The boy has gone to do his CBT today. In all honesty, I reckon he could have got his PADI certification in the car park that they are using.

It's truly horrid out there

Supposed to be having a ride down to Silverstone at some point today, and staying over until tomorrow.

Managed to get hold of some team tickets or whatever theyre called.

Should be a good do, just wish itd stop rainin

Nice, where you staying? I'm just down the road from Silverstone. 

Nice, where you staying? I'm just down the road from Silverstone.

We're all camping, there will be a group of us i think.

From a bikes point of view, the group should be:

My vfr

Dads r1200gs

Ducati 1198 (which doesnt start in the wet)

Multistrada

Do you not fancy poppin up?

I dont fancy getting wet tbh   I'm going out for a mates birthday this evening too, would be too late home, I'd have come said hi otherwise. 

I dont fancy getting wet tbh I'm going out for a mates birthday this evening too, would be too late home, I'd have come said hi otherwise.

Ah shame!

Have a good night anyway fella!

Its due to clear up i think. Gonna wet off at 1 after iv loaded the bike up i think.

Cheers, it's suppose to clear up after lunch then sunny tomorrow so should be alright, have a good one 

Cheers .

Mrs grr is sick to death of hearing me say how much I would like to be riding these roads

over here rather than driving them. With the exception of Jacobs Pass through the mountains

which I drove yesterday which was snowy, icy and twisty as fook as well as steep going up

and worse still down as well. A pretty challenging drive even in a 4x4. But apart from that the roads have been 

totally lush for biking and almost completely empty. Well done Matt for going on to do your theory and 

begin the journey to a full licence. You do realise that you have to keep us all posted on how you get on.

Weirdly, since starting our NZ road trip we've only seen 10 bikes on our travels. It's just coming into spring

here so I guess that's why,  but what a country for touring. We have seen a place that hires out Harleys which

we may pay a visit to if the weather is decent. But yesterday alone I drove in blazing sun, rain, fog, high winds, hail, snow and ice. Certainly kept me on my toes but the tatty old Rav4 kept on going. 

Yesterdays ride home from work after my night shift highlighted a problem with my Merlin boot, they're not waterproof, after just 20mins I could feel my feet getting wet, will be getting in touch with the company I bought them from, sadly they are just over 30days old but I've already been in touch with them regarding stitching unravelling on the zip.

On a more positive note, as Gary isn't around I thought someone better keep looking for the clothing deals, I just won a pair of new in the box Frank Thomas boots for £43 inc delivery

On a slighty different note, while attending my paediatric 1st aid course today, I spent most of the day wearing my Halvarrson gloves, actually they don't feel all that much tighter than my Lindstrands so I guess they just need wearing more

Oxford Hot Grips £29.99 at mo here: (I have used 2 Wheel Junkie for a few years very good to deal with) http://2wheeljunkie.co.uk/motorcycle-essentials/winter/oxford-light-hotgrips/prod_48067.html?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=OXFORD+LIGHT+GRIPS+LCD+CLOCKS&utm_content=OXFORD+LIGHT+GRIPS+LCD+CLOCKS+Version+A+CID_7bac3347f32823163cb6b1fc82e3706e&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=WERE%204999%20NOW%202999

Oxford Hot Grips £29.99 at mo here: (I have used 2 Wheel Junkie for a few years very good to deal with) http://2wheeljunkie.co.uk/motorcycle-essentials/winter/oxford-light-hotgrips/prod_48067.html?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=OXFORD+LIGHT+GRIPS+LCD+CLOCKS&utm_content=OXFORD+LIGHT+GRIPS+LCD+CLOCKS+Version+A+CID_7bac3347f32823163cb6b1fc82e3706e&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=WERE%204999%20NOW%202999

Very tempted..

I think I'll have a read up on which heated grips are the best.

I had cold hands on my way back from silverstone yesterday.

Very tempted..

I think I'll have a read up on which heated grips are the best.

I had cold hands on my way back from silverstone yesterday.

 

I have had 3 different oxford ones and as far as I know they are as good as it gets. Normally people go for some other brands for lower price, but this offer price is spot on. I have the very ones sat in the box still here that I got last years for the Z1000SX. I don't want to put them on the 636 as I wouldn't want to loose them when selling it on hopefully next summer :( (they can be removed etc I just cba) 

Panel mounted switch means no good for naked bikes  :(

 

Good find though

Panel mounted switch means no good for naked bikes  :(

 

Good find though

 

They come with a bracket to put it on handlebars or you can self adhesive it to anywhere on bike. On a naked you could fire it on left-front-top of tank where it curves down and in (depending on exact shape of bike) etc. 

 

This wee video installation guide explains it better for the bracket, if using that ( I don't I normally aim for top yoke somewhere). 

 

http://youtu.be/umafQ9f9-EU?t=11m30s

Well I went for a nice ride on sunday with my uncle. He hasnt ridden the 500 other than taking it home so gave him a chance to go for a good run on it and get back into the swing of it. Had a bite to eat and spit ways mid afternoon. On the way back I saw some awful driving by some Corsa, blind bend overtakes, tailgating etc just driving like a total tool. It was slightly annoying, as I was passing traffic quicker and safer but kept a good distance back from it, could have passed it but didnt fancy having the knob behind me. 

 

Got home and put the bike away where it still sits now, since it's rained on and off until now. I'm tempted to get it out and go for a little spin, it's dry but a little windy at the moment. Thinking I should make the most of the time spare and dry weather before it goes back to raining. 

My Frank Thomas boots were waiting at home for me when I got home from work last night

 

 

They feel much more rigid than the Merlins, not as comfy or warm either but for the price I can't grumble

 

The biggest problem I have with people is them driving too close behind me, especially in the dark as I end up riding into my own shadow and seeing less road in front of me  ,

My Frank Thomas boots were waiting at home for me when I got home from work last night

They feel much more rigid than the Merlins, not as comfy or warm either but for the price I can't grumble

The biggest problem I have with people is them driving too close behind me, especially in the dark as I end up riding into my own shadow and seeing less road in front of me ,

Theyre the boots that I've got!

Had em for a few years now. Theyre holding up quite well! Waterproof too

Theyre the boots that I've got!

Had em for a few years now. Theyre holding up quite well! Waterproof too

Thats good to hear, for the price I'm not expecting them to last very long but for the price it doesn't really matter too much

Thats good to hear, for the price I'm not expecting them to last very long but for the price it doesn't really matter too much

Keep em polished and they'll last a while.

Had mine since, erm, *tried to think* must be nearly 5 years now actually.

They have got a crack in the leather, but thats my own silly fault because i allowed them to dry out one year. Polish is the key!

My boots are creaking and squeaking like crazy, I need to lube up the joints but can't find my silicone spray :( 

Stolen off FB. WOW!!!!!! :O  

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WErIq4Hd9zo

Sorting out the ground at moment for my new shed before it arrives.......... FML! I wish I ordered a smaller one now  

 

I would take pics of my progress, but tbh it's better I don't due to the method I am inventing as I go along..... If I could find someone to come in tomorrow to excavate the whole place and pour about 180sqft of concrete I would just do that because I can't be bothered with this at moment. I can only manage little bursts at a time as I am not overly well and it's driving me mad as it should just be a good days work for a novice like me! 

Sorting out the ground at moment for my new shed before it arrives.......... FML! I wish I ordered a smaller one now

 

I would take pics of my progress, but tbh it's better I don't due to the method I am inventing as I go along..... If I could find someone to come in tomorrow to excavate the whole place and pour about 180sqft of concrete I would just do that because I can't be bothered with this at moment. I can only manage little bursts at a time as I am not overly well and it's driving me mad as it should just be a good days work for a novice like me! 

 

That's as much as I am doing, am absolutely ball bagged! Don't feel well at all :(

 

 

As per last pic I have some tiles I got for free from a local tile and flooring place, which I am using as shims as I was that Lazy, They will be on the other side of the wood when shed arrives..... But it get's it all nice and level horizontally and laterally.

 

My spirit level app kept crashing for some reason so I went old school with my grandfathers spirit level.

 

 

It's close enough to level for me and the place has a big slope away from house with paving by house about 3/4 of a foot higher than wall at bottom of fence. After cutting the beams down to length I think I might as well go get a tub of fence stain/wax and treat them (especially the edges) and then I can concentrate on reviving myself. 2 of the 4 trees I cut down still there which I need to get shifted along with a trailer load of other crap! New shed delivered / installed / old one taken away for £35 SOLD! 

Heated grips

After looking around for the best option, I decided the best ones for me would be the 'Oxford premium sports grips'

Reasons being, theyre supposed to be thinner than the other types, so shouldnt feel too thick in the hand.

They still draw 4A and have multiple heat settings, so should be good im hoping!

Retail at £75-76. But managed to win a set on ebay for £61 posted. So a small savin!

Will give an update on what theyre like when they arrive and i get chance to fit .