You may remember my last part ended in successfully fitting the carbs and its original air-box: some achievement for me, I’m telling you!
I was now hoping to be telling you about balancing them, but thanks to lockdown (you’re probably on catch-up with my articles) I couldn’t. This would have meant helper Dave coming over, which, of course, was not permitted back then.
This meant only doing jobs I could tackle alone. Firstly, prior to balancing the carbs, the engine oil and filter needed changing. Using my Lidl socket set I removed the sump plug (17mm), catching the oil in a plastic bowl I bought from Tesco – told you I’m a cheapskate! The oil was very black, but what else can you expect from a bike last used in 2003? The new stuff I’m using is Halfords 10w/40 motorcycle oil. I’m told car oil isn’t suitable and makes the clutch slip. To complement the fresh oil was a new filter from Z-Power (thanks Phil!).
Also from Z-Power came a replacement cover for that torn seat. I’ve never re-covered a seat before and really could have done with an extra pair of hands for this. Being in lockdown at the time, it was either do it alone or not just yet! Not wanting to wait, I went for it.
Carefully pulling out the old staples from the plastic base, the torn cover came off. The foam looked good enough to re-use. I then offered up the new cover, seeing how much extra material there was once centralised.
1/ Cheap brush cost a fiver at a bike show and has worked wonders!
Happy with the positioning, I stapled the front end to the base, nice and low so the fastenings were hidden by the fuel tank. Next were the sides. Correct tension on the seat cover here was essential. Not too tight, as I thought the weight of the rider might stretch it, making it look naff. This left the rear of the seat to sort… With only an inch or so of overlap, there wasn’t enough to reach the underside of the seat base, ruling out the staple gun here. So, it was glue time…
2/ And this is what they had to try and clean... along with some old two-stroke pre-mix. We'd go for new chain and sprockets instead, John!
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Tea-time stories!
Pip Higham Tuner, engineer, rider
Sassy with the chassis!
In this very issue you can read about our ride of Allen’s Super Six Zed! Here, he’s getting on with bike number two!
The desired Ducati…
Is it really 30 years since the first Ducati 888? A machine which (formany Ducati aficionados) is better than even the sublime and beautiful 916?
T-REX!
Aussie CMM reader Derek Henderson had adream: an ELR replica, but it was not to be.Instead he picked up a 2001 ZRX1200R, puta turbo on it and made it a T-REX! Bliss!
Soldering on!
Ralph Ferrand works with tools all day long – he sells them too at bikerstoolbox.co.uk so he knows what works.
Modern Vintage
Seven years after the launch of Suzuki’s Vintage Parts Programme, we ride two unique project bikes to find out if they go as well as they look: and all at the wonderful Sywell Pistons and Props event!
Six therapy!
Allen Millyard’s latest project extends his engine reconstruction skills further by building a six-cylinder version of Kawasaki’s iconic Z1. John Nutting finds out what it’s like to ride
CUMBRIAN INVADERS
CMM reader Phil Graham offered our Pip the chance to ride his two classic Suzuki two-strokes – here’s what happened (it was a bit damp…)
Retro Spective BMW R80 G/S
The daddy of them all – the BMW R80 G/S is still a big draw…
Honda ST DAX Series
It’s a totally bonkers monkey bike that makes you smile!
STM ChargeTree 3–in–1 wireless charger
Space–conscious wireless charging
TEN TIMES CLOSER
The Vortex Razor HD Gen III 1-10x Stretches Past Its Competitors
NOT READY TO RETURN TO WORK?
Even if you don’t have legal protections, you may be able to negotiate with your boss.
Whirlwind FX Element
Elementary, my dear Watson
Vissles–W 3–in–1 wireless charger
A neat way to power up
EUROPEAN DOCTORS WARN RARE KIDS' SYNDROME MAY HAVE VIRUS TIE
Doctors in Britain, Italy, and Spain have been warned to look out for a rare inflammatory condition in children that is possibly linked to the new coronavirus.
Great Horned Owl is, well, grand indeed
Everyone seems to enjoy owls.
Kawasaki's KLX Family Affordable Fun!
Kawasaki has entered another contender into the field of entry-level dual-sport bikes with the sporty KLX230. Simplicity and approachability are the name of the game with this bike from almost every angle. As more and more new riders join the sport, the need for bikes like this is increasing. We recently tested this and two other new offroad additions to the KLX family in beautiful southern Oregon. And, we were not disappointed!
Teams Need More Happy Returns
The Washington Redskins special teams in the final stretch of the season must develop one thing – a threat to return the ball, specifically off punts.
Trikes & Bikes Report
There is a huge secret that you may not know of, located in beautiful Ft. Myers, Florida. Haus of Trikes and Bikes is your absolutely one-stop shop for bike repair, rental bikes, new and used motorcycles, and their specialty – building trikes.