mazambaan

Agreed. On the ground "tenders" (a hastily cobbled together mishmash) for at least one of the plants have only just been issued rather than doing the work as emergency "cost plus" repair which could / should have started a month ago. I doubt a contractor will even be appointed by early June 2022.

I could end up with three torque wrenches if I don't trust my calibrated wrist as I should have. I have a 3/8" drive up to 25Nm and a 1/2" drive 20Nm to more than 100. I learnt the hard way that the top or bottom end of the ranges is not accurate (who supplies timeserts?). Need say 15 or 20Nm to 40 or 50Nm; 3/8" drive.

Good reminders; every now and then I pick up a Dremel with only a face shield or magnifier and get a few reminders of why proper safety specs are needed. Ditto for hearing protection, gloves and shoes although maybe not as critical. Just one tiny piece of red hot steel can liven up your senses in a somewhat negative way sadly.

As a real novice; many years of Porlex hand grinder + Aeropress / French press then a Jura bean to cup I can see the gap (and it has been told to me by a coffee seller) for a standalone grinder and a class expresso machine. Coffee from the Jura (set up as best I have been told - fine grind, normal dose) tastes nothing like that from the hand grinder + Aeropress. Much less flavour and seems weaker from the machine but oh so easy.

Agree with attaching the pot or syringe to the reservoir. There is only a tiny amount of fluid (to me after car and m/bike brakes) so you really have to be careful not to add air into the system. Also make sure there are no hollows / low points in the line between the reservoir and calliper (where air could sit doing its evil work). Even detach the caliper if needed.

I'm hooked; just wish I could emulate.

I digress even more; wasn't it Aleix who, some time ago, messed his face up in a bike accident and had considered becoming a pro cyclist? Not so much Michael v d Mark from WSBK who wrecked himself properly on a mountain bike; lost of external hardware and can't join his team for the first race.

Don't get me started; fuel should also be sold by mass as there is expansion (and contraction) related to volume.

I've not been near Epic standard, ever but know enough about stage races (plenty) to recognise that if you don't train hard and smart every time you are going to suffer (I have). Peak of hard and smart to me was one or two rides that mimicked two days of the race; one day with around 100km and at least 2000m of climbing about six weeks before then next day about 60km to 80km with 1700m of climbing. This usually involved two circuits of a ride and was very little fun. Body, bike and nutrition must be 100%; a cooking or freezing day can still mess you up. On the number of finishers I remember one of the old Roof of Africa organisers (John Salters or Peter Luck) saying that the winner would be the person who got closest to the finish line 😁.

Is it not chain cut from a reel and put into used packaging? I have had some like that from CWC; never advertised in packaging and just came in a cling wrapped package.

Do not let him (ha ha) forget it in his pocket or bag when going on a commercial flight!

Really a bummer; that is sad and a warning to all of us. I have had a few little fires (lesson to keep extinguisher handy) and a mate burnt out my bike once (he replaced it though - good man). Horrible though.

Sort of amusing was BB nearly taking out DB in the last lap or so; going to be tense at "home". 👺

While I obviously back Brad and enjoyed his result (one or two more laps and he may have been a winner, again) it may be too early to bet the bank; Qatar can be "different", ask one M Vinales. Also though, I like Miguel who had a tough 2021 (as did Brad) but more so with the hand injury. I hope he makes a comeback. Whiner of the race must go to Remy Gardner (dishonourable mention to his pa) squealing about the longer younger Binder's riding. Pity, Remy seems a nice enough guy (as does Wayne - who teamed up with SA's Rod Gray back in the day to win one of Oz's big races) but maybe thinks he's owed something unearned.

It should be easy to determine whose phone was in use and, for me anyway, slightly unusual that a passenger would use the bluetooth connection. But able to be overcome surely; have it linked to the drivers' side seat belt alarm for example s only theirs's, when they are using it, is disabled.

I have cleaned plenty of carbs but never had to go to an ultrasonic cleaner; mostly carb cleaner, compressed air and boiled a few parts in lemon juice 🙄 (there are other options as well). If you have to go ultrasonic some jewellers have small ones; heat exchanger places have big ones.

Hmmm, trick is then to avoid the cut off and road re-opening as well as staying on the dreaded, aforementioned ebike all the way to the finish. Hint, take a headlight with you, "smash some beers" has been known to start in daylight and finish somewhat darker. 😁

Thanks guys and trying not to go off at a tangent but reason I ask is that in enduros many riders fall many times (well, I did , back in the day), often the helmet takes a minor knock or two, every day you ride; even the pro's. Simply not practical to replace after every knock; a "big" one, for sure. Five year lifespan is also very sensible, particularly for dirt bikes and MTB.

If it us useless that easy, how can it save your noggin a proper crash?

Eish, a vespa a motor bike? Never, can't be, I'm shocked, for sissies etc. Answer seems clear; CTCTour is a race (quite a lot of sneering about that if I remember rightly) for the push bikers and a tour for the ebikers. All happy?

Is this genuine Steven? My trusty Airoh is up for replacement anyway but it has been dropped and banged (with head inside) a few times. Considering the Bell adventure helmet. Shoei, Arai etc a bit pricey. $10 head, $10 helmet; remember the Bell ad.

Great advice here and, if it is your dream, go for it but, eyes wide open. SA has no safety net for failed small business owners so be brutal about payments, costings, where you are and what the future looks like. If you can, keep another source of income going, the tax breaks could finance your bike service ambitions. As noted you need a good book keeper / accountant BUT I think you also need an adviser, particularly as regards tax issues. As a long time small business owner this can save you a great deal of money. Also, try not to try and do everything yourself, see if you can find good help (not easy I know but it is there) to let you do the stuff you are best at. Customer is king but evaluate them brutally; there are some / a few / the minority who are just not worth having. Part early on good terms rather than lose money and other customers. From my experience in a completely different field, try find a niche; suspension, ebikes, secondhand spares (not Neils Wheels??👺), something and be really good at that (the harder and dirtier it is the better); while keeping other work ticking over until, hopefully, the speciality consumes you. Investigation, asking, shadowing in a a few shops and understanding their finances and where they get their most income may be useful, if possible. Best of luck!!

Ja, check visor compatibility; I know this, bought an Airoh tinted visor and gave it a wash with my long time visor and goggle cleaner, Johnsons Bay Shampoo. Buggered up the tint and I had a horrible ride.

Take it easy at Karkloof unless you know it well. They have had a lot of rain and storms methinks so, two weeks ago, over 35km, trails were quite eroded, lots of sticks and leaves and jumps looked "old", not broken. Slippery in places, the rocky section (Balls something) showed little use - it is a challenge (for me anyway). Otherwise still very popular, club is great, trails excellent and very pleasant riding.

Help. A spoke nipple tightening tool (for the bicycle). Please advise what tool (I'd like one with say 3 sizes in the approx 3.2 to 3.5mm range) is best or even good. I have one of the round ones with multiple sizes but its a cheapy and doesn't fit well. Can't seem to find a ParkTool one (SW-7.2) in SA.