FellZebra, you definitely made the right choice with the fat end-can, it looks far better. It's a chunky bike and the skinny one looks..well..too skinny.
Good call, that bike is coming on nicely. I envy your skills and resources, mine are mostly limited to fitting what someone else has designed and made. Enjoy and stay safe
In no way am I condoning speeding on motorways. I'm glad to hear that you've never done it. Of course I haven't. And I'm sure no-one else on this forum ever has.
Wow, @RevPaul, what a nasty experience. I'm glad that nothing even worse happened and that you (and your bike) got home safe and sound. You stay safe, too!
Congratulations on your new Storm, @Dartplayer! It looks lovely. I wish you many happy miles aboard it. For when is your surgery booked?
Booked in June, just need health insurance pre-approval to go through. Keyhole to clean out bone spurs, should be good to go soon after (and not suffer like I have)
Thank you @RevPaul , absolutely nothing wrong with fitting things that have been designed by someone else; I do lots of that too. But as for skills, you’re very kind I don’t consider what I’m doing to be anything too special there’s lots of people out there creating better things than me. I enjoy the design and making process and the end result gives me a lot of satisfaction (sometimes via a lot of head scratching). I’ve made some simple household items recently based on bike / spannering theme. Toilet roll holder and towel rail made from spanners An old Thruxton tyre was cut up to make a bathroom mirror Nut wine rack
Terrific "repurposing", @FellZebra. Those items look great and are very creative. I think you could start a business.
Thank you for the comments, very kind. I highly recommend having a go at stuff….you never know what you might end up with and I can guarantee that you’ll get some satisfaction from the end result. I’ve made many things that have been a first time. I’m no expert but learned lots in the process and ended up with something unique that does as intended, ok sometimes there’s an investment in tools or equipment but never regretted buying any of them cos all get used again. Built a shed / workshop a couple of years ago with zero previous experience, that was a big undertaking but I’m very pleased with what I’ve got. There’s a metal framed chair in the garage that’s currently work in progress waiting for the material to trim the cushion, quite excited about getting that one finished, but even if the material is ready for this weekend it’s the Thruxton exhausts that are getting done first!!
Sounds like you have lots of neat ideas and cool projects...and the gumption to give things a try even if you've no experience, @FellZebra! I admire that. But thank goodness you have your priorities right--you're choosing to put the Thruxton exhausts first.
So this afternoon the weather was good and with a natural lull in my work, I decided I’d find out if I’d bolted the wheels on straight and what the new Avon Roadrider Mk2 tyres are like. With a quick gentle run to J&S and the Four Ways café. New boots and a new TEC cam at the same time is . So gentler with the throttle, remember the tyres are still coated with release agent and observe: Much quicker turn and lean in, rather disconcerting at first but I’ll get used to it. Secure and stable in the corners. I made sure I hit every seam, white line, and irregular surface available (pot holes excepted) nothing upset them. Hundred or so miles to run in the tyres and cam, and then I can begin to enjoy a better bike and start to reduce the chicken strips. Glad I got those tyres. Stay safe and enjoy the ride .
Yesterday I got the Thruxton out of its vacsac. Checked the tyre pressures and gave it a wipe over. Bike started on the first press of the starter. The weather was really sunny and warm at 15c so decided to get my gear on and go for a ride. I was a bit apprehensive about my knee and foot problems, but I actually found it much easier than the tiger, so really enjoyed a short ride. I’m in for my cortisone jab in my foot on Monday, so hoping that once that is done I will be able to cope even better. If all goes well on the 4th April when I see the knee consultant I will be looking at planning for short UK tour for the summer. Happy biker in Cheshire