Firt bike...what else do I need?

[virgil]

OK, bike coming tonight/tomorrow...what else do I need to buy? I will get a cover for when it has to sit outside or when in the dusty garage. Have a comprehensive workshop - tools etc, but nothing bike specific...

Exciting stuff this...

[F.M]

optimate battery charger...they make your battery last as long as it should...
chain oil...
lots of polishing rags..

[virgil]

Bloke in the shop did say get an optimate...only thing is, think I have to take the side fairing off to get at the battery.....do people fit cables with quick fit plugs to aid optimating??

Is chain oil std, or are there different sorts?

[F.M]

the optimate should have crocodile clips like jump leads...if your riding every day you won`t need it...every weekend bang it on...or if you are leaving in the garage for a week or more...you can attach it to the bike with the battery still in or take it out and do it indoors...chain oil....like everything else...quality stuff...little and often is the best way to lube...too much coats the back tyre...long term..SCOTOILERS take the hassle out of it by drip feeding oil from a small resoivoir.....around 50 quid...
Scrub new tyres in properly...get heat into `em by acceleration/braking before any serious action...look further ahead than your used too...you`ll need the extra observation time to spot buffoons pulling out of junctions in front of you...assume drivers are out to get you...it often seems like it..

Stick to the Shell advance oil religiously..designed with the desmo valves in mind...

enjoy yourself....

Edited by F.M on Monday 5th March 10:45

[rsvmilly]

virgil said:

do people fit cables with quick fit plugs to aid optimating??

Optimate comes with such a cable

[Alex@POD]

I assume you have a decent lock for it? I will be getting a ground anchor and a chain to attach the bike when at home in the bike sized garage (read "shed", and a disc lock for when I stop anywhere else...

[kingb]

you also need an extra S

[virgil]

kingb said:

you also need an extra S

Would that not make it german

[black5]

Helmet?

[kevp]

You need somewhere to go. South France, Italy, Spain - Alps, Pyrenees.

[FunkyNige]

Rear paddock stands are a godsend for working on your bike.

[virgil]

Ah, yes Rear stand...that does make sense..

[pesty]

C spanner for adjusting susspension maybe.
also you probably already have one but an accurate tyre pressure gauge is a must I would humbly suggest

[PhillVR6]

virgil said:

Ah, yes Rear stand...that does make sense..

I'd suggest getting an abba stand instead,

[virgil]

PhillVR6 said:

virgil said:

Ah, yes Rear stand...that does make sense..

I'd suggest getting an abba stand instead,

I may be being thick, but I don't see how the abba stand works.

Bike on side stand, so one side of the swing arm pivot is higher than the other. Abba stand has 'pegs' same hight off the floor. how then do you get the pegs in the holes to then lift the bike upright?

May just dig the mig out and make a rear stand...got loads of tubing lying around...

[Steve_T]

The abba stand is angled, because the bike is, when you attach it to the swinger pivot points. As you lever the bike up right, using the lever on the Abba stand, the weight comes onto the Abba stand on the same corner on the same side as the side stand. This in turn levers the bike upright and the Abba stand then sits flat on the floor. It's probably on their website.

Steve.

[PhillVR6]

Steve_T said:

It's probably on their website.

Theres a video demonstrration on their site if I remember correctly.

[virgil]

Ah, that makes more sense.

Cheers

[catso]

virgil said:

Ah, yes Rear stand...that does make sense..

You need a specific single-sided swingarm stand. I like the ones that you can use with your foot, (without the rollers - otherwise bike slips away as you lift it), as this means you can lift the bike onto it by yourself.

[aeropilot]

Being an old git with dodgy knees etc., I love my EazyRizer lift and not having to work at ground level....