Pic report of some recent rides, a touch of New Zealand riding

[Leathel]

Starting from the most recent rides, Sunday was a trip to the west coast town of Raglan after getting the carbs tweaked the day before with my daughter and met a few friends down there

















it was a brilliant winters day, a cool start but followed by an almost cloudless day, the trip home we split of and did some back roads





The river had dropped after the recent floods



the pic above was taken in the middle of this puddle





I will add a few more trips when I get another free moment

[The emperor has no clothes]

  keep them coming. That must be pretty cool riding with your daughter. 

[robin]

Nice pics keep them coming
 

[Leathel]

keep them coming. That must be pretty cool riding with your daughter.  

Yeah it is, she was always keen to be pillion on any ride, then when she got old enough got a wee 250cc bike and road it very well, stepped up to this bike but started working 7 days so hadn't ridden much over the last year..

she was a little rusty so not up to her old confidence in the corners but not far off the pace, I ride to her speed when together which has never been slow so easy to ride together

 A few pics from the BACA 100 mile ride

This ride was not a warm ride, one the daughter chose to miss and I am pleased she did as we had high winds, rain and hail, from the direction it was snowing 100 miles away.... so not pleasant!
















One thing I like about the local open group rides is the variety of bikes, old & new, dirt and custom








we started out with 100 bikes (Not bad considering the forecast) but by the time we got to the first stop that had almost halved!  I wasn't going to go but with the bad forecast thought I better support them as the numbers would be down, the work I planned on the bike could wait

[The emperor has no clothes]

  So, I take it the new float needles helped ?

[Leathel]

So, I take it the new float needles helped ?

Night and day difference, I can now leave the bike idling and it wont flood and foul the plugs, so it doesn't cough and fart until it clears itself

but then I also fitted bigger jets as the UK jets were quite small and interstate springs as well so it goes better then ever

I had a smart ass on a sport bike that was heading the other way end up on my tail while test riding, I was slowing then winding it out so see if power was even all the way through..... He passed me as I was about too wind up in forth...... He didn't pull away, next strait he tried again and I did a wind up again and at 120 mph put it in top....seams to go mint, the sport bike turned off at the next intersection then I saw him head back the other way in the mirror, I guess he wasn't expecting a cruiser to keep up 

 I look forward to trying it on the track again   

[Jess from VA]

Thanks for sharing.   

We all know the Valk walks on water, but you are the first to prove it. 

[Rams]

One of the things on my bucket list is to ride the Z land.   Thanks for posting the pics and story.   

[Leathel]

A month or so ago I got the opportunity to get out on one of the local tracks for a blast, Was a great day, I had a nightmare lead up to it with leaking fuel rails, brake issues and tire changes to do so some really late nights but I got there, somewhat tired but glad I did it, you get to know the lean angles before scrapping well....the boards took a bit of wear but with such a smooth surface not to much damage, Here are a few I took and same taken by the people running the training day

a preview of the track

https://youtu.be/xi4tuTaOi0E

The bike the day before track day



there where a few cruisers but not many







Luckily the rain held off














Mates Rocket











you had to keep an eye out for the little sport bikes trying to push there bikes to the edge, but those guy that pushed it to much got kicked off






There is another track day in a few weeks but I am not sure I will make this one, the rules have changed and you must have a one piece or 3/4 zip together suit, my Bibbed leathers and jacket don't cut it now....... Not sure I can afford new gear....but it is fun!

[Farside]

  All very nice pic's. Great that your daughter had the time to join you in some of the ride,that had to be enjoyable. I've never been on a track, a bucket list for me. Thx for sharing. 

[msb]

Thanks for posting...some great pics. A day on that track sure looks like it would be fun.

[Valkorado]

Entertaining post and great pics! 

[henry 008]

Entertaining post and great pics! 

+1 

[Leathel]

Another thing we did recently was hit the drag strip, this was to be a base run to later do it again to test the difference to times after the rejet etc....... but what it did do was point out I had an issue with floats as sitting in line waiting it was flooding, so of the line it stumbled and spluttered so Jeff on his VTX got a big jump start.....still managed to catch a couple of times and was getting higher top speeds most times...... but I will have to do it again, now the issues are fixed, times to beat and and all that (Oh at a VTX1800 to beat properly)

It was good fun





They had stunt riders doing there thing in the breaks





The day was put on by Kawasaki so they were free to enter so plenty of them there but it was only $40 for everyone else.... a fun $40 it was















One guy on a Buell was pulling 12.5 second runs on his back wheel the whole strip, probably would have been faster on two wheels but he looked like he was having fun 

there was a couple of bikes in the 10's that were modded

[Jess from VA]

the rules have changed and you must have a one piece or 3/4 zip together suit, my Bibbed leathers and jacket don't cut it now....... Not sure I can afford new gear....but it is fun!

This sounds like a bit of a crock of poop.  The gear you are wearing in the picks is really heavy duty, and head to toe.  I do have armored textile pants and jacket that zip together (not that I've ever actually zipped them together).  I suppose they are claiming it is an insurance issue, as usual.

When I bought my second Valk, I also bought the seller's heavy leather racing pants (Daniese/pricy-Italian) that he had only worn twice running down the dragstrip when the bike still had a wet-shot nitrous setup on it.  (I paid a nickel on the dollar for them).  

I am wondering if you took you bibs and jacket in and had them sew a male/female back zipper on both, would they let you run with that gear then?

Full racing suits are not cheap, and often too dang hot to wear for normal riding anyway.  I've always had a problem with one piece coverall type gear.  When I bend over, it goes up my hiney and makes me sing soprano.  

[Leathel]

the rules have changed and you must have a one piece or 3/4 zip together suit, my Bibbed leathers and jacket don't cut it now....... Not sure I can afford new gear....but it is fun!

This sounds like a bit of a crock of poop.  The gear you are wearing in the picks is really heavy duty, and head to toe.  I do have armored textile pants and jacket that zip together (not that I've ever actually zipped them together).  I suppose they are claiming it is an insurance issue, as usual.

When I bought my second Valk, I also bought the seller's heavy leather racing pants (Daniese/pricy-Italian) that he had only worn twice running down the dragstrip when the bike still had a wet-shot nitrous setup on it.  (I paid a nickel on the dollar for them).  

I am wondering if you took you bibs and jacket in and had them sew a male/female back zipper on both, would they let you run with that gear then?

Full racing suits are not cheap, and often too dang hot to wear for normal riding anyway.  I've always had a problem with one piece coverall type gear.  When I bend over, it goes up my hiney and makes me sing soprano.  

The stupid thing is I could get a cheap zip together and it will pass fine as its 3/4 zip together, my bibbed gear is long enough the jacket will never ride up that far but the new health and safety rules are ridiculous here....it passes blame up line so the track is liable if the person running the coarse is negligent so the track sets rules to cover its arrse....the person running the coarse doesn't have a say in it, its the track rules and they will shut him down if he doesn't follow them.

 Unfortunately recently someone was riding with leathers that didn't cover in a crash and got injured...hence the new rules.

That jacket I was wearing had the zip, I removed it as it was uncomfortable in summer but I could get it fitted again and then its just the matching pants I need.... but I shouldn't need to as the bibbed pants give better protection!

[Jess from VA]

As usual, what you have is safer and better than what would pass the test, but purchased on the cheap, not be as safe or good as what you already have.

Form over substance.

Next they'll require a 15 thousand dollar ejection module that adds 350lbs to the bike.  

I wonder what they would say if you showed up in this? (with a real helmet, gloves and boots)  


I have a novel idea.  Make everyone who goes to a track or drag strip sign a complete waiver of liability against the track or it's insurance co with an acknowledgement that it is a dangerous hobby.
Still, having a decent gear requirement (within reason) is a good idea.  No tshirt, shorts and flip flops allowed.

[Leathel]

A few pics from a RATS ride earlier in the year (Riders against teen suicide)













That was a well run ride that had around 500 bikes (a good size for over here)

[The emperor has no clothes]

A few pics from a RATS ride earlier in the year (Riders against teen suicide)













That was a well run ride that had around 500 bikes (a good size for over here)

Please forgive my ignorance. But, are you on the North Island or South ? And how does the riding compare between the 2 ?

[Leathel]

Ohh and here is a bike we came across at the end of a ride in the local watering hole, Ken has built this frame from scratch and built this bottom end to take 2 inline 4 Indian top ends for an original looking V8 Indian, very talented guy that has built and restored many old bikes







Ken Cambell's facebook page (his son does the page)

https://www.facebook.com/KenCampbellMotorcycles/?hc_ref=SEARCH

[Leathel]

Please forgive my ignorance. But, are you on the North Island or South ? And how does the riding compare between the 2 ?

I am in the North Island, ride year round without an issue for most of it, has plenty of back roads to travel that are must do rides and plenty of sandy beaches on coastal roads but the South Island has the southern alps, and rugged land with great scenery as well that you can't find in the north. I have traveled both and if had to choose which is best I am not sure I could, both great just different.

South Island roads seam to eat your tires as it usually a rougher surface but built on firmer ground so less slumps and dips in the road.... I must head South on the bike, not done it on a bike yet as they have been family trips or hunting trips, my kids are almost ready to leave the house....so road trip time (well maybe a year or two yet for the boy)

Some from our South Island road trip in 2009 with the kids



















Note those snow pics were in the middle of summer.....so can be cold going over the passes in summer too, but down lower its not an issue. Looking at those pics remind me I must do that again

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks, it looks beautiful.

[Leathel]

Thanks, it looks beautiful.

Some more North Island trips I did on the old bike







we do have a few mountains Mid North Island











The Forgotten Highway is pretty cool but I didn't stop for many pics



Hand dug tunnel still in use





Highway 22 and surrounding area













Coromandel loop is a favorite











Cold Kiwi mid winter camping annual rally









.... a snippet of what I have, might post some better pics if I can find them

[The emperor has no clothes]

Very cool ! Love it !

[Leathel]

I thought I better touch a little more on the Cold Kiwi....so much fun....last time so much mud!

 I managed to get in and out of the site OK but many didn't, adds to the challenge



A little muddy after pushing mates through...... where I rode through without an issue...Honda torque wins in mud









Was great to see a Valkyrie there











Sidecar setup to carry the dirt bike



My camp site



at last the cloud lifted enough to see the mountain



Hill climb viewing



Burnout pad



all sorts of games held




plenty made the hill climb, some did it in style





Carl thought the hill climb was to easy so challenged the log as well




Someone forgot to tell him his mates farm bike doesn't have the same clearance as his dirt bikes





Some shitters don't make it home



Not to hard to lift the wheel loaded to the hilt with warm gear but back home with no problems, Always a good trip, not for every one but fun




there has been colder years!

[Leathel]

This weekend was all about getting a few things done on my Daughters bike before she moves away from home, not so easy to ask dad to do things when I am an hours ride away...

New fork seals, stripped and cleaned the inners while I was at it, put a little more pre-load on it and assembled.
Checked over the electrics as we had the odd start issue and found a faulty plug that killed the engine when played with, fixed that, then just a general check over and out for a ride with Rose .....Intended to take a pic of a couple of huge slips and some scenery but being close to our shortest day its not so tropical so just kept riding....

The one stop we did make

[The emperor has no clothes]

This weekend was all about getting a few things done on my Daughters bike before she moves away from home, not so easy to ask dad to do things when I am an hours ride away...

New fork seals, stripped and cleaned the inners while I was at it, put a little more pre-load on it and assembled.
Checked over the electrics as we had the odd start issue and found a faulty plug that killed the engine when played with, fixed that, then just a general check over and out for a ride with Rose .....Intended to take a pic of a couple of huge slips and some scenery but being close to our shortest day its not so tropical so just kept riding....

The one stop we did make

What are "a couple of huge slips" ?

[Leathel]

What are "a couple of huge slips" ?

land slides, huge might be an over statement in the greater scheme of things compared to ones on the top of the South Island in Kaikoura after the earth quakes in November that still has the roads closed, but the ones I went to see are a lot of dirt moved for non quake slip/slide/slump

[Misfit]

Great thread. Thank you for sharing. 

[Leathel]

It was forecast for a fine day today and we had plans for after lunch....so a morning ride was planned, but as we get closer to our shortest day (next weekend) weather forecast isn't always right.  I had helped another biker tune his bike yesterday so the plan was to ride with him and another back towards his place, waking to fog outside we changed our travel plans to the higher roads....... but even the best laid plans don't quite right sometimes

 our fog free high ground looked like it wasn't so fog free after all





It was slow going but eventually we found clear air....160 miles for the day, I should have stopped for more pic's as it turned out to be a brilliant day but due to our first hour only covering half the ground we should  have we were short of time, Was a good day out in the end ...... I didn't hit reserve but it must have been close!

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Great post....  Thanks for taking the time to share . Awesome pictures 

[Gerard irl]

Great photos my friend and stories   landscape a bit like Ireland 

[Leathel]

On Thursday nights we have a regular ride, have a meet point then just head to somewhere for a beer and bite to eat, its a social think not a big booze trip, tonight's ride was the coldest one for a while with damp foggy air, wet greasy dirty roads so not the usual cruise ....shortest day was last week so this time of the year its already dark before we head, 60 miles tonight so just a short ride.....but then winter rides often are. Summer time it can be up to 160 miles for the evening

being so dark only one pic....note the fog in the background

[hal47]

Thanks,really injoyed.

[Leathel]

The weather has been pretty foul lately with the ground being very very sodden, but the forecast was for a fine weekend so I dragged the bike out for a clean under threatening skies





Fueled up ready to ride

This morning started with a black frost but I have work to finish so it was lunch time before we set sail and blue skies everywhere but I was soon stopping and putting the winter gloves on, sunny with a heavy dose of wind chill!

Only stopped a couple of times for pics










Cold dribbling nose syndrome by the looks

[The emperor has no clothes]

Nice pics 

[Leathel]

it should be another cracker day, another cold start with clear skies



The dogs are clearing the frost







I have a few things to sort it would be rude not to ride

[Leathel]

A few pics from the trip up to Whangarei for the last weekend of winter, next weekend its spring

SH16 lookout on the way up











The little store with what must be close to the best fish & chips in NZ, and its a way of the beaten track, a hidden gem









And it started to rain, Ohh look a spot to stop out of the weather (a pint later the rain had stopped)



The parking spot at the Distinction Hotel



Some pics from my evening & morning wander around Whangarei



























The first time I have had to give away to a yacht, the new bridge up there saves time getting out of town even with the bridge lifting for a yacht to go through.



I was a bit slack taking pics again....was a few other stock that were worth a pic but I was to busy enjoying the view

[Leathel]

and a few Bike pose pics from the weekend before last



sheltering from the rain while I have a bite to eat





4x4 guys made a bit of a mess of it, no issue with down further....just a shame the main access has big pits now

[The emperor has no clothes]

Sure is beautiful country over there.