really sorry to read this, I hoped you wouldn't have to resort to small claims and recovery this way. When i've been stung in the past the cases that hurt the most when when I got reeled in via "mates" advice/recommendations, I don't know if this is the same but if it is, then probably best not to air publicly (yet).
Went for a quick ride, didn’t bother with gloves, was lovely. I wouldn’t not wear gloves on a regular basis, but with the vents open on the jacket and the wind going up my arms, it was bliss.
Based on this comment and what you said earlier on the dog & bone, perhaps apply a little pressure by sending in a forum member that's willing to accommodate you up in that nick of the woods, collecting your property and returning with horse & carriage, reward the member with a good gesture that works for them.
Treat myself to a Klim Marrakesh jacket for the hot weather, not cheap but it is AA rated and has D30 in shoulders /elbows and back!?. I had 1st tried for a look & feel at my local Klim dealers as I wasn't certain if it would suite UK summer but they didn't have any and cited that there weren't suitable for UK as its not hot enough to make them useful. Undeterred I ordered one online from rugged roads who turned out not to have any in my size so fell back on Motolegends who did (in my size and colour preference) and promptly delivered it next day FOC. Had my 1st quick jaunt out in it this afters (supermarket trip for bread & milk) in 20s+C at speeds upto the NSL. its nicely cooler than my usual Klim Kodiak (with all vents open) & IMO perfectly usable for UK summer & autumn if you have a light fleece/etc for cooler use & it would probably still feel a little hot in close/slow urban traffic in high summer temps when you dont have any airflow, so think my local dealer was BS'ing me about its UK unsuitability. Unlike most (all?) other Klim jackets there are no vents to open on the Marrakesh as it relies on airflow through the materials weave so speed is of the essence it making it "work" in hot climes as its not imo a "mesh" jacket . Some minor criticism of the design are it only has 1 inside pocket (for phone) and that sits a little high up on the rhs chest so making it awkward (for me?) to get stuff into /out of. & I would have like a means of being able to adjust/tighten the lower hem, perhaps using a drawstring etc, it has no means to do so . It also has 4 outside pockets on the front in the normal chest and belly locations. Its not waterproof though it has a water repellent coating suspect its a single light shower only b4 it would wet out . Overall I'm happy with it and wont be returning it & hoping to get some regular use out of it over the summer etc (fingers crossed). Size wise they seem to size up larger than inferred (motolegends do state this) so overall its a loose fit unlike my Kodiak which is snug and tapered down to the waist. I bought a Large & last time I checked I was a 46" chest 34 waist & this has enough space to get a thick fleece under it if needed, I might have been able to get a medium on but suspect that would defeat its airflowing ability and probably be too tight on my shoulders. So I should look very swanky & cool (temp wise) in it at the local coffee shops on me Mutley (not that I ever visit them- maybe I should start.)
Opened packet, took out cover, screwed onto reservoir... (not pictured flushing old dot 4 as it will have absorbed water...)
This bland statement cannot prepare you for the struggle it took to first remove the wheels and then refit them. Start with the rear; remove the splash guard and when I say “remove” I mean undo and remove the 3 bolts and then leave it dangling by the rear number plate light wiring; undo and remove the splash guard front aluminium securing block from the swing arm because it stops you removing the wheel; undo and remove the rear axle with a f**k of big hammer because the axle has seized in the bearings; try and figure out how to release the caliper and slide it out of the way …….. just like that …… eh, how did I do that ? Before the new tyre is fitted, separate the sprocket from the hub, mmmm, remove just like that, like buggery, clean the minging wheel and touch up the scratches from a previous attempt to remove the wheel and finally fit the new tyre. Clean the rear caliper and find a new ‘R’ clip for the pad pin because the one I fitted last time has gone walkabout. Put the wheel back in and figure out how to relocate the caliper; put the rear axle back in after giving it a good greasing, refit the splash guard block, refit the splash guard, tension the chain using your very useful laser alignment gizmo ……. and breath. Take the brake pads out of the front caliper, undo and remove the caliper and tie it off out of the way. Loosen the front axle fork clamps, undo and remove the front axle …….. where did I put that hammer ? Persuade axle out and remove the wheel. Clean the minging wheel, free off the 10 disc bobbins, fit a replacement angled tyre valve because the straight valve is a pain. Fit the tyre and then refit the wheel …… only for the front paddock stand to twist and the fork bottoms now don’t line up …….. hammer is to hand. Every bolt that has been disturbed is torqued or thread locked and double checked, brakes are bled, chain cleaned and re lubricated, tyre pressures checked. Sod it done enough, been at it since 10 o’clock this morning and I’m going for a curry and a chilled pint of Cobra ……… I bloody well deserve it ……… it’s not even my bike Andy
Got 999 engine back together, stripped to find gearbox problem, decided it was nothing more than a shim...but took the opportunity to redo most of the engine paint.. (had used the bike over 2 winters ).
As you might know, I'm not too technical, so replacing a damaged handguard (I also fall off a lot) proved interesting. For the life of me I couldn't work out the two piece bolt sleeve, but got there in the end. Fitted a tank bag ring, but still not sure I'll use the bag. The last job before barbeque duties is to fit the red pannier cover thingies, which look far more complicated than they need to be
Track day at donington today, air temperature around 100F. Didn't collapse didn't self combust but panigales are horrible bikes at that temperature, honestly thought it was on fire at the end of the dunlop straight so much heat was coming out of the fairing. On the bright side, Michelin were there, and offered goodies for anyone using their tyres at the end of the day. Got complemented on my tyre wear, apparently their slicks like hot weather. 2 track days in the fast group and still gripping well.
Had a serious case of the sodums after melting in the garage on Monday, so I collected a new fitting kit for my Givi top box adaptor plate from the local Sportsbike Shop yesterday. Fitted the new kit and adaptor plate this morning and the old fitting kit can wait until I have more patience and the ambient temperature drops, before getting a lick of paint. Andy
