Always fussing over them

[merv]

... My bikes that is (though I don't mind fussing over my woman too!) and today was the VFR's turn. it was due for service and I always do my own - too much hassle to take it to the shop and I don't like their charges. About every third oil change or so I take the tank off to get the air cleaner out to clean that. I replaced it the first time with a Uni filter so it is washable.

Here's the pics just to show you what I was doing today.

[merv]

Then I put it all back together and it looks sweet. Not bad for a bike I've had 12 years next month. Took it for a ride afterwards and was coming back over Paekak Hill and saw a bunch of bikers heading north - anyone from here around 5.30pm on the hill road close to the Pauatahanui end.

[Jackrat]

Oh yeah,work shop fees huh,,ouch.
Try to do as much as I can myself as well,,havn't killed me yet!
I see you have the same tyres as me,how do you like em'??

[merv]

Jackrat, Michelin Macadam 100X on the VFR.

It came with Dunlops back in 1994, they lasted OK but always felt a bit squirmy (can't remember the code number, but don't think they were steel belted) and got about 12,000kms out of them.

Then I put Metzeler MEZ2 on and it felt like it was running on rails they were so sharp. Lasted well too, did about 13,000km.

Bugger me MEZ2 went off the market replaced by MEZ4 at the time. Tried them next and they felt hard - bike skittered on corrugations etc, but I thought what the heck at least they'll last a long time me being a tight arse and all. Wrong!!! Bloody things only did 8,000kms. I rarked up Forbes and Davies (importers) grizzling about them and got told "oh yeah they have a hard carcass but soft rubber on the tread - bloody useless - so they didn't feel like a good tyre and they didn't last either, what use was that?

So I never bought Metzeler again and tried the Michelins. About second ride out on them the VFR was sliding all over the road going up the 'takas and my Ulysses mates thought how come he's not going as fast as usual? and I'm thinking have I fried these things? Luckily it was just a puncture in the back tyre and I made it to Featherston to get it plugged. How have I found the Michelins, puncture aside? Well they feel like a soft tyre but have good grip - bike just felt a bit squirmy. Solution, I wound the rear damping up a bit to stiffen the bike up. So I guess with the stiff carcass Metzeler tyres I was running the suspension settings pretty soft, with the Michelins I've just got to have the bike a bit stiffer to compensate for the flexibility of the tyres.

Now the stange thing is this - all the previous tyres I've had front and back wore out in about the same kms so I replaced them at the same time. Now with the Michelins the back one is almost shagged at 9,000kms but the front one looks like it will go double the distance. So shortly I will be replacing just the back one. If on average it costs me the same as replacing both every 13,000km then they will at least be equal to the MEZ2 on cost.

The MEZ2 is still the best tyre combo I had on the VFR - pity they don't make them any more.

[Motu]

I stripped down the DT230 today,but didn't put it back together! I turned it into a dirt bike,took off plate holder,carrier,indicators,headlamp and dash - weighed it at 120kg with fuel,oil and battery,more than I'd like but not too bad.Fitted a new front guard on the TLR,first trial next sunday,just a stones throw from home...then maybe a trail ride at Kimmys the next day,may the next week.Damn,I need to get into shape!

I worked outside,but tried to keep out of the sun and did otherthings inbetween - sent my boy up on the roof because I'm too bloody scared...good boy,looking after his Dad like that....

[merv]

Motu where were you going to ride the DT? Gotta put that stuff back on before April 1 and the Capital Coast.

[Motu]

I just wanted to see how easy it is to convert over,I still have to change the gearing,my wife's tool box doesn't have big enough sockets.I could change the whole bike including wheels in a morning or evening,not much in it.There is a track with an enduro loop not far from my place as the crow flies,but about 10km to drive,Kimmys Farm has an MX track and a 11.5 enduro loop.Apart from my trials bike it's a long time since I've done any hard off road stuff,so I want to have a go,then decide if I have to buy a cruiser or not.I'm really confidant on my trials bike,so will take that around first,then the DT.I dunno why,but I'm kinda nervous about the whole thing,scared to make a fool of myself,so I gotta go out there and burst the bubble.You have to know your enemy...I'm fighting myself here,and know all my faults so have the advantage - if the bikes all set up for a trail ride,then I haveto do it,right?