General chat thread... Links, pictures, banter etc

Not sure whats going on with Crossans. Could have difficulty getting parts at the moment though.

Its likely the other party causing issues with the claim. I keep having to ring Axa to see whats going on with mine (I'm the opposite, currently defending a claim as a woman cut across me in her car and is trying to claim off my insurance for a few scratches while I came off the bike)

I was happy to just walk away and avoid a headache

Are your headstock bearings ok?

Remind me what bike again.

For now I'll assume you've just a sidestand.

Have you anyone to give you a hand?

Get other person to lean bike over on sidestand putting pressure on the rear so front wheel lifts off ground.

You go to front of bike and grab forks low down and turn steering from left to right and back slowly several times to feel for any notch.

Also pull forks forward and back to check for any play.

If the forks are similar to a DR650 then its just **** forks that can make the front end feel spongy

have you a drop in valve kit in the forks?

What tyres are you running?

I bet your ears were burning from someone mentioning a DR big

At those pressures it'll feel like a wobbly shopping cart alright. They handle great for what they are.

Keeping it on the road is simple enough if the basics are covered and a few rules obeyed. Shut it off by gently pulling on the decomp lever, never the kill switch or ignition key.

Oil and filter every 2500 miles max. Valves and balance chain adjust every second or third service, change the couple euro crank oil feed seal every time you pull the clutch cover. Oh and theyre famous for breaking chains and arsing the crank cases so fit a top of the range DID and dont over tighten it.

Btw have you ever had the oil pump mesh cover off? Its the small fag packet sized plate on the sump. Intresting things can accumulate there.

If the clutch action is graunchy despite oiling the cable change the clutch release bearing pronto. If you do all these things and pat your head and rub your tummy they abide.

Its a soft stop for the piston and prevents a kick back. If you stop her with switch or key she will eventually kick back which eats the starter satellite gears that are driven offa the starter motor.

If you pull the sump inspection plate i mentioned its quite common to see a gear tooth or more entombed in there from this.

Its a design flaw that was rectified later by the addition of modded gear train with a clutch like mech inbuilt.

Would have read that as actually new bikes rather than registration which would have included imports, doesn't say either way.

If it was new bikes then I'd have said Brexit and the loss of the ease of imports from there and dearth of used on Irish market making new more appealing.

I'd say in the future that electric is going to make a big differences, all those Teenagers on the escooters changing to electric mopeds when old enough.

Electric bikes are due to be regulated soon under Irish law and the classification categories have been in operation throughout Europe for a number of years. Low powered bikes, scooters etc will fall into one category, be allowed to use cycle lanes, roads etc. and anything above that power output will require license, insurance, tax and helmet, similar to a moped.

So operating what you call an illegal vehicles, will be more manageable by the authorities...

Was over in Barcelona recently and there are bikes absolutely everywhere over there, including numerous pay as you go rental options for ebikes and emopeds.

I sampled a free now service which was an e moped but was basically an ebike with no pedals and also a seat emoped, 125cc equivalent which was a hoot, even two up. Very nimble and quite nippy. Seemed to be about 90km range on sport mode, regenerative braking front and rear.

Was so handy to have them dotted around the city, rent them for 18c/minute (can reserve them 15minutes in advance for free so you know it will be there when you are) and then just leave it wherever you want pretty much if you want to have a drink or are getting a bus etc somewhere else.

Two lids under the seat or in a back box, charging port for your phone and a holder so you can use maps while riding.

Would be the right job if you have a city commute

Any good reports from buying new bikes in BxxxxWorld(after sales service)?

How is everyone keeping - long time since ive been in here what with work and life etc.

Shout out to the newish red Ducati who passed me on the Sally Gap road from Blessington today. 27 July. He saw I was having trouble with my bicycle and came back to check if he could help. I untangled the chain just as he rolled to a stop.