Thanks for the info Tommy, it looks like I've got some decisions to make. My main problem is the harsh feeling when I'm riding along bumpy roads. Backing off the preload helps the harshness but leaves the forks a bit squidgy. I'm looking for a comfortable controlled ride, rather than track day handling. I'm trying to decide whether to go for emulators and linear springs or progressives and 15W oil. At 85 quid, Hagon progressive springs are obviously the cheaper option but is it money down the drain? Maybe try them first and see how they are and if I'm not happy I flog 'em for whatever I can get for them and go down the emulator route. Then to sort out the back end but I feel the front is worse than the back at the moment. Any opinions would be gratefully received.

Hmmm.... I think it's lost something aesthetically, i.e. It looks foccin' awful    and as you're hurtling along at full racing snake speed, the noise is still going out behind you Not to mention what it's doing to your back pressures, added to the 180° bend in the pipe you may end up with running issues.

It don't think it matters how loud it is, they won't hear it if you're behind them or travelling towards them cos the noise comes out the back of the bike. Besides which they're likely to have their windows closed and the radio on. Dozy pedestrians may do but nowadays most of them have earphones in. I have  to admit it kind of amuses me the way motorcyclist talk about car drivers as a the enemy when 95% of us are also car drivers. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of bad drivers about but there are also plenty of idiot motorcyclists and most motorcycle accidents outside of built up areas involve no other vehicles.

That's quite a skill he's learned there. 

 Sorry Fazerider you're probably right, just reading on various forums, it seems the headers reach about 700°F. I'll check when I get my new toy

 It's not hot, It's a ....It's COOL

All horses back safe and sound 


Oh, and this 

Now that's a bet I'm happy to lose

My bet is at least one horse dies.

 I went out for a ride today and on the way home the speedo needle started waving around randomly, only slightly to begin with but by the time I got back it was thrashing about all over the place. When I checked it, the cable had been rubbing on the disc and had worn through to expose a tiny patch of wire that was shorting out on the disc, so I've rerouted it and I'm going to have to sort it properly tomorrow. I'll wrap some insulating tape round it for the time being but has anyone got any ideas for a more permanent repair without replacing the cable?

 Yeah cheers for that Jules.

 Agree with Darrsi, safer all round for the pillion to use the grab rail than to hang on to the rider. my OH prefers the grab rail behind her than the side mounted ones cos she can brace herself against acceleration and deceleration, we don't do top boxes, we use an oxford tail pack on the rear carrier which she doesn't lean on.

 Just out of interest, does anyone know what sort of maximum surface temperature the head and barrels reach on our engines?

The seagulls maybe because he lives near a landfill site, could explain where he found the bike.