Lozzypop1's baptism

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

The last few weeks I've been trying to sort my ex-dispatch ER-5 A1 for Loz.

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This has involved rebuilding the engine again and going over it to try and make it reliable, keep in mind it has 82k on it and has been plagued with cooling and other problems. The time scale for rebuilding it slipped back a week after I had Gastro-enteritus and was admitted to Hospital for a night with the complication that I was pissing blood.

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Finally it was finished on Thursday with the fitting of a new tyre courtesy of Mick over at Essential Rubber in North London (020 7241 0055) so Loz was given the go ahead to drop over and pick it up. When I say drop over I live 160 ish miles away and Loz had never driven a big bike or any bike in the last 6 months. Just to add to the complication I live slap bang in the centre of London and she had to ride it home to the welsh valleys along the M4, one might call it a baptism by fire.
So Friday came and Lozzy dropped over by train as I went up to Telford for work, great organising and got pissed off by the West Midlanders inability to filter. Finally getting home at 11.30pm to find Loz had been sitting on the bike making brum brum noises but hadn't taken it out. As it was late I went to bed after a quick Pizza.
Come Saturday morning Loz was looking a little bothered, as I take ages to wake up and had to check the bike over as well it was 4pm before we set off. At this point Loz was looking scared, very scared. The idea of riding across London via the Euston road, one of the busiest in London and across the elevated Westway was doing nothing for her nerves but she managed it. Only going the wrong way at the bottom of the A4, for some reason Loz decided to try going over Hammersmith bridge instead Rolling Eyes

even though it was sign posted.
We had a quick stop at the Great West road services then onto the Elevated M4 for a quick run to Heston, just to give Lozzy a quick taster of Motorway. Then we headed off again to Reading services and stopped again for an over priced undersized Burger King late lunch.
As we tried to leave Reading services a Police van stopped to let Lozzy out and she discovered the trouble with tanks bags. As she turned to the left and the horn button contacted the bag and set it off, in front of the Police van Embarassed

.The officers cracked up laughing while Lozzy looked on in embarrassment and tried to use sign language to tell them what was happening.
After leaving Reading services we headed off to Chippenham in Wiltshire, theres a VERY cheap Esso just off the M4 so that was our next fuel stop. By the time we got there it was starting to get a bit cold, by the time we left 20 minutes later it was verging on freezing. The M4 corridor isn't that warm at the best of times but around Swindon and Chippenham it always seems to be coldest.
We decided to not make anymore stops, just to ride the last 60 odd miles in one hit. The only thing of note on this leg was Lozzy being blown sideways on the Severn Bridge and the chap at the toll booth not taking 10 minutes to work out where the 'free for bikes' button was on his control pad, they really should train the staff there better.
When we got back to Lozzy's I parked up the bikes, The whole trip took about 5 hours, I normally do it in just over 2.5. Hopefully as Lozzy gets better the time's will come down but it was pretty good for a first time on big bikes and a first time doing a long trip. It's Sunday night and she's still tired from it Shocked

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The most exclusive club on BCF now has a new member. Wonder who the next person will be to join the 'I own a Sickpup ex-dispatch bike club' will be?

yambabe · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Niiice but what happened to the Pink Thing?
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chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Pizza! you live on Brick Lane! I'd be massively curry fat if I lived where you do.

Still after a battery for the S4 if you can get hold of one, let me know.
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slj23 · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Karma :

cool go on loz.
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D O G · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Karma :

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Tonka · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jun 2008 Karma :

WooHoo! Girls on wheels, go Lozzy Pop!

Thumbs Up

for riding all the way home and through London too! Shocked

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hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

That's quite some ride.
Go Loz Cool

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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

Blau Zedong · Banned Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Karma :

There is some real street cred owning a bike which still bares obvious signs of being an ex despatcher Smile

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18:54:59 Rob Fzs: unless its their clothes/ hair/ golden teeth

Valentino Mossy · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Karma :

It does look alot cleaner in the pics then real life ! Wink

BTW pups, i've got that satnav off ebay (won it this morning and picked it up from caerphilly), need to make a bracket up for it ! Thumbs Up

Well done lozzy !!! Thumbs Up

A lot better then the cgeeeeee ! Very Happy

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Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

On yer Bike Lozzypop1 Thumbs Up

Nice sales service sickpup Thumbs Up

Pat
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lozzypop1 · Certified MILF! Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Karma :

Thanks All!!

The bike DOES look that good Mr Moss... I washed it yesterday. Wink

The ride itself was a big adventure, once we were actually on the move it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, possibly helped by the fact that I only managed to get lost once (Well.. Sickpup had never shown me Hammersmith Bridge). Getting undertaken by a pushbike along Clerkenwell Rd was slightly intimidating, but I honestly believe he was breaking the speed limit! Laughing

I was absolutely exhausted by the time we got back to mine. Mentally as well as physically. I don't recall any of the conversation we had over a cup of tea before I collapsed into my bed - Funny how you don't appreciate how comfy your own bed is until you get that cold and tired.

Marjay - If I'd have had your address I would have taken you up on that offer!

Howling Terror - Sales service? He had to accompany me... I let him sleep with me on a regular basis! Thumbs Up

Conclusion Reached - It was a tremendous confidence-booster, Something I'm glad I did and yes, I'd happily do the journey again.
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ncrn · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 May 2006 Karma :

Wow 82k, I was worrying if my ER-5 had much life in it left as its getting to 49k, but I guess as long as I keep servicing it I don't have much to worry about Laughing

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I too did my first ride on my ER-5 through the M4 corridor, I picked it up from Essex and took it back to my parents in west Oxford, good way to get used to the bike I feel Wink

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Valentino Mossy · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Jul 2003 Karma :

I got some spare yellow rim tape for the back wheel if you want...... Tis missing on the one side ! Wink

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Ducati 916,white framed corse replica https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=239309
Ducati 160 monza jnr soon to be cafe racer
https://blauschatfroums.freeforums.net/

Paivi · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

No wonder you were blown sideways with that bloody big thing on the back!

I'm a firm believer in the baptism of fire concept, the only way to get past any trepidations. Feel the fear and do it anyway...

So, when am I invited to Wales for a spin? Or, is it too local for you now, so you're awaiting an invite to Box... Very Happy

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My other bike's a Monster... Wink