Welcome To Bikes And Travels...
...It's about bikes... and travels... mostly on bikes!
What's New?
The Z500 Mods Continue
Sharon's conversion from Z500 naked sports bike to Z500 touring motorcycle continues. MO' money, MO' problems is what dey say innit? Ain't nuffink eezee.
5 Fools For Kilmarnock - Prologue
The tales of mishap and trepidation leading up to this adventure is not for the faint hearted. Gird your loins we're only at the planning stage so far...
5 Fools In South West Scotland
Title page for The BATties Ayrshire expedition.
Soft Brake Fix Weirdness
Ah the old trick of zip tying the brake lever to get a good brake. It seems to work but does anyone know why?
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.
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Latest Posts
The Z500 Mods Continue
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Sorry Ian! I have fixed the date - DOH!!
Re the bags and cutting the loops. NO, definitely not. I think this is one of those moments where a video would make things a lot clearer than even a thousand words. I shall see if I can create one. Basically the bags have a "slot" on the back that slides over the whole rhomboid shaped mount.
Aha - hopefully this video explains at least how the bags are mounted and a fellow of you intelligence will immediately suss the problem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBucA_NIx78&t=150s...
01/07/2025 15:10:34 UTC
The Z500 Mods Continue
Ian Soady¹ said :-
.... but according to the date (June 2026) thi hsn't happened yet. Is one of the mods a flux capacitor by any chance?
Re the pannier mountings - it looks as though that bottom loop is just to stop the pannier moving inwards. Could it not be reshaped (bent to Ren) to keep it clear? Or even cut on the nearly vertical rear portion, a bit removed then joined with a bit of tube?
Good move to cover the green levers!
01/07/2025 12:29:01 UTC
The Z500 Mods Continue
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Shazza me duck. She looks a treat and to my eyes the brackets and bags look as god intended and won't now mark the silencer. Well done you pair of rascals.
It's obvious who was the brains of the operation and who was the grease monkey. Sorry "Chimp Ed".
Upt.
01/07/2025 11:40:37 UTC
Soft Brake Fix Weirdness
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Bogger - I am sorry to hear of your plight. However you stand more chance of winning the lottery without buying a ticket than you do of getting £30 outta me. I shall quote what everyone else tells me - service your brakes more often!
Interesting video nab301. I figure the bits he tapes to the ABS pickups are simply electro-magnets and the arduino is programmed to produce pulses of "about" the same strength and frequency the tone rings would generate. Then a mismatch in the pulse rates will trick the computer into thinking one wheel is locking up allowing the ABS to activate.
I'm kinda liking your idea Snod - a drum brake but like a car's drum brake ie hydraulically activated. This would mean the piston would be "inside" the drum and like a car it would be away from the road muck. I think the purists might argue "less powerful" and "heavier". Maybe, possibly. OK so don't fit them to sports bike but tourers and commuters? Most modern bikes are well overbraked in my opinion anyhow. The new NX500 is twin disc... that to me says "TWICE as many problems"
01/07/2025 08:22:21 UTC
Soft Brake Fix Weirdness
Bogger said :-
Mr Ed, because of your ramblings, my Majesty 250 has come out in Sympathy.
I noticed a bit of a grinding from the front end on Wednesday. The same front end that in the last nine months I've fitted a new front disc and pads.
No problem, it must just be a bit of debris stuck somewhere. Oh no! new (ish) pads one side worn out and metal to metal contact with the disc.
After a bit of cleaning etc, I thought nah, lets get onto the internet. New pads and seal kit ordered.
It looks like the dust seals have perished and the larger of the two pistons was sticking a bit.
Obviously I blame you for this unfortunate situation. However the parts are only £30.00.
I can forward you my bank details so you deposit The aforementioned £30.00 into my account.
Many thanks
Bogger
01/07/2025 07:59:12 UTC
Soft Brake Fix Weirdness
nab301 said :-
Quote REN "I presume the only way to activate the ABS Upt' is to simply grab a handful of brake? "
I came across this youtube vid ages ago but I guess he didn't put the device in production
Nigel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifsJMZn01kU...
30/06/2025 18:58:35 UTC
Soft Brake Fix Weirdness
nab301 said :-
At one stage I did consider fitting a hydraulic cylinder to the external linkage of my Enfield TLS brake , but then I got sense , I think looking back , the consensus on one forum was that the cast iron liner ( brake surface ) was the issue (metallurgically).
Nigel
30/06/2025 15:55:29 UTC
FZS 600 Throttle Position Sensor - SOLVED!
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Hope you get it sorted Morph.
30/06/2025 09:14:10 UTC
FZS 600 Throttle Position Sensor - SOLVED!
Morph said :-
Proud owner of a fazer 600 s running like a bag oh spanner’s .at frst ran on 3 cylinders as no four was out .got bowl of fixed that .Someone had used red gasket sealant on the carbs .wow .3 k rev error .
So freinds gets me one out breakers he works at .it ran wrse .So put it back to 3 k error .It goes back to running boggy until it gets over 3k mark .all pipes are running hot .so it’s getting fuel .freind done ohms reading on TPs it comes back ok .
Awaiting answer from seller .As I’m terminally ill with lung problem .i just want to ride can’t wrench as it can cause an issue. With my leg .Another story .And price to get this sorted at bike shop is more than the bike if I sold it .
Thnks for the thread .
30/06/2025 08:39:16 UTC
5 Fools For Kilmarnock - Prologue
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Andy Gray - no amputation required although I sure Sharon wants to remove some of my body parts from time to time.
Bigngreen - Sounds like a good route! You'll have to wait and see which routes we took as the tale unfolds. You sir do have a splendid playground.
29/06/2025 21:25:55 UTC
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Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I always knew you lived in a mansion in the countryside Glyn. Much better with the sound down, thanks.
01/07/2025 19:52:58 UTC
Glyn said :-
First quick ride on the Yamaha TZR can be seen here. Turn the volume down Ren and it’s much better.
https://youtu.be/odrqv7gzcOE
01/07/2025 17:46:30 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Thank you Snod! Golly I thought I was a Honda nerd but you've well and truly out-nerded me there.
26/06/2025 10:54:21 UTC
Snod said :-
It is indeed an MC24 Nighthawk, the MC26 Two Fifty had cast Grimeca wheels and the front disc brake, and different ratios in the gearbox. Oh and a tacho instead of just some lights.
Glyn, I'm pretty sure you cannot fit the 250 barrels on the 125 cases without enlarging the holes for the liners to fit. The 125 also has a shorter stroke..
That Rebel is interesting, I don't recognise that clutch cover from anywhere!
26/06/2025 00:37:56 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Of course yes! The CB250 NightHawk will be left hand drive. Oh no - what you going to do Occasional Lurker? Do you think it's worth converting it to right hand drive? I mean it's a big job especially on a motorcycle.
OK OK so it's a Yank model...
25/06/2025 10:59:48 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Nice, very nice Lurcio.
Higher bars too I would think, the yanks like their high bars.
Honda used to make decent looking bikes, then the world changed.
Keep us posted at the Forum.
Upt.
25/06/2025 09:27:23 UTC
Occasional Lurker said :-
Thank you for your kind comments gentlemen ... And thank you Ren for magically moving the picture from my phone to your site... It is as I said, an American import ... Originally made and sold in the US in 2007. Imported into the UK in September 2023... All backed up by His Majesty's GOV.MOT history site .... In the good old US of A, they had spoked wheels, chrome rims, and drum brakes front and rear, amber reflectors to the sides,and the best "giveaway" of an American market bike... the speedometer face has the speed rising in increments of 5 mph .... ie, 5mph 15mph 25mph 35mph and on to an optimistic 85mph. The tyre information sticker clearly states "Tire" Information, and the exhaust pipes are stamped with information clearly stating that they are fully in accordance with Federal Law ...
I don't think I've bought something "cobbled together", or a collection of mis-matched parts...There's even a dealer sticker from "Colorado Springs" ...
All this, and the fact that it is left-hand drive makes me think it is most certainly legitimate ... Currently, it is sorned. I hope to make it road legal in the first days of next month... I will gladly let you know of my impressions of it's manners on UK roads... Regards, Tony
24/06/2025 22:51:43 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'm beginning to think the UK spec Two-Fifty also had mag wheels...
24/06/2025 21:21:04 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Hmmmm... the UK spec bikes (MCX250, CB Two-Fifty) had disc brakes as the front, yours does not. And Hmmmmm.
As for upgrading the CMX125 Rebel to a CMX250 with barrels and pistons? I am a man of much (useless) knowledge but I don't know the answer to that. I do know that Occasional Lurker's NightHawk engine will drop straight in though Glyn... you wanna me send his address an' you send da boys round?
24/06/2025 21:19:28 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
This is the CB250 "NightHawk". I... am not convinced by the "NightHawk" sticker on the side Occasional Lurker... This looks to me like the UK version CB "Two-Fifty" with a nighthawk sticker. I suspect the difference was only the name anyhow.
Anyhoo this is the image Occasional Lurker sent.
24/06/2025 21:15:50 UTC
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Upt'North ¹ said :-
I did consider braces but...
I didn't. I'm a belt guy I spose.
As for fishermen's troosers.....behave ya'self.
Upt.
01/07/2025 16:29:03 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
In the long ago days when I rode in all weathers I used to have braces on my overtrousers which were much more comfortable. In fact latterly I used Helly Hansen bib & brace heavy duty PVC items designed for deep sea fishermen and the like. Easy to get on & off, reasonably cheap and totally waterproof. I may even have a pair stashed away somewhere.
https://workweargurus.com/collections/helly-hansen-bib-and-brace/products/helly-...
01/07/2025 14:48:07 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Weise Hydra troosers update.
All's good except....
1. They fit too low, it's fashion innit? Now at the local upholsterers for belt loops to be attached and a new Levi bovine leather belt acquired at the right price. Should be sorted.
2. Took the drop liner out before taking them to the upholsterers and found the lining puckered where some errant seam tape had been carelessly attached onto the rear. Pffffffftttttt.
3. Contact Weise UK on their online form, pffffffftttttt, email the next day from Fowlers of Bristol asking for piccies. "New lining is in the post sir". Now arrived. Great customer service from Weise and their UK agent.
Picture of tape below which seems just about impossible to budge, which is probably why they use it as seam tape.
Upt.
01/07/2025 11:38:04 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
The weather was fine until the ride home.....33 of your c's was a tad on the uncomfortable side when dealing with traffic and slow movers. But better than blummin wet.
23/06/2025 12:32:10 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Very nice Upt'. Looks like the weather was on your side too.
23/06/2025 08:49:16 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
It is Ian, I'd never seen the programme and can't envisage I ever will but it's a lovely ride over the tops. Anything to avoid the masses of Whitbyites.
Pffffffftttttt.
22/06/2025 17:09:24 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Very nice too. Is that Goathland ("Heartbeat" country)?
22/06/2025 14:17:49 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
22/06/2025 13:57:34 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
22/06/2025 13:56:28 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Been riding around North Yorkshire this week. The coast....meh, inland very nice it was too. Although still way busier than Upt North.
Upt.
22/06/2025 13:55:09 UTC
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