South Auckland Street Skills

**nzspokes** · 27th March 2014, 06:07

Originally Posted by xXGIBBOXx

some times you just have to ride it out . there is a good bit on this in twist of the wrist on riding through wet lines , stones etc .

I will try to remember to bring along a copy of Twist of the Wrist 2 next week.

**nzspokes** · 27th March 2014, 06:59

Originally Posted by eldog

Yesh, it did! (Thanks Spokes, BTW) - cool

metal was in the centre of the lane, you seemed to ride right into it at times, just be careful out there

the large amount of chip seal carried out lately hasnt been swept properly and the council should check and sweep all (esp rural) corners on a regualar basis, maybe the ACC should look at this, as could cause an accident.

I think this should be investigated further

I tend to ride in the wheel tracks but it was very light gravel that night.

**aws** · 27th March 2014, 08:12

Originally Posted by eldog

clutch - burning smell during some parts of the ride - like clutch pad, cant be the brakes barely used them

talk tuesday!

Your Scorpio has a wet clutch, so I doubt that you'd get any burning smell from it. Sometimes cow poo or something gets on your exhaust headers and can smell a bit.

**aws** · 27th March 2014, 08:19

Originally Posted by bawked

Increasing pre-load doesn't increase the spring rate it increases the baseline force needed to start compressing the spring.... the rate at which it compresses after that does not change with the preload. Fs = Fp + Ks*X is the relevant eqn. So the ride rate isn't changed... and given that the rider weight variation has a much more substantial effect on ride rates on a bike (rider weight ~30-40%) as opposed to a car (where the driver weight is < 10%) the spring rates can easily be wrong and only changing them will fix the issue... changing the preload will not.

My understanding is the increasing preload will likely reduce the spring rate slightly as the spring coils become closer together and less able to resist the compressive force. Most springs lose rate as compressed, unless they are specifically designed with variable coil spacing to give a rising rate. Having said that, the linkage design in motorcycle rear suspension can be used to create the effect of rising rate as the suspension compresses.

Which is not to say that adjusting preload isn't helping to correct the problem

**nzspokes** · 27th March 2014, 09:23

Can we keep this thread on track please? Were here to talk about SASS and safe riding. Im happy to talk through other matters at the pub after the ride.

**f2dz** · 27th March 2014, 13:55

Back on track then - I quite enjoyed the longer ride. I'll have to remember to change out my tinted visor for a clear or lighter smoke next time though.

I dunno about others, but having a long ride like that every few weeks is quite a nice change from doing the drills in the carpark, even though I do still enjoy those.

One suggestion for next time, especially if we have new people, is that perhaps we should determine who is learning/needs/wants helps with their riding and have them near the front? As it stands it seems like people just pull out of the Z in any order minus assigning the leader and TEC.

On another note, I've gotta try to tweak my suspension this weekend all being well. My rear shock seems pretty squidgy, ever since I got it actually..

**gjm** · 27th March 2014, 14:34

Originally Posted by Sis

use google maps for kms and times.
When I go to Wellington, I use Highway 39 from Ngaruawahia to Otorohanga and then onto Highway 4 through Taumaranui and on through National Park, Paraparas Wanganui etc. A scenic route.

That's the route we took to Wanganui, too.
SH4 is a lot more 'interesting' to ride or drive than SH1, but don't spend too much time admiring the scenery!

**nzspokes** · 27th March 2014, 17:16

Originally Posted by f2dz

Back on track then - I quite enjoyed the longer ride. I'll have to remember to change out my tinted visor for a clear or lighter smoke next time though.

I dunno about others, but having a long ride like that every few weeks is quite a nice change from doing the drills in the carpark, even though I do still enjoy those.

One suggestion for next time, especially if we have new people, is that perhaps we should determine who is learning/needs/wants helps with their riding and have them near the front? As it stands it seems like people just pull out of the Z in any order minus assigning the leader and TEC.

On another note, I've gotta try to tweak my suspension this weekend all being well. My rear shock seems pretty squidgy, ever since I got it actually..

I had asked Bawked to sit behind me but 2 others got out in front of him. But no biggy. Its something I will have a chat with Sis about but had been thinking we should share lead dutys with some of the more experienced riders. Its hard to watch at the front and as we are starting to get bigger numbers its getting harder to control.

Squidgy is a technical term for its time to get that 600, you are clearly ready for it.

**eldog** · 27th March 2014, 17:50

I wasn't ready to go when we left. otherwise I would have been nearer the front

that'll teach me.
a couple of us got left behind before we hit the motorway. others got held up by the lights and I wasn't to sure if they knew where we were going so I slowed up so I was visible. Is there something we should talk about on Tuesday regarding this?

f2dz - if you get a chance have a look at the helmets with built in visors, very handy on these day/night rides as the sunsets.
worth saving for.

tigerdee, I will look at your vids tonight see if I can learn...

**nzspokes** · 27th March 2014, 17:56

Originally Posted by eldog

I wasn't ready to go when we left. otherwise I would have been nearer the front

that'll teach me.
a couple of us got left behind before we hit the motorway. others got held up by the lights and I wasn't to sure if they knew where we were going so I slowed up so I was visible. Is there something we should talk about on Tuesday regarding this?

f2dz - if you get a chance have a look at the helmets with built in visors, very handy on these day/night rides as the sunsets.
worth saving for.

tigerdee, I will look at your vids tonight see if I can learn...

Its easy, if you cant see the person behind you then slow down. This will work its way back to the front. It gets harder with more people yes but it does work. Leader can only see a few back.

**eldog** · 27th March 2014, 20:02

thanks nzspokes for that - makes sense

just finished tuesdays night run again - much better, see you tuesday again

**f2dz** · 28th March 2014, 07:58

Originally Posted by nzspokes

I had asked Bawked to sit behind me but 2 others got out in front of him. But no biggy. Its something I will have a chat with Sis about but had been thinking we should share lead dutys with some of the more experienced riders. Its hard to watch at the front and as we are starting to get bigger numbers its getting harder to control.

Squidgy is a technical term for its time to get that 600, you are clearly ready for it.

I think I was one of those two so that was my bad. I got Bawked to go in front of me but then like Eldog was saying, we got split up a bit. I'm sure we'll have it sorted next time.

Originally Posted by eldog

f2dz - if you get a chance have a look at the helmets with built in visors, very handy on these day/night rides as the sunsets.
worth saving for.

I might give it some thought. I've heard a couple horror stories about the visors in those things during a crash though – where the helmet has slipped and the visor has dug into someone's nose during a crash for example.

Originally Posted by eldog

just finished tuesdays night run again - much better, see you tuesday again

Solo ride eh? I've gotta do that run again myself. I've never taken that road from Hunua before – didn't realise that it connected to that road to Kawakawa.

**Tigadee** · 28th March 2014, 13:08

I was completely lost on those roads! No landmarks for me (KFC, McDs, BKs...), so I'd have trouble finding my way back home! LOL

I think we just need to space out the experienced riders (front of course, then middle and tail-end). Middle rider should also be familiar with route taken in case the group gets split up...

We should also talk position/formation(?) and spacing when riding on wide and narrow roads.

**nzspokes** · 28th March 2014, 16:56

Originally Posted by f2dz

I might give it some thought. I've heard a couple horror stories about the visors in those things during a crash though – where the helmet has slipped and the visor has dug into someone's nose during a crash for example

Ive had one for a couple of years and am not a fan. They fog instantly and the optics are awful. But thats on my cheap LS2 lid. I hear Shoei has better optics but it will still fog when you need it. I get by with a strip of tape at the top of my visor and another bit at the bottom. Works well.

Good time to bring up an old tip. Polish your visor with pledge before each ride. If you get caught in the rain the water just beads off. And it keeps your visor in top shape.