Took the bike for a solo bimble last weekend and just didn't feel 'happy' with her couldn't say what it was - but just wasn't right.
Well it's true to say that she has been negleted of late what with work and me laddos new bike taking up my spare time. Anyways yesterday I decided to give her the attention she deserved - so job one was the carb as I have had a few sticky throttle issues of late and she's not pulling as well as she used to and it felt like a fuel issue. So carb off, good clean and I dropped the clip on the needle back down a couple of notches. Back together fire up and a quick blat up the road, now pulls a lot harder and has that 'snap' back that she had lost, also sounds 'crisper' as well.
Next a quick check round the 'cycle parts' revealed a bit of a knock from the back wheel so new bearings req, round to the front and the same serves me right as haven't done them in 18 months or more and I kept meaning to get them done.
An hour later everthing was stripped out and cleaned up so it was off to see Richard at Albions - made the mistake of taking the lad who has been taking lessons from his mum and managed to sneak a few bits onto the counter and into my bill along with the bearings
Back home and had a really nice Jambalya for my tea, prawns, pepperoni, scallops.....yum.........anyways tea done and fully fuelled up a pleasant evening in the garage was had fitting the new bearings front and back with no dramas, swearing, throwing of tools, kicking of cats or - and this is a 1st in 46 years.....no blood, or trip to Honiton A&E for repairs to self (last time was to have wedding ring cut off after a tyre change 'incident').
Anyway I was so chuffed at having a incident and accident free maintainance session I thought I'd share it with you all
Had a lovely solo ride this morning down to see Martyn, the bike is running a treat now and pulling much better. 192-143 looked much different today now all the woodland on the LH side (riding south) has been felled - no longer a dark tunnel!
Seemed to be a day for directing folks met some nice ladeeeees on some very well behaved horses on 143 who had ridden over from Woodbury and were a bit lost. I spent a while chatting to them and explaining a nice loop back for them (bet they were far more lost after that chat ). Later on I was giving directions to a couple with some dawgs up near the viewpoint who were trying to find a 'round' route back to Otterton.
So lots of frendly folks out today - a smile and a wave from all and not a single scowl I do think the sight of a lone bike is a less 'intimidating' propect though and being alone with no 'adgenda' means you have the time to 'engage' with other lane users. I used to ride alone a lot and haven't done so for a while but ahve enjoyed my last 2 weekends solo trips very much......
couldn't say what it was - but just wasn't right.
serves me right as haven't done them in 18 months or more and I kept meaning to get them done.
.....anyways tea done and fully fuelled up a pleasant evening in the garage was had fitting the new bearings front and back with no dramas, swearing, throwing of tools, kicking of cats or - and this is a 1st in 46 years.....no blood, or trip to Honiton A&E for repairs to self (last time was to have wedding ring cut off after a tyre change 'incident').
). Later on I was giving directions to a couple with some dawgs up near the viewpoint who were trying to find a 'round' route back to Otterton.