The Night Brawler: Episode 2

Sitting at home on a warm summer night, bored, restless.

In the garage, locked away, the 'Night Brawler' seduces. Tick, tock...

I have limited time tonight for a quick session of social disobedience - notwithstanding the silly season and the increased VicPol presence, the draw of the MT-09 is too great.

Lid. Gloves. Keys: Gone.

Light is fading, the last sliver of sunlight has already retreated over the horizon - setting off on the night side of dusk I skip the coastal road and head directly for the docks of Melbourne.

Well, more or less directly. Making way, the MT demands to be toyed with. Braarrp here, wheelie there.

I had put the word out to a few riding buddies before heading out, mischief likes company after all.

 Unfortunately tonight, time is not on my side. Fortunately I had laid eyes on some interesting places and had wet the appetite for the final installment in the 'Night Brawler' series. 

"See 'ya later brother - next time" we peel off and head our separate ways. 

There is an innate camaraderie to motorcycling, it connects people like no other activity or pursuit I have ever been a part of. Perhaps it is due to the commitment it requires? The diligence? The obsession? 

Or, maybe it's just the braaaarping......

\BitSar

Lid. Gloves. Keys: Gone.

The Night Brawler: Episode 1

I needed some release, some catharsis.

SOLUTION:

• Grab keys
• Stuff head into lid
• Throw a leg over

Time to head out for some antics on the 'Night Brawler'

Leaving the 'burbs and pointing the MT09 towards the coast, I make light work of the remaining stragglers on the evening commute. Splitting cagers like a mobile slalom course as they make disappointing progress home. Those poor bastards.


It's the middle of Spring and the evening is glorious.

No wind, high clouds - comfortable air temperature.

I arrive overlooking Port Phillip Bay just before Sunset - a nice display of the final diffused rays of Sun for today.



Across the Bay, the CBD is transitioning into night - bridges and buildings are lighting up, beckoning the MT into the Metropolis.

Following the coast, people and traffic are becoming less frequent, providing an easy excuse to unleash the Akrapovic cannon.

Any tunnel or overpass delivers aural delight.
Braaaaarping ahead into the City.

Entering the bowls of Melbourne CBD, the air changes from cool and refreshing into a muggy malevolence. Heavy.



The 'Night Brawler' gets petulant, making the quietening streets her playground.

I busy myself getting to places you shouldn't get to - taking opportunity without discrimination.





After further reconnaissance for a pending 'Night Brawler: Episode 2' the hum and buzz of the Metro begins to itch - I make my escape.

It's getting late now. Cold and late. I head in the direction of home - back to the suburbs - in a roundabout way. I'm not done yet.

En route, on the outskirts of the city, fortune presents itself.

A blacked-out scene, hard, cold, and industrial. At home aboard the urban assault vehicle of the MT09.





Riding at night is the epitome of motorcycle therapy. Your thoughts are safe in your helmet - like a sanctuary.

\BitSar
..........stay tuned for Episode 2

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

Touring twins - the (not so) Shiver ride

There had been talk - for quite some time now - to get a bunch of Shivers together for an Italian-Ape blat.

Turns out one local Shiver rider is down with mechanical gremlins and a few others are MIA - no matter, the call went out and a total of 3 Shiver pilots popped up their heads.

A fellow Shiver rider (chillibutton) gathered a crew of 5, 3 x Shivers, 1 x BMW F800S, 1 x Firestorm. The common denominator? Twin cylinder engine configuration:

Italian 750 V-Twin = Braaaaarp
Japanese 996 V-Twin = Rrrrrrraaaarrrgh
Austrian (Rotax) 798 Parallel Twin = I need less fuel stops than all of you! (sorry, couldn't help myself petesul)

So - we were in business.......game on.

We met mid morning in the Eastern hills of Melbourne, quick "G'day" with the obligatory "Nice bike mate," then off - pointing the bikes towards Kinglake.

Traffic was acceptable - a few slow patches, but all in all a great fist leg - a mix of tighter twisties to open sweepers to flowing changes of left/right, left/right - very nice indeed.

The fun continued as we rolled into Beechworth Bakery in Healesville - a standard issue stop for riders.

Quick caffeine and food stop for the riders with a tank top-off for the bikes - sans BMW :)) - before heading towards Yarra Glen. 

Another wonderful route - the BMW pilot has fantastic local knowledge and directed the group through some pearler country side - zero traffic, excellent road condition and composition........absolutely magic!

The Ape - thoughtfully surveying the road travelled and the route ahead 

Along the way we pull over for a photo opportunity - bikes in their natural environment - in the hills, with plenty of black stuff travelled, with plenty more to go.

Ohhhh - I am a sucker for a Firestorm

Twin, twins......I wonder which one is the evil twin?

All in all - a fantastic run gentleman - cracker ride with an, even more, cracker group. Let's not wait so long before we head out again eh?

Oh.......I also managed to scrub away some of my commuter tyre shame........

'Till next time fellas.....

\BitSar 

-- hopefully sooner rather than later. 

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.

Details, details, details

A lot of people think I'm crazy, as a daily commuter rider, why keep my bike so clean?
Why bother with weekly to fortnightly washes and detailing - it's madness!

Once I explain the why most people understand, then they want to know HOW! How do I keep her showroom shiny?

The Why?

1. I find it cathartic/relaxing - but mostly I just enjoy spending time tinkering and pampering my Ape.
2. It forces me to run my hand over every surface of the machine, performing a visual inspection as I go for any problems.
3. I will notice issues more readily - if last week I cleaned that oily smear and this week it is back then it's time to investigate.
4. Detailing stands as a reminder to check tyre pressure, chain tension and chain lubrication
5. I am one OCD, anal retentive sonofabitch about keeping it clean!

Soooooo........once the why is out of the way and people begin to understand things, they want to know how.

The How?

1. Don't wash her hot! If you must ride to a car-wash, as I do, take the shortest path, early in the morning when it's cool. Don't let her get too hot - if she is - let her cool before washing.
2. Give her a good wash. Get all of the base grime off. I use a pressure spray. **IMPORTANT** From a distance! With no direct high-pressure water hitting the bike, especially around the instrument cluster, headlight surround, wiring loom or connectors. 
3. Then detailing begins. I use Plexus - a plastic polish (silicone based) which serves two primary functions.
1. It impregnates the plastics which conditions them, helping them to remain supple and less prone to cracking and the effects of heat.
2. It leaves a silicone barrier on all surfaces, both plastics and metals, which helps to keep the bike cleaner for longer by inhibiting things from sticking!

A quick tyre check, chain inspection and lube if necessary and the job's done. Usually all complete by ~8:30 on a Saturday morning - leaving plenty of time to get out and ride.

Before - the poor thing.......dirty Ape

The detailing....Yellow rag for engine parts and dirty stuff, Blue rag for plastics and body work, Pink rag for final buffing and polishing.........(I told you I was OCD)

The results.......a showroom shiny Ape

\BitSar --keeping it clean

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

Slack

A post for post sake.......in a way.

It's been busy times of late with work and life etc......other than commuting and minimal weekend blats my riding has suffered.......bummer.

I've got a "long term review" in the pipes for the Michelin PR3's coming so stay tuned on that one.

Other than that - thanks for reading guys and gals.......there is more riding to be done - some overnighters are also planned - see how the Ape goes with some light touring.

FYI - still loving the bike.............she's a good egg.

\BitSar

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