February 8 2001
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Well here we are in the depths of winter. Much as you would expect the bikes have not moved much over the last few months. |
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This is how the bikes have spent the winter
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I have started both of them up on a regular basis and warmed them up. I decided not to take out the batteries, plugs, jack them off the ground, squirt oil in the bores etc. in the hope there may have been the odd day when we could get out. Ha! Even though they have been started regularly the ER5 has some condensation showing in the inspection window where you check the oil. The oil will have to be changed before we use it properly again. With Gwyn's garage being pretty exposed and of dubious construction condensation has been a real issue over the winter. I have gone out to the bikes many times to find them soaking. This has meant regular cleaning off and a good layer of polish being applied. This does seem to have protected them very well up to now. I had to move my bike to Gwyn's house as some SCUMBAGS made 2 attempts to steal the Fazer on consecutive nights. One thing I have done was to buy a stone guard for the radiator of the Fazer. I was quite concerned last summer that there was no protection to the radiator at all. Even if something like a wasp hit the rad it was deforming the fins which are extremely delicate. You even need to be careful when cleaning as it is very easy to deform them. You can check out the radiator guard here. |
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February19 2001 |
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| Took both bikes out over the weekend to give them a run. OH! It was so good to be "back in the saddle" The glueing of the radiator guard on the Fazer did not survive the trip. However, I may have been a little harsh in condeming the construction of the guard as it does not seem to rattle as I thought it might. Both bikes came back covered in a white film of road salt. This had to be removed before putting them away as if it was left on I am sure with the condensation corrosion would soon set in. The Fazer is a little overdue for its service as Yamaha (unlike other manufacturers) specify 4,000mls OR 6 months. It is about 7 months since the Fazer had it's first service although it has done only 2,650mls. The ER5 has less than 1,600mls but will still need an oil change to rid the oil of the condesation. I will add how the service went and the cost later. I've gathered from the net that the average price for a 4,000ml service is in excess of £100! This seems a little steep as I don't think they do much else than change the oil and visually inspect other things. I wonder if the dealer will moan about fitting the can and it's effect on the warrantee ( I think I'm past caring). March 21 2001 Got out for a ride with a friend the other weekend, boy was it cold!!! Anyway he has a black Fazer fitted with a rear Hugger. I quite liked the look of it so I thought I would fit one to mine. I bought a Powerbronze Carbon Look Hugger from M & P Check out the Hugger HERE Both bikes came back covered in salt again.
Gwyn and I got out last Sunday for a quick blast we were originally going to go into
Lincolnshire for a potter around but we stopped at a transport cafe almost in Goole and
decided to turn back as the temperature was dropping rapidly. (Are we getting old???)
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