Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.

Topics - cooleronthecoast

Pages: 1 [2]

Misc / Open / Whats the crappest bike you've ever owned and why?

« on: April 09, 2020, 11:43:56 AM »

Yes its true, I'm getting bored, there's only so much DIY work around the house a bloke can do! Also I have to admit I nicked the idea of this thread off another forum, but what the hell:

I have to say mine was a Honda

I had a CB350K4 twin back in the mid 70's. Its one saving grace was the parallel twin engine sounded nice, even with the stock exhausts, but there wasn't much else to write home about as I recall. It was gutless and slow, the handling wasn't great either, but perhaps if I'd treated it to some decent rear shocks it might have been better, but I suppose it was a reliable old steed and it never let me down. I wasn't sad to see the back of it when I saved up enough drinking vouchers from my Apprentice wages to buy a CB400/4.

Misc / Open / Multi bike insurance

« on: January 07, 2020, 01:07:24 PM »

Now I've added the Triumph Thruxton to my (mini) fleet, I'm wondering what would be the best way forward re insurance? My CB550 is on a limited mileage classic policy with Carole Nash which costs me about 50 quid p.a. My Aprilia Tuono is currently insured by Hastings and costs a wee bit more. Lol. Rather than have a third separate policy for the Trumpet, I was thinking of trying to combine all three on one ticket, but trying to get multi bike quotes via the Meerkats isn't easy, at least not for a computer wally like me. Before I jump on the phone and ring around I was wondering what you guys/gals do (which companies do you use) when you have several bikes to insure?

Misc / Open / Textile Jacket/trousers

« on: January 05, 2020, 01:09:31 PM »

I'm in the market for some new riding gear. My trusty old Dainese textile Jacket has been a loyal servant over the past dozen or so years, but its time to accept I need to be opening my wallet if I want to keep warm and dry this coming riding season. The trouble is there is such vast array of stuff out there now, gone are the days when you just opted for either a Belstaff or Barbour jacket, although having said that I see both those brands are still alive and kicking.

So the remit is:
100% waterproof,
Stylish (if possible), I don't want to look like an inverted traffic cone thanks, but all black is a little foolish these days with all the myopic Honda Jazz drivers out there (other old bas***ds in other shitty little cars are available).
Plenty of pockets and vents for those hot days when you really should have put the leather jacket on, but it looked like it might piss down when you set off from home.

I went to a dealership recently who sell Halvarssons gear. Their stuff is not cheap, but fits well without being too heavy, which is obviously another consideration, i.e. weight. I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on one of their jackets and the matching trousers, but that will be saying bye bye to North of 500 quid and whatever I do end up buying I want it to last me a similar length of time to the aforementioned Dainese.

Thus I'm interested in hearing from those of you who have bought new riding gear in the last year or so. Obviously what you've bought and how pleased (or not) you are with it. Thanks

Other Bikes / Any Triumph love out there?

« on: November 25, 2019, 06:44:23 PM »

I've just pulled the trigger on a 2011 Triumph Thruxton 900 (865cc actually). Has anyone here got one or a Hinkley Bonneville perhaps? I'd be interested to hear owners views on them, thanks.

It will be the first British made bike I've owned in 45 years! The last one was a BSA Bantam. I hope the Trumpet is a bit more reliable than that was.

CB500/550 / CB550F Main Jets

« on: November 11, 2019, 01:11:19 PM »

According to my Haynes manual, my CB550F2 should have 98 size main jets. I stripped down the carbs this morning to find I've got 3 100's and a 75 which I think is a CB400F size! I'm looking to buy a set of 4 98's, but I can't find any on ebay or on Dave Silvers website.

Can anyone point me in the direction of where I can get some please?

Out & About / Anyone out on their SOHC today?

« on: November 10, 2019, 03:35:08 PM »

The weather has been too good not to have a ride out this weekend. I have to admit Flamborough isn't exactly a million miles from where I live, but even so it was nice to have a short blast on the 550. Shame about all the crap on the roads Mr Farmer! but it is November and I know its not possible to plough a field and get a tractor back to the farm without leaving some debris on the road surface. I need to do some work on the carbs as the bike is running like a pig, but it was fun.

CB500/550 / Oh No! Another tyre thread.

« on: November 08, 2019, 11:45:22 AM »

Sorry folks, I know tyres are always a subjective issue on any bikes, but because of the wheel sizes (19" and 18") on our bikes, the choices of available rubber is limited and I would really appreciate your views on what suits a 550. I did a search and the last thread in this section seems to have died out in 2010 so perhaps it is time for an update.

When I bought my bike last year it came with Mitas tyres. Both are in good condition, but the profile of the rear one reminds me of the old Avon SM (ditch finder) tyres I had fitted to a Honda 90 in the early 70's. They also seem to be made out of the hardest rubber I've ever encountered and don't inspire me with any kind of confidence when cornering,

so I'll be looking to fit some new ones come next Spring.

Avon do the Road rider in 19" front and 18" rear. There seem to be a few deals on those on fleay at the mo, has anyone got experience with them?

New Member Introductions / Good morning all

« on: September 30, 2019, 11:40:59 AM »

Hello to everyone. My real name is John and I've been riding powered two wheelers since I was ten. I'm approaching 61 now so though I say so myself, I've got a little bit of biking experience. My first SOHC Honda was a 400/4 back in the mid 70's, followed by a couple of 750/4's, the last one I traded for a CBX-6 in 1979. Between then and now I've been lucky enough to own a lot of bikes, British, Italian, even the odd American Buell and of course Japanese. One bike that I didn't have (first time around as it were) was a CB550, although I did take one for a test ride, I traded my 400/4 for a CB750F2 instead.

I rectified that last year and bought a CB550F2 that was virtually complete, but was in the process of being made into a 'brat' bike by its former owner. I've spent the last year or so slowly putting it back into standard trim and whilst its not 100% original now its probably 85 -90%. I'm not trying to make it a concours bike by any means, I'm looking to end up with a reliable weekend ride that I'm not afraid to take out because its too clean.

Regulars here get ready to laugh, but if anyone has an original Sankel silencer for the CB550F in decent nick they want to part with, then please let me know. Yes, I know, they are like rocking horse shit, but if you don't ask you don't get.

My modern bike is an Aprilia Tuono 1100RR, ever so slightly different to the Honda (well they do both have 4 cylinders!) but a ton of fun, even for an old boy like me, if you've never ridden one I suggest you blag a ride if you can, they are just a little rapid!

That's all for the time being, I'll post up some pics of the 550 when I get sorted, but I'm heading off on my jollies tomorrow for a couple of weeks so that will have to wait 'til I return. Cheers for now.