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Messages - Slaninar
27
« on: 24 December 2020, 06:22:49 am »
On the upside at least nobody has died of old age since March. I'm no doctor (I never really bothered), but as far as I was aware, nobody ever dies of 'old age'.
They die because one or more vital organs stops working. Covid-19 does the same. It just hastens it a bit 
Oh, c'mon! Using that logic, we could argue that no one dies of AIDS, but of other diseases (after AIDS destroys their immune system). 
29
« on: 20 December 2020, 10:47:18 am »
On topic: the good soul won't skip the queue. I think that's beautiful
https://www.businessinsider.com/pfizer-ceo-albert-bourla-wait-cut-line-covid-19-vaccine-2020-12 Beautiful  I think its frightening. The CEO doesn't even trust his own vaccine. Just the same as every politician questioned if they will be seen to be vaccinated "yes yes absolutely I will take it yes yes but I am not yet in the roll out"
Do we know of any old duffers in the house of Lords that have taken it yet.
I'm sure that the public health is his first priority - just like with most politicians. They're saving the doses for those who need it most. "From the people, for the people!"  It is strange though he couldn't just lie about having received the vaccine. Perhaps they fear it could backfire if it comes out, but still seems a bit strange.
30
« on: 20 December 2020, 09:48:48 am »
And then there's those who die 29 days after a positive test, who aren't counted.
I still think the only accurate measure is excess deaths over and above the average.
My talent of finding problems, and seeing things from all sides In a special measures situation - stay at home, not nearly as much travelling, even curfews, masks... the number of deaths may not increase. Fewer traffic accidents. Fewer people sick from flu and other diseases - because of all the extra measures, social distancing, staying at home etc. Then, there's probably a larger number of heart related problems/deaths - from less moving, more stress etc. So it's not that simple. Statistics is a good tool, but one has to know how to use it, and be aware of all the caveats. On topic: the good soul won't skip the queue. I think that's beautiful https://www.businessinsider.com/pfizer-ceo-albert-bourla-wait-cut-line-covid-19-vaccine-2020-12
31
« on: 16 December 2020, 04:15:20 pm »
Not a rant at all but a great perspective. Bad luck you have had a kicking from this, I think you are the first on the forum. I heard the other day that they have found a link between certain dna characteristics and the severity of the symptoms to explain why some people suffer more than others.
Locking everyone for a month - year wont stop it as it will still be there waiting.
Its interesting that even you - who has had it bad are still not sure about the vaccine.
I've had it easy - no real pains, no need for hospital, and no (permanent, or temporaty) organ damage. Suppose it's as good (or nearly as good) as it gets. Apart from the 20 year olds who just "walk it off". I'm primarily concerned for the old folks. That's my greatest fear. As for the vaccine - there's always a tradeoff between rewards, and the (perceived) risks. If I were a lot older, I probably would risk it. Likewise, the younger one is, the less sense it makes risking some (long term?) health problems with a not nearly enough tested vaccine. My mother is also skeptical. (Un)fortunately, we needn't concern ourselves with that dilemma for at least a year more, until Serbia gets vaccine. Even then, not sure what the priorities will be like - I doubt there would be enough vaccines for everyone. Concerning the measures - our government started off strictly. Then loosened the regime. Then re-tightened, which resulted in civil unrest, large demonstrations, riots. And guys in power thought "oh, we might loose our grip and get a revolution. Fuck it, let them party all night, go to public happenings, and we'll deal with it somehow." Now, in the late Autumn, measures are a little bit stricter: no working cafes on weekend, or late night, and obligatory masks in all public places (indoors). Hospitals are packed - if you break a leg, and can't afford several average monthly pays for a private clinic, you're on your own. Because of local, and foreign measures, tourism and entertainment industry workers are fucked. Which puts a lot of stress on already tight budget (a lot more unemployed people). These people are no longer buying stuff, while using government help funds. And it is bound to spill over and hit other businesses who aren't directly affected with Covid crisis. I work with computers and bicycles - both blooming now, and I don't think those will be in trouble while the measures and crisis last, but later - who knows even for those. Considering pulling all my funds from banks, since I remember them going bancrupt before (in the 90s). Finally, the thing that shouldn't be disregarded is the social aspect. When there was a "threat of communism", people got a lot of liberties and good living standard for the working class. With the fall of the Berlin wall - "defeat of communism" and the introduction of Euro, average EU worker's wage purchase power was effectively cut in half in less than a decade. There was no longer need for making workers live too well, since there was no fear of them supporting a no longer existing communism. Then came the "terrorist attacks" - and more control (surveillance) was introduced, at the cost of civil liberties (thorough exams and long procedure at airports, especially for us, from "suspicious countries", along with travel-prohibiting visa costs and procedures, and lots of legislation changes...). Now we have Covid (and new viruses to come, it's just a matter of time). Very convenient to abuse. And I'm sure it will be abused. With a very good argument: one has to be responsible and not bring harm to others. It just boils down to where the line gets drawn, and if legislation gets put that way that the system can be (ab)used against any "nasty" individuals (home, or abroad). I'd be surprised if things don't get, and stay, just a little bit more bad than before Covid in those terms (in addition to the economic crisis - expecting it to really hit in 2021). There are trials going on to see the roll of antibodies, I know someone who is on one such trial being regularly tested for the antibodies after having covid, after a few months the antibodies disappeared, but then someone in close contact to them got covid and their antibodies reappeared again. So when people argue that antibodies do not last - that is not the whole picture, there is also the roll of "T" cells that hardly ever get mentioned in the media.
The disease is still relatively unknown. First they thought it's a respiratory virus, now they've figured out it attacks the whole system. They are still not sure how long immunity lasts - either after a "natural" recovery, or a vaccine (correct me if I'm wrong). Since I'm not what is called a "risky group", I won't rush to get the new vaccine. For better or worse, there will probably not be an abundance of vaccines available, so skipping one's vaccination means just that someone else (more willing) will get to get it. So it is a sort of a win-win. P.S. The last, but not the least important - when I buy Ariel washing powder sold in Serbia (and made for this market), it's not the same quality as one bought in Germany. Ariel publicly admitted that (something like: "well, we know you wash at 90 degrees more, so no need for the powder to work as well at 40, or 60 degrees..." - bullshit corporate talk). Same goes for most other products. I'm not very confident that vaccine we get, even when one for the EU gets properly tested and improved, will be of the same quality. But that's a separate topic.
32
« on: 16 December 2020, 11:24:08 am »
As Fazersharp said save it for the elderly and vulnerable. Those of us young or healthy enough to not worry about it will be fine, just like the seasonal flu.
Except the evidence shows it's not quite like seasonal flu, with many young and healthy people being hit badly with some very worrying long term issues. Organ damage, loss of smell/taste, heart issues and other complications from the spread of tiny clots from the fall out. Many of which we're still coming to light and slowly being linked to Covid. Not to mention many young and healthy people from BAME background who have not faired well at all.
Got it. 41 years old, healthy, fit (did a full medical about 6 months ago and it's all been top notch). With a flu - I'm back to full speed in about 2 weeks time tops. Often it's enough to just lie down for the weekend. With this? Doctor says it's as mild as one could hope for. No lungs, or other organ damage/problems. Just recovering at home. However kung flu is different: - no sense of smell (or taste) for the last 10 days. None. Zilch. Can spray deodorant on my palm, put my nose against it, and smell nothing. - exhaustion. I can't climb 20 stairs without breathing heavily. It's gotten better after the first 12 days, but still far from remotely normal. Felt sleepy all day even without a fever. Which is never the case with the ordinary flu, at least with me. Some people get over it just like a flu - relatively quickly. But most people I know, even the younger ones, took a lot longer to fully recover. And, some, usually older, and/or overweight - had to go to a hospital, or just died. As for the topic. I'm not sure. If it really is a very dangerous disease, why not lock everyone up for a month, globally? With army and the police in the streets. That should stop it completely, no? This way, it seems it's not considered all too dangerous. With measures getting looser, then a bit tighter, then looser again... changing from country to country. Month to month. My thinking is - either do a full lockdown, or let everything loose, and who lives-lives. This is like the worst choice. Like cutting a rotten limb in three takes, instead of just one cut. Economy suffers. That is - ordinary working people are loosing their jobs, apartments - having their lives put in danger. Human relations suffer - with all the socializing and travelling bans. And it seems this will last, until further ado. Poor countries won't get any vaccines for another year or so. And when they (we) do, I for one am not 100% certain of whether it is a good quality, well tested product (on that note, I'm not sure any Covid vaccine right now is properly tested, there just wasn't nearly enough time for all I know). What I'm interested in is what happens with the next virus. And the one after that. Even this one will have society changed, probably not for the good. Imagine kids growing up in this, considering all this distancing as "normal"... How will the civil liberties change. How will they test who got vaccinated and will that decide whether you get to travel, and/or work... I expect this to be used as badly as possible by the corporations & governments. Not that I'm generally anti-vaccine. Quite the contrary - I think it's one of the best things done by the medicine. Just - well designed, properly tested vaccines. Hell - I even avoid using products (software, or hardware) that haven't been field tested for at least a year. Rant over.
33
« on: 04 November 2020, 04:53:24 pm »
Thanks guys. I was hoping the red ones were the fastest! ;-)
Well, that's highly unlikely, since I own a black one, and eventually took of the rearview mirrors, since they were never really used: only showing small dots quickly moving away... Welcome.
34
« on: 09 October 2020, 09:06:18 am »
Thanks for all the replies. I have conveyed the info to my friend, and will see what he decides.
35
« on: 04 October 2020, 02:26:58 pm »
If they are the same size as fitted to the Gen 1 thousand, which shares the foxeye fairing, then they're M5 sized bolts. A search on ebay should turn up something. They're 14mm long if I remember correctly.
I'd say yes - around 14 mm. Anyone know the OEM serial number?
37
« on: 23 July 2020, 12:33:16 pm »
"...You don't just run a red light without looking because "even when paying attention, I can still get killed..."
Were you saying that on behalf of the average cyclist? 
I did talk to a (female) driver who said something like: "when I'm scared (as in not sure if there's enough room), I close my eyes". True story.
38
« on: 23 July 2020, 05:51:56 am »
Sounds good but A. They've got to actually make it into a chain first and B. I'm guessing once they do it would probably cost more than most of our insurance excess anyway haha
I always find the normal "unbreakable" locks to be quite laughable. Theres always a YouTube video showing someone cutting through them in less than 60seconds with a grinder so I question why anyone would spend £300+ on one that lasts 10seconds longer than a £100 one 🤷♂️
I just stick with the theory that a heavy/thick enough chain and a disc lock will stop the majority of have a go theives. If a professional thief wants it then there's not a great deal you can do to stop them
I also refrain from parking mine in public unless its 100% necessary. I feel sorry for those people that have to leave theirs parked up on a curb in London all day 😬, less so for the ones that insist on doing so with their £20k Ducatis but still
From talking with people who open the locks, from both "sides of the law", I have concluded this: No lock is unbeatable - a security system without a weak point is useless by definition. Why? Because, security systems have to have a relatively easy, convenient way for those authorised to "unlock", and that's what often gets exploited. Of course, there's always the brute force approach to beating it, if all else fails. Better (and almost always more expensive) locks require more knowledge, experience and tools to open. 10 to 30 more seconds with a battery powered angle grinder can make a difference - because those things do make a lot of noise. Not all the thieves are cool and level headed. Boils down to this: thieves practically always go for the easier pray. If your bike is less expensive (looking), and better locked than the other bikes, why would they bother? I'd also add my experience with bicycle locks. Every now and then, people come into my workshop with a stuck bicycle lock. Either something broken with the locking mechanism, or they loose the only key they have. Most of the cheap locks get easily cut with relatively small cutters (those that fit under the jacket, often even those that fit in a pocket). That's no noise, almost zero effort, done in literally a few seconds. Having said all this: I did "break" a few locks in the street, in broad daylight, with no one paying any attention whatsoever (could have been a thief). Still, if I were a thief, I wouldn't know if the owner would come by and see me, and I would probably be a bit more nervous and avoid locks that take more time and/or noise to break (based on my tools, knowledge and experience). Bottom line: Would I trust any lock to keep the bike from being stolen? No - no system in the world. Do I think investing in a good quality (and expensive) lock is worth it? Definitely - because it highly decreases the probability of your bike getting stolen. That's all you can do. It's a lot like riding a bike: you can get killed on your bike any day in traffic. But you're a lot less likely to get severely injured when paying attention, being careful (and, of course, wearing the protective gear). You don't just run a red light without looking because "even when paying attention, I can still get killed". Of course, the fewer people invest in good locks, the safer a bike with a good lock is. So I'm almost happier when people don't take my advice on locks and security.
39
« on: 21 July 2020, 01:14:10 pm »
From Serbia:
Firefox and Yandex show it fine, even with ad-blocker enabled.
Chrome doesn't show the video embedded.
40
« on: 12 July 2020, 01:06:53 pm »
Interesting stuff Slaninar. My new 1.75 tyres arriv an al fitted and I am very pleased with them at £8.99 each.
I now think I would like to raise the handlebars but problem is its tight height where the bike is stored so I am looking at adjustable ones I can just drop down for storage but if I buy these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110mm-Adjustable-Mountain-Bike-Handlebar-Riser-Angle-Bicycle-Stem-Extender/293625040556?hash=item445d6a8eac%3Ag%3AP8QAAOSwgtpe8vai&LH_All=1 will they just snap and kill me. Chinese crap.
Metal parts generally show signs of breaking on the outside (unlike carbon fibre ones). Thin - like a strand of hair, but visible.
"Zoom" make is sold here, locally, and works fine. Costing about 20 euros a piece.
However, I've never seen anyone use it to often change the position.
My main worry would be the bolt that holds the adjusted position (angle).
Would have to check - but I think that even if the bolt for fixing it snaps, it won't come apart immediately. It will start going up/down, but think that it's attached in a way that it won't immediately get completely detached.
I've seen some models with another bolt holding it tight from below, once tightened. It can't be seen in those pictures, even if it is included.
This one https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zoom-Adjustable-Stem-Ahead-Clamp/dp/B001RB21W6
Looks the part. It is also cheap Chinese part, but all I've seen have worked fine. Still - don't see if it has two bolts to hold it in place. Just make sure you get one that fits your steering tube and handlebar diameter. https://bike.bikegremlin.com/3729/bicycle-stem-size-standards/
41
« on: 11 July 2020, 07:40:04 pm »
Interesting stuff Slaninar. My new 1.75 tyres arriv an al fitted and I am very pleased with them at £8.99 each.
I now think I would like to raise the handlebars but problem is its tight height where the bike is stored so I am looking at adjustable ones I can just drop down for storage but if I buy these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110mm-Adjustable-Mountain-Bike-Handlebar-Riser-Angle-Bicycle-Stem-Extender/293625040556?hash=item445d6a8eac%3Ag%3AP8QAAOSwgtpe8vai&LH_All=1 will they just snap and kill me. Chinese crap.
Metal parts generally show signs of breaking on the outside (unlike carbon fibre ones). Thin - like a strand of hair, but visible. "Zoom" make is sold here, locally, and works fine. Costing about 20 euros a piece. However, I've never seen anyone use it to often change the position. My main worry would be the bolt that holds the adjusted position (angle). Would have to check - but I think that even if the bolt for fixing it snaps, it won't come apart immediately. It will start going up/down, but think that it's attached in a way that it won't immediately get completely detached. I've seen some models with another bolt holding it tight from below, once tightened. It can't be seen in those pictures, even if it is included.
42
« on: 09 July 2020, 06:06:36 am »
I have found some Michelin Country Rock MTB Tyre for my mountain (full suspension bike ) but they are 26x 1.75. My tyres on the bike are 1.95 and 2.10 - will the 1.75 fit.These https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/michelin-country-rock-mtb-tyre/rp-prod8547 very cheap but seem just right for the riding I will be doing.
I would expect it to fit. A rather conservative chart of which tyres fit which rim width (1.75" is 47 mm when it comes to tyre sizing standards):
https://bike.bikegremlin.com/285/bicycle-tyre-dimensions/#2
I have just twigged your avatar.
Your site was very helpful, I have come across a few similar about sizing and widths but seem to confuse more than help, nowhere could I find that definitely told me that 47 was 1.75 especially when 1.50 is not 1 1/2.
My inside rim is 19.40 so I am good to get the 1.75s which are on order - so thank you for your help.
Glad it could help. The site started by publishing my own notes - that I use to help myself (can't memorize everything always). After a wise friend told me I should put that on-line, so I can use it wherever I go, and "perhaps someone else could use that". It's still used that way: the way I would like to have things explained to me. A few years later, I published the stuff that helped me keep the cycling site running, effectively making an IT website, done in a similar way (long, thorough, boring): https://io.bikegremlin.com/And, finally, just for fun, a personal blog, with stuff & nonsense, which I don't really expect anyone to read, but it feels good writing it https://blog.bikegremlin.com/
44
« on: 04 July 2020, 07:02:45 am »
I don’t bother repairing them any more and just carry a spare tube for the price of them.
is there any reason why I should not buy a £3.25 tube from asda, £
From my experience: Even the cheapest "Chinese" tubes do the job. However, Schwalbe tubes seem to hold air best of all - that is, require the least frequent topping up (pumping up). They also have good quality rubber, so even after 5, or 10 years, they are still OK and can be patched when punctured (Rema Tip-Top is by far the best for this). Expensive? Yes - around double the price of the Chinese, if not higher. But 3 tubes last around 10 years, or longer. I just put the spare one into the tyre, and patch the punctured one, delegating it to being a spare tube. A thing I really don't like is when a tube has rubber valve stem. It can get cut on the rim sometimes, and it's more difficult to hold in place when inflating a flat tyre (no steel nut that holds the valve from dropping through the valve hole).
45
« on: 03 May 2020, 12:37:26 pm »
Fuel filter stuck with dirt? Fuel hose pinched somewhere?
46
« on: 03 May 2020, 10:11:45 am »
To add, just in case: if the battery works OK, after many unsuccessful starts, carbs can get too much fuel. Starting it a few times (1 or so seconds on the ignition button) without any choke, or throttle, can help clear the extra fuel out (or water, whatever it is in this case ).
47
« on: 30 April 2020, 11:54:59 am »
After the current boxeye FZS600, of all the stuff available on the market, I'd only consider a 400 cc Fazer - if they were available locally.
Intend to run it for as long as it runs without some outrageously expensive repairs.
48
« on: 30 April 2020, 08:29:50 am »
When writing manuals, I often explicitly recommend how they should be used - similarly to what I listed here. After having read this post, I'm even more convinced that it is good to state the "manual for the manual" right at the start.
I've written rules for Board Games and one of the most important parts is what's called "Blind Play Testing", where you hand the game and rulebook to a bunch of people who've never seen it before and sit back and listen.
You make notes of them saying "Hang on, what does that mean?" or "How do you do this?" or "Can I do that...?" and check that they can find the answers in the rulebook.
If they can't, you need to rewrite the rules and/or add examples to make it clear.
IMO this should be the case for *all* manuals 
It makes sense. Though, I've had experience that some people ask about very simple instrucitons (like one A4 sheet of paper text, with clear, step by step instructios). So the question is - did you aim for 100% question free, or just aimed for some threshold (like 95% or similar)?
49
« on: 28 April 2020, 04:03:58 am »
So, planning on doing some work on my bike, I'm looking through the list of instructions in Haynes.
Ok, do that?
No problems.
Unscrew this?
Simple.
Move that out the way?
Easy.
Remove the rear shock?
Piece of ca...
Hang on?
What?!
You could have mentioned that at the start, instead of casually chucking it in at about stage 8 of the process...!!
When I'm learning something, or using a manual, it's easiest (for me at least) to do it like this: - read the table of contents (if it exists) - go over the entire material, from start to finish - then go "in more detail" - in case it's not all perfectly clear from the first go. If it is, this can be skipped. - if using an instructions manual, this is the stage when I would start doing it. Checking if I have all the needed tools, bits... When writing manuals, I often explicitly recommend how they should be used - similarly to what I listed here. After having read this post, I'm even more convinced that it is good to state the "manual for the manual" right at the start.
50
« on: 20 April 2020, 09:06:27 pm »
I think Kawasaki Versys is closer to the spiritual successor of the Fazer.
Maybe but it’s not a Yamaha.
Of course. But to me it seems "closer" to fazer than the MT Yamaha models. Neither of those is the Fazer, of course. One matches it by the make, the other by the "concept".
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