[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Wheels #15429

In Germany you would probably not get a warrant if you messed with the wheels like that. Engineers put a lot of thought into the structural integrity of wheels. If you are going to have it done, make sure it's not just some backyard bead blasting workshop, but someone who specialises in wheel repairs. I'd say sandblasting is completely off the cards.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Where can I buy stainless steel wool? #15482

Ewe must be joking.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Constitutional Changes Remit. #15472

It would allow a lot more input, which is not a bad thing, but it would be a lot of work for someone to collate the results. To make it fair you might need someone who is not affiliated with the register.You'd have to verify eligibility and possibly authenticity of all votes. Do we really need this level of complexity?  

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Wheels #15425

For peace of mind I'd say replace them.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: R100 starter motors #14852

I've ended up with a Nippon Denso as well. It looks to be well made and just dropped in and worked, no hassles.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Awesome skills. #15424

I always ride with the balls of my feed on the pegs. Sometimes the pegs will scrape, or the side of the boot, but you'd have to be cranking pretty hard for that to happen. Because of the upright riding position of the GS your toes will hang down the front of the peg, if you keep the peg hooked into the heel of your shoe, just the opposite to a cruiser, where it's you heel closer to the ground. I use the pegs a lot for bike control, so the hooking in the heel doesn't work for me.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Awesome skills. #15421

As far as I know, these boards fold up just like foot pegs. If they were fixed you'd just lever the tyres off the ground. Cruisers don't have much of an lean angle, so it doesn't take much effort to get them to scrape. I remember riding Gerda's old F650 with the low suspension, that was almost impossible to get around corners without scraping something. Still, the guy is riding his bike very well, much better than I could.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Awesome skills. #15419

I'm well impressed by the layout of the cones  😛

The cone guy did a good job. The rider was quite impressive. A full lock with a bike like that can't be easy. But I guess it's the guy's job and he's got all day to practice. I like the costume he's wearing, real YMCA stuff. I bet the Indian wouldn't ride nearly as well.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Who would own a bike without suffering a mental disability? #15390

I've just had new brake pads fitted. Everything is bloody expensive. I still need a new front tyre and my shocks need a service. But hey, I haven't been changing bikes like some people do. Nothing is a bad as depreciation, my bike hasn't lost any value to me since I've bought it. I won't get full cover for the bike this year. If I hadn't paid any of that during the last 8 years, I'd have a pretty good deposit for a new bike right now. I've got to say that the fuel price have put a damper on my urge to ride for fun every weekend. I am filling up once a week as it is. So Bwucie, go and delete that spreadsheed, it will do you no good.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Traffic "filtering" #15380

I try not to do it when there are cops around. I will get a ticket doing it sooner or later, hopefully later. I will suck it up. Knock on wood, no tickets on the bike during the last 180000km or so, no points at all. I did have one friendly warning, but I think the guy didn't have a radar fitted. I guess it's the luck of the draw. There are a couple of things that will never catch on properly over here. One is the indicating thing and the other is keeping left on the motorway. I don't think they police either of those. Oh, the stopping on red lights is another one. Apparently you don't have to stop if you are following another car bumper to bumper around a turn, regardless of what the lights have done. Oh, one more. It's ok to go around a roundabout against the traffic if there is a queue and you wish to  turn just past the roundabout. And, I think they have outlawed phone calls on handhelds, sort of, but the old make-up application while driving is still going strong. And..... ;D

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Traffic "filtering" #15375

I think filtering refers to moving through stationary traffic up to the front of the queue. Lane splitting is what you described, Malcolm. At least that's my understanding. I do both. I must say that I ignore the line when lane splitting, but do try keep the overtaking speed low, along with all the usual precautions. While the line thing may save you a ticket, I rather keep as much distance between me and the cars as possible, as I don't want to be undertaken. Many times I've moved over to let faster moving bikes through, occasionally even ones sporting L plates, once a lady on a scooter. They had all assessed the risks differently to me.  People who commute everyday seem to become desensitised to the risks. I just want to get home in one piece.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Must be a Pommie thing. #15369

Looks like the two friendly nurses have him under control.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: The enforcinator #15326

he's Richard the IPod Man

That he is. "I-can't-hear-you,-got-my-headphones-in-Richard"

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Whanganui River road – Turakina Valley road loop ride #15334

One of my favourite rides. The Turakina Valley is awesome in autumn. I remember going down the Whanganui river road on my K75S. There were sections of deep, loose gravel so I had to lay'er down  ;D. As I was sitting on my arse, I decided that there was going to be a GS in my future. That was about 9 years ago.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: The enforcinator #15324

Don't give him a hard time. I can just imagine what it would look like in the city without parking wardens. The rules are pretty clear, especially if they apply to other people.

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