Saul

Soft pampered lap dog, no fierce family saving rat killer. He caught a bloody huge rat in the garden this morning and dispatched it with aplomb. Back to soft loving family pet now but proud of him for taking the rat out. It's the second time he has done it, in the summer we had a rat get in the house and sorted that one to. As my daughter calls him Odious Maximut, as she thought it appropriate he have a gladiatorial name

Fair point I was a bit pissed off last night. See how I get on riding home this morning.

Well rode 52 miles to work this evening, RTC so was diverted which accounted for the extra 10 miles. Those muffs have to go I found them very frustrating as it is difficult to use the switch gear on the bike. The did keep my hands warm @ 3 degrees C so worked in that respect but I just don't like them. They will be off when I get home tomorrow, I am going to buy some warmer gloves may even spring for some heated gloves, anything but muffs.

Oh dear you do seem to be a bit off form today

I have been thinking about this for days, went out for a ride yesterday to try the muffs out and because I have strapped them on so tightly for concern of them pressing on the the levers it made it really difficult to use the switch gear. Anyway I went onto Ebay and bought a set of lever guards that would also hold the Muffs off the levers. In the meantime I have a 42 mile commute to Stratton Hospital in Bude tonight. I had a thought why not strip down the RE handguards and use the frames from them, it worked perfectly and now I am kicking myself that I never thought of it in the first place. Multiple attempts at tasks seems to be my default at the moment.

Congratulations Pete

They are very popular in Australia if what I have read in various places is to be believed. I have seen a couple in the flesh, looked ok in terms of fit and finish. Not a fan of the pointy, slabby, stabby styling but most modern bikes look like to me now.

To my mind Airhead BMW's are in a class of their own, truly beautifully made machines from a different set of values to todays. I spent many years in the Airheads BMW club, I had 3, 1981 R65, 1978 R100RS and 1993 R100R. I really regret selling the R100RS but we all have 20/20 hindsight. Now if I could find one I would love a R80ST but wouldn't want to pay what they are fetching now. I remember the furore I received from the Airheads when I bought a K100RS. The gist of the criticism was; why would you buy one of those things, after 250,000 they are just plain worn out. Only in an airhead context could that be seen as a criticism. I would love another but by modern standards they are not viable as everyday transport, just to thirsty and not enough electrical power to run all the electrical gubbins people have nowadays. You can get modern alternators, fuel injection and stuff but an old air cooled twin can't really compete with many modern machines. Most modern 500cc Japanese and other stuff would completely wipe the floor with them in every aspect apart from longevity. Doesn't stop me wanting one though but I struggle with the concept of having a garage queen.

Well if a job is worth doing it's worth doing 3 times Nomisting this time but I went to reset the clock today and none of the buttons were working. By putting the extra gasket in it has lifted the bottom side of the buttons away from the micro switches to reset, mode and abs. Must only have been 1 or 2mm but enough to stop them working. Never mind stripped apart again took out the old foam gasket and replaced it with the new one I got. All seems well and the buttons are working again. Got stripping the clocks off to a fine art now after having so much practice.

Today I have mostly cleaning the house with the Mrs as we have a youth worker visiting tomorrow to talk about helping our youngest. Good thing but the Mrs is fussing so I pitched in and helped out as it is as much my responsibility as hers. Anyway that done I was on a roll so cleaned the bike and did some weekly maintenance. Now wasting so time until I do some more while the house is quiet.

I can get my gloved hands in there comfortably.

Nothing that some gentle vibes and some lube couldn't sort out

No they shouldn't, they are attached to the mirror stems and are strapped the handle bars so shouldn't move. If it did prove to be an issue I could also use the handle bar end weight screws to fit them as well. They are quite rigid.

Yeah mine are pretty old I reckon they have been sitting in their packet in the shed for the last 10 years or so.

Boom

Why not make the Year one for January, cause you will probably have even less pictures then

Hope your name isn't in the frame to pick up the tab

Good series.

Bleddy cold this morning so decided it was time to Muff the Himalayan. I think they look ridiculous but If they keep my hands warm I am sure I will get used to them. I was a bit disappointed that they didn't fit over the handguards but hey ho it is not a deal breaker. Just gotta see if I can live with them now.

I think you should let the December BOTM stand and do a separate BOTY afterwards.

Quite like Zacks stuff and would love a R80 GS

Ballon knot