Big ups for service in Whanganui

[Blackbird]

Just got back from a 2100 km tour of the north island tied up with attending an IAM conference in Porirua. Setting up the chain tension on the 790 Duke is a bit tricky but thought I'd checked it ok with the small extra luggage load - they're a bit sensitive to that. Anyhow, after going through the Forgotten Highway and down to Whanganui, I noticed that it was a bit tight and noisy. Not having the proper tools, I jumped on the 'net and rang a repair shop in Whanganui. Explained the situation and although he was hellish busy, the owner dropped everything, adjusted my chain, re-adjusted it and got it just perfect. Took him around 30 mins and I gave him $50. He refused to take it but finally managed to press $20 on him for a few beers. Brian Thorley Motorcycle Repairs in Ridgway St is the guy. I'll try and think of something else nice to do for him, simply because he's a top bloke.

The rest of the tour was fantastic. Over the Rimutakas from Porirua in the wet, out to Castlepoint, up to Napier on the back roads from Masterton, round East Cape to Waihau Bay and home to Coromandel. We are so privileged to ride bikes in this country. The Duke turned out to be a respectable tourer travelling light too.

[slofox]

Good to hear about people like this. :2thumbsup

[Blackbird]

Good to hear about people like this. :2thumbsup

Brian was a really nice guy. He'd apparently been at work since 7am because of his workload. It's a real pleasure to try and do something for the good guys of this world.

[merv]

Nice one :2thumbsup

[Blackbird]

Nice one :2thumbsup

Thanks Merv! We weren't far from you on Sunday. Came round the Whitby side of the inlet with Davey U on our way over to Castlepoint.

[jellywrestler]

Just got back from a 2100 km tour of the north island tied up with attending an IAM conference in Porirua. Setting up the chain tension on the 790 Duke is a bit tricky but thought I'd checked it ok with the small extra luggage load - they're a bit sensitive to that. Anyhow, after going through the Forgotten Highway and down to Whanganui, I noticed that it was a bit tight and noisy. Not having the proper tools, I jumped on the 'net and rang a repair shop in Whanganui. Explained the situation and although he was hellish busy, the owner dropped everything, adjusted my chain, re-adjusted it and got it just perfect. Took him around 30 mins and I gave him $50. He refused to take it but finally managed to press $20 on him for a few beers. Brian Thorley Motorcycle Repairs in Ridgway St is the guy. I'll try and think of something else nice to do for him, simply because he's a top bloke.

The rest of the tour was fantastic. Over the Rimutakas from Porirua in the wet, out to Castlepoint, up to Napier on the back roads from Masterton, round East Cape to Waihau Bay and home to Coromandel. We are so privileged to ride bikes in this country. The Duke turned out to be a respectable tourer travelling light too.

wait till you're racing at boxing day and find an issue christmas afternoon in wanganui, they're lining up with proper shed's proper knowledge too and there's always left over xmas dinner lying around too

[Blackbird]

wait till you're racing at boxing day and find an issue christmas afternoon in wanganui, they're lining up with proper shed's proper knowledge too and there's always left over xmas dinner lying around too

That's so neat! Actually, a quick tour round the countryside like we just did is a nice reminder that for all the news about people being complete twats, the majority of people in this country are a kind-hearted lot ready and willing to help their fellow citizens out. Wherever we stopped, whether it be at cafes, evening accommodation etc, people were bloody nice. I was just socially chatting to the attendant at the Mobil gas station in Masterton on the corner of the Castlepoint road whilst filling up and was offered a complimentary coffee whilst we finished our conversation!

[caseye]

Guys like this are pure gold, keep telling us when you find them and for the rest of us, do it too.
Great Pics, was last in Whangamomana 2 years ago, must be time wifey and I went back.
:rolleyes:

[Gremlin]

Have you considered a shaft drive? Then you don't have to stop and talk to people... more fuel range means even less stopping :sunny:

[Blackbird]

Guys like this are pure gold, keep telling us when you find them and for the rest of us, do it too.
Great Pics, was last in Whangamomana 2 years ago, must be time wifey and I went back.
:rolleyes:

Hi Caseye,
We hadn't stopped overnight there for about 4 years and it's still excellent. I believe it's up for sale again. Probably not a long term ownership option when you have young kids. The Waihau Bay accommodation was sensationally good. The top floor unit had 3 bedrooms with two beds each plus 2 more beds in a lounge alcove. There were only 3 of us but at about $230 for the whole unit, it would be super-cheap for a bunch of you. Food was great too. Have chucked in some photos


Have you considered a shaft drive? Then you don't have to stop and talk to people... more fuel range means even less stopping :sunny:

Hi Alan,
Well I haven't considered a GSA, I'd need a step ladder. I suppose I could think about one if I wanted to plough a field and needed a tractor :nya: It's good to stop, then we can try out the local delicacies :devil2:

[Gremlin]

No pies?! Not sure this can be considered a road trip... :nono:

[Blackbird]

No pies?! Not sure this can be considered a road trip... :nono:

Yep, saw your post on Facebook about the place in Whanganui so we went there - delicious. We mostly ate decent stuff though :rolleyes:

[tri boy]

Was Brians app back in the day.
Call him "Dude"

[rastuscat]

Have you considered a shaft drive? Then you don't have to stop and talk to people... more fuel range means even less stopping :sunny:

Stopping is one of the ways to enjoy riding, if planned well. My bike can go past 400 km based on fuel, but I rarely go more than 200 km without wanting to stretch the old legs.

With you on the shaft drive through.

[Blackbird]

Stopping is one of the ways to enjoy riding, if planned well. My bike can go past 400 km based on fuel, but I rarely go more than 200 km without wanting to stretch the old legs.

With you on the shaft drive through.

I'm certainly not anti-shaft drive Peter, I had a BMW K100RS for 8 years. As a relative shortarse coupled with being in my 70's, a light bike like the KTM ticks most of the boxes for my current needs. Plus the fact that it makes me laugh every time I ride it! :niceone:

[TheDemonLord]

There's a really nice Pie shop just off SH3 in Whanganui - Fitzies I think.

[Blackbird]

There's a really nice Pie shop just off SH3 in Whanganui - Fitzies I think.

Kristy's maybe? (Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/hjPJQCygLJyNYtKL6). That's where we stopped and it was great. Thanks to Gremlin for that one! Lots of off-street parking too.

[insomnia01]

looks like a very cool loop Geoff :clap:

[Bonez]

I'm certainly not anti-shaft drive Peter, I had a BMW K100RS for 8 years. As a relative shortarse coupled with being in my 70's, a light bike like the KTM ticks most of the boxes for my current needs. Plus the fact that it makes me laugh every time I ride it! :niceone:That is the exact reason I bought my XF650(probably my last m/c purchase). Smile every mile. That and it is 100lbs lighter than the CB5500 for siomilar performance. Nice to see you had a good tour. Centre stands are handy when adjustking a chain. Wont own a bike without one.

[Blackbird]

That is the exact reason I bought my XF650(probably my last m/c purchase). Smile every mile. That and it is 100lbs lighter than the CB5500 for siomilar performance. Nice to see you had a good tour. Centre stands are handy when adjustking a chain. Wont own a bike without one.

My head said a 765 Street Triple but after riding both, my heart said the Duke - totally understnd your sentiments! I have an ABBA stand for working on the bike. Can get both wheels off the deck at the same time if need be. Trouble is, the KTM swingarm is long and the chain runs very close. It has to be checked with a full load on it. I probably needed to give the shock 2 more clicks of preload rather than one.

[TheDemonLord]

Kristy's maybe? (Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/hjPJQCygLJyNYtKL6). That's where we stopped and it was great. Thanks to Gremlin for that one! Lots of off-street parking too.

It was this one:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fitzies+Cafe+and+Bakery/@-39.9320297,175.0211609,20z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x76bc60e96d8f5e31!8m2!3d-39.931857!4d175.0216022

Although, next time I'm passing through there I might have to check your one out!

[Blackbird]

looks like a very cool loop Geoff :clap:

Minimal traffic Hami - a real treat!

[Blackbird]

It was this one:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fitzies+Cafe+and+Bakery/@-39.9320297,175.0211609,20z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x76bc60e96d8f5e31!8m2!3d-39.931857!4d175.0216022

Although, next time I'm passing through there I might have to check your one out!

Likewise - thanks for that!

[jellywrestler]

That is the exact reason I bought my XF650(probably my last m/c purchase). Smile every mile. That and it is 100lbs lighter than the CB5500 for siomilar performance. Nice to see you had a good tour. Centre stands are handy when adjustking a chain. Wont own a bike without one.

fuck all for a separate stand, why shoot yourself in the foot?

[jasonu]

There's a really nice Pie shop just off SH3 in Whanganui - Fitzies I think.

Petes Pies used to be the best.
He sold it to some chinese people. They moved it to Sanson, changed the pastry recipe, not so good now.

[Bonez]

fuck all for a separate stand, why shoot yourself in the foot?What are you on about? Can you carry that seperate stand on your bike on when touring without a support vehical? Centre stands are damn useful out in the middle of nowhere and don't add much weight, which is low anyway, to the bike. A dfecent set of tools is handy as well and only takes up the space of a large pencil case.

[Dak S83]

Just seen this, yup Brians been around for a while now, top bloke who knows his stuff.

[Blackbird]

Just seen this, yup Brians been around for a while now, top bloke who knows his stuff.

He's got a nice surprise coming as thanks

[jellywrestler]

What are you on about? Can you carry that seperate stand on your bike on when touring without a support vehical? Centre stands are damn useful out in the middle of nowhere and don't add much weight, which is low anyway, to the bike. A dfecent set of tools is handy as well and only takes up the space of a large pencil case.
don't disagree that they extremely handy, but a well maintained bike shouldn't need shit done in the field.... besides the other plan is an AA card let it become someone elses issue

[Gremlin]

Stopping is one of the ways to enjoy riding, if planned well. My bike can go past 400 km based on fuel, but I rarely go more than 200 km without wanting to stretch the old legs.
I had a quick trip over 6 days to Wanaka and back to assist with Sky streaming of the National Secondary Schools Champs after Challenge Half. Monday was Wanaka to Picton (810km avoiding Timaru, Christchurch etc). Tuesday was Picton, Ferry, Auckland. Back at desk Wednesday, wondering where I was, what I was doing :pinch: Yay for the big tank range tho!