So, just off to the Manchester Motorbike show. Anyone else going?
Oh, I can pick you up a disk lock leash if you want, Tony ;)
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Last edited by dickbrowne; 23rd March 2019 at 09:34.
I did this about 20 years ago with a front disk lock... and my now wife on the back! We both fell off, I threw myself under the bike so no real damage apart from pride as a few mates were watching. Luckily I asked if she was ok before checking the bike, or I might not be married now
Sorry to hear about your mishap Tony - well done for getting it sorted so quickly. I hope you and all the other riders have a brilliant time today.
My experience of disc brake locks wasn't as bad. I've ridden bikes for approximately 22 years in total and briefly used a lock. I too started to ride off once and remembered just in time. No damage done but I decided to ditch the thing and deal with a theft if it happened - it never did. Maybe I was just fortunate, but in the end, using anything more than the steering lick was a hassle too far. And if you have a really desirable bike and a professional wants it, it will disappear.
Safe trip today everyone
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Thanks Jon (it's tomorrow, btw). The issue with additional locks is that it can often be an insurance requirement (e.g. two locks including the steering lock). It will also help to reduce premiums if you state that you're using an approved lock (as it did mine, so I'd rather not take the risk of not using it).
Ahhh - didn't know about such insurance demands. I certainly wouldn't want to lose a bike and find it uninsured.
Have a great day tomorrow
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very lucky you didnt damage the bike more (or yourself) , never used a disclock for that exact reason (im bound to forget the bugger ) , the way i look at it these days is if they are going to nick it it doesnt matter much whats on it (round here they tend to just pick the bikes up and load them in a van.
..... on a side note i put my baffle in for the first time the other day - got back home and took it out again , just didnt sound right , also fitted some shorty levers which work great as i only use one finger to brake and the original ones had a tendency to trap my fingers under hard braking .
have a safe good day tomorrow everyone on the meet.
Exhaust looks great! Ive been out on both the Honda and the BMW today, god I love riding bikes
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Least you got yourself and bike sorted Tony, with minimal material or bodily damage. And a new can to boot!! Everyone out on the bike gtg tomoz have a good day and ride safe. Me, well I am out with my main ride buddy on his S1000RR to Barmouth in north wales if the weather holds. Oh, and when you’re sick of that Yoshi let me know and I’ll have it off ya!!
Stuart
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I always state “no extra security” when asked, because reading the small print it means that if your bike is stolen and you didn’t have the security fitted you may well not be covered.
It made about a tenner difference but I’ve got 2 bikes coming up for renewal now so I’ll see what the difference is this year.
Also to watch out for - last year my policy on one of these bikes had full cover in Europe, this renewal is legal minimum in the covered European countries with top up to fully comp at a cost
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On Thursday I went for a test ride on this mechanical marvel (2019 KTM 1290 Super Duke GT).
It's not to everyone's taste visually but it is an immensely capable bike.
On Monday week I'm testing the new Diavel 1260s
Last edited by Stanford; 24th March 2019 at 18:36.
Want to hear the exhaust?
I recommend a chain oiler Tony, takes all the hassle out of it!
I had a Chaintec chain oiler on my ZX9R. It was a simple box the size of a small matchbox with a ball bearing and plastic tube inside. Oil entered the tube from a reservoir above and exited down to the (front in my case) sprocket. The ball moved backwards and forwards under acceleration and braking, pumping the oil through the tube, gravity ensured it went the right way.
In 15,000 miles I had to adjust the chain once and used about 500ml of oil. The chain always looked dry but as it hardly stretched, it must have been getting enough lubrication but nit enough for dust and dirt to create s grinding paste.
It cost me £20 for the kit (about a quarter of the price of a scottoiler). I want one for my current bikes but they’ve obviously ceased trading as I can’t find them anywhere!
for no mess just use one of the dry chain lubes such as wurths , tbh looking after your bike chain is one of the most basic things you need to learn /do riding a bike , unless of course you have a butler to do it.
*imo learning basic maintanance is a must for motorbike owners.
tony as nice and good as they are your mate has the wrong bike if hes not happy with the sound , a flat twin is always going to sound like a kid blowing a raspberry whatever can he puts on:)
It’s wear, rather than stretch - but as far as looking after a chain........ Yes - A good oiler is best.
BUT - whether it makes economic sense, is another matter.
A DID chain and top-quality sprocket set for my S1000XR, costs only £99 from Busters. So the idea of spending £200 on an electronic Scottoiler might not make sense, when including the oil purchases.
I got my Scottoiler S/H for around £120, and it meters perfectly, and easily-adjusted.
For a bike which is solely used for an odd day/half-day at a time - stick with cans of cleaner/lub, but if commuting in all conditions and/or touring - I would always go for a Scottoiler (or similar)
Cobrra (spelling) do a good, simple oiler.
Being a little pedantic there but you are correct, it’s wear in the links rather than stretching of the plates.
The one I’m referring to cost me £20 and at least doubled the life of the chain.
Thanks, I’ll look them up.
Yep, agree.
Nowhere near enough lube on that chain.
A quick spray on a dry chain on all 4 sides (outside/inside/left plates/right plates) is all it takes.
When chain oilers work properly they can be great.
A man once told me so.
But imho they can be an absolute pain in the arse.
Too little - or too much oil...setting them up, then they get airlocks, start leaking, or the drip nozzle misses the chain.
Back of the bike can look like an oil dump.
In years gone by, I've bought five bikes with scottoilers already installed.
And not one worked as it was supposed to.
O & X ring chains are supposed to need minimal lubrication, manufacturers say the O rings 'seal' the lube in between the pins and the rollers. Limited effectiveness though. Way better to keep the chain lubed yourself.
Good quality chain specific lube for the win.
Chain wax, great for weather proofing, but pretty poor for lubrication.
Synthetic chain oils are pretty good.
Dry lube is ok for pushies, (I've did 450 miles on one coating, but I'm fairly sure the chainlife suffered as a result) but pretty poor for a motorcycle.
TOP TIP:
If you ever find yourself miles away from home with a dry chain, you will rarely need to buy oil.
Ride into the next fuel stop, and have a crafty root through the forecourt bins.
99% of the time, you'll find an empty can/container of car engine oil.
There is ALWAYS a little left in these to dribble on your chain and get you home.
Just don’t! Read the above, you are talking 30 seconds of positive action versus £ and issues with chain oilers
I use this
https://www.demon-tweeks.com/putolin...ampaign=176013
Its white you can see where it has gone, it takes 30 secs to apply. My last chain did 15,000 miles on a 70 hp bmw , so not bad.
Have you bought a paddock stand yet?
Well worth the outlay if you haven't.
Good for all things rear wheel maintenance wise.
Ive heard good things about the WD40 chain wax , give it a try Tony. How did the ride out go?
Steve
I use Wurth dry chain lube as per a previous poster. Never had a rusty chain yet, and cant remember ever replacing one tbh. Also use Wurth cleaner as well. Seems to work well for me. I think the secret is to do it regularly, and if you do ride in the rain which I dont, do it more regularly !!. Use a chain cleaning brush, cheap as chips and work a treat.
Stuart
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How often you doing it Tony? Do you ride in the wet?
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Nice one Tony and well done for organising it and getting there despite chain/ lock/ sprocket issues
It was a great day, well done Tony. Happy to organise a future one. My ride into London tomorrow won’t be as fun...
I still like my gsa. 1150 I know it’s old school but when a Ducati rider says “I didn’t think one of them could go so fast” it makes more sense, with the bad roads we have now the paralever suspension makes sense. I keep trying to buy a Kfm 1290 adv r but like a really racy woman there hard work all the time and spectacular occasionally.
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Depends on how far you do in 2-3 weeks mate, and riding conditions. I dont ride in the wet, so no salty water gets on my bike, unless i get caught out. I will generally use my bike every weekend through the summer and apply lube before each run, and clean every third or so run. My runs are usually 200-250 miles.
I put the bike on a rear stand and clean the chain using a brush and cleaner with the bike in gear at tickover so its doing all the work not me!!. Once i’m happy all the grit and grime is off i dry the chain before applying the lube. Hardly ever need to adjust it and like i say, in 40 odd years of biking cant remember ever having to replace a chain set yet. If you havent got a rear stand, just get your missus to spray the chain whilst you push the bike, easy peasy.
Stuart
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Sounds like you need to do it ‘more’ regularly then !! Deffo if you’ve been out in the wet as daft as it sounds, water seems to ‘dry’ the chain out. Anyways, I’m sure you’ll sort it.
Stuart
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I only clean mine about every 6 lubes eg twice a year max. O ring X ring chains hold lube against the plates. Main thing is only lube the inside links eg as go onto the sprockets. Dont spray down onto the top of the chain as this just picks up crap or throws off XS lube.
- - - Updated - - -
This as the chain is warm so the lube penetrates better
Personally as i really only use my bike at weekends i lube before we go out, as i know we’ll be out for 200 ish miles. Every third or fourth weekend i’ll clean, but thats just me. If i do get caught out in the wet i’ll clean then as well.
Stuart
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I liked using Wurth, but after five years I've gone back to a synth lube.
Same stuff as the original ProfiDry. Teflon base I think? DuPont still holds the patent?
Wurth -
Positives: Great for the roller external surface & sprockets, clean to use, no fling, very limited adhesion for dust & grit (that causes the wear) easy to clean chainset with soap and water.
Negatives: Does not penetrate the chain rollers to lubricate the pins, much lower rust protection, not properly water resistant, bit noisier.
Better to do it after the run if you can, while the chain is still warm. You'll get better penetration, and it'll allow the solvents time to evaporate, therefore leaving you with a slightly 'thicker' coating before you go out again.
Last edited by Tifa; 24th March 2019 at 23:19.
A bog standard hypoid 80w90 gear oil applied with an old toothbrush is about as good a chain lube as you can get. A lot of manufacturers specify it, Honda, Takasago, Regina etc.
Also don't lube your chain with the engine running and the bike in gear. Sprockets are unstoppable finger eating machines.