Funny how you miss a bike when you don't have it.

[ws4936]

So I normally have a GPZ500s D6 as my all round winter bike, but due to it over heating and progressively getting worse I've had to take the 636 C6F as my main bike. I've always preferred the positioning of the 636 especially with the rear sets, but this could be due to me beng a fat bastard and slumped over the tank takes the pressure off my back. The 500 is a great touring bike but travelling 100 miles on the thing is crippling, your positioning is so upright that the base of my back really takes a hammering. I've pretty got most of the prep done for the long ride down to Malta on the 636, but not having the use of the 500 for short runs ain't half made me miss the old bird. What happened was the impeller shaft has snapped inside the impeller so it was turning, but the wrong way and without force like it was spindling, so I was getting oil in the air box as well. All the parts should be ready to collect monday(today), ordered new piston rings, pump pipe as it had to be cut and some o rings - cant wait to get the thing back!
Kinda get sentimental over old 125s but, when a bike is out of action - you just want it more!
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.

[-Matt-]

Even worse without any bike, what i'd give for even a spare 125 the last few months at times

Spent a small fortune today on new tyres/stuff to secure the garage where i'm at now in order to bring the 636 down and get it back on the road.

Still lubing up in preparation for insurance/tax/mot... Will all be worth it the minute I get back out on the road though, life is suprisingly dull without a bike, even after only a few months

[ws4936]

Aww man that's crap. Think of that first ride though, it'll be hard to move that smile from the face.

Is the bike in Briz?
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.

[rhys1005]

Know that feeling too well! A few times I've got bored of biking, sold the bike and then drooled over other bikers on the road until I could afford another bike.

That was with 125's though so now I've got a 600 I should appreciate it a lot more. Next time I'm going to buy the bike I want next, keep my old one and then not use it for a week.

Sometimes it's good to move onto another bike though.. It's easy just to stick to one bike and not deal with the hassle of switching to a new bike. There are hundreds of different bikes out there that I haven't ridden and we don't live forever so if you want a bike then get it, get bored then move onto the next.

[doggone]

It's just awful not having a bike at all, even if you don't actually use it that much you need to know it is there if you wanted to.
You can get through heavy work periods or worse life traumas just by thinking about where you will go and what you will do when it is over.

[-Matt-]

[ws4936]

I've been meaning to do an oil change on mine for weeks. "I'll probably do it this week" has lasted 6 weeks. Just can't get the motivation. I don't mind stripping back to get at the plugs and the rear end for luggage rack, but I'm just too lazy to get onto my knees to do an oil change. I'll probably do it this week.
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.

[-Matt-]

Ive been meaning to do mine since august when i knew it was about to get laid up sat all winter with the old oil now but oh well, cant of done much damage

Have you ever had a crack at doing the valve check/clearances on yours out of interest? Will hit the mid 20k's and above this year

[ws4936]

I haven't, but I'm not sure if it's been done or not. I'm a bit lazy and absent minded, so I'll have to check the history. May just get it done before I go, but I have the insurance, tyres, mot on the 500 coming up, it'll be a struggle.

Do you throw any oil in yours out of interest?
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.

[-Matt-]

I try to change the oil/filter every 3-4k, usually twice a year it works out at. Between changes i've never had to top it up so far, touch wood..

Same problem for me with the valves. Im at 21k miles at the moment, theyre due at 26k IIRC and i try stick with the service schedule when possible. Bit hesitant to have a go at doing them myself but having just spent 400 quid on tyres/new textiles/garage security yesterday and a good 300 more due for mot/tax/insurance soon its pricey enough already this year...

[ws4936]

I can moan about how much I've spent in preping the bike and sorting out the €uro trip, but as my Dad would say,"Welcome to the joys of motoring, son". Might have to sell a kidney before I go....I wonder if eBay permits body parts...

When will you get your bike back, bud?
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.

[-Matt-]

MOTs up end of the month so hopefully get a new front tyre on it and get that passed in a week or two. I'm still in bristol occasionally so until i get the garage down here sorted sometime this month i'll keep it safe there and have the odd ride up there - unless the weather goes to snow n gales anyway

I'll let you know when its up n running and i'm about bris way, might be able to sort a ride out

Hows insurance on yours now days? Down to 150 tpft & 200 fc on recent quotes for, not too bad really.

[ws4936]

Yeah, sounds good. Any excuse to blow the cobwebs!
Insurance isn't fantastic but it's a multi bike policy, it's actually due while I'll be in France/Italy, so I guess I'll have to do it all up front and print out both old and new policys to bring with me.
Just wondering if it'll be cheaper insuring both separately...I'll have to do more homework.
Give us a shout when your free though, we'll take the bikes for a spin.......weather permitting :p
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.