Martin Barrett

Here's three links to previous rally reports. Note the format changes slightly. http://www.motorbikestoday.com/features/Ar...trally_gold.htm http://www.elam.34sp.com/Articles/Article_BMF_Rally_2002.htm This one even mentions a Guzzi. http://www.docsarah.demon.co.uk/rally2000.htm

It's not fair making fun of the afflicted. But I'll wait for you at the finish. You can come with me from Spean Bridgewhen I sneak out at 0630am if its like last year will do 630 miles and be back at the hotel at 8:30pm. To practice for the National we can always wear sunglasses to simulate darkness

I've toyed with the idea of the national before. Didn't they have a special stage last year? I think that put me off as I couldn't get time off work for that day. Antonio, this is different than the Round Britain Rally. I've not done this one before. I'm also weekend off that weekend. I might just be able to get the weekend of family duties to participate.

Yes it does go all the way to the top. or I've stretched the picture to look less fat. (but cunningly left the avatar picture the correct shape) Have you met my family

I learnt to tie a bow tie in the RAF and in the last 17 years I've used that skill once. I also think the decimal point was misplaced by at least one or if not two places I've blown this years clothing budget on two of Jaaps T shirts I'm so glad I'm not cool. The face fuzz went last night.

I'm at the cheep end of the market I've a £20 Asda 2 man tent, and simelar priced Argos 4 season (400g/m2)sleeping bag. Pricer stuff can pack down smaller. Might be slightly better quality.etc They bungee nicely to my Teknos, see avatar also shown is carrymat. The sleeping bag is a bit large but I'll never be cold. The tent is only a single skin co can suffer a bit more from condensation than a fly/storm sheet combination. I did use an air bed (in tail pack with cooker)(carry mat a bit redundant) but for Christmas I got a new airmat. similar size pack down as tent. What ever tent you go for make sure it has a canopy and not zip in to the side so when you open it the rain doesn't go into the living space. The advantage with cheep stuff is that if it gets damaged it's not the end of the world. The sky's the limit when it comes to outdoor gear. Think how many times you're going to use it a year. The big red thing is the sleeping bag.

My leave has been granted. So I'm in dependant on NHS waiting lists. Please book some nice weather. or bring some sunshine from Saudi

Ah - Guilty(ish) Where I come down the A1M junc 7 -4 on my early shift it is solid. I join at 7 and take up a central position between the lanes, once past the jucntion and everyone has sorted themselves out, there is two lanes nose to tail both lanes doing very approximatly the same spead, and no gaps big enough between the cars to allow any wayward lane changing. I can then set off down the middle. It can thin out but never in the outside lane. Once the nearside is clear I'll move over in to 1st third of that to undertake giving the outside a wide bearth. I quite offten go for the meat in the sandwich after watching both pieces of bread to make sure they hold a steady course. Do it a fair speed differential to minimise time as the meat. More preferable to letting the sandwich lozenge and the faster one cut back to the nearside. When it thins out too much also stop undertaking. Also not when it goes back to three lanes (junc 6), theres just too much leeway for lateral movement. Concentrate very hard watching traffic flow/patterns/movement and clues from the drivers. Occasional headlight flash just to make sure that they know I'm there.

The only problem with that clip is that you can't see the bike in the first look because he's not there! or if he is he's obscured by the drivers head. But it makes you think " I didn't see him", So if shown at cinemas and on the telly where you can't freeze frame, it works Here the British Government site detailing the current campaign

In that case why aren't we riding little two strokes with knife edge power bands, and scalpel like handling as we dissect the road. Personally I bludgeon it in to submission with tractability.

As a lad I remember seeing a Jota with a pulsator. Could see him coming from way off. Only concern is that a flash could be interperated as being flashed out. and that it makes the speed distance calculation even more difficult.

Be seen from miles away get vascared* between two points and lose licence This is where the observation comes in, and the need for balance EDIT- VASCAR (Vague and Spurious Calculations at Random) Method of calculating speed - time between two measured points. okay it realy stands for Visual Average Speed Computer and Recorder

Firstly do not rely on others to see you. If your safety solely depends on that you're as good as dead. A little bit of noise is good especially when filtering. Motion camouflage where you seem to be stationary against the back ground If you're moving across it you will be seen easier. Big blocks. The headlight is right to an extent it can make you speed distance harder to judge, the theory is that having seen you they will then take that extra bit of time to accurately access your speed distance. Main beams are just anti social, illegal and dangerous use your dipped beam. In camouflage was taught to avoid, shape, silhouette, motion, shine and sky line. So do these. Having said that. I ride a black bike with my head light on, wearing black suit and a matt black helmet. with standard exhausts Only ever had one two vehicle accident and that was been struck in the rear in the car. Struck by a car who lost control moving from the 3rd lane to the middle in the snow

Not wishing to be a smart arse but I looked it up earlier

The Dutch are having difficulty with these signs going missing

ABS by BigJ

So that is actually your cock. I don't believe the infamous TX avatar to actually be himself. I think it's nice if you can use something personal as your avatar. ie Jim's helicopter tattoo or my "goose with my bike in Holland"

Sorry to hear about your mishap Gary. Makes me feel better that I dropped mine on to my leg/panniers/head guard on the ferry to Ireland last year. I damaged my plug cap, broke a front indicator lens off and put a crack into the fairing screen blade, could only limp for two days but once the lens was duct taped back on on problems with rideability. The stiff leg was worth not losing the brake pedal

It was the bottom eye. I think - brain like a sieve

, what have I let myself in for. BTW do V11 cutches rattle in 1 and 2nd gears at low speed overrun or should I have another dose of paranoia? 77477[/snapback] You (Rosso Mandello and Tenni & Scurra) have a single plate clutch different from all the others. They do rattle to various degrees. So far only known failures have been Scurras (later model run) Not known if it's down to inadequate tightening of the mounting bolts or some other cause expansion rates in different material or another inherent weakness. Do a search on scurra clutch - you'll find the horror stories, there have only been a few but can be quite catastrophic

I use the Baglux/bagster system. It's pricey and I tend have the harness on the bike all the time. There is a choice of different sized bags that clip to it. I've run it to the problem on the biggest bag touches the kill switch at full lock. The web site is a bit of a mess when it comes to finding the right one for the various v11 models I've have put links on here before. I think its quality kit and recommend it.

Thankyou BigJ, gives me the oportunity to post this picture again

Was it your top or bottom eye? I think it's these three reports and I think one other in Germany so it's not as common as the single plate clutches letting go. I don't think you'll get anywhere on the warranty. There are plenty of options of replacements. Get busy with the search. Lots of posts but crop up all over the place. Good job found out in the garage. it does make you think what would have happened if came it had come apart and seperated on the road Let us know how you get on and which replacement you go for.

There will no doubt be booking forms in the Grumblemonger out soon (this week by my reconing) or the one after. Certain people last year who couldn't make their mind up to the last minute phoned Bob Smith up and paid on arrival. I don't think numbers are overly critical always squeeze another tent in. If you just turn up he might not have had enough badges made. Last year the rally fee was £5. Plus a few quid for (very basic) camping. So it's only to cover the costs. I take it that you did join the MGOCGB