Continuing - So what did you do to your bike today...?

[Hooli]

That Trident isn't bad, but as grog says it needs the missing bits off the back adding. A bigger bit of bodywork under the seat & a proper mudguard in there would finish it off lovely.

I totally fail to understand why bike designers forget the rear 1/4 of the bike needs to exist too.

[KiwiCol]

Saving production costs

[steve porter]

That Trident isn't bad, but as grog says it needs the missing bits off the back adding. A bigger bit of bodywork under the seat & a proper mudguard in there would finish it off lovely.

I totally fail to understand why bike designers forget the rear 1/4 of the bike needs to exist too.

Saves the kiddies pulling all the bits off

[Tally]

Had a go at polishing my forks today , didn't go as well as I liked as I only had a few sheets of sand paper and elbow grease but they look better than when I started. When I can get into my mates garage he'll lend me his tools to do a proper job until then here is a few pics of my efforts.

[KiwiCol]

A vast improvement for sure, it takes a while to get them right.

[DP1400]

No need for specialist kit.

Just fit a polishing pad on to any drill, apply Solvol Autosol alloy polish, and keep polishing. It will all go completely black. Polish off. Repeat 2/3 times. Finally polish off by hand with clean cloths. Job done. You`ll be amazed what standard you can achieve in 15mins. I always used this method on my `classics` alloy parts and be assured, you can achieve a mirror finish if req.

If you ever want to achieve a `factory` brushed alloy finish, follow the process described above, then finally `wrap` the part in fine `3M` abrasive cloth and work the cloth in the desired direction. Of interest, this is the method Honda describe in their owner manuals in order to retain the fine brushed alloy effect on their end cans! 

[Big Phil]

Tally, Do my eyes deceive me or is that a cardboard box supporting your bike 😳 Good effort on the fork polishing by the way 👏👏👏

[Tally]

@Big Phil , yeah it is a cardboard box but it was full though (an unopened talktalk freeview box). A new rear stand is needed though as big sooz nearly fell off, luckily my neighbour (edd) was watching me and rushed over to help, (I owe him a  for that). Like I said in my earlier post my mate has the tools I need including a proper stand to go under frame neck.

[grog]

Tally, cardboard box? My bike on centrestand, similar little jack to yours,I have a perfect bit of timber, cut to fit. Works perfectly, has sat on it for lots of days. Have shaken hell out of bike, wont fall over. Maybe stands are better, not sure. Mate had his on stand, wheel type, wheel gave way, over it went. Be careful what you buy. 

[Eric GSX1400K3]

I found a cheap ($20) rjays rear stand on our local gumtree site, and, like Grog  a bit of timber cut to size to fit in between the header pipes picks  up the sump via a trolley jack and you can lift the front of the bike up no dramas.

[Tally]

I've spoken to my mate and he reckons he can make a pair of U shaped brackets instead of the L shaped ones I have now in which one has broken, hence my bike nearly falling off.

[DP1400]

I have no main stand, so, with an identical jack to the one you are using Tally, I jack the bike up by placing the jack directly beneath and behind the oil filler on the sump. On top of the jack I `trap` a piece of pallet timber (approx 2x3 inch) which acts as a damper. Then once jacked up (at which time the bike is really unsteady!), I lower it onto axle stands, one either side directly under the frame members towards the front. Then remove the trolley jack. The bike is then rock solid. BTW, the rear is already supported by way of a paddock stand.

[DP1400]

Oooops, obviously not the oil filler on the sump. The oil drain plug would be more accurate!!

[grog]

Was wondering about that DP. Thought it something to do with us Downunder and you on top of world. 

[Kiwifruit]

Went over the Kaimai's to Cambridge to see dad then slipped the collar and did a little detour to the Okoriore Pub for a pint and a bite to eat. Enjoyable afternoon