A new link on this blog is calling for the BBC reporter Alan Johnstone to be freed. I, I know with many other people, am appalled how a friend of the Palestinians is being treated. It is almost 3 months since he was taken. While in Palestine, he was the only embedded reported, so could tell the Palestinians' side for the Israel/Palestine. By clicking on the link, you can read more about the campaign, his plight and sign a petition to call for his freedom.
My thoughts and prayers go towards his safe release. I also remember his friends and family in what must be a living hell.
Wednesday 27 June 2007
Thursday 21 June 2007
Pillion Seat Part II
My OH and I finally decided to start looking for a ST1300 just before Easter. We knew our budget, condition and extras we'd prefer. Ideally the bike would have ABS and heated front grips. (These are the rubberised bits around the handlebars). Ideally, it would be red, but when buying second hand, colour is often a secondary consideration. We tend never to buy vehicles less than 3 years old as we like someone else to pay the majority of the depreciation.
The first dealership, on the first day of looking had exactly what we wanted:
Within budget;
with ABS and heated grips
and, best of all,
it is red.
Proper, fire engine red!!!
Having done a few hundred miles as a pillion on the 1100, I had discovered it got quite tiring on the back with no support. Also, once we put our lids on the pannier that come standard with the bike, there was no room for jackets if we didn't want to trail them about. So we decided to get a top box to go with the bike too.
My OH also fitted heated grips to the pillion grab rails for me. I've only had to put them on a couple of times (given the time of year), but they make a huge difference...they will come in very handy in the colder months, especially as my OH is planning a New Year's day run with the owners' club!
Over the couple of months we've owned the ST1300, we have done significantly more mileage than the entire period of ownership of the 1100. It's even been used a few times commuting to Edinburgh. For a big bike it filters quite well. I must admit, though, filtering (although I'm at the back) was terrifying the first time I experienced it. Firstly, because when passing buses, lorries etc, they seem closer, due to their size. Secondly, there are car drivers who object to the idea of another vehicle making better progress than they are, so they will attempt to block the bike's progress. On the other hand, there is another type of car driver who will more across to let bikes through. To them, thank you.
This weekend we were planning on going to Boat of Garten (near Aviemore) to see the Ospreys and their chicks. Unfortunately, all 3 chicks have died. Personally, I don't see the adult birds sticking around much longer, when they don't have a reason to stay. Also, the weather forecast isn't looking too promising. Although I accept I will get wet at some point on the bike, I don't see the point at getting soaking on the bike when I have a perfectly good car...we shall see what the weekend brings.
The first dealership, on the first day of looking had exactly what we wanted:
Within budget;
with ABS and heated grips
and, best of all,
it is red.
Proper, fire engine red!!!
Having done a few hundred miles as a pillion on the 1100, I had discovered it got quite tiring on the back with no support. Also, once we put our lids on the pannier that come standard with the bike, there was no room for jackets if we didn't want to trail them about. So we decided to get a top box to go with the bike too.
My OH also fitted heated grips to the pillion grab rails for me. I've only had to put them on a couple of times (given the time of year), but they make a huge difference...they will come in very handy in the colder months, especially as my OH is planning a New Year's day run with the owners' club!
Over the couple of months we've owned the ST1300, we have done significantly more mileage than the entire period of ownership of the 1100. It's even been used a few times commuting to Edinburgh. For a big bike it filters quite well. I must admit, though, filtering (although I'm at the back) was terrifying the first time I experienced it. Firstly, because when passing buses, lorries etc, they seem closer, due to their size. Secondly, there are car drivers who object to the idea of another vehicle making better progress than they are, so they will attempt to block the bike's progress. On the other hand, there is another type of car driver who will more across to let bikes through. To them, thank you.
This weekend we were planning on going to Boat of Garten (near Aviemore) to see the Ospreys and their chicks. Unfortunately, all 3 chicks have died. Personally, I don't see the adult birds sticking around much longer, when they don't have a reason to stay. Also, the weather forecast isn't looking too promising. Although I accept I will get wet at some point on the bike, I don't see the point at getting soaking on the bike when I have a perfectly good car...we shall see what the weekend brings.
Sunday 17 June 2007
Airfield Again
This afternoon, I headed for the local disused airfield again on my 125. My OH commented that I'd improved markedly since last week. I must say I felt much more in control of the bike than I've ever felt - which is great.
Now, the problem with the bike is it is 9 years old with 330 miles on the clock. Most of that mileage has been put on the bike in the last month or 2. As I said in an earlier entry, I acquired the bike from my sister-in-law. She bought it brand new, with the intention of learning to ride. For a variety of reasons, that didn't happen, so for 8 years the bike sat in my OH's parent's back garden, accumulating about 10 miles being pushed around. (They don't have a big garden!). My OH and his Dad spend a lot of time trying to get the engine to fire after so long. Although the engine turned, it wouldn't fire and eventually my OH replaced the carburetor. It fired first time once this was replaced.
As I wanted to learn, and the bike is learner legal, my OH and I came to an agreement that we would use the bike for a year, to get some miles on it. At the end of the year, either I would keep it, giving my sister-in-law full market value for it or, we would sell it and give her the profit. When I first was on the bike, being a newbe, I didn't really know how a bike should handle. My OH over the last year has spent a fair time adjusting various things to improve the bike.
Unfortunately, although this has helped, there are a few things about the bike that I'm not too happy with. Consequently, I've lost confidence in it. However, as I'm now feeling comfortable enough to sign up for proper lessons. I had a discussion with my OH and he thinks we should keep it until I have started lessons, to keep my hand in, and get a better bike I'm happy with at that point. We'll sell the current bike and give my sister-in-law the profits.
So, watch this space for my trails during lessons!!!
Now, the problem with the bike is it is 9 years old with 330 miles on the clock. Most of that mileage has been put on the bike in the last month or 2. As I said in an earlier entry, I acquired the bike from my sister-in-law. She bought it brand new, with the intention of learning to ride. For a variety of reasons, that didn't happen, so for 8 years the bike sat in my OH's parent's back garden, accumulating about 10 miles being pushed around. (They don't have a big garden!). My OH and his Dad spend a lot of time trying to get the engine to fire after so long. Although the engine turned, it wouldn't fire and eventually my OH replaced the carburetor. It fired first time once this was replaced.
As I wanted to learn, and the bike is learner legal, my OH and I came to an agreement that we would use the bike for a year, to get some miles on it. At the end of the year, either I would keep it, giving my sister-in-law full market value for it or, we would sell it and give her the profit. When I first was on the bike, being a newbe, I didn't really know how a bike should handle. My OH over the last year has spent a fair time adjusting various things to improve the bike.
Unfortunately, although this has helped, there are a few things about the bike that I'm not too happy with. Consequently, I've lost confidence in it. However, as I'm now feeling comfortable enough to sign up for proper lessons. I had a discussion with my OH and he thinks we should keep it until I have started lessons, to keep my hand in, and get a better bike I'm happy with at that point. We'll sell the current bike and give my sister-in-law the profits.
So, watch this space for my trails during lessons!!!
Thursday 14 June 2007
The Pillion Seat Part 1
When I first met my husband, he owned a Suzuki Bandit 600. He did take me out on it once, but I was glad I wasn't on it very long - lets just say the pillion seat has got significantly less padding than my backside requires.
About a couple of years ago, my husband decided we needed a more coupley bike. Besides, he wanted a bike that was a bit more a mile muncher than a sportster. Finally, he decided a Honda Pan European (ST1100) would fit the bill:
There's plently storage space;
it can go some when required;
it has a shaft drive - so no more chains to oil, clean and replace
and it has reasonably seats.
To name a few advantages.
So, after a couple of months looking, he finally found an L reg ST1100, which required a little (or so we thought) TLC. The exhaust needed replaced and the fairing was a bit tired, but nothing that a few hours with some T-cut and colour matched wax would sort. After a bit of discussion, which went along the lines of:
My husband: "So, what do you think?"
Me: "Well, I'm not going to be driving it and I don't know much about motorbike engines"
My husband: "You know enough about car ones - it's still an engine. Will you come with me on it? There's no point me getting it if your not going to come out on it with me"
Me: "I have no kit"
My husband: "Er...you can get some"
Me: "Seems a reasonable bike; do you think I'd be able to get a red lid?" (NB a lid is biker speak for a helment)
My husband: No words, but an interesting expression!
So, he said goodbye to the Bandit and hello to the Pan. And the task of restoring it to its former glory began...
Unfortunately, it needed a little more than TLC. After about 2 months, the centre stand broke when my husband was parking it. The way it broke, part of the remainder on the bike was rubbing on the (now new) exhaust, so the bike was, in effect, off the road. This was also the end of October, we don't have a garage and in order to get the remainder of the stand off, my husband had to lie under the bike with a hacksaw...as you can imagine, he didn't do it in a hurry.
Consequently, we didn't use the 1100 Pan very much, as my husband had lost faith in it. Apparently, the condition of the centre stand is a good indication of the condition of the swing arm.
As regards getting me kitted out - I did get my red helmet...
I also got trousers, gloves and a jacket. All of which with so much padding I couldn't bend properly when I got the kit.
About a couple of years ago, my husband decided we needed a more coupley bike. Besides, he wanted a bike that was a bit more a mile muncher than a sportster. Finally, he decided a Honda Pan European (ST1100) would fit the bill:
There's plently storage space;
it can go some when required;
it has a shaft drive - so no more chains to oil, clean and replace
and it has reasonably seats.
To name a few advantages.
So, after a couple of months looking, he finally found an L reg ST1100, which required a little (or so we thought) TLC. The exhaust needed replaced and the fairing was a bit tired, but nothing that a few hours with some T-cut and colour matched wax would sort. After a bit of discussion, which went along the lines of:
My husband: "So, what do you think?"
Me: "Well, I'm not going to be driving it and I don't know much about motorbike engines"
My husband: "You know enough about car ones - it's still an engine. Will you come with me on it? There's no point me getting it if your not going to come out on it with me"
Me: "I have no kit"
My husband: "Er...you can get some"
Me: "Seems a reasonable bike; do you think I'd be able to get a red lid?" (NB a lid is biker speak for a helment)
My husband: No words, but an interesting expression!
So, he said goodbye to the Bandit and hello to the Pan. And the task of restoring it to its former glory began...
Unfortunately, it needed a little more than TLC. After about 2 months, the centre stand broke when my husband was parking it. The way it broke, part of the remainder on the bike was rubbing on the (now new) exhaust, so the bike was, in effect, off the road. This was also the end of October, we don't have a garage and in order to get the remainder of the stand off, my husband had to lie under the bike with a hacksaw...as you can imagine, he didn't do it in a hurry.
Consequently, we didn't use the 1100 Pan very much, as my husband had lost faith in it. Apparently, the condition of the centre stand is a good indication of the condition of the swing arm.
As regards getting me kitted out - I did get my red helmet...
I also got trousers, gloves and a jacket. All of which with so much padding I couldn't bend properly when I got the kit.
Wednesday 13 June 2007
Back in the Saddle
The aim of this blog is to take you through my trails and tribulations for being a trainee biker.
Last year, I did my Compulsory Bike Training. For those of you not in the know, all new motorcyle trainees must complete this. It is a day (or in my case a 1 and a half days) course that teaches the basics of bike control. You have to complete the training before you can ride a motorbike on the road, with L plates and it is only valid for 2 years. It is known by its initials as CBT. See http://www.dsa.gov.uk/ for more info.
For a variety of reasons, mainly fitting a new kitchen at the time, I never got round to getting any practice on the Suzuki GS125 I'd aquired from my sister-in-law. So, last night I finally got back in the saddle. My husband took the bike to a local off-road bit of tarmac and I walked round to meet him. As I hadn't been in the rider's seat for over a year, both he and I were concerned that I'd have to go back to basics. Surprisingly, it went pretty well.
I remembered how to take the bike off its stand;
I remembered where the controls were and how to use them;
I remembered to check my mirrors
and even remembered how to change gear and stop.
However, I didn't remember how to dismount. When I tried to get off the bike, I mananged to lose my balance and let the bike fall on top of me. The way it landed, most the the weight was pressing on my ankle. Fortunately, my husband was there to extract me. Not much harm done - a little bruising to both ankle and pride (probably pride more).
Once I was up again and my husband had established I was okay, he thought I'd better climb back on. Apparently, it's a bit like a horse when you fall off. Well, I got back on and he started talking me through how to get off -
Husband: "Stand up"
Me: "I am standing up"
Husband: "Oh"
Now, I'm about 5'3", with short legs, even for my height. My husband is about a foot taller than me...
It reminded us of the Two Ronnies, when in a sketch, Ronnie Corbet (who is about 5' tall) would be asked to stand up, then the person asking would realise he was! But, I digress...
I did manage to dismount successfully the second time. I was well impressed how the training from last years CBT had stayed with me. I also noticed, I seemed to be more comfortable on the bike, but that's probably down to being on my husband's Honda Pan European more often. The story of the view from the pillion seat will follow shortly.
Last year, I did my Compulsory Bike Training. For those of you not in the know, all new motorcyle trainees must complete this. It is a day (or in my case a 1 and a half days) course that teaches the basics of bike control. You have to complete the training before you can ride a motorbike on the road, with L plates and it is only valid for 2 years. It is known by its initials as CBT. See http://www.dsa.gov.uk/ for more info.
For a variety of reasons, mainly fitting a new kitchen at the time, I never got round to getting any practice on the Suzuki GS125 I'd aquired from my sister-in-law. So, last night I finally got back in the saddle. My husband took the bike to a local off-road bit of tarmac and I walked round to meet him. As I hadn't been in the rider's seat for over a year, both he and I were concerned that I'd have to go back to basics. Surprisingly, it went pretty well.
I remembered how to take the bike off its stand;
I remembered where the controls were and how to use them;
I remembered to check my mirrors
and even remembered how to change gear and stop.
However, I didn't remember how to dismount. When I tried to get off the bike, I mananged to lose my balance and let the bike fall on top of me. The way it landed, most the the weight was pressing on my ankle. Fortunately, my husband was there to extract me. Not much harm done - a little bruising to both ankle and pride (probably pride more).
Once I was up again and my husband had established I was okay, he thought I'd better climb back on. Apparently, it's a bit like a horse when you fall off. Well, I got back on and he started talking me through how to get off -
Husband: "Stand up"
Me: "I am standing up"
Husband: "Oh"
Now, I'm about 5'3", with short legs, even for my height. My husband is about a foot taller than me...
It reminded us of the Two Ronnies, when in a sketch, Ronnie Corbet (who is about 5' tall) would be asked to stand up, then the person asking would realise he was! But, I digress...
I did manage to dismount successfully the second time. I was well impressed how the training from last years CBT had stayed with me. I also noticed, I seemed to be more comfortable on the bike, but that's probably down to being on my husband's Honda Pan European more often. The story of the view from the pillion seat will follow shortly.
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