Last updated 13th April 2019
Head behind the bubble
  • Home
  • Riders blog
  • Out there, riding - my articles
  • My Bikes - Past and Present
    • Ducati 1098s
    • Honda CBR954RR FireBlade
    • Ducati 695 Monster
    • Kawasaki ZX7-R
  • Motorcycle Media
  • My kit
  • Other rides
  • Videos
  • Bucket List
  • Contact me

December 05th, 2013

12/5/2013

0 Comments

 
In an attempt to improve the feelings in my hands after each and every ride to work this winter, I bought a set of limited run handguards designed specifically for the Monster by a member of the UK Monster Forum www.ukmonster.co.uk. They weren't cheap, but then as they are hand made I didn't expect them to be. They arrived yesterday and I pretty much got straight down to fitting them. Jeff, the man who made them, sent a hand written letter giving detailed fitting instructions, which were very helpful. The guard for the clutch went on without any problem, but I had to trim part of the sister guard to ensure it fitted well over the brake lever. As I didn't, and indeed still don't have the cutting tools needed, a quick ride up the road to Artur saw the leading edge trimmed away in double quick time.
After looking at them all fitted and especially following the ride to work this morning, its clear that the guards are a little too low, forcing the air over the top and right into my waiting knuckles, which isnt ideal. As you can see from the photos above, the guards are mounted with a bolt through the pivot point in each lever, so in order to move the guards up, I need to tilt each lever backwards a little. This will misalign the mirrors a fraction, so a little bit of fiddling will be needed there to.
Sadly, thats not the only irritant I've experienced recently. Yesterday, the main beam on the Monster packed in, so I'll be picking up a replacement, probably one of the Philips City Vision bulbs, that seem to be the next generation of those I used on the Ninja.  www.philips.co.uk/c/motorbike%20bulbs/283658/cat/
The other problem was the twistgrip came loose on the way home. These are heated grips, which I'll document on the Monster page this weekend, and I can only guess that the heat, plus a sharp twist of the wrist by yours truly, broke the bond between the glue and the grip. Less than ideal.
Picture
When I got home, I tired to get the grip off, but the wiring wouldn't give me enough slack without taking the tank off and digging around in the wiring, so with little other options, I increased the width of the four or so inches of twistgrip I could see using some masking tape, covered it in some Renthal grip glue and twisted it back on. Hopefully it will hold, but if it doesn't, I'll get it looked at when the bike goes into the shop a week on Friday to have the misfire fixed.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Me

    My name is Matt Brown and I'm a UK journalist formerly based in London, but now calling the South of England home. I've been riding bikes since 2007, but got hooked straight away. Nothing gives me the feeling of freedom, even when stuck in a city. In 2010 I became a RoSPA gold rider, but when it comes down to it, I'm Just a normal man, riding his bikes as often as he can.

    Archives

    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012

    Categories

    All
    1098
    Ducati
    FireBlade
    Monster
    Weather
    Zx7r

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.