Stew

I'm not sure, the bike came like that. I'm heading out for a wee ride round the loch in a few minutes, I'll try and take some close up photos of it all so maybe one of the experts on here can identify the bits.

Just looking at that photo of your T reg, mine was a V. But it was the helmet that caught my eye, I forgot they used to have press studs to close the visor. My, how times have changed.

I think I had a Gola knock-off cheapo version back in the day.

@andz , @keithu I used to love getting the pegs down on mine, I could even manage it in the rain. My, it was lovely to be invincible back in the olden days, eh. I once had a friend on the back of mine (i'll call him Ted to keep a level of anonymity ), and we were in a hurry to drop the bike off and go to the pub. As I approached a roundabout just near my house, the catholic church right next to the roundabout was just coming out, so there were loads of people around, and I decided to put on a show for them by grinding the pegs right round the roundabout , (imagining rapturous applause etc) Of course, the road was wet, but that was no real obstacle. Until my peg dug in, lifted the back wheel and down we went. I tell you what, I got up quicker than I went down, I was mortified Rode home, mum patched up the cuts and grazes with elastoplast and off to the pub to meet my pals. Sitting in the pub, and my pals said , 'where's Ted?' , and that was when I realised...... I'd only gone and left him lying in the road , hahahaha, how we laughed when he wandered in an hour later , looking all sorry for himself. Man, I am laughing my head off again just remembering , hahaha, it was awesome.

You should have seen that ride, we had to get a 4*4 with a tow rope to get the bike out, it just looked like a grey puddle In fact it was grey clay mud, the bike stopped instantly, I went over the bars, and it sunk up to nearly the top of the seat. I laughed my head off, I've done stupider, but that is a story for another day

ATGATT for me on my 250 version consisted of a Boeri Helmet (which got regular resprays when my mum worked in a paintshop) , a belstaff jacket, pair of jeans and trainers. Never did me any harm (other than permanent scars on both knees from getting the pegs to ground and spark on roundabouts It was my first bike, and I had no idea how to ride it, so I took a week and toured all over Scotland, at the recommended run in revs , which was approx 30-35mph. I did 1000 miles that week, and the bike shop were in shock when I was back for my first service the same week I bought it I loved that wee bike, but I imagine it would be horrendous to ride now.

I just ordered a Haynes Manual Yamaha MT-09, Tracer and XSR900 (13 - 19) Haynes Repair Manual Haynes Part #6333 Dunno if that is any use to you.

It is wierd, but you get used to it. Use the back brake, it kicks in quickly, so you can get the feel of it. The first time I tried it, on my old FJ1200, the brake lever started pulsing so I let go the brakes again. Once you get used to it, it is awesome , but I hope none of us ever end up in a situation where we need it.

Khyam Igloo tent is awesome. It goes up and down in no time, literally under a minute. 3 berth, but tons of room for 2 with all bike gear etc , and can withstand all sorts of bad weather. Used all year round for the past oh, at least 8 years, only issue is the weight, but it is top quality....

I got mine from Aliexpress, and it was here (UK) within 2 weeks.

In order (as best as I can remember)... Honda CB250N (Did 15,000 miles in my first year, with a solid frame rucksack on my back) Suzuki T500 (I had 2 at the same time) Honda VT500 Suzuki GS550 (Did 30,000 miles in 6 months despatch riding) what a great wee bike that was. Suzuki GSX600f Suzuki RF900 Yamaha FJ1200 Yamaha 1000 Exup Honda CBR600 Kawasaki KLX650R Honda CR250 (raced in enduro's and made it road legal) Yamaha FJ1200 Yamaha XT600 Tenere HOnda 650 Transalp (what a piece of junk) Yamaha FJ1200 Yamaha XT600 (painted blackboard black, ratbike) Kawasaki KDX250SR Suzuki GS(x)750L (Still owned) Suzuki GS650 Suzuki DL650 Vstrom (I loved this bike soo much) Honda CRF250L (current) Yamaha MT-09 Tracer (current) (There may have been others, but those are the ones I can remember. Not got many photos but here you go.... (that is not me on my GS(x)750, it's an old pal)

I got that exact same sidestand pad for my CRF250L , it's super well made, and treaded underneath, so great for in gravel or sand or dirt.

Nice one, I like the idea of the whole thing being level on the centre stand. Those are some massive looking panniers.

Crutchlow did finish in the points, 13th. He went back out after he pulled in, when they told him he could still score some points. Did you see the photograph of Marquez's arm afterwards, it was a mess? Any one of us would have been having looking for sympathy

I just ordered one, seems like the ideal solution.

There is no arguing with that. Although.... my pal didn't think so back in the day, when I was riding HIS honda rs250, with him on pillion, and I flipped it at a set of traffic lights. I was lying on the ground laughing, while he was kicking me! Ah , happy days.

Me neither, which is why I avoid them wherever possible. Changing fork seals is never fun.

Am I the only one looking at that photo and worrying about the fork seals when it comes hammering down again?

Scorpion Exo Combat...

Is that a wee nod to SAHB on the side panel?

Folk think I am wierd because I like riding in storms, lashing rain, thick fog and the likes. Once you are dressed for it who cares.Ride appropriately for the conditions. But when you are not dressed for it, its horrible. Feet or crotch especially miserable once soaked.

Never been to Wales without the roads being heaving with bikes. That weather looks proper miserable.

Sorry to hear about your accident. Off to check the cost of flights to the USA

I fitted a Tutoro on my last 2 bikes, brilliant chain oiler, I used chainsaw oil in mine.

Converted it into a mobile jukebox...