Well as you can guess from the title I finally managed to get the Kawasaki down for an MOT. A few false starts as there were no slots available at the mot station, or I was too busy to get there, but finally it all came together. The bike ran ok to get there, the MOT tester was happy that the bike was roadworthy and we got the required certificate.

I got home, waited a few hours and then applied for tax online. Everything was showing as accepted, MOT, Insurance etc. so the tax went through without a hitch. So now we’re ready to go once more.

This was going to be the weekend I took the Z750 in for it’s MOT and got ready to ride again. The Kawasaki had other plans though. Running through the lights to make sure they all worked, and my previous temporary repair to the high beam/low beam switch gave up. The screw replacing the original thumb push just broke out of the internal switchgear. So no high beam.

Luckily when Big Al got his Z750 he replaced both handlebar switch controls, so there was a spare in the garage. The problem was the wires had been cut (not by Al I hasten to add) so the loom would need connecting in some way. I decided that soldering was the best course of action.

I removed the left hand control switches and cut back the wiring to a point I could access easily, and that had a previous taped repair anyway. I then mounted the “new “ set of control switches, and put the cable through to cut to match the existing bit. So far so good.

Out came the trusty soldering iron, and solder. The first wire was matched to its new partner, and both were tinned and then held together and the iron applied to melt the solder together. Success. Cover the exposed wires and on to the next. The second one also went well. It’s after that things become difficult.

The 2 previously soldered wires now have a tendency to push the others away from each other so twisting and bending becomes the only choice. 3rd and 4th wires done, the 5th wire becomes difficult to position, solder and hold all with just two hands. If you ever want to learn new swear words and new and innovative sentences containing swear words, just turn up when someone is in this predicament. The burnt fingertips and many badly soldered joints which have to be redone are not good for the nerves.

By wire number 7 the whole world seems to have turned against you, and everything nearby is in danger of a kick or getting thrown if it gets in the way. Add some wind cooling the solder rapidly and things get real ugly.

Anyway in the end all 8 wires are soldered, 4 fingertips are burnt and none of the neighbours will let their kids anywhere near in case they pick up some bad words. But joy of joys it all works and now all is right with the world once more. Peace is restored to the Sabbath.

So next time it’s the MOT test. Be afraid…..

I finally decided it was time to get to work on the Z750 twin and maybe get the mot done. I removed the cover and looked at the bike and decided I should replace the torn seat cover as I have had one sitting around which was made by another Z750 twin owner (Thanks Phil).

So I removed the 3 securing bolts and took off the seat. Removed the dangling trim, and prised up the clips holding the cover in place. Luckily the base is in good condition, a rarity on Japanese bikes of this vintage, but this was so I was happy. I covered the stickers underneath the seat and then painted the base to tidy it up.

After waiting for the paint to dry which should take 24 hours according to the tin but in this case was less than 10 minutes, I started to fit the new cover. Impatient? Me? So I pulled it tight across the foam, and started pulling it over the sharp pointy clips at the front. With the help of my wife I worked along one side, then the other pulling it very tight and pushing th4e foam down to ensure a nice smooth crease free finish.

Eventually it was all pulled on, and as we’d gone round we’d also put on a piece of black trim my dad had picked up from an autojumble which helped keep the cover in place and finish off the edge nicely. A little trim and the seat was ready to refit complete with fingerprints in the soft paint on the underside.

Then I made the decision to start the Kawasaki Twin and a couple of kicks saw it breathe fire once again. But only briefly before it coughed on one cylinder, and then the remaining one gave up trying to drag its dead brother. The last excursion fault had reared its head again, but I had an idea it was one of the carbs and they’d need removing and stripping. Impatience and laziness fought that one out, and laziness won. So I put the cover back on.

One week later and I had worked up enthusiasm to remove the carburettors, which involved removing the side panels, petrol tank and 4 hose clamps. Wriggled out the carbs and removed the cables so I could work on them.

Starting with a diaphragm check, I removed the tops of the carbs and held up the diaphragms to the light and tugged lightly. Both were fine. I stripped the carb bowls off, and checked the floats, and needles and blew in the pipes while holding the floats up to check they were shutting off, and opening with the float movement. All ok. A quick clean through the venturi (holes to you and me) with some cleaner spray, and clean up the inaccessible parts with some more spray and it was time to refit them.

After the carbs were back on, I put the tank and covers back and got ready to start the bike again. That’s where the cats come into it. On the new seat cover I noticed some small pin pricks, and claw marks where the cats have been using the bike as a resting place and clawing the the seat to pull themselves up on their preferred spot. GRRRRRR. Anybody need a tennis racquet restrung, I know where to get some catgut. Also I feel so much less sympathy for Tom when Jerry hits him with a frying pan or other blunt object on Cartoon Network now.

Luckily the Z750 twin started on the second kick, and ran perfectly for ten minutes or so at various throttle settings. Hopefully it can now be ridden for its mot in the near future ready to be taxed and ridden again in 2009. Watch this space…

The Z750 has been rested up for the winter. Last year I paid the money to tax it all year round, but found that the winter was cold, and colder on a bike than in the car, who’d have thought it?

So this year I saved the money and took the bike off the road to carry out a few repairs etc on it while it was stood up. So far since October till now in mid February I have erm  well left the old Kawasaki covered up nice and warm and not looked under the cover since. But I did think about removing the seat to fit a new cover. I also considered cleaning and repainting some parts. But none of it happened.

So there you have it then, 4 months of absolutely nothing happening summed up into 3 paragraphs. Probably could have stretched it a bit and said how I’d also given some consideration to removing the carburettors for a good check over and clean out, but that would have been pushing it as the thought didn’t cross my mind until just a moment ago when I was trying to come up with something to write.

Soon though it will go for this years MOT and be taxed and ridden again, and I’m considering buying slim and fit Al’s Z750 off him if I can raise the funds. So look in again soon to see what’s happening.

Another weekend and another event planned, this time it was a trip to Silverstone to see the British Superbikes race and see if Shane “shaky” Byrne could win the 2008 title in the first race of the day.

But first, I had to wait for Dazza to arrive on the ZZR1100 which he did, at the agreed time, very cold and with a very cold girlfriend riding pillion. So they warmed up for a while at chez nous, I had already got the Z750 out of the garage, and waiting to go so as soon as they were ready we set off.

From my house it’s not a long ride to Silverstone circuit, a quick trip up the A5 to Towcester, left to the A43 and a Z750 speed blast along the dual carriageway saw us there in around 20 minutes or so. We placed our crash helmets in the charity coach for £2 to save us carrying them, and after a quick wander found a seat in the Luffield stands to watch some bike racing.

After watching the Triumph Triples race, we moved to a better vantage point to watch the 1000cc class racing, and found a great spot to view a few bends and the final chicane, and the pit straight. Marvellous. We were well attended as Dazza’s ‘ho’ went back and forth for provisions. Only don’t tell her I called her his ho, as she is a bit sensitive about that.

Anyway after a few races, and a classic racers display to celebrate the 60th year of Silverstone, the Superbikes were on. This being my first time I had to have some video, and pics of the events, and had already taken a few of the other racers. So when the Superbikes did their parade lap, I had the camera on video and recorded this clip.

Then I started the video recording as they cam around the first lap, only for the batteries to go flat just as the bikes arrived in view. DOH!

I do have some pics and videos to put up of all the other stuff later, but unfortunately no superbikes ones. But I was engrossed in watching the action anyway, those guys are awesome to watch as the wheels slide away on a bend yet they carry on feeding in power and clicking up the gears, they have some serious balls. Some of the overtaking at the chicane was spectacular too, watching the subtle change of line to get an exit on the inside of the other guy, all while manhandling a bike through a sharp left-right turn and getting back on the power. WOW.

There was some more action from other classes of bikes, and then the Second Superbikes race, which featured more of the same thrills, and spills. If you have never seen them ‘cept on TV then get to a live British Superbikes race, it’s so much better being there firsthand.

And all too soon it was time to go home. We stood in a long line to retrieve our helmets from the storage coach, then got back to the bikes. The Z750 started on the button after a few attempts, as I was too lazy to kick it this time. I decided to go with Dazza out along the A43 towards the M40 which may be a better way for him to get home. I peeled off at the A422 to Buckingam, after a stint at 70 on the dual carriageway which the old twin buzzed along ok.

Through the country lanes was a bit of a nice ride, and through the old town of Buckingham it was all just a great steady run towards home. Then a few miles to the Milton Keynes side of Buckingham the Kawasaki started to miss a little. It would clear at low or high throttle but midrange missed badly. UH OH.

I nursed the sick twin to the Old Stratford A5 roundabout, and steadily around it. At the other side it seemed to clear a little. Then about a mile from home I lost power on one cylinder completely. It’s luckily a slow bit of road, so I didn’t need to hold up traffic as I limped the Z750 into the housing estate where I live. There I managed to keep it going through the last few turns to make it home.

As it was getting dark I’ve had no time to look at the bike yet, but I’m hoping it’s just a sparkplug, or something in one of the carbs. Still winters nearly here, and the tax and mot run out in October with no plans to renew through the winter anyway I have plenty of time to sort out the stricken twin.

It was a bit of an “on-off-on” affair really. We booked the bikes in (that’s Delboy and his BSA A7 and me and the Z750 Twin) a few months ago as exhibits at a local classic vehicle show. The night before we were to be going, Delboy rings and we both decide we can’t be arsed to go to the show anyway. As I put the phone down and contemplated a quiet day, the long suffering wife chimes in with “I’d like to go, so would Phoebe”

So we decided we’d go anyway, I can show the Z750, and we’ll all get into the museum and show free and it’d be a nice family day out. Sunday morning, and Delboy rings to check once more if we’re going, I tell him the latest, and he and his mate Austin decide they’re coming up to Milton Keynes, and showing their bikes. So it’s all back on.

Anyway, Delboy and Austin arrived on their BSA’s, as I finish a quick spruce up of the Kawasaki (degrease the wheels, and wipe off the mud and crap from the roads). We saddle up and head for the epic journey to Wolverton, I say epic, it’s about 2 miles or so from my house. We arrive at the museum, get waved through even though Austin isn’t actually entered. Then my wife and daughters arrive in the car and we go back to get them in on the exhibitors passes. Parked the bikes along with the other exhibitors and went to get our exhibitor numbers. But first a pic of me and the Z750 twin, with Delboys BSA just in view on the right.

Here is a shot of the Z750 twin with Delboys BSA, and Austins BSA just behind it, and all the other bikes along this side of the track.

Here is a better pic of Austin and his BSA which was involved in an accident earlier this year, and he and Delboy repaired it (for more on this, follow this link)

It turned out to be a brilliant warm and sunny September day, and the bikes and cars turned up in great numbers to fill the museums grounds. We had a walk around the manor house / museum and then around all the bikes, cars and stationery engines for a few hours.

There were some great looking bikes at the show from all the different continents. Old British bikes like the ones below…

Some Japanese classics like the Honda nestled in this pic….

It seems every year more and more Japanese classics are being restored, and ridden to these shows, evidence below….

It seems as if the British bike dominance of classic bike shows is slowly coming to an end as the Japanese classics from the sixties, seventies and eighties become the new classics.

It was a beautiful sunny day, with lots to see, and a myriad of classic bikes and cars, but soon it was time to leave. We went back home with a load of pictures, and a plaque to commemorate our bikes being in the Wolverton Museum show 2008. Hopefully we’ll do it all again next year.

It was suggested a few weeks back that a few of us meet up and go to Santa Pod, and watch our mate Rob run his Suzuki GSX 1300 Hayabusa down the 1/4 mile drag strip. Weather permitting it was decided this weekend of the 13th Sept 2008 being a RWYB (run what ya brung or as we refer to it break what ya brought) meeting at the Pod was the one we would attend.

After the usual umming and aaahing, and last minute decisions it was decided I would meet the gang at 8:45 near Newport Pagnall. As the rest of the gang have to come from various places such as Ascot (the not so posh part), Farnbrough (the decidedly rough part) and Maidenhead (well someone has to live there right big gay Al?) and Hanworth (lets just say Hanworth and be done) and all meet up on the M25 to come up the M1 to jct 14 to get to the pod, and Milton Keynes (the new city) is the main reason for junction 14 it made sense.

So I got up on Saturday morning, surveyed the grey skies and wet roads, and almost cancelled. But the trusty weather people did say it would be brighter during the day so I held off. I pulled the cover off the Z750 and wheeled the bike out of the drive and onto the road for the first time in a while. Got my biking gear on, received a phonecal from Dazza to say they were on their way having met up with Rob, Big Gay Al and Steve.

Two kicks and the Kawasaki 750 twin fired up. I checked the fuel gauge (read stuck a screwdriver in the tank to dip the level) and begged for some petrol money, and entrance fee from the long suffering Sue. I set off for Newport Pagnall, filling up along the way, or as close to filling up as a fiver gets these days. I waited a short time in the layby and within a few minutes the motley crew arrived. Late by a minute, but that was better than my estimates of them had been based on past experience.

We rode the A509 to Bozeat, stopping for Rob to fill the ‘Busa on the way, then through the old routes to Santa Pod at a steady (Z750 twin) pace. The roads were damp, and a little slick in places and I took the stick for being cautious when we all arrived (safely obviously due to the very caution I was berated for). We all paid to get in, and parked in the compound

In the picture above you can see Steve admiring his own bike (very nice Blue and Yellow Suzuki something) next to the star of the show (yes I do mean the Kawasaki Z750 twin) which has Dazzas Kawasaki ZZR 1100 to the right. Als 1200 (bum) Bandit is on the far left. This was taken just at the finish line of Santa Pods 1/4 mile.

Here is another view of Steve and the bikes, notice the devolution from the classic lines of the Z750 Twin to the ZZr of Dazza next to it, still I suppose Kawasaki designers thought they were going forward to reach that (deluded fools). To the right you can see Robs Hayabusa just sneaking onto the picture, I was trying to avoid having too many Suzukis in any one shot but never mind.

As we waited for the track to dry out, Dazza and Rob went down to sign on and scrutineer for the days drag racing, and we looked around the pits at the other bikes (pics to come when Big Gay Al sends them to me). There was a fantastic looking Kawasaki Z1000 and a Z900 both of which raced against each other later in the day. I think the Z1000 done a 10 second 1/4 mile if memory serves. While we were looking around, I saw that of all the 5 bikes we had arrived on, one was being looked over, and admired. Yep some guy was wandering around basking in the glory of the Z750 twin, ignoring the ZZR, Bandit, Hayabusa and that other Suzuki.

Soon the sun appeared, and racing started. A scant 3 hours after we first arrived, Dazza and Rob got their turns on the drag strip. Unfortunately they were against other opponents, not each other. Both lost out, in both cases it was lost at the start line with poor reaction times. Both were catching up their opponents all the way up the 1/4 mile though, they said so, so it must be true.

A short while later (2 hours is not long to wait to see such legends) Dazza and Rob pulled around to the staging area for their second runs, and they would be racing each other in the grudge match of the decade (I have to make this sound interesting now, you’ll see why). The bikes in front of them staged and took off, then the right hand lane rider had a chain malfunction and left bits down the strip. Cue a clean up, and Dazza and Rob waiting (im)patiently near the start line.

Then it was on, the tannoy announced “in the left hand lane Darren on his ZZR 1100 currently no. 1 in the 11.3 second class with an 11.30 in the first round, and in the Right hand lane Rob on the Suzuki Hayabusa in the 10.30 class with an 11.2 on his first run”. Tension ran high (or probably didn’t but that’s how we writers of history are supposed to put some pizzaz into it) the staging lights came on, the christmas tree counted down to green. Two green lights, a mere 4 tenths of a second and Dazza was away, and just a half a second after that Rob finished his fag, and followed.

Okay, reaction times were off a bit, Dazza took the win courtesy of his 0.4 to Robs 0.9 and only a tenth of a second separated their 1/4 mile times. Dazza’s ZZR an 11.2, Robs Busa an 11.1. See the race in all its glory here now.

It now being late afternoon, and little chance of a third run for the 2 drag racing duellists we made a group decision to head home. I’m sure I heard a gasp of apprciation from all present when the Z750’s twin cylinders burst into life with one kick, unless it was just me gasping for breath with the exertion, you draw your own conclusions.

We all stopped just before the boys went down to the M1, and I carried on across the top of Milton Keynes for a final bit of ribbing. I was criticised for my riding technique, until I pointed out that at least I could get my bike pulled away the same day I was intending to, and not have to be sent a letter in advance that a light was going to go green and I could move when it did as we’d seen from some people that day.

A good fun day all in all, and was good to meet up with the old friends, even if they were jealous of the Z750, I can understand that after all.

One of the guys at one of the companies where I look after the forklifts has a Triumph Spitfire. Said car would not start so I offered to assist in getting it back in the land of the living. So Saturday saw the great red beast breathe fire once again.

OK so I started the Z750 twin to go to the guys house and look at the Spitfire. It took a few more kicks than usual to start the fire in the engine as I’d left the fuel on last time I was out on it, but 3 kicks on a 30 year old bike can’t be moaned at.

One bit of fun was coming off one of MK’s many roundabouts alongside a Mercedes convertible. Winding on the Z750 kept the Merc in check up to 70 then I backed off to take it easy again. A quick blast is fun , but a nice steady ride is just as good. The trip was over too soon.

As for the Triumph Spitfire, that just needed something to burn, as the fuel was “dead” in the carburettors. A quick splosh of petrol in the carb inlets and a turn of the key and it burst into life and idled roughly until some fresh fuel got through to the twin carbs.

Then it was a short ride back home again. Nothing to report on that as the Kawasaki just done its thing to get us home. Great way to spend a couple of hours, riding, and playing with engines.

Last week was a bit busy, so I didn’t update the blog with the latest quick trip. Nothing spectacular happened, Big Gay Al came up on his (bum) Bandit 1200 and we talked crap for a while. Then he decided he needed to pick up a birthday present for his brother.

We decided to go to a well known supermarket which rhymes with Al-fresco (Lily Allen used it to great effect) and buy an Xbox 360 game. As usual the nearest store was deemed too close so we took a ride out to one a little further away.

Al wondered what was happening because the decision that the nearest store was too near was kind of unilateral and kept secret. He dutifully followed the Z750 though, at first because he wasn’t sure which way to go, then because he didn’t know where we were going

A fairly uneventful journey, except for my exhuberance coming off one roundabout which led to the poor old Z750 being over revved to within a few revs of its life. It took it though, and still lives.

Then this weekend my wife announced we were going to go to the cafe for breakfast. On the Z750. With her riding pillion. All a bit of a shock really given her previous dislike of all things two wheeled, especially when she is asked to be part of the cargo.

So it was that Saturday morning saw the Z750 wheeled out of its parking bay and kicked to life again. This was in spite of the rain which was just starting to fall from the sky. Long term reader(s) may recall I have an aversion to getting wet/riding in anything other than brilliant sunshine. This wasn’t good, and my long suffering wife was not to be deterred by a bit of water, oh no.

So both of us in jeans and motorcycling jackets we set off for the Super Sausage on the A5. I was thinking to myself, it’s not far, I won’t get too wet going there. And I was right, we arrived just slightly damp. We had a great breakfast, and put our jackets and helmets back on to go back home.

As we walked out the door it seems there was a bit of extra water waiting for our departure, as the previous drizzle had turned into some larger and more frequent drops of precipitation. We had to get home, so we just went for it. We arrived home quite wet, my wife less so as I had sheltered her with my body, but jeans are not waterproof. At least it’s summer so the rain was just above freezing and my legs didn’t go too numb.

The main thing is we both enjoyed the short trip as it gives my wife more confidence to get on and go further next time. And that’s a good thing, honest. As for the Kawasaki, its torquey twin engine doesn’t even seem to notice whether there is any extra weight there, it just does its thing pulling like the proverbial train whatever you do. Can’t complain at that can you?

Today my neighbour Emma wanted to dust off some cobwebs from her and the R1, so we arranged a short rideout for a quick blast. First things first the R1 was thirsty so we headed to the nearest garage to quench it’s thirst. The Kawasaki under me felt twitchy for some reason, but when we reached the garage I could find no reason.

Once the Yamahas tank was full, we hit the roads of Milton Keynes for our ride. The mad biker chick was soon on full song, and disappearing in the distance. I realised the reason for the twitchy feel of the Z750 twin was the high crosswinds, as I fought to keep it straight. About two miles down the dual carriageways I caught site of Emma waiting for me. She pulled out behind me as we headed up the A509 towards Olney. Then there was a flash of red and white and she was off again, I was sitting at a comfortable Z750 speed, as she overtook some cars up the hill towards the first section of single carriageway.

Across a roundabout I had a toy with a BMW as he went to overtake, and left him in the outside lane (teehee beaten by a thirty year old classic bike) but Emma was still nowhere to be seen. Next roundabout I went across expecting to see her waiting somewhere ahead. I went up to Olney and turned round and headed back. The wind was getting stronger, and made riding a chore, so I headed home.

I arrived to a chorus of “you ok?” from my wife and daughter, as the mad biker chick had got back an age before. It appears she turned back long before I did, when she realised I hadn’t turned left as she had expected at one of the roundabouts (as no route had been agreed beforehand the chaos was only to be expected.)

Never mind, both bikes got an airing, and we both agreed it wasn’t such fun with the winds blowing us around anyway. The Z750 twin has had a bit of a busy weekend in comparison to the last few weeks, and hopefully the summer will give us more opportunities to ride it more often.