Is motorcycling allowed?

[Hairy]

 

[WaynejG]

Out and about with the 🚀 

[IceCreamMan]

On 2/25/2023 at 10:58 AM, Hairy said:

OK, now I know you JHB dudes and dudets were out here
 

 

Skinny is a good mate of mine. We partied a lot back in ZA. Miss the warm sunny biking weather. 
 

one year , moons ago. The mighty fearless bike club I belong too and the insipid cuzzins organise a rally with a rude name somewhere in ZA. In 2017 it was in Niue Bethesda, about 800 Kay’s from jozi. I was on my duke 690 so thought I would leave early in the morning. So leave jozi and stop about 100 kms south of jozi on side of highway. It’s still around 6 am. I see these 2 bikes come down the road and they stop. It’s skinny and chickita on their way to said rally. Skinny whips out the jack danials and we have a shot on the side of the road. We split up somewhere south of bloem after breakfast as they want to go off road. Chickita fell at some point and went to be medically checked out. They then continued their journey and met up again in Nieu Bethesda later that evening for lots more jack Daniel’s. 
 

Saturday arvie we all sitting in the African sun eating and dopping and it’s the last time I ever saw Blackie as he passed soon after (RIP) and while consuming quarts I mention that I will be emigrating. Skinny punched me as she was annoyed by yet another person leaving. 
 

 

[IceCreamMan]

So, my mighty RF been giving me grief and this morning I realised I have day to myself so thought as good a time as ever to sort it. 

Remove tank, run compression test. All within spec at 31 000 miles and 30 years. Replaced plugs while doing said test. Rules out valves and timing so next step take carbs off and clean. Noticed the choke “rail” was sticking so sorted that. Put carbs back on, refitted everything. Thumbed starter, after about 3 seconds fired up. Purrs like a kitten agin and good for another 30 years. Not sure exactly what the issue was but suspect this hideous E10 fuel we get. Although I have been vigilant to fill up with E5 now and again no choice. Went for a Lekker lil ride. These old skool 4 cylinder Suzukis are incredibly smooth and silky. Love them. 
 

so all in all, a Lekker feeling when you fix something hey. 

[the nerd]

On 2/25/2023 at 11:30 AM, Hairy said:

I went to test ride a Honda NC750X (Manual) yesterday.

Bike is nice and light, feels perky at lower speeds and rather agile. The in-line twin makes a little whistle sound under hard acceleration which was strange, and the bike is crying out for a decent slip on exhaust.

The windshield is not massive, but keeps the wind off your torso, and the wind that comes around the windshield is rather "clean" with no buffeting.

A nice bike to ride, but not a bike I would like to own.

When getting off the bike it did not leave me with a feeling of "fun"....then again this bike is meant to be a commuter, so for that purpose she is would be great.

Test rode one years ago and was left feeling the same. Its a 2 cylinder honda jazz (it really is) and thats what it is. A commuter, lots of storage etc etc etc 

[Hairy]

 

[Hairy]

Just now, Hairy said:

 

LOL .. I am "the Cool Guy" that morphs into "The Conversationalist"

[Hairy]

I had a site meeting in Franschhoek this mornings, so the only option was to take the scenic route via Philadelphia and the back roads to Franschhoek, which I should state was a phenomenal ride with almost no traffic through the rolling hills.

From the meeting via the pass and Theewaterskloof dam for a well earned Springbok Pie and fresh apple juice at Peregrine, and the inevitable slog after Sir Lowry's down the N2 and home to Sunningdale again. If I come back from Grabouw direction again, I will certainly be going via Stellies to tie back into the back roads to Philadelphia / Melkbos and home vs the mess that is the N2.

Had rain all the way from F/Hoek to Somerset West unfortunately, but it is what it is.....and I just washed the bloody bike yesterday.

My DIY Navigation System

[Hairy]

So go and get a battery replacement on the HD last night, and walk away with the knowledge that I need to replace the compensator in the not too distant future ... was a bit %#$%@#%^ off to the point that I just wanted to sell the bike and start with a new one again.

Then when I rode home I resigned myself to the fact that I like this bike and she will be staying a bit longer in my garage still.

New compensator = a decent chunk of cash I do not want to outlay on this bike

 

[WaynejG]

1 hour ago, Hairy said:

So go and get a battery replacement on the HD last night, and walk away with the knowledge that I need to replace the compensator in the not too distant future ... was a bit %#$%@#%^ off to the point that I just wanted to sell the bike and start with a new one again.

Then when I rode home I resigned myself to the fact that I like this bike and she will be staying a bit longer in my garage still.

New compensator = a decent chunk of cash I do not want to outlay on this bike

 

What does the compensator do?

[Hairy]

1 hour ago, WaynejG said:

What does the compensator do?

 

[IceCreamMan]

1 hour ago, WaynejG said:

What does the compensator do?

Thought the entire Harley is the “compensator” 😂

[Hairy]

1 minute ago, IceCreamMan said:

Thought the entire Harley is the “compensator” 😂

T'Sek

[Hairy]

A quick calc. tells me I have spent 21k so far in under two years on maintenance for the Harley, getting her to a good condition after the previous owners suspect maintenance.

 

[Hairy]

The if I add the cost of a new compensator, I am roughly at the price of what "I should have paid" for the Fat Bob in excellent condition ...... vs the steel of a deal I supposedly got from the dealer .

[IceCreamMan]

Harleys cost money to keep going, it’s just the way it is. 
 

and it goes for all bikes. They are not cheaper to run than cars, on the contrary. Even though I do most of the work on my bikes myself I would hate to calculate what I spend on them on maintenance items, tyres etc etc. 

My mighty Rf case in point. I bought it for 1100 quid. Have put many hours into it, probably spent 2 grand on it for services , tyres etc. etc and it’s now in pristine condition for its age and it’s worth around a grand.  But, it’s given me many memories including Scotland Nc500, wales, Isle of Man etc. money well spent. 

Edited March 7, 2023 by IceCreamMan