The friendly "dumb" bike questions thread

[Krikkit]

Jazoli said:

Don't use car exhaust paste use silicone sealant, you can buy it on ebay and the likes.

Well aren't we all learning, I didn't think silicon went that hot.

[tvrolet]

Krikkit said:

Well aren't we all learning, I didn't think silicon went that hot.

There are high temperature silicone sealants out there, most have a temperate range stayed on the pack. I use Loctite silicon copper gasket maker/sealer to seal the exhausts to the cylinders on the vintage bike. Maybe 70+ year old bikes don’t make as much heat as modern bikes overall, but this is sealing right as the pipes leave the motor so probably hotter than further down the system on a modern bike and the seal holds.

[Codotuk]

I use “Elastoplast spray on plaster” to put grips on. It’s waterproof and you can get the grips back off.

[horsemeatscandal]

CousinDupree said:

horsemeatscandal said:

Brilliant, cheers. Would this be a nightmare to get off?

No, not at all. You can rub it off with your fingers.

Rubber cement appears to have worked perfectly. Thanks again.

[Lukas239]

How do people deal with the state of the roads this time of year?

The sheer volume of muck and whatever this dirty rain/dust is does my head in. Bike HAS to be cleaned every time, visor becomes unusable, clothing is minging and brown.

Any top tips from those that ride year round?

[RizzoTheRat]

ACF50 on the bike and don't bother cleaning it again for a few months.

Something like Nikwax Visorproof helps keep the visor clear if there's a bit of drizzle but if it's just dry road muck I don't think there's a lot you can do about it.

[CousinDupree]

horsemeatscandal said:

Rubber cement appears to have worked perfectly. Thanks again.

Cool, glad to help.

[ashleyman]

I removed the pinlock from my visor today as a dribble of muddy water got between it and the visor.

Can I get the thing to re-seal, nope!

Any suggestions? or do I need to buy a new pinlock?

[RizzoTheRat]

the pinlock pins are cam shaped, one's probably rotated a bit so you're not getting a decent seal nay more, see if you can rotate them back so it fits tighter.

[ashleyman]

RizzoTheRat said:

the pinlock pins are cam shaped, one's probably rotated a bit so you're not getting a decent seal nay more, see if you can rotate them back so it fits tighter.

Didn't realise you could turn those but just a little turn of one sealed it up. Thank you!

[Matt230]

Does anyone use a camera for safety reasons, i don't mean for Youtube bragging...

I have a GoPro and a Chesty mount from skiing but wondered if there was a better more obvious solution?

Matt

[RazerSauber]

I'm planning on doing my CBT once the weather brightens up (That'll be about 2050 then!) and I'm going to run a little 125 for a year or so just to see if I get on with it. I'm doing it with a view to doing a full test and commuting on 2 wheels. I do ~60 miles per day, half of which is at typical Motorway speeds of about 10-15mph and the other half is pretty free flowing, approximately 60-70mph. Would a good 125 put up with this every day? Or would I be better off looking at 250's or more? My main concerns are size for filtering and fuel economy. I would suspect with some careful filtering, I can shave a good 40 minutes off my commute per day, depending upon traffic. There's a road near me that takes about 30 seconds to drive down if it's clear or up to 20 minutes in rush hour.

[CaptainSlow]

A couple of points

You cant use a 125 on the motorway with only a CBT
You cant ride a 250 with only a CBT

To answer your question...125s are pretty scary to use in fast flowing traffic..do the test and get a 600, easier to ride and safer.

[black-k1]

Matt230 said:

Does anyone use a camera for safety reasons, i don't mean for Youtube bragging...

I have a GoPro and a Chesty mount from skiing but wondered if there was a better more obvious solution?

Matt

If you are using a camera, either on the bike or on you, and you are pulled over, then plod will happily use the footage off your camera as evidence in your prosecution. Not a problem if you never exceed a speed limit or never filter at more than about 5 miles per hour but, if you’re less than perfect, then I’d suggest thinking carefully before using a camera.

[ashleyman]

Matt230 said:

Does anyone use a camera for safety reasons, i don't mean for Youtube bragging...

I have a GoPro and a Chesty mount from skiing but wondered if there was a better more obvious solution?

Matt

I bought a Sena 10C Pro as I wanted a camera just in case and a intercom and it seemed well priced for a 2-in-1.

The camera just loops and re-writes old footage. Sound quality is good and connects first time every time to my phone. But expensive but worth it for me.

[black-k1]

CaptainSlow said:

A couple of points

You cant use a 125 on the motorway with only a CBT
You cant ride a 250 with only a CBT

To answer your question...125s are pretty scary to use in fast flowing traffic..do the test and get a 600, easier to ride and safer.

I'd very much support the advice above. Riding a 125 in motorway speed rush hour traffic is pretty damn scary and something I (and I assume many "seasoned bikers") would not choose to do!

Pass your test and get something (400cc+) that is comfortable at motorway speeds with a little left in reserve.

[Krikkit]

black-k1 said:

CaptainSlow said:

A couple of points

You cant use a 125 on the motorway with only a CBT
You cant ride a 250 with only a CBT

To answer your question...125s are pretty scary to use in fast flowing traffic..do the test and get a 600, easier to ride and safer.

I'd very much support the advice above. Riding a 125 in motorway speed rush hour traffic is pretty damn scary and something I (and I assume many "seasoned bikers") would not choose to do!

Pass your test and get something (400cc+) that is comfortable at motorway speeds with a little left in reserve.

And another +1, do the full test and get something proper that won't leave you powerless on every incline once you get on a dual carriageway. It's almost the same price as you can buy a cheap proper bike + pay for most of your DAS for less than a cheapish 125

[horsemeatscandal]

The light to indicate the traction control is off on my bike keeps coming on, seemingly randomly. I turn it back on, it turns itself off again, then maybe back on. My old bike didn't have TC so I'm not familiar with how it's supposed to work. Will check the book tonight and/or will mention at 600 mile service. Any ideas?

MY2019 Honda CB650R.

[RazerSauber]

CaptainSlow said:

A couple of points

You cant use a 125 on the motorway with only a CBT
You cant ride a 250 with only a CBT

To answer your question...125s are pretty scary to use in fast flowing traffic..do the test and get a 600, easier to ride and safer.

Yeah, I plan to get a CBT just to get used to biking life locally and see if I like it, go for a full test afterwards if I do, then think about commuting on it. I was hoping I wouldn't have to trade bikes to get something bigger just for simplicity but if I have to buy a bigger bike then I can have fun shopping instead

Duly noted though, cheapy 125 to start then off to the local showroom if I find it as much fun a I think it is.

[CaptainSlow]

RazerSauber said:

Yeah, I plan to get a CBT just to get used to biking life locally and see if I like it, go for a full test afterwards if I do, then think about commuting on it. I was hoping I wouldn't have to trade bikes to get something bigger just for simplicity but if I have to buy a bigger bike then I can have fun shopping instead

Duly noted though, cheapy 125 to start then off to the local showroom if I find it as much fun a I think it is.

Lots of people think this is the best route, it isnt. 125s are not fun and will more than likely put you off biking for life.