Date: 28-03-24  Time: 09:31 am

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Messages - Ben Diesel

Pages: [1] 2 3 4
1
General / Re: Silver Ball cafe.
« on: 09 October 2021, 07:33:44 pm »
Yeah, those were the days, Kev.

2
General / Re: Voulunteering as a Blood biker?
« on: 01 September 2020, 06:30:27 pm »
Bit of a ramble to follow - but stay with me if you can.

I volunteer as a Bloodrunner, I've been doing this since 2013. I do between 2 and 4 nights per month on call between 7pm and 6am, and a few daytime shouts at the weekends. The reason I do it is because thanks to the unselfish people who, back in 1984, donated blood for the benefit of others, one of my daughters survived severe illness in the early weeks of her life and is alive today. Her way of giving something back is by realising her own personal ambition to become a neo-natal paediatric nurse. Mine is to donate my own blood; and to give some of my time free of charge to the NHS Blood and Transplant Service by being a Bloodrunner.

In the region I cover, there are 120 volunteers. There's a long list of people waiting to get on board. We have a fleet of three vans and nine liveried bikes with racks fitted which any volunteer can borrow to use for duty. No blues and twos, but plenty of reflective stuff. Each bike is owned and insured by the charity, and its fuel and maintenance is paid for by the charity. In addition, we need to raise more than enough funds each year to replace two ageing bikes on the fleet with new FJR1300s - at a cost of about £30k.

Most volunteers however, use their own vehicles and bikes for duty; whereby we pay for our own fuel, insurance, tax, maintenance etc. All I needed to do was make my insurance company aware that I was a volunteer Bloodrunner. No additional insurance cost - in fact, the IAM qualification got me a premium discount at renewal this year. I have a rack which takes five minutes to fit, and to remove, from my own bike (FJR1300). There is no permanent alteration to the standard bike. 

The IAM or RoSPA advanced rider qualification is to become a mandatory requirement in our region, for reasons of risk mitigation. The charity's insurers have become more risk averse in this increasing 'litigation chasing' culture, so the liability cover and charity-owned vehicle insurance cover costs more.  Same principle applies if you want to organise a school fete or a fun run - it costs more to insure nowadays unless you mitigate the risks.

The charity announced in June 2019 that serving volunteer riders without the advanced qualification, would have until 31 December 2020 (18 months) to pass the test; after which date anyone without it would not be able to continue to ride as a volunteer. We were given the choice to either train and test, or cease Bloodrunning after 31/12. Everyone without the advanced already, has signed up to train and test.

The charity paid the first 12 month subscription for IAM associate membership and the test fee. So all it cost me, was two or three hours of my time per week for 20 weeks to benefit from one-to-one riding instruction, the fuel and tyre rubber I burnt (!) doing that, and a tenner a week in the volunteer observer's pocket to pay for his fuel. I passed my advanced test in December 2019 on a two hour examination ride in the pissing rain on a dark evening, under observation from a Police master. Again, a volunteer doing it in his own time. I learned more good stuff about riding in those 20 weeks than I had learned in the previous 20 years. It transformed my riding for the better.

During my covid furlough March to July this year, I volunteered to deliver prescription drugs to the homes of shielded cancer patients, and to deliver PPE from the regional logistics hub to hospitals, surgeries and care homes within a radius of up to 50 miles. I clocked up about 1600 miles while doing that -  I met some wonderful, fascinating, desperately ill and desperately lonely people, many of whom were gagging for someone - anyone - to chat to. Otherwise, I would have been sitting on my arse at home, watching daytime telly and picking my feet.

Bloodrunning - I love doing it, always have, and I will keep on doing it as long as I can. It is tremendously rewarding for me but I accept - different strokes for different folks. I'm due an advanced re-test in December 2021 and I am looking forward to doing some refresher training and passing it again. It will be at my expense next time, but I consider it a worthwhile investment.

I admit to being an old git. Personally, I'm averse to mixing with other old gits that ride motorcycles because largely, they get on my foccin' nerves, for the very same reasons that some of you have expressed above. So I choose to steer clear of them, it's not difficult to do. Passing the IAM or RoSPA advanced test does not commit you to any sort of social mixing with other members of those organisations.

3
For sale - K&N Air Filter YA1006 to fit FZ1-N or FZ1-S.

Used, but in good condition (it has a K&N million mile warranty after all). Comes complete with original box, airbox sticker, panel sticker, instructions.

Needs a clean and re-oiling. Either you can do that yourself or I can do it for you before dispatch (at extra cost) using K&N genuine cleaner and oil.
£20 as is or £25 cleaned and re-oiled, plus postage about £3 first class UK.

DM to me if you want to buy.

 

4
For Sale & Wanted / Re: FZ1 Spares Giveaway - Postage Cost Only
« on: 31 August 2020, 01:41:31 pm »
Bump for this giveaway ad - all parts as listed still available unless stated otherwise.

In addition, I have a used K&N air filter YA1006 to fit FZ1-N or FZ1-S - advertised separately for sale in another post.

5
For Sale & Wanted / FZ1 Spares Giveaway - Postage Cost Only
« on: 10 May 2020, 02:43:59 pm »
These are the remnants of the spares I have for my 2008 FZ1-S Fazer (disposed of in 2015). I'm happy to give these away if you will cover my reasonable costs for postage and packing. Post below or drop me a DM to let me know what you would like.  Photos and postage quotes on request. 

*** SOLD *** Front and rear wheel axle crash bung sets (undamaged); *** SOLD *** 
Front brake hoses and union (OEM) P/N 3C3-25872-00; 
Rear brake hose (OEM) P/N 2D1-25874-00; 
Gear shift lever (OEM scraped end but straight) P/N 2D1-18110-00; 
Starter gear engine cover - silver (OEM scraped but oil-tight) P/N 3C3-15411-00; 
Sidestand assembly and neutral switch (OEM) P/N 2D1-27311-00; 
Number plate light fitting (OEM no bulb) P/N 2D1-84745-00; 
Indicator lenses (OEM) 3x FL/RR P/N 5PW-8333A-00 (two new, one used and cracked); 2x FR/RL P/N 5PW-8334A-00 (both used); 
Indicator stay piece (OEM) 4x new in bags P/N 5PW-83318-00.

6
General / Re: Here's a odd story emerging
« on: 29 May 2016, 12:51:23 pm »
MOT Mileage history:

19/10/2005 98,684 pass
18/10/2006 6,020 fail brake light, advisory front pads; then pass
23/10/2007 12,294 fail brake light, advisory front pads; then pass
15/10/2008 14,332 pass
21/10/2009 20,302 fail brake light, loose front indicator, loose drive chain; then pass
28/10/2010 23,046 fail rear wheel bearings, front brake binding; then pass
09/05/2012 23,358 pass
16/10/2013 23,783 pass
Then SORNed
27/05/2016 23,807 pass

7
General / Re: After 16 happy years I am no longer a Fazer owner
« on: 29 May 2016, 11:20:40 am »
I've already got. VFR and FJR.

The Fazer had to go to make space.

8
General / Re: what did you do with your fazer today ?
« on: 28 May 2016, 04:47:33 pm »
I sold it

9
General / After 16 happy years I am no longer a Fazer owner
« on: 28 May 2016, 04:46:16 pm »
I sold my FZ1-S today so for the first time in 16 years, I do not have a Fazer in my garage.

I have owned three from new.

2000 FZS-600S 'facelift' boxeye model - one with the red black silver and white 'sport' paintwork. Carried me for 22,500 miles.

2002 FZS-600 foxeye model - silver blue 52,500 miles.

2008 FZ1-S lava red 66,623 miles.

Cracking bikes all of them. The places I've been, the things I've seen, the people I've met...   

10
Well, it took a while but she sold to the first person to see it and ride it.

Very sad to see her go; but now I have the garage space I craved.

11
Fazer 1000/FZ1 corner / Re: ignition key
« on: 28 May 2016, 09:13:33 am »
Check to see whether your key is bent or twisted, they can be (carefully) straightened in a vice, I've had to do this a few times. The stock ones supplied by Yamaha are quite pliable compared to those you can get cut at Timpsons or wherever. Also, if your key has a transponder fitted for the immobiliser, a Timpson's cut key will not start the bike unless the transponder is close by, such as on the same key ring.

12
For Sale & Wanted / Re: Givi top box arms
« on: 03 April 2016, 12:27:36 pm »
To fit what model bike?

13
It's a cracking bike. I'm trying so hard not to take it out for a blast because I know I will want to keep it - but I can't. I mustn't. I need the space.

14
It's got to go, I've bought its replacement already and I need more space in my garage.

Price guide £2,495 but I will now accept less to shift it quickly. Advertised elsewhere.

15
Fazer 1000/FZ1 corner / Re: Fz1 pannier bags
« on: 31 January 2016, 05:08:22 pm »
I've used a pair of Oxford Sports panniers on my FZ1-S. The 'bridging' straps across the top - Velcro - go underneath the pillion seat. Then it's just a case of manoeuvring the other straps underneath the tail unit and fastening them together. Recommend you put one of those non-slip luggage mats between the panniers and the paintwork, though. 

16
Fazer 1000/FZ1 corner / Re: Faulty Ignition Switch
« on: 07 January 2016, 03:04:58 pm »
Had the same problem with mine on about 66k miles; but someone wiser than me suggested that because the key becomes slightly twisted through use over time, I should first try straightening the key by flattening it under pressure between the jaws of a vice. It worked for me - might be worth a try before you go through the expense and hassle of a lock change. 

17
For Sale & Wanted / Re: gen2 side stand wanted
« on: 07 January 2016, 02:52:34 pm »
guys, i am returning my gen2 to standard and need a standard side stand. 


the guy i bought it from had lowered the rear and dropped the forks, he also had the side stand shortened.


anyone have one spare, happy to pay


or anyone lowering their bike, we could do a swap

PM sent

18
General / Re: Re fitting FZS600 swingarm information required
« on: 15 November 2015, 10:42:21 am »
Downloads section. Link to workshop manual - pages 7-62 to 7-68 should help.

http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?action=downloads;sa=view;down=32

19
General / Re: Sena new smart noise cancelling the best helmet ever?
« on: 15 November 2015, 10:30:20 am »
Just a hint, but if you're considering any Sena kit, before you commit your cash just make sure that replacement rechargeable batteries are available for it (unlike the less than 3 years old Sena Bluetooth intercom system - for which I am scouring the Earth for a replacement battery instead of Sena's own suggested solution, which is: "It's not serviceable - buy a replacement unit" at £179).

Presumably, I will need to do the same when the batteries pack up in the other units bought at the same time.

20
For Sale & Wanted / Re: For Sale - FZ1-S Fazer 2008 - £2,495 ono.
« on: 01 November 2015, 04:25:14 pm »
Blatant bump. Still for sale.

21
For Sale & Wanted / Re: For Sale - FZ1-S Fazer 2008 - £2,495 ono.
« on: 18 October 2015, 02:24:21 pm »
Tyres history.

22
For Sale & Wanted / Re: For Sale - FZ1-S Fazer 2008 - £2,495 ono.
« on: 18 October 2015, 02:22:53 pm »
Service history.

23
For Sale & Wanted / Re: For Sale - FZ1-S Fazer 2008 - £2,495 ono.
« on: 18 October 2015, 02:21:39 pm »
MOTs and Annual Checks histories.

24
For Sale & Wanted / Re: For Sale - FZ1-S Fazer 2008 - £2,495 ono.
« on: 18 October 2015, 02:18:06 pm »
More photos.

25
For Sale & Wanted / Re: For Sale - FZ1-S Fazer 2008 - £2,495 ono.
« on: 18 October 2015, 02:16:31 pm »
More photos.

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