erskine

I headed off this morning, in the rain, to meet up with, what I was hoping would be, loads of other Harleys.

We should have been leaving the Burger King at Hillington to ride out to Erskine Hospital. This was a charity run to raise funds for the hospital and was organised by the Royal British Legion Scotland Riders Branch. There were about twenty odd bikes at Burger King, most of them from RBLSR. There were one or two Harleys from Dunedin HOG but no-one from Clyde Valley. The rest of the bikes were a mixture of Japanese, British and European marques.
We headed off down the M8 to Erskine in the next shower. This one made me wish I had put on my face mask before I set off. It was that sort of stinging rain and the mask didn't do much good in my pocket.
there were a lot of bikes already there and a constant stream coming in all afternoon. Hopefully they will have raised a load of money for the charity. I hung around long enough to eat a couple of burgers, took time to listen to a couple of bands, had a good look round at the bikes and then got persuaded to join the RBLSR. As I served with the chair it seemed like the right thing to do.
Here's some photos:-

luggage

As it's pouring again today, I decided to start fitting my bags on to the bike.
It's been a while since I've used the panniers and they've got a couple of holes in the cross piece that the bags clip onto. As I couldn't remember which one to use, I thought it better to try them out while I've got time to experiment.
Just as well I did!
I fitted them every way I could think of but they still didn't seem right. Eventually got there. I had been trying to fit them without the sissy bar and side plates fitted. having them on means the cross piece has to fit over the top of the side plates so without it they were hanging loose.
As I'm using the bike to go to the Erskine Hospital charity ride on Sunday, I had planned on removing them for that but I may just keep them on to save the hassle.
Then I can get packed up through the week as I'll be leaving at sparrow fart on Friday.

"attractive" modification

Picked up a tip on a discussion forum this morning which I'm going to try out.

It's to fit some neodymium magnets to the oil filter. Apparently, these are the most powerful magnets commercially available. They cause any metal fragments, circulating in the oil, to stick to the inside of the filter housing. This can't be a bad thing. Rather that the magnets caught them than they go round and round the engine causing, who knows what sort of damage in there!
The magnets are available in all sizes but I bought disc shaped ones which are 12mm x 4mm. They were just under £7 for 20. If I stick a couple on at a time, the pack I've bought should last me for some time.
You can buy specially made magnets which are shaped and sized for individual filters but they are much more expensive, coming in at nearly £20 each.

I haven't been able to get out on the bike much, despite being off work. The wind and rain are still battering us here in Scotland. It's got to ease off sometime soon. Hopefully I'll get out at least one day this week. If the weather does get better, it will be a toss up as to getting out on the bike or going away camping.
I've bought a new sleeping bag as, no matter how much I try to convince myself, the old on is just not warm enough. I recall that the last time I used it in less than warm weather (up in Durness when I got rained off the camp-site!) it was cold!

wet weekend

It's been an absolutely terrible weekend weather-wise!
It's been windy and wet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that nature will get it's bad mood out of the way over the next few days and then get into summer mode before we head off at the beginning of June.
Not that it will stop me going camping. All I'll do is take the bigger tent. Then, if it is wet, I'll at least have a bit more room to move around and also to store wet stuff in slightly more comfort.
I didn't go out much on the bike at the weekend. Apart from riding around the streets for a bit, I spent the time getting the bike prepared for the run up to Gairloch. I spent an hour proofing the seat with wax leather treatment. So, if I am spending a prolonged time in the rain, the seams should keep most of the water out of the foam. I did the same to the panniers a while back so they should be somewhat waterproof. The roll top liners I've got will help keep the contents dry too.
This week I will spend some time getting my packing and loading right.
As there's a hotel nearby, which is offering food (including breakfast!) I wont need to pack too much in the way of cooking gear but may take the stove anyway. I was hoping to get away for an overnight to see how my sleeping bag is holding up. I think that the loft in the smaller one I've got may have given up and I'm not sure if it will still be as warm as it used to be. It's just getting old. If necessary, I will buy a new one but I'd like a chance to try it out first.

preparation

I've just bought myself a top cover for the bike.
It will just cover the top half. Maybe the name gave that away! But as it's only for occasional use when I'm out and about, that should be enough.
It will be handy for when I go away camping. It's very unlikely that the rain will stay off while we're up in Gairloch.
Although there's not much can be done about the bike getting wet while I'm riding, at least if it rains overnight the bike will stay relatively dry. It also means that I can leave stuff on the bike, in panniers, and they'll be covered.
All I need to buy now is a waterproof over-jacket. Then I should be just about weatherproof. I'm watching one on e-bay so will keep my fingers crossed I get it cheapish.
Someone posted the timings for everyone to meet up to ride up to Gairloch. I'm still pondering over whether to ride in the group or make my own way. I really should bit the bullet and try going with the rest of them. I can always separate if necessary, though I'm sure it will be OK.
I just can't wait to get away.

at risk of repeating myself

I posted yesterday about a new leather jacket that I had bought on e-bay.
But then blogger lost the post, so I'll briefly recap.
I ordered a GTH roadster jacket which, when it arrived, (really quickly), was a big disappointment.
The chest and shoulders fitted snugly but the waist was huge. Apart from that, the armour in it was extremely uncomfortable. The collar adjustment was of no use at all. All in all it was a disaster of a purchase, which was all the more disappointing as I really liked the retro style.
I was surprised at Silvermans, selling something so bad, as anything I've bought from them before was good quality. Maybe it's just me that couldn't get on with this particular jacket.
So anyway, I've packed it up, returned it and asked for a refund. I'll stick with the leather I've got for now.

jumped in

... with both feet, yet again.
I decided to buy a new GTH jacket from e-bay. I had been trawling to try to find some reviews of this particular jacket but couldn't find one. But, as it was from a company I have used before and have a good web presence outside e-bay, I thought I'd take a chance on their roadster jacket as I really liked the style.
How disappointed was I when it arrived? Even though it arrived in super fast time.
The fit is really weird. The chest and shoulders are snug, especially with the armour in. But the waist is huge. If I were to wear it on the bike the wind is bound to blow it up like a balloon. The collar is a buckled strap and it fits on the first hole, so there is absolutely no adjustment there either. I believe the jacket is made in Italy. Maybe Italian bikers are some weird shape.
The jacket just does not feel comfortable and I'm not sure that it ever will.
I don't want to take the chance so, I've contacted the seller and will return it ASAP.
Live and learn!

comfy

Well, the jacket I was thinking about bidding on finally went for nearly a hundred and seventy pounds. That was far more than I had planned on spending, especially on a second hand jacket. More than I can afford at this time too. So, I let it go and will look at another jacket soon.
I did buy the waterproofs and the roll bag.
I also went out for a run of about twenty miles this afternoon. It was mainly to try out the gel cushion. It works a treat and should make riding distance somewhat more comfortable.

I'm toying with the idea of getting the seat reworked and fitting the gel under the cover. I could narrow the front of the seat. Then, if I get a stretched tank in the future, it will fit better. I am considering doing the work myself. It will entail removing the leather cover and fitting the pad under it. I'm sure I could do it as putting it back together will involve rivets and not stitching. Though, on the other hand, maybe I should get it done properly!
I could take it to House of Custom as leather-work seems to be their one remaining speciality and then I could get a tooled insert put in at the same time. I would have the comfort of knowing that it would be done right. But then again doing things yourself can be fulfilling.

getting ready

I'm keeping an eye on a couple of auctions on e-bay.
These are for some things I intend to buy before I head off on my camping trip. I want to get a pair of waterproof trousers as the ones I've got now are just a little tight. Although they are good quality ones, they don't really offer much more protection from the rain than a cheaper pair would. Breathability is OK if you're walking but I don't think it's that necessary for sitting on a bike.
I'm also keeping an eye on a Belstaff jacket. It's one of the touring style leathers but, as the price has already gone over the ton, I'm just not too sure about paying that much for a jacket (no matter how good it is) when I've already got a perfectly serviceable one as it is! Over the last two years I've bought and re-sold three leather jackets. Each one has been better than the last and yet none of them cost me more than £40.
What I am going to buy though is a roll top bag. I found one which is a lot cheaper than the Nelson Rigg roll bag which I couldn't get because it's been discontinued. How lucky was that?
Will post pics when it comes.

I've got a week off later this month so will head off camping to try out the loading of the bike and get my back used to sleeping in a tent again before I set of for Gairloch at the beginning of June. I'm going to try out both tents on different trips. The smaller one may be easier to pack but I'd rather use the bigger as there's more space to move around and store gear in it. Going for a longer run will also give me the opportunity to road test the gel pad.

sore bum

I went for another couple of runs over the weekend. Had to make the most of the good weather before it goes.
On Sunday I rode for about fifty miles without a break. Although I managed it OK, by the time I got home my rear end was beginning to feel just a little numb.
As I'm going to be riding a good bit further, when I go away for the camping weekend at the beginning of June, I thought about getting some sort of removable cushion. That way I can still keep the look of the thin LePera seat but not have the discomfort after a long ride. (I am getting older even though I don't like to admit so much!)
I was thinking about a sheepskin as I have read that this is comfortable. The only problem is that I would have to cut and sew it myself to fit the seat. Also, it would probably smell a bit when it got wet.
I then came across a site on e-bay which sells gel pads in a neoprene cover. They are probably as expensive as sheepskin but have the advantage of coming in three sizes and are not affected by water.
I've ordered one and will report once I've used it.