Ok not offroad related but......
Recently returned from todays BikeSafe course. It was lashing down throughout the day. Reminded me of my CBT and DAS training lol. I have to say it really is the best £50 I have ever spent on bike related stuff. Excellent day and I learnt shed loads.
Cant recommend it enough, I strongly recommend any rider, especially newbies get booked up on a course. The goodie bag at the end is worth it alone lol.
Big thanks to all the emergency services who come together to do this for us bikers.
Monday 31 May 2010
Thursday 13 May 2010
Back to the Lanes
3rd May 2010
I couldnt help it, I had to get muddy again. Despite the kick stand problem Ilaunch myself over to the legal byways of East Sussex. It was warm, sunny and the stunning yellow rapeseed fields just made it a superb ride. I learnt that riding with my left foot forward lessened the stall problem. Must get that stand sorted.
While flying over a heavily rooted section I hit my toes, BLOODY OUCH!. Time to get some proper offroad boots. I was skint at this point so ebay to get a bargain on my return home.
I couldnt help it, I had to get muddy again. Despite the kick stand problem Ilaunch myself over to the legal byways of East Sussex. It was warm, sunny and the stunning yellow rapeseed fields just made it a superb ride. I learnt that riding with my left foot forward lessened the stall problem. Must get that stand sorted.
Great ride alone and gaining confidence. Tea, laptop and time to get some sturdy boots. My old Dainese road boots were to be retired from mud antics.
The Quest For The Cause of the Stall
After getting advise from some very helpful fellow bikers on various offroad forums (listed at the end), i realised that i had the bike idling to slow and that i had a faulty or oversensitive sidestand cutout switch.
I easily upped the idle speed and all was good. I went for a ride to the top of Truleigh Hill on LEGAL BYWAYS! and the bike was great. Happy days until the return journey.
Every time I stood up on the pegs the engine spluttered. Side stand switch again. Time to go back to the forums and get an idea on how to disable the switch.
Some sites that have been very usefull....
http://www.trailbikemag.com/forum/
http://www.nortonmotorcycletraining.co.uk/forum.asp
http://www.trf.org.uk/forum/
I easily upped the idle speed and all was good. I went for a ride to the top of Truleigh Hill on LEGAL BYWAYS! and the bike was great. Happy days until the return journey.
Every time I stood up on the pegs the engine spluttered. Side stand switch again. Time to go back to the forums and get an idea on how to disable the switch.
Some sites that have been very usefull....
http://www.trailbikemag.com/forum/
http://www.nortonmotorcycletraining.co.uk/forum.asp
http://www.trf.org.uk/forum/
Bike Fixed & Im A Cock
17th April 2010
So, I got the bike running, made another oil change with clean filter. It was still chugging and stalling so I thought in my infinite wisdom that it needed to be ridden slowly to give it a run in. I didnt want to do this on the road in case it went horribly wrong, i coudnt rev it for ages in the garages as the residents would all complain and get me in trouble with the police. So, (here is the part where I am a cock) i pushed the bike to the dirt bowl a short trip from my house. Take note that i saw lots of chavs on nicked scooters blasting up and down a farmers field and the terrace of cottages there. I mutter a few 'bloody chav giving us bikers a bad name' comments and get to where i wanted to be, a deep pit with high earth banks all round and no houses, people or walkers to upset. Its an old landfill site in the middle of nowhere. Lid on and all the safety kit, I look up to see all the chavs in the distance leave. Perfect.
The bike was still stalling, aaarrgh. So after a few minutes i dismount, put the bike on the stand. Lid off, sit down and ponder my solutions to the bike issues. At which point I see two Police Community Support Offers (PCSO's) walking my way.
Again, (like a cock) i thought they wanted to talk to me about the chavs on nicked scooters and mini motos. I recognised them both and all was friendly. Especially when they said its not me they were after and that I was not causing a nuisance...........right up until they radioed in my registration and said I might be given a section 59 warning. NOT GOOD!!!!!! They told me that if i didnt hear anything in two weeks i would be clear.
After this we chatted about the neighbourhood crime, life, universe and my neighbours horses which we were standing near. All while they puffed on their cigarettes.They then cave me permission to ride my bike home.
Lucky escape....or so i thought.....see my forthcoming blog for the 13th May 2010 for the kick in the nuts.
So, I got the bike running, made another oil change with clean filter. It was still chugging and stalling so I thought in my infinite wisdom that it needed to be ridden slowly to give it a run in. I didnt want to do this on the road in case it went horribly wrong, i coudnt rev it for ages in the garages as the residents would all complain and get me in trouble with the police. So, (here is the part where I am a cock) i pushed the bike to the dirt bowl a short trip from my house. Take note that i saw lots of chavs on nicked scooters blasting up and down a farmers field and the terrace of cottages there. I mutter a few 'bloody chav giving us bikers a bad name' comments and get to where i wanted to be, a deep pit with high earth banks all round and no houses, people or walkers to upset. Its an old landfill site in the middle of nowhere. Lid on and all the safety kit, I look up to see all the chavs in the distance leave. Perfect.
The bike was still stalling, aaarrgh. So after a few minutes i dismount, put the bike on the stand. Lid off, sit down and ponder my solutions to the bike issues. At which point I see two Police Community Support Offers (PCSO's) walking my way.
Again, (like a cock) i thought they wanted to talk to me about the chavs on nicked scooters and mini motos. I recognised them both and all was friendly. Especially when they said its not me they were after and that I was not causing a nuisance...........right up until they radioed in my registration and said I might be given a section 59 warning. NOT GOOD!!!!!! They told me that if i didnt hear anything in two weeks i would be clear.
After this we chatted about the neighbourhood crime, life, universe and my neighbours horses which we were standing near. All while they puffed on their cigarettes.They then cave me permission to ride my bike home.
Lucky escape....or so i thought.....see my forthcoming blog for the 13th May 2010 for the kick in the nuts.
Bike Mechanics 101 and a bit...
When the bike refused to start I was gutted, I cleaned the carb again,checked all electrical connections, found a loose one in the process. Then I got a nagging feeling about the spark plug. Although I had just recently paid a lot for a full service I thought I had better check. Good job as the rip off garage (TPG) had not changed the plug in the service. the old one was totally black with carbonisation and rusty at the base. Way to rusty for two or three days old.
I purchased a new plug, installed, fully charged the battery overnight and tried again the next day to fire the bike up. After about 10 no gos's, she sounded like she was turning over. I bled the carb and tried again......Eggy my DRZ coughed back into life. I cannot explain the good feeling obtained from knowing nothing about engines to fixing a wrecked one. Especially as the bike ticked over better than ever. I had a quick ride and the bike had gained another 10mph on the top end speed! The DRZ is a slow bike but at least its now a bit better for the road miles to get to the good muddy stuff.
A total and utter result :0)
NEW SPARK PLUG...apparently
I purchased a new plug, installed, fully charged the battery overnight and tried again the next day to fire the bike up. After about 10 no gos's, she sounded like she was turning over. I bled the carb and tried again......Eggy my DRZ coughed back into life. I cannot explain the good feeling obtained from knowing nothing about engines to fixing a wrecked one. Especially as the bike ticked over better than ever. I had a quick ride and the bike had gained another 10mph on the top end speed! The DRZ is a slow bike but at least its now a bit better for the road miles to get to the good muddy stuff.
A total and utter result :0)
Wednesday 12 May 2010
Bike Mechanics 101
So i killed my DRZ. In a big way. At this point i realise that i know as much about simple engine mechanics as I do quantom physics. i.e Naff all! The DRZ did come with the workshop manual but to be able to use that the basics need to be known.
After much forum scouring and many newbie questions, i started to form some ideas. First off was to open up the air box. I opened up the side of the air filter and muddy water poured out, not a good start. Slick mud collected in the sump. I follow the air routes and this led to the carburetor. At this point i was worried. Next step was to take out the carb, some brute force and swearing required there. With the carb out i consult the workshop manual and take it apart. Not easy for a mechanical numptie like me. Especially as all the screws were either seized or rounded off by a previous owner. Much more swearing and Dremmeling later, it was in bits. The muddy water had totally entered the carb and a silty residuew was everywhere. I even found a blade of grass in the main jet. Cause of the previous stalling possibly???? I took apart the jets, cleaned and blew out all the crap several times until i felt it was ready for re-assembly.
Perhaps i am a geek but i started to enjoy the experience until i went and looked into the engine where the carb enters. Lots more muddy residue in there. Now i was very worried. My fears confirmed when my offroader buddy started talking about hydrolock, bent bits and the world coming to an end. I drained the oil from the engine and the frame. It looked more like milk! Bearing in mind the oil was two days old, i think a gallon of pond water had got in there also. A few tests and it was not so bad. Head off the engine, feeler gauges and all seemed ok so no hydrodeath.
New oil in and clean filter, battery charged and re-fuel the bike. Try to start it and nothing.
After much forum scouring and many newbie questions, i started to form some ideas. First off was to open up the air box. I opened up the side of the air filter and muddy water poured out, not a good start. Slick mud collected in the sump. I follow the air routes and this led to the carburetor. At this point i was worried. Next step was to take out the carb, some brute force and swearing required there. With the carb out i consult the workshop manual and take it apart. Not easy for a mechanical numptie like me. Especially as all the screws were either seized or rounded off by a previous owner. Much more swearing and Dremmeling later, it was in bits. The muddy water had totally entered the carb and a silty residuew was everywhere. I even found a blade of grass in the main jet. Cause of the previous stalling possibly???? I took apart the jets, cleaned and blew out all the crap several times until i felt it was ready for re-assembly.
Perhaps i am a geek but i started to enjoy the experience until i went and looked into the engine where the carb enters. Lots more muddy residue in there. Now i was very worried. My fears confirmed when my offroader buddy started talking about hydrolock, bent bits and the world coming to an end. I drained the oil from the engine and the frame. It looked more like milk! Bearing in mind the oil was two days old, i think a gallon of pond water had got in there also. A few tests and it was not so bad. Head off the engine, feeler gauges and all seemed ok so no hydrodeath.
New oil in and clean filter, battery charged and re-fuel the bike. Try to start it and nothing.
An Excellent Resource
One of my questions I found myself repeatedly saying to offroaders was "Where can i legally ride?" Then a friend of mine came up with this superb website. An ever expanding OS map showing all the legal byways South of London. Its work in progress but is is a stroke of genious.
This database not only has the route overlaid on an OS map, but it includes a video of the entire route. Go check out http://www.bywaydatabase.com/
Sven, the creator of this idea and site is also a well know biker vlogger. His youtube pages are here http://www.youtube.com/user/svengalie
This database not only has the route overlaid on an OS map, but it includes a video of the entire route. Go check out http://www.bywaydatabase.com/
Sven, the creator of this idea and site is also a well know biker vlogger. His youtube pages are here http://www.youtube.com/user/svengalie
The First Day of Greenlaning.....and Death of the DRZ!!
So, Dan calls me and asks if i fancy an afternoon on the greenlanes / byways in East Sussex. I was nervous at first knowing that the bike had issues, but hell, yes I said.
The next day I rode to Newhaven and met Dan. Fuelled up and hit my first lane. This was Beddingham BW8 in East Sussex. Even though the bike kept stalling I could not help but grin my arse off behind all the mud and crap. I was keeping up with Dan. I was happy with that as he has a good year of experience and was on a KTM 450 exc.
That was until a slippery climb where the bike power just died, jerked back into life and ploughed me into a steep bank. I was furious, knackered and for the first time on a bike, had forearm pump. Not had that since my last rock climbing session.
I climbed that hill and felt elated i had conquered the climb. Onwards to some more great trails and then disaster.......
I should have sussed that Dans ride lines were not always the best we he confessed to picking the puddle lines instead of the easiest. We went through some marsh land called 'White Dyke'. I followed Dans lines and found my self in deep deep ruts filled with water and underlying slick mud.
Dan was 40 yards in front and fell off head first intro a huge deep rut. I creased up laughing, lost concentration as well as the front end and also launched myself headfirst into a deep mudbath pool. I stumbled to get to the kill switch but in my now sodden road boots, failed. The bike was underwater and chugged to a stop.
I got the bike upright, pushed it back 200yds to dry tarmac. Knackering while sliding around in gloop. It was deader than a dead thing. Neither Dan or I had any tools or the knowledge to use them. The story of my first ride ends with the DRZ in the back of Dans van and being driven back to my garage.
Things learnt today:
1:Dont follow another riders lines aimlesly
2:Carry a toolkit
3:Learn what to actually do with the kit in a breakdown situation
4:Should have got a bike with a kick start as DRZ is electric start only. Pants in heavy wet conditions.
5: Dan is a star for getting the van and taking me home.
The next day I rode to Newhaven and met Dan. Fuelled up and hit my first lane. This was Beddingham BW8 in East Sussex. Even though the bike kept stalling I could not help but grin my arse off behind all the mud and crap. I was keeping up with Dan. I was happy with that as he has a good year of experience and was on a KTM 450 exc.
That was until a slippery climb where the bike power just died, jerked back into life and ploughed me into a steep bank. I was furious, knackered and for the first time on a bike, had forearm pump. Not had that since my last rock climbing session.
I climbed that hill and felt elated i had conquered the climb. Onwards to some more great trails and then disaster.......
I should have sussed that Dans ride lines were not always the best we he confessed to picking the puddle lines instead of the easiest. We went through some marsh land called 'White Dyke'. I followed Dans lines and found my self in deep deep ruts filled with water and underlying slick mud.
Dan was 40 yards in front and fell off head first intro a huge deep rut. I creased up laughing, lost concentration as well as the front end and also launched myself headfirst into a deep mudbath pool. I stumbled to get to the kill switch but in my now sodden road boots, failed. The bike was underwater and chugged to a stop.
I got the bike upright, pushed it back 200yds to dry tarmac. Knackering while sliding around in gloop. It was deader than a dead thing. Neither Dan or I had any tools or the knowledge to use them. The story of my first ride ends with the DRZ in the back of Dans van and being driven back to my garage.
Things learnt today:
1:Dont follow another riders lines aimlesly
2:Carry a toolkit
3:Learn what to actually do with the kit in a breakdown situation
4:Should have got a bike with a kick start as DRZ is electric start only. Pants in heavy wet conditions.
5: Dan is a star for getting the van and taking me home.
Lets Get Muddy
I decided its time to get muddy. Im fortunate because right next to my house is a dirtbowl where i decided to test the new bike and offroad tyres. Steep hills and drops, boggy mud and rough flats were waiting. I took the bike out, and spent 45 minutes buzzing around. Huge fun, covered in mud, wet and knackered.
However the stall problem was really pissing me off. Everytime i tried to open the bike up it died. This had to get sorted and fast or I would end up hating the DRZ.
The Woes of Buying a Used Bike
So being an impatient bugger and like a kid in a sweet shop, i decided to take the bike for a ride. It looked in mint condition and i felt happy with my bargain purchase. On the road. The big shock was how tall the bike was. Bearing in mind im used to riding a VFR 800 Vtec sports tourer. Almost dropped it at the first junction when my 6ft tall frame forgot to plant a foot in time LOL. I have to be honest and say I was very dissapointed. The bike didnt start too easy, the choke didnt seem to work, the bike kept stalling on downshifting to lights and generally felt gutless.
After getting home i started to think why all the above was happening. The bike had done 4700 miles in its lifetime and only 450miles in the last year. I was thinking a good service would sort this out. So I ordered some very good offroad tyres as recommended by my offrroader experienced mate, took them to TPG in Southwick and paid for them to fit the tyres, do a full service. In this time I had purchased an offroad lid, goggles, body armour, knee armour at Alfs in Worthing.
I collected the bike expecting to have all the problems ironed out. Paid the money, rode away cautiously on the brand new and very knobbly tyres. The damn thing felt a little better but still kept stalling and was still gutless. I resigned myself to the fact that I may have bought the wrong bike. Never mind, I can learn the basics on this and upgrade later.
After getting home i started to think why all the above was happening. The bike had done 4700 miles in its lifetime and only 450miles in the last year. I was thinking a good service would sort this out. So I ordered some very good offroad tyres as recommended by my offrroader experienced mate, took them to TPG in Southwick and paid for them to fit the tyres, do a full service. In this time I had purchased an offroad lid, goggles, body armour, knee armour at Alfs in Worthing.
I collected the bike expecting to have all the problems ironed out. Paid the money, rode away cautiously on the brand new and very knobbly tyres. The damn thing felt a little better but still kept stalling and was still gutless. I resigned myself to the fact that I may have bought the wrong bike. Never mind, I can learn the basics on this and upgrade later.
A Bike is Found
I had almost given up in my search for a bike i could afford. Then out of nowhere i get an email from a mate who said someone we know off a shooting forum was selling a 2003 Suzuki DRZ400s. I knew these were not too pokey, reliable and even better this was well within my price range of £1800. I rang the seller and got the bike for a good price. It came with a new top box (for those quick trips to the shops) and various new bits like sprockets, spare tyre and even a cheap lid.
The big problem was it was in Wales and I could not get there to do a test ride. The seller was a police officer so i took a gamble and bought the bike. I organised delivery through an online broker. This website was superb and I got the bike delivered from Wales to West Sussex for £60!! Bargain. It had road tyres so my plan was to get some offroad but road legal tyres, some offroad clothing / armour and then get muddy.
The big problem was it was in Wales and I could not get there to do a test ride. The seller was a police officer so i took a gamble and bought the bike. I organised delivery through an online broker. This website was superb and I got the bike delivered from Wales to West Sussex for £60!! Bargain. It had road tyres so my plan was to get some offroad but road legal tyres, some offroad clothing / armour and then get muddy.
Sunday 9 May 2010
And so it begins
Just over a year after passing my big bike test I noticed that a few of the guys who were on the training schools forum got into greenlaning. Some of them were vlogging and posting up on youtube. Inspired by this i decided to start saving and get involved.
I spent a lot of time researching the right bike and to do this i had to work out what type of offroading i wanted to do. Motocross, enduro, holiday trips only??? In the end i relised that i wanted to explore the countries green lanes. The trouble here is that i live in West Sussex in the UK where there are sod all lanes due to the local authority restricting access. This meant i needed a road legal machine with a full MOT, not just daytime MOT. Several models were possible, various Honda, KTM Exc, DRZ, Yamaha WR's... After working this out i struggled to get the money together and started the search on the usual websites. Known biker forums, Ebay, MCN, Biketrader, Friday Ad and Gumtree. It was a long search......
Im writing the first few blogs retrospectively. I will catch up in a few days or so then be blogging as i progress on this journey.
I spent a lot of time researching the right bike and to do this i had to work out what type of offroading i wanted to do. Motocross, enduro, holiday trips only??? In the end i relised that i wanted to explore the countries green lanes. The trouble here is that i live in West Sussex in the UK where there are sod all lanes due to the local authority restricting access. This meant i needed a road legal machine with a full MOT, not just daytime MOT. Several models were possible, various Honda, KTM Exc, DRZ, Yamaha WR's... After working this out i struggled to get the money together and started the search on the usual websites. Known biker forums, Ebay, MCN, Biketrader, Friday Ad and Gumtree. It was a long search......
Im writing the first few blogs retrospectively. I will catch up in a few days or so then be blogging as i progress on this journey.
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