[Paul]

in reply to: Tyres #6178

Whilst I agree that safety is paramount when on the road, I don’t feel that some of these comments are particularly constructive. Rather than concentrate on the negatives, try embracing positives. For example “I’ve used The Super Tyre Shop for the past 12 years and the service has been brilliant. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.”

Personally I use Motohaus. I get excellent service, value for money and flexible hours. Hey, if he can, Kerry will stay open for you if passing through on a ride (e.g. Southern Cross). I'm not sure if others offer this service.

It wasn't that long ago that Motohaus opened 7 days a week. And isn't that just what we all needed come a Sunday morning ride and the hoops are flat! It's a shame that none of the bike shops now open Sundays (please correct me if I'm wrong).

Oh, and can someone please let me know when Cycletreads began supporting the Register?


Martyn (and Wendy)

[Paul]

in reply to: Information on Welligton customs. #5788

Well remembered Alex.

Firstly, lean on your agent for advice - this is what you pay them for!

You'll need Customs clearance and MAF clearance. Make sure you check whether your agent will arrange MAF inspection or whether they expect you to do it. The inspection will be to check for contamination (leaves, seeds etc) on the bike plus they also verify chassis number and possibly odometer (this varies by MAF officer!).

This inspection can normally be completed without taking the bike out of the crate. Maybe removing just the top and one side will be sufficient.

I would recommend you being present for this inspection. If there is luggage on the bike, they may want to look inside (and most officers would appreciate assistance to open these. Also, you would be able to ask officer when the details are likely to lodged in computer.

Whilst you are waiting for this inspection, you should speak to the freight depot to discuss how to get your bike out of there. Some will allow you to remove bike from crate, re-attach front wheel, gas it up, connect battery and generally prep it for riding. Others will require you to take the bike still crated.

I won't bore others with details for your container here, but if you want, please call or email me - 09 634 4948 / martynf@tapper.co.nz.

Good luck

[Paul]

in reply to: Breaking the drought #5709

Here’s a question for all?

Anyone know how many of the yellow/ferro R1150R's are in NZ?

To the best of my knowledge, there were four (but Experience re-sprayed one black).

So, I believe only three, but would be happy to hear of more.

And whilst we're at it, any ideas on how many of the Ferro/ferro R's came in?

Martyn

[Paul]

in reply to: Ride to the Annual Rally, Flock Hill, South Island #5692

Great so far Alex!

You almost want it to keep raining just to hear the next installment (almost).

I saw Gerda yesterday and so heard to little of your trip. Also good to hear that Tommy & Rosa are getting a good look around NZ.

Make sure you keep note of your FlySpots!

Martyn

[Paul]

in reply to: The Pace #5609

Thanks for the advice Jim.

We'll be on those back roads over the holidays.

Martyn & Wendy

[Paul]

in reply to: Only just got here but need to ask about leaving #5594

Hi Harvey,

Happy to help with contacts for sea shipment. Transit time Akl to Sydney is around three days, Brissie = 4.

We consolidate cargo for various freight forwarders and so have containers going to OZ frequently.

Give me a call for contacts: 09 634 4948.

Hey, and if you're at a loose end over Xmas/Boxing Day, give us a shout.

Martyn

[Paul]

in reply to: Servicing, who do you use? #5562

Alex, the Motorcycle Surgery is no longer in Kingsland. I was there a few weeks ago and Ian was packing up.

Another option is to try Hamilton Motorcycle Centre (07 849 1919). This is approx. 120kms South of Auckland (allow 1.5hours travel). They may be able to fit you in sooner.

[Paul]

in reply to: Importing a bike from Germany #5541

Dodgy,

Working in the import/export industry, I see many individuals who have set out on similar dreams to yours, but have ended up wondering why they bothered! There are many costs along the way which you may not be made aware of - cleaning, crating, transport, shipping, port fees, MAF inspection fees, container fees, more storage, more transport etc. etc.

Hint - get yourself a really good agent. They will know the best way to do things. I would suggest finding a NZ agent who can help you before you go and then again once you bring bike home. This way it will be easier to address any issues once home, rather than trying to contact a German agent!

I can help with some contacts if required.

But, think of that adventure! How much is that worth to you? And you're not doing this for financial gain.

Good luck.

Martyn

[Paul]

in reply to: Thought i’d sign up and say hello. #5506

Harvey,

Welcome to NZ (from a fellow Pom!).

With regards your crated mc - who is your Customs agent? You should speak with them about working on your crate/bike in their store. They should also have a fork hoist to lift front of bike to re-fit front wheel (if this has been removed). Also, if you are re-exporting the bike and want to keep the crate, they may be able to hold it for you. But they may also have security and safety policies in place which will prevent you from doing this!

Also, keep in mind that MAF will need to check your bike (which will mean giving them sufficient access to check cleanliness, chassis number and odometer. Again, your agent should be helping you here.

If you are doing your own clearance (i.e. no agent) and the depot where the MAF inspection is carried out cannot help you, then you may need to consider moving the crated bike elsewhere. However, I would suggest you deal with your agent/airport depot first.

Feel free to call me if you have any more questions - work 634 4948 (transfers to mobile).

Catch you on the road.

Martyn

[Paul]

in reply to: Two-stroke cylinders #5477

Thanks for the offer Tony, but I suspect the bores on these will be less than 3.5″.

Also, I'm looking for eight cylinders in total (a two-stroke V8?). No, just a little project a mate's working on.

M

[Paul]

in reply to: Slightly off the beaten track… #5441

Dear Malcolm

Hate to give you a lesson in geography but the place you see directly opposite Port Albert is a little settlement called Oruawharo. You can see the church and cemetery, the school (now closed) and the marae.
I know, because I was brought up there (finally, a claim to fame on this website!).

If you are kayaking, the Oruawharo beach is one of the few hard landings in the Kaipara, i.e. you can beach without having a boat ramp.
If you are suggesting going from Port Albert round to Hargreaves (did you have to tell the world about this place??) - a word of caution - the tidal ebb and flow once you round the headland can cause a few problems - you are directly out into the open harbour - and you could find yourself halfway to Australia before you know it!
Also, like you said, a lot of those places are privately owned. There are also a lot of maori reserves in the area. There are sites of old homesteads and pa that were abandoned once coastal shipping died; but also ones that were razed when the occupants died in the 14-18 flu epidemic. So all you JAFA's, please ask first before kayaking into the Kaipara, you could cause a lot of offence without meaning it. And watch the tides.

As a matter of interest, Hargreaves Bay was a site of community action in the good old days! It was close to Rev. Gittos mission station in the Kaipara. They used to host the most amazing New Years Day picnics from around the district - photos show women dressed up in victoriana, under parasols. I think the photos are either at Matakohe Museum or Wellsford District Museum.

Wendy 😉

[Paul]

in reply to: Mini choppers and the law. #5343

There is one of these machines a few doors up the road from our place. On fine weekends the house occupants take turns “burning” up and down the street, without helmets, jackets, gloves or shoes! Occasionally the braver ones will venture around the block, including busy Campbell Road.

Other road users cannot see these machines easily as they are obscured by parked cars and small shrubs. Luckily the exhaust systems (or lack of) make up for this if you're a pedestrian, but a bugger to hear when wearing helmet and earplugs!

I have politely asked one of the riders (an older guy, presumably struggling to keep some excitement in his life, however short he wants that to be) to consider the negative impact his actions have on us road legal riders (yes, I was on the BM at the time). But, like others here, what else can we do?

Do we look to the enforcers to deal with this? What about addressing the bike dealers who supply them? Unlikely to be BMW, but surely other reputable dealers would not want to lose their law-abidding customers for the sake of a few slopeds?

Hopefully our plodmates will have some advice for us.

[Paul]

in reply to: Coolant type… #4953

Some general points on AF (from what I can remember from a previous life).

Basically there are three main types of AF - mono-ethylene glycol based, mono-propylene glycol based and methanol-based. Each of these bases then gets a "mix" of inhibitors added depending on the manufacturer. These inhibitors include anti-foaming agents, anti-corrosion agents and a dye. AVOID any AF with SMBT (sodium mercaptobenzotriazole - I think) sorry - can't remember why, but just recall it being a no-no.

The dye is simply there for show, with different manufacturers using different colours.

Of the three base products, don't touch methanol. The difference between MEG and MPG in terms of performance is very small. However, MPG is less harmful to the environment.

Don't mix different AF products.

Decent brands to go for - Prestone, Peak (not sure if available in NZ).

I also recall that some manufacturers were offering already diluted AF! So make sure you only buy the concentrated stuff and don't waste your money on buying water.

Hope this is of some interest/help.

Malcolm, I have an AF tester if you want to check dilution.

[Author]

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