Bouzuki out but discovered I hadn't quite got the gear lever position right so needs a bit more fettling.
The Yam is going on ebay on Wednesday after I get the new MoT witha starting price of £1,700. I'm now looking for another project. I just missed an interesting pre-war 250 OK Supreme which is just the kind of thing I'd like.
07/04/2025 14:24:29 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
The SW adjustable riders pegs are brillo and the gearing now so much better, A roads are now at 4000 to 4500 revolutions of the internal combustion contrivance. Very relaxed.
10/04/2025 17:23:30 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I may have missed it but did you find out what was happening to the chain?
11/04/2025 09:50:13 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Watch the next episode Ian, coming soon. Well, when Ed catches up, but in fairness I've been a little/lot slow too. It's age don't you know.
On the kit front......I can report the Weise Hydra Leather troosers with waterproof lining work well enough. Yesterdays low 70's didn't cause me to boil in the bag and the liner was left in just to try it out. It was probably amusing watching me trying to climb onto the bike in very stiff leathers.
But they were comfy and will only get comfier I feel.
Upt.
11/04/2025 13:34:52 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Have you discovered if the Weise Hydra Leather pantaloons are waterproof yet Upt'?
12/04/2025 06:40:14 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
No Ed, the first and only ride so far was to try to loosen them up and find their faults pre tour. Although no tour is yet planned.
It just happened to be warm when I went out so I decided to leave the liner in to check its ability to dissolve the human body as an instrument of torture, I'm glad to say it didn't and I didn't have to trouble the vent zips. The lining is very thin and could easily be stored away on a trip.
The only slight issue so far is that the feet openings for the liner have velcro on and it made the legs a little sore after a few hours. I see a needle and cotton in Er'Indoors future.
I can do it myself.....apparently.
Pffffffftttttt.
12/04/2025 09:56:13 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I must say I can't stand the prolific use of velcro on pockets etc. Trying to get a phone etc into one one-handed drives me mad. I almost always remove the scratchy bit (yes, myself although Electra is a highly skilled needlewoman).
12/04/2025 12:07:25 UTC
Rev. Mick said :-
Well in 2 weeks time we are off again. We are on a research trip to see how good adventure scooters actually are.
We've swagged 3 Honda ADV350s, the much trumpeted adventure scooters. The plan is to ride the EuroVelo 1 from Huelva up the Spanish / Portuguese border through Extremadura as far north as we can.
Lets see if the hype is translated into reality. Just take hammocks and bivvy bags. Not really much need for anything else, there's lots of empty country there.
As I always say at this point, what could possibly go wrong!
16/04/2025 23:44:33 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Off again Rev. Mick?? You state you've swagged 3 Honda ADV350s? Have you borrowed them, arranged to have them stolen to order or are you hiring them?
IF, only if you get chance I can recommend the Serra da Estrela Nature Park in Portugal as seen on our recent Spanish/Portuguese trip. I don't know if it might be a bit nippy at those altitudes at this time of year.
We shall await updates from the road - enjoy.
17/04/2025 07:55:27 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
The most reverend, sir, if it involves Portugal we're envious.
Looking forward to your posts.
Upt.
17/04/2025 08:42:19 UTC
Rev. Mick! said :-
We have got the ADVs from a man called Tony Montana for a fee.
He left a voice mail in which he says "Eh Trust Me!".
That name may seem familiar, he was played by Al Pacino in the Mafia movie "Scarface". Guess we had better get the bikes back on time.
We want to cross into Portugal but must check if allowed.
17/04/2025 10:28:20 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
This all sounds dodgier than a Trump tariff calculation.
17/04/2025 10:34:28 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I'd trust him. What have you got to lose? On the bright side you'll have a good tale to entertain us all with.....
17/04/2025 13:49:25 UTC
Rev. Mick! said :-
I am really hoping interested to see how these ADVs perform. All the reviews of them seem to have been very positive. It will be interesting to see how they actually perform. One of our motley crew is thinking of getting one.
Plus we have followed the EuroVelo 1 up the west coast of Ireland and it runs up through Spain roughly shadowing the Portuguese border so we can see how that is.
The great joy of this part of Spain is that it is pretty remote and has no real tourism. So a hammock between a couple of trees or bivvy bag and mat and your sorted. A guy I know was on foot but in 2023 the meal of the day 2/3 courses plus wine in many village inns for around €10.A bit of a problem for Bob who is coming as vegetarian options limited.
17/04/2025 14:41:29 UTC
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