First proper XBR ride

[niblue]

Since getting the XBR I've had a 200+ mile motorway ride bringing it home and some local commuting, but yesterday I had a chance to ride the XBR500 on the sort of roads that suit it for the first time. As it was dry and not too cold I took the bike for a spin over the Dukes Pass in the Trossachs (a great motorbike road not too far from the central belt). Some motorway miles on the early part of the ride reinforced the point that it's really not a motorway bike, however the back roads through the Trossachs and the pass itself were good fun, even if the bike does have a couple of handling issues to resolve (the rear tyre for certain and probably more pre-load at the rear as well).



Gave the bike an oil change today and noticed that one of the shock top mounting nuts had vibrated its way off, taking my new tax disc with it.  Need to send of for a replacement now and also find a replacement nut.

[guest7]

They're great on back roads aren't they? 

I shoudl really build up one of mine as a scratcher, goodness knows I've got enought bits in the garage.

GC

[guest18]

Great road isn't it? I bet it really suited the XBR as well   Only a bit envious!!  

[themoudie]

Piccie came up and before I scrolled, knew where you were. Work in there quite often and enjoy the road. Tea and a bite at the Brig o Turk? Soups good. I'll keep a look out for you.

All the best, Bill.

[guest7]

I never fit my tax disk to the bike, I used to get them stolen so gave up. I carry it in my wallet so I can produce it if required. These days with the police national computer, and all sorts of DVLA links, the plod and other peaked-cap, jackbooted goons ( ) can see if you're up to date in a nansecond.

I do, however, insist on fitting shock retaining nuts 

GC

[niblue]

I do, however, insist on fitting shock retaining nuts 

Indeed. Depending on when it fell off it may well have explained why the bike was a bit squirrely on right handers...

Dave Silver has sorted me out and I've another nut (and a spare) on the way.

[trophydave]

I never fit my tax disk to the bike, I used to get them stolen so gave up. I carry it in my wallet so I can produce it if required. These days with the police national computer, and all sorts of DVLA links, the plod and other peaked-cap, jackbooted goons ( ) can see if you're up to date in a nansecond.
GC

Ahh but you run the risk of being done for 'failing to display' or whatever it's called.Does anyone know of anybody that has been done for this,I don't.
My tax disc lives in various places,in my wallet,under the bike seat or quite often pinned to the notice board in the kitchen.

[Andy M]

Failing to display carries a £1000 fine, but as GC pointed out the revenue boys only sit in their vans pointing numberplate cameras at everyone these days. I know a guy who was done, but it was only part of a list. Doing 65 in a 30 zone with a loud pipe, small numberplate and the tax disk in an envelope at home wasn't Chris' best day, although with 9 points already you can sort of see it was going to happen in the end. He kept his license, the police must have been fairly gutted, but insurance on a Ducati is now rather hard to find.

You're still failing to display, but putting a colour photo copy in the tax disk holder and keeping the original on you is perhaps a useful bit of camouflage that could theoretically (and in no way encouraging you to break the law) survive fairly close scrutiny. IMHO, write copy across it rather plain ink to avoid any charges of falsifying documents.

Andy

[robG]

Sorry Andy,but I wouldn't put in a photo copy , a bobbie can ask to examine a tax disc .It would lead to too many awkward questions ,even if you have written over it in some way.This then complicates things even more.Arguably you would then not be displaying or worse if the bike is unattended and you are displaying a forged document,things could go wrong . Especially if the disc displayed was seized as evidence.
IMHO if the bike is taxed ,put it on and leave it there.If the disc is in your pocket or under the seat then that's fine if you are with the bike. However , if you've left it unattended then you are not there to answer any questions, you get done for not displaying.If it gets nicked then report it to the local old bill.You are then covered.It's easier to explain a lost/stolen disc than anything else.Besides, the police national computer will show if the vehicle is taxed , mot'd and insured with a simple roadside check .

Jack booted Goon 

[002]

Jack booted Goon 

Sir Harry SeaGoon or Spike MilliGoon ?

Hes Fallen In The Water....!
YinTong,YinTong,YinTong... Yiddle Eye Po...Yiddle Eye Po !

OOoops ! I see Wrong Goons.
You were talking about those with Size 15 Feet and Tits on their heads....are their heads really that shape ?


Jethro

[niblue]

Well the shocks are once again securely attached to the bike and a test ride demonstrated that the odd lurching it was doing into right handers has now stopped.

Handling still needs work though. The pre-load is currently set to the lowest on the shocks however attempts with a C-spanner to change that have so far been defeated as the placement of exhaust & passenger footrests gets in the way. Has anyone got any tips for adjusting the pre-load with the shocks fitted or should I just take them off first?