Thursday 14 March 2013

Ethel and that lost top box

Its been a year since the lost top box disaster on the way up from Sussex. Still no sign of it of course. But how odd is this. I just read of a rider who lost his silencer on the same stretch of road that I feel is most likely that the box was lost. A21 Westerham bypass. He got off and jumped over the fence to find an Aladdin's cave of bike parts from fairings, mirrors you name it. But no matter how he looked for it the silencer was not to be found.
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Lovely Motobecane rebuild by Michael Griffiths



Mike is coming all the way from France to the Manx on this !
     
 
 
 

Thursday 7 March 2013

Streetfighter after refurb

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Streetfighter before refurb

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Streetfighter to the Manx GP ?

An upside to the lighting scenario is that I was doubtful all along about the night ride up to Heysham for the 0200 ferry out. Let's see if the replacements do what they are supposed to. If so then the Streetfighter goes to the Manx.
The bike came with, of all things, a rear rack. I've replaced with grab handles but can easily switch to the rack and load it with soft luggage.
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Oh no ! MOT fail

Aargh ! Tripped up on headlight beam profile. Gotta have a sharp line across the road then up 15 degrees at the left roadside. Didn't know that. The Bates style twin headlights that came with the bike are not E stamped and cannot do this so bike was failed.So I've ordered genuine Bates replacements which should fit straight on and fix this.
The good news is that the rest of the bike is fine.
The great news is that bike is terrific to ride. Supple suspension, sweet steering, great handling. Can't wait for scrubbed in tyres and dry roads. The wide drag bars give loads of leverage and a comfy position. Brakes are no more than OK. This is helped by the upright and exposed riding position at anything above 65 mph is a struggle against the windblast. This bike is going to be all about acceleration and cornering fun not outright speed. Having said that the engine rips enough to easily make the front go light. Very pleased with the digital dash and speedo - it all worked even the shift lights, set at 10k to save the motor, twinkled on cue.
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Streetfighter all set for MOT

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Wednesday 6 March 2013

Street fighter MOT tomorrow

All looking good. Got the tick over sorted out - often wondered what that knob down by the clutch actuating arm is for. Started bike up and warmed it through this morning. This evening checked coolant level in radiator and it had not dropped so looking good there too. Replacement front brake lever has arrived so just need to put that on and swap mirror from left bar end to right, thanks to losing the other retaining grub screw needed for 2 mirrors. Just to be sure I called the MOT station to see if 2 mirrors are mandatory to be told you do not have to have any at all ! Didn't see that one coming.


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Sunday 3 March 2013

ZX6R F3 Streetfighter

After deciding on dayglo pink wheels the bike turned into a tribute to my late daughter so I had some words done on the seat hump.
The bike started on the button, takes revs but cuts out on very slow tickover with no choke. The Fuel mini stainless end can has a deep, gruff sound very like a Triumph triple - great. Couldn't go for a ride as I managed to snap the front brake lever off getting the bike out of the cellar.
Repeated starts all went well with nothing going BANG or leaking so far.
I can see this bike being a keeper as it is so light and easy to move around with all that leverage from those drag bars.
Horror of horrors - it could be that that standard ZX6R F1 ends up being a donor bike for this one.
Let's get on the road first and see what happens.
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ZX6R F3 Streetfighter finished at last

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