Midlands boys might know this place; went there for a mid-morning snack: https://caffeineandmachine.com/
Thanks guys. I am so rapt i had the opportunity (and ability) to buy this. It is one of those bikes that's been firmly stamped in many of our minds since teen years or our earliest biking days. The 4-outlet exhaust is the F4 signature. This 2006 - 7 'R' model is an upgrade over the 05 - 06 F41000 'S'. Very little difference save for radial brakes and most noticeably forged Brembo (Marchesini) wheels - originally in black, but previous owner had them powder coated silver which to me looks better. Rides more rigid than the Blades, but I did have it set hard at http://www.roadandraceperformance.co.uk/suspension_handling.aspx some 12 months ago now. Whilst I did agonise over selling the aprilia RSV, this bike will never meet the same fate.
Fired 'er up for the first time yesterday. On the first turn of the key the dash was blank. Took off the screen and checked the dash connector. All looked ok so I just plugged it back in again and it worked fine. Nearly there now. Back end back together after it's clean & grease, fresh booties, radiator guard fitted, oil and coolant levels topped up, fresh fluid in the back brake, fuel tank sanded and repainted round the seam where some rust was starting, old foam bits glued to the replacement bodywork, fired up and purring away... ...and another little bracket knocked up. This one a clamp for the braided hoses, rubber lined with a bit of old inner tube. Still to tweak the p-clips for the mudguard. Still to fit the mudgurd for that matter - or any of the bodywork beyond the top fairing. That's todays job.
New Biketek CNC foot pegs, really good quality with replaceable nylon slider....... You know, for when the footpegs touch down!! Just popped out to get a few extra miles under my belt before the first service interval tomorrow! 485 miles on it now should just tip 500 tomorrow on way to work then too the dealer at lunch time!
Fitted Kriega straps to rear subframe ready for my first commute on a bike in years. Even got my old HG textiles out as they are waterproof, even though it is supposed to dry tomorrow. Made me realise just how good some of the HG kit was as it they have done thousands of miles, are 10 years old, and apart from a bit of a melted trouser leg they still look in really good condition.
I miss working at HG in Lincoln, got some cracking deals there Haha some of the stuff is incredibly well made! Got a fully waterproof two piece leathers , £1800 or leather for £350
Damn means I probably dealt with you there, used to like popping in and buying small bits there and have a good nosey around. Bristol store used to be good too, manager there got the Arai supplier (Phoenix?) to give me a free side pod after mine pinged off after less than a month.
Replacement bodywork fitted and lining up not too bad at all. Need to have another crack at the inner cowls round the radiator. ...and the mudguard will be coming back off to TLC the stanchions. ....and the tank cowl needs to come back off to fit the bagster harness. ...but it's nice to see it in it's new guise, even if half of it's not tightened up. Shiny!
Looks great in black, especially with the sharp lines of the front nose. Goodness knows why that made the 08s onwards so bulbous!
Installed a new battery, since apparently my 10 month old battery decided to end it's live prematurely
