Hairy Bikers and Other Petrol Heads

Max M

Max M

Western Thunderer
First rule of motorcycle control. Look where you want to go and not at what you are about to hit.
The second rule is have a handlebar and footrest set that allows you to control the machine! :(
 
simond

simond

Western Thunderer
there are probably some suggested rules about sensible attire & footwear (and an adequate degree of "common" sense)
 
JimG

JimG

Western Thunderer
I remember my one and only "go" on a Vincent Black Shadow. It was owned by a friend who lived not far away and he had being doing some modifications to the bike. I remember that he had made new engine plates - he was an apprentice at Singer in Clydebank so there was no shortage of access to good workshops. :) He offered me a drive round the block on it and I don't think I got above second gear. :) I was probably about fourteen stone and used to riding a Triumph Speed Twin and a Jampot AJ, but controlling that bike was something else. I would probably have got used to it with some practice. :)

Jim.
 
Osgood

Osgood

Western Thunderer
Is the same torsional effect noticeable with shaft drive bikes (with engine placed along axis of bike)?
 
Richard Gawler

Richard Gawler

Western Thunderer
Osgood said:
Is the same torsional effect noticeable with shaft drive bikes (with engine placed along axis of bike)?
Click to expand...
Well, yes but not this much! My long-gone R80/7 would lift at the back under hard acceleration and twist from side to side under throttle sitting stationary.
 
JimG

JimG

Western Thunderer
Richard Gawler said:
Well, yes but not this much! My long-gone R80/7 would lift at the back under hard acceleration and twist from side to side under throttle sitting stationary.
Click to expand...
Much the same as I remember on my R100S - it was noticeable and I think I didn't lay on a lot of throttle laying over in a corner. :) But you tended not to be a boy racer on a Boxer. :)

Jim.
 
Richard Gawler

Richard Gawler

Western Thunderer
JimG said:
But you tended not to be a boy racer on a Boxer. :)
Click to expand...
Persish the thought!

Then again . . .
DSC_0442.jpg
On a fine and early July morning in 1989 I tackled the then A74 southbound with the determination of youth, holding a steady indicated ton ( : flat out) wherever I could and merely easing off for the bends, of which there were many for such a trunk route. Refuelled at Killington Lake M6 (this was an ex-Police machine with a recess in the tank for a radio so reduced fuel capacity), and then, a little short of junction 36, the engine made a terrible noise and stopped. I pulled in the clutch.

Up until now, everyone had told me these engines would run flat out all day. After this, three separate sources told me, yes they tend to drop valves when they are old and tired and have been worked hard. Well, the gearbox was almost shot too; at least it went out in style.
 
Eastsidepilot

Eastsidepilot

Western Thunderer
Osgood said:
Is the same torsional effect noticeable with shaft drive bikes (with engine placed along axis of bike)?
Click to expand...
Yes, I too used to feel the effect of torque on my Beemers ( can I say that :D ) but on the Kawasaki KZ 1100 I had it would break traction and I'd be flying down the road with the damn thing stepping out sideways with my boot getting burnt on the tarmac ! :eek::D Those were the days !

BMW R90S.png

Sadly no pic's of the KZ.
Col.
 
Eastsidepilot

Eastsidepilot

Western Thunderer
Richard Gawler said:
Persish the thought!

Then again . . .



Up until now, everyone had told me these engines would run flat out all day. After this, three separate sources told me, yes they tend to drop valves when they are old and tired and have been worked hard. Well, the gearbox was almost shot too; at least it went out in style.
Click to expand...
.....the only bit's I had eaten on the Beamer twins I owned were push rods, that was an ex plod bike also, the R90s never failed me.
 
Focalplane

Focalplane

Western Thunderer
Osgood said:
Dunno - he (or she) is a quick change merchant if it is a crash box but wouldn't have thought there were many auto boxes Stateside? You'd need something to do to break the boredom!!
Click to expand...
I well remember the "stay alive at 55" days driving across Texas on the Interstates, but only in a car. I was stopped once by the Highway Patrol on I-10 for doing 60. I asked "why me?" They said I should have driven in a pack with others!
 
simond

simond

Western Thunderer
I don’t know if it’s typical but if I try to ride “hands off” on my Guzzi, it describes a gentle arc to the left as it slows down.

I’ve not tried it on my 1250GS - I guess with the cruise control it wouldn’t slow down…

Happily the frames on both are somewhat stiffer than the truck…
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
What's New?
Top