Saul

Been out polishing my Italian turd this morning. Just cracked 800 miles since I bought it two weeks ago. All good so far. No rocket but really good for commuting.

The last time I looked there were 3 Triumph factories in Thailand. I don't know if they actually assemble bikes there or if they do to what markets they are supplied to. Its was hinted they did sell Thai Bonnevilles in Britain, in the press here a few years ago. That may not have been accurate so what you say may very well be. It's a moot point as to weather a British bike is british because it has been assembled here and to be honest I don't really care. For me it's all about quality and reliability wherever its built. Of the three Honda's in our household two of them were assembled in Italy. There are plenty of Nissans assembled here with one hell of alot of French parts, does that make them Japanese, French or British? As to the original point I think RE have a steep task to outsell the small Triumphs, as Buck says it all depends on price. They won't do it on looks IMHO. People love Triumphs here, me included.

Narcissism?

True but the Himalayan is priced on a par with the 400X, I don't see that RE can significantly undercut the Speed 400 with the Guerilla. Also RE carries the stigma of Indian POS as Pete would have told us and I have heard it many times in the flesh. Triumph not so much, as yet, even though many are built out of the UK although that could change if they new 400 proves to be problematic. For the record I do still like the Interceptor and old model Himalayan so I hopefully don't share that bias.

I think Triumph has cornered the everyday small bike market with those 400's in the UK. I had a close look at the new Himalayan a few days ago and from my point of view it is an ugly fucker from every angle, to heavy and to big. I would be interested to see the new Guerilla in the flesh but I don't think it has a chance against the Speed 400 in terms of sales.

Easy to say not so easy to do in practice where I live and wasn't really the question I asked. The seat was part of customising the bike to her, I am going with lower shocks to get the balls of her feet into play, which can be reversed when she has built her confidence through practice. I may do the forks but we shall see. At the end of the day you can find videos to back every opinion but I know my daughter and will do what I think is best for her.

Don’t be silly, don’t you think I haven’t already tried that, and a Dax and a Monkey. She has her heart set on a red CB125F.

In the process of doing that but confidence needs to be built, and I think lowering the bike is a viable way to help my daughter out.

Got a cryptic message from Martyn asking if I fancied a ride for breakfast in the morning. So I got up to 4Turnings roundabout for 10:00am. Shadow in tow as always. Anyway Martyn was there with his V85T Guzzi, then Andy turned up with his Triumph Scrambler 900 and of course Gary with his 1973 Bonnie. Martin said he had found this place called Rainbow Bikes near Ashburton in fucking East Devon. I asked him what he was taking us to he said don’t worry they are legit and have a good trip advisor rating for the food. So off we went, got 5 miles to the first junction and we lost Gary, fucking broken down. Why he rides that museum piece I don’t know. Anyway Andy goes and rescues him and takes him to get a spare clutch cables as that was all it was. Martyn and I headed up to Saltash for him to get fuel. while they fixed the Bonnie. To be fair they were only 20 minutes behind us but Gary was spouting some story about how he got to 85 to catch us up, normally he reckons he can’t see above 70 because of the vibes. Old Triumph speedos, I don’t know. Anyway reunited we blast, well I say blast but sat at 65 for Gary is probably closer to the mark, up the A38 Devon Expressway to Ashburton and Rainbow Bikes. Turns out the rainbow comes from them being an electric scooter and bike shop. Benelli Dealership as well. Nice Old Sunbeam in the car park Well the café was very good and their half charge breakfast (electric theme) was bloody good. Note to self don’t park over an oil patch to avoid paranoia. I found out later that an old BSA was in the same spot as me before we got there Fed and watered we headed for the south coast through the South Hams to Brixham for an ice cream. Got the ice cream and had a mooch around the harbour where Gary board us all about fucking wood working and his paper driving license Well, Brixham done we headed back through the South Hams which is stunningly beautiful even if the roads are congested shit, to the A38 and home. Bloody roads around Plymouth are so congested, the last 2 miles to the Tamar Bridge we filtered the whole way as the traffic was gridlocked. Not even school holidays yet. Trip stats when I got home were 6 hours and 157 miles Good day out on the old CBF600 which is running like a Honda. Good company, fed and a few laughs mostly at Gary’s expense . Shadow has gone to bed knackered and I’m chilling before work tonight. Many bikes out today. So much traffic though, gonna stay off the A38 and A30 as much as possible until the season is over the congestion does my head in, to many close squeaks for comfort, mostly Gary but still to many people around.

Wow thanks for that research, could well be the answer if the shocks alone don't do it. It's not a massive amount needed I reckon 25mm to 35mm could be the answer for Chloe.

I’m not sure how much you know about teenager fashion but everything she has is stretchy and spray on, I do take your point about bike jeans but that’s not the issue in her case. Here is a picture of the top yoke, the fork tubes are bolted into it. So without finding a traditional one with pinch bolts or having it modified or something custom made it’s not really the first option. Shorter forks springs and shaving the tubes maybe an option but I’m going to try the shorter shock’s first. I do also take the point about smaller wheels but that maybe a sledgehammer to crack a nut and probably not a cost option in this instance.

Right a serious question for once. Now you all know how bike obsessed Chloe my youngest daughter is. Well she is tiny 5’1” and her CB125 has her right on her tip toes in standard form. I have just had the seat sculpted by 2” or 50mm but she still struggles to get the balls of her feet down because of the bikes width. I have looked at lowering the front forks in the yoke but that’s not easy as the are only pinch bolts in the bottom yoke, so not really an option unless the were a custom top yoke to replace the top one where the forks actually bolt in. So I’m thinking some lower rear shocks to bring the seat down although I know the steering geometry will be effected I’m hoping there is still the option of sneaking 25mm to 50mm. The standard rear shocks are set to their lowest rebound but Chloe is too light for any suspension sag to help out. The standard rear shocks measure 335mm pin to pin whereas they are listed as 345mm by suppliers. I have found a set of shocks for a YBR125 on EBay that look right with the right pin size and they are listed at 310mm. They are only £44 a pair so I am thinking this could be the answer. ? Custom seat. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116102078631?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D259211%26meid%3Dad4105dc1a414b5fb4940b98a213298d%26pid%3D101196%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D7%26sd%3D144679598671%26itm%3D116102078631%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D4429486%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithBBEV2bAndUBSourceDemotionWithUltimatelyBoughtOfCoviewV1&_trksid=p4429486.c101196.m2219&itmprp=cksum%3A116102078631ad4105dc1a414b5fb4940b98a213298d|enc%3AAQAJAAABUKAGZatwWrSFioKhyF05YYps7xtgOI2Vu0BqB4BERv%2FNTfrUNkP50TZAJfREiGj7R%2BA2x2E5zTqSs43jfR6uCcmt8%2B%2BTUdobg9SfOq%2BIqjUBsMC43q52NIb9OO%2By06BpV6mD6PW6%2Fr6C2t7t154ja88MhM1Zguc%2FD%2Foq3nSJJqMB9rEvJxPlsyKcS7H4JJmIFxsBx5mghJPYINK5F%2BUamfJJQBYNcEPrUWDUYlEibh28GZfNIFNLiUbFsR%2FcTntJCM3AvhDxBvlB7f5KUaZ1eKjvOQ%2BA6WUwExB98j9cglqvch9kIEeYW5SajIieHB8CqXs7J0uB0cXznS1UqJxN4xONbiUt4NfMV2Mk9pK15RSZleUgQkh3pRBZOWnU8oYEBVuwHh%2F23dzgLF%2FLva3FmlaAkYn%2BUGbjxrCtBCQxxQ%2BKXinv1qxaxFzW%2F1h%2FtkEujA%3D%3D|ampid%3APL_CLK|clp%3A4429486&itmmeta=01J1J4GNTJNH58YHATE97C0GJE

Do you know I was thinking that, he normally is pretty brazen and thick skinned.

All this boasting, you are definitely compensating for some severe inadequacy . Oh yeah and you are 7 foot tall with biceps like fat girls legs. Definitely something wrong with just being you, that you are trying to make up for.

You can talk, sex pest

They aren't any prettier in the flesh, very good bike apparently but have met the ugly stick. The GSX8-R with a full fairing looks much better.

Dunno we never found out, when it didn't happen after 10 years of trying we decided to go the adoption route rather than IVF. I do have a 36 year old son from a previous relationship, but who knows blanks or no not really important to me.

New boots. I know it’s obvious but new rubber certainly gives a noticeable transformation. Not that I was attempting any heroics on brand new fresh rubber but massive improvement.

I hate to disappoint you all but all three of my kids are adopted so any resemblance is just good luck.

Don't mention her on here much but it was my eldest's last day at Duchy College yesterday (centre frame with sunglasses). No longer a student and out in the real world. I couldn't be more proud of her, a lovely young lady and probably the only adult in our family.

I wish I knew it better. Been down there on the piss a few times and I did have a girlfriend that moved there many years ago but I haven't been there for probably 30 years excepting today. Hayle I know a little better.

That thing looks like it should be in a Judge Dredd movie.

I never thought I would utter these words but I do think that looks pretty smart.

Stunning weather here, nothing important to do so just went for a bimble that turned out being 5 hours and 110 miles. For starters I got one of this mesh things to see it it helped Shadows ever sensitive butt. It works apparently . And yes before anyone mentions it I know it makes my bike look like a Himalayan that has had a Temu parts cannon fired at it But if it stops the moaning I will bear it. Got through morning St Austell school run congestion then on to Truro where some bell end in a white A4 fulfilled the stereo type and near rear ended us. Frightened the fuck out of Shadow who proceeded to give him her whole vocabulary of expletives and gestures when we pulled up beside him at the next lights . It’s her angry time of the month, the rage she’s demonstrated is quite disturbing. A few more miles and I took the wrong turning and rode through Penryn town centre to Falmouth. Of course we couldn’t ride past Maccies, I thought a McFlurry would calm the beast plus I needed a bladder break. We rode onto Falmouth Station car park (free to bikes) then walked down to events square for a look at the river. At this point Shadow was raging because we never fitted the giant top box for our helmets and jackets as we had to carry them. Actually I will next time I thought it was a good idea if we are going to mooch about when it’s hot. Having done Falmouth we headed further west to Helston as Shadow has never been there and I haven’t for years. More free parking Then we walked into Helston for a Costa Stunning weather but my head was glistening according to my company Suitably fed and watered we headed off to Wendron. An absolutely stunning village on the way to Redruth. Managed to get out of Dead Rough, as it’s known down here, unscathed and stopped in Scorrier for some fuel, CBF averaging 58mpg. Then out onto the new A30 and blast back to Innes Downs and home through the clay country. Stunning ride with great company, much as I moan about Shadow we get on really well and laugh a lot. The CBF is running like a Honda, a very comfortable pleasant way to travel. Will even pick up its skirts and blast along with a few revs, best £1100 I have ever spent. Now chilling, while Shadow is off down the beach with her mate, having worn me out for the day.

Ordicall here