Where to start?


Whilst I've been a car nut from the time I began to walk, up to 10 years ago I only really had a passing interest in motorcycles whilst helping out friends with their classics. This all changed after I bought a Vespa LX50 scooter for my daughter on her 16th birthday, us jointly restoring it so she could use it for her commute to college.

That tripped the switch, so before long I had restored a Vespa 125GT for myself, passed my bike test and bought my first bike, a Honda GL1100. In hindsight that was a big mistake as the 17,000 mile '82 failed its MOT test shortly after with a rotten frame - and hence became my first (and continuing) restoration project.

With an impending summer road trip to Spain, as a stop-gap I acquired a 6,000 mile Honda VTX1300S. With added Corbin Beetle boxes, a Mustang seat, and custom made a rack, that bike ran faultlessly for 3,000 miles and was the perfect choice for me with only 6 months riding experience.

Roll on 9 years and I'm sharing my dry day commutes between a Vespa 300 and a Bonneville Black 900SE and I make the decision to sell on the VTX. A quick clean, little set up for iPhone photos in the driveway and just 3 weeks later the VTX is off down the road on its way to its new owner.

And so it became how I had a lump of cash sat in my motorcycle fund on the day I first learned about the White House K10...
So, there I was one night at the end of August, family watching TV whilst I played around on Pinterest studying BMW Cafe Racers looking at design ideas for a BMW R80 Cafe Racer project which I now finally had the funds to complete. Then, for no real reason, this photo popped up on my search:

If not just for the story enjoyment, here is a review from FortNine of the KTM390. Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUcnNjUECEw

I park my cb in the garage, but if I want to take her for the commute I would like to buy a good cover that fits well, doesn't blow off in strong wind but doesn't cause a tipping hazard, and won't degrade in a year from uv rays. I tried several different covers on my last bike and never really found a keeper, but figured I would ask here before I repeat that trial and error shopping again.

Does anyone else notice a clicking sound/feeling in the throttle when it is accelerated 1/4 in, then also when decelerating too?

Only happens when the bike is running and the throttle is moved slowly. I figure it could be something to do with the fuel injection system since it only happens when running? I’ve tried adjusting the throttle cables/positions on housing, lubing cables/housing, and tightening housing to no luck.

Just kind of annoying when riding. Wondering if anyone else has experienced it/mended. 2015 standard model.

Thanks folks.

Is Rider still publishing a physical magazine? Has anyone received it since the pandemic began?

Thanks.

Have not had a chance to ride much while I recover from another bout with kidney stones; had the last of them removed surgically yesterday. I did get one ride in earlier and here are a few photos. I love this bike just wish it was as gorgeous as the CB.







Hopefully will get some real breakin miles in a few more days. Our best riding weather is coming up.

A video just came out about the africa twin assembly.
The kumamoto plant has no doubt the same methodology than hamamatsu where our bikes come from, still fascinating to see how things are put together without any finger prints or scratches anywhere, parts are presented at the right time at the right place and the right way up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-Wr2hkc-RM

I like the part where the assembler hits the swingarm bolt home with his plastic mallet, he must have practiced a lot.....
And haven't seen the final roller bank test where the exhaust fumes extractor lifts out of the floor after the bike rolls over the top of it.
A constant stream of hard focused work that i can appreciate when zooming along without any worries.

I just noticed a tiny hole on the cover/connector of the ckp sensor wire.

Looks pretty smooth - doesn't look like there are any gashes around it. I don't think this was there before.
Can I just cover it and go about business as usual?

https://indianautosblog.com/harley-david...se-p321350

Soon it will be breeding /hunting season for white-tail deer in the midwest. Bucks will be chasing, does will be running, fawns will be abandoned and lost, all of them crossing the road at any time of the day or night. When you are blitzing down your favorite roads, keep an eye out for them.



Yesterday, not 300 yards past this one, a deer fawn crossed the road in front of me causing me to brake pretty hard. This was at 11;15 am. (also came around another curve 1/2 hour later, and found 4 jake turkeys crossing the road).

be careful this fall!