Coventry to Inverness on....whatever.

[evoboy]

After a few people showed interest in this , I thought i would stick a bit a thread up.

So me and my mate Will had an idea back at the start of 2013 about riding from Cov to see his brother in Inverness on our old metal.

We told a few other mates about this who then decided to join in.

Will has a Triumph 6t that he had been riding around on for a while but was in a bit of a state that would give the purists a heart attack with all the dirt.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/3707_10151302214514515_1339870453_n.jpg

He decided to fully restore the bike and stripped it down to the frame.

Heres how it currently stands...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/q71/s720x720/1146516_10151837586724515_1237205709_n.jpg


I am going on my x7 that has been in bits for the past 2 years...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s720x720/15225_10151574546152250_1448175962_n.jpg

Had the crank rebuilt and re newed the top end and slapped it all together. It currently runs well but needs a new head gasket and front brake seals before the journey...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/q81/s720x720/970819_10151749750772250_1229229108_n.jpg


Lee's mode of transport has been a bit of a saga...

First he was going on an MZ TS150 that had been sitting in a garden for who knows how long. Unfortunatly, this turned out to be too much work with too little time, so we then pulled out of the pile a CB250 G5...

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/q72/s720x720/602310_10151702232494515_1965312118_n.jpg

We got this running nicely and rideable, but there was no V5. After applying to the DVLA and them cashing the cheque, they found there was no record of this bike. So they wanted to send someone out to look at it....10weeks ago...

This then turned into a non starter also, so we pulled yet another bike out. A GS850 of around 85 vintage. It is now running and just needs the front calipers putting back on and bleeding, a new battery and a bit of a service. ( no pics yet, will update when i have some)

Dave is going on a 1980 BMW R100T that has been in his garage for 10 years.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/q86/s720x720/945775_10151698536509515_2077745920_n.jpg

We had to replace the gearbox, the front calipers, junk the MC in favour of a more conventional setup, clean some rust off it. It now has an MOT but still needs some fettling before we leave!

Steve is doing the jaunt on an Enfield 500 which he bought from someone who had it standing for years. He quickly got this on the road and was the first to be ready....

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/533853_10151422474003801_574434640_n.jpg

The date we leave is the 22nd of Aug. I doubt I will update this untill we return back on the following Sunday/Monday.

Sorry its a bit brief, I will up date this post in more depth once we return!
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Suzuki GT250 x7------- Fazer 600------CB250RS------Aprilia Rally 70----- Bandit 600

APT Motorcycles

[pepperami]

This is so much more cool than doing the journey on state of the art modern plastic pocket rockets.
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Watching this thread for many reasons.
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[Efes123]

Can't wait to hear about your journey, lots of pics please. I love 80s bikes.
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Honda Goldwing GL 1000 Current love
Honda VT500 ED - SOLD
Projects Suzuki GS125 Done, then stolen - Kawasaki GPX750R SOLD - Honda VF750S SOLD

[stevo as b4]

This will be an epic biking adventure trip. It's great to hear about a spur of the moment thing where a group says lets get a load of non runner's and fix them up to take on a road trip.

I love the fact that some of you have dragged out old bikes that have been sat unused for 10years or more as your chosen steed's for this trip.

Agreed we want loads of pics of the Coventry- Inverness crew and their bikes as you go on your journey.

[evoboy]

Little update.

The GS850 is now ready to go, has about 60miles under its belt....more than enough test time after 3+ years sitting unused!

Will's Triumph is now near on complete, with MOT and free tax disc.

Sounds wonderful.


https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/q74/s720x720/1174716_10151802404147250_754495722_n.jpg

The Enfield now also has working brakes after whatever Indian man built it, didnt do it correctly!

The x7 ive had back on the bench to go over with threadlock and secure the baffles after they flew out for the 3rd and final time! Just need to strip the carbs back down, balance the slides and reset the float height.
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Suzuki GT250 x7------- Fazer 600------CB250RS------Aprilia Rally 70----- Bandit 600

APT Motorcycles

[stinkwheel]

Good job.

Make sure you stay off the A9. Take any other road instead.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[nowhere.elysium]

[Sload]

Nice, best of luck with it
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Honda Varadero >> Triumph Speed Four >> Honda CBR1100xx

[i.p.phrealy]

so, has the trip started?
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it is impossible to lick your own elbow...
and if you just tried you need professional help.
Finally allowed a big bike 19/03/14!

[Ed Case]

Like most old Brit twins vibration was and still is problem and bits can fall off and also break. I've had several from new (not telling my age) and once you start thrashing them your problems will start. I had a new T100T Daytona Triumph, mudguards split (both), blew bulbs frequently, lost three valve inspection caps (out of four) on one 150 mile spin, oil tank split, various brackets broke. This cost me serious money. Old Brit stuff is fine as a 'Hobby'bike, full stop.

[evoboy]

Well we are now back from the trip.

The x7 managed to make the whole journey, which ended up being closer to 1200miles by the time we had finished the weekend!

It had a main fuse blow 60mile from Inverness, so with it being a 2stroke I could still ride it, but with a candle for a headlight. It did require the plugs to be changed and some bodgery to the oil pump to get it to return properly. After that, it was perfect!

The GS850 managed the journey without too many problems....untill the lights were used, when it was found that the stator was shot and was only just putting out enough oomph to power the bike, without the lights.

The BMW completed the journey without too much hassle. The gearbox was rough and struggled to get 2nd, it needed a litre of oil once we got to Inverness and it taps and knocks like a good un! But it still made it.

The Triumph had no mechanical issues to report. Apart from an awful seat and a smoking habit!

But, the Enfield made it to the border and failed. On the roadside we found the pushrod had fallen off the rocker and was loose in the case....not good! So once we had got it to our destination, the rocker cover was pulled to see a snapped exhaust rocker!


All in all, it was a brilliant weekend away with mates on bikes.

PICS!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/q77/s720x720/581084_10151871114049515_76023279_n.jpg

At the border.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/q86/s720x720/1234034_10151871115844515_57663290_n.jpg

Loch Ness.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/q85/s720x720/1011656_10151871118599515_1923207084_n.jpg

Near Glencoe.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/q84/s720x720/1185206_10151816374592250_2085762325_n.jpg

Enfield given up, not far from the border.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/q88/s720x720/1175326_10151809948512250_134716535_n.jpg

Nairn Harbour.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/q82/s720x720/998626_10151871116879515_227775790_n.jpg
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Suzuki GT250 x7------- Fazer 600------CB250RS------Aprilia Rally 70----- Bandit 600

APT Motorcycles

[Carl_steveo]

I saw on Facebook you'd tagged yourself about a mile from where I happened to be. You were somewhere around Stanley/chester-le-street way.
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Current: Honda Nsr 125
Live: Sunderland
Luke "cant be arsed to read your post, but suck my balls anyway."

[pepperami]

Missed your post regarding the trip until now .

cool

A breakdown and bike problems seem so much less when there are a group of you and between you , you can overcome the problem.
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Shaft]

I presume the proximate placing of the Lottery sign wasn't lost on you............
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20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
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