gosho san no CBR600 at Mt Fuji

gosho san no CBR600 at Mt Fuji, a photo by bluXgraphics(motorcycle design&Japan is beautifu on Flickr.

Fish and Chips

The sun is out and the sky is blue take one guess what I will do.

As Lucipher had recently had a new rear tyre fitted that needs scrubbing in before the weekends adventure to Bude. I decided to make the most of the brilliant English sunshine and head out on the bike to unexplored pastures. St Ives was on the list of to-do’s and as Neil has a Chippy down there I thought it would be a good excuse to stretch Luciphers legs (wheels) and head off down there. First port of call was back to the dealer who fitted the tyre to complain of a scratch I had found on the swingarm when they fitted the tyre. Not the best resolution but never the less it will have to do. Free fitting of my tail tidy and money off the next service. They did suggest in painting the swingarm but having experience of paint shops, the time it would take (being without the bike!!) and the possibility of a worse finish and less durable than the original paint I declined that offer.

Then it was off down the A30 in brisk fashion paying extra care and caution to the tourists, caravans and general idiots that the sun seems to bring out no dramas except for an Ambulance yes and Ambulance who decided to change lanes without checking his mirror. Still I thought if something was going to pull out on me an Ambulance would probably be quite handy!

Doesn’t take too long to get to St Ives and I have some general directions stored in the brain on how to find Neil’s plaice (get it). But blimey, busy was not the word to describe it at least everyone could hear me coming as Luciphers voice echoed from building to building winding down narrow, steep and tight little roads. I had ignored the advice of a friend who had suggested to leave the bike outside St Ives and walk into “town” but soon realised where this advice had come from. Very difficult if you haven’t been there before, the street signs are not much help and full of one way roads. Fortunately however with more luck than judgement I found Neil’s shop the Balancing Eel quite easily. Even more impressive for me was the fact I had managed to remember the directions given to me.

A quick stop for some lunch and a chat followed by a brief tour of the harbour, and yes it is a lovely place with great views and a stunning beach, I will be going back again. Then it was off, trying to find your way out of St Ives takes some effort and if you’re not careful it would be quite easy to end up going round and round and round. But I had local knowledge on my side, Neil had told me how to escape St Ives grasp and it wasn’t long before I was back out onto the A30 heading home. Decided to break the monotony of the A30 by heading back down through Truro, some nice little roads that way and a good opportunity to start work on removing the chicken strips.

Breakfast at Newquay

Wasn’t going to go out today but a last minute impromptu ride was arranged. Woke up to be greeted by sun couldn’t believe it thought I must still be dreaming. Headed off into town on the trusty Honda, Lucipher was polished up, covered up and tucked up in the shed and as I was running a little late and as Snowdrop needed a run off we went.

Not 5 minutes down the road and yep the rain was back, oh well. Take it easy, nice and smooth and avoid the man hole covers. Got into town to meet the others and as a break in the weather appeared we thought we would make the most of it and hit the road. For some reason Neil fell away from the pack so we pulled up and waited a while but he was nowhere to be seen so Webby turned back to find out what was up. Turns out Neil’s head gasket on his Busa had gone. He was worried about the mayo in the oil before we set off but put it down to the bike not having been used for a few months. Unfortunately the bike had overheated so most likely the head gasket. Webby and Neil nursed the bike back home and we carried on up to Newquay.

Arrived at Donna’s Café having already decided I wouldn’t partake in a breakfast as I had a roast dinner at 13:00 round the in-laws but upon arrival and seeing as a small fry up was only £2.50 and with the smell of bacon I changed my mind. (wish I hadn’t now!). Time was getting on and as I needed to be back for lunch I headed home. The weather was even worse by now. Managed to find my way back out onto the A30 and opened the throttle, the wind was howling the rain was beating down and hail had started to ping off my helmet, was I cold, a bit, was I wet, a little, did I mind, no way, did I have a smile from ear to ear, you bet!

Till The Next Time

Up at 09:00 (on a Sunday!) to get ready and check out the weather. Forecast wasn’t good but I had already decided to take Lucipher out for a ride today. I had second thoughts when I looked outside and was greeted by dark grey clouds with fog and constant drizzle. However, no I was looking forward to riding Lucipher and thought sod it, even though a few days previous I had spent a good few hours cleaning, polishing and generally fussing over the gixer to get her looking her best. Get a coffee, slap on a nicotine patch and get dressed. Thermals, fleece, back protector, big thick socks, bike trousers, jacket not necessarily in that order. Grab the rucksack, camera, balaclava in-case it gets even colder and tinted visor just in-case the sun does decide to come out and play, well and truly prepared that way. Said goodbye to the Mrs, unlocked the shed gave lucipher a quick once over to make sure everything was OK and I was off. Get such a buzz from the gixer, the noise is addictive and the handling is so direct and precise, plus it looks the dogs b*****s!

Plan was to meet Webby and his Busa at 10:00 outside Costa Coffee in town. Had to get some jungle juice before hand so decided to leave a tad early and stop off at the petrol station to fill up with the extra strong super stuff. Pass a group of 4 BMW riders heading in the opposite direction all nodding or flashing their lights. Bumped into Mrbit (he’s a window cleaner, get it?) and his GSX-R at the petrol station so we trundled off to Costa together. Webby was already there waiting with a coffee. Decided to pass on the coffee at those prices, anyway had one before I left and not much worse riding the bike needing a leak, every bump and jolt. Well you get the picture. We hang around for a bit waiting to see if anyone else local would turn up, discussing the disappointing weather and the joys of riding in the winter. No others show so we head off to Chiverton Cross via Truro, another meeting place to see if any other hardcore, none of your noncy fair weather riders would show. No, the lightweights bottled it and must have decided to have a lay-in instead. We stick around for a couple of mins, enough time for Webby and Mrbit to have a smoke and were off again, straight down the A30 to meet up with Ock and his R1 and Bladerunner with his RSV1000R at Café One in St Erth. The guys are there waiting for us, looking rather bloated after a large full English and by now it’s stopped raining, hooray. Brian and son turn up on his ZZR1100 but decide not to accompany us any further as they need to back in time for Sunday lunch. We hang around for a bit, catching up, kicking stones and tyres. I grab a few shots with the camera and we are off again.

Saddle up, helmet gloves on, we fire up the machines, Ock’s R1 exploding into life as he gives it a handful and we sedately! make our way back onto the A30 and head to St Michaels Mount in Marazion. Ock takes the lead, Bladerunner close behind with Mrbit and Webby in hot pursuit, I take up the rear gunner position. It’s started raining again, boo! A quick sprint and in no time were pulling into the car park to be greeted by Booty, Gary and Mrs. Time for a coffee I think, £2 for a small but it is fair trade, oh that makes it OK then! oh well, dig deep. We stick around, Booty describing the time his top box flew open and left his luggage strewn a mile up the road and nearly being taken out by a chicken crossing the road. Gary flicking through the new VFR brochure but his Mrs telling him he cant have one, he’s about to be made redundant. We sit and ponder for a bit drink our coffees while Webby demolishes a bacon bap, looks good must resist have my own Sunday lunch with the in-laws later. Take in the views of St Michaels Mount while the sun makes a brief appearance I grab a few more shots with the camera and decide where to next whilst watching a young lad wearing a high viz vest with Community Service written on the back sweep up. Sennen Cove is decided to be the final destination on today’s ride as the road there is one of the best in Cornwall and were all a bit soaked through plus the weathers not showing any signs of getting better. Mrbit leaves us at this point, has a dinner date with his girlfriend so we bid him goodbye.



So it’s back onto the road as a group of nearly 20 or so bikers pull in all waving and nodding as we pass, again Ock and Bladerunner set the pace. I follow with Webby behind followed by Booty on his VFR, Gary’s Mrs on the CBR400 and Gary on the 600. It’s not long before we leave the others behind as the four of us decide to stretch our legs on the super twisty final section of the A30 and head down to Sennen. Ock and Bladerunner knowing the road too well soon disappear off into the distance but were not far behind and soon catch up as they get stuck behind a car. We pull up and wait for the others to catch up and head down to Sennen for a brief stop. Passers by admiring the bikes, one old boy giving us a mime of sitting on a bike and revving it as he walks past and another young lad striking up a conversation with Bladerunner about his Aprilia. It’s still raining so we don’t stick around for long. We say our goodbyes and Webby and I head off back in the direction of St Austell. By now the sun is shining, sods law. Plenty of other bikers out on the roads by now as well and the roads are starting to dry out so in no time were back in St Austell. A quick flash of the full beam and Webby gives a wave, I turn off and head for home. Till the next time biker buddies.

Snowdrop

The hunt was on for another bike. Something for me to use during the winter months to save Luciphers fine complexion and as my wife was having lessons to loose the L plates something that she could also ride. So a dual function bike was required. Seeing as it needed to be reliable and start on the cold winter mornings a Honda was the brand of choice as rumour has it Hondas are reliable, time will tell. It also needed to be economic as Luciphers thirst is almighty as my bank account will prove. On those grounds we decided something in the region of a 500-600cc engine would suffice and would provide ample performance for both of us. The only real problem we had was finding a machine small enough to accommodate the Mrs, yet big enough for me.

After many trips to the local dealers mostly in vain and hours spent online researching various options, in particular what’s the seat height a glimmer of hope appeared via the internet, located at a dealer just down the road in the form of a Honda CBF500. It was affordable, good. Relatively new with low mileage, fully serviced, nice and clean and had obviously been looked after. A short trip in the trusty van to go and have a look and we weren’t disappointed. The Mrs was happy with the size and height and I was happy with that. A short negotiation commenced and a deal was done and it was arranged that I would collect the bike at the end of the week. May I introduce to you Snowdrop.

Shed

Well, fortunately the house doesn’t need much work doing, perhaps some redecoration in the near future but I know a man who can, the father in-law so that’s that sorted. My main priority was to get the shed sorted for Lucipher as winter was drawing in quick and every night she was sat out in the elements I had visions of rust and rot in every nook and cranny. The search for a reliable builder was uneventful after seeking advice from the local biker forum and one was employed to sort the concrete base.
A few weeks later the base was ready, a few days after that the shed was there, all done, MrB is a happy boy and can now relax in Cornwall. For those that know me will vouch for me when I say I like my shed/garages and home isn’t home without one.
Work on the shed to make it a home from home for Lucipher commenced. Fist thing I had to do was to paint the exterior so after some advice on what was best to use from the father in-law a purchase was made and on the next dry day job done. I had already decided I wanted to insulate it to keep things nice and toasty so spent a few days measuring and cutting with my newly purchased cheapo jigsaw, slotting well mainly punching and forcing slabs of insulation into place, perhaps my measuring isn’t up to much but all went well in the end and I was quietly impressed with my newly found Do It Yourself skills. I then decided I wanted some sort of flooring, so many hours were spent online looking for suitable products until I had finally decided what to get. A few days passed and a knock on the door, my flooring had arrived. Great another reason to get the tape measure and jigsaw out, I’m actually enjoying this! First the underlay went down then started the task of laying 120 tiles and whacking them into place, the final row needed cutting to size and what a good job I did even if I say so my self. My ply had arrived so I could start boarding out the interior, yep you guessed it more measuring and jigsawing, going to need a new blade at this rate. And this is where I’m at, need to get some more ply and some other bits to finish off but it’s been raining, surprise surprise so works been on hold for the moment.
When I complete the boarding I can paint the interior, put up some shelves and get the electrics in so nearly done, I think I might move in when its finished.

Move to Cornwall

Been living in Cornwall for 6 months now, already ! We decided to move down to the West Country to get away for all the hustle and bustle, and people that was West Sussex. To escape the rat race and enjoy a quieter, slower pace of life.

The mission was to find a nice house, in a quiet location with a dog friendly garden with an idea to build a large shed for the bikes, oh and affordable too. No big mortgage or debts thanks very much, no mortgage at all ideally. Well mission accomplished and as mentioned 6 months have passed. Wife has a job, I’m still looking albeit, slowly! Schnitzer our Rottweiler has relocated and settled in well and is making new friends with the local cows and sheep and horses and dogs that we now find on our door step, well not literally but just up the road. One of my main concerns with the move was how would the bike, my beloved Suzuki GSX-R600, aka Lucipher would fair in the back of a removal van and the 240 mile trip. Well I needn’t have worried the removal boys took very good care of her, the hardest part was unloading at our destination, much sweat (too many fags, not enough exercise) but in no time she was off the van, phew, relief. Perhaps a quick ride on the local roads, nope best un-pack first as I was reminded by her indoors, plenty of time for that!