Wrench'n Ride'n

Rockster from BIKEME forums came around today to have a look over my BM. He used to own a Mono shock R80RT. He wanted to relive his days with his favoured RT. When he arrived he caught me in the middle of changing some oils in the bike. Or should I say he caught me getting the amount of oil for the shaft drive mixed up with the rear wheel drive. Yes I had tried to put 350 ml into the shaft drive. It poured back out. It is only supposed to have 150ml. What is it with me and oil? Anyway I reread the owners manual and got it right. Rockster showed me how to make a paper funnel out of a glossy junk mail advert so I could get the oil into the shaft drive without it going everywhere. It was great to chat bikes and BMs and to hear about how he totalled his RT. Well it was great that he did but you know what I mean. I couldn’t change the gearbox oil as I could fin the extender for the socket. So will do that one when I buy another extender. Engine oil will also be done then too. I asked Rocks...

The rain has gone. We have had weeks of it. Not that riding in the rain scares me. But with a bike that I am still learning to ride I have not taken it for a good ride. That changed today. I didn’t to get the LT out on the open road. I needed to learn to ride this bike where it is at its best, on country roads. I headed north for the Old Pacific Hwy. First stop was Road Warriors Café at Mt White. By Brooklyn Bridge both bikes and cars are warning of cops up ahead. The Old Pac is posted at 60kmh. This is in the best sections. All the good corners. So it was a slow ride. I didn’t really mind as I was out to learn to ride the BM correctly. Brake before the corner. Set the bike up and then power through the corner. On the MuZ I could brake very deep into the corner and then crack open the throttle. Don’t ride a BM correctly through a corner and it will let you know. So doing the Old Pac slow was good. I got to practice the above. There was lots of water run off from all the rain we have ha...

Today in Australia and New Zealand we remember what war has cost us as nations... The ranks of our vets are growing smaller with the passing of each ANZAC Day. Yet we shall never forget what they have done for us. For the fallen With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea. Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free. Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres. There is music in the midst of desolation And a glory that shines upon our tears. They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. They mingle not with their laughing comrades again; ...

I spent today finding out how to and not to pull the front end down. First thing you do not need to spend $80 on a huge shifter to undo the top fork nuts. I bought one thinking I had to undo those nuts. Could not get them to move at all. Found out you undo the fork sliders from the bottom via a hex bolt that is exposed after the axle is taken out. Drained the oil out of the forks. Then the sliders slip off. Old seals came out real easy. New ones after a wee bit of time in the freezer were coaxed into place with a hammer and a small block of wood. I have 2 blocks of wood that I could not do with out. They are used for everything from holding wheels in place on the bike while taking the axle out to being used to knock things into place. The handlebars had to be dropped out of the way to allow access to the hex bolt at the top of the forks. This then allows you pour the fork oil in. Cleaned the fork legs up. Started to put it all back together. I used Shell 10 weight fork oil and...

Some photos I took this morning. It is very wet and gloomy here is Sydney at the moment. So these are not the best photos. I bought a replacement mirror for the one that broke off. I was able to get a 2nd hand one from http://www.motohansa.com.au/ The mirrors have to be tightened down otherwise they turn inwards at speed. So to adjust them you have to loosen the nut retaining nut, move the mirror and then do the nut up again. That done and new (old) mirror on and it was time for a ride. I had my oldest daughter on the back and it was raining. So off west to Penrith along the Motorway we went. Wow is this bike built for this type of road. Roll on the throttle to overtake and off the bike shoots. No more having to book an overtaking move 2 weeks in advance. The MuZ could not do this for obvious reasons. The weather protect from the fairing is outstanding. I made sure I just wore my Blundstone slip on boots and wet weather pants. If the rain got to my boots my feet would be fish-tanks. ...

I picked the BMW up this arvo. I know it is mine now. I broke the right hand mirror off on Canterbury Rd. I was trying to adjust the mirror and didn't know that it was really tightened down hard. It gave as I pushed it. Moved to where I wanted it. Then as I am riding along it flung itself off onto the road and was run over. At least the cops didn't mind me doing an illegal U-Turn so I could park and get the mirror. I shudder to think how much it will cost me to replace. Handling is way different than the MuZ. I was used to the fat small front tyre. The front end seems to be squirming around on the BM. The steering head bearing seem ok with no chunkiness. It might just be me. I did find that the front tyre pressure was too high. So this might help. Will know tomorrow when I take it out for a ride. The engine is of course like a tractor in sound and pulling. Man this thing has torque. I am not used to riding around in top gear at low revs and then opening the throttle and off it ...

I have traded my MuZ in. This was a hard decision to make as I love the MuZ so much. I struggled to make up my mind to trade it in. I said I would then I changed my mind. I drove the people at the BIKEME forums mad with this too. Then this morning I made up my mind to buy a BMW. I have found that the MuZ is not a good 2 up machine. The panniers make it so hard for a pillion to get their legs onto the rear pegs. As the Sport is a ‘single’ seat bike the rear pegs are just an afterthought. That is how it looks to me. Yes I could have used throw over bags. But the rear seat is not comfortable for my wife. After ½ an hour she is in agony. This ruins any ride of any good distance for us. I know that BMW have a good reputation for great touring seats. But the main thing that swung me is that I sold the Virago and sidecar last week and had some cash. I can afford to buy a bigger bike. What bike. Well I have wanted a BMW for so long. A boxer was my main fantasy. So that’s what I have bought. H...