Date: 28-03-24  Time: 11:34 am

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Messages - Arfa

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676
General / Re: Buyapowa heated gloves sale now live...
« on: 26 April 2013, 04:36:33 pm »
Had to send mine back a couple of times. They're usually pretty quick with turning things round, 2-3 days ish. Contact details:-

Tel: 0044 (0)1580 200212
Email: uk@gerbing.eu
Web: www.gerbing.eu

677
General / Re: Sad news
« on: 23 April 2013, 12:45:55 pm »
Holy feck!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-22257103

"....died in the crash on the A458 at Halfway House...."

I grew up there! My Mum still lives on that road. Always a busy road for tourists on hot weekends, always loads of impatient drivers. :( Was recently reduced to a 50mph zone. Very sad news and my condolences to the couple and their family.

678
General / Re: cat d,c
« on: 18 April 2013, 05:16:31 pm »
Just the other week, I had a low speed clip (~10mph), chap pulled out of stationary queue of traffic as I was coming to halt in other lane, just rubbed my knee on his car, swerve, brake, and I'm down.

Damage: cracked, scuffed faring with slightly bent brackets, crumpled/broke belly pan, scratched pegs and top box. Repair quote is £1600. Insurance say if repairs cost more than 60% of bike, they'll write it off as un-economical.

Whilst they sort liability etc, I'm happily riding round on the bike. It's fine, just looks a spot tatty. I could easily have done same damage dropping it myself, I would have just gone 'damn' and carried on. It's only because I want to claim for the damage off the other stupid twat, is the bike likely to be a write off. It's a real shame, and I'm still not sure how it's all going to pan out, but like anything dealings with insurance I'll probably finish worse off... :(


679
General / Re: Garage recommendations for fairing repairs, East London
« on: 11 April 2013, 02:10:29 pm »
It's my insurance firm who have requested the quote, to pass on to the 3rd party insurance. I'm not undertaking any repairs yet. Not until blame has been assigned and a cost of repairs authorised. I've also declined a courtesy bike in meantime, in case liability goes the wrong way, don't want to be charged a fortune.

Yep bike is ridable. Doesn't even need gaffer tape. Just popped into Pole Position over lunch as it was local, they do however want £24 for hassle of sorting quote mind.

680
General / Re: Garage recommendations for fairing repairs, East London
« on: 11 April 2013, 11:08:59 am »
Ah yeah, have used Pole Position in Limehouse before now. They rescued me when I had a puncture, came round and showed me how to use the repair kits and escorted me back for a replacement tyre (it only had about 4-6 months tread left anyway). Yep, seemed reasonable.

Sidcup and Gravesend are a little out of the way really. Just noticed there's Jap and German 5 mins walk from where I work. Anyone used them?  They appear very BMW centric...

Yeah, thankfully the other chap stopped. Well he changed lanes as I was pulling up to junction, I dropped bike right in front of him, just clipped him, just a wipe in the dirt of his door to show for it. Problem is, he quickly drove round corner out of way, so didn't get any snaps of vehicle positions. :(  Initially he he claimed he never pulled our, never hit me and wouldn't give me his insurance details. Not until I started dialing the cops did he concede he pulled out, without indication, and didn't see me. Got snaps of wipe on his door to show he hit me. Plus plenty more in case he pulls a fast one and wants to claim for non existent damage to his car...

681
General / Re: Gloves for small/odd shaped hands
« on: 11 April 2013, 09:46:42 am »
Have you tried kids gloves? My wife has tiny hands and the best fitting gloves she had were for kids. Otherwise, you might want to find someone who can customise a pair for you.

682
General / Garage recommendations for fairing repairs, East London
« on: 11 April 2013, 09:44:32 am »
Had a slight off on my Fazer, due to some stupid SMIDSY pulling out on me. Dropped the bike at low speed, no injuries thankfully, and now trying to claim on his insurance.


Damage is just cosmetic, cracked/scuffed front fairing (possibly with bent brackets), crumpled/broken belly pan (genuine Yammy one), bent bobbins, scratched bar ends and pillion pegs. Bike is still ridable, just looks a mess.


Insurance company have asked me to get a quote for repairs, with a view to doing the work if liability is assigned correctly. Anyone recommend anyone between London Bridge, East End and Dagenham?

683
General / Re: Bike/car photoshoot...interested? Sun 2nd June
« on: 04 April 2013, 10:26:37 am »
I'll be up for that! 2nd June should be good for me. What you thinking time wise? Morning, afternoon, few hours or all day? Be cool to get some decent photos to stick on my blog.

684
FZS600 Fazer / Re: FZS 600 Is this one worth buying?
« on: 26 March 2013, 05:27:14 pm »
Looks decent. Obviously you're paying a spot more as it's a dealer.
I recently picked up a same year fzs600 with only 13K on it, with blue screen, hugger, belly pan, spotless, with original pipes etc. £1800. Didn't have top box, but chap threw in panniers, tank bag and spare can.

685
General / Re: Textile Jackets
« on: 04 March 2013, 06:23:20 pm »
I've got a basic HG Sheltex jacket. Bit like this one: http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/clothing/motorcyle-clothing/jackets/hein-gericke-psx-race-tex-blouson-schwarz-grau.html


Hasn't been too bad, with the zip in liner, it's been plenty warm this winter. Waterproof-ness has been fine. Just the one time is was really coming down hard and I was out for an hour or so, the rain ran down my arms under my glove cuff and started to soak the trimming on the end of the arms of the jacket. Otherwise no leaks. In the summer the liner comes out and theirs vents under the arms, seemed alright, but I only got it for the tail end of last summer, and it wasn't super hot. Can be a bit tight around neck mind, especially if you've got a thick fleece and neck gater on. No sign of wear after 6 months use every day.


I paid about £120 in their sale last summer. Also picked up some slot in armour for the back too. Can't really moan for the price.

686
General / Re: heated gloves
« on: 04 March 2013, 02:10:21 pm »
A socket on the handle bars? That'll be fine until you lift your hand to wipe your visor... A slack will just be crying out to get tangled in steering or caught on another vehicle as you filter.


With my Gerbings, I have the socket wire poking out from under the seat. Controller is cable tied to waist of jacket, then rest of wires going down sleeves. Glove plugs are tucked in by wrists, and I simply have to lean down a plug controller in by my left leg. Thus the only wire going 'everywhere' and on show, is 6" beneath my left leg.


Some heated glove can be run off a battery, but they're expensive and bulky to slot into your gloves.

687
General / Re: Bargains Again
« on: 28 February 2013, 02:18:22 pm »
This weeks MCN paper has a 10% voucher for this stuff, although the voucher wasn't working this lunchtime. But store manager give the socks for nowt with roughly worked out about the same! Not shown on the ads, but they also had ladies thermal tops in, so my wife will be happy, from a feminist and warmth point of view... :)

688
General / Re: Tax Discs
« on: 28 February 2013, 10:57:23 am »
I need to get myself a new/better tax disc holder. The original one was on nearside of forks near brakes. Did the job fine, but come to renew time I can't for the life of my get the thing open, its screwed on tight! Tried everything, WD40, clamping it, it just won't budge.


In the end I got another cheap Oxford one off ebay for £2.50. However it's shit. The hole was too small for my existing bolt. Didn't have the correct size drill bit handy, so I bolted it to one of front faring brackets on off side. Fine, but it just has a crappy rubber ring to hold it together, this keeps pinging off every time I put on/take off rain cover and brush past it. Other night, I took rubbish out and happened to notice the clear plastic cover on the floor, then noticed my tax disc in the bushes of front garden! Really need something better, as I'm going to lose this disc soon...


Good plan about only displaying a photocopy of disc. The riding school I learnt with swore by this, having had a few discs pinched in the past.


Got a friend who has a funky disc holder, it's a clear plastic tube with black metal ends, the tax disc is just rolled up inside. Like this:-

689
FZS600 Fazer / Re: Fazer 600 oil ,,, stuck
« on: 18 February 2013, 12:33:16 pm »
It's a definite pain checking the oil level with the belly pan in place. :( Have to shine a light in there to see anything. Got to admit, behind the belly pan, I never even noticed the min/max spots. Always just filled it, such the oil is about 3/4 up the glass window.


Also the manual mentions running the engine for a couple of minutes from cold, before checking the level... TBH, I find the level does settle into sight.

690
General / Re: Beware Cyclists :o)
« on: 04 February 2013, 12:21:48 pm »
Down in East London on Mile End Road, they've got one of the cycle super highways, which takes up half the bus lane. A lane also open to motorcyclists and taxies. All well and good, but they've painted the cycle bit blue. When I say painted, half the road is covered in thick, shiny, slippery blue paint. Then moving to the right, you've got a thick white solid line marking the boundary between bus lane and rest of road. Also very slippery.

In the wet weather it's a bloody nightmare! It's a busy road, lots of junctions, lights, bus stops etc. Constantly need to brake, duck and dive to go down the road. A couple of times I've had the back end lock up and skid a bit...


See here on Google Street view

691
General / Re: locks
« on: 04 February 2013, 10:01:11 am »
I use a Pragmasis Chain, Squire SS65CS padlock and at home a Torc ground anchor. I wanted piece of mind of the bike secured to something solid. Ground anchor at home and railings at work. I got the impression that the Almax chains are about on par with the Pragmasis.


Chain wise, I was advised to go at least 16mm links, as these don't fit in the standard 42" bolt cutters most thieving gits carry. I didn't go 19mm, mainly due to weight of carrying the chain to work. This vid (by Almax) cemented that notion:-


Non-Almax security chains for bikes vs Bolt Croppers



Interesting talk of padlocks, as I had been under the impression the Squire lock was pretty good, but it's key is just a single sided affair. So you reckon this would be an easy one to pick?

Anyway, here's my write up on my blog. Motorcycle security chain and anchor.

692
General / Re: Bloody Grit/Salt
« on: 01 February 2013, 03:58:37 pm »
She looks good,I like the belly pan  :D :D :D


Yeah... dropped it just a few weeks after I bought it. :(  Scuffed pan, bent bobbin which cracked pan a little, scuffed faring and can. I know every newbie drops their bike at least once, but it still totally pissed me off, as it was pristine before.  :\


693
General / Re: Bloody Grit/Salt
« on: 01 February 2013, 08:12:14 am »
Gave mine a damned good clean last weekend. Here's the result:-



I covered it in ACF50 a couple of months ago, before they started gritting. Supposed to leave a coating that remains that halts existing corrosion and prevents new. It's what the forces use to cover their planes and things! Need to get some more mind, best to give a top up coat after each clean. Bit more expensive, but you can still get a can off ebay for a reasonable price. Better value in the long run, compared to replacing/repainting bits.

694
General / Started a newbie biker blog
« on: 28 January 2013, 04:32:43 pm »
It's been a mad old few months, having gone from never been on a motorcycle to a fully fledged biker commuting into London everyday. I've learnt a lot along the way, so I've put together a bit of a blog, to try and document all the ups and downs and pass on some tips from what I've learnt along the way. Since my first bike is a lovely Fazer, I figured you all might find it interesting. Have a gander and I'd much appreciate your feedback: Beginner Biker Adventures

695
General / Re: Buyapowa heated gloves sale now live...
« on: 25 January 2013, 02:14:20 pm »
Going to get duff controller swapped. Then at least I've got two, in case one dies again. With weather like this, can't afford to be without the heated gloves at all. 3 year warranty is good.

696
FZS600 Fazer / Re: Help! My key wont turn
« on: 25 January 2013, 10:51:24 am »
Had exactly the same problem. WD40 did the trick in the end. Ditto for my Squire padlock lock too.

However, I managed to break the key fob the other day. The metal key itself is fine (and not stuck in barrel thankfully), just bust the Meta alarm key fob that it was slotted into. TBH, It's been a bit crappy for a while, very loose in the key, and not always registering me pressing the alarm button, unless I wiggle the key in the fob just right. :( The circuit board inside works fine, if I press the button directly on it.

So, I'm now going round using my spare key (master key?) and the stand alone alarm key ring (one with no key attached to it). That said, the spare key is much, much easier to use in the barrel. So, thinking the other key must have been a bit worn perhaps.

Time for a new key and alarm fob. Where's best place to get these?

697
General / Re: Buyapowa heated gloves sale now live...
« on: 25 January 2013, 10:39:31 am »
Recently had some trouble with my controller too. One hand totally cut out. However it was a bit intermittent, as it started working again for half my ride home. Next day though, both hands stopped working... Reckon it was a loose connection, maybe even a short (hence stopping both working). Anyway, gone and brought a new controller, gloves working again now and have sent old one back. Just sods law, it plays up on the coldest day of the year...
I contacted Buyapowa and they put Gerbing themselves intouch with me. But yeah, their return form says 4-6 weeks turn around! Hence why I just brought a new controller - it'll be spring in 6 weeks!

698
General / Re: The joys of being a learner!!!
« on: 23 January 2013, 04:44:52 pm »
Just stick at, stay calm, be confident and you'll be fine when it comes to the tests.
Last July I had never been on a bike before, then did Theory, CBT on CG125, 2hr 1-2-1 training, then 3 days of DAS on CBF500. Passed the lot first time and bought myself a lovely Fazer 600 in blue in the September. Been commuting into London every day since - loving it. Never bothered getting my own 125 to practice on, so you've got way more road experience than I had back then, just don't get stuck into any bad habits and I'm sure you'll be fine.

699
FZS600 Fazer / Re: Oil choice - Castrol GTX? Or Power 1?
« on: 31 December 2012, 12:25:17 pm »
OK, OK, going to get some Power 1 now. :)  Not risking engine/clutch to save £18 on oil...

700
FZS600 Fazer / Oil choice - Castrol GTX? Or Power 1?
« on: 30 December 2012, 08:58:58 pm »
Need some oil for my Fazer, just a wee top up. Foxeye 2003 FZS600. Spotted some Castrol GTX 10W40 in ASDA going very cheap (£12 for 4L), but wasn't 100% sure if suitable, so didn't get it. Is it any good? Could see anything on it about additives etc.
Searching back on here, I see others suggest Castrol GPS Power 1. Going to the Castrol site, they suggest Power 1 Racing 4T or Power 1 4T (fully or part synthetic). But obviously both are coming it at £30+ - quite a difference. :)

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