First of all; we hope that our mates on the New South Wheals, Mid-North Coast are safe, high and dry. |
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Cripes, here we go, headlong into the EOFY.
To be honest, I'd expected the business to sell and I'd be laid back on a beach somewhere in South East Asia, sipping a Methanol-enhanced Pinacolada in July... Oh well, wrong again.
There's been a lot of interest but finding the right person, in the right place in their lives hasn't happened yet. The business is now in the hands of a broker, who is fielding interest encouragingly regularly.
In a recent staff meeting, I told the crew to expect to settle in for at least another six months. So, from you out there's point of view... it's business as usual. |
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On a recent trip to Toowoomba for a nephew's wedding, I was reminded of just how far transport has come in a comparatively short time.
A wander around the Cobb and Co Museum demonstrated how mobile and free to bugger off we are, whenever and wherever we choose, nowadaze. |
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You'll notice that the carriage on the right is licenced to carry 14... How uncomfortable, hot, dusty and slow such a journey might be is hard to imagine. A long trip was eye-wateringly expensive too, a plaque suggested that it would be in the region of a week's wage in current money.
For a week's wage we could add a heated seat and grips to a bike that already has cornering ABS, traction control, self-adjusting suspension and wind tunnel-designed weather protection.
And we still whinge! |
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Fabric Hold Up
While we're on the subject of Stage Coaches |
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The latest information we have from our fabric supplier is that we should see a new roll of our eye-wateringly expensive CS12 canvas in the second week of June. Over the last few months, we've trialled a couple of cheaper alternatives but they just don't stack up to this stuff.
We're happy to accept orders while we wait for the black fabric to arrive and the team will work their magic once it does.
The good news is that we have a few sets of the Camel coloured 28-year Anniversary bags left. But... stocks are getting low. When they are gone, that's it. |
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There's a limited opportunity to snaffle some of our One-Off run of seatbelt webbing and Double D-Ring Strapz. The D-Rings are chromed, welded steel.
The webbing is 50mm polyester seat belt type, thread (aka fine rope) # 20. The finished length is 1.5 meters and stock is strictly limited. Strap to the bike or strap the bike down, these are tough as...
l'd best tuck a couple away before you snaggle the lot.
At two drinking vouchers ($20) each they're a steal, there's a choice of Red or White.
Don't dally, seriously, there aren't too many to go around. Like the man says – "When they gone, they gone". |
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The Dr has just been up on my work stand and had an exchange blood transfusion to reward it for putting 1000 klicks to run itself in. Despite the recommendation from Skinny that the carby didn't need any special upgrades, the local shop decided they knew best and re-jetted it. Their view was that even adding an aftermarket pipe requires a re-jet.
I'm having some issues with the bike stalling, which is a bit of a bummer when one filters to the front of the queue at lights. The shop reckons the standard carburettor is essentially cheap and nasty and not much more can be done with it.
Geez, do I need to shell out another lump of hard-earned to get it spot on?
I'm starting to feel like the old lady who swallowed a fly. |
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To keep the team from sitting around twiddling their sewing machine knee presses, we are stocking up on our Superfine Merino Thermalz and Allrounders in anticipation of Winter.
We are proud as punch of the quality and wearability of our garments, I'm rarely out of mine.
CLICK here |
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I've just finished kickin' my own RRs around the shed. I've been making do for decades, removing springs from exhausts, brake levers, side stands and the like using cable ties, vice grips or a stout stick. What a dipstick...
The other day, after spilling another dose of knuckle claret I cracked the sh1ts and broke out a big hammer and the welder. In fifteen minutes I had a more than serviceable spring puller.
Why TF did it take me 40 years to wise up? I would have lost less blood and offended far fewer neighbours! |
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| If you don't want to or don't have the kit to make your own, sing out and I can get you one in. |
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Center Stands
They may add weight but for most bikes they are an invaluable addition. One of these jiggers makes access to wheels, chains, tyres and the belly of the bikes so much easier. |
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| A centre stand also makes parking on uneven or soft ground so much more topple-proof. Unfortunately, I see so many riders fight them. I see them bustin' a foofer valve, working at heaving a 300kg bike up onto a couple of steel legs. Like most things moto-bicycling, there's a knack, a confidence trick. Let me try to describe how I approach it. Get the bike balanced, lower the stand to the ground with the right foot. Get a secure grip on the bike around the area the pillion sits. Grab handles, pannier frames or the like. 'Feel' both feet of the stand touching the ground and transfer your weight to the centre stand foot pad. WAIT! After a couple of seconds, when your whole weight is loaded encourage the bike up and rearward with the left hand. If it doesn't play ball, WAIT and try again. Your Chiropractor will thank me... |
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If, like me, your head needs protection from the weather this winter, here's the go.
A waterproof, windproof, three-layer, breathable beanie.
I've been rocking the orange one this week and I've got a toastie head. |
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One size fits all but the biggest melons.
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While the wheels fall off the weather down south and our fingers resemble seafood sticks, it's still vitally important we stay hydrated out there on the roads.
Brain function is closely tied to hydration and once you start to get that metallic taste in the mouth, your body is signalling that lapses of judgement are not far from your horizon. |
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Worst and Most Reliable Bikes |
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You might like to watch these if you haven't seen 'em yet.
There are a few surprises in there. I don't endorse or agree with all and I'm just a punter sharing a couple of vids.
I'm sure we'd get into heated arguments around a front bar if we started to debate the results. |
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We've just taken delivery of some new heated grips.
While Oxford's offerings function really well, the control box is the ugliest and most difficult to mount. These jiggers have the controls integrated into the left grip, with no separate control box. Push the button up to five times to set the levels of heat. Each level has its own colour. |
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| Can I enlist a little help, please? I'm trying to find out the dimensions of log books in different states.So far I have NSW and Victoria, but need help with SA, WA, ACT, NT and QLD. I made a small bag/sleeve that straps to the handlebar grip of my bike and realized that others may be interested. |
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I'm sure the garlic is traumtised for life!
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That's about all I have to write at yer this month, get back to work!
Copyalater |
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