Section 59 Warning Update

As written earlier in this blog, I found out that I was wrongly issued a section 59 warning back in May. In short, kids on nicked bikes were being cretins about 750 yards from where I was repairing my broken bike (after the drowning). I was not riding due to the bike being broken and was right next to the field where my next door neighbour allows me to shoot and keep the bike if necessary. Two PCSO's basically gave me the 59 warning for the crimes committed by the cretins. They came to the large field because the people in the houses quite rightly rang the police to report the kids on mini motos and a trials bike.

I didnt know I had a 59 until over a month after the date I met the PCSO's. This is when my firearms liason officer came to give me a letter warning me over the 59!! I was mortified as I have never been in trouble with the police before and have helped these very PCSO's with trouble in the community locally.  I wrote to the chief inspector in the hope of clearing my name. Last week I finally got a phone call from the very pleasant CI and he is now looking into this falsly issued warning. Im hoping I will have my name cleared and the section 59 removed.

As a mini rant, i think that these poorly trained PCSO's should not be given the power to assign 59 warnings or anything else to any party alledged to be breaking the law. I would have preferred a qualified traffic officer to come to me and tell me exactly what offence I had committed by sitting in a field next to a broken bike.

Incidentally the chavs are still riding up and down the pavement outside my house / in the field. Perhaps the PCSO's done me because I was a sitting duck and an easy target.

Kit Changes

After a little bit of time on the lanes I realised some tweaked were needed for my kit. First thing was to get some proper offroad boots. I got some great Tech 3's. Very sturdy and gives much more confidence on the trails. Interesting trying to walk in them though lol.

Knee protection has been swapped from hard jointed platic to knox softer armour. No longer clashes with boots and at £30 quite affordable.

Outer clothes. Picked up some MX gear for £90. Padding, reinforcing and space in all the right places. Very comfy for summer riding over the top of my mesh body armour suit. For the forthcomming winter Im looking at maybe RST Enduro jacket and trousers or good old British Army gortex kit big enough to wear the armour underneath. Im broke so guess im going to go army.

New bike grips are going on in a couple of days. Im out on Wednesday to ride in Surrey so want it all sorted by then.

Return to the DRZ

What with work pressures I have to admit to being a big blouse and not getting out in the lanes. I decided that this is the month to get to it. First thing is to sort the small issues with the bike. This has to start with the poxy side stand cut out switch. With the help of a friend the switch is now happily bypassed and I can now stand on the pegs in confidence, knowing that the engine will not try to die on a tricky uphill section.

After getting more info i have realised that the new improved top speed of 63mph is still way under what the bike should be doing. So I whipped off the carb again, with more confidence and knowledge I stripped it down, cleaned everthing and found the pilot was out 6.5 turns instead of factory standard 3!!!!. That would explain the carbonised spark plug then. So, all put together and although no gain in speed the lower speed stuff is much smoother.

Next step in desparation is to check the exhaust, whipped it of, checked for blockages (found none) and back on again. So nothing there. What next???? Gearing. I have 13/43 as installed on the bike when I bought it. After speaking to some fellow DRZ owners I find out that I should at least have much more low down power and top speed of 80-90mph with what I have. Bearing in mind I have (to the best of my limited knowledge) checked the carb, hoses, fuel, air, spark etc......the problem must be low oomph from the actual engine.

Patience, and talent now gone I have admitted defeat and took the bikes to another local bike shop.Not those robbing bastards at TPG in Southwick. My thinking that they are professionals and can get the power back. Not so it seems, this fella insisted I was talking pooh about the possible speeds and that its all down to gearing. He really didnt want to take the bike in. Very odd. So, i have booked it in and got new standard factory chain and sprockets to be installed. If this guy is correct I should have my power back.

Somehow I doubt this guy is right, I hope he is.