DR sleeping, Skorp is ALIVE!

[andy230]

Hello guys,

After the the DR's minor "headache", I have returned to commuting on the skorp.

I had laid it up fairly sympathetically 18 months ago, so not much to do to get it MOT-able.  Inflate the tyres, clean and lube the chain, persuade to forks to move (!!), change a bulb, put some fuel in the dry tank, a good skoosh of easy start and away she goes!   

Check the brakes, oil, and the usual fasteners, and go for a blatt down the road.

Points to note:

Odyssey gel batteries rock.  Granted, it was over a hundred quid, but it juice enough to crank for maybe 10 seconds before firing.  After 18 months?!!  I was very surprised.

Isn't it odd how sometimes changing back to a bike you really know well is an immensely pleasant experience?!     Man, its almost like you are a few years younger (I suppose you are in a way... its a while since I'd been on it)

Getting on- its f'kn tiny!!  (compared to the DR).  High pegs, low bars.  The forks are really stiff (compared to the DR) but may have been a bit sticky and have freed up (cue leaking seals!).  The front brake works!!  (The back isn't really used, unlike the DR).   

I note that after a half hour commute, I have aged a lot in thte last couple of years
-my wrist aches from the clutch (crap ex-SRX buckshee lever)
-my wrists ache from the bars
-my back aches
-I need to swing my left leg to get the ball of my foot up on the peg
-my neck aches

The MOT man (who is ace) noted that it was the worst of all possible worlds-

Race bike impracticality with budget MZ suspension and lumpy tuned single manners, which still doesn't make an awful lot of power!

It seems wonderfully low geared which is lovely in central London (actually now back to standard skorp, after what appeared to be Manx gearing!!  -I think actually it was for snetterton)

It is also beautifully narrow, and the clip ons are well below car wing mirror level.

The noise is much nicer than the DR.  More pleasant exhaust note, and much less mechanical noise (even before the DR recently noisy)

Yes, its crap, but I do love it.  The ratty caff-racer look, the noise, everything. Isn't it great how much fun you can have on an old nail?!  Just I think cos its MY old nail... 

Cheers guys, I think I just got my mojo back!   

a

[themoudie]

Eeeeeeee!  You old romantic!   

Go canny, we're awash up here and the Forth Inn in Aberfoyle is shut for at least a month, whilst they try to dry the place out afore Xmas.  That's if the Forth doesn't overflow again! 

Good health, Leapfrog afore sheet alley!

Slainte, Bill.

[Steffan]

Top notch Andy, took mine out to fit tyres yesterday, it was a bit damp. They are fun and make enough power. BTW what gearing do you use? Stay safe.




Steff

[Mark]

BTW what gearing do you use? Stay safe.

Steff

Hein Gericke with a hi-vis vest.

[andy230]

Top notch Andy, took mine out to fit tyres yesterday, it was a bit damp. They are fun and make enough power. BTW what gearing do you use? Stay safe.




Steff

Steffan

Standard 15-43 as of late 2010 (not many miles since then, only 6 months intermittent use).

As bought (approx 2006) is was 15-39.  I figured I wanted to get my use from that (quite new) before changing it needlessly.  It was fantastic on the on-ramp to motorways tho!  And 70 mph cruising was just tickling along in top.  Very slightly more power than standard, so it still pulled well, but was not ideal round town.

a

[guest40]

I've forgotten Andy, which of the 5 Skorps do you have?

[andy230]

This photo is a bit old now, but it is still quite similar.  It has different clip ons, but is much the same.  Not exactly a looker, I think it was originally a Sport, but any Sport-specific parts have been removed.  Seat is ZZR 1100, headlamp is SRX, taillight is now Lucas-pattern.  Rev-counter now removed.

Rear-sets, pipe, clip-ons, indicators etc are generic, I think all else is MZ.



Cheers

a

[Steve Lake]

Welcome back to thumperland

[andy230]

I never left     They just stopped breaking down!

(Thus my return!)

How is the blue beast Steve??

a