http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:35:26 +0000 480 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5371
Only 7 days to go.

Mads, Gone2Mars and Myself are off to Europe next Wednesday 04th August. Very excited. We have been working on this since christmas but already it hasn't been smooth sailing.

Good points! 10 days across Europe, roughly 2300 ish miles planned, 7 countries, Stelvio pass, Fluela Pass, Furka pass, and toll roads banned.

Bad points! G2Ms Fireblade has a dodgy 2nd gear, my ZX6Rs brake pads still need changing, and Mads's GSXR6's tyres aren't looking to healthy.

But currently, thats 7 good points and the 3 bad points. Odds are good.]]> Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:35:26 +0000 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5371 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5369 Got back 2 weeks ago... had a great time but OMG we are both still really bad with the 'deli belly' and sickness.

My advice to anyone going is expect to get ill coz loads of peeps were...]]> Sat, 10 Jul 2010 16:40:12 +0000 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5369 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5366
any suggestions?]]> Sat, 03 Jul 2010 14:37:21 +0000 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5366 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5365 been a while since i posted but could do with all of your expertise and experience.. i need to change my tyres and not sure what to get..

Bike: K4 GSXR600
Use: road mainly. will be doing approx 2500miles soon and will be plenty of twisties.


any ideas on what to get?

and where can i get them the cheapest?


many thanks all :) hope you're all enjoying the sunshine this weekend.]]> Sat, 03 Jul 2010 07:45:54 +0000 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5365 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5359 Sat, 19 Jun 2010 09:34:14 +0000 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5359 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5355
Bishop Castle is a charming, idiosyncratic market town in Shropshire that boasts a host of beautiful timber framed houses and shops lining undulating, tight and higgledy-piggledy streets. Now I have had a chance to spend time there I must confess to being utterly charmed.

Mrs Radar and I were booked into ‘The Poppy House’ B&B and we received a warm welcome to this traditional, homely guesthouse. Our room was spacious and exposed beams everywhere underlined the sense of history in the building that was once a bakery for the town.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/BC2%2021%20to%2023%20May%202010/P5216428.jpg
My loaded up Thundercat outside the charming Poppyhouse

The first evening saw the troops gather together in The Boars Head pub on the main street, some had even had a warm up at The Three Tunns on their way down from the various B&Bs that people were stopping at. The evening passed pleasantly in a blur as old acquaintances caught-up. For me and Mrs Radar it was great to build up on some existing friendships and meet some new people.

The meal was good (I had my usual light salad), the beer flowed and even the staff seem to have being infected with the spirit of the evening as they applied some very pricing to the meals! Several of us moved on to another pub for another couple of pints.

All in a cracking night and I wondered up the hill back to our digs ‘happy’!

After a good nights kip, we awoke to be greeted by sunshine streaming through the lace curtains of the sash window in our room. You could just tell the day was going to be a good one. We joined the others for 9:30 meet outside the Boars Head. In all ten bikes eventually lined up for the run…

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/BC2%2021%20to%2023%20May%202010/P5226446.jpg
Only four were on a Thundercat, but when you consider it last sold here in 2003 officially I suppose that it is inevitable.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/BC2%2021%20to%2023%20May%202010/P5226443.jpg
Just to prove it was a THUNDERCAT meet!

The Crossgates stop was brief before headed deeper into Wales along the A44. The route had been well chosen and the group was hanging together well. The pace was steady, but enjoyable and the group clicked together well and was moving as a unit. I kind of like the feeling when a group ride like that…you don’t have to ride everywhere like you have a rocket shoved up your arse to enjoy yourself! As we got close to the Elan valley the countryside just got more and more beautiful. Wales has its’ detractors, but on day like this…sunshine and crystal clear blue skies there is little anywhere in the world to match it. The reservoirs themselves were constructed to keep Birmingham in water…a dam might be man made, but they are one of those rare times when the touch of man has served to improve its’ surroundings rather than scar it. We pulled up at the waterside of one and the sunlight played on the gently rippling surface to create an ever-changing pattern, quite spell binding. There is something about water that draws us to it…a smoothing influence that seems to move life’s everyday hassles that little bit further away.

I think the pictures speak for themselves here:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/BC2%2021%20to%2023%20May%202010/P5226450.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/BC2%2021%20to%2023%20May%202010/P5226457.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/BC2%2021%20to%2023%20May%202010/P5226455.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/BC2%2021%20to%2023%20May%202010/P5226460.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/BC2%2021%20to%2023%20May%202010/P5226461.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/BC2%2021%20to%2023%20May%202010/P5226463.jpg

Back on the bikes now we wended our over the Elan valley to Devils Bridge. The pace was slow, dictated in part by the twisty narrow mountain road and partly by the group’s chilled mood. A memorable ride. From here we headed towards the sea at Aberystwyth before hugging the coast road to New-Quay. It was on this section that a Blade rider had to drop out as it packed up with an electrical fault. He had to be recovered home poor sod…hope you get sorted quickly and cheaply bud!

New Quay was packed and the heat was searing by now. Trouble getting the bikes parked meant the group got a little split up for the lunch break, some enjoyed fish and chips on the harbour wall, while Mrs radar and I joined some others in a little open air café where were served by a comically grumpy Polish waitress....who took wenty minutes to pull two ready made ice creams from a freezer, plonk them in a glass and sting us £3.50 each for them!

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/BC2%2021%20to%2023%20May%202010/P5226468.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/BC2%2021%20to%2023%20May%202010/P5226471.jpg

Back on the bikes and the roads were opening out a little more now and the pace quickened slightly here and there as we headed for a Red Kite sanctuary. The mornings adventures had left us running late and we missed seeing the magnificent birds-of-prey being fed…however it was still good to see them in there element in yet another stunning setting.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/BC2%2021%20to%2023%20May%202010/P5226476.jpg
The bird sanctuary

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/BC2%2021%20to%2023%20May%202010/P5226477.jpg
The feeding grounds of the Red Kites

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/BC2%2021%20to%2023%20May%202010/P5226482.jpg
The red Kites...you might have to squint a bit....it's only a pocket camera you know!

From here the roads really opened up and a couple of lads up front began to really enjoy themselves while I chugged steadily along with the main group. Great roads and even the searing heat was not curtailing the enjoyment. By the time we rolled back into Bishops Castle we had covered around 180 highly enjoyable miles on great roads against stunning backdrops.

That evening once we had all cleaned up and peeled off our sticky leathers we headed for the Three Tunns for a fabulous meal and some great beer brewed on-site. The evening passed in a flash as drink flowed freely. A cracking night was had by all, and the perfect way to wrap up a superb days biking.]]> Sat, 29 May 2010 08:28:04 +0000 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5355 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5354
The Mistress had been off the road for about 6 months with a (as i found out the other day) a fried alternator! I'd been just too busy to get it sorted so i took her it to Double Take last Saturday and got her back today.

New alternator, Oil & Filter, MOT and a few tweeks here and there.... job done!!

Only shitter now is i'm on call for a week!!! DOH!!]]> Fri, 28 May 2010 17:08:28 +0000 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5354 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5353 Hi, Martin here from the New Forest just outside Southampton. I ride a V Strom 1000 and run a commercial vehicle garage. Wed, 26 May 2010 18:57:27 +0000 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5353 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5352
Annoyingly, thanks to the bastard sales man I quite loved the finance option he was offering, but I don't think the wife would! :)

One day....

[IMG]http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee196/simonchampion/P150510_0943.jpg[/IMG]]]> Fri, 21 May 2010 18:37:15 +0000 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5352 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5350 Tue, 18 May 2010 23:52:14 +0000 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5350 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5349
The venue itself is free to get in, however it is £2 to park for 3 hours. The standard of the exhibits mean this is still superb value though.

At this pont I will let the pics do the telling...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/Cosford/P5036290a.jpg
Gathering the bikes...10 in all...my Thundercat, Panmans...Pan, two Tigers, a FJR1300, a F6C. a 1800 Dragstar, a GTR1000 and a new BMW GS. The Yamaha 1800 had the loudest exhaust that i ever heard...awesome

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/Cosford/P5036287.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/Cosford/P5036293a.jpg
Dinkys Diner, basic...but they do a lovely 'salad'

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/Cosford/P5036292.jpg
Panman tucks in...I had my usual water cress on dry bread sandwich...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/Cosford/P5036294.jpg
Vulcan bomber and Bloodhound missle

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/Cosford/P1275482.jpg
Hung vertically from the ceiling by cables...a Lightning in a dramatic pose

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/Cosford/P1275468.jpg
The oldest surviving Spitfire in the world...a 1939 Mk1

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/Cosford/DSC00842.jpg
TSR2...A missed opportunity

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/Cosford/P1275435.jpg
Mosquito...the airframe is largely wooden

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/Cosford/P1275446.jpg
A GSXR for paratroopers...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/Cosford/P1275473.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/Cosford/P1275488.jpg
A display of American 'foriegn policy'

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/Cosford/P5036295.jpg
Shatterford MCC

The pace on the way back elevated somewhat and I had a bit of fun with one the Tiger ridiers and the chap on the new GS. Great fun. A brief stop at the cafe at Quatford for a cuppa and then onto the pub where I left the club members to their our devices.

A cracking day out! Cheers to all involved]]> Mon, 10 May 2010 21:00:46 +0000 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5349 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5348
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096302.jpg
The Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon...impressive venue for a free show

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096304.jpg
Suzuki Bandit...caught my eye, well turned out bike

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096305.jpg
Triumph's old and new

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096309.jpg
Some good stunt action on the R1 in a relatively tight arena

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096311.jpg
He should really sit down...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096315.jpg
There is an R1 in there somewhere...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096316.jpg
Told you! He is sponsor by Pirrelli...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096317.jpg
Rare prototype Triumph

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096318.jpg
An Omega...needs a little light restoration to return to concours...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096323.jpg
The Honda VFR1200...I was merrily slagging this bike off...'how ugly is that exhaust??' 'That fairing is DULL!' when the bloke stood next to me got on the thing...opps!

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096326.jpg
Honda's surprisingly effective big cool blue factory custom...it will never be as cool a 1981 Kawasaki LTD550!!

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096333.jpg
I have a strange hankering to own one of these

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096336.jpg
The best looking Ducati since the seminal 916? I want one so badly it almost hurts!

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096339.jpg
A little garish for my taste...but the quality of work was stunning

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096346.jpg
A Zephyr 1100 riding friend took a new Yamaha Diversion 600 out for a spin and came back impressed. The Police riders joined the demo riders. That was a slightly odd feeling I bet

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096352.jpg
Free entry to the c*r museum was also available. Very interesting stuff if you are into 4 wheels too. Loads of protoypes, last of the line models, record breakers, concept cars, TV cars and competion vehicles.Well worth a look

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096356.jpg
James Bond Aston

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096365.jpg
I am not in too much of a hurry to have a go in this combo...but a fitting way to take one last ride

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096373.jpg
There were trial bikes stunting in the arena too

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j289/Radarspit/090510%20Heart%20of%20England%20and%20SVR/P5096374.jpg
Impressive control]]> Mon, 10 May 2010 20:59:23 +0000 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5348 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5347
Sadly, with many other things on in the last 6 months, we only wiped the last races mud off today! :( Happily though, with a bit of fuel, new spark plug and a lot of kick starts, she fired up. Very noisy as there's a 1 inch hole on the exhaust which needs fixing, before scruntineering on saturday lunchtime.

Here's a pic from the last race

[IMG]http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee196/simonchampion/SDC13599.jpg[/IMG]

Is anyone else going this weekend??]]> Mon, 10 May 2010 18:17:08 +0000 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5347 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5345
[IMG]http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww198/philipnam/01052010058.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i719.photobucket.com/albums/ww198/philipnam/01052010059.jpg[/IMG]

Luggage and crash bobbins to come as they ordered the wrong parts]]> Sat, 01 May 2010 11:44:01 +0000 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5345 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5343 She was stood up for a couple of months last year and she started up on the button first time when i started her up again. On that ride she just died and i had to call out recovery. I've taken her out once since then after having her on charge for a few weeks. Same again.

I've now changed the reg/rec and had her on charge with an optimate 4 for the past 3 weeks. I've just tested her with a multi meter again....

Voltages are:
On charge: 13.5
Off charge: 12.1
Running: 11.9 dropping gradually with the drop increasing with main beam and/or indicators on. Range is about 8-10 miles before she dies.

The battery was replaced july/aug last year. All fuses are good and i haven't found any loose connections.

Any ideas??

In case you don't know, the bike is a GSXR 600 K6.]]> Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:45:26 +0000 http://www.bikers-cafe.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=5343