Honda-SOHC
Other Stuff => Misc / Open => Topic started by: mike the bike on December 22, 2020, 09:46:20 PM
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Does anyone want a 2020 planner, unused?
It wasn't quite that bad. Didn't do half the amount of riding that I would normally. If comes to something when you go on a bike funeral as an excuse to go for a rideout.
I started off the year with the 400four and a ratty VT250F, which was my blasting over the mountain to work bike, in all weathers and overtaking everyone else.
During lockdown, I tarted up the VT, resprayed it black with some diy striping and sold it for £800
This financed my next bike, the GPZ500S which my mate sold to me for £300, plus the £100 or so for parts. The GPZ is my new commuting bike.
We did manage a few rideouts with the local club.
Aberystwyth in fantastic riding weather on a bike that I only MOTd the previous day.
A classic motor restorers in the Cotswolds was another great ride in glorious sunny weather. It's mainly classic, mega expensive cars but a good number of bikes too and the guy showing us round was both hospitable and knowledgeable.
There was the ride to Sammy Millers on the 400, where I met up with John Webley. Another day of great weather.
The last ride was about a month ago to The Owls Nest in Llandovery, a well known bikers stop off. This time, the weather was horrendous but good weather can't last forever.
The ride home from work yesterday was interesting. My topbox loaded up with my tools (and anything else that wasn't nailed down), hammering down with rain, couldn't see the road half the time. I was relieved to get home. Last day of work in that place. So a new start in 2021 with a new , full time, properly paid job. 10 miles up the road with plenty of overtaking opportunities on the way.
Wishing everyone a good and safe Christmas and a better 2021.
Ok, 2022 then.
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A great summary of your biking year Mike. My Rideout's this year have been severely restricted due to being in lockdown, tier 3 and now tier 4 just to finish the year off! The saving grace was joining IAM's last December. The group has been great and I've learnt so much during the observed and social rides that last between 4-6 hours. I have one bike less at the end of the year then when I started having sold the restored blue 400/4 in September having never ridden it! Although I now had a spare space in the garage it was quickly filled by the BIL's Kawasaki Z400j that I've promised to get running for him but it's a bit of a pig really! Here's to 2021 and the chance to undertake the rides, shows and trips cancelled this year 👍.
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I'm pleased that you're finding the IAM observed rides beneficial. As a car observer, I can see the change in drivers' attitudes from bumbling amateur to a more professional approach. The social side is good too with plenty of rideouts, barbeques etc.
Good luck with the test. Always know what the speed limit is and don't exceed it for an instant. It's our group's biggest fails: speeding and not stopping at a STOP sign.
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I bought my first ever new bike :)
A shiny Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro.
I picked it up on Match 24th, about 8 hours after the start of the first lockdown. It did 1.6 miles in the first three months.
Other highlights include getting a new puppy as a companion for Ziggy the Springer. Her name is Stardust :)
[attachimg=1]
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We got a new mutt too. Bobby
I guess you're a Bowie fan.
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You will have fun with that one Steve, wife got a new pup after loosing our working cocker 2 yrs ago.
The PUP is now 10 monthe old and best part of 8 stone in weight plus a complete nutter or as the wife says "twatapotomus" -----' joys of a great dane
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My personal summary of 2020, is simple - it's been shit, apart from my youngest son Matt who married his fiancé Issy on Sunday in Winchester. They brought the wedding forward from August so that my wife Bev who is sadly terminally ill could be there, such a lovely thing to do.
Here's the happy couple:
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That's more difficult for you even than your own health that you've shared with us Andrew.
Certainly a son you can both be proud of, and also daughter. What a lovely photo of them both.
Kind thoughts for you and your family.
Nigel.
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I forgot to mention the other bike on the drive.
While talking to a mate about the number of bikes he's got (12¾), only two being rideable. He had a surplus Lexmoto 125 which he offered it to me for free.
I asked my son and he said yes. Next day, Adrian shows up in a car towing bike trailer with the Lexmoto.
After buying a battery, throttle cable, grips and a lock set, it was ready for the MOT.
My lad passed his CBT and we went on a 50 mile rideout to the seaside.
Because he works in the middle of Cardiff, he saves £8/day on the train and parks it all day long for free.
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So sorry to hear how sh*tty the year has been for you Andy. My thoughts are with you mate.
Personally for me its been a bit weird. Lockdown and furlough for me meant for the 1st time since I left Uni (43 years ago) I have had extended periods in the garage to get stuck into my many (14) bike projects. This prompted me to tell lthe guy I work for 3 days a week, when he wanted me to dropdown temporarily to two days, that I only want to do 1 day permanently from now on. He then took on so much work related to what I do for him, that last week I did the 1 day as agreed but had to work an extra 43 hours to fulfill one of his promises to a customer. Problem is he holds the ace card as he has the bead blaster,which I use constantly ;D .....Something has to give next year though.
All I can say though, is thank God for bike projects...they brought me through and out of a bout of severe depression about 8 years ago (my lovely doctor suggested I rekindle my bike hobby ....in order to de-focus on everyday hassles) and saw me through this years trials and tribuations during lockdown etc. Plus I have made some fantastic friends because of them, including members here.
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A quick summary from me. I took my Aprilia Tuono for MOT back in February, just before the first lockdown started. The bike passed fine, but had an advisory on the front tyre. Ten months and probably 150 miles later, I still haven't changed the tyre, but plan on doing so before the next test in Feb 2021. To put that into perspective I'd probably hope to cover 5000+ miles on that particular bike over a 12 month period.
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Not too bad this year considering the shite we have been experiencing along with everyone else. I was still using the bikes to go and do the shopping during lockdown, always going the long way round 😊😊😊. Also managed quite a few longer trips, 250+ miles each time when allowed. Probably still managed to clock up over 4 k miles in total on assorted bikes so not too bad I suppose. No riding in India or Cyprus this year though ☹️.
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Did you get a lot done in the workshop?
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Did you get a lot done in the workshop?
Yes, a load of work came in as owners made the most of the lockdown and took their engines apart for something to do, so Trig had loads of extra machine work to do. My little ebay shop was also very, very busy.
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I feel lucky compared to some of my friends on the forum (my thoughts are with you Andrew), Me and my family are in good health, I'm semi retired (I'm going to fully retire next May at 66) and work from home, so apart from minor irritations of not being able to do the nice things we like to do (pub once a week and odd meal out), life has been ok. We always say that as long as you and your family are in good health, everything else doesn't really matter. (When I look at my parents generation who endured war, bombings, menfolk away at war for years and rationing - and no NHS when they where children, this pandemic ain't that bad relatively).
We managed to get away in the motorhome a few times and out on one of the bikes most weeks (albiet only short runs). Also, built and sold K6 cafe racer which has funded the 500k2 build - which is progressing well.
Hope 2021 improves for everyone who hasn't had as good a year
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As I documented on here at the time, when the original lockdown meant you could only go out for exercise, and the weather was glorious the wife and I took up daily walking - you can see many hills from where we live and we have now stood on top of every single one. We've spent more time together this year than we have for years, we're both grateful that we are still best mates, I wouldn't want to be locked down with someone I hated.
Then I decided to get yet another bike, especially when people started selling up their toys to make ends meet, so the Z1 project came about when I hired a van and set off for Essex. I came back with many boxes which are now coming together nicely.
Stardust is cute, Steve, I guess you can have Major and Tom earmarked for future dogs! In June the Sister in Law got in touch to tell us that she'd rescued a litter of feral kittens with their mum in a garage in Robin Hood's bay, and would we like a couple? She played a great practical joke by keeping for us an identical pair of black twins, which are almost impossible to tell apart! Raven and Storm, one is a boy and one a girl, if all else fails you can turn them upside down to check which is which, but they don't take kindly to that. With experience I find it easier to tell them apart by what they do, rather than what they look like.
Here they both look naughty, having discovered that drying washing in racks makes great hammocks!
(https://i.postimg.cc/WpZYF6Bk/IMG-0144.jpg)
There are two black kittens in this tree, try and spot them!
(https://i.postimg.cc/MK8Pyfwr/IMG-5105.jpg)
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I do hope one of those georgeos black babies is going to be "done" as cats dont give a toss about genetics!!!!
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March new hip canceled due to Covid. Lock down. Sept Hol in Cornwall Knocked off bike. Nov into hospital covid. Dec new hip canceled due to Covid. Just about sums it up but at least i am here to moan about it unlike a lot of others. ;D
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There is always someone having a worse time so my thoughts are with Andrew-S and his family.
My year has had some pretty wild swings it started quite badly when my heart efficiency dropped to around 35% due to ongoing heart failure issues. I was really struggling with sleep with almost unstable Angina in the daytime. Wendy was still in severe pain from a hip replacement done the previous January.
I did the unthinkable and sought a one-off private consultation with a heart specialist. Within a few weeks this prompted my NHS Consultant to do some more stenting (my 9th stent) on the 20th January followed by a referral to the local Heart Failure Clinic run by a Nurse Specialist. Within a few weeks my condition had improved largely due to a drug named Entrestro. My heart efficiency has gone back to around 45% with my Angina well under control being the stable variety. The percentages sound bad but a normal healthy heart for someone my age is around 55%.
A really good long standing friend lost his wife to Covid 19 at home - she died as the Ambulance arrived on a Sunday morning in March.
On the 21 st June I bought my 400/four to keep me busy and focused.
Life was pretty good until 1st September when I peed Merlot I ended up later that day passing a Kidney Stone (worst pain I have ever experienced) with an overnight stay in hospital - 2 days later an Ultrasound Scan on my Kidneys revealed a pretty large Tumour in my right kidney. The Consultant wanted to remove the diseased kidney by the middle of October if ICU bed availability allowed. Due to Covid lock down and backlog in Urology my operation did not happen until 25th November.
I'm now feeling normal am off pain killers - biopsy on the kidney revealed that though it was malignant there were no cancer cells in the outer wall of the kidney. I think they describe it as an encapsulated tumour. No Chemotherapy or radiation treatment required - follow up CT scan in 6 & 12 months.
Wendy had another steroid type injection in her hip in early December but due to the nature of the original operation she has been advised it may take up to another 2 years for the muscle /tissue etc to grow back fully she can have extra injections when needed. Yes her hip pain is different from the original grinding but as you can imagine it wears her down at times. Rest is the best cure but Wendy is not a couch potato so it's been difficult especially as she still works - has had to work lots of extra hours to cover shifts during lock down.
It's a relief to get this year behind us were both very positive about 2021 - In March I will be able to work on the bike again then in March/April it's fishing season for me depending on the ambient temperature. As soon as we have been vaccinated against Covid were going to have some UK holiday breaks and start living normally again. At 72 I'm looking to make the most of the time left in the hour glass that is life.
Sorry to rant on but as a bloke I do find it quite theraputic to talk it out to people I haven't actually met. (yet)
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I feel for all of you and hope 21 is better for all of us, i have had the stent and still the arthritis with all the other age related guff but not as bad as some.
Health happiness and all the bits you need to everyone
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Reading these stories makes me feel very lucky, no health dramas in the family or myself and the "boss", just a lack of the fun things in life.
We had the perfect weather, the new knee was working properly, the bike was in good fettle but no riding due to lock down and my favourite riding area (Wales) being closed, no cinema, meals out, no monthly coach trips and no holidays.
But with lots of hobbies and lots of DIY jobs to do I kept busy.
All the best for 2021 guys and gals
Cheers
Dennis
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I decided to say it by photos:-
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WM1SRqmTbVFckqiRA
Due to the lock down earlier in the year I managed to get all 7 bikes on the road.
You'll notice by the photos which one is used the most!
Seasons greetings to all.
Skoti.
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You are trusting that Norton a lot and a long way from home!!!
Nice stable anyway.
Keep well and safe
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My year started with a head on in the van then suspected Covid then being shunted across a roundabout when on the Guzzi. Not been able to ride much since.
I'v been lucky though as I'v worked most of the time so can't complain.
Fingers crossed next year will be better for all.
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I'll be glad when that boy of mine gets off his arse and does his bike test. Then he can flog the Lexmoto and get something decent.
I had to rescue him again today. Traced the cutting out fault to a flattened fuel hose causing partial fuel starvation. Its always something with that bike.
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Let's all look forward to a better 2021, and especially to all who have health concerns - my thoughts are with you all.
The worst for me (and it's a minor issue really!) is only having been out once this year on a bike .. my old Triumph early in the year.. Now, nothing is starting so Ive been blasting out fuel lines and praying I don't have to strip carbs... CB900 responded and runs, Triumph carb had a new gasket set from Santa but the last few days have been too cold although it's so simple it should run, ZX6 coughs but won't fire .. and the SOHC650 has a stripped thread in the head do is sidelined until I summon up the courage to helicoiL.
Happy New Year to all and let's look forward to 2021!
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Wow, makes my year seem pretty normal. Had 4 weeks off for the 1st lockdown and worked ever since (3 days a week). Used my MG quite a bit for work as well as the Honda and the Suzuki.
We even managed a couple of weeks away in the caravan during August. Me , the Mrs and the dogs. Very quiet, but away and out.
Wife retired, then got another job, but only 2 days a week.
Bought an interesting old BSA hybrid, but not been out on it yet as this was only a few weks ago.
Like all, we miss being able to go out, not that we always want to go out, but being able to (if that makes sense)
Christmas was quiet as my daughter (who works with my wife in school) could not come round and my son, who is at uni in London had notification that he could come home decided to get a covid test along with his housemates. He and a friend were negatives but the third lad (a teacher) was positive
. They are all being retested tomorrow, so may see my son over new year.
Still, if that all I have to complain about, I am furtunate.
There are a lot of lonely folk about in these times. who I feel sorry for. I have a few friends that live alone and I know they are getting really fed up, but lucily not to the point of depression.
Hopefully, the vaccines that are coming through will be administered in the coming months and things will get back to some sort of normality.
Happy and healthy new year to all
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healthwise its been an ok time but just immensely busy. i'm a site manager at a behavioural school so been constructing partitions etc. then someone asked me to translate some school covid stuff into welsh and that was most evenings taken up. i did get a few sneaky rides on the cbr6 a few times but not much else. lets hope for a better new year!