mazambaan

Stunning by the MAN from Maritzburgh! Sunday afternoons getting busy with this DH and two Binders in MotoGP, alcohol stocks taking a smack and wife cannot understand why the excitement.

Late last year I had a loss of talent on my KTM 525 and tipped into some rocks which punched a depressed (me too) hole into the ignition side cover which started blowing oil. Stinking hot day but mixed some Pratley Steel, scraped the paint off and plakked (stuck for you NZ types ????) the stuff on, waited a few minutes (it hardened very quickly in the heat) and continued the suffering. 9 months later it hasn't leaked a drop, changed the oil and no tell tale flakes, can't get a cover so its done a good few hours since then, well 10 to 15 with no issues. JB Weld maybe even better.

This has been my take on "bike shops". I think either you, or a partner MUST be a jacked up bike mechanic and you will never be short of work. It may be time consuming, hard and demanding but I would take my bike to a really good mechanic (G2G; good luck Jason) rather than doing some things myself. Most LBS's around me have a pokey backroom workshop, some with all the tools but the knowledge of the mechanics is not that inspiring. Build the shop around the workshop?

Edwards?

Thanks for the detailed explanation - I had a vague idea of what was needed but this is great. Mine has the pesky on/off switch on the right then the kill button at the back of a combination switch on the left - but I will figure it out; thank you.

Can you give me a quick how-to on this. Would hate my 501 to go walkabout.

Is it not a fuel tank issue (or like rally bikes)? Quite a few bikes have the fuel in a tank under the seat and don't have space for the exhaust, hence the low pipe. Not real dirt bikes ????

Try Keith Clayton welding in Pinetown. As regards welding if he can't do it, I would say it can't be done.

Damn bicycles - one A Espargaro - ouch

That is just not right!! I am on the lookout for a 2018+ Husqvarna 701 if one gets shipped to you by mistake; (your shop seems to do offroad only) send it on down. Payment in USD to account of your choice.

Duly chastised; I shall do so! Good trip and good time to be away from KZN.

You swines; such an interesting topic; minimising work. Just back from a 4x4 overland trip and the clothes washing works well in a big ziplock bag as well.

Just for Hairy; a dirty Harley. Check the rider attack position!

Noooo; this I do not believe. He was just trying to make you feel good as in you meet the nicest people................

My little secondhand contribution; In a Zoom meeting recently a colleague from SA but now in NZ for a few years; small business (built environment consulting) remarked that one thing was strange in NZ; people just paid on invoice. In SA a letter of final demand was treated as a start to negotiating the price.

I think I see why Zarco picks up a penalty now and then - amongst nutters he is one of the nuttier.

Keep looking for weak spots and note anything out of the ordinary or changed. I got robbed of 2 laptops (backup sigh) recently (in a complex) and it would seem that the thief had pre-visited to check things out. He went through 2 electric fences (underneath by removing a panel from a precast concrete wall in each case) and from a vacant property. He was caught on camera, pretty cool until a dog barked at him. Alarmed fence serves a purpose but have to keep sharp and upgrade (now to alarmed beams outside) - never ever relax, sadly.

Great, no excellent, to hear and hope Jeff is doing well; he did a great job when he sold me a bike and helped with repairs etc for years. Great family and would use them (must in future) if nearer (and could afford Santa Cruz).

Seems to be that the pressure of braking on the arms and wrists is a factor. Brake efficiency creeps up every year to around 2g now (double that on an F1 car where it is 4g or 5g). I think Miller also suffered with arm pump recently. For MX, an old problem, maybe different cause though.

Back on topic I think my next bicycle will be an e bike although I cannot see myself paying north of R100k for one unless I hit the lotto; sob. Er, I am in the 60+ range with dodgy knees. I see ebikes and dirt bikes converging and the luxury of being able to ride a powered bike in areas for bicycles only is so tempting; those downhills! Just have to get it past my riding mates; they are sturdily anti ebike although there are some cracks in the façade and a few ebikers in the wider group.

I have the Adendorf one; a bit clunky and crude; heavy as anything but gets the job done (taking off material and de-burring for me), I would say as long as you do not want precision.

He he rawl bolt vs plastic plug. i learnt the rawl bolt storey some time ago screwing a gate to a brick gatepost about 440mm square. Tightening the rawl bolt the top courses of the brickwork popped up, separated by the expansion of the bolt. Use with care.

Not really Sedgefield so I apologise for straying off topic but it brings to mind when we stayed in Plet one Christmas and I was training for Sani, about the third one ever and when it was in Feb. I had done one or two long gravel road rides inland but wanted single track so strolled into the local bike shop and was directed to an older guy working on a bike and asked him. Well he barked one word "Harkerville", hardly looking up. I retreated, worked out where Harkerville trails was and had a magical ride. I subsequently assumed that the grumpy mechanic was Evans snr (he wasn't Dr Evil yet). Despite his later shenanigans, I found Kevin much more approachable and pleasant.

I don't have a camping trailer but have had plenty of experience with trailers. Research then try for a recognised name; Buzzard for me, say but plenty good ones; some not so much. Axle rating then chassis strength is key. Once you get it, service the wheel bearings and check all bolts, or have it done. Always have a spare wheel and a set of bearings on a long trip. Er, always double check that the jockey wheel is securely up.

Possible fuel line blockage I understand.