Old News 2004

22nd October  04     Ride Like A Pro III - Video or DVD

It can't have escaped your attention that Christmas is only a few weeks away... Now what better idea for your biking buddies than a few tips on how ride even better then they are now. I'd say that anything to help us out there on those nasty old roads would help. So there's this video I saw called Ride Like A Pro (III). It's from the good old USA and has had great reviews over there. Made by Jerry 'Motorman' Palladino, who teaches motorcycle cops in the USA. An extract from the web site...

A "MotorMan" is a law enforcement officer assigned to a motorcycle unit. Before an officer can become a motorman, he or she receives the best most highly intensive training available. You will learn three simple techniques which, once applied will have you riding like a pro in no time. Most riders improve their riding ability by 100% in three to four hours. This video will give you a step by step approach to these simple easy to use techniques for low speed handling. With these techniques even the biggest, heaviest motorcycle will become easy to handle at low speeds. Never worry about dropping your bike again.

RIDE LIKE A PRO VIDEO III. This is the video all riders need. It is based on Police Motorcycle Officer training. It doesn't matter if you've taken numerous MSF courses or if you've heard the techniques before, this video will show you how to apply the techniques correctly. First time, every time. Welcome to a whole new world of motorcycling, enjoyment and safety.

http://www.ridelikeapro.com/

I'd suggest getting the DVD's for UK use, unless you have a video machine that works on the USA's own VHS format.

By the way - while you're on the web site - take a look at some of his articles as they're worth a read.

Happy shopping! Oh - and mention the VSOC website when you buy one.

Regards, Nick Lappage - [email protected]

12th October  04       Patron Saint of Bikers

Who knew that the patron saint of Motorcyclists is St. Columbanus?
Bit of a worry, one of the miracles attributed to him, was destroying a vat of beer by breathing on it.

WEIRD NEWS OF THE MONTH: ST COLUMBANUS, PATRON SAINT OF BIKERS From the Old Country
comes proof that if the almighty himself does not don the leathers and climb aboard his scooter, one of his representatives on Earth certainly does.

Step forward the "biking bishop", as he is affectionately known in England, in the shape of Bishop John Oliver. This man of the cloth and leathers is a keen Harley fan and rides Milwaukee iron as well as a cross-section of other bikes whenever he gets the opportunity.

In fact, so serious is he about his biking that the biking bishop has secured permission from none other than the Pope to have one St. Columbanus to be officially named as the patron saint of bikers.

Robert Daines writes, in his European Harley News report for Thunder Press, that the inauguration took place in the Italian town of Bobbio, the final resting place for the man who will be looking after bikers from now on. Fittingly, the service was attended by Bishop Oliver and hundreds of his fellow bikers.

St. Columbanus was originally from Ireland and as a young man was somewhat of a "lady's man." To avoid the temptations of the flesh, he turned to religion and travelled the world doing numerous good deeds until his death in Italy in 1651.

As for all his good deeds on behalf of bikers around the word, the bishop was modesty itself. "Bikers need all the protection they can get," he told the British press, "so this is undoubtedly a good thing."

So the next time you take a tumble and find yourself dusting down your bike and feeling great to be alive, you will know who to thank.

30th September  04    Want a new Starter Motor?

Dear Sir,
Re: Supply of STARTER MOTORS for XV Viragos and most others.
Having in the past experienced problems with the starter motor on my Virago 920 and having found Auto-electricians an expensive and unsatisfactory solution with the commutator throwing solder once again, I decided to search for a replacement. It soon became apparent there is a shortage of supply and repair facilities and of course a second hand starter from a breakers may yield the same problems.

After much research, I have now set up a way of supplying new and rebuilt starters for most Viragos and quite a large selection for other models, at very competitive prices.

XV STARTER MOTORS AND OTHERS.

LET US SOLVE YOUR STARTER PROBLEMS, BY SUPPLYING YOU WITH EITHER A NEW OR REBUILT STARTER.

You can contact us on [email protected]

Please leave your name and a contact phone number and the best time to call so we can discuss your requirements and shipping details.

I will always endeavour to treat every enquiry promptly and ensure customer satisfaction.

Yours Sincerely,
G. W.Birkett.

6th July  04    Motorbike to carry safety camera

One of the first motorbikes in the country to carry a safety camera arrives in Wiltshire on Tuesday.
The vehicle was bought by the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership from money collected in speeding fines. The new camera can be used in less accessible areas

The 650cc Honda carries the same speed enforcement equipment as vans "but it reaches the places the others don't," said camera manager David Frampton.

The bike will only be used for speed enforcement when it is on its stand with the camera mounted behind.

"Unlike the camera vans, we can position a motorcycle in narrow lanes and on verges in villages and the countryside where a mobile van would obstruct a driver's view," said Mr Frampton.

"It has also been modified to be identifiable as a safety camera vehicle, so it will have a high profile in rural areas where, we believe, it will encourage drivers to slow down and make roads safer, particularly for the vulnerable."

In Wiltshire, the number of people killed or seriously injured at safety camera sites has fallen by 64 per cent - which is higher than the national rate of 40 per cent.

30th March 04    Venture Star Trunk Cracks

Whilst working on the VSOC stand at the NEC bike show this week, I was asked if I knew anything about the Venture Star Top Box (or Trunk) coming adrift. Apparently there was some technical bulletin issued but the gentleman couldn't get his local Yamaha dealer in Leicester to understand the problem. Having checked over a few sites and enquiring further, I'm happy to give you all a link to a Venture Star web site that should help all those of you with queries of a technical nature on the Venture Star
The link is... www.venturers.org/NextGenTech/V2tech.html

It seems as though Yamaha UK didn't take too much notice of the modification kit that the USA provided and fitted a new top box under warranty instead. If some of you do have problems with cracking on your trunks, the modification kit costs about £20 and can be got directly from the USA. The Yamaha USA bulletin number is M2000-008 and the part number of the kit is 4XY-TRUNK-CM-KT.

Go to www.venturers.org/NextGenTech/2ndGen/pages/Trunk_kit.html for more information.

Regards, Nick Lappage

Hi,

I reported to the VSOC stand at the NEC the Trunk kit modification Re service bulletin M2000-008 and the difficulty that the kit 4XY-TRUNK-CM_KT was not recognised by Yamaha UK. For those who have a bike within the effected chassis range you can get the parts as individual parts as follows:

1 x Damper 4XY-2847N-00 ( rear)
2 X Damper 4XY-2847R-00 (front)
1 X Plate 4XY-2846P-00
1 X Plate 4XY-2846R-00
1 X Rubber plate 4XY-2847T-00
1 X Rubber Plate 4XY-2849J-00

The metal and rubber plates are handed to fit the contours of the trunk base.

Hope this information is of use to any Venture owners that might be concerned regarding the security of the trunk mounting.

Regards
Mike Wickins VSOC 3089
Ride safe

11th March 04    Want to check your legal bits?

If you're not too sure on whether you should have been fined, or if you're bike may not be legal, or your riding style for that matter, then take a bit of a look at this site. It may help - it may not - but it's still worth a look.

www.wycombemag.co.uk/adviceindex.htm

10th March 04    Aussies Get Their Own Back On Speed Cameras

In the UK, we already have a war on speed by the government with Gatso's and camera vans parked on double yellow lines waiting to catch us, but in Australia, they have a novel approach to this....

4 youths in Canberra recently pulled a trick of breathtaking bravado to gain revenge on a mobile speed van operating in their area. Three of the group approached the van and distracted the operator's attention by asking a series of questions about how the equipment worked and how many car drivers they would catch that day. Meanwhile, the fourth musketeer sneaked to the front of the van and unscrewed the front number plate.

After bidding the operator goodbye, the youths returned home, fixed the number plate to the front of their car and drove through the camera's radar at high speed.....17 times!

As a result, the automated billing system issued 17 tickets to itself..........nice one Aussies!!

(Thanks to Martin Yates for sending this in)

9th February 04    More Papercraft Models for your Winter Pleasure

The fourth edition Authentic Paper Model is a big American DRAGSTAR CLASSIC ELEVEN. Yamaha has faithfully recaptured its complex form including an impressive V-twin engine and a vintage-style dynamic fender. Feel the "low and long", wild form up close by making a paper craft model of DRAGSTAR CLASSIC ELEVEN, which has won the first prize in popular votes. Click here to get to the Dragstar Papercraft page

The YZF-R1 realistic paper craft was very popular last year. Yamaha now proudly presents the Accessory Kit, providing added fun and a more authentic touch to the YZF-R1 motorcycle paper craft . Create an actual garage atmosphere by displaying various accessory items.

Click here to get to the Yamaha R1 and Garage Papercraft site