revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Back from a little ride in the local area. Visited a friend and just enjoyed being out on the bike again. It is much more supple than before, so that rear bushings/bearings new shock change made a good difference. Engine pulls strongly to redline, plenty of poke and it goes well. Brakes are good, progressive with a clear indication of biting point. Glad to be back out on two wheels and just enjoying a ride. Will I sell it? Well, never say never as it is just a bike, albeit a nice enough one now, not perfect by any stretch of imagination, but good enough to have fun on.

KungFooBob wrote: Wed May 03, 2023 8:53 am

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Wed May 03, 2023 8:51 am Coolant makes the water wetter too (breaks the surface tension so it "wets" the surfaces more) and hence makes it cool better, but I doubt that's a factor here!

In the US you used to be able to buy a product called 'water wetter' as a special coolant that was legal in race bikes.

It's merely propylene glycol with a fancy package. We use Sta-Clean brand in Merlins (16 gallons of it) & they run 20deg cooler. I also run it in the ZRX11 & the fan comes on maybe once every 2 or 3 years.
Sta Clean is used in big rigs & good for 300k-500k miles.

Also the main ingredient in vape juice.

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 7:13 pm Also the main ingredient in vape juice.

It's also used as lube in the food packaging/processing so we're all consuming it.

Nah, Vape Juice is mostly Custard Doughnut.

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 7:13 pm Also the main ingredient in vape juice.

Pffft, if it ain't at least 75% VG you ain't in it for the clouds.

No vaping here, just coolant where it belongs.

Changed a rear indicator bulb. New one lasted two rides only. Swapped in an old bulb from the indicators I removed. Different filament style as well, perhaps more robust? Anyhow, all done. Bike for new tyre tomorrow morning @ 9am. Hope it is not raining too much!

Bulbs can just fail by chance or age, but also by intermittent contact or over voltage. Keep an eye on the new one.

My 640KTM was bastard for rear indicator bulbs. In the end i bought a box of Lucas ones and I only fitted one each side and they never blew after that. So, yes try better quality bulb.

Dropped the bike off for new front tyre and fork oil. Will collect it either tomorrow PM or Thursday morning as I have too many meetings on at the moment. Car gets its new front wheel bearing hubs sorted on Friday morning. At least I'm keeping local business in decent cashflow!

Taipan wrote: Mon May 08, 2023 2:34 pm My 640KTM was bastard for rear indicator bulbs. In the end i bought a box of Lucas ones and I only fitted one each side and they never blew after that. So, yes try better quality bulb.

First time I've heard 'lucas' and 'better quality' together in the context of Triumph electrics

Mr. Dazzle wrote: Tue May 09, 2023 9:17 pm

Taipan wrote: Mon May 08, 2023 2:34 pm My 640KTM was bastard for rear indicator bulbs. In the end i bought a box of Lucas ones and I only fitted one each side and they never blew after that. So, yes try better quality bulb.

First time I've heard 'lucas' and 'better quality' together in the context of Triumph electrics

Kinda my reaction when I was told to buy them. I was remembering the nickname, Lucas, the Prince of Darkness!

Collecting the bike tomorrow morning. It was ready this afternoon, but I was in a meeting and then taking the dog for a much needed walk. Fork oil was done as well, so that will help in getting things sorted.

Walked the 1.4 miles to the workshop and collected the bike. So much better. Mechanic said that the fork oil really was well past its sell by date and was properly horrid. The new tyre helps, but the fresh fork oil has made a big difference to the feel of the front end. Just so much more supple and planted. A short bimble to visit to couple of people, church meeting and back home before the rain. Have to head to funeral now and taking two people with me, so car it is.

Still bimbling about on the Triumph. It is great fun to ride, that overrun on the exhaust is addictive, little snaps, pops and crackles. It does have a pipercross filter and I'm running it on 99+ Ron fuel. Also has TOR exhaust, so will be freer flowing. No such thing as a catalyst on this bike either.

Loved the TOR can on my Tiger 955i (only took a 50mm piece of tape to get an MOT with it on )

Daytona with twin port Blue Flame sounded great too

Just been for a nice little 20 mile ride, really enjoying the bike the more I ride it. I am getting used to the feel of the bike and just need to do a few little checks and get used to the sounds it makes

Bought some decent pads for the front calipers. The current ones are a bit "soft" on application. I wanted pads with just a bit more bite.

The original master cylinder has a 14mm bore. On my Daytona I swapped it out for a 5/8" bore cylinder. Takes more pull on the lever, but gives a quicker initial bite. Might suit your preference.

IIRC I swapped the rear from 14 to 1/2" to give the brake more power at the cost of longer lever throw.