Friday 30 November 2012

Anti-SMIDSY campaign

Unfortunately I had a great SMIDSY this morning...............I can't believe how some people react when they've committed the SMIDSY sin......

I was waiting to turn right through a busy CBD intersection, I had a large queue of cars behind me also wanting to turn right.......

The on-coming traffic was very heavy, so much so that the intersection was barely clear........

The lights turn from green to amber......I creep forward, stand the bike up and balance her through rear brake, throttle and clutch manipulation......rocking, rocking, rocking.....

I see a woman in a Silver Astra hatchback entering the intersection.......no intention of stopping......I'm still balancing and edging forward VERY slowly as I rock the bike......I catch her eye to eye.......she SMILES!? and waves......the lights turn from amber to red......the bonnet lifts......she's on the gas...........slams on through intersection.....running the red.......

Shaking my head and thinking what hope do we have I continue my LEGAL turn through the intersection......live to fight, and ride, another day.......

What really gets me about this is the driver attitude........She clearly saw me and had time to smile and wave.....as if to say "I know, I'm sorry I'm performing a potentially deadly manoeuvre..........I'm sorry you might not get home tonight to see the Missus.......but I've REALLY got to make this light.....you understand, right?"

Wrong.......

The silver lining to my rant?..........................Over the last couple of years a prominent Law firm, Maurice Blackburn, have been campaigning against the SMIDSY killer........

Each year I buy a couple of T-Shirts for myself and fellow riding buddies.....all proceeds go to supporting riders and their families with Pro-Bono legal fees etc.......

Maurice Blackburn are also doing a fantastic job with some very simple, effective and meaningful ad instalments in response the recent almost fraudulent TAC campaign.......



C'mon guys........stop the SMIDSY





\BitSar

Thursday 29 November 2012

Image issues

Sorry guys - I'm having trouble with my images at the moment - trying to find an alternate solution.

Things should be back on track soon.

[UPDATE - 30.11.2012]
I've managed to restore the images - hopefully everything is back as it once was.........let me know if you guys are having trouble seeing them...........

\BitSar

Sunday 25 November 2012

Practice, practice, practice..........

About 2 years ago I came across a forum thread offering new riders a chance to practice basic bike skills in a controlled environment...........at the time I'd been road riding for about 12 months so I thought a bit of a refresher might not be such a bad idea......

Since that day - way back when - I've been attending these Saturday Practice sessions frequently and infrequently as life dictates.......

I hadn't been for quite a while so yesterday morning......having no ride plans for the day.....I decided to head back down to the old stomping ground to catch up with some mates and to see the new guys and gals ride the course......


These sessions really are a community service........they are so important to many new riders.........there are two Guru riders who organise and run the sessions......every Saturday.....they do this for the love of riding and to teach new riders how to be safe.......they give their time, experience and wise words every weekend and ask nothing in return........very special indeed.


There is much more to motorcycling than just the ride.......of course......riding is the fun part, it is why we all do it.......but the most important part of being a rider is the people..........I have worked in numerous industries and met many people over the years and I can honestly say that riders are some of the best people I have ever met........

I'll continue to attend these practice sessions well into the future..........I'll still run the course from time to time to keep up low speed skills, although being a commuter I get lots of practice with slow speed technical riding........as any rider knows......it is much HARDER to ride well SLOWLY then it is to go fast......

But mostly......I'll keep going to see my mates........meet the new guys and gals entering into the Moto community and to see all the smiling faces........

You guys are great.

\BitSar

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Hero Shot

I needed to blow of some steam last night..............a little Motorcycle therapy was in order........

It was just after 7pm - the traffic was thinning out and the Sun was still bright..........throw a leg over and have a blat for an hour eh.......

One of the things I enjoy most about solo riding is being able to stop wherever you choose to take time out..........or......to take some Hero Shots........

The Ape is a seriously fun bike to ride.....she is nimble, torquey and has attitude and presence.......I really love this bike more and more with time spent......

What a beautiful night..............a beautiful backdrop..........and a beautiful bike........

There's something about this nostalgic/poster type effect which gives the Ape an old classic look......a real couple of Hero Shots.....




\BitSar

Monday 19 November 2012

Mambo Italiano

This Sunday was the annual FOIM event which is held in Melbournes' "Little Italy" on Lygon Street Carlton.

The sketchy morning weather finally cleared...........the Sun had a chance to shine on through...........shine on through to many, many pretty Motorcycles.....

There was an even mix of older classics, restored vintage and custom chopped out streetfighters and rat riders.......some of the restoration jobs were simply magnificent.....



This 848 Ducati Streetfighter had the most intense bling kit I have ever seen........so many go fast shiny bits and pieces.................not sure if it's my cup of tea.......but hell......

The next sub category of bikes which I've always found interesting for the ingenuity, personality and sometimes crazy ideas is the chopped streetfighters and rat riders..........As opposed to the factory Duc above, these machines once started as something completely different all together. 

This thing was VERY custom......not too sure what it started life as......the L-Twin is a clue.....it was a Duc.....now it's adorned with a custom hand made tank, saddle, rear seat cowl  front end, clip-ons etc, etc......you get the idea!


A lovely Guzzi ratter


I was talking to the owner of the bike pictured below.................this "thing" started life as a 2007 Aprilia RSV4 - not much Ape left in her.............. interesting.......if nothing else.......interesting.....


Of course......amongst the mix of restored, classic, ratters and fighters there were some pretty special stock and factory bikes on display.................ohhhhhh.....so much pretty.....

Bimota - Tesi 3D........look at the dual swing arms and push rod steering! INCREDIBLE

Another special stocker.......a Benelli TNT Cafe Racer 1130 - this thing is a widow maker........

So as you can see........the Sun was shining......the bikes were stunning and the crowd was full.........a great free event.........Ah motorbikes......they really are the key to happiness........




AND......we got freebies too!

\BitSar

Friday 9 November 2012

WTF - When Thought Fails........AKA - What The F^ck?

Sooo.........this is a mini rage post.................unfortunately this rage is directed at another rider......yes - it's sad but true.......ahhhhhhh - here goes......

At the office we are lucky enough to have dedicated bike parking which is undercover, out of harms way and secure...........we appreciate this.......well - most of us do.....

At a squeeze you'd get 6 VERY WELL PARKED bikes in here.........the only requirement is parking tail in.....and STRAIGHT........who would've thunk it eh?

Well then.....this morning I arrive and see this POS Honda-Davidson parked front in taking up at least 3 Moto spaces.......I mean dude.....WTF?


Adding insult to injury.....this is the first time I've seen this bike in here........a nice sunny day and a Solar-Powered inconsiderate rider......on a POS cruiser decides to grace us with their presence.........A little birdy tells me this bike will NOT be seen here again........well - at least not parked like this.........


\Lost a little more respect for humanity........
<cries_a_little>I didn't think it was even possible........</cries_a_little>

Tuesday 6 November 2012

Too much lube - not enough love

Well then..........

In an attempt to keep the running gear in good condition I usually lube the chain on the inside surface about every 2 weeks.........I do "clean" the chain............however, it would appear not well enough.....

I had just washed the bike over the weekend.........(it's bloody filthy again! Thanks Melbourne.............aarg) and while detailing with Plexus and lubing the chain with Motul Road, I noticed a large dark patch near the kick stand and gear lever.......


I stuck my finger in the area between the front sprocket and the gear shift linkage.......just above the "Aprillia eni" sticker in the shot............bloody hell...........there was A LOT of unused Motul build up in there.....

It took ten minutes to scoop out wads of oily molasses......along with stones and other debris...............aaaaahhhhh abrasives......that'll really help chain and sprocket longevity....D'oh 

Having managed to clean out the majority of the larger crap and scooping out as much of the latent chain lube I am satisfied.......at least for now, that the trouble makers have been removed.....


Moral of the story.............DON'T think that a cursory clean and a good lube often is the key long chain life......for what it's worth, it would appear the opposite is true........a GOOD CLEAN and a cursory lube would be more beneficial to the running gear in my opinion.......

\BitSar

Thursday 1 November 2012

You know you're a Motorcyclist when........

You're at work - dealing with poorly compiling code which was delivered by an external vendor and your only method of hiding and feeling better about you day is this...........



This is almost a rant post.........Ah Oracle..................

\Bangs head on wall