It certainly has been a busy and very varied fortnight here at the mono motorcycles workshop.

Here are some highlights of some of the activities we have been up to, events we have run/attended and some of the the motorcycles we have welcomed through our doors.

Reactive Suspension – Bike Set Up training. 12^th September.

On Thursday 11^th September Daniel and Oaklie took a long trek north to York. The reason for their trek was to take part in a Bike Set Up course at Reactive Suspension on Friday 12^th September.

We have been talking about offering suspension services for a while and having recently used the services of Reactive Suspension for a CCM rear shock, we were keen to take up the opportunity to offer this as a service.

Gareth Evans who started and runs Reactive Suspension started his engineering career as an apprentice marine engineer, learning traditional engineering skills.

Moving on to Higher Education, he studied Automotive Engineering. Upon graduation he joined Loctite Yamaha, the start of a career in British Superbikes, which included working for teams such as Old Spice Ducati, Red Bull Ducati, and Honda Britain.

The session was an incredible insight into suspension set up and how so many different elements can influence a rider’s experience.

Daniel and Oaklie came away from the course with a new found energy and eager to share their experience.

They didn’t have to wait long as our CCM Bobber owner who joined us on Thursday had already asked us to sort his suspension set up.

Once the measurements had been taken and the bike set up explicitly for the rider, he was really impressed with just how different the bike felt with the suspension set for him.

We are now offering individual suspension set up and will soon be offering specific suspension set up clinics on Saturday mornings. Keep an eye on our social media channels for more information.

Find out more about the Reactive Suspension set up course here https://monomotorcycles.co.uk/suspension-set-up-course-at-reactive-suspension-mcss-suspension-school/

Tuesday 16^th September – James Whitham Motorbike Track Day

The workshop was closed Monday and Tuesday as Daniel, Oaklie and our friend Simon headed off up to Mallory Park together to take part in a James Whitham Motorbike Track Day.

The Whitham Motorbike Track Days are an opportunity to gain expert tuition form some of the top names in motorsport.

Daniel finds that every time he participates in a Whitham track day that he always comes away with so much more knowledge and valuable techniques to better his riding.

For this track day Daniel was being instructed by Davo Johnson a former Superstock racer and seasoned TT racer.

This was Oaklie’s first experience of riding at Mallory and having the incredible tuition from Tom Neave who is the reigning Pirelli National Superstock Champion.

Both Daniel and Oaklie were buzzing from their Whitham Motorbike Track Day and are both looking forward to putting their knew knowledge into practise in the 2026 track day season.

Thursday 18^th September

Today was a day of two halves.

On Thursday morning we welcomed a CCM Bobber to the mono motorcycles workshop. The Bobber joined us for a Kellermann Atto Chrome 3 in 1 under seat rear light installation and for a suspension set up.

The bike had been previously owned by someone much taller than the present owner and the suspension was set to suit their physical requirements.

Once Daniel and Oaklie re-calibrated the suspension settings correctly for the riders weight, we sent our customer out for a test ride. When he returned he was amazed at how much better the bike handled now it had been set to his requirements.

The rest of Thursday was consumed by two Major Services.

The first Major Service was on the giant BMW R1250RT. The BMW also received some new shoes and security upgrades.

On the other ramp a Ducati Multistrada 1260S joined us for a Major Service and Cambelts.

Sunday 21^st September – Breakfast Club

On Sunday the sun shone and about 80 bikes arrived for our September Breakfast Club. What a fantastic morning!

Monday 22^nd September

A busy Monday with plenty of catching up time included.

Today we welcomed a Yamaha Tracer MT09 for a full service.

While Oaklie carried out the MT09 service, Daniel completed the Major Service and additional work on the Ducati Multistrada.

Next up we welcomed a Yamaha R6 which had a charging fault. Under investigation the stator was found to have failed. Our customer authorised the purchase of a new one.

Oaklie then fitted the chain and sprockets and rear number plate to the Benelli TNT125. Both items were identified as needing replacing during the service last week.

Tuesday 23^rd September

Sometimes things are not what they seem.

Last Friday we welcomed a Triumph Daytona 675 for an MOT. The Daytona had been parked outside all day having been left early in the morning.

When Daniel wheeled the bike into the MOT bay, he noted just how stiff the front end felt. When he bounced the forks there was no rebound in them…at all! His initial thoughts were that the forks had been over filled with oil.

The MOT identified several other things which needed attention.

When we contacted the customer he advised that he had thought the reason why the bike felt like it wanted to buck him out of the seat was due to the rear shock. He also commented on the fact that he had been advised (elsewhere) that the reason why the front end felt so stiff was due to the head stock bearings needing replacing.

We agreed with our customer to strip the forks, check the headstock bearings and replace the tyres.

When Oaklie stripped the forks they were in his words “brimming” with oil. When we drained the oil we found that each leg had 550ml of fork oil in it. They should have 150ml of oil per leg.

Oddly enough once we replaced the correct amount of oil and refitted the fork legs, the rebound came back. Funny that!

When Oaklie checked the headstock bearings they were almost new, but he greased them up just to make sure.

We also fitted the bike with a brand new set of Dunlop Sportsmart Mk4 tyres.

We also welcomed a KTM 990 for an annual service and MOT and a Suzuki V-Strom 650 for a Major service. Both bikes were in need of brake pads which we will fit tomorrow.

Daniel spent some time this morning fitting a Denali horn and an Indimate – audible indicator reminder – on a Kawasaki Vulcan and this afternoon he fitted another Denali horn, clutch switch and changed the brake/clutch fluid on a Honda Blackbird.

Wednesday 24^th September

Anyone smell burning?
On Monday we welcomed a Yamaha R6 to the workshop with a charging fault. Under investigation it was found that the stator had failed.
Once the stator casing was removed we discovered why the stator had failed. It was completely black a sure sign that it had burnt out and hence why the bike was not charging.
We replaced the stator with a lovely copper coloured one (this is what they are supposed to look like)
We also replaced the end can/silencer as the previous short pipe was so loud it failed the MOT. We think that the Black Widow addition really works on the bike.

Events

Breakfast Club Sunday 26th October 2025

NOTE: CHANGE OF DATE!
Join us for delicious breakfast’s, chat with us about motorcycle service, repair, tyres and MOTs, catch up with friends or drop in for a pit-stop.
For our final breakfast club of 2025, we welcome the very fabulous Mike and Jordan of MJ Fine foods who are looking forward to serving up a delicious menu for you including Smash patty sausage rolls, Bacon rolls, Hash browns and cheese rolls, Mushroom and egg rolls, Egg rolls and the Mega roll (Hash brown, sausage patty, bacon, egg, mushrooms)

Tickets are now on sale for our charity Gig in aid of SERV Wessex.

Join us on Saturday 29th November 2025 for a Charity Gig in aid of SERV Wessex.
Celebrate Christmas 2025 with a fantastic night of live music from ‘Carbon Copy Party Band’, an incredible raffle, licensed bar and hot food from ‘MJ Fine Foods’.
Doors open at 7pm.
Band Session 1 — 7.30pm—8.15pm
Break 8.15pm—9.00pm
Band Session 2 — 9.00pm—9.45pm
Raffle draw 9.45pm—10.00am
Doors close 10.30pm
Tickets cost £10.00 and will be on sale from August 2025 and can be purchased over the telephone or at our workshop in Funtington, Chichester, PO18 9DA

Location: The gig takes place at The Pallant Centre, Havant, PO9 1BE.