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What's New?
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.
Home And Epilogue
Just a brief summary of the return leg from Much Wenlock and Ren's thoughts of the lovely little town.
A Holiday In Normandy - Prologue
France! Well northern France because our soft arsed lazy writers can't be bothered to go any further. It's time for excuses and explanations as to why The Dynamic Muppets are off on holiday and not an exciting expedition.
A Holiday In Normandy
Title page for A Holiday In Normandy
Rain In Northern France
Yep - the rain has returned, the temperature is colder, and the accommodation is below par. Andy must be getting closer to Blighty now, obviously.
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Latest Posts
Honda CB 125 F Test Ride Review
ROD¹ said :-
Just a couple of observations.
First, I never trust the mpg readout from the dash. On checking the accuracy of my bike I found it to be just over 1% optimistic. My wife's car is 10% optimistic.
I only rely on brimming the tank to see how much is used between fill ups to get accurate mpg figures.
Second point, I do not doubt the 160mpg or indeed 180mpg that has been reported, but these figures are obtained on fairly flat roads, travelling at between 25 and 30mpg. On any road outside of a built up area this speed is very frustrating for other road users.
Once you start giving the engine some revs to keep up with the flow of traffic the mpg will drop dramatically.
I think that the Honda cb125f is a great little bike, but expect 100 to 120mpg when used at normal speeds.
Did I mention hills???
14/08/2026 09:24:18 UTC
Honda CB 125 F Test Ride Review
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Yeah Martin this would certainly have been the pre '21 model, and I've no notion at all what changes Honda has made over the intervening 11 (gosh!) years.
My CBF was still in regular use when it passed the 100,000 miles mark. After that I broke the bike so that's nearly all gone now. It did burn a LOT of oil by the end. It only let me down on 2 occasions. The first time was the stator coils burnt out leaving me with no lights at night. The second time was a crank no start that... eventually just started again. I have no idea what caused that issue which was frustrating.
So parts.
3 stator coils, all burnt out. Oddly the final aftermarket el-cheapo no brand thing looked just fine after 25,000 miles. Also replaced the reggy reccy thinking it was that - it wasn't.
1 clutch basket. Early on in it's life there was a clicking coming from the engine. It took me ages to diagnose and only stumbling onto a YouTube video of the same issue finally lead me to find a hairline crack in the gear-ring around the clutch basket. Replace with a used part of Ebay - which included a set of clutch plates too.
1 clutch pack. At 60,000 miles the clutch started slipping. Not bad as the bike was used for traffic commuting most of the time. I simply replaced it with the pack from the clutch basket I purchased above.
1 exhaust. The original, considering it's steel, lasted remarkably well. Eventually it gave up so I got a used one off Ebay.
Otherwise just innumerable tyres, chain and sprocket kits, lots of sprocket carrier bearings (but NO other wheel bearings), the odd spark plug, and gallons of home made concoction chain lube. I can only recall changing the headlamp bulb just once, no other bulbs.
14/08/2026 08:19:59 UTC
Honda CB 125 F Test Ride Review
Martin said :-
Yes, I had realised that you wrote the original article Ren, very good too but that was the pre '21 model? I dont know how much has changed, I think the engine is new as the bore is offset to the crank? I do think the engine feels quite torquey for a 125 as a result. I think I should change the oil soon as carbon deposits in the oil make it slightly acidic and also as you mentioned condensate in the engine leads to corrosion issues.New oil should not cost much for the 125, dont think I will bother with the filter this time though. I think you mentioned your CBF125 did 150k miles? That is amazing, I imagine it was burning oil toward the end? Had you replaced many components?
13/08/2026 20:45:04 UTC
Honda CB 125 F Test Ride Review
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Yes Martin 'twas I that wrote the original article.
So the oil is 3 years old? It's odd - I have zero problem with filling an engine with oil that's been stored in it's container for eons, yet I'm aware that oil ought to be changed every year if left in the engine or whatever the manual states. This has me asking... ought I throw away engine oil that has been opened and partially used but otherwise has remained in the container? Hell if that's the case what a terrible waste!
Otherwise is the act of being in the engine when the engine is not being used really an issue? What's the difference between storing it in a plastic tub or a metal engine? The only concern I can imagine is the oil in the metal engine maybe subject to water ingress from condensation, as most people's engines (bikes and cars) tend to live outside or at least in cold garages.
I honestly don't know the correct answer here. Oh poop, I've started the oil debate again. FOOL!!!
Anyhow, an oil change won't do it any harm... unless you strip the sump nut threads.
13/08/2026 14:45:17 UTC
Honda CB 125 F Test Ride Review
Martin said :-
Hi Upt', you are quite right 160 mpg is not to be sneezed at but like Ren I do love a motorbike that is economical! Reviews I have read on here indicated 170 mpg in general use so I had thought that I might do better while treating it with kid gloves. It may well do better once it has a few more miles on the clock. And yes, I am sure I will enjoy it more once I have completed running in. Ren, it may well be that because the bike has stood for three years having done only 70 miles from new that the oil has deteriorated, I do intend to change the oil soon and possibly the clutch might be better behaved afterwards. I believe clutches are quite sensitive to the oil in use as are gearchanges? As you suggest I could take it to a dealer if the clutch remains snatchy after service. I had not realised you had test ridden a CB125F Ren.
13/08/2026 11:19:53 UTC
Honda CB 125 F Test Ride Review
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'm tighter than the lug nuts on a lorry - and even I think 160mpg is blummin fantastic!
I'd never really noticed the clutch being snatchy on my test ride Martin. Hopefully it'll ease with use but if it continues would it be worth getting Honda to look at it?
13/08/2026 09:55:47 UTC
Finally To The Gite
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Yes you weren't at all far from the gite we stayed in Ian. I'll add a link to Google Maps as to where we were in relation. You'll see over the course of our holiday I wasn't disappointed with the area - because I didn't build up great expectations of the area in the first place.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gVELv7LpD8oAq1ku5...
13/08/2026 09:52:35 UTC
Honda CB 125 F Test Ride Review
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Martin, life is full of disappointments, but 160 mpg shouldn't disappoint too much. I mean it's 160 miles for every gallon of petroleum spirit cremated. So about £7 per 160 miles at today's Trump Tax Rate or TTR for short.
Enjoy it and throw that scientific calculator away.
Upt.
13/08/2026 09:39:14 UTC
Honda CB 125 F Test Ride Review
Martin said :-
A little more on my CB125F. The current indicated fuel average consumption is 160 mpg, this is a little disappointing as not having completed its first 300 miles I have been riding it very gently. Perhaps the engine will free up with use and the economy improve though of course 160 mpg is still very good. Other reviews I have read mention the position of the foot rests which do seem rather far back together with the gear selector being further forward than expected so it does not seem quite natural. No doubt I will get used to it. One thing I have noticed is that the clutch seems rather "snatchy", an opinion shared by my riding instructor son who says he prefers Yamaha YBR and YS 125s for their smoother clutch operation. I find this a little irritating as I like to ride smoothly, at least being a 125 there is not so much chain snatch when re-applying power. I am not sure whether the bike has a cush drive. Hoping to get some miles on the bike soon, the hot weather and family requirements have limited the bikes usage this week.
12/08/2026 16:19:25 UTC
Finally To The Gite
Ian Soady¹ said :-
OK I'll try again.
I've had a few near misses due to priorité à droite and one actual collision. This was many years ago. I was gently entering a village in my Triumph 2.5PI (lovely car) when a 2CV driven by a teenage girl came hurtling out of a minor road on my right and slammed into the offside. A minor dent in the Triumph's door; a crumpled 2CV. After some discussion I realised my mistake and completed the relevant accident report form, admitting liability. As far as I remember the insurance company sorted it all out but then this was pre-brexit of course.
Back to your trip: it looks as if you're quite close to where we stayed on our last French trip - La Mailleraie sur Seine. This was a bit disappointing. I'd thought the campsite - which itself was OK but pretty basic - would have access to the river but there was a small forest in the way with no way through. We could however see the superstructures of big ships making their way upstream to Rouen. The village was OK but as it was September the 2 restaurants were both closed. The weekly market consisted of 2 stalls. Fortunately there were 2 decent boulangeries so we didn't starve. The riverside area of the village was very pleasant but nothing special.
The area was interesting being on the banks of the Seine with pretty roads. The free cross-river car ferries (bacs) were useful and scenic. However, this was not one of our memorable holidays.
The gite you show looks very much like some buildings we saw just north of La Mailleraie where there was a little museum but I can't even remember whether we visited it! Typical Norman architecture.
12/08/2026 14:41:03 UTC
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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
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Ian Soady¹ said :-
Too hot for the shed.
Regarding insurance I probably wrote about this at the time. Anyway, I had 2 bikes stolen from my garage in March 2004. Fortunately no other damage and they left my Norton behind! I had (and still have) agreeed value insurance as the bikes were "classics". The insurance broker (Howden, then called RH) were excellent and I had a full payout (less excess) within a couple of weeks.
But then the issues started. The underwriter refused to renew my policy as I'd had "two theft events" in the year. In vain I protested that this was a single event but they were adamant. I eventually secured cover from Robin James at around £350 pa - my previous premium had been less than £100.
I stayed with Robin James for a couple of years but tried Howden again this year and was pleased to get a quote of £145 - still more than I used to pay but more acceptable. And when I got the little Herald they agreed to add it to the policy - for an extra £90 or so - despite it being a classic policy and the Herald a mere 10 years old.
I'm not sure what the moral of this tale is (other than that insurance companies in general are greedy money-grabbing vermin) but thought it might be of interest.
14/08/2026 14:11:04 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I hate sorting insurance. The car is due soon. Urgh.
14/08/2026 08:21:47 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ian, it is a big hoos for sure but not a mansion. Not by North Northumberland examples anyway.
I did the comparison thing last year and Admiral were the cheapest at around £300.00 for a decent policy so the £60 off is very nice indeed. Didn't even bother checking it this year.
I think the small claim from Storm Arwen in 2021(?) has done us no favours. Lesson learned, don't claim unless your house burns down. Can anybody smell burning?
Upt.
13/08/2026 14:18:30 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
If 20% is £60 the you must have been paying £300 or so. Our current combined buildings and contents is just over £220 for an average sort of house & contents..... It includes £50 or so for emergency assistance just in case we get flooded so the base premium is £170. Through Policy Expert.
Of course you probably live in a mansion with millions of pounds worth of jewellery.
13/08/2026 12:23:25 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Berghaus Storm Cloud - I must try to remember that although I think Snod's ex-army pants are worth a shot. They're a lot easier to get off-n-on aren't they Upt', even with ya boots and ya troosers still on.
As for insurance - just smile, take the saving and mutter to yourself "I'm a lucky sod.. I'm a lucky sod..."
13/08/2026 09:59:02 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Renewed the Home Contents and Building insurance with Admiral. They knocked 20% off last years figure without me asking. I'm confused.
Are Admiral really nice people?
Did they overcharge me last year?
Are they still overcharging me this year?
Should I really care, it's just paid for me pants?
Upt.
13/08/2026 09:34:09 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Ay up Ed, you provided details of the Berghaus overtroosers recently. We popped into GoOutdoors today at Berwick-upon-the-Tweed. Cut a long story short, I am now the proud owner of a pair of Berghaus Storm Cloud Pants, purchased at double discount for around £60.00. They zip all the way up and include poppers. I bought the long length, 33 inch leg I think. They weigh just around bugger all.
Ta me duck.
Upt.
12/08/2026 17:32:55 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
The grammar police nab301? We'll be fine here if we're visited by the grammar police - innit. Kos we is awl edumicated tipes an speek posh like. I dun av an GCSE level in Engleesh (is "D" a pass?) an I chex all da messejes two, I korect dem all see.
Perhaps I should set myself up as a professional writer? The only problem is what would I write about?
11/08/2026 07:59:25 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ren , I haven't been on here in a few days but that's a bummer with the copyright issues , as they say " a picture tells a thousand stories" hopefully you'll continue even if just with text while avoiding visits from the grammar police...
Nigel
08/08/2026 18:35:50 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
It's in the DNA of motorcyclists of a certain age to have a dislike of Vespas.
07/08/2026 15:10:07 UTC
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