I did the rad clean out last year which helped and the coolant levels are good too. I think im just used to Japanese bikes that run cooler.
My boat "driveway drydock" continues in the sunshine, with some wins and some other results. The filler, gelcoat/ flocoat repairs (hulls & rudders) are all complete save for a few very small areas that need some final touch ups. I've found a product which is allegedly gelcoat in a rattle can! I have great doubts about it as a product, but since its only for minor cosmetics, its worth taking a punt. If it actually is a form of gelcoat thats sprayable from an aerosol, its going to be bloody brilliant to have around. The rudder poles, front & rear beams, boom, mast and tiller extension (sounds like a lot but its only a small boat) have all been rubbed down, repainted and look pretty good. I pulled out the sails (last week) only to find there are general repairs that were not done prior my collecting them last January. I called the Dealer who was extremely apologetic and told me to send them back and they would get them fully "serviced". I sent them off only for Royal Mail to lose the package for a week on a 24 hour delivery. Oh well, at least it's all in hand and I should get them back midweek. The new hull decals didn't arrive. Royal Mail once again. Vinyl guy immediately responded with a reprint, so I expect they will arrive Monday/ Tuesday. Perhaps the first set will show up too? Gelcoat oxidises over time due to UV and requires polishing every year or so ideally to keep it looking good. I bought a Silverline variable speed buffer to redo mine for £40. I figured it would do the job twice or three times and maybe the odd bit of polishing here and there besides. After ten minutes the thing seemed overly hot so I left it for a while to cool off. Restarted the job only to find smoke coming out of the sides accompanied by a nasty pungent smell. Notified Amazon who accepted the return, and ordered a replacement Einhell polisher -£68. It looks suspiciously like the Silverline one in an orange dress instead of blue, but we will see tomorrow if its actually any better... So all in all its been an interesting weekend, but I'm definitely on the homeward stretch.
I always did cycling, running, hill walking but neglected stretching. I’m paying for neglect now. I find it hard going and it doesn’t seem to get any easier. It is an hour of discomfort rack week and who is going to enjoy that?
Its probably as much to do with the hassle of taking the panniers off and having somewhere to put them as much as the trendy wendyness of the Dakar stickers?
Rode the Harley-Farley for the first time this year. Woke up yesterday with thoughts of selling it. 17 grand tied up that I could put into my house, and the 1098 about to come out of dry-dock with a £1500 bill attached. Then I rode a few miles and thought better of it. Bloody bikes..
Change company? When i insured my Mini last month it wasn't especially expensive. My no claims are on another vehicle so there was no reduction on that score. Obviously I'm an old git, plus I have zero points and no accidents/ claims whilst you are younger with a faster Mini -but even so... I got mine via Go Compare -might be worth trying? Plus Go Compare gave me free Excess cover as a bonus.
I rode home from Gairloch today via Torridon, Applecross and Glencoe. I had forgotten just how torturous the Applecross coastal route is for the first few miles. The cloud was low on the mainland, hazy and the weather often wet so not many photo stops. Skye was pretty clear though. Skye from Applecross. Bealach na ba was in hill fog. It was pretty thick too. Looking back up the bealach after descending but still about ½ way up. All the pics I posted are from my phone. I had my camera so will see if there are any keepers. I’m not hopeful.
They produce wall brackets - I was once that farkler I'd have to push over any shiny GS with a Dakar sticker though - sorry!
I’ve started scarifying the lawns, also written to my builders customer care team about a couple of snagging issues and now I’m on the phone to Ducati Insurance to change the registration number for my bike, so I can put my new plate on
Dropping bike off for stillage at mates meant I rode the 1299s with Michelin Pilot Cup 2 for first time. Not a full review as I only rode m25 and m3 to twickers from my gaff. What I did notice immediately is that they tip in much more readily than the SC's. I thought I'd not tightened wheel at first riding out my road.
Decorators nightmare. Those test patches will all need sanding back now so you don’t see them through the new paint. Paint testers on to a white sheet of paper.
