my storm

[Opel]

Honda VTR1000F Firestorm by Bob8>), on Flickr

I suppose it's a bit dull really, but atleast you can see the shiny forks and the new Hagon. Also, if you look very closely, you can just see the shiny supension linkage that received a great deal of attension over the past few days.

Oh and just look at that backdrop... the lovely rolling hills of Leicestershire, a county which is (thankfully) very much overlooked by everyone. However, you wouldn't of thought that this morning, when there was about 50 (yes at least 50) bikes went past me travelling in the other direction!The route was the B6047 between Melton Mowbray and Market Harborough, which I do believe has been (unfortunately) picked up on the 'bikers radar'.

[AZMAN]

Hi mate! Sorry chap but i'm probably one of those that you see on that route . We start in Nottingham and do the Langar bends route to Melton Mowbray where we stop off at the park where there's a nice little cafe for a drink, then go onto Market Harborough. There's some lovely roads round your neck of the woods. May see you out and about around that area some time.

Cheers Aaron.

[Wicky]

Nice - glad to hear you got it sorted. I learnt to ride my first bike around that area and Rutland when I was supposedly studying at Leicester. Ah for the care free days!

[lumpyv]

looks nice and clean

i have heard about suspension linkage issues. what exactly needs to be done and how do you know if it needs doing?

cheers

[Miztaziggy]

Looks good mate, I like them dark blue ones

How much was rear shock? Is it worth the cash?

[Opel]

Hi mate! Sorry chap but i'm probably one of those that you see on that route . We start in Nottingham and do the Langar bends route to Melton Mowbray where we stop off at the park where there's a nice little cafe for a drink, then go onto Market Harborough. There's some lovely roads round your neck of the woods. May see you out and about around that area some time.

Cheers Aaron.

Hi Aaron, there were loads of you guys! I've never seen such a huge group... I was on my own (the way I like it) going south, wearing my black Aria and my Aldi yellow high vis motorbike jacket... You mention the 'Langar Bends' is that on or around the airfield?

Nice - glad to hear you got it sorted. I learnt to ride my first bike around that area and Rutland when I was supposedly studying at Leicester. Ah for the care free days!

Many thanks Wicky... I only had one minor incident.... I hit it with my big hammer!!!

Regarding Rutland... they are (supposedly) independant once again, however my council tax never went down when it happened though! I suspose we can forgive them that because of their great roads surrounded by the most beautiful of scenery.

looks nice and clean

i have heard about suspension linkage issues. what exactly needs to be done and how do you know if it needs doing?

cheers

Thanks lumpy... I think the photo does it more justice than it deserves. Regarding the linkage issues... I was unaware that mine needed doing and only found out when I came to change my rear shock. However, the strange happenings with regard to handling set me off along the path of changing things BEFORE I realised that the linkages had seized up. I believe that there is a sticky regarding the issue...indeed there is http://www.haymouth.co.uk/phpBB3/viewto ... 31&t=11809
Be aware however, that to do the necessary, you have to figure out a way of supporting the rear end, because of (perhaps) obvious problems when one starts undoing things in this area...
I used a couple of strategically placed lumps of tree branch between swing arm and rear subframe to keep things in position.

The long and the short of it all, is that the bits and bobs (highlighted in red below) associated with the rear suspension, need regular greasing or the whole thing starts to seize up!

Looks good mate, I like them dark blue ones

How much was rear shock? Is it worth the cash?

Thanks Miztziggy. The rear Hagon is a tad under £300 and is a worthy upgrade from the OEM shocker. However!!! Making sure that the rear linkages work is perhaps the better course of action before splashing the cash! Incidentally, front fork service and new springs are most definitely worth the time and money, without a shadow of a doubt. I 'upgraded' to Hagon progressive springs from Wemoto and I couldn't be happier with the improvement made. The rear is hugely better now, but was it the linkages that were causing the slightly weird handling or was it the shock? I can't answer that , but I'm more that happy with the result now.

Regarding the 'blue'... I'm perhaps ashamed to say that if I had a choice in colour, I'd most definitely choose orange . Mr Honda got it right first time I think... a well tanned half naked pair/twin... a great combination.

[simo]

Nice looking bike Opel, my m8 has a blue un. Have got to say the back drop look's a bit flat.Maybe we're spoilt up here in God's Country Been up Keilder and into the Boarders today, the down side to that is that it always pissis down.

[Opel]

Nice looking bike Opel, my m8 has a blue un. Have got to say the back drop look's a bit flat.Maybe we're spoilt up here in God's Country Been up Keilder and into the Boarders today, the down side to that is that it always pissis down.

Flat?!!! That backdrop is the equivalent of the Himalayas around here. Nevertheless Simo, you win… You are indeed blessed, the hand of the almighty did indeed breath upon your bits up there…