Following the great success of our 1st birthday breakfast ride in, it was back to the spanners early Monday morning. Our week has seen us cross paths with a poorly Honda Africa Twin, a returning RC8 for additional upgrades, a very silent Buell Firebolt XB12R & two 47 year old classics; a Triumph Trophy 650 & a Norton Commando 750 .

Our week started with the stunning RC8 returning to mono motorcycles & vehicle security to have the SAS valve removed. Although some riders thrive on the excessive sounds of the popping & banging on the overun, this RC8’s  owner found it too much & therefore with the valve removed, the volume was turned down some what. Removing the SAS valve does not have any impact on the performance of the RC8.

The RC8 has swiftly been followed by a “poorly” Honda 750 Africa Twin. The Africa Twin was booked in to mono motorcycles & vehicle security as the owner was having difficulty keeping the revs when the Honda was warmed up. In addition, it was cutting out, stalling & backfiring regularly. Once the carbs were apart (Daniel noted the rubbers appeared kinked upon removal) Daniel discovered that two of the jets were completely blocked. Once the carbs had been completely stripped, cleaned & refitted, the Africa Twin was given a test ride. In the meantime, the customer advised us that the fan had an intermittent fault, which upon diagnosis turned out to be the switch. Once the Honda had been ridden several times & the set up commenced, Daniel noticed that the carb rubbers seemed to be blowing air. When he sprayed carb cleaner on them, air was escaping. It transpired that the rubbers were stretched & therefore the intake mix was incorrect & creating the issues listed above.

I mentioned in last weeks blog that we were waiting to receive a Buell Firebolt XB12R in to the workshop. She arrived on Monday in the pouring rain & we spoke to her owner about the processes he wished her to undergo. The main thing for the Firebolt was to get her running, as she had been sat in the warm & dry for the past 5 years. The Firebolt’s owner advised us that he had noticed a deep rumble from the clutch towards the end of the time he was riding her & is therefore fully aware that this could be a considerable revitalisation.

Since the Firebolt has been with us, Daniel has discovered that she was virtually empty of oil, however once stripped & the alarm disconnected, she showed signs of life by starting to crank & then fired up. We have now noted the rumble as explained to us by the customer & therefore the investigation continues.

The Buell Firebolt XB12R will very soon join the classics podium, as from the end of 2018, Harley Davidson will no longer stock parts. However, there is a reason Firebolt owners have an affection for these motorcycles, as MCN reflected on in their review:

‘The Buell XB12R Firebolt is a real Frankenstein’s monster of a motorcycle – but it works. Ancient Harley-Davidson engine mated to a stubby, innovative, high-tech aluminium frame with lots of well thought out touches makes a superb, nimble sports bike. The Buell XB12R may not be the fastest thing in a straight line but awesome in corners and stacks of fun.

As a sports bike or even a track day tool, the Buell XB12R Firebolt’s handling works. Steering’s so rapid you look and the motorcycle turns. But it manages this without being unstable too – testament that Buell’s innovations work. On the road it can be a handful. Instant power, fast steering and firm suspension make it a committed rather than relaxed ride.’  www.motorcyclenews.com 22.11.2006

In between the major works this week, we have received a Harley Davidson   V-ROD which is in for a new battery & to assess the frame. The motorcycle was damaged last year & it appears the frame has warped & the pegs are skewed. Daniel visited a regular customer to work on his Honda CB750 which has to complete some wiring & fitting of two painted panels. Although mono motorcycles & vehicle security are no longer a mobile business, the Honda CBF750 has been part of the mono motorcycles family from the onset & we respect her owners needs.

To end our week we have two classics in the workshop a Triumph Trophy 650 & a Norton Commando 750.  The Triumph is in to have some wiring mods & the Commando for a revitalisation after a winter holiday. Both motorcycles are being sold following the works undertaken by mono motorcycles & vehicle security. Watch this space for more updates on their progress.

As always, for all your motorcycling needs contact Daniel Morris on 07899 654446/ 01243 576212 or contact us through our contact page.