Today I collected the cruiser.

Left home at 12:15 and go to the sellers house at 5 O'clock, had to go to Euston then Liverpool Street for Ipswich and taxi from there what a bloody palaver. Had a cuppa and a chat, looked over the bike and left about 6pm.

Journey started out in brilliant sunshine but after 40 miles I was hit by a sudden hail storm and had to ride through as there is absolutely no where to shelter on the A14. Stopped for fuel and shortly after got hit by thunder and lightning and had to stop as the rain was tropical. There were an awful lot of lane closures on the A14 reducing speed to 50mph for a lot of the way. More rain showers and finally made it to the M6 where there were yet more road works and finally got home at 10.

First impressions, It's fecking brilliant being able to open the throttle and go when you want to overtake, clutch work needs a bit of practice. Very comfortable but my shoulders were killing me when I got back due to tension of riding a strange bike and being out of the saddle for a few months. The only downside so far is the fuel gauge, stays at full then rapidly drops toward empty.

170 miles door to door.

Nice one Derek.

170 miles down - many more to go.

Well done Derek,

I hope you find this machine more to your liking. It is surprising how quickly an experienced rider can get used to the clutch and gears again. Although not my style of bike, it is a good looker.

See you at the bash.

BrianG

Nice one Derek.

Congrats Derek, I hope you have miles of smiles!
Auto or gears? I suppose the best one is the one you have at the time, but I think gears edge in front for me.
I know that journey too, I had to come back that way from the Essex Air Ambulance ride from Harwich a couple of years ago in simular but not quite as bad conditions, bloody awfull route.

I think gears are better too.

The boots are heading for the bin as they are too short for a feet forward on a nekkid bike as waterproofs ride up over them exposing shins. I've a pair of long ones somewhere under the stairs.

Discovered there are some accessory wiring in the headlamp and under one of the side panels. I will be adding a crash bar with highway pegs and spotlights at some time. Rocket has offered me a nice tool roll too.

It's a sunny day so...

Light bar with indicators and spotlights and an engine guard on order. *Bling*

Feet forwards legs akimbo with thigh length boots ! your going to need the chaps methinks

You will have to change your user name Dazzalin' Derek soon!

I need to calm down, I've been sussing out chrome platers with a view to having the wheels done.

Derek wrote:

I need to calm down, I've been sussing out chrome platers with a view to having the wheels done.

Now that would look good, go for that.

Hello Derek,

So......i see you're thinking of dressing the cruiser up,a bit of bling here,a bit of bling there The wheels on the Hog started to corrode in less than a year,i aint happy with that and have told the dealer so,but as its in getting some tlc,i've decided to get something done about the wheels.

I was going to get them painted "Candy Blue" the same colour as the bike but it was suggested it'll look a bit lary and Black powder coat would look better,then the guy i was dealing with had a chat to the guys who do the custom work at the repairers and they suggested to polish the wheels to a high shine finish,then laquer them 4 or 5 times.Cleaning the wheels in future will be easy,although changing the tyres could be worrying if the tyre shop are a bit slap dash,its gonna cost about £400-£500 to be done,i'll let you know how it turns out.I phoned up today for a progress report,some of the bits hav arrived,the rest are due in next week and it is estimated the Hog will be back to me around 22nd May,not to worried,i would rather it be later and a pucker job done rather than a rush job.

I have been and dug the tool roll out of the garage,its brand spanking new and is about 11 inches long,i'll should have room for it when i go to Norfolk,but i've got to bring the "Norfolk Bash shirts" as well,if i aint got room i'll send it by snail mail.

Steve