gjbiker

Browsing this weeks MCN, mainly because somebody told me there was an article on the new Greeves and I came across THIS. Not good news at all if you ride a bike on the road (road legal trials as well). I lived in Germany for a couple of years and know only too well the grief the Germans have with TUV testing and type approval etc. We really don't want this coming to the UK............do we? GJ

Hi Chris, is there going to be a shiny new Sherco at Bellwanders on the 10th? I just replaced half a dozen or so spokes to straighten the front wheel of a Sherco - didn't mess about trying to unsieze the old ones, just cut them and threaded in the new ones (tricky but a lot easier than heating nipples only for them to break anyway)! Spokes are cheap. I dare say that had someone taken the time to protect them from day one then they'd never had rusted in the first place? Well worth doing if you're looking at keeping the bike for a few years? A generous coat of petroleum jelly (vaseline) inside the rims will help prevent / reduce the galvanic corrosion between the spoke nipples and alloy wheel. Definitely grease ALL bearings as factory fresh ones are guaranteed to be lacking. Double check all fasteners for your own piece of mind even if the dealer has PDI'd it. Last but not least - lashings of WD40 after a good clean and dry (not on the brakes though for obvious reasons) then some silicone spray and it'll look good for decades.................apart from the scratches, chips, scores, cracks and dents of course GJ

One of our club experts rides a 125 and does very well even on graded climbs where the larger capacity bikes normally excel. Technique is far more important than cc's for most of us? I'm downgrading from the 280 as I reckon it gets me into more trouble than it does good. However, I ended up with it in the first place due to the deal being right at the time not because I particularly wanted a 280 ! Slow action throttle, flywheel weight and I've lived with it for the last 3 years! 200's are scarce(ish) but well worth tracking down as (in my own opinion) I think they're the perfect clubman bike. Best of luck to her whatever she gets GJ

I just sold an 05 250 for

Fantastic, nice find Lee GJ

'Rear end shunt' is much more fitting than a 'romantic embrace' methinks? GJ

Saw the frame in half and count the rings or get the frame number and cross reference it HERE GJ

To make it even better (or worse, depending on your ethics) it's a completely intentional piece of branding. They even admit it on their website HERE (Link seems to default but there's an English version if you look hard enough). Easily missed I suppose if all you're interested in is fast bikes and scantily clad young ladies - a lapse of concentration John? GJ

Hopefully this is the same vid? Mad, mad, totally mad....... Long way to change a light bulb eh? GJ

A simple(ish) explanation- The woodruff key aligns the flywheel to the crank and determines the ignition timing. If the key shears then the timing can shift causing the ignition to spark at the wrong time. If the sparks occurs to early as the piston is on the up stroke then the detonation can 'throw' the piston back down instead of it continuing on its normal rotation. This can then lead to the engine running in reverse which in turn causes to gearbox to run in reverse etc etc. Solution; Remove flywheel (you will require the correct tool for this) Remove the two broken halves of the woodruff key (usually found in the relative slots on the crank and flywheel) Fit new woodruff key Replace flywheel etc Move forwards (hopefully) GJ

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day an acquaintance ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about Diogenes?" "Wait a moment," Socrates replied, "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Triple Filter Test." 'Triple filter?" asked the acquaintance. "That's right," Socrates continued, "Before you talk to me about Diogenes let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?" "No," the man said, "Actually I just heard about it." "All right," said Socrates, "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about Diogenes something good?" "No, on the contrary..." "So," Socrates continued, "You want to tell me something about Diogenes that may be bad, even though you're not certain it's true?" The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued, "You may still pass the test though, because there is a third filter, the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about Diogenes going to be useful to me?" "No, not really." "Well," concluded Socrates, "If what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even useful, why tell it to me or anyone at all?" The man was bewildered and ashamed. This is an example of why Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem. It also explains why Socrates never found out that Diogenes was shagging his wife. GJ

Got to be an 'accident'? Insurance claim no doubt Either that or the chassis was needed for a trailer project ? GJ

The revival at the Fort William WTC brought it all back. I now have the tune as my ringtone! For those of you unlucky enough not to be living in the UK in the eighties - GJ

...and for those pop pickers out there that haven't already discovered this site............. Waste loadsa time here. com Enjoy GJ

I'll bring the trailer ! No worries Gordie, keep us updated on progress. The offer stands if you need a hand? GJ

What kind of bike did he have? Maybe it was a compliment? Skodas have come a long way since 1990 and even the old 'Favorit' was quite reliable in the late eighties? The only unreliable bike (or car) that I know of is the one that isn't looked after properly! (With a few exceptions of course. I drive a Land Rover, say no more) GJ

Jeez Pete, there's just far too many ! I'll nominate this as mine though - Gods of Rock closely followed by Sweet Child 'o' Mine by Guns'n'Roses, Voodoo Chile by Hendrix etc etc etc...... Don't know if this one stirs the soul but it certainly brings a smile......Those were the days.......... GJ

That's the problem Donald! After all these years offshore I struggle to amuse myself offshift - choices are limited to watching telly (boring), going to the gym (boring) or mucking around on the PC (also boring) ! I suppose I could read a book (boring)? Winking is also a good hobby Ham but it hurts after a while! I need to get home and get out on the bike GJ

Ah, a fellow Landy enthusiast ! You'll know how to use a big hammer then? Sounds like your own diagnosis was correct? Base gasket? Quite an easy task to replace, just watch the vids by Jim Snell and you'll soon be leak free. If you have any problems or need more info drop me a PM. Glen Affric isn't a million miles away, I could take a run over on the bike and help you out in exchange for a cuppa? GJ (TD5 Defender, Series IIA and a big hammer)

Messing around in photoshop and it all went horribly wrong..........so I just kept going! Marks out of ten ? ....and one for the animal rights protesters (disclaimer - no cute fluffy bunny wabbits were harmed during the making of this cartoon) It's a nightshift thing - it affects me in strange ways........ GJ

Hi Gordee, not really such a thing as a workshop manual but there is a whole heap of useful info HERE including a parts catalogue for your model. I'm guessing you're not too familiar with working on a 2 stroke engine? The only oil that would escape from where you are describing would be the oil already mixed with the petrol? Possible and likely cause being the inner 'o' ring between the head and the barrel. Have you experienced any overflow from your radiator? This is also a side effect caused by piston pressure passing by the 'o' ring. Have you tried 'nipping' up the head bolts or even checking to see if the 'oiled' up ones are slack? Have you noticed any coolant loss? Whatever the symptoms it sounds like you need to replace the TWO 'o' rings between the head and the barrel. Quite a simple task but just check everything first and let us know how you get on? (You shouldn't need a new base gasket unless you remove the barrel) Cheers, GJ

Welcome to TC, enjoy GJ

New tri-shock class perhaps? Must be like riding a hardtail GJ

Why do you need a 19 x 1 when there's no threads on your flywheel? but while I'm here......here.....here and here. and if you're really struggling.......here GJ