April 18 - Parts location service.

Hi John

I have just put up a site www.thebikeyard.com  and it offers free bike part locator sevices. I have over 100 Breakers and it is totally free unlike the others that are about.

Is there any chance you could post a link? Is it possible I coud post something on a forum? I will add a link also.

I live in the IOM and I'm getting flyers ready to distribute at the TT so I am hoping it will end up successful. I am also putting it on the livery of my race bikes.

Let me know what you think?
(I've added this link to the links section and I've told Tony he can place an item in the forum)

Thanks for your time.

Tony

www.thebikeyard.com


April 18 - A new convert

Hello John

I've looked at your site for sometime but never sent anything in before, finally got my Sv (bought it off a friend who's just got a brand spanker) this is my first ever bike and I can honestly say I Love it already. The site is fantastic and is always the first place I look for any information. I hope to try and join one of the ride outs this year.
(Now you've been infected, your hooked for life. look forward to seeing you on a rideout maybe. I notice the bike isn't quite standard. Polished wheel rims look nice)
Thanks for such a Great Site.

Thanks and Regards

Brian Lucas
Email Brian.Lucas#hach-lange.co.uk 
Web www.hach-lange.com 


April 18 - More from Maurizio (see item immediately below this one)

I bought the watch/thermometer in a shop for car accessories, it has also a green backlight for night driving. I think you should have no trouble to find it again in Denmark (or any other part of Europe). The device has been made in China and it cost me 30 euro (not so cheap indeed :-( ).

Originally the watch/thermometer had two different sensors: the first one was build-in and was meant to read the temperature inside the car, the second one was a remote sensor for external temperature and was provided with a anti-ice
optical/acustic alarm which start when the temp was under the +2° C.

So the first think I did was to un-weld the two sensor and exchange their position (not difficult operation at all). Now the build-in sensor read the external temperature (the device is on a bike not inside a car!) and rings with ice, the remote sensor has been putted on the cold side of the radiator (pict 1) because the range of the sensor does not exceed +70° C (so I wasn't able to put it into the cooling water or on the top of the engine's head). anyway it gives me a good idea when the engine is still cold (15°), when the thermostat is opening (35° C) and when the engine is overheated (>70°C the
device display a laconic "HI").

Concerning the electric illumenation I took it from the small headlight in front of the bike. Least not last I realized two small supports in avional and I attach wiht two pieces of strach
(I assume Velcro). I choose this solution in order to arrive easily at the screw just beneath the device (pic 2).

Tempted to visit Halfords and look for one of these! Thanks


April 14 - Repairs finished

Hi John, Thanks for your big and useful work, in which I've found a lot of interesting information for the remaking of my old SV '01. In short: the exhaust pipe is a Remus gran prix not so noisy and capable to give a sensible increase in performances (with the K&N air filter), the front fairing is the Racing bike single-piece vtr (absolutely similar to the original) and the lower one is a heavy-modified competition fairing. Front and rear suspension of course are not original.

I put also a small watch/thermometer to read the temperature of cooling water and external air. Finally I did the rear seat cover with wood and fiberglass.

It has been a very long work but after all it looks good, doesn't it?

 

Thanks again!

Maurizio Himmelmann <himmel#neomedia.it>


April 13 - K3 Mods

Hi John,
Here's a couple of pix of the girlfriends K3 after I bolted on a few mods.

1 - Devil Trophy Carbon Can from Demon Tweeks - E marked as road legal with the riveted baffle in place - oops, the rivet just fell out. Found it easier to drop the whole original system off, and then flash the grinder through the pipe-work - saves messing with a jig saw. Good instructions on how to fit the can, saves a lot of weight compared to the OE can, makes the SV sound like it should and gives it a stronger mid range (no flats or dips in the power delivery).

2 - Hamicad Fender eliminator - once again, good instructions to follow and a quality made item - nuf said.

3 - Mini billet alloy Arrowhead indicators fitted front and rear - from Demon Tweeks - cut off the original connecters from the standard indicators and soldered onto the Arrowheads - they match the silver bodywork and the angular lines of the SVS.

Will be looking at the airbox mods next and possibly a Power Commander if needed.

Cheers,

Mick

Mick <mick#brackley24.freeserve.co.uk>


April 12 - Bikesafe

Well, that’s it then, the traditional start of the biking season, for those of us who’d probably be termed leisure riders, is here, the Easter bank holiday. It’s a celebration! Yippee winter’s over. There’s New Hope! Maybe this year it’ll be warm and sunny for 3 months?

This Easter, 17 others and me gathered to take part in North Wales 'Bikesafe' scheme. We’d come together because we’d identified, and been big enough to acknowledge, that perhaps we weren’t perfect, didn’t know everything and maybe there was something we could learn about riding. The event was a Rider Skills workshop run by North Wales Police and the North Wales Motorcycle Alliance. The workshops are organised by a couple of dedicated bikers, who just happen to earn their living  in the traffic division, PC’s Peter Coole and Paul Cheshire. With the help of their Chief Inspector, Mark Owen, a keen biker himself, they created BikeSafe
(http://www.bikesafe.co.uk) a body that hopes to reduce KSI (Killed Seriously Injured) collisions on the roads of North Wales and other biking Meccas around the country.

The particular workshop run in North Wales was a 2-day affair that included presentations, lectures and, each day, a 3 hour assessed ride with Institute of Advanced Motorcyclist observers. These guys, who weren’t all bearded Pan European riders, there were a couple of CBR600RR’s and at least one ZZ1100R, guide and/or follow you over some of the best roads in North Wales affirming what you’ve heard in the lectures. The rides were relaxed and enjoyable, the observers being just regular bikers like you and me who want you get as much out of your ride as possible, remaining safe whilst doing so.

The Saturday morning started with an introductory explanation about why BikeSafe was created; statistics! Not very palatable, but quite sobering. I’m not going to go into them here, however they certainly reinforced why something needs to be done to reduce avoidable deaths. If you’re reading this and you’re over 30, ride a bike of 600cc or more, ride at weekends for pleasure, maybe with a bunch of mates then take heed.

After a hearty buffet lunch we were teamed up with our IAM riding buddy. Almost a 1:1 ratio, as there were a dozen or more observers to share out. I was actually lucky enough to have 2 of them riding with me, don’t know what I’d done to deserve such special treatment? Starting from the Police Headquarters in Colwyn Bay the pairs and threes dispersed into the Welsh countryside. The ride out took in some of the more twisty and challenging roads and was punctuated, more or less frequently depending on need, with stops and road side chats about the various hazards encountered and how to make safe but rapid progress through them. It culminated at a biker friendly café close to Betws-y-Coed, where discussions continued and plans were drawn for the route back, over the favourite tipple, hot chocolate (it’s not summer yet). By the ride back I was
relaxed and putting into practise what I’d had suggested to me and was having a thoroughly enjoyable time. After a quick debrief we were sent off home or to digs for those who didn’t live within travelling distance.

Sunday followed a slightly different format starting with a presentation from Mark, the aforementioned Chief Inspector, about the issues faced by his force trying to police their turf and what tools he has available to him, BikeSafe being one. There then followed the second ride of the weekend, this time with a different observer. 3 more hours of trying new lines into bends, reading ahead and generally moving briskly around the countryside. Back to HQ for lunch, after which the afternoon consisted of presentations on technical aspects like suspension and tyres, finishing with advice on First Aid and what to do in the event of being first on the scene at an accident.

As part of the target group; over 30, over 600cc etc. I came away from the weekend satisfied that I’d done the right thing by attending and armed, with at least some knowledge, to help keep me safer when enjoying my hobby. Myself and all the other attendees had admitted to ourselves that we believed we could do something to improve our riding. That is quite a major admission but was proved right by the end of the 2 days. You may think that a track day or two gives you all you need to know about how to handle your bike. Finding it’s limits or more probably your own and yes! they’re the best place for letting it rip, because when you come off you’ll be fairly safe and you’ll get up and walk away with only your pride hurt. On the public roads, lamp posts, walls and oncoming traffic are all a lot less forgiving than a gravel trap. Get it wrong and it could be the last mistake you’ll ever make.

I want to assure you I’m not affiliated to any organisation involved but feel the need to say this. BikeSafe workshops are being run for our benefit. It’s no good moaning about not being able to enjoy a ride and not doing anything to address it. If we don’t want draconian legislation brought to bear on us to control the rising death rate then we have to be proactive about it. Remember the 125cc Learner law of the 80’s, remember CBT? Both addressed the high death rates of young riders. Now it’s us who are killing ourselves again, don’t force the government to legislate against us, go to a workshop and help yourself by biking smarter. At the end of the day it’s common sense. 

The BikeSafe team want to help bikers. We should want to help ourselves. What came across during the weekend was that if a biker dies in a collision, it’s tragic. It’s tragic for his friend and relations. But more often than not he also claims innocent people’s lives too. This is where the police lose patience.  Inappropriate speed and cornering or overtaking on busy roads can only result in involving others who had the bad fortune to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Interestingly no magazine has taken up the gauntlet and attended a course, even though they have been invited. The Motorcycle Press are quick to decry heavy handed policing, but when offered the chance to experience a more human approach they can’t be bothered. Is this an indicator that perhaps the journalists are too busy promoting irresponsible riding to be interested in the consequences? Or maybe they’re not willing to accept that they’re not perfect? There was a lot of
sense spoken over the weekend, none of which could be sensibly argued against.  So do yourself, your family and friends and maybe even some total strangers a favour, and attend a course before it’s too late.

Darren Jones <dazzer.jones#ntlworld.com>

Kev attended this course a couple of years ago and was also full of praise for it. Any training is good even for those of us that have been riding for years.  I think it should be compulsory for "born agains" who have been out of the saddle for 20+ years. Modern bikes handle and stop so well that they can flatter a riders confidence until things go wrong, and then you find that you're going through that hedge a lot quicker than you could have done 20 years ago!


April 8 - Maddog

Hi John,

Thought I would introduce myself after looking at the site which, is great and full of superb information.

I am now in my 2nd year of racing in the UK MiniTwins Championship racing a 2001 SV650S. I have put a link to my website below for you to take a look at.

http://www.maddog.bikeracers.net/

Kind regards,

Gary Morris <gmmorris69#hotmail.com>

Some nice shots of a SV with what looks like a GSXR fairing.


April 5 - Another Offer

Hi John

Thanks for the Offer. Here's the Company Banner I have attached.
I will give a 10% discount to SV650.org Members on a purchase of a 2003 650 Radiator Grill set & a 2003 Fender Eliminator combined.
People need to email me at sales@hamicad.co.uk  and quote the sv650.org Website for payment details etc
If you need any more info, please email.

Thanks

Andy

www.hamicad.co.uk/discount.htm    I've added this to the services and offers page


April 5 - My SV

John,

Please find attached some pic's of my K3 Sv650s.

Have included a close up shot of my Scotts steering damper, an excellent bit of kit which is massively adjustable and can be turned off when required, although only available from America (about £240 on current exchange rates)
Ouch

Other mods include a oval stainless steel Carbon Can Company exhaust (legal but sounds fantastic), R&G crash bungs, Motrax heated grips, a Fabri double bubble dark tint screen.

The Seat cowl, hugger and bellypan are from Powerbronze and fit very well and are an excellent colour match as well.

Also fitted a Scottoiler being of the lazy disposition!.
Nothing wrong with that

Regards
Kieran 


April 5 - Customised Seats.

Would you like to put my web address on you forum, I have reshaped, reduced the height, recovered quite a lot of SV  seats. Thought you might like to add me to your "links" page,

Regards, Melvin.

www.motorbike-seats.co.uk


April 3 - 3 new movies added to the goodies section.

April 3 - Dead Zone rideout

Hi John i found this unusual and interesting definitely worth checking out and putting on your site
FirePower


http://www.angelfire.com/extreme4/kiddofspeed/
I have my motorcycle and the absolute freedom to ride it wherever curiosity and the speed demon take me. I have ridden all my life and owned many different bikes. My current love is a big Kawasaki Ninja that boasts a mature 147 horse power, some serious bark, is fast as a bullet and comfortable for a long trips. I travel a lot and one of my favorite destinations is through the so called Chernobyl "dead zone", which is 130kms from my home. Why my favorite? Because
one can ride for hours without encountering a single car or living soul. The people are gone now and nature is reasserting itself in blooming plants, woods and rippling lakes.


I can recommend a visit to this site, an interesting read. 


April 1 - Spring at last?

The sun is out and the SV's is sitting in a layby the hot exhaust pinging and tinging.

Could this be the start of summer? 

Probable not! but we can dream.

Stay safe.

Mark Lane.


April 1 - A follow up to the 'Wave'

Hi John 

Couple of things: I'm sure astute readers will have noticed that I got my sums wrong on the cost of the risers. At £35 for the risers, £45 for the bars, with sundries like brake hose & master cylinder bracket the cost is nearer £100. 

Second, as I came across 'the wave' article it reminded me of a book I once launched on the net - new server means I have to do it again - but, titled: Being Biker, it was about the cultural history of motorcycling, which I thought might interest your readership. Maybe I could serialize submissions - that'd fill a corner out now and then if you like? See attached doc as example - please put it up there if you like. There is another force at work here - a bloke who rang me from oz has a publisher and other contributors that could culminate in a real paper book. (I've included the article below...I'm happy to see more articles, if you have the time)

Third, I found a unique, thrifty and neat way to cover/protect body scratches which I'll photo & send on later. Third and a bit. I'll cc some stuff I'm talking to other sv.orgers about. Thanks again for a great site

Alex Oliver  <ao014l0264#blueyonder.co.uk>

59kb


April 1 - Rizla

Hi John,

I trust you are keeping well. I've got used to the new GSX-R, a different riding experience to a V-twin but I have to say I really am enjoying it.

Anyway, I went to Silverstone last weekend and spied this very very tasty SV1000S in the car park. I don't know if the owner uses this site, but it looks fantastic, best SV I've seen in a long time. I thought you'd appreciate the pictures for the site...
(I certainly do, thanks)

Regards,
Steve Jelly


April 1 - Geometry

He is the promised article on the Geometry etc. The pictures are new, small for your downloads, but do the bike more justice I hope.

I am trying to get into writing, and would appreciate any feedback you can give me. With better pics I intend to send something like this into magazine publishers. What do you think?

I will follow up with an article on the more cosmetic changes I made. The belly pan is a one off, basically a cut down TZ fairing. The Nose is a sliced and expanded cheapo thing from M&P. The rest is just the bolt-on stuff that anyone can buy.

The electronic dashboard idea was mentioned ..in a mailorder bike parts shop. Before I could finish one and show them they had brought out one of their own. Its crap compared to mine, but I am still smarting about the missed opportunity. So before I start telling the rest of the biking world
about my product I need to develop it a tad more, cost it properly, and plan what I will do if more than a couple of people want one. Till then...

David Stowe <david.stowe#postoffice.co.uk>

David, I am the worst person in the world to ask for advice on writing. It's like asking the Pope for sex tips. If anyone else wants to give David some feedback, then I'm sure he'll appreciate it. Email address is above, just change the # for a @. Meantime here is David's piece on the mods he has made to his machine. If the bike looks familiar, then that's because it was featured in last months current page.

350kb


April 1 - Hello from South Africa

Hi John,

Thanks for the great site and all the admin that goes into all of it. I have had my SV650S '99 (red) for about 6 months now and have enjoyed every minute of riding it.

Know of any other people from South Africa on the site etc...?
(there are some others about, but the names escape me for the moment. Check the member list in the forum)

Kind Regards
Tim Poulton <t.poulton#iafrica.com>



April 1

April already. This year is flying by.

Broadband arrived as a planned and I now have an ADSL connection, what a difference, should make life a lot easier for maintaining the site.

Now that the servicing has been done, my SV has been in daily use. As I got back into the groove of riding I noticed the handling was slightly off. I suspected the tyre pressures and sure enough the front had 20 psi and the back 40 psi. Soon sorted that out. I usually run 28/36. I was so busy sorting out the mechanical side of things that I forgot some of the simpler stuff. The front was probably low due to lack of use during the winter layoff, the back high because it is a new tyre and that's what the shop put in. Regular tyre pressure checks are important, but even more so if you only use your bike at for leisure.

I finally got around to updating the SV restore article with this years fiddling. No major work was required, just normal wear and tear to be catered for.

Haven't been out for a serious blat on the SV yet. The weekend just gone was nice but previous to that it was all gales and rain. The weather now seems to have turned and I can see some Sunday excursions coming up.

Have fun.

John


German Webring

Nächste Seite       Vorige Seite       Alle Seiten