Tinkering thread! What are you up to?

[airsafari87]

Tasmin200 said:

I'm about to do a high bar conversion on my Aprilia Falco. I didn't really enjoy riding it the past couple of years and I think this might change my opinion.

I like the engine, handling and looks but it's just a bit uncomfortable unless going pretty quick. I picked up an Tuono top yoke for £25 and I have a few pairs of Renthal bars kicking around. New throttle cables and brake lines and the job should be OK. I'm hoping to get away with just a screen trim. I'm not cutting the fairing as they are nearly impossible to get.

I hope it goes smoother than the conversion I've being doing to the Mrs SV650. It's been an absolute pita. Caused primarily by the toss pot that runs CNC Top Yokes. The actual yoke itself is really nice, but his customer service is beyond abysmal.

[Tasmin200]

podman said:

Fizzy Lemon

I sold a yellow one at the start of lockdown 1 , less than a year later the bloody things have doubled in price...

I just e-bayed how much a Chopper is these days That's just stupid. That's more than my Falco is worth.

[podman]

poo at Paul's said:

I have a brand new unridden 1979 prismatic hung on the wall! Shrink wrap on the grips still, pedals on the carry rack!

Wow...there would be a heck of a scrap over that if you ever was to sell it..

[Max5476]

Moved my Sena into my new helmet - much easier with pockets for the speakers





Took off my rear wheel ready for a new tyre tomorrow, cleaned the inside of the swingarm while I could get at it. I think I had got my monies worth out of the tyre (Pirelli Angel GT, 5200 miles on a Thruxton 1200).

[Mr Dendrite]

Max5476 said:

Moved my Sena into my new helmet - much easier with pockets for the speakers


Took off my rear wheel ready for a new tyre tomorrow, cleaned the inside of the swingarm while I could get at it. I think I had got my monies worth out of the tyre (Pirelli Angel GT, 5200 miles on a Thruxton 1200).

Good grief. I got 8000 out of an Angel GT on Thruxton and it was still legal when I traded it in. Mind you the Rosso Corsa on the replacement Thruxton r only lasted 4000 I am hoping for better from the RC2, it is an improvement over the RC and that was much much better than the Angel GT

[Max5476]

Mr Dendrite said:

Good grief. I got 8000 out of an Angel GT on Thruxton and it was still legal when I traded it in. Mind you the Rosso Corsa on the replacement Thruxton r only lasted 4000 I am hoping for better from the RC2, it is an improvement over the RC and that was much much better than the Angel GT

Just because I didn't get the R I don't have to hang around. Interesting you traded in for an R, I test rode an R, but preferred the standard bike for road riding. For me, the suspension / brakes and engine seemed to be in contrast on the R. It left me disappointed the engine didn't have more revs, whereas it doesn't bother me on the standard bike.

But I did briefly ride a speedmaster so my opinion should be suitably judged

New tyre back on:

[Mr Dendrite]

Max5476 said:

Mr Dendrite said:

Good grief. I got 8000 out of an Angel GT on Thruxton and it was still legal when I traded it in. Mind you the Rosso Corsa on the replacement Thruxton r only lasted 4000 I am hoping for better from the RC2, it is an improvement over the RC and that was much much better than the Angel GT

Just because I didn't get the R I don't have to hang around. Interesting you traded in for an R, I test rode an R, but preferred the standard bike for road riding. For me, the suspension / brakes and engine seemed to be in contrast on the R. It left me disappointed the engine didn't have more revs, whereas it doesn't bother me on the standard bike.

But I did briefly ride a speedmaster so my opinion should be suitably judged

New tyre back on:

Yeah but my tyre was worn at the edges The r has slightly lower final gearing which can make it run through the range quicker. The brakes, shocks and forks really are better, The standard was great but the r is just that little bit better, the deal worked for me and I knew I would be keeping it a long time. BTW I have an immaculate set of chrome Vance and Hines, if someone with a standard Thruxton is interested.

[catso]

sooty61 said:

I fitted an Innovv K2 camera system but I haven't been out to see how well it works yet.

Are you sure the mudguard won't hit this under hard braking/full compression? I don't know about your bike but I know my 916 (for example) needs every bit of clearance between mudguard and fairing lower.

Back on topic; waiting until April when I can get the Guzzi changed to 'historic' status meaning no MOT and free tax - should have been last year but missed out by a day although as things turned out it didn't need an MOT as I got the 6 month extension and only paid for 6 months tax.

The 916 and Monster need MOT'ing as the 6 month extension last year means they ran out in November rather than May so need to do that before riding, otherwise just basic servicing etc. to get them awakened.

[sooty61]

I did pop out for some bread and check the camera was working and found the mudguard was quite prominent so I have moved the camera up to the handlebar. I hadn’t thought of it getting hit by the mudguard but good call!

[lukeyman]

Can't sleep. Electrician due at 8am to hook my garage up.

In no particular order I've got my Z900RS to spring clean, a CD200 to rebuild, a Clio 197 to recomission and an '89 Escort that probably should be scrapped!

[sclayto2]

I gave the MV a fettle and once over, ahead of the annual test...

Bit nervous riding down in the freezing conditions, this morning. But she passed, which the main thing!

[crofty1984]

I'm currently kitting out my shed. Then I'm going to fix the bent valve on my 250 Starfire, Get my A65 back on the road and completely rebuild my CB200.

[KTMsm]

I finally fixed my KTM 950SM water pump on sunday - it's been off the road for ages as I was awaiting parts and then with the weather and covid I lost motivation.

The longest part of the job was finding all the bits !

Took it for a test ride, I'd forgotten how much I love it, the noise, the character...

[Birky_41]

Picked up my CRF after a winter refresh. Billet basket, new top end, linkage, headstock, graphic... All freshened up



Fired up the 1979 maico 440... Didn't take a picture. Smoked out the garage and my gosh is that loud. Before the snow flakes and noise police become so vocal

Finally changed my rear tyre after it gave up Sunday



Fitted the summer wheels, fresh pads, tightened the chain and gave it a clean

[Max5476]

Mr Dendrite said:

Yeah but my tyre was worn at the edges The r has slightly lower final gearing which can make it run through the range quicker. The brakes, shocks and forks really are better, The standard was great but the r is just that little bit better, the deal worked for me and I knew I would be keeping it a long time. BTW I have an immaculate set of chrome Vance and Hines, if someone with a standard Thruxton is interested.

I did at least use the edges of the tyre, but not living on a track rather prevents wearing them to the same level. The Thruxton & Thruxton R actually have the same final gearing, it really is just the front brakes, forks and RSUs (and some finishes) that are different.

The V&H pipes look good, but if I did change exhausts I would want something slimline, like this.



This years plans are for something a bit more practical though, so trying to resist buying any more bits for the Thruxton before then.

[Mr Dendrite]

That’s a good look, noisy as fk I’d imagine
Yeh sorry the final gearing thing was wrong, it was in one of the early road tests and it stuck in my mind even though I’d seen the specs later.
So apart from the Brakes, discs, front shocks, rear shocks, swing arm, rake and trail, seat (oh that vinyl was not nice, that got changed ASAP), tyres and most importantly the lovely polished top yoke and other cosmetic bits, what have the Romans ever done for us?
Enjoy, they’re a great bike in either form

[jock mcsporran]

Took the radiator off to try and clean it out and improve cooling. There’s no fan as it’s an ex race bike and it ran very hot in Spain. Toying with the idea of fitting a small fan with a bar mounted switch but there’s not a lot of clearance.
Got some new plastics to replace the old stuff too which I’ll probably fit after next trackday.

[KTMsm]

jock mcsporran said:

Took the radiator off to try and clean it out and improve cooling. There’s no fan as it’s an ex race bike and it ran very hot in Spain. Toying with the idea of fitting a small fan with a bar mounted switch but there’s not a lot of clearance.
Got some new plastics to replace the old stuff too which I’ll probably fit after next trackday.

The rad looks big enough !

Are you sure there's no issue elsewhere ?

[MK3 Dan]

jock mcsporran said:

Took the radiator off to try and clean it out and improve cooling. There’s no fan as it’s an ex race bike and it ran very hot in Spain. Toying with the idea of fitting a small fan with a bar mounted switch but there’s not a lot of clearance.
Got some new plastics to replace the old stuff too which I’ll probably fit after next trackday.

That rad is massive!

Personally I would be removing the guard though, I have seen 10° difference removing a normal mesh one and that one looks a bit more heavy duty.

[jock mcsporran]

The rad is massive, I bumped into the lad that used to race the bike and he told me he’d had it custom made for about £800. Bike was originally built for the TT back in the day so it’s probably just me being too slow to get enough air through it