In poor last minute fashion as I have been busy piddling about on other things for the last week or two, I have realised that my MOT is on Friday morning! I haven't had to MOT a bike in NI before and due to changing bikes so often only once did one years ago when living in Lincolnshire (where some bloke checked the lights in a small garage and little else). Looking at my bike this morning, I have a couple of issues I need to sort.....

 

• Tail tidy is nice but removes rear reflector..... Have a selection of number plates that came with the bike and one has 2 stick on ones, but they are literally sticker reflectors. 
• The rest is fine, but I need to adjust the chain now anyway and without a centre stand or paddock stand...... I have to do it on the side stand, something I avoid doing like the plague. I have left it too late to get a new paddock stand for it :(

Rest of the bike is pretty bang tidy and all working as it should, lights are all returned to stock (bar arrows on back) and changed indicator relay due to it freaking out. 

 

Any tips or words of wisdom to adjusting the chain on your own with no stands? I can do it fine, but it will take me ages and I will swear quite a lot in the process at the overly awkward method.

 

Does it not tell you in the manual?

SV manual told me how to do it, and that only had a side stand.

But i cant remember the details :(

Does it not tell you in the manual?

SV manual told me how to do it, and that only had a side stand.

But i cant remember the details :(

Oh I know how to do it, I just hate doing it on the friggin side stand. All sorted now, pain in the hole, must order some new stands bahhhhh

Oh I know how to do it, I just hate doing it on the friggin side stand. All sorted now, pain in the hole, must order some new stands bahhhhh

Ahh okay mate.

General maintenance without a centre stand is a PITA tbf.

Didnt realise how much id miss one until i didnt have one on the SV. Was a very welcome attribute to the VFR

Buy a paddock stand. Some available for around £30 last time I looked.

Abba stands look the best tbh, and the bike can be put onto them with just 1 person

Buy a paddock stand. Some available for around £30 last time I looked.

 

Abba stands look the best tbh, and the bike can be put onto them with just 1 person

 

Yea I just didn't get round to ordering any in time, hate not having them. I'm just going to get the same ones I had last year but sold for €20 when I was moving as I cba taking them apart to add to vRS Jenga lol 

 

£39.99 all in delivered from UK to Holland for the pair, did the job nicely, came with frame lifters and bobbins hooks. 

 

I've just realised I put a full size plate on, totally forgot the reflector for the mot lucky the tester never noticed either.

Not cheap... But never heard a bad word about em. Was really close to buying for the SV. Still will buy one at some point if i get a bike without a centre stand again

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorcycle/bike-lifts-movers/abba-abba-pro-stand

Not cheap... But never heard a bad word about em. Was really close to buying for the SV. Still will buy one at some point if i get a bike without a centre stand again

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorcycle/bike-lifts-movers/abba-abba-pro-stand

I'm far too tight to spend that much on something I would use maybe 4 or 5 times a year :P 

I'm far too tight to spend that much on something I would use maybe 4 or 5 times a year :P

Would make washing easier too (:

But i know what you mean. Part of the reason i never got round to getting one.

Would make washing easier too (:

But i know what you mean. Part of the reason i never got round to getting one.

Cleaning and lubing the chain is the main use benefit for me..... I struggle on by without. Measured tread depth today..... rear tyre is going to be an advisory lol. 

I put crash bobbins on the rear of my bike again, wished I haddnt when I had to clean and lube the chain, walking down the road like a **** with the bike lol

I put crash bobbins on the rear of my bike again, wished I haddnt when I had to clean and lube the chain, walking down the road like a **** with the bike lol

I just tilt the bike on the side stand and turn rear wheel rather than taking it for a lub walk  

Its a right pain the arse having to go for a walk with it. Aha

Got my reflectors and a new tin of wax yesterday on my way back from Belfast, time now to wake her up and give her a quick clean (or it will fail on that). 

 

**Edit** all done and ready to roll, meant to be raining all day and looks like it's going to start at any moment, maybe my luck will hold out  :peek:

 

Did rain soon as I left, but it passed all the same  

Woo! Happy days!!

This is the sound of a happy bike with it's can pointing into a big open echoy test centre, upon exiting (out the wrong way)  

 

13 months MOT now left to run on her  :cocktail:

 

Really not a biker are you mate!!

Really not a biker are you mate!!

?

Ahaha.

Clearly doesnt know Fubars history of bikes...