No updates from readers so here are a few of my own.

I did give the SV some TLC a couple of weeks back and the were only a few issues. First problem was the handling. It feels like the rear tyre has squared off, but it hasn't. The most obvious thing to check first was the tyre pressures. I had 42 psi in the rear and 20 in the front. So that was fixed. Odd that the rear tyre was 42 as it usually run at 36. Probably been that way since the tyre was replaced in June. I couldn't find anything else wrong so I gave the bike a damn good clean. This is always a good way to find problems as your hand will cover every part of the bike and you will spot stuff you usually miss. In this case I noticed a lack of oil in the sight glass. I had to top up with a 3rd of a litre of oil. I've never noticed either of my SV's consume much oil before. I'll have to keep an eye on that. Later I put the bike a way and noticed an orange tinge to the front brake pin, bugger.

Today, I had time to give the SV a bit more attention. I was planning to go for a spin with my neighbour and I thought the tyre pressures were off again. Sure enough the front was down to 20 again. I had a good look at the tyre, just in case there was a nail or suchlike. I could find nothing. The tyre is looking aged though, lots of fine cracks, but there's plenty of tread depth left. It's 15 months old and only covered 5k miles. So I tightened the valve and we'll see what happens.

I then remembered the orange brake pin. It's not a good idea to leave this kind of problem, as you know it will only get worse. So off came the calliper, followed by the retaining clip and out came the pin. No problem, luckily I coat these in copper clip or anti-seize to avoid this problem. A quick clean of the pin with some wire wool followed by a liberal coating of copper slip and the job was done. Now the other calliper pin looked fine. It was the usual black mucky colour caused by dirt sticking to the copper slip. A voice in my head told me not to assume it was okay and service this one too. Just as well I did, it was seized despite all my previous care. The only way to get it out was to squirt some penetrating oil into the pin recesses and clamp on a pair of mole grip to the centre of the pin and gently twist back and forth. Luckily it gave way. Again the pin was cleaned up, but before I put it back I cleaned the pin recesses with a 5mm drill bit, just to get some of the corrosion out. I held the bit in my hand, gently twisting it removing any oxide. The pin in now a nice loose fit and well covered in copper slip.

The clocks go back tomorrow night. I dread this event. Months of gloomy evenings. I doubt the SV will get much use now, at least not travelling to work in Oswestry. The combination of darkness, wet roads, wet visor and cold hands are not something I enjoy. luckily I have the option of using the car. The car was recently changed to a 1.6 turbo diesel, the first diesel I have owned. I'm truly impressed by the MPG figures, not far behind the bike. So my fuel bill will be roughly the same whether I use the car or bike.

Regards

John

Came across this advert the other day. Brilliant.

THUNDERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING MACHINE FOR SALE, SV650 INJECTION ENGINE IN A ROGER COTTERAL FLAT TRACK MONOSHOCK FRAME.THIS BIKE HAS WON MANY RACES AND THREE CHAMPIONSHIPS.THE ENGINE IS AN 'O5 INJECTION WITH MILD TUNE IN EXCELLANT CONDITION. R6 FORKS, KOSMIC CLAMPS, FIVE ONE WHEELS, CARBON CAN, PENSKI SHOCK, WOODS TANK AND C&J SEAT, ELECTRIC START, SOME SPARES

October 5th - Time for a new page.

I finally found some time to put some new pages together and put this site back on track. Too say I have been very busy over the last few months has been an understatement (read Summer 2010 if you want to know more).  As I've mentioned before I don't get a lot of correspondence these days apart from people trying to sell me viagra, so I need to research my own stories.

The Autumn has finally arrived and from a riding perspective this has been the leanest year for me in terms of riding for pleasure. I think I've done two trips all summer, the trip to Devon that I mentioned in Spring 2010 and a Sunday jaunt organised by DarylB. 

My SV needs some attention, not sure what, but something in the handling department doesn't feel quite right. I can't fling it into corners with the same gusto that I usually do. I suspect its the mismatched tyres that it's wearing at the moment, forced on my by Nerg the Nail (see Devon trip in Spring 2010). I also suspect that the rear shock has seen better days.  I don't think the bike has seen a bucket of water since June either, thank god for the Scottoiler otherwise the chain would be red with rust too.

It's also that time of year where some of us consider moth balling the bike in the garage and giving up till spring. I'm not one of those. I'm happy to keep riding up to the end of the year as long as there is no ice to worry about. I don't mind getting cold but I'm not going to chuck it up the road when there's a car I can use. So it's time for me to winter proof the bike a bit, a bit of WD40 and grease here and there may keep some of the salt at bay.

All for now

John