Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
What's New?
Hot In Honfleur
It's hot, it's busy, and it's all a bit odd. In spite of all this and some confusing food Ren might possibly at risk of almost having an OK day?
From Bad, To Worse, To Awful
Bogger has an almost new SH350. And some friends, mostly on litre plus bikes. And a long ride ahead. There's buffoonery, worries, and finally good old incompetence to ensure Bogger has the best of times.
Acharacle Debacle
Title page for Bogger's curious weekend away in The Highlands
GB350S Or CB125F?
Due to comments on other posts Ren is focusing his thoughts on smaller capacity machinery. There's no right answer, it all depends dunnit.
Finally To The Gite
It's a much less stressful day's ride today. Good weather, a sensible mileage to cover, and no reason to rush. Fear not Ren will find a few things to gripe about.
Struggling Into France
It's time to go to France, alas there's far too much time to go to France. Ren is early, the trains are late, it's hot, and it's disorganised. Oh and Sharon's life flashes before her eyes - or was it a Transit van?
Honda GB350S Test Ride Review
Ren stumbles into a test ride of the Honda GB350S. Can he get his head around a new way of riding? It's all very different in the world of low revs and heavy flywheels.
A Dodgy Hip, A Mesh Seat Cover, And Pants
In trying to reduce leakage in the rain our brave and heroic half-wit Ren has got himself a cunning and devious plan. However this idea is causing him issues because he's getting old now and the newness has worn off.
Bedfordshire Is Not In France
And they're off to France! Well Bedfordshire today, but they will get to France eventually... hopefully... maybe?
The Last Day Of A Big Ride
It's Andy's last day of an epic trip. Save for some wind (no not that kind of wind) it seems all rather mundane somehow. Anyhow he's home and safe after over 4,500 miles.
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Latest Posts
Review of the Honda CLR 125 City Fly - By Ren Withnell
Type25dude said :-
Thanks for the tip. I might try to get the dimensions of the staunchion and see if there are any alternatives. I took the bike to the mot. It hasn't been used in a while and kept stalling, then battery died, didn't get there. Have cleaned the carb and it now runs well, it idles ok from start but after riding revs drop when clutch goes in, then after a bit it may settle or revs will climb. Mixture screw is 1 and a half turns out, airscrew is at what seems a good idle speed. Any ideas?
06/09/2026 23:56:21 UTC
Braving Barmouth Bridge
Bogger said :-
You said "Heaven help that pedestrians should ever have a safe motor vehicle free route anywhere".
They have, they're called pavements.
There's loads where I live. You should give them a try Shirley
Bogger
06/09/2026 22:11:35 UTC
Braving Barmouth Bridge
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
One has to assume you don't approve of motorcycles crossing the Barmouth Bridge Shirley?
Why would I want to? Why do people climb Everest? Why do people walk the Pennine Way? Because they can.
You said "Heaven help that pedestrians should ever have a safe motor vehicle free route anywhere". We could enter into endless discussions on the subject but I'm certain we're only covering the same arguments between groups such as The TRF, the 4x4 community, and the ramblers association. I have neither the will nor patience to go through all that, both sides have their points of view and never the twain shall agree.
06/09/2026 18:18:58 UTC
Hot In Honfleur
nab301 said :-
Ren , the HGV idea would never work , you'd end up travelling on motorways and overnighting in truck stops because I'm sure there's few camp/ caravan sites accessible by HGV's.. you could get a sleeper cab with a Ren and Sharon sunvisor , I guess no caravan would be required
Rod's idea could work with a lot of Ren's ingenuity, convert his trailer to a pop up / fold out trailer tent! Plenty of carbon fibre panels would keep the weight down and the trailer would keep you above the inevitable floods and mud of climate change we'll have next year... although you may need a 2wd Ural outfit to exit the campsite.
Nigel
06/09/2026 14:39:26 UTC
GB350S Or CB125F?
nab301 said :-
@IanE I had a look at fuelly.com and depending on the year, CBR 250r averages are generally in the high 80's mpg , the default US mpg brings it down to the mid 60's , 100mpg is impressive though assuming you don't have a kph speedo...!
Nigel
06/09/2026 14:16:22 UTC
GB350S Or CB125F?
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I don't actually ythink there's much diffenece between carbs and injectors as regards fuel. Injectors have tiny orifices that could easily get blocked. My own carburated bikes start readily even after 6 months sat with old petrol in them. Admittedly they are somewhat more ancient than your Honda (and by the way, that's the way to buy them after some other punter has taken the depreciation hit).
I'm not a subscriber to the "modern fuels are rubbish" either. Yes, some are a bit off. But that has always been the case and I think has more to do with storage than anything else. There's a lot of hysteria about ethanol. In the 1950s and 60s a popular fuel (in the NE of England at least) was Cleveland Discol which contained up to 20% ethanol (waste from Distillers Company). It was actually considered a performance enhancer and was only phased out because the big petrol suppliers were bullied into using tetra-ethyl lead as a knock reducer and Cleveland couldn't compete. As far as I know......
https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Cleveland_Discol...
06/09/2026 13:15:26 UTC
GB350S Or CB125F?
IanE said :-
I've never commented on here before, but having read some of the comments I felt compelled to share my own, recent experience of a small capacity bike.
Namely, a Honda CBR250R.
I've had the bike for just over a month and have recorded the following mpg figures when filling up; 103.5
104.4
103.9
100.4
100.1
100.2
Yes, I've been using it a LOT and have covered over 1,300 miles. It's been over Hard Knott, Wrynose and Kirkstone Passes, the Trough of Bowland several times and done a couple of top speed runs. I saw 100mph (slight downhill) and 102mph (strong tailwind) respectively on the digital speedometer. Which is almost certainly optimistic, but even so...
I've been putting E5 fuel in it except for the very last tankful, when I tried E10. Negligible difference in performance, slightly BETTER on E10 if anything.
The bike had covered 7,382 miles at purchase with FSH. But had been stood in a dealer's (G and C Motorcycles) showroom for over 2 years. Nevertheless, it started up immediately (on jump leads) and ran fine. Amazing considering that fuel is supposed to 'go off'. That's fuel injection for you - had it been a carbureted machine, a carb strip would've almost certainly been required.
No centre stand on this model, but the bike came with a paddock stand courtesy of the (excellent) dealer. Kerb weight is 161kg, so feels very light compared to my last bike ('96 CBR600). The clip on style 'bars give a fairly upright riding position.
I don't get why it's so good on fuel, not that I'm complaining. Folks on fuelly.com are averaging between 60 and 75 mpg, so that's what I was also expecting. Go figure.
Definitely a model worthy of consideration, if you're in the market for a small capacity bike.
06/09/2026 11:58:56 UTC
Braving Barmouth Bridge
Shirley said :-
As a motorcyclist you are legally permitted to use the Barmouth bridge. But WHY would you want to? There are miles of fabulous roads in the area and an another bridge a little further down the estuary that is a motor vehicle bridge.
This seems like the usual inconsiderate attitude and sense of entitlement of motor vehicle drivers and motorcyclists.
The path is obviously not wide enough for both motorcycles and pedestrians. Heaven help that pedestrians should ever have a safe motor vehicle free route anywhere.
06/09/2026 07:52:08 UTC
Hot In Honfleur
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Tittering Upt'? You've been watching Ken Dodd and the Diddmen. I daresay today's antics would make the farcical shenanigans of the Keystone Cops look like intellectual.
If I get a trailer ROD then there's just more space to bring more crap. I can't see Sharon getting a towbar fitted to the Z500 anyhoo.
Have you seen the price of hotels recently? Camping ain't cheap anymore but even Sharon is baulking at the prices these days.
05/09/2026 20:16:30 UTC
Hot In Honfleur
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ed, I'm tittering.
Glad you've enjoyed it so far. You've made my day and it was already pretty good.
Upt.
05/09/2026 17:31:01 UTC
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Latest Repair-Chat
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nab301 said :-
Ian , I never had an AVO but I remember a biking neighbour back in the 70's had one , or rather his father had which was useful for fault finding on his electric start Yamaha 200 (combined alternator / dynamo electric start)
BTW , I recently purchased a cheap digital meter from Lidl which has a capacitance check feature that works as you describe.
Nigel
08/08/2026 18:08:12 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I thought there may be some people who remembered AVOs here given the demographics. Sadly mine didn't come with the leather case although does have the original heavy cardboard box together with instruction manual. I've sorted out the overload button which just needed a hard press to reseat it and it now measures voltages correctly. I'll pick up a D battery later today and will order the 15 volt one - there's a seller on ebay.
It's so beautifully made inside and as you say Jeff the rolls-royce of meters and I look forward to using it in earnest.
I too have forsworn kickstarts given my knee issues - saw a physio yesterday who said I was progressing well. Three months with ongoing - although lessening - doesn't feel like good progress to me but heigh-ho.
06/08/2026 14:03:31 UTC
kiwiJeff said :-
Ian your mention of AVO8 certainly bought back memories. Like Glyn I used one through the 70s and early 80s as a radio technician working on communications valve radios. They were the Rolls Royce of multimeters. Using one balanced at the top of an equipment rack was a challenge though, they were heavy! Did the meter come in a stitched leather carry bag with a carry strap? Riding through our winter on the Bandit although while you are overheating in Europe we are having an unusually cold winter? Turned around on one of my favorite roads when I reached a sign that said next 12 kms is ice and grit! We use grit instead of salt on icy roads here which while our vehicles don't rust like yours due to the salt causing rust the grit doesn't melt so becomes a hazard on the bike for some time after the ice is gone! Ren you have my sympathies with your aching hip, my titanium hip aches in the cold my theory is the metal gets cold and affects the surrounding tissue so causing pain. The hip and the arthritic ankle mean I'll never use a kick starter on a bike again! I have to get the missus to help me roll the Bandit onto the centre stand these days! Getting old is a privilege but comes with it's challenges! Ride safe everyone through your summer, we are off to China for a month to have a look at where everything we use these days is made! Regards Jeff
06/08/2026 11:14:26 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I had to google U2 Battery, apparently it's what I would know as a D Cell? If I recall that's the big 'uns that were in the Ever Ready bicycle lights when I were a lad. Several weeks worth of pocket money for a pack of 2 D cells into the bicycle light that would be bright for 20 minutes, then dim for maybe half an hour, then dead. Today you fit a AAA into an LED light that'll blind drivers for several weeks. Kids these days, don't know how lucky they are(n't).
06/08/2026 08:27:11 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Nostalgia's not what it was.... As Glyn says, the 10A current measuring is a bonus - my digital meter has this but it's a bit of a faff. The AVO is a beautifully made bit of kit. I've found out why it doesn't work - the overload button has been activated and won't stay down It should be a simple repair or if necessary bypass it. When I hold it down it works for voltage (and I assume current). The batteries for measuring resistance have of course disintegrated. One is just an ordinary U2 - the other is special but replacements are available.
One use of an analogue ohm-meter is to check capacitors. Connect one way and the needle should make a slight kick and drop back to zero. Connect the other way and the kick should be repeated. This won't work on a digital meter.
I do have an old analogue job but it won't zero any more so when I get the AVO fixed that will be retired.
05/08/2026 13:08:16 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I would be Glyn but have a look at Chit-Chat. Due to "unforseen circumstances" I've had to remove the ability to upload images :(
Why do you want the old mulitimeter Ian? Nostalgia I presume.
05/08/2026 12:03:12 UTC
Glyn said :-
I used an Avo8 daily for at least 5 years back in the early 70’s. It was forcibly removed from me and replaced with a Fluke digital which I hated for a while. One of the plus’s of the Avo was the current measurement, even a 10Amp setting if I remember correctly. This was very useful then and would be so today.
The surgeon that repaired my finger may not have done me a favour, it’s been that painful since, I’ve often thought it would have been better to have removed the top. Are you ready for that picture of it now Ed?
903306...
05/08/2026 11:13:01 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Idly browsing my local auction house's offerings I came across a "vintage" Avo Mk 8 multimeter. I rmember using these nearly 60 years ago as an apprentice. A low bid secured it for just over £12. It doesn't work but I'm sure I can fix that. Or can I?
No pic (obviously) but here's the link.
https://www.lilybidsauctionhouse.com/catalogue/lot/482979564e1c213be831d1848eb58...
05/08/2026 09:53:30 UTC
nab301 said :-
Glyn , looking forward to seeing and hopefully hearing the fruits of your labours , will you be stripping the engine?
Nigel
26/06/2026 14:53:36 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Ooooh eeeee ouch! I'm glad you didn't post your gory sliced digit Glyn (Flyn). You can show us when it's healed a little and we can imagine the rest. As for the heat... Enough already but it won't be long until I'm griping about the rain/cold dagnammit. The nights are already drawing in.
26/06/2026 09:57:29 UTC
Latest Chit-Chat
Go To Chit-Chat
nab301 said :-
@ UPT "The B did 160 miles on 12 Litres of go juice. Haven't worked that out."
Upt , that's 2.64 gals = 60.6 mpg , not bad for two up touring.
Nigel
06/09/2026 14:50:51 UTC
said :-
Ren,Google maps comes up with 953 miles from Wooler to Leipzig. I am sure a youngster like yourself could do that in a long weekend.
06/09/2026 08:08:12 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Leipzig? That's a long way from Wooler now, it's no wonder they don't understand AyUp. Don't know anything about that area. Enjoy your rest and recovery days.
The good thing about you and the GB500 Occasional Lurker is I'm looking forward to a hot off the press first edition exclusive review from you!
05/09/2026 20:25:16 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Leipzig for the weekend me ducks. About 1000 miles in. Good days ride today.
Far more interesting scenery and wildlife.
We won't ride on until at least Monday, my buttocks are sore.
Ethel are your buttocks sore? Stupid question apparently.
Upt.
05/09/2026 17:17:46 UTC
Occasional Lurker said :-
Ren,you are spot on with your guess / deduction, of Blackpool Honda ... The parts department have been good at their job, courteous, and friendly ... These things keep me coming back ...
I'm sure you remember the 1989 GB500 ... That was sold recently, at the H&H auction, at the National Motorcycle Museum ... It reached a whisker over my reserve, and I was glad to get the space back from under the stairs ..!!
Now I can get the Hoover out ... My housekeeping regime has been somewhat neglected for the last thirteen years ..!!
Who knows, if the new GB is a tempting prospect, I can see me asking for a test ride .... Just think ... I might just be saying ..... Yes, I've had one of the originals you know.... Regards, Tony
04/09/2026 21:48:19 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
That is a juicy little nugget Occasional Lurker, which Honda dealer was this? Knowing your location I'd guess Blackpool, possibly Manchester?
The whole purpose of waterproof pants is to ward off rain while making your legs exceedingly sweaty, rendering you as wet as if it was raining.
Keep up the good work folks!
04/09/2026 20:08:38 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ay up. Say that to someone in Germany. They just look up. Try it, it tickled me.
Now in Soest, Germany. Haven't seen much of it yet, we'll be out in the town shortly. I can report categorically that Belgium and Belgium drivers are blummin lovely....Germans, not so much.
About 260 miles today on busy major routes, as in, busy, busy, busy. No mirrors were harmed during filterin.
On the ride down the M1 The B did 160 miles on 12 Litres of go juice. Haven't worked that out.
Put the Berghaus overtrousers on today Ed, they're magic! It didn't rain.
I know.
Upt and Er'Indoors. She doesn't like filterin.
04/09/2026 17:07:27 UTC
Occasional Lurker said :-
Just a little "nugget" of news that may well be of interest to anybody who holds "old-fashioned" characteristics of motorcycle design, rather close to their hearts ...
A couple of weeks ago, I had cause to call into a Honda dealer, for the collection of a couple of parts I'd ordered, ( tarmac damage ... don't ask ...) On the way out, I managed to find a member of the sales team, and asked, "Just when are we going to hear some concrete news of the much anticipated new GB500? ...
With a smile, the reply came ... "Not long now Sir. I can confirm that ALL Honda dealers have been notified recently" ... He then tapped his keyboard, and the said notification appeared before my very eyes..!!! The new GB500 is to be formally announced, for the European market, at the next EICMA show, on November 5th, in Italy ...
So, in eight weeks, we,ll have an end to the rumors, and rather poor computer renderings, of "mashed-up" GB350's...
I for one, can't wait ... Regards, Tony
04/09/2026 09:13:44 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Ahhh The Upt' report is in. 3 days to go from Wooler to Le Shuttle? That sounds very civilised, nice and chill.
Sharon and I are just a little farther north, where the weather is proving "troublesome". I'm sure his Boggerness will be pleased to hear this.
04/09/2026 06:48:32 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I can report we've had some fun. Although the Dartford crossing in a biblical storm wasn't fun, or indeed forecast.....pffffffftttttt.
If it's Thursday we'll be in Tournai in Belgium land. We got on an earlier train so arrived in good time, Bon Secours Blonde has been consumed. We had overnight stopovers in Elton, Cambs and Brabourne, Kent. Seems like we've been away three weeks not three days.
I can confirm for Bogger that Bon Secours Blonde should be tried.
Onto German land tomorrow, weather seems iffy at the mo but today has been all good. Except the pretty strong westerly across northern France and into Belgique.
Upt and Er'Indoors.
03/09/2026 17:47:00 UTC
Random Link - Nothing Special But Oh What Fun To Be Had - Nov 2013