After my morning run, the less said about that the better, I just had to take the bike out. Today was a beautiful Spring day, not warm, more cool, and I had plenty of time on my side. In all honesty, I really just needed to get out and do something that required 100% concentration and that would therefore spare me from confronting my demons for at least an hour.
For the first time this year I was able to put my proper kit on and for the first mile or so I really noticed the difference between my winter and summer gloves. Its funny how easily you get used to riding in thick gloves, but in terms of protection, my Alpinestars gloves are a much better choice.
I got a call from the guys at Conquest on Thursday saying the 1098s was all done, so I just headed over to Three Legged Cross today and en-route was following a rider on a '15 plate BMW S1000rr. That bike can move. It appeared I was a little more confident/reckless through the turns and so was able to make up ground, but down the straight bits, that bike just left me there like I was riding a 600. Amazing bike.
For the first time this year I was able to put my proper kit on and for the first mile or so I really noticed the difference between my winter and summer gloves. Its funny how easily you get used to riding in thick gloves, but in terms of protection, my Alpinestars gloves are a much better choice.
I got a call from the guys at Conquest on Thursday saying the 1098s was all done, so I just headed over to Three Legged Cross today and en-route was following a rider on a '15 plate BMW S1000rr. That bike can move. It appeared I was a little more confident/reckless through the turns and so was able to make up ground, but down the straight bits, that bike just left me there like I was riding a 600. Amazing bike.
Speaking with Howard and Stuey at Conquest, the problem with the 1098s was indeed the neutral switch that had worn out, failing to tell the ECU that the bike was in neutral. Bit of a pain, but there you go. Whilst they had it I asked them to look at the fan. Long story short, the ECU has gotten spiked at some point which resulted in a constant current being sent down the earth line for the fan....at least that's was I remember them saying. The guys hard wired up the fan to the battery with a new sensor attached to the radiator meaning the fan will kick in earlier, which is fine by me.
Whilst there we discussed a possible oil leak down by the front sprocket, which was probably the cause for the smoke a few weeks ago. I'd thought there was a leak there before and it appears that the seal only weeps/leaks when cold, sealing itself when it gets warm. As they had the bike there already I was more than happy for them to replace the seal and investigate the leak further if needed. I don't want all the oil to make a break for the outside and smear itself all over my rear wheel, thank you very much.
In kit news, now that the weather is getting better and following being caught in a biblical rain storm earlier this week, I've taken the opportunity to actually clean my Rukka gear. Following their simple washing instructions I just popped them in the machine and I even bought an iron to 're-seal' the outer membrane of the jacket, which will allow the water to bead off again, rather than get absorbed into the jacket. This will indeed be tested sooner than I would probably like.
To get it ready, I had to whip the armour out and just in case you're interested, this is what it looks like.
Whilst there we discussed a possible oil leak down by the front sprocket, which was probably the cause for the smoke a few weeks ago. I'd thought there was a leak there before and it appears that the seal only weeps/leaks when cold, sealing itself when it gets warm. As they had the bike there already I was more than happy for them to replace the seal and investigate the leak further if needed. I don't want all the oil to make a break for the outside and smear itself all over my rear wheel, thank you very much.
In kit news, now that the weather is getting better and following being caught in a biblical rain storm earlier this week, I've taken the opportunity to actually clean my Rukka gear. Following their simple washing instructions I just popped them in the machine and I even bought an iron to 're-seal' the outer membrane of the jacket, which will allow the water to bead off again, rather than get absorbed into the jacket. This will indeed be tested sooner than I would probably like.
To get it ready, I had to whip the armour out and just in case you're interested, this is what it looks like.
The orange armour on the left came out of the jacket and the black armour is from the trousers. It was pretty easy to get back in and even easier to take out, so if you need to clean your Rukka kit, but are worried about the armour don't be, it's all very easy.
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