Martin Barrett

as always nice report

Hi there Gavin, I love airships and the idea of modern ones, a timely post as Friday was the 77th anniversary of the R101 disaster - I'd spotted that as most days have a quick look at the on this day in history pages I'm not too far away from you in Stevenage, I was about to recommend the Herts & Beds Guzzi owners club branch meet, but I can see from Hazels report that you were there last week. Unfortunately I was as working night shift as I will be doing next month but should be there for December and also the Christmas diner (hopeful has been confirmed as the 8th) see you about, Martin

It took the follow up with the reference to pie to make the penny drop Generally you know which topics and posters produce vitriolic comments and if it seems out of character normally means I've missed the point. Enough of that I'm now going back to my cheeky girls album - Don't listen to it just gawp at the cover.

Is this the sort of thing we can expect if the rally coincides with one of your carnivals? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7026851.stm If so what type of fruit should I come dressed as?

I really missed not having the ERIN rally with it's break away V11Lemans.com splinter group this last year. So if you had a weekend in mind for this coming year I'd do my utmost to come. It can be difficult to get time off in the school holiday periods and it would be domestically frowned upon if I did secure that time and "wasted " it on a motorcycle trip as opposed to family time. So May, June and September are best for me. With a number of people already committing to Scotland for May it may only be feasible for a small gathering this year, but I like the idea of a scouting party. Also it's not much further from Ken Bridge to the ferries at Stranraer so the Europeans who make Ken Bridge this year would have an idea on the feasibility of a double crossing for next. I don't think Galloway one weekend and Ulster the next would be feasible requires too much time away from family for those that it's a consideration. I'm not sure about the racing. I enjoy it on the TV but I'm not sure I'd give up the main riding day to standing on a road side and watching them blast past. But I've not tried it, so never say never and I'll go with the general consensus. I'm all for committing now to the main UK V11Lemans.com gathering being in Ulster for 2009

My leave is booked so I'm in. Just have to decide whether to camp or not. I probably won't do the RBR whilst I'm there, I'll be socialable for a change. I might take an extra day a still do it but there again might not.

Great a Political joke thread on the forum I've got to moderate, bound to upset somebody - well as long as they're funny

Will check the duty roster tonight and apply for leave - So I'm in unless I can't get the time off.

Notice best white shirt for motorcycle maintenance

Sorry to hear about Dirty Bird going down on you, and you not coming up smiling, at least you got through it feeling a little stiff. Innuendo aside. I hope the stiffness goes quickly. Good reminder about gear and following distances/visibility. I habitually follow very close so read the road in front of the vehicle, not always the smartest of moves.

" it's a ladies jacket for ladies" http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9Fja21VgEY8

I'd like to thank the three wise V11lemans.com monkeys. Antonio, Jaap and Paul for setting up this meeting and all the hard work that goes on behind the website. As totally expected I had a lovely time, meeting up again with old acquaintances and also meeting in person some people who I'd only spoken to previously through this board., as well as some new friends. so you don't have to keep downloading my pictures I've done a separate report So looking forward to the next time we can get together.

I decided to make this a separate topic not because I'm special ( I am ) but so you only have to read/down load the pictures once and not every time some else up dates the main thread. As previously mentioned this was to be my only Guzzi trip this year so we started off with a wash I'd strapped everything to the bike the night before so all I had to do was clip on the tank bag and leave. So nice early start up at 0445 I'd plenty of time in hand so leisurely breakfast left home 0515. I topped up with fuel after 25 miles, I know from there I can make the petrol station on the E40 after Calais. By the time I'd fueled I'd eaten a bit to far in to my cushion of time and needed to press on. Nice straight run through, no delay at the Dartford crossing toll both. It's free for bikes but you have to go through a manned both so there's always potential for a bit of a queue. Coming down the M20 in to Kent over the high ground a bit of a chill and then patches of fog. I'd sneaked a peek at my wrist watch - not easy as have to slacken cuff off and half remove the glove to see - I must get another small clock to attach to the Velcro point in my fairing nose. I knew I was really pushed for time. Trying to find a balance of speed for the fog - only a fool rushes in and too slow and you'd risk a fool collecting you from behind, and not wishing to attract the attention of the law. He'd got someone a bit further on. I arrived at the queue at my booking in time - they load 30-15 minutes before departure - it took 5 minutes to go through the auto booking in system - it displayed next crossing some 3 hours later but the boarding card was for the next departure so straight to the holding queues. As always bikes on last. Shared the crossing with an American on a R1200GS going to Italy, and a father & son with a pair of Fazers who were doing 10 days in the south of France. From there clocks forward an hour and hit the slab E40, made my first planned fuel stop. There I set up my sat nav, I've a car TomTom which I've cobbled some cardboard and elastic to make a frame to hold it in position in the tank bag window, and power it from an optimate battery tender cable with an additional cigarette lighter extension cable attached. Didn't work quite as planned. Had to shade the screen with my hand to view it, didn't have to do this when I first tried it back in the UK - was obviously a lot duller then Having been caught out last year looking for fuel at limit of tank range, this year I filled again just past Brussels, that did me all the way to Sibbe which was easy to find with the aid of the Sat Nav. I arrived at about 12:30 to find Guy, Helen and Mal had arrived about 10 minutes before me. But no sign of Jaap or Antonio Set up camp in the field at the back. Lovely flat recently grassed and no stones, the pegs went in smoothly. There was a chicken run down one side of the field, Paul the proprietor removed a basket of roosters from there so no early morning alarm calls. Chez Martin - the following morning - meths stove for early morning coffee. Once set up the others went down the local Cafe to gab a bite to eat. Popped out to visit a local Geo cache in Valkenberg. I had brought my first Geo coin ( trackable item that cachers move from cache to cache) with me and wanted to send it on its way. So off to the local park and quickly found the cache a small ammunition tin hidden under a pile of logs in the middle of a copse You can just make out the red of the box between the bigger logs, and also see the bodge GPS cradle in the tank bag. Job done back to the rally. Lots of standing around talking, and then Paul opened the bar, so now standing/sitting talking with bier (sic) Over dinner my headache is getting worse, I'd initially thought it might have been buffeting from the wind against my helmet, or even worse the bier (lightweight) But I soon realise it's sunstroke I stood too long outside nothing else for it I slope off to my tent. Feeling better by the morning, cup of coffee and natter before breakfast. Ride-out at 11 so time for a bit of machine maintenance. My number plate hanger is so badly rusted that it's falling apart and the number plate is liable to fall off at any moment so off it all comes and borrow Paul's drill so it can be bolted straight to the mudguard. The only other maintenance going on is a silver V11 that's lost it's bolt that secures the ignition barrel and Helen has lost a bolt from her flip front helmet swivel. Both are sorted from Guy's bag of spare nuts and bolts. So we're off first stop petrol were another one of Guy's nuts is required to replace an escaped exhaust hanger nut. We split in to two groups so not to be so unwieldy. Our ride is going nicely I'm no 8 of 9 and we've just entered a small town, a couple of cars split us and I decide not to be a hooligan and force past them until out of the built up area. I'm still in contact at the T junction but shortly afterwards I've lost sight of Bertie, we've just come up a hill and the road follows round left in a tight hair pin and even cross back over us but virtually straight on is a road that's signposted to the same place as the T junction so I head up there and immediately cut loose trying to catch up. To no avail. Lovely bit of road that takes you up to a wooded hill top cafe and doubles back on it self. I wait at that point for a moment no sign of Guy, so I continue back down the hill and pick up the original road and about half a mile further on they waiting for me. Guy joins us a few moments later as does Mal who'd doubled back. We continue on into the Eifel mountains. Lovely twisty bends - sweepers hairpins a bit of everything. Lots of motorcycles. We stop for lunch. Bockwurst and Pommes frits - and a very small cup of coffee, unlike the big mugs that are favoured in the UK. Most of our group, alfresco dining , don't worry I used my neck tube as a hat (for a short while) to prevent a repetition of the previous days sunstroke. Panoramic shot of the lunch stop - if I've done it right should be a clicky link to fuller size 2MB picture Here we are about to set off again - I think Soren is talking to Guy, but is having difficulty in keeping a straight face as Mal demonstrates the English sense of humor by making faces whilst stood behind Guy - it's that or he's putting his ear plugs in. More of the same, without me getting lost, as we head back to Sibbe. Here's Guy trying to pick up a local girl. Bar Be Que and lots more bier, and talking. Special thank you to the anonymous American member who stood a round The three wise monkeys of the forum I made up for the previous nights early finish and was last to bed, so it must have been the sun not the bier. I still made a coffee the following morning though breakfast was already being served. leisurely pack up and departures. My initial plan having taken advice was to head south in to the Ardennes and then west and come up to Calais through Luxembourg and France. But I dallied to much in the Eiffel's and didn't get too far south west so when I realised that I hadn't put the Tom Tom on CET so I didn't have the extra hour I thought I did. So when the display for the fastest time back to Calais clicked down towards my booking in time plus 2x fuel stops I made tracks, unfortunalty took me back to join the E42 and then on to E40. Made Calais early so was put on the next train 1/2 hr earlier, so was home 7.15 Uk. Perhaps next time I'll go for a later train and have more time to spend exploring, but the plus points were I was able to see the kids before they went to bed, snuggle up with Debs and watch the France/Namibia rugby match and the repeat of the Estoril MotoGP. As always Guzzi people are the best, and V11 ones the cream. Must have been over 30 different ones there at some point over the weekend, mostly V11 though Paul was there on his Daytona, Jean Marc on his GB SuperTwin along with another one , Harold on his very orange cali, and a centaruo based cafe racer. Special mention for Soren - iron butt longest ride to the rally Where/when next ?

The half tennis ball is true, I always had a piece of packing binder strap coiled in my helmet, smooth knobs were the end of that.

I was chatting with one of the girls at work who rides. She will be going to the Tailend Rally the same weekend that I'm going to Holland so I've tasked her with finding an Aprilia/RSV key fob and will send it on to you, if not you'll have to wait to the nec show Oct/Nov.

My take on it is that Stoner might have the best bike/set up but he consistently eeks the best out of it and doesn't do anything wrong. Loris must hate him It has become quite predictable but when you compare it to F1 when it's often Ferrari/Mclaren/Williams/whoever 1&2 that shows which car is the best and the drivers aren't able to prove the difference in the bikes the rider is making so much more a difference eg Rossi on the inferior Yamaha, Look at the qualifying - 5 different bikes first 5 places this isn't unusual Any way there was some good overtaking maneuvers on the 250's as always.

I had a quick google when I saw this yesterday - couldn't find anything specfic but: St Mary Magdelene doesn't appear to be an overly big church yard and we know what the stone looks like it's worth going on spec.

Thanks Ben, gone and cast my secret ballot. Had to have them fitted on the trials bike and they've been useful, but as far as road bikes grief either as above or someones pushed it and you've not realised and your bike won't start and the crowd is getting bigger.

Shame the deer is just moving out of frame. I'd swear that it went over where the pillion would have been. Very lucky, indeed. On the Fratellis - For some unknown reason I quite like the Burlesque style video they did. But Impressed with the kids anyway. When I was young and going through police training college, Thursday night was disco night. I'd throw myself into it unashamed (unleash the epileptic octopus) as long as I could find someone to dance with. In effect, for me, it was another PT session, unsurprisingly when the tempo slowed it was even harder to find someone to dance with.

No but the kill switch caused me to fall off. My tank bag when full can move forward just enough to brush against the kill switch on full lock. This is a right royal pain, but normally only comes in to effect when pushing the bike backwards in to the shed at work or doing a "U" turn if I've made a navigational error - this obviously is a very rare occurrence On the way to the ERIN rally in Ireland in 05 whilst boarding the ferry was directed to the far side of the deck. So was conducting a slow speed feet up "S" turn across the slope of the deck and the bag nudged the switch enough to make the contact to cut the ignition. I went down instantly. Only damage sustained was a small crack to the fairing blade, the front indicator lens knocked off and the spark plug cap driven on to the plug. Serious damage was prevented by my panniers and leg. A bit of duct tape to hold the lens on and liberal application of anti - inflammatory Guinness and I was able to hobble about for 3 days when not riding. I would consider retro fitting the on top rocker switch as fitted to the earlier V11 than the later push switch.

I take thats what is in the top left. I'd guess that the rapidly changing numbers is the fuel:air ratio, what do the lights across the top mean? Will you leave it there or is just whilst you're tuning. Is it not distracting especially at night? Now the camera is mounted are you going to take us or a spin along some picturesque sweepers? Please.

Not really a Sat Nav Geek. We recently purchased a Tom Tom One and used it half a dozen times, have it on the "fastest route" setting but there are times when you just want to go your own way and it has to recalculate. I've tried in the tank bag a couple of times and might take it to Holland with me, once I've rigged a power take off, but I'm a bit concerned with waterproofing/overheating. I use a Garmin Etrex for the Geocaching, whilst walking mainly but also on the pedley, which is a just point to the waypoint and count down. For longer distances its interpretation off the map as to which foot path you need to take to end up where you want to go it might not always be the one that the needle is pointing down at that moment. I think the Tom Tom has an avoid motorways setting. There isn't a convenient route planning setting in which you can preplan a route by setting in waypoints, though there is an a avoid setting. Mostly use it for getting to a destination ones not familiar with so tends to be the tail end of the journey. Last time we used it was to go to an address in North London/Essex - off the map I'd have taken Junc 26 where the Tom Tom preferred Junc 27 off the M25, some times I follow its advise others I do my own thing. It's interesting to compare the algorithm it uses as to what you suspect would be the best route.. They're like calculators you need to know what the answer you should be getting out of it and not follow it blindly. Mine are lower end of the market so it's used in connection with a map. Perhaps the more advanced will allow you to put a route in. But if you just put in a destination it will take you according to one of its algorithms. So if after an exciting ride look at the map before you set out, notes in tank bag. If you need to can use the GPS to get to an initial point, or after a days wallying around to get you to the final point pronto. I use the female voice, reminds me of my first wife telling me what to do, but I can ignore this one and she doesn't always or for long insist that I do a U turn and do it her way

As a pubescent teenager I had the hots for her mum, I therefore feel just a little bit pervy ogling Sophie. Luckily only just a little bit. No that wasn't " I feel my little bit whilst pervyily ogling Sophie Ellis Bextor" For our continental friend Janet Ellis was a presenter on children's programme "Blue Peter" until sacked by scandalously becoming pregnant out of wedlock- having done a bit of googling there is a bit of urban myth around this..

I have a standard crossover, but have had endless problems with various joints on my exhaust system. It was disturbed to fit my techno pannier carriers, silencer mount. I've had both headers crack. Been unable to prevent the silencer vibrating in the collector joint, thinning both parts out. The silencer mounting brackets have snapped 2x1 and 1x1. On one trip I'd lost an exhaust stud bolt, this allowed the pipes to splay and the balance pipe even fell out I find it impossible to get a lasting tight seal on the balance pipe. I've tried Aaron Bards shims but they didn't help. I've even had to take the clamp internals from the header/crossover joint to replace the header/balance knackered ones. I'd be tempted to replace the headers for either pre 02 ones or Racer X's to run without the balance pipe.

Runs on to reserve around about 100miles, hasn't pushed it to empty so 120 max. He did say that struggled to keep up with the "mighty mighty goose" (made Debs pull a face) and faired better knocking a few mph off the following day. Perhaps not struggled but felt more comfortable. No , just for geocaching. I made up notes to put in the tank bag I colour coded the R & L - first time usually use crows feet diagramsHaving reached Kidderminster faced with the ring road sign I went left as opposed Right to A456 Leominster. Doesn't always work The E-trex wouldn't have helped. Tried the Tom Tom but is a car set so not waterproof and limited battery, need to wire in a outlet socket and put in waterproof bag, but might over heat.