Killa's biking history *Part 7*

[killa]

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6


Killa's biking history *Part 7*


Throughout your biking you may experience some bikes which are worlds apart from your chosen steed. Bikes which make you think that the slight irritations you have with your own bike, really aren’t that bad.
A month before the sale of the VFR400R, a young girl reversed into the bike, knocking it over and damaging a fair number of parts, including those gorgeous red and black side panels.
Some insurance work later and they’ve agreed they can repair it, as I did the work for them and handed them a quote.
I had to leave my VFR400R with a garage in Swindon who specialise in imported Jap stuff. During the time I was apart from the old girl I was handed a truly dreadful machine to get me from A-B, whilst I waited. If you’re anything like me, being handed a set of keys to a ‘rental bike’ means only one thing...throttle happy!...but in this case I was handed the keys to the Yamaha Diversion 600.

https://www.carolenash.com/insidebikes/images/bike-reviews/193x150-yamaha-diversion-600.jpg

This particular one came in ‘grubby’ black, with something in the region of 88,000 miles on the clock with a slight oil leak. It had been the garages own “rental” for a number of years, no one could kill it. It had square Chinese tyres, rattled a little on start up and the suspension felt like it was full of cake mix.
As I leant the bike into the slip road of the motorway taking in the vibrations and the new sounds, the bike died.
No power, nothing, nothing on the button...nothing, crap.

I pulled over and mused for a few seconds, no leaks, no fire, OH...FUEL TAP! Woo hoo! And off I trundled, thankful I hadn’t killed this one as well . I filled her up (Green pump this time) and spent a week with the thing. It’s indestructible, I’ll give it that...but it has all of the response of a governmental complaints department and the personality of Wayne Rooney.

Back on the timeline again and I’m with the ZX7R.

Quite simply I enjoyed ownership of the bike from start to finish, it was so simple in its design but so rewarding in its performance. The engine has torque, a full on mid range and comfortable top speed all applied to the floor in a great frame work. Build wise it’s no Honda but I kept the thing tidy as I could and we went through some brutal conditions to which I think she faired very well.
At around 17,000 on the clock she deserved a birthday. The big service, I had everything done that I could, sent her through an MOT and cleaned her up for the sunny season.

The enjoyment of my investment was unfortunately cut short. Whilst heading into town on a warm summer day, I was filtering alongside some stationary traffic, when all of a sudden I’m confronted with the inside of a car door.
It all happened before I even shout FUCK! (See part two). The bike has hit the edge of the door with an awful crunch, I’m thrown off, onto the other side of the road. Thankfully traffic was also stationary.
I landed in press up position, I pushed up and stood up. Didn’t even have time to check myself over and stormed straight up to the car which happened to be a taxi.
It’s a young female Muslim teenager, she looks pretty shaken. My attention quickly turns to the driver who look like he was bricking it now too. I basically told him to say to my face it was the fault of his passenger (who happened to be a family friend). He agreed and thankfully in front of a witness who came to point out it was his fault too.

https://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z451/SV_KB/DSC00274.jpg

https://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z451/SV_KB/DSC00272.jpg

https://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z451/SV_KB/DSC00273.jpg

The bike came off a little worse than I did. Massive fairing damage, the frame took a small knock and so did the engine, pegs and exhaust. In the end she was written off as a CAT C, the driver contested fault but I held firm and didn’t muck about. I had my payout for the bike and later on received monies for my kit and slight injury to my wrist and leg.
I didn’t really want to say goodbye to the 7R, she had been great to me and the work I had just put in was never appreciated. With the money I had from the accident, I decided to browse through some metal online. I Umm’d and Aah’d over the super sport twins for awhile...the TLR1000R that I’d always admired was still well out of my price range...the VTR SP1 was too heavy on insurance and Ducati 900ss seemed a little exotic for my kind of riding.

Bored and with nothing to lose, I had a peak at ZX7R’s.

I found this...

https://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y278/Killa127/media.jpg

I had a plan. I have the old ZX7R, it’s has some salvageable bit’s on it.
Should have a good long think about this.

Yep. I’m doing it.

Off on the train, north, to buy my second ZX7R.
The bike was totally unmolested, owned by a fireman who obviously had a few quid to chuck around but not enough time to enjoy it. The bike was obviously ridden but straight line hero’s from the general condition. Looking over it, it wasn’t going to be hard to make this great again.
It was winter and getting dark at 4-4:30pm. The sun had been out all day but there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. I know what was coming. By my timing I was meant to be on the road before sunset but I was losing light whilst this guy sorted his paper work out. Cash in hand and keys in my pocket I fucked off hastily to the motorway. He came with me on his other bike, as the route there was awful and not well sign posted. When we got to the exit he waved me on my way and I was gone. The bike was good, engine was tight, so I pinned it to eat some blacktop, racing the sunlight.

When the sun disappeared, the cold set in. I had my layers on but already I could feel the bite. As I came around Birmingham it was -2. Dark, cold and busy, it was rush hour too. What more could I want!
Oh yeah that’s right, freezing hail and rain. Perfect. Ducking in and out of traffic avoiding arctic lorry spray the temperature dropped to -4. By this time my gloves gave up, my two pairs of socks aren’t helping me out anymore. Ah well, keep focused on the task at hand and think about that warm bath I’m jumping into when I’m home.

After Birmingham and with about an hour of riding to go, I needed a break. I pulled into the services, pulled myself off the bike and stomped inside. I was the only one there, the nice lady saw how cold I looked, she sorted me a warm bacon Panini for half price and a hot chocolate.
I thanked her for that, braced myself and left. Only an hour to go...no problem.
These services were huge, it was dark outside and still raining. I made my way to the exit and got up to speed on the motorway. It did feel weird on the exit, wasn’t sure how I’d come out, but I’m pretty sure I’m right...err...signs to Birmingham???!

Next exit, 6.5 miles, this is a joke. I tried not to think about it but I am travelling north again...bugger. I exit, do the turn of shame and then make some ground to eat that 6.5 miles I’ve just wasted. I think about now the temperature was around -6 with the wind chill factor added.
The last part of the journey was about an hour but once I had no feeling in my hands and feet, it couldn’t get any worse. I arrived home tired but so relieved.
I stripped off all the wet gear and popped something’s on the radiators. My mum was relieved to see me and after putting the kettle on she asked me what I’m going to do about the rental bike. SHITE!

I had travelled to the train station on it in the morning and locked it up there. It was a Yamaha Fazer I had through the insurance cover. I couldn’t really leave it there in case of thieves or vandalism. So I grabbed my lid...jacket and got a lift ten miles station.
The night was clear now, I think in town perhaps -4 degree’s and about 10pm. My old dear drops me off, I waved goodbye.

Stuck the keys in the ignition of the Fazer and start it...jacket on...lid on...NO.FUKING.GLOVES.

So that’s where I’ll leave it for now. Thanks for reading.

PART 8

Project ZX7R resurrection. Tokico brakes make me cry and how this ZX7R committed suicide.

Killa
____________________
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[trippz]

once again a nice read... but where is Number 6?
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Don't take what I say seriously, I'm a F&*cking idiot

[Aff]

[Pedro]

Great read, can't wait for the next
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RX-50 > Varadero 125 > Er-6f
CBT - May 2010 <> Theory test - July 2011 <> Mod 1 - July 2011 <> Mod 2 - August 2011
Restricted to 33bhp (I'm 17)

[killa]

Thanks for the feedback guys, really appreciate it.
I’ll try and get part 8 out asap. Hope you enjoyed the earlier parts!
____________________
Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult.
Bike:- Yamaha TRX850 | Killas Biking History | Killas Gaming History | Killas autmotive history

[moppy]

Killa, I've just read through all 7 parts, great read, looking forward to number 8.

[killa]