Yep, it's not going to be a 10 minute job.
Battery out... slide the airbox back and then you've room to wriggle the carbs out of the inlet rubbers.
Not sure whether there's enough clearance to get sufficient access to undo the screws and replace the outer rubbers without disconnecting the carbs completely. If you're doing all four you'll certainly need to get the carbs right out. All fairly straightforward, don't forget the carbs are connected to the coolant circuit.

... clips for the wing mirrors so it doesn't blow off!!

No, that's the handy auto-pilot facility. Compensates for sidewinds by turning the bars for you.
Just don't make the mistake of exceeding 6mph... it all goes horribly wrong once you're into the realms of counter-steering.

If there is room for a ramp at the side, fair enough.
Wouldn't recommend losing either handrail though, wobbly old folks need lots of things to hold.
Riding the bike up and down sounds like it would be a lot safer than walking beside it whilst balancing throttle and clutch.


Or, if the bike will fit down that existing gap, you could just get a steel ramp and put it in position every time you go in or out (remembering to go back and stow it out of the neighbour's way each time).

Something by way of a custom title for photo comp winners would be nice... but perhaps just one, no matter how many times a member has one otherwise those who win most will end up with titles that take an age to scroll past.
Even better would be a hall of fame in the Media folder with all the winning photos.

Autopsy pics are fascinating.


What do you reckon started all that destruction then?

Welcome!
A fine choice of bike (though we're all biased that way on here)... and a very tidy example you found too.

My FZS600 exhibits a similar effect. I suspect it is caused by the carb slides sticking: snapping open the throttle tends to pin the slide against the slot, if it's opened progressively the slide can rise normally.
I haven't tried experimenting with dry lubricants to see if that might help... suspect even if it does it probably wouldn't last long. Which would leave new(er) carbs as the solution.

Interesting to hear they don't make much difference... though not a surprise, they'd probably need to be a foot taller to get the airflow over helmet level. And I prefer the look of the original screen.

In the words of Monty Burns, "Excellent!".
What a decent company.
I'd buy another bike from them... if they hadn't made such a damn fine one that I don't want to change.

Can I ask how come Gringo has flashy things and no one else? Can I have a flashy thing? I like it!

I've just tried adding the photographer smiley to the "personal text" in my profile and it stays as text, so I guess only an admin can do it... Betarev needs some too!

Deenybean: With the caliper off, pump the lever until all 4 cylinders are as full as you dare get them (checking the level in the master cylinder as you're doing this, no point in pumping more air in!). If you don't have any fancy tools to limit the movement of the pistons, offcuts of wood or even a pair of old brake pads will act as suitable spacers.
Now tap the caliper gently to try to dislodge any stubborn little bubbles of air up towards the bleed nipple, loosen the nipple until you get no more air out then tighten it back up.
The next stage involves pushing the pistons back in, a couple of small G-clamps helps here, and the idea is to force the fluid back up the brake lines carrying any bubbles that have got stuck in the lines up to the reservoir. Have the top of the reservoir on loosely while you're doing this, a brisk flow is what you're aiming for and you don't want it squirting over the paintwork. If it's a bike with twin discs,  turn the steering to the left to avoid getting air trapped in the assembly that splits the brake lines.
Mind the reservoir doesn't overflow as you shove the pistons back, let some more out of the bleed nipple if it's getting close to the top.
You might need to repeat the process for both sides, but it eventually gets the brakes good and firm.

Loving the leaves!

Thank you!
It was an attempt (years ago, before I had a digital camera) to make a desktop background... but it turned out to be excellent camouflage for icons to hide against. 

Autumn leaves:

Hope this counts as a photo... in fact I didn't use a camera, just dumped them on the scanner.




Bonfire night:



This is at Brockham in Surrey. Used to live nearby and keep going back for bonfire night because they do one of the best fireworks displays in the country (£50,000 worth this year) and probably the largest, loudest (and most neatly built) bonfire too. It raises a ton of money for local charities as well as funding next year's event.