Author: Arthur

Seasoned London commuter, doing my best to stay rubber side down and never stop moving forward.

Categories
Riding

Enforcement of Advanced Stop Lines (ASL)

ASL-EnforcementIf you’ve ridden a bike in London in the last year, you are probably more than aware that Advanced Stop Lines (ASLs) are now being enforced and any motor vehicles crossing them after lights have turned red will pick up a fine (Fixed Penalty Notice). This is still very much the case, with almost every junction on Mile End Road being policed today, although no one broke the rules on this occasion.

Although MAG have been campaigning for some time, motorcycle are not allowed to cross the first solid white line and enter the blue cycle box. This is a real shame as it can often lead to bikers stuck beside other vehicles, often not visible (especially if beside a truck or coach) and then unable to get away safely from the traffic as light turn green, due to the throng of cyclists in front. I honestly think the situation needs rethinking to allow cyclists and motorbikes to share the area in from of the ASL, where they are both visible and can safely pull away. Possibly with left reserved for cyclists, the right for motorcyclists. Both groups of cyclists have been sharing bus lanes (with buses and taxis) without issue for a number of years now.

If you also believe pedal and motor cyclists should be able to wait beyond the ASL, you may like to sign this petition on the UK Gov website.

Update:

I have since discovered that a split bicycle/motorbike advanced stop line box is currently on trial over near Stratford, London.BicycleAndMotorcycleASL

Check it out in more detail on Google Maps here. Note the feeder lanes each side, cyclists on left, bikers on right.

Categories
Videos

Sixth Sense Skills – Tip 13

In the clip I’m going to highlight an all too common hazard on the streets of London.

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Categories
Riding

Prom Night Ride

A couple of months ago a 16 year old kid, also named Arthur, posted on London Bikers, requesting an escort for his upcoming school prom night. Not really needing much of an excuse for a ride out, a large group jumped at the opportunity with one prominent forum member offering a pillion seat on his swish Ducati Pangile 1199. Last night was Prom night and what a night it was.

PromNight-PickingUpArthur

PromNight-Arrival

Around 30-40 bikers descended on Arthur’s house, where his family fed us all tea and biscuits. We then set off for a brief ride out around Epping forest with a quick stop at the high Beach Tea Hut, before continuing to the hotel hosting the prom night, for our big entrance. We arrived in force, made loads of noise and had few burn outs all to the cheers of the Prom school kids. We definitely went down as one of the more memorable Prom arrivals.

We then returned to Borough Market for the weekly London Biker meet, then finished the night off with a pit stop at the Blackheath tea hut. I hear Arthur pulled a couple of girls at the Prom, so all in all, a great fun night to be had by all!

Update: Check out this video compilation of the Prom Night ride, thanks to Sam Bird:

Categories
Uncategorized

New Motorbike Security Tips Article

Motorbike Security Tips, Best locks, chains, trackers.No one wants to lose a bike to thieves, so get clued up on the best security gear out there to protect your ride.

Check out my new in-depth article on Motorcycle Security Guide.

Lots of details on all the best types of devices to use and info on the common attack thieves employ. Definitely valuable reading.

Categories
Maintenance Videos

Replacing Air Filter on Yamaha Fazer FZS600

A key item on the regular service schedule is the replacement of the air filter. On my FZS600 2003, this is due every 6000 miles or every year (whichever is the soonest). This year, however, I decided to fit a K&N reusable filter, slightly more expensive but it should pay for itself after a couple of years. The Fazer 600 is known to run slightly on the rich side, so the increased airflow from a K&N should balance this out.

Here’s a quick video run-through of how to replace the filter. It’s an easy task that you all should be able to tackle, don’t be put off by having to remove the fuel tank.

YouTube player

Tools required are minimal: an 8mm socket, T30 Torx socket/alan key, Philips screwdriver and some needle pliers (to unclip fuel pipe).

Tips as you go along:

  1. Ensure you only have a small amount of fuel in the tank to keep it light when removing.
  2. Have some tissues/rags to mop up the drop of petrol that’s left in the loose fuel pipe.
  3. Don’t forget to turn back on the fuel tap before bolting down the tank afterwards!
Right Now on eBay Buy a K&N air filter off eBay
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Categories
Uncategorized

How Bikers Read Signs

It’s a well known fact that most bikers are more familiar with the Highway Code and generally more clued up on the road that your average car driver. Often we’ve sat both car and motorcycle tests (theory & practical) and quite commonly we are keen to advance ourselves further still, be it with BikeSafe, IAM/ RoSPA qualifications or track/offroad days. However, for all the best intentions, our subconscious may not always read signs to the book…

Continue reading “How Bikers Read Signs”
Categories
Maintenance

Fitted Fazer 1000 ‘Blue Spot’ Rear Brake Calipers

Fazer 1000 Rear Brake BleedingThe stock rear brake caliper on the FZS600 is a bit rubbish. It’s an old design and very commonly seizes up, which is exactly what I recently found when getting some new pads fitted. Rather than going down the route of stripping it down and cleaning it on a regular basis, I opted for the popular upgrade of the Fazer 1000 rear brake caliper. This is a ‘blue spot’ caliper, on par with the excellent front brakes I have and the same as the R6.

Getting hold of a Fazer Thou rear brake caliper isn’t easy, they’re as rare as rocking horse pooh second hand

Getting hold of a Fazer Thou rear brake caliper isn’t easy, they’re as rare as rocking horse pooh second hand, but luckily I managed to find one on ebay.de for a good price, which included mounting bracket, pads, hoses, the master cylinder (from Brembo) and reservoir. For this mod, however, only the caliper and pads were used.

Continue reading “Fitted Fazer 1000 ‘Blue Spot’ Rear Brake Calipers”
Categories
Hardware

Wiring RoadHawk Ride Camera to Bike

HardWireRoadHawkRide04For the last few months, I have been using the rather good RoadHawk Ride bullet action camera (read my review here). It’s a fairly cheap and cheerful camera, that works well and is great for capturing footage for insurance claims. However, one of the biggest issues I’ve had is the battery life, I only get about an hour of use before it’s flat. Although plenty long enough for my regular commute to work and back (I charge it at my desk during the day), it is frustratingly short when heading on a longer ride out.

The Ride is supplied with an assortment of cables and adaptors, including wires to run from a USB socket and directly from a 12V power feed. Better still, the Ride will automatically start recording on receiving power and automatically stop recording when power is cut. Along with its auto-looping feature, it’s perfectly feasible to hard wire it to the bike and literally just forget about it, which is exactly what I recently did.

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Categories
Motorcycles News

Visit to Bike Shed Motorcycle Club show 2014 (BSMCIII)

BSMCIII-WristBandAt the weekend the Bike Shed MC were hosting their annual show down in Tobacco Dock, East London, having outgrown their usual Shoreditch haunt. The event was a huge showcase of the best custom bikes, cafe racers, cruisers, bobbers and other random hand built two wheel mayhem. The weather was lovely, but unfortunately this was a family outing, so the bike remained at home. But that didn’t stop hundreds of other bikers descending and enjoying the chilled out atmosphere. But I couldn’t help wondering if I’d fit in better with a well trimmed beard, waxed moustache and a full sleeve tattoo. A peculiar blend of ’50s rockabilly and Chap was very much in vogue.

I couldn’t help wondering if I’d fit in better with a well trimmed beard and waxed moustache…

It was good to check out all the funky bikes, even if I’d be hesitant to take any out on the streets of London myself, style over substance seemed to pervade in many instances. Knobbly tyres and Hessian wrapped pipes are definitely this seasons look. Front mudguards are optional and the more belts on show the better.

Hope you like the snaps of all the best bikes we saw. The kids pinched my camera for most of the show as they were getting a bit bored, so please excuse the odd framing or any not quite in focus. They were pissed they couldn’t sit on all the bikes like at the last show we went to!

Continue reading “Visit to Bike Shed Motorcycle Club show 2014 (BSMCIII)”
Categories
Riding

Midnight Ride Out

The Mall

LB-MidnightRide-May14-3The other night The London Bikers organised a night to remember, a midnight ride ride across the city hooning past all the sights. What made it special was the immense turnout (over 50 bikers), the gorgeous warm evening and amazing atmosphere from fellow bikers and the crowds spectating and cheering us all on. With Miss Plum getting everyone organised and leading the ride, we all had a top night we’ll always remember.

Our ride started at Oval Motorcycle Centre, then on out across Battersea Bridge into Chelsea and Knightbridge, before whizzing past Wellington Arch, Buckingham Palace before a quick pit stop on the Mall overlook St James Park. Then on past Trafalgar Square and looping up round into Soho via Frith Street, before heading down past Downing Street, the Cenotaph, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey and across the river for a second stop by Waterloo and the London Eye. Back in the saddle we went North of the river again, zoomed past Aldwych and Royal Courts or Justice, down Fleet Street and our third stop outside St. Pauls cathedral, for a perfect photo opportunity. Off again, hanging a right by the Bank of England and South over London Bridge, past Southwalk cathedral, Borough Market, the Shard and then crossing the river again over Tower Bridge, lit up beautifully.

… a stop at the wonderful 24 hour Beigel shops for some much needed sustenance and a mix with Shoreditch hipsters leaving their night clubs and bars.

We continued North weaving through the streets and up to Brick Lane and a stop at the wonderful 24 hour Beigel shops for some much needed sustenance and a mix with Shoreditch hipsters leaving their night clubs and bars. To finish off, we continued East onto the Isle of Dogs and took a tour through the ghostly skyscrapers of Canary Wharf all lit up and towering overhead. The original plan was to continue on to Greenwich, but alas the Blackwall tunnel was shut for maintenance.

All in all, it was a wicked night, it was great to get out with Mary pillion (sorely missing a bike of her own) and great to see all of London’s landmarks lit up. Everything went swimmingly, even if group of us sometimes got separated momentarily.