Date: 28-03-24  Time: 13:11 pm

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Messages - mickvp

Pages: 1 ... 85 86 [87]
2151
Fazer 1000/FZ1 corner / Re: 20 year's, bang! Very lucky
« on: 06 June 2013, 11:42:09 am »
I had a really bad time after an off at 50mph about ten years ago, which made me get a car license at the time...worst thing I ever did, even when I started back on the bikes last year, I was shaky on them for the first few weeks, but the feeling past and now back as confident a rider as ever, but all the more aware and cautious because of my accident. Even though it was not my fault (someone pulled out a junction on me) I think its made me a better rider for it.

Although your smarting now, maybe its better to get back on the horse as soon as you are fit enough and build the confidence back up again? It would be an awful shame to give up something you enjoy because of a silly accident that wasn't your fault.

2152
General / Re: Photography competition - June
« on: 06 June 2013, 11:18:00 am »
Ill chuck my name in the hat for this, here's my border collie x Rottweiler named Bear:

 








2153
I thought it was 30% max tint, anything over illegal? Also, isn't it still illegal to sell dark tint visors, that's what most bike shops seem to think?

That's what I thought as well, I thought it was the same as front car windows in that 70% of light must pass through them to be legal. I know this I certainly the case for cars, but have just assumed the same laws applied to motorcycles as well?

2154
General / Re: get a good shine
« on: 05 June 2013, 10:18:41 pm »
possibly. There are certain products like Wolfs Body wrap, Gtechniq C1, Carpro CQuartz UK that are Quartz type coatings, durability on some of these can be upto (and over if low milage) a year!, they also leave a physical coating behind too. with these new nano-coatings, care must be taken, or the product will need to be polished off before paintwork to help with colour matching etc.

Also, and you probably know this, After a paint job, you need to be careful for a few weeks with any products containing silicone, like those spray silicones above, as it can react badly with fresh paint before its had ample chance to "gas off".

In response to the earlier question about coating Visors/Helmets earlier from someone, I re-did my Helmet tonight with Carpro HydrO2 (and did my visor with my usual Gtechniq G5), heres a quick video of its sheeting abilities, as you can imagine, sheeting rain off at speed is not an issue much:

I tried to do a side-by-side on a spare visor too, but didnt protect the inside and so the video didnt show up very well (schoolboy error!).


www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iclN83z0sE


2155
General / Re: get a good shine
« on: 05 June 2013, 05:30:39 pm »
yes. Mr sheene is remarkably similar to many sealants on the market today...its actually a pretty good product. Tesco also sell a product which is called "Daisy", which is a good all purpose cleaner that can be used for just about everything, and that's only £1. there's loads of household products you can get from the supermarkets that can produce pretty good results.

another good product from Tesco is called "bar keepers friend", which works great on exhausts and stainless steel  :D .

2156
General / Re: get a good shine
« on: 04 June 2013, 08:53:39 pm »
yeah, really wouldnt want to be getting that on my grips or seat. slippery city that stuff.

a modern silicone oxide sealant (SiO2) give the shine of a high silicone substance without the slipperiness. Admittedly though, application is far more fussy than a spray can like that ^^^ which is easy on/off. depends how long you can be bothered cleaning for really. sometimes quicker is better so you can get a reasonable look and get out and do a bit more riding

The only example Ive got of a modern coating Ive applied recently is on a car (sorry about that), but if you polish the paint properly before application (the key to good paint depth is in the preparation), you can achieve fairly good results:



2157
General / Re: Cleaning light coloured wheels
« on: 04 June 2013, 08:48:10 pm »
maybe you might want to look into sealing your wheels as well with a high durability hybrid sealant like fk1000p. the dirt will wash off with normal shampoo for a few months afterwards until you re-apply.

for degreasing things like chains etc I can recommend Bilt Hamber Surfex HD degreaser. great trade product which is diluteable for various applications.

2158
General / Re: get a good shine
« on: 04 June 2013, 09:10:25 am »
Yes, I've tried it. Works OK, however, with hydro2 needing to be applied wet its not the easiest to apply without wetting the inside of the helmet.

Another alternative for this is a product called gtechniq g5, which is a very similar product, although classed as a glass sealant (its actually more durable than hydro2 and slightly more hydrophobic), its applied dry via an applicator pad (like a makeup pad :o) then buffed off, safe to use on the helmet and durable for 3-4 months.

Gtechniq g1 is another "glass sealant" which is durable for around a year, but not safe for visors as far as I'm aware.

2159
General / Re: Red Alert Anchor/ Mammoth Chain fitting & review
« on: 03 June 2013, 05:29:53 pm »
jesus! some impressive bits of kit those...some prices though.

I dont see why you would quadruple temper anything though, but other than that the specs of the chain seems mighty impressive. I assume you cant get croppers round a 16mm chain then?

2160
General / Re: Red Alert Anchor/ Mammoth Chain fitting & review
« on: 03 June 2013, 04:19:49 pm »
Well, this is true! Shouldn't come to that with the new chain and anchor hopefully (as well as a good bright security light...always helps.)

2161
General / Re: Red Alert Anchor/ Mammoth Chain fitting & review
« on: 03 June 2013, 03:52:50 pm »
stolen to order.......a vl125 !!!.......no offence mick.be great for the fazer when you get it  :D

None taken buddy, my vl125 is a dreadful bike.. needs must though sadly until I pass my "big" test. Nothing as depressing as stepping off my learner fzs600 and having to ride my vl home :lol

Even worse, some lout has put a straight through exhaust on it (a highway hawk one?) And I can't source an original one for it that's not Mega money :wall:

2162
General / Re: Red Alert Anchor/ Mammoth Chain fitting & review
« on: 03 June 2013, 01:49:49 pm »
It doesn't need to pay for itself in my eyes, a discount is nice, but its still a good visual deterrent and more secure regardless, and still more than worthwhile when you live in a rougher area.

Agreed, wall could do with being re-pointed, its not mine though :)

2163
Your Suggestions and How you can help / Re: Sent by tapatalk
« on: 03 June 2013, 10:36:36 am »
:lol

You been spying on me? ;)

Can't get tapatalk 2, my phone is too old and diseased for it.

2164
Your Suggestions and How you can help / Re: Sent by tapatalk
« on: 03 June 2013, 10:00:52 am »
For us paupers who are still on tapatalk one (my android device's firmware doesn't support tapatalk 2), there is no option on a post-by-post basis, although it is turned on by default.

As I say, a small thing, just thought I would fling it out there :)

2165
FZS600 Fazer / Re: connecting running lights to sidelight ?
« on: 03 June 2013, 09:51:57 am »
Well, I stand corrected :lol

Looks like its out with the side cutters and soldering iron then :)

2166
General / Re: Red Alert Anchor/ Mammoth Chain fitting & review
« on: 03 June 2013, 07:49:30 am »
Looks a good bit of kit - what did it cost and where from?

Ha, sorry, fixed link in post, was £85 from elite security supplies :)

2167
General / Red Alert Anchor/ Mammoth Chain fitting & review
« on: 03 June 2013, 02:10:28 am »
Well, Seen as its such a hassle getting my bike round the back and into the garage (glorified shed :lol), Ive been leaving it round the front more and more, and so it sort of "lives" here now. I had on my insurance that it was parked on the drive anyway, but still getting nervous about one of the local scrotes either wheeling it away for a joyride or somebody nicking it properly (not that anybody would want my glorified Hoover, but hey, I need to start somewhere).

The hunt began for some decent security, and I wanted something that was thatcham/insurance approved so I can try and get a couple of quid off me insurance too (tight Scotsman in me there ;)). I eventually settled on a Thatcham Approved/Sold Secure "gold" approved Ground Anchor/Chain package from Elite Security Supplies. Ordered it  wednesday night, and It came on Friday.

Off I set to fit it, I decided to fit it to the (neighbours :lol) Wall, in the corner where i like to slot the bike out the way, I have loaned out my "good" drill, so had to fit it with a Black and Decker number that must be 30 years old!:



I pre drilled some 12mm Holes in the correct spacing, and then opened them out to the required M16 holes with a bigger masonry drill bit (always better to drill big holes in stages rather than try to do it all at once with the big drill bit I find).

This kit came with all the steel bolts and fixings, all you do is insert the steel "rawlplug" into the wall, and then screw the bolts in with an allenkey. Once you have the bolts tightened up to the required tension, the kit has some hardened ball bearings which you hammer into the head of the screw to stop would-be theives drilling out the fixings.

This is easier said than done when you are trying to hammer them into an anchor on the wall, as they keep falling out. a bit of blu-tac to hold them in place and a good rap with a hammer all round, and jobs a goodun:



then the chain fed through, that should at least help deter the thieves (and will certainly stop the little local scrotes):



I then phoned my insurer Carole Nash up to ask if this "thatcham" approved gear entitled me to a discount (thinking safer security=less risk=cheaper insurance?) I was told that I wasnt entitled to any discount as my insurance was "pretty cheap" already :(

I then informed the fella I had been shopping around (a white lie, shall we say?), and found that other insurers would be willing to offer a reduced premium based on this security improvement, of course I was promptly put on hold, and then endured the usual amount of "speaking to a manager". Low and behold, a £20 reduction in my insurance :) (Im just over £200 FC, so £20 is a good amount). So that makes the price of this upgrade very reasonable IMO :thumb:


So, aye, theres my useless story for the day, figured I would post some pics in case anyone is considering an anchor, nice bits of kit these red alert ones, really solid . :lol

2168
Your Suggestions and How you can help / Sent by tapatalk
« on: 03 June 2013, 12:02:13 am »
Hi, just a quick suggestion this as it irks me personally, and thought perhaps I'm not the only one.

I've been visiting the forum regularly and "lurking", but only recently signed up. As a lot of members have signatures, its annoying to see this tapatalk one as well.

I understand this "sent by xxx via tapatalk" is enabled by default when you purchase the app, but I personally don't want to advertise an app I paid for, nor do I think anyone cares what phone I have.

This can be globally disabled in the forum administrators page of tapatalk, to save each member doing it, could it at least be put to a vote to remove it?

I know its a small petty thing, but it does get annoying seeing it so frequently.

As I say, I may be alone, if so, ill shut up :-\

Cheers,

Mick

2169
Events, Meets, Ride outs etc / Re: Liverpool to John o groats 2013
« on: 02 June 2013, 08:54:07 pm »
well theres loads of roads around Loch lomond that make for a nice ride, depends how much a detaour you want to take really? about 3-4 miles past balloch there is a place called luss that is right off the A82 (it is a crescent shaped road, so if you follow it through it leads back onto the A82 at the top end). its only 3-4 miles of road, but it is the "old" Great western road and is much more twisty single carriageway rather than dual carriageway. also some nice views on this road.

Top tip as well if your not familiar with the area. fill up with fuel at Milton, in Dumbarton on the A82, its the last petrol station right on the A82 for miles and miles if your going north  ;)

Have fun, and cant wait to see the pics...

2170
Your Suggestions and How you can help / Re: T shirts
« on: 02 June 2013, 01:54:03 am »
EDIT, mistake, admins please delete sorry.

2171
FZS600 Fazer / Re: DOT4 or DOT5
« on: 02 June 2013, 12:25:30 am »
unless you have flushed out ALL the old brake fluid, I wouldnt put DOT5 brake fluid in...

DOT5 brake fluid is silicone based, as opposed to DOT4 being Glycol based: the two are not interchangeable/cannot mix.

Also, DOT5 is not rated for any kind of Track use due to its lower boiling point (in comparison with DOT4), so if you plan on doing a lot of heavy braking or track work, I would stick with DOT4  :lol

Unless of course you mean DOT5.1, which is a different beast entirely and probably is a worthwhile upgrade (DOT 5.1 is also glycol based, and so can mix somewhat with DOT4 just to add to the DOT4/5 confusion!)

You can find a pretty good explanation of the various DOT brake fluids from Opie Oils here

HTH

Mick

2172
FZS600 Fazer / Re: connecting running lights to sidelight ?
« on: 01 June 2013, 10:39:28 pm »
Im not sure on the specific wiring, but wouldnt a Scotchlok connector be more suitable for this?

http://www.3mdirect.co.uk/p-1499-scotchlok-560-b-idc-connector-100-pk.aspx

Saves cutting any wiring at least :)

2173
General / Re: get a good shine
« on: 01 June 2013, 07:53:13 pm »
If you really want a good shine, and are considering going down the polish/wax route, (one of) the best hand polishes you will get is Autoglym Super Resin polish.

Its an AIO (all in one) type product, which has fine abrasives to help removes swirls, it also has a filling agent to fill some swirls (this washes back off over time) and has a slight protection aspect to it as well, hence the AIO. its only durable for a few weeks to a month on its own, so to go over top you may want to consider a last stage protection product like a wax or a sealant.

Wax is Ok, and performs well, but due to the "sticky" nature of most waxes it has a tendancy to attract more dust in my experience, and so a modern sealant is generally a better proposition for a bike.

If you want something quick, and easy to apply with reasonable durability you will struggle to find a modern product to beat Carpro HydrO2. you just wash the bike as normal, and spray this stuff on with the bike still wet, then rinse it off and it adds a layer of extremely hydrophobic protection which will sheet water like crazy. and if the water doesnt stick and settle, it helps to stop dirt from sticking as well.

There are a few other products out there which are pretty good for bikes. For general cleaning between washes something like Autosmart G101, or any other All purpose cleaner works well for me on extremely dirty parts. and in the normal wash bucket I usually stick something like Valet
Pro poseidons carnauba wash, which has wax additives which helps maintain some protection on the paintwork too, whilst not being as sticky as a hard/paste wax due to it being liquid based and diluted in the wash bucket.

oh, and to answer your original question, I believe the product you are referring to is Autoglym Aqua Wax/Express wax (express wax is the trade name, but its called auto wax in the retail range). you dont dilute it with water though, you simply decant it into a spray bottle and spray it onto the bike wet, it works as a rinse aid with wax content to add a bit of shine, much in the same fashion as poseidon carnauba wash I mentioned earlier.


...sorry, Ive rather rambled on there.. cleaning is kinda my "thing"  :o :lol

2174
Introduction / Re: Newbie From Glasgow
« on: 01 June 2013, 04:35:02 pm »
Thanks for the warm welcome. And yes, I own another forum, and will of course be giving the sear button some abuse over the coming days, there is certainly a wealth of information on here, that's for sure!

Yeah, ive been practicing for an hour every day if possible, got some cones and I lay them out roughly for each particular maneuver. Its just a shame I need to practice on my vl125 which is chalk and cheese to the fazer, but the principle is the same.


2175
Introduction / Newbie From Glasgow
« on: 01 June 2013, 03:49:30 pm »
Hi guys :)

Just signed up to the site, I'm still currently taking lessons (mod 1 of my test is booked!). I'm pretty much settled on an FZS600 when I've passed my test (my instructor has two different Fazers that I've been learning on, one is really nice to ride, really smooth. The other is much more rattly and vibey, think it needs a good service).

So yeah, thought I would sign up here and have a look around see if I can pickup any tips or common faults with the bikes for when I eventually get to buy one.

Thanks for reading, hope I can talk to some more of you soon :)

Cheers

Mick.

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