Fikkin' running in...aaaarghh!

"Classics on a shoestring" by Tallbloke

On another note, I'm thinking of asking my mate if I can use his DB34 when I
come up to visit (he did say I was welcome to take it out)... The only
problem is I can't kick the fecking thing up, it keeps trying to launch me,
I need the knack I suppose.

 

That's still pretty crap. You must weigh a ton.

Kiran

 

Not *quite*... [1]

[1] Well, actually 3.5kg less than I did 10 days ago )

 

tallbloke says...

Why didn't you put something a bit rounder in profile on, something
like Dunlop K82s? I know they wouldn't totally be in keeping with the
bike's age but it's not like the Matchless is all original anyway.

 

Monz says...

That's a big dump

 

Ooh, I'll be happy to demonstrate before I **** off into the distance on
it

When do you fancy coming over? Better make it soon before supplies run out
IYSWIM

 

Well the SM.s are fine for the bikes handling characteristics, and you'd
be surprised how rounded the profile of the rear is when new. Just have to
ride the bike properly to keep it that way ;-)

I always found Dunlops a bit twitchy in the wet, though their wear
characteristics are good for tightwads like me.

 

Will mail you... dont worry about the supplies, can always nip to the shops
on the way if need be. IYSWIM )

 

tallbloke says...

Have you ever tried a rounder rpofile tyre to see if it handles better?

And SM11s are better in the wet? Have a fucking word with yourself man.
I had K82s on a few aircooled RDs, they are fine in the wet or dry and
last quite well. I hated the SM11s on every bike I've ever ridden with
them on, it was always like riding on square concrete tyres. No grip
wet or dry and *interesting* handling. They weren't nicknamed "Avon
Ditchmasters" for nothing.

You really are from Yorkshire, aren't you? You ride a bike that would
have trouble wearing out a race compound sticky tyre in 10 years
continuous use, and yet you wibble about the tyre wear of concrete
compound SM11s and K82s.

 

@news.individual.net:

I owned plenty of bikes which handled better, regardless of tyre choice, but
that's nmot really the point.

The Avon's are the most 'of the period' tyres I can get. Which is what I want
for the bike.

I'll try to keep up *and* not to ditch it

 

tallbloke says...

Like the Honda CB250 seat ?

It'll just plough a new furrow in there as you ride it out.

 

It looks better than a replica Matchless twinseat, but the bike should
really have a sprung saddle. Which is a bit mad considering it has a
swingarm and rear shocks. I think Matchless were using up old components
at the time

Heh.

 

It was somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the

**** that for originality. When it comes to tyres I'd fit sticky modern
tyres to a Manx Norton and bugger period fitting.

 

Couldn't agree more: CIHAGM?

 

Or stuck up my own arse thank ****.

 

It was somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the

If and when I get one, you'd be more than welcome. In the meantime
you'll have to make do with this wheelbarrow wheel I picked up at B&Q.

Bargain, it was.

 

I could carry that on the back of my tractor.

 

BT45s and Contis don't look out of place on an older bike. Sticking to
SMIIs because they look right seems to /me/ as pretty unnecessary.

 

That's ok, it's not your decision, but thanks for your opinion. ;-)