Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
Spring has sprung, now we have a few months of warm pleasant rain to enjoy after the cold and miserable rain of winter.
What excitement and adventures will this year bring?
What's New?
Escape From Colditz To Poland
The lads take a brief look around Colditz before making a dash for Poland. There's a handful of shenanigans and guess what - beer.
An Easy Day Out Going Round In Circles
How can you get lost in the days of Satellite Navigation? Turn the Sat-Nav off. Now you can ride around in ever decreasing circles - which oddly enough seems to be just fine with Ren these days.
Chaos Towards Colditz
More mayhem from a bunch of blokes old enough to know better. Brits used to try and get out of Colditz, these lads are struggling to get in. Fear not - there is beer.
The Perpetual Summer Problem
Ren is typically annoyed that other people are allowed to use his personal race track. If it weren't for those pesky people life would be slightly less miserable for Mr Curmudgeonly.
She Made Me Walk
Poor poor Ren is being made to exercise against his will. After this tragedy there's disappointment too. Still, it could be worse, he could be working.
Bad Vibes Maaaaaan!
Sharon's pickup bad vibrations, they ain't given her excitations, we know a song about that. With just a little help from Ren the genius of Her Ladyship may yet prevail.
It's A Good Start
After justifying why he's mean to Sharon The Dynamic Muppets take on an arduous and testing journey to deepest darkest Derbyshire. This is a true tale of epic adventure through the harshest conditions... ish.
A Successful Winter's Break
Title page for a brief and fortunately pleasant winter break on two wheels to Ashbourne in Derbyshire
Home And Epilogue
There's very little to say about the final leg home so Ren lets us know what he thought about the trip. Did you know that from Liverpool to Potes is about the same saddle time as Liverpool to Fort William?
Days Of Luxury In The Final Summary
Oh my how the other half live! In contrast to Bogger's chaos and Ren's miserly way Upt' shows us that travel can be comfortable and luxurious. This is the final leg - the only question is will the weather and the chain hold out?
See More What's New
Latest Posts
Viking Cycle Asger Motorcycle Jacket Review
ROD¹ said :-
Hi NateChill,
I use motoscan as an alternative to the GS911.
The app is available via Google play and has different levels of function available. You will also need an obd adapter/reader.
I hope this is of use.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unicarscan-UCSI-2100-Bluetooth-OBD-Adapter/dp/B0BL14HZ6...
15/06/2025 11:36:27 UTC
Viking Cycle Asger Motorcycle Jacket Review
NateChill said :-
Hi all,
I’m short on cash and need a diagnostic tool for my BMW bike. The GS-911 is way out of my budget. I saw an article about a cheaper alternative that claims it works just as well and has unlimited VINs: https://autotul.com/blog/get-a-gs-911-drop-in-replacement-bmw-motorcycle-diagnostic-tool-at-1-3-the-price/. I’ve tried other tools before that had VIN limits, which was annoying. Has anyone used this one? Is it legit, or should I avoid it? I’m really on the fence and could use some advice.
https://autotul.com/blog/get-a-gs-911-drop-in-replacement-bmw-motorcycle-diagnos...
15/06/2025 10:16:51 UTC
Escape From Colditz To Poland
CrazyFrog said :-
MZ (DKW) and Simson were separate companies before the war. After the war the were all under state control as part of the IFA group along with Wartburg and Trabant cars. They lost their identities a bit at this point but I can understand locals being insistent on the correct names. The same thing happened in Czechoslovakia with Jawa and CZ. CZ were the equivalent of BSA being primarily an arms manufacturer, whereas Jawa were always bike manufacturers more like Norton. After the war, their motorcycles just badge engineering really.
12/06/2025 16:01:12 UTC
Escape From Colditz To Poland
Upt'North ¹ said :-
"Would just never happen in the UK"; if you mean buying Pizza I think you're wrong, they're widely available. I just saw some in Aldi!
But if you mean it'll never be boiling hot I concur.
Thanks Bogger.....you need a better sat nav.
You're welcome.
Upt.
12/06/2025 14:38:32 UTC
Escape From Colditz To Poland
Bogger said :-
It's funny you should mention the Simson Nigel. We had a quick chat with the girls and I said, Hmm nice bikes these MZ's.
She gave me a quizzical look and said, no not MZ, they are Simson Schwalbe. Oops my mistake.
I also thought they were one and the same.
Fourteen years ago when we had previously visited Colditz Castle on the C90's, one of the tour guides said she had a Simson Schwalbe, again with no mention of MZ.
Bogger
11/06/2025 12:44:31 UTC
Escape From Colditz To Poland
nab301 said :-
Great write up as usual , I'm guessing Simson and MZ were linked somehow because back in the late 70's early 80's when Ireland had an MZ importer they marketed a conventional looking 50cc bike under the name MZ/ Simson. I never got to ride one but I believe it was 3 speed and looks like what is described as an S51.
The Polish campsite looks great, and the Irish connection brought a smile to my face having worked with many Polish people over the decades.
Nigel
11/06/2025 10:43:51 UTC
Review of the Honda ANF 125 Innova - By Peter Hawker
said :-
11/06/2025 07:03:39 UTC
An Easy Day Out Going Round In Circles
nab301 said :-
Thanks Ren,
Nigel
05/06/2025 15:15:03 UTC
An Easy Day Out Going Round In Circles
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The far side of the road goes up - I can understand the optical illusion but it is a bog standard round goes down - through the ford - then goes up again on the other side. I'll add a link to Google Maps Streetview so you can explore for yourself nab301.
Bogger is not 21, of that much I am sure.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/53%C2%B003'56.7%22N+1%C2%B042'13.7%22W/@53.065...
05/06/2025 14:12:15 UTC
Crankcase Pressure And Breathers
nab301 said :-
Back to inductive charging , apparently it is already available in some countries , long term it would be available at traffic lights when stopped and in car parks/ supermarkets etc.
Apparently short boosts of recharging are better for battery life and vehicles wouldn't require large capacity batteries if / when this becomes a reality.
Will it be in our lifetimes though?
Nigel
https://www.volkswagen.co.uk/en/electric-and-hybrid/living-electric/discover-ele...
05/06/2025 12:35:03 UTC
See More Comments
Latest Repair-Chat
Go To Repair-Chat
Glyn said :-
At ease Rod, I just read Ian’s post again and I says
There are better forums than this ?
Not
There are better forums than this !
I thought it was a bit strong.
15/06/2025 18:55:02 UTC
Glyn said :-
Shove up Rod, we’re going to need a bit of space on the naughty step for Ian.
15/06/2025 18:04:56 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
There are better forums than this? Wash your mouth / keyboard out!
15/06/2025 16:03:44 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Yes Ed, you're not wrong. I've been banned from better forums than this! Still am, but Glyn is right he did see me on the ST forum, before I was ejected obviously.
Just seen the weather forecast for next week Ed, I think I fancy a short Tour de Yorkshire. Sounds splendiferously splendiferous.
Upt.
15/06/2025 12:46:49 UTC
Glyn said :-
We’re not entirely faithful to BAT I must say. When I was seeking a Honda European I joined a forum and there was this fella known as Up’t North writing a few lines. I joined the BMW K series forum and was heavily chastised when certain members saw a picture of my LT1100. There was some abusive comments asking what type of idiot would do that to the perfect bike. I wasn’t banned but left very quickly. The TZR Forum chaps are great as are the Fantic guys. The specific info available at these sites are a must for my kind of resto work. However, BAT is right up my street with excellent humour and items to keep me interested and informed. Please don’t expel me Ed.
15/06/2025 11:37:04 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Monogamy with regards to motorcycles is not required, ideally the correct number of motorbikes a rider should own is always "one more than you already own". If you have one you need 2, if you have 2 you need 3, and so on until you own every motorcycle ever created.
With regards interpersonal relationships the choice is yours, subject to everyone being of sound mind and above the age of consent. We encourage healthy relationships of all kinds.
I am beginning to think this place is becoming a haven for those turfed out of "real" forums!
15/06/2025 10:13:50 UTC
Glyn said :-
Careful Rod, you and I are on the naughty step already. I’m applying to join the Ren convent in order to gain appeasement. It’s also a desperate move as I’ve been banned from other groups already and my options are becoming limited. I, like you, have not forsaken all other bikes in favour of one.
15/06/2025 07:43:50 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Ren, Does this religion require monogamous relationships, or does it allow more than one bike?
14/06/2025 18:22:59 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
It's my own religion Upt'. The Sacred Church of The Miserly Curmudgeon teaches us prudence and a miserable existence are the one true path to enlightenment. Only through savings and sufferings can we transcend.
14/06/2025 17:24:53 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Since when was miserly curmudgeoness a religion?
14/06/2025 10:06:51 UTC
Latest Chit-Chat
Go To Chit-Chat
Henrik said :-
Haha
Henriette is to far away for the skirt ?
But the hair, or lack of hair, identical
The little left I remove with a machine
No reason to feel like a hippie
(and good for wearing a helmet)
11/06/2025 10:41:11 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Henrik, the skirt suits you.
The haircut? I'd find another barber!
Upt.
11/06/2025 08:49:59 UTC
Henrik said :-
Each bike its own personality:-)
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19tjzYJhCr/...
11/06/2025 06:17:27 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Yes Nigel Bank 1 is pre cat and Bank 2 is post cat. Between them they solve the emissions dilemma.
By pulling Bank 2 away from the direct flow, albeit some eggshost gases will enter the extension, it has cleared fault on Bank 1.....for now.
It never went more than three journeys/cycles before illuminating the EML after a reset, it has presently probably completed 6 to 8 cycles.
I am told by wiser men than I, that on VAG vehicles there is a three cycle trigger point for turning the EML on or off.
Upt.
07/06/2025 18:01:48 UTC
nab301 said :-
Interesting , bank 1 is pre cat afaik and bank 2 is post cat , definitely strange!
Nigel
07/06/2025 16:33:10 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
The devil's work - fixed by magical trickery!
06/06/2025 12:53:47 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Much to my dismay, did I say, I'm dismayed.
The light is functioning as it should.
The EML comes on at switch on, extinguishes and then remains off indicating no faults.
The "expert" told me to try the extender and at the moment I'm very glad that I did. When I spoke to Profusion Exhausts they said they couldn't see how fitting an extender to Bank 2 could resolve a Bank 1 issue but were happy for me to waste my tenner. Pffffffftttttt. That's real money Ed.
The "expert" stated it was in is opinion a catalyser fault and probably down to a non oem replacement system. Although the fault didn't show for months or even years later. The bank 2 sensor extension is traditionally used to trick the ECU when a a catalyst is removed or a racing type catalyst is fitted.
I deduce, probably incorrectly that the replacement CAT isn't talking nicely after some while to the ECU but it is now being "tricked" by the extender.
Thought this may be of interest to anyone facing a similar 4 wheeled chariot dilemma.
Upt.
06/06/2025 11:04:43 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
It is a shame. But I suspect that this really was brought about by their change from competition based and highly respected machinery to hipster status symbols. I seem to remember various changes in ownership over the last years.
04/06/2025 09:53:30 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
CCM?
Gone!
03/06/2025 17:01:23 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Yes Ian the end with the copper washer screws in the boss of the exhaust. It is open to gases to the sensor albeit through the small hole. I'm sure with exhaust back pressure from the silencer that gases will fill that chamber. One more small journey (well a man needs his sourdough and paté) and no lights. I suspect if the lights are going to come on it will be tomorrow, this on the basis of previous experience.
I'm so excited I can hardly wait.
Upt.
02/06/2025 13:31:08 UTC
Random Link - How To Get A 125 Engine To 100,000 miles