Helen’s new bike and Maintenance.

Helen’s new bike arrived yesterday a Black 2008 Honda VFR800 VTEC. She decided to get a VFR after really enjoying riding my bike last year on 2 runs when her BMW was out of action. She found it easier to control and liked not having to dance up and down the gearbox like you needed to on her old BMW.

We managed to get out on the bikes today for a brief run up and over Saddleworth Moor. We stopped up at Ringstone Edge Reservoir for a brief break and while talking to another brave biker, it started to snow so we headed back home in case it starting coming down properly. There were huge banks of snow on the road up from Denshaw towards the M62 junction at Rishworth Moor. We also found snow in the middle of the road on Saddleworth Moor, unfortunately there was nowhere good to stop to take a photo.

After we got back I did some more maintenance on the ZX-9R. I oiled all the cables internally with a cable oiler and the throttle is now snapping closed with much more gusto. I also greased up all the pivot points and sidestand parts as well. I also installed a 12v inline socket for use with my sat nav and other electrical gear. I have installed it out of the way, but it can be quickly re-routed up and into my new Bagster Minea tankbag when required.

Read more...

Hawes and Back Again!!!

Helen and I went out today for another quick run to Hawes. We left home at around 9:30pm and headed up the M66 and soon arrived at Clitheroe Services to fill up with fuel. I had posted up the ride to Hawes on NUKB but only Mike was there to met us.

We took the usual route to Settle via Wigglesworth and Rathmell. Then we turned onto the B6479 and headed for Ribblehead Viaduct. We stopped at the viaduct for a quick photo stop and also to look at the hot air balloon that was being inflated. After the short stop we turned right onto the B6255 and took that all the way to Hawes. We stopped at Hawes and went to the Penny Garth Cafe for some coffee and lunch.

After our food break we left Hawes and retraced our route all the way back home. Although the roads were full of salt we enjoyed the run today much more than the one last weekend. Again the VFR performed superbly and I never had one twitch from the back or front ends. I do feel the brake aren’t performing as good as usual so I am going to strip them down and replace the fluid when I get a chance. The bikes today got covered in salt and the exhausts had baked on slat all over them, took us ages to get them clean.

Read more...

Quick Blast to Hawes

Helen and I went out yesterday for a quick Blast to Hawes. We left home at around 11:00pm to makes sure and frost had already melted. We headed up the M66 and soon arrived at Clitheroe Services to fill up with fuel. From Clitheroe we took the A59 towards Skipton and then turned onto minor roads at Sawley. From Sawley we continued on minor roads to Wigglesworth and then proceeded through Rathmell and then over the A65 and into Settle.

We stopped briefly at Settle but Helen wasn’t hungry yet so we set off for Hawes. We turned onto the B6479 and head for Ribblehead Viaduct. At the viaduct we turned right onto the B6255 and took that all the way to Hawes. We stopped at Hawes and went to the Penny Garth Cafe for some coffee and bacon butties.

After our food break we left Hawes and retraced our route all the way back home. Although the roads conditions weren’t great we still enjoyed ourselves yesterday. I had almost forgotten just how good the VFR is, it is certainly the best bike to use in these sort of conditions.

Read more...