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October 21st, 2013

10/21/2013

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So there I was, just trundling up the A1 heading away from Highgate, thinking about a Monster that's at Metropolis. I look down, the fuel light is on, as it has been since the last time I rode the bike, and the trip meter is saying that I've travelled 17.7 miles with the light on. This didn't worry me as it should do at least 25 miles before panic sets in. I'm minding my own business when the bike dies on me. I'm out of fuel. I don't believe it! I manage to coast the bike up onto the pavement away from the local bus stop. Frustration quickly gave way to amusement as I thought to myself that it had to happen sooner or later. I started looking at my options. I passed a petrol station just over a mile back and there isn't one closer, so if I walk back to the station, I'll have to buy a petrol can and then throw it away afterwards. Bit of a waste. So, I call dad, who came to my rescue. He and mum were already heading out, so I managed to catch them just in time. 30 minutes later dad and I are pouring five litres worth of Esso's finest into the tank via a cone filler. One jab of the starter and we were back in business. Thanks dad, your a life saver.
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After a quick visit to my local picture framers www.forartssake.com in Hendon, I headed over to have a better look at the Monster. Its a 56 plate Ducati 695, full service history, 12,000 miles, fly screen, non original cans and in black with a tasty red trellis frame. Hopefully I'll be able to get a good deal on it as I'd want to put heated grips, maybe hand guards, a shock tube and almost certainly a pair of Michelin Pilot Road 3's on it. It will have the belts done before it goes out, so as its in seriously nice condition, it is very tempting. I've still no news of the Duke 200 at the moment, which is disappointing, but there isn't a huge amount I can do about that at the moment and winter is drawing closer.
In somewhat less exciting news, as a planned coffee on Sunday was cancelled at the last minute, I took the opportunity to clean the Ducati. As we all know, Sunday is a day for either riding or cleaning, normally both. Although the sky was fairly clear, I'd seen the forecast which pro claimed biblical rain by early afternoon, so cleaning it was. This gave me a change to try out the new WD-40 chain cleaner I recently picked up.
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Now I'm really not the kind of guy who expects too much from any cleaning or polishing product. All I want, expect if you will, is that the product will do exactly what it says on the tin. I don't want the earth to move. I don't want angels to descend from the heavens. I just want the cleaning stuff to clean. Simple really. So it was with great relief that the WD-40 cleaner did just that. Like most of us I've been using 'normal' WD-40 for years, in fact I still use it to clean my wheels, so I was very pleased with the quick easy result. Aim at chain, spray on, wait a few mins, rinse off. Sorted. Just like it should be.
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    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.

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