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.
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