RexFuzzle

Vacuum sounds like a good idea, been thinking about converting mine.

To me some of the fun is the DIY service... Even took my shock apart the other day and fixed what they said couldn't be fixed, yes it took me 2 days but now I know how to do and it took about an hour the next time. I wouldn't recommend starting with a shock though, try pumping the wheels and then a puncture and then cleaning it etc etc... I only go to shops when the shipping is more than the product and I'm in a hurry, like brake pads the other day...

Sorry, no picture yet... I am riding it, but still not a 'complete' bike, need to get a new fork or have the currently one sandblasted and powder coated then it'll be ready. The picture would literally just show a little bit of the dropout filed away. I used a round file and only did the part that the Q sits in so it sort of clips in.

So I got fed up with not having a magic gear so I made my bike have one... Took a file into the drop-outs and filed away about 2/3mm and now I have a magic gear. It is awesome and touch wood, no problems yet. Anybody else done this?

My love is between my legs.... when I'm cycling. In seriousness though, it is not something you're going to find out by asking a forum, some lessons have to be learnt the hard way. I'm not being cynical, I believe it is better that way.

Nothing fancy here. A normal 9 speed chain and standard cogs. As far as I know the chain should last longer as you aren't changing gear and so on all the time and I find it odd that it broke. I have been looking at a pretty coloured BMX chain from CRC but not sure if it would work, does a normal chainring not get in the way or something funny?

Migura as far as I remember- used in hydraulic clutches.

I can't get over the 3rd picture- Does anybody ride things like that for serious?

Motorbikes spares shops have mineral oil that has worked well for me, still not so cheap though, but cheaper than LBS

I think the problem is a forum. Yes, we can all some on here and moan and groan about people doing stupid things, but that is not doing anything except making you feel better about it maybe and if it does make you feel better then I feel sorry for you. My point is this, rather do something about the problem then come moan and tell us how you fixed it.

I'll look out for the name when i see one next- they have some yellow branding on them...

Come to campus, we have a bunch here, a local shop sells it as a kit and off you go. Makes one hell of a noise though and isn;t what one would call quick.

I know that the Tuks Baja team build the whole car out of Cromoly every year and as far as I know they don't import it themselves. I do know that it is a big big mission to weld and not something for every average joe who thinks they can weld can do. I've been considering a custom frame for ages but I keep coming back to the same conclusion- the only reason i'd do it would be for coolness. It probably won't be lighter, stronger or better than a bought frame in any way. The only other think I could think of is that I could try out some of my own ideas as I've always thought there must be more creative ways to make a bike. My 2c, but for you guys it is free.

Thanks Johan, in your opinion then are they still worth it? Especially from a long term use point of view... I am thinking about freewheel body etc as well.

Hope this isn't a repost- but if you ever want to start a dance party...

I must say that I had some bad experiences with them. Bought a 'new' bike and 150km later the chain was stuffed- i wander if it was ever new, anyway replaced the chain myself. When I took it for its first 'free' service they replaced some bearing in the jockey and charged me for it... this after 300km... Sorry, but not impressed.

Non-tapered and non through axle. Thanks covie... now to see if I can find a 2nd hand one.

I mainly cross-crountry type stuff and some single track with a couple of races thrown in if that helps at all. Looking for an all-round performer I suppose, but that doesn't help much I suppose. Thanks covie.

Long story short I am looking for a new shock for my bike but I have no clue where to start. Basically looking for something mid-ranged for a 26" wheel that isn't going to break the bank- i.e. student budget. I know that Fox and Rockshock dare I say it are the main players, but what do I look for in their extensive lineups? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

So many of us have cycled down the M1 in the 94.7 and if you're anything like me you were going, wow this is awesome- cycling down the highway. With the tolls being introduced soon (supposedly) I would like to dream and think that the highways will be high and dry and thus for the most part very empty and that means that I might consider cycling on them. Yes, it is probably illegal but think about it, you would be giving the Gautrain and Sanral and up yours at the same time and it won't cost you anything (except possibly your life). On the other hand they might decide that they're onto a money maker and have a cycle lane and start charging you... if they thought they had a tough time with motorists they ain't seen nothing yet.

I've heard of a guy who went through the back window and broke the front one... Anything is possible, especially when the force is with you...

LSD- Lame sick and dead? The one we use... in context... the LSD people are not pitching today as it is raining...

My uncle has the 690 with a 990 type kit on it and that is a monster of a bike. Not as heavy as the bigger 800 or 900 but you can still hit 160 easy not that it is advised on a sand road. The stock 690 has a limiter on in second and 3rd gear for environmental reasons and so the 640 actually pulls away from it on acceleration but it runs out of gas a bit at the top end. That being said, 130-140 on a sand road is plenty for me. My counsin has the 640 adventure with the big tank which gives him around 25l of gas which gets you far. Very useful in deepest darkest africa. Another observation on the 'other' bikes. We did the Alfie Cox Dual Sport festival thing a few years back and there were many problems with things braking and maybe I'm a bit biased but I saw lots of BMW and Yamahas stopped. For my sins though my clutch cable broke, but that'll teach me for trying to fix something that needs to be replaced. I must also say that I am actually a big honda fan and still ride my dad's 1982 XL500 from time to time, but after riding the ktm for a while now I am almost converted and I have ridden the dakar and a few others, i'm not comparing to a 30yr old bike.

My 2c... KTM is by far the most comfortable and adventurous bike. I have a 640 and always come back with a big smile. Also look at what finished top in the Dakar for the last few years. Try take the 990 for a spin before you buy and make sure you know what engine mapping it is set on as it has a bunch of settings, from pansy to rip your arms off... Again, my 2c, but for you guys its free.

Going to Lesotho- Oxbow and Katse, anybody there of know of good tracks?