Well guys my new ride arrived at 1pm today and my poor upset 848 was rolled into the van and had to be restrained to stop it running back to its regular haunt, tear in my eye when the van left. Right, back to the real world, my first intention was to remove the monstrosity that is the standard number plate hanger, bloody Stevie Wonder must be a designer for all the manufacturers that fit these things, BUT, they forgot to bring the R&G tail tidy, Grrrrr, not pleased, but, it's coming tomorrow, apparently. Still, got to work removing the scaffolding anyway, ready for tomorrow, great. 3 bolts and off it comes, well no it doesn't, the wiring plug is not to be seen. Ok, remove the seat. Err how do you do that. You must have to take the tank cover off. Tank cover off , shit, it was just the two clip in panels under the seat, what a bladder head !! Now, to remove the rear footrest. Who the hell designed a bike that you have to virtually dismantle to get 4 bolts out. Sussed it anyway and to be honest once you know what needs to be removed it will not be bad next time. Now I know you are all expecting photos but with kids bugging the crap out of me and fighting like Tom and bloody Jerry and my other half ringing to check the casserole is in the oven ( Of course it is, ha ) I did not get it back together until she who must (not) be obeyed was due in from work and you've guessed it the bloody casserole wasn't in the oven. In fact I hadn't even killed the chicken. As she walked in the door and asked when would tea be ready I had to quickly put the oven on and tell her that there was a fault with the oven and I had to fix it !! The bike looks lovely though apart from the Dunlops it arrived with. I hope they turn out to be better than I am expecting them to be. Stickers are removed. Chain lube wiped off, rear wheel cleaned, then waxed so all ready for the tail tidy tomorrow. Also nipped to a local dealer who had some R&G bobbins and to my mates to get his Harris paddock stand for £40, it will take some practice to get it on the stand myself after being used to the dead easy single sided stand, Any tips ? I have not told anyone I am getting it, well apart from you lot so when I turn up at my brothers for a Sunday run he will have a cow !!! I promise pictures tomorrow, honest.
r&g front fork protectors are cheap on these bikes too.....or should I have gave your wallet a chance
My wallet has nothing in it mate, card is melting already though ! Why is the rear seat cowl rattling like a skeleton, is that normal , will fit something tomorrow to help !
Is it a genuine Honda one? If so mines the same mate, and other guys I've spoken to. Slot several pieces of 'U' shaped rubber over the edge of the rear seat fairing and that does the job. Stops any chance of paint rubbing too!
Paddock Stand mounting is easy using the Pillion strap. Fitting a seat cowl removes ya safety net and is a walk on the wild side!
you have me in stitches of laughter iang - im so excited about you getting your new blade - hanging to see the pics - well done with smoothing things over with the mrs
Looking forward to seeing the bike, fella. As for getting it on the stand I've never really felt like I have a problem doing it single-handed. I do generally put something underneath the side stand to stand the bike up straighter before using the stand. I don't have a pillion strap. I do also make sure that I stand on the right hand side of the bike so that I can lean my weight against it if it starts to go.
Enjoy the new bike mate,had mine several months now and it's fantastic Seat cowl shouldn't rattle,maybe some rubber spacers came out when seat pad removed. Paddock stand use fairly easy,just grab the rear foot pegs Oh well,I'm sure you'll figure something out. Was gutted when the bike arrived with the dunlops instead of the bridgestones but they're not too bad,dropped the pressures to 34fr 38r and get plenty of heat into them and they seem grippy enough for the road. Got my venture shield from autoshield protection,wish I'd paid to get it fitted,it's a bitch and takes ages
Waiting for someone I know to drop off a part Ventureshield kit for me and I will fit it tonight or tomorrow. Done them before so am accustomed to fitting them now. Just getting the front fairing, mudguard, side fairing edges and under rear seat, not bothered about the tank etc. I have known people buy the kit and try to fit it then roll it in a ball and pay to get someone else to do it, patience is the key and keeping your hands soaking all the time or it leaves fingerprints.
I havent really thought about putting it on the stand but my method is line the hooks up, stand behind the back wheel,use one hand to hold the bike centered then simply engage the stand.if I hand wooly gloves on it could be interesting with the waxed seat cowl.
Bloody couriers, why when you are waiting for something and you cannot get on with anything until it arrives are you the last person on the van to get their delivery !! At least I got my insurance changed from my other bike, only £57 to change from the 848 to the Fireblade and that's for nearly 11 months, cost of insurance is ridiculous, that means that the year will have cost me £165 fully comp protected with a £350 excess, scandalous !!
mine was no change for the 848 to blade £200 fully comp protected. know the feeling about waiting for a delivery.always seems to arrive when I am out :s
Typical !!!!! The courier does not know where my tail tidy is, got the original to bits so cannot use the bike, not a happy bunny !!
