Just ordered a set of Bahco ratcheting spanners. Not seen these before, but maybe I need to get out a bit more . Each spanner head is a double ended socket and covers 2 metric sizes, so the set of 3 spanners in a pouch covers 12 sizes(8mm to 19mm going from memory). Ideal for carrying on the bike. £29.95

Have been keeping an eye on the weather for the northern section of Scotland, above Inverness, for the last week, and it's quite good, or dry at least. After a rushed couple of days getting stuff together, I set off this morning at 4am, taking an hour to get to the A1, catching almost every red traffic light. Good job I put the liner back in my jacket, shame I hadn't included my heated glove wiring, as it was quite cold.
It soon became apparent that most of the roadside caffs that I used to use, are now gone, so it's Costa,KFC,Burger King etc, or nothing. With just under 170 miles on the trip I had to settle for a toasted sandwich and coffee, surrounded by a coachload of screaming kids.
With me and the bike fuelled up, the day took on a rosier glow, and was soon past Scotch Corner preparing to take the A68 via Jedburgh to Edinburgh. What a hoot this road turned out to be. It was a 40 odd mile long roller coaster. Petrol became an issue, and although there's a "last English caff", there's not a "last English petrol station". I rolled into the Jedburgh Shell station with 193.8 on the trip. Gassed up, I headed for South Queensgate to get some pics of the bridges, then on to Stirling to pick up the A811 which took me to the southern end of Loch Lomond and my campsite for the night. No pub unfortunately, or rather, can't be arsed with the long walk to the village pub. Will no doubt sleep well tonight without the aid of a few beers. Found the campsite first time, well almost, as blasted past the access road due to poor signage . Got checked in and the tent up by around 3.30pm, with 477 miles on the trip. I've earned a pint and can't get one.

Brand new universal tail tidy. Takes various sized numberplates and allows for indicator adjustment. Change of plan, so not required.
£15 posted

This fault first occurred last November. Performing an overtake the bike felt like it had hit the limiter, but with only 6000rpm on the clock. A tad disconcerting to say the least. My first thought was a blocked tank breather, but popping the filler cap didn't solve the problem. I searched through the forum posts and only came across one with very similar/same symptoms. Sadly that bike didn't get fixed over a 6 month period, and the owner gave up on Fazer ownership. I did the relevant TPS checks which proved ok. Although the Pipercross air filter was only 2 years old I replaced it with a new one, a spare is always handy. On riding the bike, the fault was gone.
Wind the clock forward to last Sunday on a breakfast run, full tank of my usual 97 octane, about 30 miles into the ride the bikes pulling like a train. Accelerating out of a roundabout onto a dual carriageway.......the faults back, 6000rpm the involuntary limiter is hit, change up runs fine to 6k then same again. Pull into first layby, pop the tank cap, no rush of air. The fault persists all the way home, even after an hours stop. Change the fuel filter and check that nothings been sucked into the air filter. A quick whizz up the road, bike runs ok, Today did just over 150  miles of mixed riding, with plenty at high revs, bike ran perfectly. I'm not convinced the fuel filter was the culprit as cutting the old one in half revealed nothing untoward.
When the fault manifests itself it happens bang on 6000rpm in any gear, but revs as it should with the clutch in or in neutral. I was told the ability to rev freely in neutral proves the TPS is ok, but don't know if this is true. Obviously no rev counter fault codes are displayed. Naturally a degree of lack of confidence in overtake situations now exists. The one thing that I will try if/when there's a next time, is to not touch the bike, just ride it the following day to see if the fault persists which might prove if it's possibly heat related. Thinking caps on people, answers on a postcard to......  .Thanks in anticipation of some suggestions.

In the next week or so I'll need to replace the exhaust studs on my Triumph. The nuts will be a nightmare to get off, having been in place for over 20 years. The stud threads are corroded so figured on changing them all, whilst the exhaust is being repaired. A Beta 8mm roller stud extractor has caught my eye. Does anyone have any experience of this type of tool or any success stories with any alternative. Thanks in advance.

Just got the control rendezvous details today. Any foccers going, or just me, again .

As from December 31st, there will be a minimum kerb weight and increase in power for bikes used to gain a full category A motorcycle license. The weight minimum will be 180 kilos and the power output raised from 40 to 50kw (67.1 bhp).
This will rule out the eligibility of a lot of bikes currently used by riding schools.

Tickets on sale now, usually sell out by early November. Might even be dry next year

Anyone going?.

Spent the day packing the car up for a long weekend at Brands. Should be hot on and off the track. Good tribute bands on Saturday night to Led Zep, The Who and Madness. Got the gas powered coolbox fired up now on max with 36 cans on the go. Can't wait.

All Germans seem to rigidly adhere to 30 50 70 and 90kph limits. Is the whole country wired for radar.I know the UK gives euro countries speeding drivers details, just wondering how much mail is going to drop on the mat.

Came across an ad on another forum. A one owner blue 2001 box eye, 7794 miles, on ebay ref no. 132559611445.

I want to get some extra brackets welded to one of my bikes (FZS1000) givi rack arms. However looking at the oval profile I'm wondering if they are cast . Anyone know for sure what they're made of.