Chain time

The chain on the FJ was making "klonky" sounds so I decided to change it. My records show that its done 34,000 miles. The FJ is generally not used in bad weather so that had meant the chain has lasted. The chain came with both spring clip and rivet links. I always use the rivet link so that there's no way it can come loose. I make the chain endless then fit it. This means that I have to remove the swing arm. This isn't a big job and it allows me to lubricate the suspension linkages and touch up the paintwork on the arm.

 The FJ stripped

 The rivet link

 The gearbox sprocket was very badly worn

New chain & sprockets

Run to England

The hot & sunny weather continues and yesterday I went out for a 300 mile run to Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Northumberland and Cumbria.

 Leaderfoot Viaduct carries a disused railway over the River Tweed east of Melrose.

 A field of oil seed rape brightens up the countryside

 River Tyne at Hexham

 Hexham Bridge

 Cricket at Carlisle

Featured Bike - Honda CB1100R (1980-83)

The CB1100 was a racer developed from the CB900. To meet the rules a number of road bikes were produced. Photographed parked at the Ayr Bike Show in 2006.

V-Strom in Crete

We're just back from a week on the Greek island of Crete. I was undecided about hiring a bike but a couple of days of the local buses convinced me I needed wheels. Being a rugged island an "Adventure Sport" type seemed a good idea and a Suzuki V-Strom 650 fitted the bill.

  The V-Strom in the mountains

 The road runs out!

 Lunch by the sea

 Chania

 Roman ruins at Aptera

There are military cemeteries for those killed in the Invasion of Crete in 1941. This is the Commonwealth cemetery at Souda Bay

And the German cemetery at Maleme

 "Two unknown German Soldiers"

Harley Davidson - Where it all started (sort of...)

Harley Davidson - the Scottish connection. A group are restoring the former home of HD founder Arthur Davidson's family in Angus.

 Netherton Cottage

website

newspaper article

Bike Show at Lanark

 Ducati 250

 Voxan Cafe Racer

 BSA Rocket 3 with dohc engine

 This must be very rare. A 1952 Jones racer. 500cc flat four supercharged two stroke.

 Junk for sale.....

....and rubber

 Read up on Enfields

 Classic scambling

Norton Atlas with home-made panniers decorated with stickers from touring Europe in the '60's

Featured Bike - Honda XR250 Tornado

The Tornado is a nice looking trail bike using the same engine as my CBF250. It is also manufactured in Brazil and seems to have been replaced by the XRE300. Not imported to the UK which is a pity because there aren't many small traillies on the market.

video 

Tourists

I like it when you come across foreign bikers and the weather is good as was the case today when I parked next to this trio of Dutch Guzzis in Portpatrick.

Barcelona - GoCar

See the sights in this scooter based mini car. As the blurb says "Using GPS satellite technology your GoCar tells you where to drive. As you drive, the clever talking car points out the sights and tells you the stories that bring the city to life, all with a personality and a sense of humour"