The friendly "dumb" bike questions thread

[bogie]

Seight_Returns said:

How do you get a good finish to the matt black plastic parts when cleaning a bike ?

I've found a light spray of WD40 and then wiped off with a microfibre cloth gives a good result, but concerned it might create a sticky surface for grime to stick to.

I use Vulcanet wipes on the whole bike if its just for a light dust off kind of clean.

https://www.infinitymotorcycles.com/product/vulcan...

best ever bike cleaning stuff Ive found, works great on metals, plastic, degreasing etc and adds layer of polish

10 mins wipe over after each ride and rarely needs anything else unless caught out in bad weather and muddy roads.

[KTMsm]

Seight_Returns said:

How do you get a good finish to the matt black plastic parts when cleaning a bike ?

I've found a light spray of WD40 and then wiped off with a microfibre cloth gives a good result, but concerned it might create a sticky surface for grime to stick to.

I use baby oil - lasts longer than WD40

[Rod200SX]

Passed my mod1 today! Second attempt and a much more friendly/encouraging examiner. Still a hard nut but genuinely nice and was good at keeping you calm. No faults. The lass that was on after me sadly failed, bit skid on the emergency stop and she'd booped a cone already.

Officially 'on the hunt now. There's a nice 08 GSXR 600 near me for £3500 that's calling my name.

Now for the question, affordable gear. I've currently got some Frank Thomas textile trousers and a held textile jacket. Both really good but I still find them really rather warm, even with vents open etc and wicking clothes underneath.

Thinking something along the lines of armored denim jeans and a leather jacket of sorts? Any specific dos/don't? Got a J&S nearby and a couple good dealers that sell plenty gear.

[bogie]

Rod200SX said:

Passed my mod1 today! Second attempt and a much more friendly/encouraging examiner. Still a hard nut but genuinely nice and was good at keeping you calm. No faults. The lass that was on after me sadly failed, bit skid on the emergency stop and she'd booped a cone already.

Officially 'on the hunt now. There's a nice 08 GSXR 600 near me for £3500 that's calling my name.

Now for the question, affordable gear. I've currently got some Frank Thomas textile trousers and a held textile jacket. Both really good but I still find them really rather warm, even with vents open etc and wicking clothes underneath.

Thinking something along the lines of armored denim jeans and a leather jacket of sorts? Any specific dos/don't? Got a J&S nearby and a couple good dealers that sell plenty gear.

Congrats on the pass and good luck.

Re kit, over the years you tend to build up various favourite pieces for various weather. I do ride in kevlar jeans and leather jacket mostly, but have a few jackets. lined and waterproof, unlined, heavily perforated etc. Really depends if you are going to be an all weather commuter or just a weekend pleasure rider on fine days.

For majority of weathers I would look for some single layer kevlar jeans and a leather jacket with some vents or maybe mixed leather/textile. Dont get the older style multi layer jeans they will be just as warm as what you have now. You can always carry a one piece rainsuit for longer trips. I rarely ride in the rain apart from if I get caught out on a week long tour when i carry an over suit.

[Rod200SX]

bogie said:

Congrats on the pass and good luck.

Re kit, over the years you tend to build up various favourite pieces for various weather. I do ride in kevlar jeans and leather jacket mostly, but have a few jackets. lined and waterproof, unlined, heavily perforated etc. Really depends if you are going to be an all weather commuter or just a weekend pleasure rider on fine days.

For majority of weathers I would look for some single layer kevlar jeans and a leather jacket with some vents or maybe mixed leather/textile. Dont get the older style multi layer jeans they will be just as warm as what you have now. You can always carry a one piece rainsuit for longer trips. I rarely ride in the rain apart from if I get caught out on a week long tour when i carry an over suit.

Magic thank you. Genuinely handy hearing these things from actual people. Every website/video is typically sponsored and pushes folk towards certain materials, buzzwords etc.

I'll be accumulating various bits of gear (happening already in my 10 months cbt riding).


Another query for all. Mainly looking at supersports (ZX6R, gsxr etc) and I've noticed on quite a lot of bikes tyre marbling. Is it safe to assume that a bike showing marbles on the edges of the tyres have been on track? Or is it possible from excited road use? Neither really bothers me provided it's a well looked after bike but it's just something that's caught my eye quite a few times on various bikes for sale.

[KTMsm]

Head stock bearings

I usually buy decent makes of bearings but as a head stock hardly rotates like a wheel bearing I'm thinking any old taper bearing will do - or am I missing something ?

[underwhelmist]

KTMsm said:

Head stock bearings

I usually buy decent makes of bearings but as a head stock hardly rotates like a wheel bearing I'm thinking any old taper bearing will do - or am I missing something ?

Dunno, but decent ones from Wemoto or somewhere won't be expensive will they? They don't rotate but as they spend most of their time in the straight ahead position they can develop a notch.

It's a while since I've done headstock bearings. I spent ages trying to knock out the lower bearing race from the frame but couldn't get a purchase on it. Eventually I relented and bought the right tool and knocked it out on the second tap. When I got the bike back together I discovered just how unpleasant it is to ride a bike with overtightened headstock bearings, it was wandering all over the road. Good learning experience.

[Krikkit]

Rod200SX said:

Passed my mod1 today!

Congrats!

Rod200SX said:

Now for the question, affordable gear. I've currently got some Frank Thomas textile trousers and a held textile jacket. Both really good but I still find them really rather warm, even with vents open etc and wicking clothes underneath.

Thinking something along the lines of armored denim jeans and a leather jacket of sorts? Any specific dos/don't? Got a J&S nearby and a couple good dealers that sell plenty gear.

Maybe the textiles you've got already are a bit thick - I've got a set of RST Paragon trousers which are just about right with a zip-out liner. Depending on the weather they're good for wearing with or without clothes underneath etc and very practical.

I quite fancy a set of the kevlar denim type trousers, but it does worry me slightly that they're a bit lacking in armour for hooning about. OK for a commute and local running around.

[Northernboy]

KTMsm said:

Head stock bearings

I usually buy decent makes of bearings but as a head stock hardly rotates like a wheel bearing I'm thinking any old taper bearing will do - or am I missing something ?

As above, head bearings can develop a notch which gives some unpleasant handling characteristics, so you do want the right spec.

There are probably loads that will do the job, the tricky bit will be working out which ones are good for it and which aren’t.

[Seight_Returns]

Krikkit said:

I quite fancy a set of the kevlar denim type trousers, but it does worry me slightly that they're a bit lacking in armour for hooning about. OK for a commute and local running around.

I have several pairs of kevlar denim jeans - all have pouches for knee and thigh armour which I've filled with D3O type 2 armour. From an armour point of view I feel as well protected as in my textile trousers, more so if anything as being tighter fitting the armour is more likely to be in the right place if needed. Go a size up and wear Knox armoured under shorts if you want even better protection with kevlar jeans.

Richi and RST make jacket connection adapters which attach to your belt so you can zip the jeans to a jacket.

The single layer denim jeans with the kevlar woven into the material are much lighter than the lined ones.

[shoestring7]

Rod200SX said:

bogie said:

Congrats on the pass and good luck.

Re kit, over the years you tend to build up various favourite pieces for various weather. I do ride in kevlar jeans and leather jacket mostly, but have a few jackets. lined and waterproof, unlined, heavily perforated etc. Really depends if you are going to be an all weather commuter or just a weekend pleasure rider on fine days.

For majority of weathers I would look for some single layer kevlar jeans and a leather jacket with some vents or maybe mixed leather/textile. Dont get the older style multi layer jeans they will be just as warm as what you have now. You can always carry a one piece rainsuit for longer trips. I rarely ride in the rain apart from if I get caught out on a week long tour when i carry an over suit.

Magic thank you. Genuinely handy hearing these things from actual people. Every website/video is typically sponsored and pushes folk towards certain materials, buzzwords etc.

I'll be accumulating various bits of gear (happening already in my 10 months cbt riding).


Another query for all. Mainly looking at supersports (ZX6R, gsxr etc) and I've noticed on quite a lot of bikes tyre marbling. Is it safe to assume that a bike showing marbles on the edges of the tyres have been on track? Or is it possible from excited road use? Neither really bothers me provided it's a well looked after bike but it's just something that's caught my eye quite a few times on various bikes for sale.

Spend a bit of time here: https://www.youtube.com/user/Motolegends

They don't really push one brand or the manufacturers agenda (and don't like budget brands but still...) but there's plenty of valuable info.

[wilbo83]

Can you fit soft panniers like this without a rack? It's not obvious from the description on websites. I have a low exhaust (street triple 2013) so heat isn't an issue.

[Speed addicted]

wilbo83 said:

Can you fit soft panniers like this without a rack? It's not obvious from the description on websites. I have a low exhaust (street triple 2013) so heat isn't an issue.

Yeah, they just sit either side of the tail with a strap over/under the rear seat.
Best to put something like tape on the paintwork to stop any rubbing as grit gets thrown up from the back wheel,

[Jazoli]

Yes.

[Krikkit]

Are there any that would cope with underseat exhausts? Might have to make a heat shield out of ally sheet I suppose

[Northernboy]

Any reason to go for the little pannier bags rather than a duffel bag strapped on the pillion seat?

It does look a little bit less “sporty”, but it’s secure, out of the wind, can carry more, and is easier to carry off the bike.

Something like this.

[Bob_Defly]

wilbo83 said:

Can you fit soft panniers like this without a rack? It's not obvious from the description on websites. I have a low exhaust (street triple 2013) so heat isn't an issue.

Kreiga bags fit well on a Striple. The only thing to look out for is the straps rubbing the bodywork. They don't need anything (AFAIK) to clear the exhausts etc.

[Krikkit]

Northernboy said:

Any reason to go for the little pannier bags rather than a duffel bag strapped on the pillion seat?

It does look a little bit less “sporty”, but it’s secure, out of the wind, can carry more, and is easier to carry off the bike.

Something like this.

I was thinking as an addition - was aiming for lightweight camping on my Monster so already have a roll bag and tent to go on top of the seat.

[Northernboy]

Krikkit said:

I was thinking as an addition - was aiming for lightweight camping on my Monster so already have a roll bag and tent to go on top of the seat.

That makes sense.

Consider sticking a piece of the non-slip waffle-like drawer liner under them fo some extra protection against scratches.

[black-k1]

Northernboy said:

Krikkit said:

I was thinking as an addition - was aiming for lightweight camping on my Monster so already have a roll bag and tent to go on top of the seat.

That makes sense.

Consider sticking a piece of the non-slip waffle-like drawer liner under them fo some extra protection against scratches.

Also, if there is an unobstructed route, it's worth running a bungee connecting the bottoms of the panniers together under the tail of the bike. It helps stop them trying to impersonate wings when moving at speed.