Talyn's Diary

[London_Phil]

Home again after just short of 1400 miles. Talyn J performed far better than I did, I suspect Talyn J would be ready to go again having checked chsin, tyres and pil. Me, nor so good. Spent the last 2 days recovering, mostly from the Sunset to Sunrise, 258 mile ride home.

I did the all-nighter after our Ireland Trip. After a long day riding anyway it was a long, and cold ride down the M4..

[Lee337]

It was a cold day in North Lincolnshire with teh weather station telling me it was 4.5^oC. 08:45 in the morning and I find myself putting on my bike kit for the ride to the MOT station a mere 5 miles south.

Firstly, I found out I'd put on a bit of weight over the prtevious months and my Alpinestars Andes pants didn't fit quite as well as they used to - breathe in and they jusyt about did up.

Next up, heading down the road, directly into a low morning sun was challenging to say the least. Talyn J felt a little wobbly which I put down to me, not Talyn J. I'd checked her over on Friday to ensure all was well & she was ready for her annual (official) inspection and it was with baited breath I rolled her into the test centre.

25 minutes later I ride out again on the loooooooong trip back home via a local coffee shop.

Turned out nice again if still a little cold.

And yes, she did pass.   

[London_Phil]

Heated clothes are a gamechanger..After a trip in Feb a few years to meet with the guys, I layered up and went out like a Michelin man, swaeting heavily.. but was very cold when I arrived a few hours later.. On the way home my core temp had fallen, and I was shivering. I realised as I approached the last few miles that I was making stupid mistakes riding due to concentration lapses.  I treated myself to a heated vest, and it really is amazing, as even when not so cold, less layers are needed, and its very much more comfy. Once you have lost your heat, it is very difficult to generate it again, so once lost it just gets worse.
Genuinly impressed at the difference it has made.

[Lee337]

I have heated gloves , a heated seat pad for when it gets really cold, but to be fair, the last time I was out in near zero temperatures  I found the liners in my kit enough to keep me warm.

That was last year on a blood run - it's what prompted me to buy heated gloves. Heated grips are ok, but don't keep fingers warm.

Having said that, a heated vest of some kind is on my list for the January sales.

[ghulst]

I only have heated, but wired, gloves. And a set of heated insoles for my boots. And that is it. I have run a bike at -2C without them, but that was very uncomfortable. I would like to upgrade at some point, but when I am honest, I hardly ever ride in worse weather these days. When it is raining or cold, it is just too easy to grab one of the cars. :)

[Lee337]

Supposed to be taking the bike down to Mrs L's sisters for Xmas. Taking separate vehicles as I need toco.e back early. 120 miles each way.

At least that was the idea, but may take the Jaaag instead.

[London_Phil]

Space, pace and grace.....and a heater.....

I'm currently treating the rust around the top of the Saab windscreen so I can try to reseal it, as it leaks like a seive where the screen appears to be a poorly fitted replacement at some point....
Hoping to get the new garage ready to get the bikes down to the south coast before spring..

Happy Christmas all..

[Lee337]

Talyn J got some bling today. A nice little spray guard.

Over the past week I've also now got oil, a filter, a sump plug washer and a new set of brake pads sitting on the shelf ready for her annual service.

Was going to tackle it all today but domestic chores got in the way - had to go buy a new toilet seat as one of the hinges broke, the stril light in the kitchen needed a new tube and the wild birds in the garden were more wild than usual as they'd run out of calciworms.

Still, NEW BLING FITTED 

[Lee337]

Been a little lax of late, so here's a small update.

She's been serviced (21,444), washed and made ready for summer fun. Now showing 21,600 miles and not too far off the dreaded 24k mile service, I've been getting a few quotes to find out if I need to start saving.

The most expensive quote so far, and not from a dealer was 'approx. £1000'. I've also had £795+, not including valves & shims if they need doing.

The best quote so far is from Muddysump (from his web site) of £470, plus if I want fluids changed, which I do, an additional £50. The last big service (12k) was done by him, with me just doing the intermittant annual service, so I think I'll be contacting him shortly to see if I can book his services.

I know it's still 2400 miles off but I'm likely to do this over the summer if I manage to get away for my usual week riding aimlessly around the South West later this year.

 

[London_Phil]

Mines near 24k too, but my tactic is I'm not going to do the clearances, and see what happens. I may do it myself in the winter, as my new garage is not damp and remote like my old one, so I can do it over a period of time.

[Lee337]

To be fair, I could probably do all the service myself, except 'offically stamp the book', and reset the service indicator. I've done the valves etc, for the Tiger 955i, Daytona and Trophy without problems, so it's not beyond my capabilities.

The garage is spaceous enough, dry and currently warm, but with the continuing saga of Daysie Daytona's electrics, I'm not sure I can be arsed with spending the day in the garage.

Maybe I'm just getting lazy.