Gear...

Vitesse Hunt boots:

These boots look like a nice alternative to the black boy-racer come power ranger boots I normally wear. Lace up style should end up with a better fit, and all my non-riding boots are brown anyway.

I have a pretty wide foot, and the Vitesse site says:

Inspired by traditional work boots, The Hunt employs laces to offer a snug and variable fit. Its upper is entirely made out of premium American saddle leather, for durability and comfort. It will take wax to a shine and patina beautifully through years of loyal use.
Its fit is regular in width, but offers the highest forefoot of all 3 models, so that your toes have a bit of extra room.
Available in full size 39–47. Price starts at 175 Euros.

So I wonder just how much room there will be. Typically, I end up buying a size too large to accomodate my flipper-feet. 

Gear...

This week I'm loving the Fuel Bespoke Motorcycles t-shirt line.

Daydreaming...

Motorcycle Ergonomics - Pictorially

Cycle-ergo is a really nice, interactive ergonomics simulator... I'm not sure who made the webpage, or why they made it, but it's a really nice tool.

You can input more than one machine, and use the mouse scroll wheel to fade between bikes to see the real differences.

I set up three bikes, a stock 2010 R1, my 2010 R1 with 7cm up and 1cm back bars, and the old 2006 FZ1 to get a real idea of where my new bike puts me... and it really is a good compromise between the two.

Two Bike Head On Crash

BOTT XR-1, work in progress

The guys over a Bottpower are making progress... this thing is looking amazing.

Check out the renders...

LSL Clipons - Detail Pics

Sadly, I'm still using the phone as a camera and it's really starting to bug me. Anyway, here are some more photos of the clipons installed.

Clutch side cable routing

Horn cable routing

Brake side throttle cable routing

Red/White 2008 with standard clipons Vs.

Blue/White 2010 with LSL Tourmatch clipons

Brake line and cable routing

Brake line routing

I installed the master cylinder resevour different to the instructions;

they had it right in front of the speedo

Evotech Performance Fender eliminator Installed

Remember this photo?

Now with fender eliminator

LSL Tourmatch Clipons Installed

Before

After

Detailed pics and some tips tomorrow...

09 R1 Streetfighter

This one comes from over at the customfighters.com forum...

From the Townsville 400 Today

This is the best photo I took all day...

I didn't take many photo's since I was just using my phone and they generally turn out crap. Besides that, the action on track is almost impossible to capture through the safety fences, I wasted a lot of time last year trying...

We had a fantastic day, though I am knackered now.

Removing the OEM R1 Clipons

This isn't going to be a detailed tutorial, you'll need to support the front end of the bike, which means a specialist stand. If you have one, chances are you've done work like this before.

1. Support the rear of the bike on a paddock stand, support the front on a steering stem paddock stand.
2. Remove the clutch-side grip. Here's a tip for dealing with the OEM grip glue:

Use a wire coat hanger, bend it like this

Trim one end like this

Keeping the long edge of the sharp tip against the bar, insert it between the grip and bar.

Don't worry if you can get it all the way in, just use the crank handle and wind it around.

It might take a couple of laps, but eventually you'll have split the glue and can slide the grip off.

3. Loosen everything off; clipons, brake/clutch levers, brake reservoir, etc.
4. Loosen fork clamps; bottom first, steering damper mount required loosening also, then the top ones.
5. Drag the forks down far enough to remove clipons.
6. Slide the clipons out of the switch gear.

Now you're ready to install the new clipons.

Today's Mail

Evotech Performance Fender Eliminator

LSL Tourmatch Clipons

Comparison between Yamaha's OEM R1 and LSL Tourmatch clipons.

Quite a difference!

To change the clipons you need to drop the forks out, which I managed to get done this afternoon, inserted the new clipons and buttoned the triple clamps back up, the bike is back on the ground. On the weekend I'll strip off the OEM rubber brake lines and punch the holes for the switch gear... it's going to be a fiddly job to line everything up, but I can't wait to ride it!

Husqvarna Nuda 900cc Promo Video

900cc parallel twin motard. Unlike the KTM, Aprillia and Ducati offerings, the parallel twin engine keeps the layout closer to the traditional thumper single cylinder motards.

Based on the BMW 800cc powerplant, the 900cc Husky is the first bike in a while I've really boon looking forward to it's release date. 

DIY Air Intake System (AIS) Block Off Install

We've all seen those really cool AIS block off plates, and they're not that expensive or difficult to install. Why do we need them? Some will say weight, but they weigh naff all so I call that a wank. I fitted them to the FZ1, and immediately that annoying popping on deceleration was completely gone. It's no surprise that the R1 with the GYTR pipes is popping and carrying on like the guns of Navarone.

Yamaha's AIS - pumps fresh air into the exhaust to cheat CO emissions testing

Time to fix all that popping. But I couldn't be bothered waiting days (more like weeks) for the parts to turn up... and I had some stuff in the shed I figure I can achieve the same result.

This is all you'll need:

Pliers, #2 Phillips, flat blade, stumpy flat, 5mm hex key, 

1/2" carby bungs (x3), stainless steal hose clamps (x3), zippy tie

As always, you'll need a rag (not shown)

Donut Skills Fail

Transformers: Dark of the Moon - Sound Team

A Photo from Yesterdays Test Ride

New R1 Parts - LSL Tour Match (150Y120)

The R1 is a massive technological improvement over the FZ1N, the engine drive out of turns is fantastic, gearbox is smooth, dash computer functionality is comprehensive, and the fairing offers protection on the highway... but one thing I don't like is the feeling that I am hanging onto the front axle.

So I've ordered a set of LSL Tourmatch clip-ons. These are made model specific and come as a complete bolt-on solution.

UPDATE 7th July 2011: Install has begun! Related posts here...

Bottpower XR-1

I've been keeping a weather eye on the Bottpower blog as they develop this little number... the XR-1.

2011 Triumph Speed Triple

A mate of mine is bike shopping. I went to the local Honda dealer to take a CB1000R for a test and give him my thoughts, but no test bike meant no test, and no test means no sale.

Instead, I took the Z1000 and Speed Triple for a spin and the jury has definitely voted the Triumph the winner there. There might be a $1,300 premium, but the Triple is well worth it. Don't get me wrong, the Kawasaki is a nice bike but it would be more suited to sensible commute or long distance hauls than around town hooliganism and mountain scratching. Coming off the 2010 R1, the triumph had a light, sporty feel while the Kawasaki felt more sensible than the FZ1 I used to own.

In any case, the big news is the long weekend, and the dealer offered me the Triple for the weekend, due back Tuesday. What moron would turn down that kind of offer?!?!

Tank Protection Film - The Tank Slapper

I'd fitted this stuff to the FZ1N before, and I think it's a much better option than the regular tank protectors because it offers a lot more coverage without the naff look. It seemed like an obvious solution to protecting the tank on the new R1. Check out the installation video for the static version...

So I ordered the 3 piece 3M adhesive kit and fitted it today. It came up ok, but the blue paint on the R1 definitely shows up my mistakes a lot worse than the yellow FZ1 did.

You can find more info over at their website, thetankslapper.biz

When you consider the $30 + shipping price tag, it compares really well to the alternative 'buckle guard' style tank protectors.