I got up at 5am, rode my pushbike from the office (where I slept) to covent garden, picked up the DT, back to the office, sorted my stuff out, then set off in to the thick fog at 7am this morning. Before I was even outside of the M25 ring, I was regretting my decision to go. I was tired, it was cold, and damp, and I wasn't even at Watford. I considered turning back, but couldn't be arsed in the end, so plodded on having an in helmet sulk to myself.
By the time I got to about Rugby, the fog had lifted, it started getting warmer, and I was in the groove of the journey, just eating up miles.
Once outside Central London, I did A1, A5, A41, then finally A49 to Preston. I arrived in just under 9.5 hours, having only stopped for about 20 minutes for lunch. I'm aching.
Still, testiment to the DT, and moreso to Norfe's engine building. Not a spot of bother with the bike in the cooler temperatures... apart from a small moment of running out of fuel, but reserve saved the day. It cost me £20 in fuel for the whole trip.
Only bastard is the nylon chain slap guard on the top of the swimg ar has word through, so for the last couple of miles I was plagued with the sound of the chain on the swing arm. Nasty grindy noise. Got to get that sorted on Monday if I can find a spare.
Anyway, to thoe considering doing any distance, go for it! DT is fine. Also, to those considering getting Norfe to fettle your mechanics, I think my long distance runs since buying the bike have been proof the man has a talent.
I'm absolutely ****ed now. Beer, bed, and probably copious amounts of midget transvestite porn.
Long as you stop every 45 mins or so, let it cool down a bit it's not too bad but it's so much worse if you have to get back on it the next day - backside hasn't recovered!
on my 17th bday when i first got insured i went out at midnight got home at 4am then went back out at 7am and ended up in Brighton went some mad way down haha then back taking detours got home around 6pm and covered well over 300 miles since midnight and used up all my summer petrol money haha well worth it mind dt coped fantastic
Haha. I used to do that in my car. 1.2l Nova saloon. It was ****, but I didn't half cover some miles.
I've found the problem with the grinding on the bike. The chain buffer is worn, but that wasn't causing the noise. The cushion guide under the frame has lost it's rubber cover, so the chain was making a right racket on the plastic spindle. Not really a lot I can do to fix that without getting a spare. Oh no! Yamaha thought ahead on that, and I found a spare bolted to the frame. I love Yam.
I've got a week off work, a bike in the north, and loads of pennines to explore.
Glad to see shes still getting used well, ill have a look in shed over weekend see if iv got any chain sliders mate, is it the white/creamy 1 u need at the top of the pivot point?
