Can anyone recommend a decent tool breaker/riveting tool?
Sealey's seem to be the main one, but I just don't like the company.
I have the Bluespot one (I suspect it and the Sealey are different packages of the same thing) £20 or less.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Spot-T...s%2C801&sr=8-1
Not sure how much effort is needed to flare a solid end rivet, but works fine on the hollow ends that you tend to see now.
For chain removal I just use a thin cutting disc to slice the side plates of the rivet-link - there's nothing to save there.
There are some good youtubes on changing chains - buy yourself a cheap plastic vernier too.
I think this was the last ride for me on the R. The ride was fantastic and it was a good opportunity to compare it back-to-back with a GS because I switched bikes a few times with my mate's GS on the day's riding. I came away realising that the GS can do 95% what the R does, but the R only does 70% what the GS does. And importantly, with my plans to do more off-roading later this year, I have just sold the R to get back on my 4th GS. Would have been nice to keep both in the garage as the R is really just a very mature sports bike imho, but it would be a bit silly as both have the same basic drivetrain.
Well it's arrived!!
Spencer had to be the first one that was allowed to sit on it.
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Picked the worst day ever to get my bike out of the garage and take it for a service.
Weather here was awful. Wind was brutal and it was my first time on it in nearly 5 months I think.
Anyway I'm picking it back up later and they called me to say I needed a new rear tyre as it was low.
I was running a Pilot road sport 4 and had only had it on for 12 months and 2k miles. Seems a bit extreme that doesn't it?
They have put a Road sport 5 on to replace it. Hopefully I get longer than 2k out of that!
My Triumph is booked in for MOT next Thursday so expect blizzards.
Depending on what the bike is, 2k miles is one of appalling/not bad/pretty good. My 'busa (160bhp) and R80 (50bhp) both used to get 2k or less from a rear, it looks like I'm getting about 10,000 out of the rear on my Street Scrambler
I do know though that some bike shops tend to take the view with tyres of "is there enough tread to last to the next service?" even if it's well above the wear indicators
Yup. I was up and down the M6 on the FJR1300. It was not nice.
Have you seen the price of tyres these days!!!
Roadtec 01s £243 last year £308 now for GSA
Was it the first tyre?
I've read that tyre manufacturers supply oem tyres with less tread than the retail versions at the request of bike manufacturers as a) they can do so cheaper as there's less rubber and b) they are quieter for the homologation noise tests.
That might account for it, but more likely it was just the bike shop being "over cautious" and "ensuring rider safety"
No it was a new tyre when I bought it used 12 months ago.
I do think the garage were being a little over cautious as I'm normally quite onto tyres and things.
I suppose I did run it in there and said sort it for the summer.
My friend has those S22s on his XSR900
They look great on the bike. Not sure if they are any good or not.
I hated the way the PS4s looked on the bike.
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Agreed , probably also helps them with weight as often a new years model is described as 7.5 of so kgs than outgoing model. The rubber is the densest part of the tyre. Heres what Goodyear say
https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/learn...lacement-tires
if you are touring or just want long life with some 'sports' characteristics the road 4/5/6 are great tyres , if you are just ragging it around the a roads on a weekend and want something a bit more sticky the s22 or m7/9 rr are great tyres.
* the sports tourer tyres (road 4/5/6 ) will out perform 99% of road riders (myself inc)
Painful no doubt but it looks like he did a good job.
'Against stupidity, the gods themselves struggle in vain' - Schiller.
Hey Enoch good news . So you out of hospital now or still in there? Either way, keep positive and you’ll soon be back in the saddle .
Stuart
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Here you go!
https://youtu.be/Tv97i_-V7hA
Well Im minded to sell my XL 250 1972 , Im leaning towards a KTM 390 duke , lighter weight than my GS and a bit of modern fun. I have enough period bikes
Ill do a SC addition soon or will be persuaded to take a Moonwatch in a trade :)
Last edited by higham5; 8th April 2022 at 20:20.
So the R went today and got replaced with a slightly customised Bumblebee… a 40y GS. Replaced some of the silver parts for black versions. Took the long way home over some of Suffolk and Essex’s finest B-roads… I just love the GS. Such an effortless bike to ride at pace or slowly over twisting or broken roads we have in England. Still the fastest and most comfortable bike over ground I’ve had the pleasure of owning amongst many. It covers ground so brilliantly, although we are not talking track.
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I did….
Picked this Sport Glide up yesterday, although it’s going back to be de-chromed as soon as all the black bits are in.
Wont get time to do anything on it until tomorrow so will take some better photos then.
Cheers. Cleaned it up and took a better pic in the sun. I was debating going for the Triple Black edition, but gold wheels were a must as the black ones go manky after a while. Figured the 40y Bumblebee was a better canvas to start with given it has an all black frame to begin with, whereas the TB has a grey frame. Anyways, really happy with how it’s turned out. Just need to put on the headlight guard. Oh and I must admit to something I scoffed at when I first heard it: but the heated seats are fantastic!
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New bike ordered today.
The CCM is sold as is the GSX-S 1000 and next Saturday I pick up a brand new S1000R Sport in Hockenheim Silver (primer grey).
I had a test ride today and was very impressed. I had one of the original S1000R’s in 2014 when they were first out, but the new bike is much improved. The TFT screen is great, the quick shifter is a joy to use up or down the box, the handling is sharp and nimble, it goes like stink and the brakes are fantastic.
I’m getting the low seat, which will help me get the bike on and off the stand a bit easier.
Can’t wait to get it and get the running in done.
I was in a rush, so completely forgot to get any pictures.
I haven’t kept the GSR-S 1000 very long. It’s not a bad bike at all for the money, but the BMW is so much sharper, faster, is a bit lighter, handles better, certainly stops better and just feels like a much more premium product, as it should given the price differential.
Last edited by andy tims; 9th April 2022 at 21:37.
Andy
Wanted - Damasko DC57
Last weekend I picked up a completely unnecessary purchase that I couldn't resist - BMW R850GS
This is my first time riding an old GS and it gives the impression of being a total tank, I'm getting to love the telelever suspension and plan to use it dabbling on some green lanes.
Replying to post above, I showed my 850GS to my mate who has the new S1KR. They are fabulous bikes, ballistic and agile. Quickshifter and blipper provide a new level of rider enjoyment. But for me, so little passion in the engine vs an old boxer. Way too fast for the road and quite an aggressive riding position with a hard seat.
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