Mofo's 690 Duke

[Dodgy69]

Monday 16 Augustto – Sunday 29 August
A drier, warmer end to August. Risk of heat
By the middle of August and through the second half of the month, there are some encouraging signals for high pressure to begin to shift into the area from the south or southwest. This will most likely be a gradual process, taking several days or even a week to unfold before high pressure is in place nearby. At first, mid-August will likely see a continuation of the unsettled, cooler, and wetter pattern we expect for the first half of the month.

As high pressure slowly pushes northward from the Mediterranean Sea, low pressure systems caught in the storm track and driven by the jet stream will be deflected northward too. Drier weather should spread in from the south, and this will also bring in a warmer, more tropical air mass to the UK. Temperatures should trend warmer than normal into late August, with some very warm or hot days possible if high pressure moves overhead for too long. If the high does linger overhead, a heat wave may develop as well, but confidence is low on this. Chances for heat increase later in the month, but high pressure will need to move into the correct spot for this to pan out.

For the final weeks of August, the forecast gets a little tricky to pin down, with a lot of conflicting signals in our forecasting tools. There are some early signs that high pressure may begin to shift away to the north or perhaps into northern Nordic regions. This would then allow low pressure systems near Spain to shift in from the south, bringing a risk of heat or thunderstorms to southern areas. However, we may just see high pressure nearby and remain close enough to keep lows away. This is drier, but there is still a risk for heat.

Further ahead

[Supermofo]

Nice ride this morning decided to go somewhere different for a change so headed to Kimbolton for a coffee. Used the twisty road sat nav for a good 103 mile round trip. As usual the bit between me and Royston heading north from Hertford cross country was a bit pants as around Dane End and Ardley the roads are pretty poxy with gravel etc but north of Royston they improved. Had a problem in St Neots as the road the sat nav wanted to take was closed but the diversion signs ran out and the sat nav kept wanting to go back. Managed to by pass it in the end.

Route back was good via Old Warden and Henlow but it rained from Henlow down for about 20 mins and the roads were wet all the way back. Still good though.

Decided I can't get in with the tutoro so that's coming off this week and I'll try and flog it. I've been back on cleaning and lubing for most of the year. Other than that she's all good up to 13,700 miles now. Oil use has calmed down only takes about 100 mls every 600 odd miles or so.

Still not got any test rides yet of GSXS/Z9 but tbh can't see the 690 going anywhere till next year sometime at the earliest which isnt a bad thing as still enjoying it.

Having said that actually spoke to a rare GSXS 750 owner whilst I was on holiday and he was raving about how it rode and in white/black/red looked really nice in the flesh. So must test one.

[Supermofo]

Noticed that Krazy Horse have a Late Nite Thursday on this Thursday so fingers crossed on the weather that'll be an evening ride out on the cards as my mate Steve is about. Might try and blag a go on his Mrs's Tracer 700 as he'll be riding that

[Supermofo]

Shoulda written this on Fri but oh well.

As above went to the Krazy Horse late nite last Thurs (pics in interesting bikes fred). My mate Steve had to pull out at 4pm and so I wondered if it was worth going. I knew the ride would be good, but I'd be a Johnny no mates once there and was looking forward to a chat. Um'd Ahh'd and then decided bugger it I'd go anyway but by this time it was gone 5.30 and I needed fuel. Ride up was purposeful shall we say and really enjoyed myself even the bit where I had to follow a police car for 6 miles out of Saffron Walden, used that as ride properly practice before engaging mong mode when he went to Finchingfield

Got to Krazy Horse about 7.20ish I think and it was a good turn out. Lots of nice old cars and some interesting bikes. Being on my own meant I was people watching a bit more. Bikers are an odd bunch. Anyway grabbed a dodgy burger with a twix for dessert followed by an instant coffee By 8.30 the sun was sinking fast so headed home.

Not ridden in the dark for a long time. And I miss it a bit. The world seems a different place, familiar roads suddenly look different and the deer signs always freak me out on long fast empty stretches. Always pleasantly surprised by how good the 690 Dukes head light is on unlit a/b roads. Had a good run back, making up the route a bit as I went along and so ended up a little lost, but with the TomTom on it's more I don't know where I am rather than don't know how to get back. Back in the garage before 10 with that hot engine noise and smell for company as I locked it up. The bike is a bit of a mess. I didn't bother to wash it after we got wet the other day and it was covered in flies before that and then another load of flies on top. Oh well fugg it bikes are for riding.

Keeping my fingers crossed for decent weather Thursday/Fri as we are going for a VIP tour of the Triumph factory. Booked this for my Dad's birthday in 2020 and it kept being put off. Heading up to Hinkley Thursday afternoon with my Brothers and my Dad for a few beers and something to eat staying overnight and then 10 mins to the factory in the morning. If it rains I'll jump in my Brothers new car an Audi S6 (flippin mental car) but hopefully it'll be dry and I'll ride up with my little Bro.

[Supermofo]

we are going for a VIP tour of the Triumph factory.

Or we were

Triumph just emailed to say they are cancelling as someone has Covid. Looks like I'll be re-scheduling for the 4th time Wondering if I'm ever gonna get to go. I know there is nothing that can be done as it's covid and that's life now, but annoying none the less. All of us have holiday booked, hotel booked etc.

Ho hum.

[Taipan]

That is a bit of a shit isn't it! Tell their booking people as you might get some freebies!

[KungFooBob]

Go anyway, I hear Hinkley is lovely this time of year.

You might even get to see Mr Rooty Toots, if he's not dead yet.

[Supermofo]

That is a bit of a shit isn't it! Tell their booking people as you might get some freebies!

It was the main booking person that told me! The email chain goes back 2 years and lots of emails booking, re-booking etc. Seem to recall we booked June 2020, changed to June 2021, then changed again to Sep 21 as Triumph were shut till July and now again I note on their website it says they are fully booked in 2021 so I'm guessing I'll be offered 2022 sometime. Bookings woman said we can re-book or get a refund.

Will speak to Dad, he can fly in a Tiger moth for 30 mins for the same price.

Will see what the weathers doing as it looks like this mini summer comes to an end Thursday, else I might have suggested a Vincent jolly boys outing to the seaside

[Supermofo]

So hotel in Hinkley cancelled, hotel in Bournemouth booked and we are going to Sammy Millers and maybe Beaulieu too.

[weeksy]

I like a bit of Sammys.

[Supermofo]

I like a bit of Sammys.

Never been, looks good though.

Did consider the National Motorcycle Museum as that was 30 mins from our hotel in Hinkley, but as somewhere to spend a Thursday evening Bournemouth seemed a better shout.

[Taipan]

I like a bit of Sammys.

Never been, looks good though.

Did consider the National Motorcycle Museum as that was 30 mins from our hotel in Hinkley, but as somewhere to spend a Thursday evening Bournemouth seemed a better shout.

If you haven't seen it, watch the last episode of Henry Cole's motorbike show, he visits the museum.

[Supermofo]

Left Sammy's at 3.30 got there at 11. What a museum! Cracking place to visit and had a great boys night with my Dad and Brothers the night before, fair few brews downed. Good times

[Supermofo]

Woke up at 7 yesterday had breakfast and headed out to Burnham on Crouch. Never been before but the route from mine was great. Nazing, Epping Green, Kelveden Hatch, Stock, Hanningfields, Woodham Ferrers and Burnham. Unlike the route TomTom likes to take me to Maldon this one had roads which had a fairly decent surface in the main if a bit bumpy in places, thought I was gonna take off a couple of times! Must have been a decent route as a lot of it was being used for a cycle event but I was early enough on the way out that there weren't that many about. Must be a hit with the local Max Power boys too as came across a chav'd out car on its roof in a ditch at a junction with a bend.

At the end of the route was the famous 'Burnham Bends' and I must say they are pretty damn good although I didn't get a clear run at them. I clocked the photographer on the way back so assume someone must take pics on a regular basis. Fair amount of bikes about on the way in/out but not a huge amount at the cafe. Stopped for a coffee and a look at the river. The weather was perfect and had a really good morning





On the way home this happened (you might need to zoom in), clicked over to 14k miles. So that's about 2.5k miles this year so far. Not great but not bad for sunny weekend rides only pretty much.



In terms of the bike well it needs a bloody good wash and I need to do a couple of things maintenance wise. First a good caliper strip/clean and I think I'm going to change the pads. They are the OE ones so 6 years/14k miles old and although they aren't done I think they could do with a change and I'll also change the fluid too.

I also suspect I need a new C&S set but will post about that shortly

[KungFooBob]

Your link takes you to the top of the album.

[Supermofo]

Famous at last....for looking slow

[Supermofo]

Your link takes you to the top of the album.

Worked it out eventually!!

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

There was a cycle event going on north of Ipswich yesterday, lots of roads closed, I got a bit peed off with it so went home after about an hours ride.

Edit: looked up cycling events for yesterday in Suffolk, didn't find anything, but I did find posts from someone I was at school with on a site, unless there are two Moira Chapmans in Suffolk.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Famous at last....for looking slow

Slow is the least of your worries - your physique is like mine.

[Supermofo]

Slow is the least of your worries - your physique is like mine.

Lockdown init or the stripes Although to be fair I don't think 13.5 stone is bad judging by most of my mates