Wales to Scotland

[andym]

At some point in the future (sooner rather than later), I'm planning on a bike trip from Chepstow to Glasgow.

It's roughly about 400 miles, is there anything I would need to do to my bike (diversion 600), someone told me I should change the oil and filter for long miles, but I'm not sure about that.

Not sure if this was a workshop question or not?

[sickpup]

Check oil, adjust and lube chain, check tyres pressures, fill with petrol. Go.

[Bendy]

Nope. You don't need to do anything assuming you keep your bike in decent mechanical nick, nothing's particularly due doing* and it isn't threatening to die on you.

* Common sense. If you're 50 miles away from being due an oil change then you should probably change the oil before you go. If your tyres are down to the canvas, change them before you go. Etc.

400 miles isn't a long way

[whitedevil]

What tyres do you have and how worn are they?
When did you last do an oil change?
When did you last clean and adjust your chain and cables?

If you're going for a ride out its 400 miles there you'll probably do the best part of 1000 miles riding round scottyland and 400 miles back.
Thats best part of 2000 miles, half of which will be on the twisties.
Sports tyres will be about shagged after that if you ride hard.
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GPZ500 sold ~ CBR600FS-2 sold ~ ZX6R sold ~ Street Triple R

[Mr Nice Guy]

why ye coming to Glasgow? Glasgow is really the starting point for the fun up here, although you could come the scenic route up through the borders...
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Suzuki GSX-R750K4 ~ Mivv GP

[Walloper]

As long as you are definitely a Welshman you'll be fine.
If the Border Guards at Gretna find out you're an Englishman they'll turn you around. (and shag you).

Watch those Bastart Dumfries Police and their Speed Cameras. Take it as a sure thing they'll be sat on one of the M/way bridges over the M74 around Lockerbie. They will get you.....
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[andym]

OK let's see if I can answer all of them...
Sickpup: That's pretty much what I thought.
Bendy: The bike had 7500 miles on it when I got it ('94 diversion too), Changed the oil and filter when I got it and as far as I can tell it is mechanically sound (bit of a bugger to start when it's been left for a couple of weeks and the battery is flat.
Whitedevil: Bridgestone's front and rear, both with shit loads of tread, see above for oil change, Cleaned and lubed the chain a couple of days ago (at the same time as giving it a damn good going over with polish etc. I may do a bit of touring up there, either that or I'll take the scenic route through Wales and see if I can shag a couple of sheep on the way.
Mr Nice Guy: Why not Glasgow, I do enjoy the city
Walloper: At one point I could say I'm a Scotsman living in Wales and Working in England, but since everything is going to shit here I need a break. (Lost my job, marriage is fucked, going to lose my license soon, had a heart bypass 9 weeks ago (and I'm only 38), I could go on and on).

Think that's it, just in case it wasn't clear enough, I was born in Glasgow and moved to Bristol with my ex because she didn't feel safe after being threatened with a screwdriver one night on the underground, moved to Chepstow about 3 years ago.... so there ya all go

[Bendy]

[Walloper]

If the Beast is a bsatard tae stert then maybe a good plan to change the plugs before you leave. If it's not too much of an erse of a job to get to them. i.e. having to take the hoorin' fuel tank off etc.

I do the M62/A1(M) A66, M74 every couple of months without issue. it's 240 each way.

Use the fuel stop/s for a break too. If the tight fisted bampots who run/ruin our M/way service stations have actually activated the heating in the cafe if lets you thaw out a bit with a cuppa. Get your jacket off and use the seating. The cold and constant sitting position on a bike does cause a bit of fatigue. It is not that apparent as you ride though.

Cold is the most dangerous thing on a motorbike. Hi-Viz and ABS is meaningless if you can't think because of Hypothermia/Hand Pain.

I wear several layers under my bike jaiket and long John (and, coz I am also very ghey, I plug in my wee electric waistcoat too.)

As far as service goes, It's not much more than 1000 miles and mostly M/way so not too much stress on the oil if it is within the service limit. Most bikes are oil change at 6000 miles. I think that is due to the gearbox sharing the same oil as the engine.....
My BMW are oil change at yearly intervals. But they Jerminz use Condition Based Servicing. i.e. only change what you have to change. Normal or conventional wisdom dictates change everything you can at service time whether needed or not.

iPod and earphones.....? Aye...???
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair