08-Dec-2004
My neighbour, Mark, got his new bike this weekend. It's absolutely gorgeous - I'm not jealous at all! - Pictures

11-Oct-2004
This weekend we did what will probably be the final bike rally of the year - the Mobile Chaos Rally over in Silverdale on the west coast. The weather was suprisingly nice - though cold. Here are the pictures.

07-Sep-2004
We went to the Captain Cook rally over August bank holiday. A good time was had by all. Here are the pictures. And here is a movie of Andy setting off to Whitby.

26-Aug-2004
Congratulations to Andy and Sue on their marriage. I wish you all the best for the future.

12-Jul-2004
I have finally finished the diary section (except for all the speling mistakes and Gramatical errors) - hurray!!! I'll be completing the costs and advice sections next.

27-Jun-2004
I am slowly writing up the diary - but it's taking a bit longer than I expected. A single page of notes is expanding out to loads of text!

12-Jun-2004
We made it! It wasn't completely plain sailing and at times was very hard work - but we're
both really pleased we've done it. I will be updating the diary very soon and uploading
most of the pictures.

11-May-2004
We were meant to go for a final camping test run this weekend - but during Friday/Saturday
everybody cancelled on us. I had my bike packed, leathers on and everything when the last
person cancelled. I wasn't very happy, but we went and got really drunk instead - so all's
well that ends well.

Daz has found another 'small' problem with his bike - but I'm sure he'll manage to sort
it out before we go. Really close to going now - getting very excited!

25-Apr-2004
Been out and about a lot on the bike since the last update.

This weekend we decided to have a mini trial run with the camping gear
and went up to Keswick in the Lake District. I forgot my camp bed and had
to sleep on the floor so I ache a bit today (nothing to do with the copious amounts
of alcohol though you understand!).

A good time was had by all, even though the roads were a nightmare with all
the traffic - I think everybody else decided to take advantage of the good weather as
well.

Here are a few pictures of our trip.

15-Apr-2004
Things coming together nicely now. Got new tyres today and I'm really enjoying getting
to know the bike.

Here is a picture of me in my 'Power Ranger' outfit!

11-Apr-2004
Finished the brakes! Had more problems - caused by me cleaning the master cylinder
(the brake fluid reservoir on near your throttle) in turps. DO NOT DO THIS! It makes
all the rubber seals expand which stops the fluid leaving the reservoir. Had to get
another master cylinder from the local brakers.

Took it for a test ride and so far so good. Need to try it with the luggage on and
see if it's ok then. Really enjoyed riding it though - it's not the fastest or the
best handling bike in the world, but it is very nice and smooth to ride.

On a different note - my friend Andy, who has been helping me with the bike, has just
got himself a nice shiney XJR. Congrats mate. Here are the pictures.

07-Apr-2004
Still no joy on the brakes. My friend, Dave, managed to unseize the brakes but the some of the seals are perished beyond use. Unfortunately the small seals that go between the two halves of each caliper cannot be bought separately - you have to buy the entire caliper to replace them!

The offending seal

Another friend, Andy, says there is a local gasket company that may be able to help so I'm going to try there next.

Finally a quick hello the Barbara and Howard, Jane's parents. I'm really looking forward to coming over to sunny Kos - can you believe it actually snowed here again yesterday - all be it very briefly!

31-Mar-2004
Here are the pictures of Jane's bike.

29-Mar-2004
What a lovely day yesterday was! My girlfriend bought a Honda Hornet 600 just before Christmas, and
it had it's first ride out yesterday. It's so nice to get out and ride a bike properly after the nasty
winter weather.

The bike is amazing - you get sport bike performance with the naked bike comfort - best of both worlds!
If anybody is after a good all rounder that is comfortable and get mix it with the best of them on the
weekend then this is the bike for you. I'm very impressed! I'll put a picture of it here soon.

27-Mar-2004
I decided last week to give the front brakes a complete overhaul - probably wise with the distance
we're hoping to do. Unfortunately I discovered that both front callipers were seized, as was one of
the bolts on the brake reservoir cover. I also think the hoses are the original 18 year old
hoses.

A friend of mine is going to un-seize the callipers (the local bike shop quoted £130 to do it!),
another friend managed to drill and tap the reservoir bolt and I’ve order some braided hoses – so
hopefully the brakes will be sorted this week.

I don’t know what I’d do without my mates - spend a lot more money, that’s for sure!

19-Mar-2004
My XJ is now taxed and tested. The front wheel bearings have not sorted the wobble so I've got some
further investigation to do there - hope it's nothing too major :(

I didn't know the registration document had changed - the Post Office took mine off me when I taxed
the bike and said I'd be sent another in the post. This is a little worrying as I don't know if the
temporary one I've got will be sufficient in Europe. Hopefully I'll get my new one back in time.

I also received my digital camera today - below are actual pictures of my bike.

17-Mar-2004
My first proper ride on the XJ was 'interresting'. It has got a bit of a wobble - happens on straights
if I take one hand off the bars and also in corners. Not very nice.

It also failed it's MOT today - the front wheel bearings are shot - probably the cause of the above
wobble. It's now booked in tomorrow to have that resolved and to re-MOT it.

16-Mar-2004
My XJ is all back together now and I've just booked it for it's MOT tomorrow - fingers crossed for that
one!

I ordered my digital camera from another supplier last week, but they informed me last Friday that
they couldn't get it either. I've now ordered from Empire Direct. It should arive today and I'm hoping
it's third time lucky.

10-Mar-2004
I think I've found a solution to the headlight clip problem - bit of a bodge, but it'll work. Daz has
sorted his gear lever problem, it looks like all the crap on the roads at the moment had gunked
it up. A liberal application of WD40 seems to have fixed the problem.

It's snowing today - so I am actually very pleased that I had to cancel my MOT!

08-Mar-2004
I was hoping to get a lot of things sorted for the trip this weekend - but we've had a few problems:

• I've lost a clip for my headlight, so I've got to find a workaround before it can be fitted.
  
• A captive bolt that secures the headlight to the fairing has come loose and doesn't seem keen
  on being reaffixed. We have to think of a workaround for this as well.
  
• Daz's gear lever on his bike is not returning so we have a problem there.
  
• My digital camera is discontinued and so my order has been cancelled.
  

Not good really, as I was going to MOT the bike this Wednesday, but these things happen. Hopefully
I will be able to sort the problems this week and we can get back on track.

On a positive note - Daz got his hard luggage fitted to his bike on Saturday. He wasn't too keen on
spoiling to look of his nice shiny Bandit - but I'm sure he'll get used to it!

05-Mar-2004
Insured my bike through Carol Nash - I
really am impressed with the service they offer. As well as providing very
competitive insurance, they also include legal protection, insurance cover for
Europe, and breakdown cover for Europe at no extra cost (and no I do not work
for them!).

I've also ordered a digital camera for the trip - a Sony DSCP32.
I don't know much about cameras really but I needed one that will store 3 weeks
of pictures on it and this one seems to do the job at the right price.

04-Mar-2004
Spent half an hour yesterday trying to figure out why my new indicators were
not working after fitting - then I found the bulbs in a separate box -
doh!

03-Mar-2004
This site went live.