There & Back Again

[craigs23]

Week off work this week, so the resto. begins.

Slight touch of deja vu, but oh well.

How I miss the screams from an uncomfortable pillion:

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/DSC01782.jpg

Lucky I cleaned these before I stored them, wonder if I'd be scraping them now I'm a little cockier on the bike:

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/DSC01783.jpg

Personally, I think I prefer the look of the bike without a hugger:

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/DSC01784.jpg

Something's missing

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/DSC01785.jpg

Some of the parts that will fund the T-Bike (see my ad in the For Sale section if anyone's interested):

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/DSC01786.jpg

[Andy C]

NNNOOO please dont!!! Change your mind!!!

You didnt take the ohlins shock off aswell?? you have to at least keep that!!!

Well i wish you luck with the sale, though it did look so good with all those extras

And take but what i said, i does still look really cool standard with polished parts
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99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[craigs23]

Yep, suspension tweaks are staying on - there's no reason not to really, considering the shock was set up for me.

As far as I see it, a standard bike is much rarer than non-standard one. So the tart-factor is somewhat balanced. Might feel odd riding with the standard pegs again though.

Exhaust hopefully fitted tomorrow when the new gaskets arrive, followed by resetting the carbs. Which will only leave the callipers to be changed over, might as well service them whilst I'm at it.

The bike won't be winning any shows though (not only because I won't be entering any), I've changed far too many standard Honda bolts for flush domed allen heads plus won't be covering any of the polish up. So I guess the end result will be 95% standard.

[Jack_Cheese]

____________________
www.bikepics.com/members/jackcheese <--- NOW FOR SALE! 51 Plate Cagiva Planet 125
Quacker_boy: "Jack, you really are a dick!"

[craigs23]

Indeed.

Wrong sized gaskets received yesterday (hopefully correct ones arriving shortly), so couldn't reinstall the exhaust. Did manage to refit the old callipers though (and get a pretty penny for the previous items).

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/DSC01791.jpg

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/DSC01787.jpg

Argh, it's almost too hot to work....the thing needs a ruddy good clean though - too much dust and greasy fingerprints.

[m i k e]

Craig, why on earth are you doing this? It just doesn't make sense lol, i was thinking as i looked at your first post of something, that was well, thesum of Jacks picture!
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Bom Chicka WAHHH WAHHHHHHH!

[craigs23]

It's a bit crazy I know, but better than parting with the bike completely - https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=89211

As I see it, I don't get /that/ much more out of the bike with all the aftermarket bolt ons, for what I use it for anyway. This is the decision I've come to, and the sales from the aftermarket bits are enough to fund another bike one that I hope to mercilessly thrash down bumpy backroads and ride in any weather, day in, day out. The Blade's great but compromised and I think I'd sorely miss it if I parted company (plus I doubt I would ever get one as good if I changed my mind), this seems to the best course of action.

Not only am I looking forward to riding an almost totally stock orignal Blade; the way Tadao Baba intended, but I also get to hoon around on another bike that would be somewhat disposable.

Post was late again today (must be this hot weather), but luckily the correct sized gaskets have arrived; not much in it really:

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/DSC01793.jpg

And for the hassle of putting the schedule back a day, Wemoto were kind enough to say sorry with this little item:

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/DSC01794.jpg

They really shouldn't have.

[Jack_Cheese]

I think i just wet my pants with all my remaining bodily fluid!


____________________
www.bikepics.com/members/jackcheese <--- NOW FOR SALE! 51 Plate Cagiva Planet 125
Quacker_boy: "Jack, you really are a dick!"

[craigs23]

lol

What with the arrival of the correctly sized gaskets, the resto. continues. Bit stiffling in the garage, so I'll get the fairings back on after dinner.

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/DSC01796.jpg

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/DSC01797.jpg

Indeed, the standard exhaust is completely black, so I'm going to have to put that free polish to use on my next bike. It might just be my eyes, but the exhaust actually looks higher than the Yoshi system - maybe because the can I had made to fit it was quite stocky (the standard can comes almost to the rear R&G/Indicator).

[craigs23]

So here's the final look of my bike - just need to bleed the brakes and it'll be ready to roll.

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/DSC01830.jpg

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/DSC01829.jpg

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y51/whers84/DSC01817.jpg

[Jack_Cheese]

The alloy can looked so much better

Tis a sad sad shame in a way, but at least you'll get more fun out of your next bike

Jack
____________________
www.bikepics.com/members/jackcheese <--- NOW FOR SALE! 51 Plate Cagiva Planet 125
Quacker_boy: "Jack, you really are a dick!"

[craigs23]

Hmmm, I'm not so sure.

The Yoshi system was shinier and louder, but not necessarily 'better'. The standard system, although quieter and most definitely black, sounds smoother and produces a 'nicer' noise (I must be getting old).

I've now got in my possession a bike that is rarer and more authentic than it has been before, without a drastic compromise on road handling or parked-up tart-appeal.

When a fellow Blade rider came round to pick up the Yoshi, I was wondering whether I was making the right decision. But I didn't miss it once it had disappeared into the boot of his car. The other extras are already packed ready for delivery (once the price is right) and I don't really miss them either. The standard items are beautiful as not only do they match the bike better, they work with it better and, like keeping the outrageously large indicators and standard mirrors, place the Blade right back to what it is, why it is, and what it should be.

I can't say the same if someone came to buy the bike and road it off never to be seen again. Neither do I see any of the changes made to be disheartening. It's almost like the bike is back to the state I should have kept it all along; what I really miss most is not riding half the mileage I ought to have over the last few months.

[Whosthedaddy]

I'll bet a few tears will be shed when the new owner comes to collect it.

Its a stunning looking bike, even in its normal / stock guise. The new owner will be a lucky one
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Jack_Cheese]

He isn't selling it, just the tarty bits.

I hope to god that i am right!

jack
____________________
www.bikepics.com/members/jackcheese <--- NOW FOR SALE! 51 Plate Cagiva Planet 125
Quacker_boy: "Jack, you really are a dick!"

[craigs23]

Mr. Cheese is correct, the Blade stays.

[Whosthedaddy]

I see

I must admit I didn't read the poll you had going It wont be long though before you are get the urge to polish and then the bits will come flooding back
____________________
Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[craigs23]