My new bike... Vicky.

Well I've finally got her home and I'm completely chuffed with my choice so far.

Yesterday didn't go completely to plan, but what does hey? When I got to the dealers they had to inform me that the luggage and accessory kit which make the bike a 'GT' model had failed to arrive. This meant no topbox, panniers, centre stand, hand guards or heated grips. To make amends, they offered a full tank of petrol and got the teas' in. Would have been nice to pick up the bike complete, but this is just a minor grumble washed away with the joy of owning a new bike.

Next fly in the ointment was the DVLA computer crashed preventing the dealer from taxing the bike! The DVLA website said it would be back on line by 2:30pm and yet again the dealer was extremely embarrassed, but really, it wasn't their fault. Even so, they coughed up for lunch (and more tea!) and offered me any demo bike I liked to go out for a ride to kill some time. I didn't take them up on their offer and just went into town for a wander instead.

Finally got my bum on the saddle by 3:30 and went off to get to know my bike. Love it, love it, love it! Everything felt good and she rides like a dream. I have to run her in, so nothing over 5,000 revs for 500 miles, which is a pain, but I can live with that. Bike is crying out to rev way past the permitted 5k, but I'll be good (for now). Anywho, here's a couple of piccies of my new baby, Vicky. How long we'll be together I don't know, but right now I can't imagine riding anything else. Ah, new love. So consuming.

Very exited.

Pick up my new bike tomorrow... Very excited!

What have I done??

I seem to have signed on the dotted line and bought myself a brand new bike! Never owned a new bike (or car) before, so am proper chuffed (and scared, and guilty... but mainly chuffed). Only problem now is waiting for it to be ready to pick up. I shall post piccies of my new baby when she comes home in about a week.

Oh yes, forgot to say... It's a Suzuki V-strom, other wise known as a DL650A GT.

Dragon 2011

Just a few shots of my Dragon Rally. Can't explain why I like this rally so much, maybe it's bikes or the ride there [and back] or just the camping out in winter. Dunno, but I'd miss it if it ever stopped.

Here's some piccies of just a few of the interesting bikes spotted at this years Dragon Rally. I love seeing these old, classic bikes being used as their makers intended. Carrying their owners and anything else he wants to take, to wherever they want to go. Even if it's a muddy field in North Wales

Boots

You have got to love boots and cleaning them is a real joy. Something truely therapeutic about rubbing Nikwax into the leather and buffing once things have soaked in a bit. Now at peace.

Project Abigail - the restart

Abigail has been stuffed in a corner of the shed long enough! This project is in danger of ending up as another pile of scrap and broken dreams.

I decided what was needed was some sort of trolley so I could wheel the old girl about when needed to work on her.

All made and fitted. Now I can start working on her again.

Bloody Yamahas, - part two

Having cured the electrical gremlins it's the turn of the carbs now! LHS inlet manifold decided to spit out the O ring and start sucking air. I shall waste the remainder of this evening skinning my knuckles fixing it!