Tail-light replacement

During the Touring Twins ride the guys informed me I was down one tail-light.

The Shiver uses a dual-filament lamp with each globe running a 12V and 21V rail.
12V for tail-light, 21V for brake.

Turns out one lamp was blown on both rails, no tail-light, no brake light.

So - time to replace them (both). Yeah, one is still good, but if I'm going in there to replace the blown lamp I might as well freshen them both up eh?



Step 1
Seat comes off and 8 fixings are removed:

2 x 12mm hex bolt
2 x 10mm hex bolt
2 x Phillips screw
2 x 3mm allen bolt

Step 2 

Move the grab-rail assembly and main fuses out of the way to allow access to the tail-light reflector and lens

Step 3

The lamp housing is locked into the reflector and lens via a removable ballast.

One quarter turn to the left and the globes are free.

It is somewhat fiddly getting the ballast out - however it can be done.

Step 4

Globes replaced and tested.
Done and done.

\BitSar

Toy Run - 2014

That time of year once more......Xmas....really? Already....bah!


Yet again, time for the annual MRA toy run. Get some toys, ride some road, give to kids....done.


An old mate whom I've not seen or ridden with for years was back in town after working interstate, then enlisting. He's keen for a toy run.




Added bonus? He's just bought an Ape. Another Shiver in the ranks.....game on.

We meet at my place and head off to one of the official start points in Port Melbourne. We're early this year so have time to get parked up reasonably well.



All types of bikes gather and gather. A larger turnout than last year, and - as always, VicPol were at the ready for an escort.

We'll take all sorts.....

Without breaking tradition we convoy out of Melbourne to Calder Park Raceway. Meh. It's hot, it''s a freeway - it's not for us......that's why we do it.

Once we arrive, donate some toys - have a wander around then point the bikes home.

The obligatory toy run pin.....to add to the collection.

\BitSar

Another year done.....

15T - Shakedown

It was recently chain and sprocket replacement time - why not opt for a 15T countershaft sprocket eh? Adding a little more immediacy to acceleration and bringing that punchy torque curve a little lower sounded like a great idea to me.......game on.

Living in Australia severely limits choice in terms of aftermarket parts, especially for a Euro bike. The search began. 

I found one Aussie importer - however they could only source rear sprockets for the Ape. My dealer told me it was hard enough for them to get OEM sprockets, let alone third-party alternatives........bah!

After further looking - and reading about other Ape-ists sourcing parts via a UK seller I was in business. Order placed: 1 x AFAM 15T 525 pitch sprocket on the way


A shameless plug is now required - I am a pretty organised kind'a guy (some say, anal-retentive) - so I placed my order well in advance, giving the sprocket plenty of time to arrive.

Then a month went by.........
Then another 2 weeks........hmmm - time to contact the seller.

I purchased from UK seller biketorqueracing - once contacted, the response was immediate.
Adam from BTR provided parcel tracking details and followed up with me within 24 hours. Looked as though the sprocket was en-route and already within Australia.

Then another week went by........nothing

Got back in contact with Adam - he was willing to swallow the loss and send me another part at no cost. I am astounded. What service.

Turns out when I got home from the office that very day the initial order had finally arrived after being held up with border/custom inspection - good news for both me and Adam.

So! Now time to get this part on the Ape and get going.

As a commuter, the 15T provides a brilliantly smooth bottom end. 1st and 2nd gear slow creeping work is an absolute pleasure, no chugging, very little need to feather the clutch. The transition from closed throttle to small roll on when filtering in tight places is significantly better.

When you need to pick up and get your butt out of trouble the acceleration difference is noticeable - albeit manageable.

Commuter approved modification? Check.

But how about the fun stuff.......the weekend blat - when you've got a devil on your shoulder willing you to dance?

Yesterday called for a shakedown blat in the hills - and dance we did. The Ape: 'Au naturel'

On the fast open sweepers - being a little higher in the rev range and with the shorter gearing the throttle action/response has improved - very smooth with better feedback.

Powering out of tight twisties in 1st and 2nd gear will now let the front end skip across the top of the black stuff. Snapping open in 1st as the forks unload will loft the front hoop without too much trouble - much easier than stock........that little devil was having fun.......

The only criticism I would report, minor however still valid, would be long hi-way hauls.

I returned from the hills via the freeway and constant, steady-state ~100 - ~120+ kmh speeds is less comfortable - now hovering around 6k rpm......again - MINOR gripe......but it is worth noting.

Weekend scratcher approved modification? Check.

Obviously my speedo is now out - but meh, I rarely look/care what speed is being reported. I know when to be a saint or a devil.......

All in all, the 15T modification is one of, if not the ultimate, cost effective way to make the Ape more responsive, less chuggy off the bottom and hell of a hoot to ride - now even moreso....

Game on.

\BitSar
Devil on his shoulder willing him to dance.

Mini me......

Couldn't help myself.....

Came across this:

Nice little scale replica to sit on my desk.......

I've been quiet for a while - busy times.....alas - I have some posts almost ready to go...

New boots are being broken it, I have a fund raiser ride tomorrow and the subsequent charity ride in 2 weeks time.....

\Bitsar

**Slack (again) but for good reason.

Not forgotten..............

I've been shit......again.

Too busy for any meaningful, thoughtful or decisive posts.....

Too consumed with life to be riding anything or anywhere interesting.....

Bummer.

Since the recent "That was tough ride" I thought bugger it - Sport mode..........everywhere.

Indeed -  this is fun.

The Ape grows with you like no other bike I've had. Although, that alone does not stop me musing about other, new, toys.

Alas, with an impending wedding and work ramping up with new opportunities it seems the Ape is with me for quite a while longer...........but hey - that 'aint a bad thing.

Stay tuned for the Pink Ribbon charity ride post for Breast Cancer at the end of this month.

\BitSar

--Slack.............again 

Sequence shot

A little while ago I got a new mobile phone.........these days phones are so much more than a communication device - in fact......making phone calls is somewhat of a secondary function.

So anyway - there is a feature on the phone camera to take a small burst photo and stitch a sequence shot together based on selected frames......I had to give it a go.

This is not the best example.....but you get the idea.

\BitSar

Barracuda Blinkers

So - as many of you know - my rear indicators failed.......both of them......at different times, but in the same way.

It turns out that there is a manufacturing flaw and the rubber used for the expansion joint is too brittle.

After having one replaced under warranty.......and waiting ages for the part to arrive......only to have the other indicator fail.....I decided some after market blinkers would be best.

I finally got around to installing my Barraccud "Silur" LED blinkers

The indicators came with the required resistors which are used inline to keep the flash rate consistent and to ensure the dash error for blown bulbs doesn't perpetually occur.

I'm pretty happy with the results......nice and clean - nice and compact.......very bright!

Excuse the filthy bike......bloody Melbourne weather.......bah!

I may even order another set and replace the front end blinkers too for consistency.

\BitSar

Chocolate Run

Every year a bunch of riders get together to head out into the hills in search of chocolate!

Some years it is a fund raiser for a community member....some years it's just a good excuse for a ride.....

So....today was the annual Chocolate Run.

What a great run........approximately 60 riders covering 300-400 kms of Victorian countryside.....

I tell you what though - bloody farking cold! Max temperature on the dash was 10C.....this coupled with ample throttle definitely takes the heat out of the bones......

The Ape still made it - no problem....

Thanks for the ride everyone......see you next time.

\Bitsar - now defrosted. 

Setup: Solo Suspension

It's no secret that dialing in your suspension affects a bike's road manners.....hell - this variable is possibly the most important when it comes to bike/rider feel and compliance....

When I first got the Shiver I touched nothing for a week or so - let the suspension loosen up a bit......let things "bed down"

Then - I began the systematic approach of getting the rear end dialed in.....unfortunately the stock Shiver front end is not adjustable...............bummer.

As I was on my own I couldn't apply the usual technique of slack measurement, then static sag, then rider weight.....then account for 10mm of travel (taking into account rebound).....etc.........etc...you know how it goes....

SO! How does one, without help take measurements.....in an attempt.....to dial in their suspension?

Step 1 - Measure
I took measurements of the stock setup before touching a thing.

My shorthand is:
T  = Thread shown above locking ring for preload - measured in mm
C = Clicks open from fully closed on rebound

For any other Shiver owners out there......the stock setting - at least in my case - is as follows

Stock
T - 10mm
C - 9

Step 2 - Ride

Having changed nothing at all I set out to a well known ~12km stretch which has some twisties, sweepers and undulations......I did two runs on stock setting.....

Then I adjusted, measured and recorded.

T - 12.5 mm

C - 10

At this stage I wasn't sure what I wanted so I added preload and rebound to make the back end more "nervous"..........at the end of the day, twitchy is fast.......if you can handle it......

This was not my setting.....

After 2 more runs both stock and adjusted settings were too stiff for my weight.....I backed off preload and rebound.......on the bike again for two more passes......

T - 2.5 mm
C - 6

THAT was more like it! Much more compliant rear end.......

\Bitsar

Aprilia Shiver - Admiration

The title line says it all - nothing further needed.

\Bitsar

Moments............Ape style

Since the GOR run all the riding I've been doing is daily commuting and errands etc...........

Inner city work........urban jungle bullshite.........yes - still fun with the right attitude - but not the natural environment for an Ape.....

At first this was getting me a little irksome.....feeling a little impetuous........I need release!

But then - just today.........I walked back to the Ape after picking up groceries. She's a little dirty, needs a good wash and detail.....but she's such a stunner......and - she's mine.......my bike......

I rode home like there was a wasp up my arse..........can't tame that Ape!

Even the mundane is magic..............with the right attitude.....

\Realises the ride is not where you go - but what you make it
................frame of mind.....the moment
-- BitSar

Jinxed............

A couple of weeks ago I headed down to the old stomping ground and a bit of practice.......

I love these guys and gals........the best people.......

As it happens I got talking to a good friend about bikes, as you do, and for some reason we go onto indicators.........

He rides a lovely black on black 2012 Triumph Street Triple R......a magnificent looking thing......turns out (pun intended) that the indicators are identical to those on the Ape....and the Ducs.....and the Ape APRC RSV's....etc...etc.....

They have been known to fail on the expansion section between the mount and the indicator housing.......

On the day myself and my mate were discussing the "known issue" - my reply......."Nah mate....no problem with mine.......thanks for the heads up though"

JINXED

Got off the bike the following Monday at work and realised I had a broken indicator stalk...........indicator itself still works......

All under warranty and the dealer is being very good about it so no love lost.......

And hey.........mate (you know who you are)......I've got a spare globe now!

Good times indeed..

\BitSar 

Caramel

Work has been pretty dismal of late.......

I'm not complaining per'se........I still have a job.......but morale is at an all time low..........

It has officially been Summer for 7 days now.......that's an entire week! Shhhhh don't tell the weather Man......it's been bloody cold..................well - until today

SO! What would an avid Motorcyclist do after a week full of Corporate and Unionised bullshit on a warm Summer night?

Put the hammer down...............of course.......

The sky was Caramel........

Remember........no matter how things first seem........there is always Motorcycling.......

\BitSar

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