Author Topic: Excited/ashamed  (Read 3035 times)

Andy M

  • Posts: 1709
Excited/ashamed
« on: April 18, 2010, 04:21:46 PM »
Well, the Bonneville has valve rattle  :( Looks like my little spurt of Spagthorpeesque thumperdom in Germany (50 mph as a single 395cc with "spare" cylinder due to dodgy coil) has upset the shims. Still runs like a (non-UK) train but I'm guessing that won't continue for long if I didn't get it sorted. The valve gears anti-backlash thingy needs a pin making so you can get the shims out without having to rummage in the back of the shed for the shooting springs. I don't have the time to aquire/make said pin, so it's off the dealers for a full service and MOT  :-[

The good news is, as A1 will have it all day on the 1st I get something new and shiney to play with for the day  ;D Chances are it'll be the Scrambler which will no doubt have me reaching for the bank loan/sell a kidney hotline until I see how much it'll be a month, but they do have a slightly worrying Rocket 3 as a loaner  :o

Anyone else had anything as a loaner you had to hide in the garage for the day? I had something called a Bulldog from the yammie dealer once. 1300 four in an open frame with straight four foot bars so you could go from zero to human parachute in two seconds. Had an R1200C from BM once too  ::)

Report to follow in a couple of weeks.

Andy

Steffan

  • Posts: 1412
Re: Excited/ashamed
« Reply #1 on: April 18, 2010, 04:59:55 PM »
I too had the 1200c, loved the motor, hated the bike - it and I simply did not fit.
Then the Skarva thingee - pile of vibrating crap - I couldn't then or now see any point - gutless. Better off with a MZ 2T
Tried the CCM freewind engined motard - similarly a lot of vibe for not much action. Exceedingly uncomfortable too.

That's about my lot - now the baby I have just acquired sight unseen and unridden (by me) is beautiful. A lovely thing she is.....

Steffan
« Last Edit: April 18, 2010, 06:32:46 PM by Steffan »

mini-thumper

  • Posts: 921
Re: Excited/ashamed
« Reply #2 on: April 18, 2010, 05:18:16 PM »
- now the baby I have just aquired sight unseen and unridden (by me) is beautiful. A lovely thing she is.....

Steffan

I'm guessing that as a man-of-the-cloth this has no connotations with Madonna and/or Gary Glitter? Further clarification, and supporting pictures, will surely clear-up any misunderstanding...............

Boyd 'Squeaky Clean' Brooks



Steffan

  • Posts: 1412
Re: Excited/ashamed
« Reply #3 on: April 18, 2010, 06:33:25 PM »
For someone squeaky clean you have a resolutely filthy mind old boy.

Steffan

guest868

  • Guest
Re: Excited/ashamed
« Reply #4 on: April 18, 2010, 08:36:47 PM »
Back in '99 my Transalp



went in for a service and I got a courtesy bike from the dealer.
So I eased myself, complete with old buckled MX boots, Black leather jacket (complete with patches), combats, and Simpson RX8 (complete with bin-bag black visor) onto...



A mighty Honda SGX50 Sky moped-



I went straight home.

002

  • Posts: 1786
  • Stalwart(TM)
Re: Excited/ashamed
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2010, 04:03:47 PM »

 The valve gears anti-backlash thingy needs a pin making so you can get the shims out without having to rummage in the back of the shed for the shooting springs. I don't have the time to aquire/make said pin, so it's off the dealers for a full service and MOT  :-[

Andy

4mm Allen Key works a treat !
No need to worry about bits flying off either.Its all held together with a large circlip.

Jethro
Cooey
Martini-Greener GP
Lee Enfield
ELG

Andy M

  • Posts: 1709
Re: Excited/ashamed
« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2010, 07:29:59 AM »
Well, the "issue" wasn't the valves, it was carb balance. Still, good to get a professional opinion every few years.

The loaner was a Bonneville America  :(. Review with a picture here  https://sites.google.com/site/threewheelbonnienonbike/other-bonnevilles .

This thing is 'Orrible with capital O. The feet first controls mean anyone under six foot or with feet bigger than size five will need to wear a cricket box to protect the family jewels from the tank and ballet shoes to get you foot under the gear lever (it needs a heel and toe). Once you get moving it's human parachute time unless you shuffel back onto the pillion pegs , plus the thing has the turning circle of a super tanker. That huge petrol tank is all full of electrics so the light comes on at barely 100 miles. So, what's it good for: It goes 0-40 in a straight line quite well and people who don't know better stare at it. BTW, no one waves to you on this chromed, fake Harley behemoth on a Saturday afternoon, they all think you are a Dentist or Accountant who owns a tassled jacket to wear during the "season". So, conclusion: Pointless.

To conclude with one nice thing to say: The motor is first class, although I still prefer the Bonnevilles 360 firing over the fake V-twin 270 version.

Andy
« Last Edit: May 02, 2010, 07:33:39 AM by Andy M »

Richard

  • Posts: 1377
  • Always wear protection
Re: Excited/ashamed
« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2010, 08:13:09 AM »

He he.  We sat back and watched Wild Hogs last night.  Amusing in a family safe sort of way.

Richard
(main computer still jiggered)
Note to Self: Shiney side goes UP.

Mark

  • Posts: 1634
Re: Excited/ashamed
« Reply #8 on: May 02, 2010, 09:09:50 AM »

He he.  We sat back and watched Wild Hogs last night.  Amusing in a family safe sort of way.

Richard
(main computer still jiggered)

Even the gay bike riding cop? He reminds me of someone.
There exists a set of people who believe 2>4

Ian

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Re: Excited/ashamed
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2010, 10:35:07 PM »
Apparently my local Triumph dealer cant get enough of the Bonnie Americas to sell..seems to be a bit of a waiting list to be pointless :O

Ian 
1 New SRX 1 C400X 1 GB350S

guest7

  • Guest
Re: Excited/ashamed
« Reply #10 on: May 05, 2010, 11:36:03 PM »
Last week I rode my mate's 1600cc Yamaha Wildstar and I thought it was...
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actually very nice  :o

In my defence its engine is recognised by the customising fraternity as one of the better 'metric' V-twins and it was just plain nice to sit on a bike that was actually a bit big for me (the curse of the 6-foot motorcyclist is jap-designed mini-rockets).

Not too sure I'd like to live with a 600kg motorycle though...

GC

Andy M

  • Posts: 1709
Re: Excited/ashamed
« Reply #11 on: May 06, 2010, 07:03:14 AM »
Apparently my local Triumph dealer cant get enough of the Bonnie Americas to sell..seems to be a bit of a waiting list to be pointless :O

Ian 

I don't get feet forward cruisers of this type. I test rode an 883 Sportster and would have bought one if I hadn't tried the Bonneville an hour later. I ride my Dads Guzzi Nevada on occasion. Neither are quite as good as bikes I've owned but they will do pretty much anything from motorways to dirt tracks. The America was too cruisery to filter through urban traffic and I don't get the idea of a 100 mph engine with a 55 mph seating position.

Andy

Mark

  • Posts: 1634
Re: Excited/ashamed
« Reply #12 on: May 06, 2010, 08:13:53 AM »
Apparently my local Triumph dealer cant get enough of the Bonnie Americas to sell..seems to be a bit of a waiting list to be pointless :O

Ian 

I don't get feet forward cruisers of this type. I test rode an 883 Sportster and would have bought one if I hadn't tried the Bonneville an hour later. I ride my Dads Guzzi Nevada on occasion. Neither are quite as good as bikes I've owned but they will do pretty much anything from motorways to dirt tracks. The America was too cruisery to filter through urban traffic and I don't get the idea of a 100 mph engine with a 55 mph seating position.

Andy

Andy, once you've got used to that riding position and got the confidence it's surprising how well you can go. Dirt tracks are out because you'll never get up on those pegs but motoring along and filtering are fine, definitly better filtering than an out and out sports bike with no lock. ;D

Mark
There exists a set of people who believe 2>4

Steffan

  • Posts: 1412
Re: Excited/ashamed
« Reply #13 on: May 06, 2010, 12:52:52 PM »
I was amazed on the Guzzi how much more confident I feel in traffic than on the Skorpion. The Skorpion has the taller seat hight but for me at least sitting up makes going for the gaps a lot easier. That said the Guzzi isn't feet forward in that way and the Skorpion is not a pocket rocket either.

Steff