Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2020 i BIKE

‘… one of two with a turbocharger that bumps power from 90 to 126bhp’ American designer Craig Vetter is best known for his Windjammer fairings and the Triumph X-75 Hurricane cruiser, but perhaps his most prophetic work was this, the Mystery Ship. Based around the Kawasaki Z1000, he built ten in 1980 – the one you see here is #6, and is one of two with an RC Engineering turbocharger that bumps power from 90 to 126bhp. It sold for £42,133 at the recent Bonhams auction in Vegas. The Mystery Ship – named after a record-breaking race aircraft that was the first civilian plane to beat military rivals in a race – looks peculiar to modern eyes, but was one of the first superbikes to feature a nose fairing that…

‘I wanted to do something super-modern, as if we were going to contest the Battle of the Twins’ WHEELS Thanks to a 140kg weight target every component had to be ultra light. Wheels are Rotobox carbons from a BMW R nineT. ROAD LEGAL It’s a street legal trackday special, so indicators and numberplate can be removed in minutes. Headlight can be covered with a silicon plug. BODYWORK All made by Scott: ‘I’ve only done bodywork from scratch once before so doing the moulds, carbon lay-up and finishing was a challenge for me.’ SWINGARM Made by Scott from 4130 chromoly tube, the swingarm is a thing of beauty. Shaft is R nineT and tyre is 200-section. DIMENSIONS Bar-seat-peg dimensions are 5% bigger than a normal sportsbike because the owner is 6ft…

» If, like us, your knees went weak when details of the Aprilia RS660 were announced last year, you might like to get yourself to the Aprilia All Stars event at Mugello, 9 May. Aprilia have just revealed that the RS660 will be doing demonstration laps – the first time it will have been seen in action. There’ll also be all the usual live music, delicious race track food (no, really, this is Italy), racer interviews, hundreds of classic Aprilia race bikes, demo laps by the Aprilia MotoGP team, plus the first outing of the Aprilia Sport Championship. The latter is a swarm of teenagers on four-stroke versions of the RS250, so the gravel traps will be busy. The event is free. » More details: aprilia.com…

‘Higher compression and leaner fuel/air mixtures is a recipe for more power and better emissions’ » The idea of squirting fuel straight into the combustion chamber is nearly as old as the internal combustion engine itself – although it’s proved hard to perfect. In diesels, the first direct injection designs appeared in the late 1800s, and direct-injected petrol engines appeared on German aircraft in WW1. But it was WW2 that really proved the idea, with most German aircraft using direct-injection. This was largely thanks to one company – Bosch – which later supplied PDI for the legendary 1954 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing and is still a leader in the technology today. With bikes, direct injection was touted as a potential saviour of the two-stroke. Bimota tried it with the ill-fated…

Having bought a new Kawasaki ZXR 750 H1 in 1989 its swan song (it was part exchanged for a Fireblade the following year) was a trip to the 1997 Bol D’or at Paul Ricard. Three of the highlights were glorious weather for the entire week long trip, Kawasaki winning with two of the three pilots being Brits (Terry Rymer and Brian Morrison from memory), and a run back through the Alps on the route de Napoleon for a stop off in Grenoble. Thinking back to that road still gives me goose bumps, the wicked corners and stunning views make it a cracker. The T-shirt is well worn, so only gets a run out two or three times a year. Phil Beer, email IF YOU’VE GOT AN OLD T-SHIRT LIKE PHIL’S…

LOTS OF BUTTONS Electronic controls needed while riding are located in crowded left hand switch cluster. Pro models get illuminated cluster. Heated grips standard, except on base model. ‘Good to know that even in the digital age, making a significant change to a motorcycle sometimes involves reshaping big bits of steel’ GT AND GT PRO Cast wheels, with 19-inch front, on the GT models.GT Pro also gets electronic control for rear shock, and heated seats to cosset chilly bums. BIG TFT DASH Seven inch TFT dash has Bluetooth connectivity as standard on Pro models, and can engage with My Triumph and what3words navigation. There are four display style options. TWIN RADIATORS Twin radiator location allows compact engine to be shunted forward and down, with no ground clearance penalty. RALLY AND…

The rule book went out of the sportsbike window when Ducati’s Panigale V4 appeared in 2018. But it also tried to rip riders’ arms off. So for 2020 Ducati have kept all the good bits and fixed the moans. This, the latest, Panigale V4 is about getting in to, through and out of a corner with greater confidence, less effort and more speed. Hurtling into the first turn at Bahrain’s challenging International Circuit proves the point. A section has been milled out of the frame for more flex and feel and the suspension has softer springs. As the bike squirms and twists under extreme braking I can feel everything. The semi-active Öhlins forks relay what the front tyre’s saying, making an awkward turn almost enjoyable. Short-shifting through the gears, you…

It’s 1985 and a young motorcycle designer called Ichiro Miyata has just sketched a radical design for a new Suzuki trail bike. The DR750S features a prominent beak that pokes out high above the front wheel, and when it’s unveiled in 1987, Ichiro’s bold design causes a sensation. The DR becomes a hit on the continent (the UK is too obsessed with GSX-Rs to notice) and starts the trend for adventure bike beaks. Fast forward 35 years and Bike is at the world launch of the V-Strom 1050, where Suzuki bigwigs are chatting about how its design was inspired by the DR750. I’m stifling a scoff – why can’t modern designers think of something new? And what would brave Ichiro think? I tune back into the yammering suit: ‘we wondered…

The F900R is a new ‘dynamic roadster’ that replaces the F800R. It shares the same platform as the F900XR (engine, frame, swingarm, wheels, brakes, dash, etc) but is set-up differently for its naked role. Suspension travel is reduced front and rear, fork offset and trail are altered, and the riding position places more weight on the front end through ’bars that are lower and further away, and ’pegs that are higher and further back. The dependability of the F900XR’s handling is still intact and the F900R inspires confidence. It likes to lean as well – according to the lean angle readout that’s part of the optional Riding Modes Pro bundle it still has ground clearance to spare at a healthy 49 degrees of dangle. But otherwise the R feels like…

I expected riding in Lesotho to be difficult, I’m a bit wobbly on dirt anyway and I’d also been warned the roads are more dangerous than the trails. What I didn’t expect was the battle with a recalcitrant Eeyore in 30-degree heat. But there is a rope tangled around the Suzuki’s engine bars and footpeg and attached to the end of the rope is a donkey that’s doing its best to run away. The lead rider has disappeared into the distance and the photographer’s truck is yet to catch up. It’s taking all my strength to hold the bike upright. I’m following health worker Atlehang Seisa up the mountainside approach of an outreach site to get a feel for what it takes to reach these remote communities. And when I…

The first women to cross the American continent on solo motorcycles The Van Buren sisters ride 5500 miles from New York to Mexico » America was about to enter World War 1, women weren’t allowed to vote and sisters Augusta and Adeline Van Buren wanted to serve their country as military despatch riders – a role strictly reserved for men. But that wasn’t good enough for the Buren sisters. They were determined to prove that women could serve just as well as men, so they rode their 1915 1000cc Indian motorcycles 5500 miles in 60 days from New York to Tijuana, Mexico. And it didn’t go down well. They were arrested numerous times for wearing men’s clothing. The press went mad, national papers accused them of using the trip as…

FINE FINISH Build quality and finish are great for such a keenly-priced bike. That said, money saving is apparent in a few areas – things like fasteners and brake banjo bolts grow fur as soon as the clocks go back, and the pipe connecting the water pump to the rubber hose on the right-hand side of the motor enjoys rusting. There have been cases of some frames showing signs of rust. Look hard. RELIABLE PUNCH Yamaha’s 689cc parallel twin has a 270˚ crank for V-twin-like sound and feel, makes 70-odd horsepower and has exemplary reliability. It doesn’t go wrong. It’s extremely rare for anything to be out of tolerance during the major 24,000-mile valve check service. The engine is a doddle to access and so easy to work on, meaning…

FILL ‘ER UP Claimed capacity is 16 litres, which at an average of 55mpg should give a 195-mile range. But the fuel light comes on at 160-ish miles and filling up soon after only takes around 12 litres. Taped leads are for satnav and heated kit, but there’s also a power socket on the dash. SLIM SEAT Seat is good for 100-125 miles before the fidgits start, bungee points work brilliantly with Rok straps and the flat seat and mudguard allow creative carrying, but watch for bags scratching the mudguard. Riding position is lovely, a neutral stance with natural knee grip. FRUITY AND TOOTY Our bike has an accessory kit Akrapovic silencer and a fancy Öhlins shock absorber (this bike was used for off-road demos at Motorcycle Live). Pipe sounds…

Getting your bike out for the first ride of spring is a good time to do a simple check on the condition of your bike’s battery and charging system. All you need is a simple multimeter with DC test setting and a basic understanding of electrics; if you can wire up a domestic plug and remember the basics of your O-level physics you should be okay. Really you want 12.8 volts in a motorcycle battery (and don’t be a smartarse – we’re talking about bikes with electric starters, not six volt antiques with glow worm lighting). If your meter is showing less than 12.8 then put the battery on charge. And if, after an overnight charge it’s still reading less than 12.4-12.5 volts you should start thinking about a new…

Imagine the style of a 1960s Lambretta, the colour scheme of a 1980s bathroom suite and the soggy performance of a mini cruiser. Say hello to Suzuki’s gloriously unusual SW-1. Today’s retro boom isn’t the first. Old school has always been cool in Japan, and in the early 1990s manufacturers were falling over each other to create bikes inspired by their machines of the ’70s and ’80s. So Suzuki decided to out-retro everyone with a bike unlike anything they’d ever actually made. Or have made since. Based around the air-cooled single from the cruiser-style GN250, it was the work of Naoki Sakai; the man responsible for those little Nissan Figaro cars driven by the sort of people who have a Chihuahua in their handbag. It intentionally had classic scooter elements.…

‘Desmosedici Stradale R engine puts out a claimed 234bhp. Perfect for general town and touring duties’ ElECTRONICS There are three set riding modes – Race A, Race B and Sport – and five more you can set up yourself. You can also get the lap timer to record finish line and split times for five circuits. The default settings are for Laguna Seca, Mugello, Jerez, Sepang and Losail. Not Mallory, oddly. SUSPENSION Obviously it’s your top flight Öhlins, but lighter. The shock has a titanium spring and GP-derived valves that apparently improve the damping during the initial compression stage. ENgINE It’s the 998cc lump from the V4 R (and Scott Redding’s World Superbike). In road trim it makes 224bhp. Put the Akrapovic on (included with the bike) and you get…

» The Harley LiveWire is the first production electric bike from a major motorcycle manufacturer and was due in UK showrooms late last year. However, a production problem meant only a few bikes turned up on schedule, so we still know precious little about the ownership experience… until now. Bike tracked down Adam Dixon, 43, who got his £28,995 Livewire before Harley turned off the supply tap. » Why did you buy one? I was looking for something for city riding – London. That the LiveWire is electric is what attracted me. There was also the performance aspect. I’m fortunate that my work place has charging units. » How’s the electric experience been? I’ve done around 200 miles so far and I’ve been using it almost daily. I’ve done just…

And another thing In 2011, when I turned 70, I thought it was now or never to fulfil my dream to ride a bike across the country and back. I started from my home on the West Coast of the US in Washington state and rode my 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 650 to Roanoke, Virginia. My ride was not without drama. The Kawi already had over 70,000 miles on it when I started out and my bike would quit on me whenever the day got hot and the fuel low, due to a failing fuel pump. I made it to my brother’s house in St. Louis, Missouri, where I replaced the fuel pump with one I had sent to his house. From then on I had no problems with the bike.…

You’ve asked for pictures of dead bikes that have recently been got running. I bought this Moto Guzzi Le Mans 1000 Mk4 in 1990, ran it for ten years or so, then life and more modern bikes got in the way. It sat gathering dust in my garage for 18 years or so, until a couple of years ago I finally got round to rebuilding it - restyled a 1000S, one of the best-ever looking Guzzis. Two years and £5000 later I have this lovely thing, which I was thrashing round Mallory at last year’s VMCC Festival of 1000 Bikes. Time, effort and cash well spent, I think. Tim Mitchell, email ANYONE ELSE WHO’D LIKE TO SHAME THEMSELVES INTO REVIVING THEIR DEAD BIKES, OR WHO HAS JUST GOT ONE RUNNING…

Just ten minutes after setting off into Monday morning rush-hour, the single biggest difference between last year’s Z1000SX and 2020’s rebranded Ninja 1000SX is obvious. It’s not the new name, not the cruise control or quickshifter, not the flash colour dash, and not the single-sided exhaust. It’s not the thicker, wider, taller seat either. Oddly, it’s not even something Kawasaki are bothering to boast about. First, some context. The Z1000SX is/was a fine bike – and a huge seller – other than its lumbering low-speed steering. At its worst it felt like a puncture, the inside handlebar loading up with weight as you turn in, challenging you to fight back to hold it on line. Off-the-record, insiders acknowledged the issue and pointed to the OE tyres, which was odd because…

The Eva Ribelle is Energica’s latest attempt at convincing us electric bikes are not just Betamax in disguise. And their case is strong: this super naked churns out 144bhp and a tarmac-ruffling 159 lb.ft of torque, which is just four grunts fewer than Triumph’s ridiculous 2458cc Rocket 3. Acceleration is as savage as any other top-drawer super naked. In fact, the Energica pulls even harder – with its considerable weight squishing the tyre into the road it just digs in and goes, barely lifting its front wheel. With no gear changes to interrupt thrust, neck muscles sigh with relief as a limited 125mph is rapidly reached. Of course none of this is a surprise because Energica supply the bikes for MotoE, the electric race series that supports MotoGP, so they…

IMPROVED WIND PROTECTION ‘Keep the motor singing and the Blade SP batters mind, body and soul with unrelenting acceleration’ With such a tiny fairing windblast was a big problem on the old Blade. Now with a 45mm lower fuel tank there’s more room behind the bubble, despite a more raked (38˚) screen. MOTOGP WINGS Unlike the exposed wings on the RSV4 1100 Factory or Panigale V4 the Honda’s triple blades are faired-in, so give less resistance in high speed direction changes, making it easier to turn. GAS FORKS Self-adjusting Öhlins semi-active NPX Smart EC 2.0 forks have new internals, electronic algorithms and are pressurised for more consistent damping control. Adjustment is controlled via the dash. UPRATED BRAKES Brembo Stylema calipers and 330mm discs (up 10mm) take care of braking duties.…

Put yourself in the racing boots of Jake Dixon. It’s 2018, you’re 22-years-old and you’re riding the crest of a wave in BSB: race wins, up on the podium pretty much every weekend and fighting for the title. You end up second overall to the vastly more experienced Leon Haslam. You’re on your way to the top. Now it’s 2019, you’ve got yourself a full-time ride in the Moto2 world championship and you’re finishing 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 23rd. You’ve gone from being a big fish in a pond to a minnow in an ocean of piranhas. And instead of driving home with a trophy and a grin you’re squeezing onto an early morning Ryanair flight to East Midlands airport, wondering why you’ve made life so hard for yourself.…

Why ride with Us? As Morocco’s leading motorcycle tour provider, we are best equipped to give you the most memorable two-wheel adventure possible. We are an Official Travel Partner of BMW Motorrad and operate our own fleet of BMW GS motorcycles. Our fleet is renewed every two years, ensuring all our bikes are well-maintained and perfectly functioning. All our tours are operated by European guides who are either BMW ITA Certified or BMW IIA off-road instructors, giving you peace of mind. How safe is Morocco? Morocco is a very stable and safe country to visit. Millions of tourists enjoy the friendly and hospitable locals who are eager to share their beautiful country with all who visit. What kind of hotels do we stay in? After a long day in the…

» Though a ‘giant trailie’ when introduced in the ‘80s, the Transalp became invisible as adventure bikes got ever bigger. By the time the final XL700V was dropped in 2012 the 680cc V-twin had slipped off everyone's radar. But times change – and mid-size dual-purpose bikes are back on the menu. No, it ain’t flash or fast. But durable, capable, go-anywhere bikes don’t get any more proven than the ‘Rally Touring’ Transalp; think partner for life, rather than dirty weekend. Reliability is legendary, build quality is high, and the dynamic is fabulously refined. Prices for 700s start at just £2500; a minty low-mile late example with desirable extras is £3500.…

‘One gets sentimental with age. Muscle memory meant pulling wheels, tank and suspension off was a doddle’ I will die happy for I have overturned two regrets and fulfilled a dream in the past 18 months. First, I bought back my Honda SP-2 V-twin in June 2018 some three years after I stupidly flogged it for its impracticality (like, er, all motorcycles). I sold it for £5100 and it came back home for £5500. And now, against any expectations but full of emotion, I’ve bought back the Yamaha XT500 I rode to Australia solo more than 30 years ago. Shortly after writing my comparison ( Bike , January 2020) of the XT with the new and outstanding Ténéré 700, I was clearing out paperwork, over Christmas, and discovered the original…

‘We’re heading alongside the river as it winds and snakes into the distance, past old mining ruins’ Rhayader is half-an-hour from the border along the A44 – itself a fantastic ride. A clock tower stands in the town centre on an awkward staggered crossroads – just ask any lorry driver. There’s room to park here and we advise popping into Ty Morgans bistro for coffee and cake before setting off. There are two ways of getting to Devil’s Bridge Falls from Rhayader. You can take the A470, which arcs north along the river Wye then becomes the A44 again, passing Sweet Lamb Adventure Bike Academy (worth booking if you’re on an adventure bike). But the real treat is the B4574, turning right off the B4518 west out of town. The…

Trailtech Endurance II Used for: 347 miles Price: £89.95 Info: trailtechproducts.co.uk » One of my project bikes has stripped speedo drive gears and so, rather than fix them, I fitted a digital speedo. This compact item is triggered by a magnet mounted on the front wheel and takes power from the bike’s electrics, providing speed, time and trip info. Trailtech also offer more sophisticated units that’ll deal with engine revs, temperature and more. Speedo calibration depends on wheel diameter, but is straightforward to set, although fitting a magnet to my bike’s drum brake wheel took some ingenuity; disc brake fittings are much easier. Trailtech provide original equipment instruments for a couple of bike manufacturers and the quality is good.…

Heads were scratched in Jerez at the World Superbike test last month when Leon Haslam’s new HRC Honda Fireblade topped the speed trap times. Paddock experts couldn’t remember the last time that happened – ‘possibly with Fred Merkel in 1988,’ mused one wag. Haslam even went to the top of the time sheets on his first lap out at a very wet Jerez, and though he ended the day sixth, it looks positive for the Blade. In standard road trim it makes a claimed 215bhp at the crank and Honda have made few compromises for road riders (see test, p68). It might be a knee-aching hell for normal humans, but that’s what the tiddly racers want. Plus there is plenty of speed yet to come from the bike, as it’s…

You are looking at a tipping point in world motorcycling. This leaked CAD design shows a 1200cc Qianjiang tourer and, along with the spyshot (right), is proof that at least one large-capacity Chinese motorcycle is about to hit the market. Insiders suggest there are several more in the wings. This is a huge deal. For decades China’s multitude of motorcycle manufacturers have been churning out millions of low capacity two-wheelers that the rest of the world has largely ignored. But if China can combine the rock-bottom prices of their little bikes with the manufacturing savvy they use to make iPhones, BMW engines and small KTMs, then cheap, high quality, large capacity Chinese motorcycles are imminent. The bike in question is branded as a Benelli, which Qianjiang have owned since 2005.…

‘Norton’s demise looks like a subplot in a far more sinister and rotten tale’ Norton going into administration is bad enough – many customers, suppliers and staff will inevitably lose money. But details have emerged that make the venerable British brand’s demise look like a subplot in a far more sinister and rotten tale. A remarkable investigation by The Guardian and ITV business teams has unearthed details of how Norton’s owner Stuart Garner got involved with a convicted conman in order to help finance his company, and has ended up leaving hundreds of people without some or all of their pension pots. The investigation also revealed that Norton benefitted from the proceeds of a £1m tax fraud. It’s the pension angle that’s most shocking, as several of the 228 people…

» All BMWs built in 2020 will come with trackers. Besides helping retrieve your expensive new bike if it’s pinched, the tracker will also reduce your insurance premium by around 15% (often more if you live in a city). The Datatool Stealth S5 devices normally cost £249.95 plus fitting, which is around £100 depending on the bike. BMW will cover the £109 annual subscription for the first year, after which owners can choose whether to continue. Of course, plenty of new BMWs in dealerships were built in 2019 and consequently don’t have the tracker – you can have one retro fitted or haggle hard.…

Harley-Davidson has dominated the racing scene for decades, with board racing, flat track, long distance marathons and drag racing titles all being secured. FXDR™ 114 pays particular homage to Harley-Davidson’s drag strip success – not just from the raked out chassis, stretched forward riding position, stretched slender fuel tank and solo seat, but also from the use of the latest Big-Twin engine. The Milwaukee-Eight® 114ci (1868cc) engine is a serious piece of kit that lives and breathes performance; the extra-large freer-breathing air intake filter and upswept 2-1 exhaust combine to deliver spirited performance the moment the clutch lever is dropped. Just how spirited depends on how much torque (160Nm / 118 lb.ft) and horsepower (95PS) you dial in… and where! Let’s just say stop-go starts are as eyeopening as any…

TWEAKED PIRELLIS Up there with the best sports rubber you can buy the single compound front and dual compound rear Pirelli Diablo Rosso III has been tweaked with a stiffer front and rear carcass to handle the Kawasaki’s extra weight and performance. ‘There’s a monstrous amount of mechanical grip and feel built into the chassis. Even with the throttle to the stop the rear Pirelli chomps into the tarmac’ BESPOKE CHASSIS Unique to the Z H2 is its tubular steel trellis frame (with a 35mm shorter wheelbase than the H2 SX), which together with its double-sided swingarm (all other H2s have single-siders) has built-in flex for feel in the corners. SUPER-DOOPER CHARGER Like the H2 SX the new Zed’s 69mm diameter supercharger impeller is made up of six full height…

Take one fresh BMW F850GS, chop off its beak and pluck away the knobbles. Stir in a selection of crisp new parts until the mixture starts to resemble a Yamaha Tracer 900, sprinkle generously with S1000XR seasoning and a dash of Honda NC750X, then garnish with attractive price. Serve immediately. It’s hard not to fall for the new F900XR. The recipe sounds straightforward – remodel the proven F850GS adventure bike into a smaller version of the S1000XR, the bike that defines the modern high-rise sports tourer, and use it to steal sales off the hugely popular Tracer (the third best-selling bike in Europe). Yet there’s no sense of reworking or re-purposing about the F900XR – it doesn’t ever feel like a derivative or a make-do model. It’s a gloriously well-rounded…

KTM have never been shy about the aggressivity of the 1290 Super Duke R. 1301cc and 100 lb.ft of almost instant V-twin torque plus a sporty chassis and suspension created a motorcycle that spends much of its life fighting inputs. And then KTM announced 2020’s ‘R’ version – a leaner, meaner and more menacing prospect. Right then… Out went 6kg of excess thanks to a new chassis and in came a refined motor, fuelling and electronic systems. The result: a more pleasurable bike to ride. Yes it’s still totally bonkers, but you can now enjoy the thrill of riding it rather than being intimidated. Retaining KTM’s tubular steel trellis design, the third generation Duke R has an all-new frame that uses the engine as a stressed member so increasing rigidity.…

The surreal quality of the Exeter Trial strikes me at 3.30am, on a hillside in Devon. I’ve just blasted a Yamaha Ténéré 700 up a steep, twisting, loose surfaced climb and am waiting at the top for my riding partners Chris and Oli to arrive. I turn off the Yamaha’s engine, pop down the sidestand and try to regain my breath. I’m competing in a trial with 250 other vehicles, but at this moment I’m completely alone, in a wood, miles from anywhere, under a starlit sky. What an amazing place to be. It gets weirder. Two-and-a-half hours, 50 miles and four more off-road sections later, and just as the sky suggests the approach of dawn, we stop to have our time cards checked and take on sustenance. It is…

Maxxis Supermaxx ST Used for: 2500 miles Price: £162 pair (120/70 ZR17, 180/55 ZR17) Info: maxxis.co.uk » Tyres provoke brand snobbery. I get that the rubber is your connection to the road and affects ride, steering and grip, but for most of us the latest all-singing boots are probably wasted. So I put these Maxxis on our R1250RS. They take a few more miles to warm than the OE Metzelers and don't have as much grip if I’m really stupid with the gas on a cold, wet road. But in normal riding their grip, handling and feel are fine – if you didn’t see the name, you probably wouldn’t know. After they were fitted I dashed home on a cold, damp night and, preoccupied with home-made lasagne at the journey’s…

1  Because there’s no petrol involved and the build is apparently easy (we’ll see…), the Oset is delivered to your door in a box. It weighs 52kg, so will easily wreck your back shifting it. 2 First impressions are good. The wheels are lightweight alloy, the hubs are machined and anodised and the brake discs look like high spec hydraulic mountain bike kit. The trellis frame is tidy too. 3 It’s tempting to crack on – looks like just the bars, wheels and brakes need bolting on. But several disastrous Ikea wardrobe experiences have taught me to spend at least a minute browsing instructions. 4 Unwrapping the chassis takes a surprisingly long time – there are cable ties connecting protective pads everywhere and one wrong snip will see off a…

‘The location is amazing, a cliff on the coast’ Honeywell Laser Lite £22 for 200 honeywell.com » Roll, slip into your lugs, they expand to fit. Noise reduction is 32dB so no problems with race cans, wind noise, anything. I used something similar in a noisy machine shop in a former life and got used to being bunged up. I’ve tried pricey attenuated earplugs (below) but they let a bit of noise through so feel like they’re not working properly. These are single use, and won’t expand properly if overused. No bother, they’re super-cheap. Unfortunately not rhubarb and custard flavour, though. MA Auritech custom fit £119 auritech.co.uk » The clever part of the Auritech earplug is a ceramic filter, that reduces high frequency wind noise, but allows you to hear…

The bike I’ll be racing at The Member’s Meeting is still in pieces. It’s a 350cc Offenstadt Yamaha, which was made in France in the 1970s and raced in GPs back in the day. It’s got a strange cast ally box section frame and really interesting trailing link forks. Unfortunately the forks were incomplete when we got the bike, so they’re being re-engineered by Martin Wimmer (former GP rider from Germany) who’s clever at that sort of thing. It should be back together soon and hopefully we can get it to a test day at Mallory before Goodwood. I think I’ll let Martin ride it first. The bike race at The Member’s Meeting is for 250s up to 1984 and 350s up to 1981, and we’ve got a full grid…