Me in the U(c)K

[Posh Tourer :P]

Well, just thought I'd let you all know how I am doing over here. At the moment I'm still trying to find a job that I'll like, although I could easily be a motorcycle courier anytime I feel like taking up the job. Unfortunately (?) it is in London with some distance work, and really, I'd prefer to be outside of London and only visit it when I need to. Its cheaper anyway.

So, to set myself up for the possibility of being a motorcycle courier, I have bought myself a Honda Bros 400 with a breathing difficulty for £750. It is sucking in air somewhere, but I'm hoping that after re-seating the rubbers on top of the carbs, and fiddling with the circular clips on the bottom rubbers, the problem will slowly disappear by itself, which it appears to be (mostly) doing. It still needs a bit of a tune up though......... Piccies might come later, when I get to a real internet cafe that has accessible USB ports, but for now the ones in the libraries are free, if limited in time allocation.

It snowed the day after I got here, about an inch or so, but gone again by afternoon. The temperatures have been about or below 10, but today it has come out trumps, and it is sunny (for the first time so far) and it is quite pleasant (think late autumn day-ish).

The roads over here (at least in Kent) are scary. The A-roads are fine but a bit boring, and the B-roads and back country lanes are the bad ones. There are huge manhole covers and things everywhere.... The soil forms banks up to a foot high on the insides of corners and there are often big potholes right on the apexes of corners. The roads have mostly been dug up at least once and finished off roughly. To top it all off, there are nice tall hedges close by the roadside, blocking all view around corners. The roads are narrow and the lorries and vans are usually large. Other counties appear to take better care of their roads, but living in Edenbridge (Kent/Surrey/Sussex border), I've mainly seen the kent roads.

Oh and the ice and other road hazards (mud gravel etc) make it even worse... The Kent road surface is generally worse than SH22, with just as much shiny seal around the place......

Its a bit of fun though, and once I get the Bros sorted it ought to be a great summer :) Its got BT45s on it and scraping the boots is no worry at all although I'm finding the road surface too odd to try for much more.....

Time running out, TTYAL

[Bob]

Talk about bad timing! I was supposed to be holidaying in Kent last week - but the owner of the cottage rang to say they'd had so much snow the road was impassable (it was on an old Roman road, now given a "B" designation) that they'd had to use an industrial digger to clear their pathway!

On roads in general - you'll find the same pattern repeating. A and M will be well maintained, but B roads will be a mixed bag.

Get yourself over to Sussex when you get the chance - read any of the bike mags and they all go on about how good the roads are there.

Hope you get the Bros breathing properly - at least it is shod with some decent boots!

[6Chris6]

Hey Martin

Good to hear from you.
But... FFS don't become a London bike courier, we would really like to see you back hear with all limbs still attached and working properly.
That job is for people that are tired of life.
Enjoy your time there.
Chris

[wari]

GOod to hear from yar Posh .. keep upda good werk mate ... :spudwave:

:sunny: <== been crakin' weathrr herre lately too mate ... mmy nose is reddrr in evrr ... :moon:

[Blakamin]

Sounds like you're having some fun PT.... :niceone:

Keep it up and watch them apexes :apint:

[jazbug5]

What 6Chris6 said- don't do it!

Besides, London sucks you in and you will hate it there, I'm pretty sure...
Also, every courier I know, aside from having more metal parts in their bodies than their bikes, and setting off the security equipment at every airport terminal they go through, has had their bike nicked: and bike courier insurance costs more than you're likely to make.
What did you do about insurance in the end? How much did it cost to get on the road after the cost of the bike?
(I have to go home eventually... *sob*)

Oh, and if you want to go up to Scotland or Cambridge, PM me and I'll see who I can scare up to show you a good time. Well, in Scotland it just might be my dad eagerly dragging you up hillsides, but he does revive his victims with good whisky, so it's worth it!!!

[James Deuce]

Waahaaay!

Nice to hear from you! Sussex B roads are nice. There is a lovely road or two between Blackheath (Sussex) and Petersfield, and if you feel like day ride, the New Forest on the other side of Southampton has some fun roads and interesting villages.

If you can avoid living in London (and working as a pre-cripple status bike courier) and still have a great time then do it, just from the money perspective. My fave cities over there are London, Manchester, and Edinburgh, but Kent is a bit "Southern Bastard" (Jazbug knows what I mean) for me ;). Londoners are a bit more cosmopolitan than their southern city counterparts.

Keep us updated! Get thee to southern France in the summer time!

[Riff Raff]

Good to hear from you Maarten. Good luck with the job hunting - and I'll reiterate the 'don't do it' point regarding being a bike courier.

Look forward to hearing about your next adventure.

[crashe]

Hi ya Maarten,

Good to see ya made it safely to the UK....
Have a great time over there...
I guess thoses who posted above, who have lived over there know what the conditions are like to be a bike courier... so do listen to them....
Look forward to seeing some pic's of your new bike.

Enjoy life and have great fun on your big OE.

Looking forward to hearing more about your adventures over yonder.

Travel safe and take care.
:banana: :spudwave:

[jrandom]

Don't listen to all these big pansies, Maarten. Be a London bike courier!

In the reasonably likely event that you survive, you'll have heaps of stories to tell about the time you got the titanium plates inserted, and the cute nurse that used to work nightshifts when you were in traction for a month. And don't forget, the head injuries will give you a plausible excuse for forgetting things. It's all good!

And we require photos, so hurry up and get them sorted.

[Biff]

Watch out for the London taxi drivers mate. They're mobile bike wreckers.

Be safe, enjoy, and whatever you do don't pick up a London accent "me ole china".

If you ever fancy visiting Wales I should be able to organise a cwowd of wowdy biker wabble to meet and greet you.

[jazbug5]

Biff old chap!

Your avatars get worse and worse. You're clearly a very sick man.
Did they throw you out of Wales for being too perverted even for the Welsh ...?!
*shudder*

[Motu]

Can you get some photos of the wedding for my collection while you are there - and you better bloody hurry if you want to get an audience with your favorite Pope.

Cool,a Bro eh bro,now like me you can feel the power of a 600,or 650 reduced to 400cc.The old R65 is going well,we are all doing timed runs down 22 on it - I'm 3rd fastest so far....

[edit] um,hi.

[Motu]

Now you are gone Maarten I can show you a picture of my R60/5,it was originaly white with black pinstriping,I had a toaster tank for it too.Some of your fathers parts in it,but imported most I needed from Aust.

[SPman]

And which parts of his father worked best?

[Posh Tourer :P]

Can you get some photos of the wedding for my collection while you are there - and you better bloody hurry if you want to get an audience with your favorite Pope.

Cool,a Bro eh bro,now like me you can feel the power of a 600,or 650 reduced to 400cc.The old R65 is going well,we are all doing timed runs down 22 on it - I'm 3rd fastest so far....

[edit] um,hi.


Yeah it is a bit underpowered, a 400 Vtwin, but I think it also needs a tune up. For which i need the relevant manual page..... I'll find it eventually....

Whats your time? I bet you cant beat mine on that beast.....

[Posh Tourer :P]

FFS don't become a London bike courier, we would really like to see you back hear with all limbs still attached and working properly.
That job is for people that are tired of life.

Yeah I'm thinking I could get a job as a courier somewhere else, based in a smaller town, and get some distance work with occasional trips into London..... The companies are everywhere, so we shall see. Most couriers in London require you to work at LEAST 10 hours a day 5 days a week, and I'm not sure I want to battle London's traffic for that amount of time each week.

[bgd]

PT I'm in Kent (Tonbridge) so if you fancy a ride sometime drop me a PM

[betti]

What about becoming a part time c.b.t. instructor? you would only have to work weekends, get to ride your bike round all weekend, and do some good to young bikers!.
Most big towns in the Uk have at least one bike school, all you'll need is the c.b.t. manual about £7 from bookshops and an understanding of uk road rules!!!.
Much safer than bein a courier :niceone:

[Posh Tourer :P]

Interesting idea.......I'll look into it, thanks

[Biff]

Biff old chap!

Your avatars get worse and worse. You're clearly a very sick man.


You're the bloody pervert. How on earth do you see something pervy in a dancing beer and a fox taking a drink?

[moko]

What about becoming a part time c.b.t. instructor? ................ all you'll need is the c.b.t. manual about £7 from bookshops and an understanding of uk road rules!!!.


Yeah and the minor detail of a British full licence and the right training as well.That`s like saying get yourself a copy of Gray`s anatomy and open a Doctor`s Surgery.
Couriers I`ve known mate all say DON`T DO IT, you`ll earn big money right enough but shit will you earn it. You`ve seen the state of U.K. roads now and the appalling standard of driving. You`ll age 5 years in 12 months, and be lucky not to have trashed your bike,got banned or knocked off at least once.You`ve had a taste of our winter already, you`ll see bikes out in all weathers but having to do a few hundred miles a week in it to pay the rent will soon lose it`s appeal. Dont know how long you`re here for mate, or why but I live somewhere with a slower pace of life, stuff the money I could earn in London,been there,done that and your welcome to it.Have a think about somewhere like Exeter which is close to the sea,moors and loads of great bike roads.you wont earn London money but you also wont have all the shit that goes with living there either.If you need to visit London it`s either a simple ride or use the trains.
Ignore Biff`s comments on the London accent,Celtic inferiority complex aside you wont find anyone saying "me old china" unless Dick Van Dyke`s in town.

[MadDuck]

Hi Posh

Thanks for the post and damn that bought back some huge memories for me having done my OE ...ummm not telling ya when and it was a hoot. One thing I do remember is that the rents were out of this world and the food meant living on bread and water to be able to afford the warm beer (I still dont get that). End result is do what you have to do to earn some cash to survive but you are a wise enuff fella to know your limits.

When it snowed the poms I worked with thought I was having a mental break down when I went outside and stood in it raving about a white Xmas. Enjoy every damn minute and enjoy every country you get to see. Only advice I will offer is DONT stay in London. Manchester has a lot to offer for example. Apart from the fat soaked fish and chips that is :spudwave:

MD

[moggy]

If you make it up to Yorkshire pm me and I will drum up a contingent from here for a ride/beer.
Why don't you make yourself known on this site
http://217.68.23.17/~chaos-crew.co.uk/phpBB2/index.php

They are a very friendly bunch, and we all meet up at rallies. There are plenty of folks not too far from you. and I am sure someone would be able to help you sort your bike out.

[moko]

Good idea from Moggy there.Also try Visordown or even realclassic(at least one other Bros rider on there) letting them know you`re here and how about a meet. VDs mainly squids,realclassic is older guys with the kind of bikes you ride or ageing Brits.You could also go on ridersite if it`s still there but was mainly full of anal dip-shits when I used it.They speak very highly of me as well.
If you`ve got no particular reason to stay in the South East mate then dont,get yourself down to the West-country, further down the better in Summer. Just about anywhere`s better than London.If you want spares for the Bros try David Silver,one of the few places in London you wont get totally ripped-off. I was in Soho once with a mate from Scotland,like anyone else with a different accent he was getting charged shit-loads more for his round of drinks,see the sights and go elsewhere.You`ll find loads of Kiwis around Earls Court but like I said to people when I was in N.Z. you dont travel across the world to meet with people from the same place. Outside of the big cities people are a whole lot friendlier,things are a lot cheaper and you`ll have a better time.If someone smiles at you in London his mate is probably lifting your wallet.

[moko]

When it snowed the poms I worked with thought I was having a mental break down when I went outside and stood in it raving about a white Xmas.
MD

Funny that because I worked with an Indonesian bloke a few weeks back who was raving about how neat the snow and ice was. we already knew the guy was weird,like who the fuck moves from Bali to England in the middle of winter? I think he found the sight of a couple of tattooed fat lasses slugging it out in the city-centre one Saturday night a bit of a culture shock as well.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Well, I'm now in Norwich for the time being, staying at Marsham (just north of the town).

I'm still soldiering on with the Bros - I think now that the carb diaphragms arent seated properly (? maybe). Once I get settled somewhere I'll pull it apart and have a look. In the meantime it has needed lots of oil and grease to get it running well - The chain was as loose as it could get after 500miles, with some tight spots still apparent. Tightened it twice since then and hopefully now it will stay that way....

I've done 1000 miles in a week or so, including a run from Maidstone to Norwich in the rain.....16°C-ish so it wasnt too bad, BUT the amount of CRAP coming up off the motorways is incredible....... The bike got dirtier than if I'd been on a gravel road all day. And that was just on the motorway........

Still, hopefully the weather will get better from here in, and the biking too.

Piccies in the next few days hopefully - got to find an internet cafe that has a useable USB port :shit: Its hard enough finding an internet cafe around here, let alone a good one.....

[crashe]

hey its good to hear from ya.... and your reports...

Hope you can sort out the wee hiccups on ya bike.....

look forward to seeing those pics....
must be damn frustrating not being able to find many internet cafes...

[Biff]

Great update PT.


You`ve seen the state of U.K. roads now and the appalling standard of driving.

Are you coming to live here Moko? If you do, I'd like to encourage you to review that statement after you've been here 6 months, not after a quick tour while on holidays. The cage drivers here appear blind when it comes to motorbikes. As already discussed here somewhere (and backed up by Alan ???? stats) the Brits, alledgedly, have a far better record than the Kiwis.

Before you all lynch me, personal experiences and Sir Alans stats taken from independent sources convince me I'm right. For a change.


Ignore Biff`s comments on the London accent,Celtic inferiority complex aside you wont find anyone saying "me old china" unless Dick Van Dyke`s in town.

You obviously haven't met the in-laws or my wife. Believe you me - they still say it. And as for your habitual stab at the Celts..... :tugger:

[James Deuce]

Are you coming to live here Moko? If you do, I'd like to encourage you to review that statement after you've been here 6 months, not after a quick tour while on holidays. The cage drivers here appear blind when it comes to motorbikes. As already discussed here somewhere (and backed up by Alan ???? stats) the Brits, alledgedly, have a far better record than the Kiwis.


Hear hear. Kiwis are homicidal maniacs compared to the worst white van man you can find in the UK, who would incidently rate as a hesitant, tree hugging, limp wristed JAFA, with chronic delusions of qualifying for blokedom through being the proud owner of a penis, here in NZ.

I done lived in the UK, and the drivers there are gods compared to Kiwis. Even the bloke with the '80s XR2, earwig moustache, and the girfriend called Sharon.

[Posh Tourer :P]

I dunno about that. I reckon they are about the same, except that more people over here move over to let you go past.......

[James Deuce]

I dunno about that. I reckon they are about the same, except that more people over here move over to let you go past.......

We thought the same 'til we got home. The difference is stark when you get home. It's funny how quickly you adapt to traffic in different countries.

[moko]

You obviously haven't met the in-laws or my wife. Believe you me - they still say it. And as for your habitual stab at the Celts..... :tugger:

Which was as usual a reply to a dig of yours.I`ve got Irish and I believe Scottish blood as well somewhere down the line,we`re talking about lines on a map so lighten up.
Oddly enough I havnt met your in-laws as far as I know but the only people I`ve heard using all the Cockney rhymning slang you see in the black and white films have been what are known as "Cardboard Cockneys" over here,"Eastenders" is a fine example of this species.You want rhymning slang used everyday without being an affectation then try Glasgow where you`ll find more old china than a charity shop.
Back to the topic,all i can do is speak from experience,I have to regularly take evasive action here,normally on the ride home from work and have even come close to getting mown down by some dork in the works car-park.In N.Z. the only problem I had was down to me not realising the different "right of way" at a junction.All I can do is speak from my experience,which was positive,even the traffic cop that pulled me was a nice bloke,could have booked me but didnt.I suppose I could easily have been knocked off half an hour into my first ride or got the book thrown at me by some shit-head cop for inadvertantly breaking some law but that didnt happen.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Well, the worst has happened.....

Riding out to Norwich this morning, the bike suddenly lost power and started clattering in the top of the engine, like it had dropped a valve or something..... It doesnt clatter at idle, but does once you put in a bit of throttle.....Any ideas?

It has been picked up and taken to a garage, but I am transportless for the next (unknown) wee while. Hopefully it isnt terminal, and I can get parts or a repair fairly cheap......... Can anyone recommend a place to take it to fix it? It is at a garage for the moment, in case I cant get to fix it myself (most likely).

I was planning to take it to a garage to do the fork seals and perhaps check the carb diaphragms to fix it's breathing problem............

[Riff Raff]

At least there is good public transport in the UK so all is not lost. Good luck with getting your bike fixed.

[Posh Tourer :P]

At least there is good public transport in the UK so all is not lost. Good luck with getting your bike fixed.

Well, yes, I can at least get from my campsite to Norwich (9miles) fairly easily.....

[James Deuce]

Mate, that's a bit of bum luck. Hope it works out for you.

[Milky]

bugger... As much as I think you would love it to happen, we cant ship the basement over to you so you can repair/attempt surgery on the poor thing :p Did you buy from a shop or private? With the timeframe the New Zealand consumer guarantees act would apply I assume. What does the UK law say about it?
Best of luck getting the beast fixed. I doubt it is a valve dropped as that would have been a little more dramatic, and surely it would make noise right through from idle up. I assume that it is something cam related, maybe a cam cap thingamywhatsit (the bearings at either end of the camshaft) came adrift?

[igor]

Now you are gone Maarten I can show you a picture of my R60/5,it was originaly white with black pinstriping,I had a toaster tank for it too.Some of your fathers parts in it,but imported most I needed from Aust.

closet bmw rider

tour secret is out

[Posh Tourer :P]

bugger... As much as I think you would love it to happen, we cant ship the basement over to you so you can repair/attempt surgery on the poor thing :p Did you buy from a shop or private? With the timeframe the New Zealand consumer guarantees act would apply I assume. What does the UK law say about it?
Best of luck getting the beast fixed. I doubt it is a valve dropped as that would have been a little more dramatic, and surely it would make noise right through from idle up. I assume that it is something cam related, maybe a cam cap thingamywhatsit (the bearings at either end of the camshaft) came adrift?

I bought private, cos it is that much cheaper... duh... :bleh: The noise sounds to be cam-related, so I'm hoping it is something like a cam cap or chain loose. Loss of power though, sounds like a valve is bent somewhere or out of place.... If it gets too expensive, I'm assured I can get a whole new engine for £150.

And yes, it is extremely irritating to not have access to a workshop to fix stuff in. I feel like a chicken without it's legs, head and wings..... I would be running around and flapping my wings but I cant actually do ANYTHING.... :angry2:

[crashe]

shit thats a bit of bad luck you are having with your bike..
I hope it aint too expensive to fix...
and that you are back on the road again real quick. :ride:

[Posh Tourer :P]

Well, I'm finding out today or tomorrow whether it is bad or not....... Here's hoping

[Motu]

The dreaded Honda cam chain - 2 on a V twin,as it wears the cam timing will advance - until the inlet valves hit the piston,3 valve heads,and um,2 are inlet....bugger.I know what it's like to have to work away from the comfort of the workshop you know so well,with everything possible you need on hand...but shit,to be half a world away,you must feel helpless.The learning curve just got pretty bloody steep...do it,this today,that tomorrow,it'll all work out.As someone always told me - will this matter in 10yrs,5yrs?...2? Believe it or not people envy what's happening to you,you'll have memories and stories...they know every contestant on treasure Island or whatever reality show that's on TV.

[Ixion]

The dreaded Honda cam chain - 2 on a V twin,as it wears the cam timing will advance - until the inlet valves hit the piston,3 valve heads,and um,2 are inlet....bugger...

Iss why I likess two strokes. All them chains and cams and bent bits of stuff bouncing around at redikerlous speeds. Gotta be bad for you, dunnit. Two smoker now .No bits blatting around to clobber each other. Piston, he goes up and down, crankshaft, he goes round n round n round n round - uh yeah round n round. That's it. Nuffin else ('cept them funny Bridgestone things, but I never did reckon them)

Sorry to hear about your hassles mate. You shoulda bought a BMW, hear they're supposed to be reliable. :msn-wink:

[Posh Tourer :P]

Here is something Paul in NZ might like......

[Posh Tourer :P]

Sorry to hear about your hassles mate. You shoulda bought a BMW, hear they're supposed to be reliable. :msn-wink:

So I hear..... They also tend to cost more than £750...... and the ones that dont, arent really that reliable-looking

I would have if I could afford it..... I was planning on getting this one running well, giving it a good wash and selling it at a profit....... We'll see how that goes... It really is a bit small to tour on, so i'll probably still sell it eventually..... Just heard that I have a job for the next six months, so maybe I'll keep this for a bit longer.....

[James Deuce]

So I hear..... They also tend to cost more than £750...... and the ones that dont, arent really that reliable-looking

I would have if I could afford it..... I was planning on getting this one running well, giving it a good wash and selling it at a profit....... We'll see how that goes... It really is a bit small to tour on, so i'll probably still sell it eventually..... Just heard that I have a job for the next six months, so maybe I'll keep this for a bit longer.....

Job!!

x=job
y=UK
z=beer

x+y=z!

Be vewy, vewy, careful ;)

[Sniper]

Haha, funny

[Milky]

The dreaded Honda cam chain - 2 on a V twin,as it wears the cam timing will advance - until the inlet valves hit the piston,3 valve heads,and um,2 are inlet....bugger.

That really seems strange... Methought that the camchain would have to slip teeth to get the valves to touch the piston. Maybe they run very low clearance when at TDC?

Good to hear you got a job Maarten. Is it that one setting up at carshows?
I did an oil/brake fluid/plugs/timing etc on the BM and it is running much better now. In many ways it is a step backwards from the ZXR, but then again, it is much more useful in others. It is growing on me, and the more I ride it the more it seems like a step sideways :p :ride:

[Motu]

That really seems strange... Methought that the camchain would have to slip teeth to get the valves to touch the piston. Maybe they run very low clearance when at TDC?



They have a very close clearance,with a long chain the wear is so great that it advances the cam quite a bit.I've seen it so bad on Lada's that when you adjust the cam chain with the engine running the valves start hitting pistons with a hell of a lot of noise,scary shit - ''ah...I was just doing an adjustment on your car,and it...um,blew up?''...'yeah,right'

[vifferman]

They have a very close clearance,with a long chain the wear is so great that it advances the cam quite a bit.
Yeah, wot he said.
And Honda are shit at making camchains and/or tensioners. They suck! They friggin suck, I tellsya!!

My first Honda's camchain had so much 'fling' it had eaten a big piece out of the castings on the inside of the engine.
Second Honda was unusual - no camchain rattle at all! Brilliant!
(But being a two-smoke, it did have some piston slap...:confused: )

Third and fourth Hondas rattled.

Fifth one whined. No camchain rattles though but however. No camchains...

The VTR ate some vlaves (mmmm.... tasty...) as well as some valves before I bought it. So, I fitted A.P.E. manual tensioners, and found that if they were overtightened it actually made a significant and noticeable difference to the way the engine ran, as the camchain guide effectively rotated the cams backward slightly from where they should have been.
But at least it didn't rattle. Much.

Seventh Honda has a cakemixer where the engine normally resides...:confused:

[Milky]

The beast itself...

[moko]

Those Hondas are known for being pretty-well bullet-proof as a rule PT.
Get yourself down to the South-West if you`re on your O.E. rather than have a reason for staying in "Norfuck",all kinds of bike stuff going down,Paignton bike night every week,Poole Harbour likewise(both a serious blast),Plymouth mega-ride e.t.c.
Try posting on www.realclassic.co.uk ,bunch of old farts but good guys and I`m sure you`ll find someone to meet up with,you`ll get loads of advice about your mechanical woes for sure.While you`re here mate,anything I can do,anytime just shout.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Job!!

x=job
y=UK
z=beer

x+y=z!

Be vewy, vewy, careful ;)

Lol done that already.....

Working (x) for the guy where I am staying at the moment (y), and we got into z (plus wine and port) after having dinner....

I didnt walk a very straight line back to my tent after that one :msn-wink: :drinknsin

[Posh Tourer :P]

Good to hear you got a job Maarten. Is it that one setting up at carshows?

Correct...


I did an oil/brake fluid/plugs/timing etc on the BM and it is running much better now. In many ways it is a step backwards from the ZXR, but then again, it is much more useful in others. It is growing on me, and the more I ride it the more it seems like a step sideways :p :ride:

Good good. I knew it needed some attention, but it wasnt so bad that I was ready to bother. You'll want to touch it up every 3 months if you start getting picky.....

Havent you sold the ZXR yet?

The beemer does take quite a bit of getting used to, but I think it'll teach you a lot more than the ZXR will about riding well. It is in some ways less forgiving (throttle in corners), and in some ways more so (road surfaces). If you concentrate, you can get plenty of feedback from the Metzlers, and you can really push it, without having to do insanely fast speeds or (very) high lean angles.

Tho Walter did say i was about to drag the pot on the right...... :shifty:

Of course, it'll also carry a lot more stuff, more comfortably..... I was surprised how well it handled in the twisties on the Tokaanu rally - loaded up heavily, it still flicked around and scraped the sidestand confidently....

[Posh Tourer :P]

Those Hondas are known for being pretty-well bullet-proof as a rule PT.
Get yourself down to the South-West if you`re on your O.E. rather than have a reason for staying in "Norfuck",all kinds of bike stuff going down,Paignton bike night every week,Poole Harbour likewise(both a serious blast),Plymouth mega-ride e.t.c.
Try posting on www.realclassic.co.uk ,bunch of old farts but good guys and I`m sure you`ll find someone to meet up with,you`ll get loads of advice about your mechanical woes for sure.While you`re here mate,anything I can do,anytime just shout.

Well, bullet-proof as they might be, the guys at the Honda garage reckon its done a big end bearing....... If you can help to get it back on the road for less than £450, that'd be awesome..... My current plan is to wreck it and sell the bits to needy couriers.....

In the meantime, I've bought myself an XJ600 Diversion (with a few miles on it) to get me and my gear around the place.

I was down South-East, and visited Southampton on my way to 'Norfuck'. However, this job gets me all over the place anyways. I don't mind Norwich, but the roads around are dead boring - flat and straight.

Havent had time to get myself on realclassic yet. Been looking in MCN tho - they have a list of bike meets all over the place.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Ok, I have updated my gmail account with all the pics in it to make it a bit easier for you all to see it...... They now have thumbnails :yes:

There's pics of the diversion, Top Farm, me working in KB t-shirt etc etc.

https://gmail.google.com

pm me for a password and username if you want to have a look. Someone's been screwing about with it.....

[Milky]

Good good. I knew it needed some attention, but it wasnt so bad that I was ready to bother. You'll want to touch it up every 3 months if you start getting picky.....
It NEEDED attention. As in wouldnt idle unless you set the idle speed to 1800 rpm because it was missing so much.

Havent you sold the ZXR yet?
Good things take time, and it is a good thing. Dave it taking a long break from work, and has pledged that it is on the top of his list. Or was when I last talked to him...

The beemer does take quite a bit of getting used to, but I think it'll teach you a lot more than the ZXR will about riding well. It is in some ways less forgiving (throttle in corners), and in some ways more so (road surfaces). If you concentrate, you can get plenty of feedback from the Metzlers, and you can really push it, without having to do insanely fast speeds or (very) high lean angles.
The throttle in corners almost got me when I was going round a roundabout and had to stop when someone pulled out. It tightens the corner up considerably if you snap off the throttle... I am not too keen on the lack of solidity from the frame/tyres, but I guess I will get used to it after a while - Hell I thought the CB125 was a safe enough bike once :shifty: The lack of lightness in the front end when accellerating out of corners feels bizarre at the moment. It just speeds up without that slingshot feeling you get from the 400 (or any chain drive bike I guess...)
I agree that it will teach me more about riding well - In no way is it as capable on seal as the ZXR, and I feel it will take more rider... nous? to get it to perform in a similar way. Eventually I will take it on some rides to learn it better, but at the moment it is serving as transport into the FSAE garage - Tamaki campus - on monday nights, and some thursdays to fencing when I cant be bothered bicycling. Some would say it is almost retired...

[Posh Tourer :P]

It NEEDED attention. As in wouldnt idle unless you set the idle speed to 1800 rpm because it was missing so much.

What have you been doing to the poor wee beastie???


Good things take time, and it is a good thing. Dave it taking a long break from work, and has pledged that it is on the top of his list. Or was when I last talked to him....

Yup....


The throttle in corners almost got me when I was going round a roundabout and had to stop when someone pulled out. It tightens the corner up considerably if you snap off the throttle... I am not too keen on the lack of solidity from the frame/tyres, but I guess I will get used to it after a while - Hell I thought the CB125 was a safe enough bike once :shifty: The lack of lightness in the front end when accellerating out of corners feels bizarre at the moment. It just speeds up without that slingshot feeling you get from the 400 (or any chain drive bike I guess...)
I agree that it will teach me more about riding well - In no way is it as capable on seal as the ZXR, and I feel it will take more rider... nous? to get it to perform in a similar way. Eventually I will take it on some rides to learn it better, but at the moment it is serving as transport into the FSAE garage - Tamaki campus - on monday nights, and some thursdays to fencing when I cant be bothered bicycling. Some would say it is almost retired...


Ack...:S sell that ZXR and give it some regular work. It likes being regular, just like humans do.....

[Posh Tourer :P]

Well, I suppose it is time to get around to emailing everyone with the
obligatory 'wot I dun on my holidays' speil.

So, we'd better start at the beginning... We flew out of Auckland
heading for LA, in what I thought would be a non-stop flight, like it said
on my ticket. However, once we got in the air, we discovered that we were
heading for Tahiti for a "short stop". Five hours later we touched down at
the airport, 8pm local time, in misty drizzle. We got off the plane and
walked across the tarmac to the airport, and filed up to go through customs
checks to the transit lounge. It was still about 25° and it felt like 100%
humidity, and we sat there working up a nice sweat for an hour before we got

back on the plane to LA. Due to some unfortunate loitering for just a second

too long after going through customs, my hand luggage was checked, and they
stole my tweezers out of my medical kit...The rest of the flight to LA was
fairly uneventful, apart from the rubbery, over-sugared, luke-warm
(including the "salads") "food". I chatted for a while to the stereotypical
large american man next to me, who turned out to be not nearly so
stereotypical in the way he talked, being (thankfully) fairly quiet and
reserved.

Getting off at LA was a shock though. The airport has got to be one of the
worst places to spend a day that I have ever seen. A grey concrete
characterless, colourless monolith with no redeeming features whatsoever.
The weather was nice (16° and fine), but the airport was depressing. There
wasnt much point in me going out anywhere, as the airport is a lot of
money's worth away from anywhere, and free stuff to do is not readily
apparent in LA. So I amused myself by watching the fully armed (pistol in
holster plus rifle on bike) motorcycle cops go about their business, while
listening to the regular announcements from the airport PA - "You are not
required to give money to solicitors. This airport does not endorse their
activities. I repeat, this airport does not endorse their activities" - and
trying to write a diary. I met up with a lady and her young kid who were
taking the same flights as me, and heading home to Bristol after a holiday
in Christchurch. That was good as the little girl was quite happy to chat
and tell me all about her holiday in New Zealand... It helped pass the time
until the check-in desk opened again. Did I mention that the airport is also

almost completely deserted, apart from check in times, when everyone
suddenly appears from nowhere and causes a brief burst of human colour in a
grey bleak building?? Ah well....

So anyway, getting onto Virgin Atlantic was a revolution after Air Tahiti
Nui......The waitresses were nicer, the plane was nicer, there was no-one
sitting right next to me, and the entertainment system was HUGELY better....

Air Tahiti had 4 movies playing for everyone, while Virgin had a selection
of about 20, plus 20 Simpsons episodes, and loads of other stuff, all on
demand... Consequently, I didn't get nearly the amount of sleep that I had
planned on getting...I saw two movies - The Incredibles and Team America World Police - both very good, as well as two Simpsons episodes, and got about 2 hours
sleep...... The food was immeasurably better as well, still not brilliant,
but certainly edible - something which I'd had doubts about on Air Tahiti.

We flew in to England over Scotland and Northern Ireland, and then down to
Heathrow. There were, between clouds, patches of snow on the ground, all the

way down to London. It was very cold when I arrived in Heathrow, but at
least the airport was nicer than LA.... I took the bus to Gatwick to meet my

cousin Kevin. My first introduction to the English public transport system
was a bus delayed by 25 minutes, as they couldnt find a driver to get it to
go anywhere...... Still, we'd left plenty of time for me to meet my cousin,
so I still had to wait around at Gatwick for about half an hour before he
arrived.

We went back to a small town by the name of Edenbridge, where Kevin, Helen
and their 3 boys (Nathan, Laurence and Christopher - 5, 8 and 13) are packed

into a small 3 bedroom semi-detached house.... The next morning, it snowed.
We had about an inch or so of settling snow, but it was gone again by
lunchtime.... Thanks England :D

I stayed in Edenbridge for a couple of weeks, getting my feet on the ground,

and learning to play darts - I even made a debut in the social league as a
reserve, playing against my cousin's team. I bought myself a bike ('87 (?)
Honda Bros 400), and

made a few trips into London, mainly to sort out my bank account, which,
although the system is antiquated, was easier than I expected it to be. I
got a leaflet with my new card, exhorting me to try out their new chip and
pin system, and explaining that you no longer needed to sign for every
purchase, and telling me to be patient as everyone learned how to use the
new pin entry machines :-)

I was considering becoming a London motorcycle courier (£1500 a year TPFT
insurance !!!) when I noticed a job for "Event Operators" in TNT
magazine...One interview later, I had an appointment in Norwich to do an
"assessment day". I took a fairly circuitous route, via stays in Stockbridge

(Winchester) and Maidstone. The last day, Maidstone to Norwich, was wet.
Very wet. It rained for 3 hours, from the time I left Maidstone, to the time

I got to Norwich. As I'd taken the M25 in the first spell of rain for a
while, everything got covered in more dirt and crap than you could imagine.
Grit, salt, dirt, you name it, it got on to my gear..... I checked into the
B&B (booked & paid by work) early and tried to dry out....

The assessment day was pleasant enough, and everyone else (they employ about

40 seasonal workers every year) seemed to be good people. After this I
managed to find a very cheap (£3
a night) campground, just north of Norwich. Top Farm turned out to be my
home for the next wee while, as I hung around waiting to find out if I had
the job. Having got the job, my bike promptly shat itself, and I spent quite

a bit of time working for Clive at Top Farm while waiting for another bike
to come my way. And it did, in the form of an XJ600 Diversion, in
Colchester. Clive, who by this time was very impressed with my work ethic (I

didnt believe what he said - "guys your age in this country wouldnt work
half as hard" - at the time, but more experience leads me to believe that he

was in fact not exaggerating at all.......), and offered to drop me at the
station to catch a train to Colchester. I got there, walked halfway across
town, stopped and asked or directions and realised that I had, luckily, been

going in the right direction. Got to the bike shop and bought the bike, and
rode it home, via some interesting B-roads.

Work again put me up in a hotel for the first week of training, and along
with the rest of the London based guys, we hatched a cunning plan. Which
ended up roughly in the lower-middle reaches of cunning, as we found a flat,

in pretty poor condition, and about 10 miles from work. Not having a lot of
choice, we took it, and it has turned out better than expected..... I even
managed to get a double bed and a single room.....

Work, although I havent really done anything big yet, seems to be good - the

company looks after you (see hotels etc) and the guys there are really
helpful. Hence I'm about to put a new engine in my Bros at work, in the
warehouse :D There are some pictures that probably explain better than I
could what we do, so I'll leave it to them.

Oh and if you have looked at my gmail account, you are probably wondering
who the girl is.... While I was staying at Top Farm, although out for the
day, she turned up with a tent. Clive, being the wonderful man that he is,
told her all about this other really nice guy who was tenting too. The
result was, when I got back and off my bike I was bombarded by questions
from someone I didnt know about what I'd been doing for the day....
Nevertheless, she seemed like a nice enough girl, so I accepted her
invitation to head into Norwich for the evening. We went to The Castle - a
well set up pub with a separate dance-club out the back called the Barn. It
also happened to be a gay pub - not that she realised that of course - but
it made for an interesting night. We met a couple at the pool table and
headed off with them to The Loft - a gay club in the main party street.
Regardless of the orientation of the club, I had a great night.... Everyone
was much more relaxed and friendly than in most clubs, and they'd come up
and chat to you at random times for no real reason. Of course there were
some there, straight and gay, male and female, who were on the pull, but it
didn't matter, and it didn't seem to make anyone uptight and nervous about
what they said to who and who looked at them in what way.... So, thats that
story - I wouldnt have gone on about it, but I felt it needed
emphasising just how different it was to anywhere else I've been...

[Posh Tourer :P]

Anyway, I'm now in a flat with 5 other guys (3 SA, an aussie and a polish
guy - Altus, Riaan, Mark, Aaron and Daniel respectively), waiting for the
event season to kick off properly. We live right next to the shops and the
library, which is great, cos the library has free internet in 1 hour periods

to anyone who wants it. There is normally a computer free in short order,
and it is literally 2 minutes walk away, as are the shops. You can walk into

town in 20 minutes, and there are further shops only 10 minutes away. The
University pub/club is 15 minutes walk away, and is very cheap. We get Uni
students streaming past all the time in front of the house and the place is
never dull. We have decent neighbours too, who are happy that we are finally

cleaning up the crappiest house in the street....

Just a couple of notes on the English and England before I disappear. I know

I know it has been a long email, but I didnt feel like abridging it any
further. So firstly, a few notes. Everyone over here seems to drink a lot...

The standard drink is a pint (about two bottles worth), and you feel really
stupid sitting there with a half a pint.....So you tend to drink a few pints

in the course of a normal evening...

They also complain a lot.... Everyone gets very irritated about the smallest

thing... people yell or toot at you for almost nothing on the road, and
thats just the comments you hear....People write into the newspaper about
their next door neighbours fence (yes really!!). They consequently dont tend

to work very hard, due to all the smoko breaks and such like while they
complain about the boss, the weather or the work, or failing that, the
pakistanis....

Everyone over here smokes, and pubs leave you smelling absolutely rank the
next morning.... it is all very weird... I'm waiting for the universal moan
when they bring in the ban on smoking in pubs over here......

Having said all that, there a lot of very nice people out here, and they
tend to be a bit more open and relaxed once they let their guard down than
kiwis do.

[Posh Tourer :P]

That is the email I've sent around to everyone else, so I thought I'd stick it on here too......

Might do a more KB specific one when I can be bothered....

[LB]

.
.
Very good write-up, enjoyed reading it - thanks PT. Keep us posted! (did you get the girl?)

.
.

[Milky]

Just thought to say my avatar is a pic PT took near where he was staying. There are some good photos in what he has taken so far, so take a look if you haven't already.

[Motu]

Hi Maarten,good to hear from you again.Now you know why Poms got such a bad name back in the 70s when we had a ''wave'' of them come over - they were lazy and never stopped moaning,joined the unions,took them over and stirred industrial unrest...didn't go down well with hard working Kiwi's who would work in terrible conditions without a word of complaint...''Punch a Pom a Day'',the sniveling pricks deserved it.

Good news on the XJ,I'll cross my fingers and say you'll never have trouble with one of those - Frosty will be pleased! So,what's happened to the Bro man? That was a shame,could of been a nice bike....if you hadn't a touched it....

Drop in again sometime eh?

[Posh Tourer :P]

Good news on the XJ,I'll cross my fingers and say you'll never have trouble with one of those - Frosty will be pleased! So,what's happened to the Bro man? That was a shame,could of been a nice bike....if you hadn't a touched it....

Heh. I did a big end on the Bros. Got estimated £1000-odd to fix it. Getting a new engine for £250 and going to install it myself though....

Speaking of trouble, I hope I'm going to be ok on the XJ for a week or so, it kinda needs a cam chain (tho I knew that when I got it), and I kinda did 250 miles around Norfuck coast last Sunday cos I felt like it, making the problem worse....

Still, I'm gonna keep the bros and sell the XJ, it is boring, and bigger than I need, and it doesnt have a top box....

[Posh Tourer :P]

.
.
Very good write-up, enjoyed reading it - thanks PT. Keep us posted! (did you get the girl?)

.
.

Thanks.... well, we are still meetng up occasionally.... So, yes and no......

[TwoSeven]

Well I used to do courier work and it was probably one of the best jobs I ever did. Yes, you have to work 12 hour days in rain/snow/heat/cold and be capable of running up 5 flights of stairs in full wet weather kit. Not sure if they still do 15 min pickup/delivery now but that used to be the rule.

Here (http://www.drmartens.com/) is a video of a courier chap. Bit of a poof tho, but it will give you an idea.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Hello all

Well, I bet you are all dying to know how I'm getting on in 'forn parts'....

Since the last email, all that has really been happening is a lot of working. I am in a flat, but I only really spend 1-2 nights a week in it, the rest of the time I am off around the country being 'white van man', the stereotyped really really bad driver. This Friday I am off on an 8 hr drive from Norwich to somewhere near Swansea in Wales. I'm towing a Chevrolet (Daewoo rebranded - we dont get the American Chevys over here) promotional unit all the way, so I'm restricted to 50mph (80kph). I cant really get much higher than that because I'll also be on tachograph, which means that my speed and time will be recorded, and I have to stick by the Drivers Hours regulations - can only drive 90hrs in 2 weeks, 56hrs in one, 9hrs in a day (up to 10 hours twice a week), and you must take a 45 minute break for every 4.5hrs you drive. The penalties are pretty massive for breaking drivers hours (even if it is just 5 or 10 minutes) or for speeding so I have to be very careful.... On the plus side though, I get to use all the truckers cafes and stuff. HT (or HGV as it is over here) petrol pumps are much faster, and the food is something incredible... I went over to Ireland on the ferry (Stranraer to Belfast) after driving overnight from London (2 guys and it took us 10 hours - 8pm to 6am) and got a meal voucher for the truckers lounge. The breakfast we got was massive slabs of bacon, eggs, hash browns, baked beans, sausages, meat patties, ham, spaghetti, and anything else fatty or fattening that you could imagine, all on buffet.... Pile up your plate and go, because there arent any seconds.......

For a good day's driving (8-9hours) the distance could be 400miles, which is 700-odd km. I'm slowly getting used to the long hours of driving, and having plenty of CDs certainly helps.... The radio stations over here are really crap. You would think that with a relatively flat country, you would be able to get reception nearly everywhere. There are enough high-ish places to put transmitters and not so many valleys that it would be a problem. They just dont seem to put the effort in, just like the mobile phone companies. Seven or so companies, and no-one can provide decent coverage over the entire country. They are worse than Telecom.........

Apart from all the driving, I'm really enjoying the job. I get paid quite a bit of money (£500-odd a week) to see almost every part of the country and go out and visit the pubs everywhere too (pretty much a requirement with the guys I work with.....). I get free entry to the shows I get to, and sometimes even the treasured "Access all areas" pass...... Also get to drive some great cars - the Monaro VXR, the Vauxhall VXR220 (basically a Lotus), the new BMW 7-series, etc etc.

Launching the BMW 7-series was the first job I did, which meant a lot of time in swanky hotels and cruising around in what is a very luxurious car while going to fuel them up. From there I went on to a Motorshow in Belfast and a couple of County shows. It is a bit weird going from a £100-a-night hotel (and working in a £400-a-night hotel) to suddenly sleeping in the back of a van in a dusty county showground. When I'm travelling with an overnight stop I'm normally in a Travel Inn/Travelodge, which is paid for by work and is fairly decent for £60 a night. They are convenient, and at least work dont make you take a 14m long vehicle around to find a little B&B for £20 a night. They are normally right next to the motorway services, so there is an easy place to park a truck, or whatever big bastard of a vehicle I'm driving at the time. I'm not on a HT licence, but for some reason my licence translation means I can use a van to tow a large unit, up to 7.5T all up.

I am enjoying getting paid to go to all different parts of the country, though as yet I havent been to Scotland (much) or to the Republic of Ireland. It would be nicer if I got to see a few more parts of the country than just the motorways, but oh well....

I'm slowly adapting to the British people and the way of life, it isn't really that different from back home, but there are a few things that annoy me or just seem stupid....Like the ability to sign up with a mobile phone provider that doesnt work outside London, or the utter lack of effort that a lot of people put into work.

On the motorbike front I now have a serviced XJ600, and an almost fixed Bros, so the XJ will imminently be sold. I've started to look around for a touring bike, but there arent that many with full hard luggage around, so it might take me a while. I've been considering walking around the midlands, given that there is such a massive network of footpaths anyway, and the right to roam over a great deal of the countryside. I'll let you all know how that turns out....

I'm working on getting some more piccies up of the stuff I'm doing at the moment, should be up within about a week, but I'll let you all know again when it happens

Thats about all from me for now, have fun over there in the cold wintry weather...

Maarten

[Juan]

Why don't you nip over for the Southern 100 Races in July???

[Lucyloo]

Mate, sounds as though you are really making the most of your time over there. Well done.
Enjoy it all, experience as much as you can but remember to come back to us one day!
L.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Why don't you nip over for the Southern 100 Races in July???

What is it and when? I normally only have 1 day off a week, and not a weekend day at that..... Anything happening in October??? :no:

[Posh Tourer :P]

Mate, sounds as though you are really making the most of your time over there. Well done.
Enjoy it all, experience as much as you can but remember to come back to us one day!
L.

Of course...... Having not yet seen the roads in Scotland Wales or the rest of Europe, I have not yet been tempted.

English roads are shit......

[Slim]

What is it and when? I normally only have 1 day off a week, and not a weekend day at that..... Anything happening in October??? :no:
Take Juan up on his offer if you can. He's on the Isle of Man & he needs to get used to the Kiwi accent before we meet him at Phillip Island! ;)

I've got a mate just south of Manchester with a spare room who would love to see you if you need somewhere to kip up there - PM me (and that's a serious offer!)

[Two Smoker]

Wicked to hear from you marty :niceone: Glad your having a great time!!!

[Juan]

What is it and when? I normally only have 1 day off a week, and not a weekend day at that..... Anything happening in October??? :no:

Oct??? island is shut, we off to NZ!!!!!

Southern 100... as below


http://www.southern100.com/2005/southern_times.htm

Sure we could sort a bike for you to play on.... Got no hols to take as all taken up with visting Aus Moto GP and NZ :yes: so you would be on your own for working hours, should be able to find ya somewhere to kip and give ya a map!!!!!

Guess the Thursday would be the best day to come, fly over wed night and sort it from there

www.vistiom.com sould help with flights or ferries on www.steam-packet.com

See ya soon :drinkup:

[Posh Tourer :P]

I am looking at which day I can come over. We shall see....

Also, if anyone want to see the latest load of piccies, pm me for the password and username of my gmail acc.

www.gmail.google.com

I would post them here, but last time I did, my password was changed for me....

[Posh Tourer :P]

At present I have either tues or weds off next week...

[Juan]

At present I have either tues or weds off next week...
So if you fancy it let us know how you geting here and we will take it form there...

Will PM my phone number now....