GSXS 1000 - Mofo's Gixxus

[Supermofo]

I always seem to go for a Homda as a Winter bike. From the 70s on the list includes several CB125s,a CB350,CD200 Benly,Innova 125 and an SH300i.

When I stopped work in 2020,I sold the SH300i as it was sitting unused,but it was a great runabout.

Well Honda's are shit I suppose

[Supermofo]

Nothing to report on the Gixxus front, other than I pumped the tyres up over pressure as I forgot before I put it away. She's looking lovely and shiny, if it hadn't have been damp I'd have taken her out as it was a nice 8c on Sat and with the rain recently all the salts gone. I do need to clean/lube the chain ideally as it's a bit cruddy, but the crud is keeping the damp at bay so all good.

Insurance renewal came in last week, £2 less than last year, that'll do. I could save £17 by going elsewhere but can't be arsed for £17. Will call to pay though, as 2 years ago despite being on auto renew, Bennetts didn't renew it and I was uninsured for 2 days until I realised they hadn't taken the money! They couldn't explain how that happened, but don't trust it now.

Think I might upgrade the pads, as it's still on the OE ones. They have lasted really well, but lack bite/feel. Thinking maybe Brembo SA or SBS of some flavour, hoping they'll feel better.

Already thinking about trips for this summer especially as I have a fair amount of holiday to play with. Considering Wales as not been since I was in the Cadets/DOE, and it's a stunning place. Been watching a few rideout/tour vids and roads/scenery look great. Is it still an anti bike place from a police perspective, from all the bike press years ago, or the usual avoid the main biker routes/don't be a dick and you'll be fine? Not sure where in Wales yet, but initial thoughts are around Brecon and the West Coast maybe. Watched a thing on a big drugs case in Wales in the 70s on the BBC last week and the Coast there looked fab, Newport way, but not the big Newport.

[Skub]

don't be a dick and you'll be fine?

Unfortunately 'being' a dick' is quite open to interpretation.

[Dodgy69]

I've been looking at biker friendly stays in Wales. Somewhere safe for the monkey overnight. I was never too bothered with a full size bike. Wales had some cracking routes, personally I enjoy the slower mountain passes more than the faster roads.

[Supermofo]

I've been looking at biker friendly stays in Wales. Somewhere safe for the monkey overnight. I was never too bothered with a full size bike. Wales had some cracking routes, personally I enjoy the slower mountain passes more than the faster roads.

In the Peaks before we went there was lots of talk of the 50mph limits and the average speed camera's in places, but TBH for 95% of the time it was all good, much of the time I was enjoying the roads none the less (over 50 perhaps at times ) and it's a nice place to look at so wasn't an issue. Sure you could have had a right hoon down the Cat and Fiddle, but when we went it was pissing it down with rain

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

The Cat and Fiddle has 50 average cameras on it, if you can average more than 50 along there you're going some on the short straights

You'd need to get from one end to the other in 6 minutes 15 seconds to average over 50 mph, good luck with that, sounds like a good way to avoid having to get up each day.

[Supermofo]

The Cat and Fiddle has 50 average cameras on it, if you can average more than 50 along there you're going some on the short straights

You'd need to get from one end to the other in 6 minutes 15 seconds to average over 50 mph, good luck with that, sounds like a good way to avoid having to get up each day.

I seem to recall the camera's weren't only at the start/end, there were several. So I sticking to 50 Max all the time maybe a smidge over in places.

Edit: And this was the weather, so yeah no lap records attempted

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

The cameras are along it, I think there's one at each end of the only decent straight. I quite often come back from Liverpool via the Cat and Fiddle then down the A6 after dropping my son at Uni.

If you go again try the old A6 through the Goyt valley, lovely road, but I wouldn't want to come off there.

[Supermofo]

To be fair that whole area had some cracking roads all over the shop. I was surprised how good the actual A6 was into Matlock Bath. Helped it was one of the few times we had decent sun/temps!

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

To be fair that whole area had some cracking roads all over the shop. I was surprised how good the actual A6 was into Matlock Bath. Helped it was one of the few times we had decent sun/temps!

It was a lot better before all the speed cameras, though I do now think did I really do that speed, there, on that (mostly a 1985 GSXR750)

[Supermofo]

To be fair that whole area had some cracking roads all over the shop. I was surprised how good the actual A6 was into Matlock Bath. Helped it was one of the few times we had decent sun/temps!

It was a lot better before all the speed cameras, though I do now think did I really do that speed, there, on that (mostly a 1985 GSXR750)

I've done that in a few places, think I must have been mental to go that fast round there

[Supermofo]

Insurance paid, so that's done.

I also cleaned and lubed the chain last Saturday. The chain was pretty cruddy with a load of old lube but that's kept any moisture away so far this winter, however it was plenty dirty. WD chain cleaner and a brush bought it up like new and all the rollers are moving nicely, then a big dose of XCP chain lube. Find the XCP to thin for comfort when riding as it flings too much, but it's great over winter as it's like an oil bath. Put a job lot on to protect from the damp. Will give it a good wipe over before using the bike else it'll go everywhere.

Still not removed the sprocket cover to clean in there, it must be minging as hell. On previous bikes it was just a simple cover, on the Suzuki the clutch assembly is attached to it as well as the shift rod. Not sure I wanna trust myself to mess up how those are set currently, so out of sight

[mboy]

Still not removed the sprocket cover to clean in there, it must be minging as hell. On previous bikes it was just a simple cover, on the Suzuki the clutch assembly is attached to it as well as the shift rod. Not sure I wanna trust myself to mess up how those are set currently, so out of sight

It is an absolute bastard of a job on that bike!!!

Well, it is when the previous owner has used used engine oil as his chain lube of choice for 14k miles anyway...

Took me forever to get all the muck out of there! Was worth it in the end though...

Oh, and when it all comes apart, take care with the clutch plunger pin... Clean it thoroughly too, but get some decent grease on it before reinserting it as if it gets at all sticky it'll really impact clutch feel/use...

As for brake pads... They can make a huge difference! Stock pads are very underwhelming... But don't go for something too racy, I fitted the racier SBS sintered pads and what I found was that the extra initial bite could trigger the (overly zealous) ABS on the GSXS quite often when it wasn't needed... In fact, a common mod on the GSXS is to ditch the ABS on the front brakes apparently, just run straight braided hoses from the M/C to the calipers, as the stock ABS is too keen for faster riding... Either way, I'd probably go for something middling like an EBC HH even, something usefully better than stock, but not too sharp...

[Supermofo]

MOT passed this morning with no issues as expected. Went over 11k miles on Sunday and still absolutely happy with the bike. Planning the Wales trip is underway so looking forward to that and then weather whilst chilly still is sunny mainly so bike season is definitely underway, albeit I've only managed about 3-400 miles so far. Looking at the MOT I did 3k last year so not as many as I'd have hoped. By the end of this year/early next it'll be valve clearance time so will get a few quotes nearer the end of the year.

[Yorick]

Went over 11k miles on Sunday .

Did you go to Australia ?????

[Supermofo]

Went over 11k miles on Sunday .

Did you go to Australia ?????

Yeah, and they only do beer in stupid little bottles, so I rode home again

It's my bad Engerlish init.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Are valve clearances at 16000 miles like the 750?
My 750 cost about £850 three years ago for the 16000 mile service, but it did ride like a new bike afterwards.

[Skub]

My 10R valves were checked for the first time at 34k miles and still in spec.

[Supermofo]

Are valve clearances at 16000 miles like the 750?
My 750 cost about £850 three years ago for the 16000 mile service, but it did ride like a new bike afterwards.

It's due at 14,500-15,000 i think. Not sure yet if I'll use Suzuki or an independent.

[Supermofo]

My 10R valves were checked for the first time at 34k miles and still in spec.

That's the dilemma init, on the GSXS forum most are in spec and some leave em until 30k. But there is the odd one or 2 where the valves were out. I've heard if you are gonna miss one, make it the 2nd one if the first check is all good.