The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

General Category => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Tony Smith on September 08, 2018, 11:05:50 PM

Title: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Tony Smith on September 08, 2018, 11:05:50 PM
Or to coin a phrase "winter is coming"  for you folk.

The lack of posts means you must all be tucked up around a good fire.

In the southern Hemisphere we are too busy riding our bikes (when we are well enough).
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: wilcom on September 09, 2018, 12:41:44 AM
Quote
Or to coin a phrase "winter is coming"  .


Not yet!

It was 107F (42C)here today in the SW USA. But, yes it's coming. Spring and fall are the good times here, summer is too hot for me, with my electric gear I will be able to stand the cold of winter this year. Cold of winter to me is 40-60F (5-15C).
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Bob_Roller on September 09, 2018, 10:54:55 AM
Air conditioning usually doesn't get turned off util the first week of November .
107 here yesterday as well, overnight low was 85 F, 30 C .
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: DonC on September 09, 2018, 05:09:27 PM
54* F in northern NJ this morning.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: tiggum on September 09, 2018, 05:32:26 PM
Tony, if you are trying to get our (collective) goat, you are doing a good job.  But then we consider that you are living in the sub-tropical climate of Cairns and don't suffer winter at all.  Ergo, methinks maybe crocodile tears?
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: skippyc on September 09, 2018, 05:38:54 PM
I have a similar climate to Wilcom so spring is the best time for riding.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: BPT on September 10, 2018, 08:43:38 AM
I think the hurricane, combined with some other factors, finally knocked our temps below 95F this week.  Unfortunately it also brought rain. Actually it's very, very much needed here, but unfortunate for riding.

This will start what I consider the most comfortable times here, along with early spring.  We'll have a couple of nice months, temperature - wise, then some colder ones that aren't perfect but not bad.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Matt Chapter on September 10, 2018, 11:38:54 AM
My riding time is very limited these days, I usually commute on Fridays with the beemer.  This past Friday was quite wet so I decided to take 4 wheels instead.  The temperature is sure to rise after the storms clear as BPT mentions though.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Hustler on October 03, 2018, 03:17:20 AM
Still OK here in Norfolk.
Norfolk, England that is.

15 degrees today, or 59 fahrenheit.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Tony Smith on October 03, 2018, 03:22:41 AM
Quote
Still OK here in Norfolk.
Norfolk, England that is.

15 degrees today, or 59 fahrenheit.


Frigid! Temp range here in the past 24 hours was 18 to 28 (Celsius of course)
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Barry on October 03, 2018, 06:23:06 AM
Rode to work one early morning this week with the temperature at 4 Deg C. Decidedly chilly on the hands. No salt on the roads yet which really would be something to complain about before I've applied the winter coat of  Waxoyl.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Tony Smith on October 03, 2018, 03:53:50 PM
Quote
I've applied the winter coat of  Waxoyl.

Unbder what brand name can you still buy Waxoyl? It is a very useful preservative to spray on vehicles/equipment that is stored outside, but my supplier told me recently that it is NLA and wants to sell me another product that costs a lot more. There are some steam engines and a couple of old diesels that I had a hand in a museum acquiring (I also had a major hand in returning a number of them to working condition) and it has been my habit to give them an external coat of waxoyl every year or so. I imagine it is a fairly low volume item for my local paint supplier (I am probably his only customer for it) so any details you can give would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Bob_Roller on October 21, 2018, 06:52:21 PM
The best riding conditions of the year are finally here for the next 7 months .
Daytime high, 90 F. 32 C., lows around 70 F., 21 C. .
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Adrian on October 21, 2018, 08:16:29 PM
A nice Spring day here in South Australia - I live about 30 kilometers North of Adelaide city - & it will be a nice warm 30 degrees (Celsius) today.
.
A question for Tony in Cairns - any advice about which bike insurance company I could use - I've already been knocked back by QBE - I'm waiting on a fone call from another one.
.
Thanks mate [ch128077][ch128521]
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: marcmax on October 21, 2018, 08:36:30 PM
It's riding time here! High 70*F days, low 60*F nights. It is absolutely gorgeous!
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Barry on October 22, 2018, 12:22:12 PM
Quote
Unbder what brand name can you still buy Waxoyl? It is a very useful preservative to spray on vehicles/equipment that is stored outside, but my supplier told me recently that it is NLA and wants to sell me another product that costs a lot more. There are some steam engines and a couple of old diesels that I had a hand in a museum acquiring (I also had a major hand in returning a number of them to working condition) and it has been my habit to give them an external coat of waxoyl every year or so. I imagine it is a fairly low volume item for my local paint supplier (I am probably his only customer for it) so any details you can give would be appreciated.

The original Waxoyl is still available here at £30 for a 5L tin. Since my last gallon can ran out I've been making my own from a mixture of white spirit, candle wax and any clean oil I happen to have on the shelf. For coating the bike I tend to go heavy on the candle wax to make it stiffer than the original stuff. It sets solid like lard and I have to warm it up to apply.  I find it stays on all winter that way and I need to use white spirit to clean it off in the spring.  For more general rustproofing I'd make it thinner.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Tony Smith on October 22, 2018, 05:12:34 PM
Thanks Barry.

I eventually went with the modern "replacement' and was pleasantly surprised to discover that the coverage was a lot better than Waxoyl and over all the job cost less than it has in the past.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on October 22, 2018, 07:52:50 PM
Untill i saw "Hustler" and "Barry " replies i was begining to think i was a lonely uk r65.. happily not .
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Barry on October 23, 2018, 03:23:07 AM
Th
Quote
Untill i saw "Hustler" and "Barry " replies i was begining to think i was a lonely uk r65.. happily not .

There's also Lucky lou in Yorkshire and a few others that perhaps don't post regularly.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on October 23, 2018, 03:41:29 AM
Yes i saw lucky lou but it was after i had posted great though the more the merrier.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on October 23, 2018, 03:50:07 AM
Bit of advice needed, i am in the process of giving said beastie a good clean but the wheels are pitted and cleaning using all the normal stuffs cannot clear it or hide it so i am toying with spraying the rims etching primer ally looking silver and lacquer finish, not done this to wheels before so if there is a better way of sorting it the advice would be welcome before i start as its likely to be a one way job.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Barry on October 23, 2018, 04:58:02 AM
The wheels are usually painted from new rather than bare alloy so your painting proposal is fine.  I think most people would refinish them the same way they would paint alloys on a car.  Mine are still on the original paint and in reasonable condition but if and when I repaint them I was thinking of using a 2 pack aerosol lacquer for a more durable finish.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on October 24, 2018, 05:23:13 AM
I have bought what i thought i needed as advised by the paint store  and it includes lacquer but 2 pack lacquer sounds interesting, is it something can be bought overvthe counter in spray tin ?
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on October 24, 2018, 05:29:27 AM
I have to go back to tyre store today and hopefully collect the wheel all done so long as that happens i will try to put some pictures up showing state of rim and see what comments are made.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Barry on October 24, 2018, 06:20:20 AM
There are 2 or 3 brands of 2k clear coat in an aerosol.

Here's one:    https://classiccarpaintsdirect.com/shop/lacquers-hardeners/hb-body-auto-clear-coat-496-2k-lacquer/
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on October 24, 2018, 12:46:14 PM
Collected wheel today took some pictures now see if i can get them on here,
If they do attach view of bike minus front wheel, view of wheel showing pitting, view of wheel in etching primer.

Well that ain't working each time i try to post with a picture it kerps saying file to big....... any suggestions !
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: wilcom on October 24, 2018, 01:13:04 PM
Might have to resize. I thought the Forum was taking care of that issue and cutting it down to the right size, but we have had a few changes over the last year or so. How big a file are you trying to load? I just attached a 700kb file at the bottom of this...……….
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: tiggum on October 24, 2018, 03:41:10 PM
.........a picture with the coolest R65LS outfit in captivity!
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Barry on October 24, 2018, 03:52:55 PM
Quote
Well that ain't working each time i try to post with a picture it kerps saying file to big....... any suggestions !


Re-size the file with a free app like paint.net
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: wilcom on October 24, 2018, 04:20:14 PM
Quote
.........a picture with the coolest R65LS outfit in captivity!

Thanks Tiggum :)
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on October 25, 2018, 03:43:18 AM
Each "attachment" got the same answer something about to big and showing allowed amount 1024 kb or something but each picture of the 3 i tried was coming up above that limit, tried them individually. Barry suggested using paint.net to downsize/resize going to see if i can do it.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: MrTall100 on October 25, 2018, 11:12:19 AM
Might help and is easier than software.

If you have taken them on a smart phone, iPhone, iPad etc, email them to yourself and it should give you the option to reduce the size.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Barry on October 25, 2018, 11:51:00 AM
It's not just about the size that image files take up on in terms of  server disk space, it's also about how the image will display both in terms of how fast the web page loads and how it looks visually. You don't want an image slowing down someones browser or filling the whole screen, Given that even phone images are high resolution these days, the bottom line is images will always need to be re-sized before posting. 

I generally open the image in paint.net, crop it if necessary to improve the framing and then re-size to 800 x 600 or less. The whole exercise takes 30 secs.

Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on October 29, 2018, 10:06:04 AM
trying again with a photo having finally downsized it 800 x 600 I think !
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on October 29, 2018, 10:09:18 AM
yehaaaaaa got it, ok so front wheel was in process when I took it but all done now. Photo editing service gives me 10 freebies then sign up or shove off so i'll get some of all done ready to ride on here.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: MrTall100 on October 29, 2018, 10:39:14 AM
Looking good, hopefully they won’t start gritting yet in our neck as that really changes things.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on October 29, 2018, 03:06:10 PM
Quote
Looking good, hopefully they won’t start gritting yet in our neck as that really changes things.

Fingers crossed so i can get a few rides in first.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on October 30, 2018, 09:48:20 AM
getting the hang of this now, couple of pictures of front wheel in process. 1st shows pitting on wheel after cleaning, 2nd is during repaint before lacquer. it looks a bit light in colour but that was the workshop lights effect.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on October 31, 2018, 09:59:15 AM
finally got some proper picture, excuse background took them outside workshop at bottem of property while there was a bit of sunshine. apologies for motif seems to come with programme.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: MrTall100 on October 31, 2018, 02:50:52 PM
Interested to know which paint you went for on the wheels.

Mine could do with doing but unsure whether to get power coated or just paint them.

Andy
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on November 01, 2018, 04:16:22 AM
I used etching primer, an alloy looking silver and clear lacquer all purchased in spray cans, i kept the cans so will get paint details and post them. I am no sprayer but i found it all very easy to use without "runs" etc. My workshop is not heated so i found warming the cans with a hot air gun helped. I have no doubt that you would have a similer paint supplier in your area but if not the one i used is about an hour from you around M25. Hardest bit was cleaning all the nooks and crannies around the "spokes". I am pleased with the result and once the newness of the lacquer shine weathers a bit thats it.    Jack.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on November 01, 2018, 11:35:43 AM
mr tall100 both paint and etch primer was made by Tetrosyl Co., supplied in spray cans. Paint colour was Silver Wheels with bar code 5 010372741901 and further lettering  CC  ATS017, etch primer from same manufacturer in same size can and lacquer was just generic for wheels. I used 75% of both primer and paint that gave me two good coats of each but lacquer can was about 25% smaller and I used all of it. Hope this helps you decide what way to go.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: MrTall100 on November 01, 2018, 02:06:39 PM
Thanks mate,

I think it’s the way I will go as looking at £200 to powder coat the wheels and I would probably put new bearings in knowing me which would add more.

I have already spent £2k on her replacing everything that was either a consumable or would have been a real pain to replace if it failed later on. Will be spending the £200 on new rear shocks though.

I will add a before and after shot later and you will see doesn’t look a lot different from 10 feet away [ch128514]. Started March 17 finished July 18.

Been a real joy though.

Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on November 02, 2018, 09:14:17 AM
Makes sense doing it yourself, costs were about £40/£45 for everything paints primer lacquer masking tape alloy wheel cleaner, i and that did both wheels. I removed both wheels  set up the stand you see in pictures, used wheep cleaner and a stiff brush, washed it of, removed valve cap and nut and found a small plastic cap that fitted over the valve right down inside the rim, then used wire wool and soft wire brushes to clean all pitting off,washed it clean again and masked up including finicky masking of balance weights, found it easier to deflate tyre for easier better masking, two coats primer two of paint and two of lacquer, when i applied each coat of any of them i actually stood there slowly rotating the wheelhoping that if a run occured i could flow it out, luckily no runs so i just looked like a nutcase !
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: marcmax on November 02, 2018, 10:03:54 AM
Mine were powder coated white when I bought it. They look nice and are easy to clean but every time tires are install I end up with a bunch of chucks of powder coat that chip off of the edges. I have a small bottle of refrigerator white epoxy paint that I use to touch up where the powder coat chips off. It looks ok from a few feet away. If it gets to the point I have to redo the wheels I am going to use paint.
Title: Photo sizes
Post by: Tony Smith on November 02, 2018, 06:32:27 PM
Quickest and easiest way I know to reduce the size of photos is to use Google photos.

Set your computer to automatically upload all photos to google. When you are ready to post google provides a basic editor which can address lighting levels, red-eye etc. and away you go.

And, best of all, your photos are safely archived forever.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: jackwalls on November 03, 2018, 06:13:39 AM
Mine were not powder coated so paint was the obvious choice, one thing i was happy about was not having to remove tyres to paint. I am pleased with the result and have had so favourable comments from friends.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: bonesteel on November 18, 2018, 08:26:11 AM
Was hoping to get another ride in before full on Winter (NJ, USA), but now see I will just need to winterize. Since it's my first Winter with the R65, can you gents point me to the definitive guide for the best steps to take to prep my bike for the cold months? I searched here and could not find anything. TIA.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Bob_Roller on November 18, 2018, 12:27:26 PM
It's the dead of winter here in the northern Sonoran desert of south central Aridzona, over night lows, 45 F, 7 C, day time highs 75 F, 25 C !!!!
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Ed Miller on December 03, 2018, 03:32:02 PM
Quote
Was hoping to get another ride in before full on Winter (NJ, USA), but now see I will just need to winterize. Since it's my first Winter with the R65, can you gents point me to the definitive guide for the best steps to take to prep my bike for the cold months? I searched here and could not find anything. TIA.

If you can afford it I think your best bet is heated grips and really good winter riding gear.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: tiggum on December 03, 2018, 05:18:25 PM
If you propose to "mothball" the R65 over the winter, due to icy streets and so on, I'd drain the float bowls and the tank (put the fuel in a plastic gas can for your mower), charge the battery and then disconnect it.  I personally like to pull the battery and put it on the shelf, charging lightly once a month or so.  I am certain that some of the other inmates here will have even more extensive advice.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Justin B. on December 06, 2018, 07:22:18 PM
I keep battery on a Tender Jr., full tank of gas with Sta-Bil, and empty float bowls.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: R65Guy on December 18, 2018, 09:52:07 PM
A leisurely 50 mile loop on sunny Sunday recharged the R65 battery just fine.  Recharged my batteries too :)
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: Barry on December 19, 2018, 07:04:55 AM
I've just finished work for an 18 day break over Christmas so with no daily commutes the bike won't get used much.  I'm away over Christmas but as always will try for a run out on new years day if the weather permits.
Title: Re: Must be getting cold in the Northern Hemisphere
Post by: bonesteel on December 29, 2018, 05:08:24 PM
I followed the afore mentioned advice and drained my tank and float tanks. Today it was 50F and I regretted this action. Oh well. :) :)