What did you do to your bike today?

Decided to change the look of my 2018 1290 Super Adventure R. Vinyls are from Moto Pro Works and are fantastic quality. Though they don't give the best instructions on where they all go, there was a bit of head scratching with some. Well chuffed with how it turned out though, feels like a new (to me) bike. Gave it all a ceramic coat after so should remain looking great for a while.

1290-adv-vinyl-1.jpg


1290-adv-vinyl-2.jpg



1290-adv-vinyl-3.jpg
 
Do you have a before shot please, @Colonel_Klinck? I keep looking at these kits for the GT, but still have nightmares about just getting a flipping transparent 3M tank protector piece to sit straight on a bike several years ago!

Did you rake the panels off? And how many times did you cry/shout/swear/sell the bike, leave your family and start a new life in New Zealand?
 
Last edited:
picked up 2 bikes.
1. RGV 250 N - box of bits will be a track bike and might do a youtube build on it once i have collected all the missing bits ( engine bolts was the first think i noticed missing) oh and had the frame welded as has 2 cracks
2. RG F 125 - low compression and some one stripped it in 2013 also in a box of bits, i was originally going to track this but then the rgv came up not sure what to do with this as it is mostly complete but is an import.
 
leigh_boy said:
picked up 2 bikes.
1. RGV 250 N - box of bits will be a track bike and might do a youtube build on it once i have collected all the missing bits ( engine bolts was the first think i noticed missing) oh and had the frame welded as has 2 cracks
2. RG F 125 - low compression and some one stripped it in 2013 also in a box of bits, i was originally going to track this but then the rgv came up not sure what to do with this as it is mostly complete but is an import.
Click to expand...
I so wanted an Rgv250 back in the day.
Still do if Im honest :D
 
Griffo said:
Do you have a before shot please, @Colonel_Klinck? I keep looking at these kits for the GT, but still have nightmares about just getting a flipping transparent 3M tank protector piece to sit straight on a bike several years ago!

Did you rake the panels off? And how many times did you cry/shout/swear/sell the bike, leave your family and start a new life in New Zealand?
Click to expand...

This is from July in the Alps.

If you tackle it watch lots of YT on applying vinyl. I use 2 spray bottles, 1 with weak soapy water, the other plain water, a hairdryer and a good squeegee with one end felt covered so it doesn't mark the vinyl. Use the soapy water to get the vinyl lined up and then use plain water under the edges to wash out the soapy water so they stick well. Squeegee out all the water and use the hairdryer to help manipulate the vinyl where you need to and make the edges stick properly. Don't be afraid to remove it if you mess up, just be careful not to stretch it as you remove it.

I've applied vinyls to bikes before so I did most of my screaming and shouting years ago. Watch YT on how to do it, they'll make it look easy but with patience and time you'll crack it.

Oh and makes sure the panels are clean clean clean. Use glue/gum remover to remove any residue of old vinyl. Use either a cleaning spay you can find on car detailing sites that you use before ceramic coating or isopropanol alcohol as a final wipe down before you apply them.

I did all the panels in place, its far easier and you can line them up with other panels/vinyl.

1290-alps.jpg
 
Last edited:
Griffo said:
Thanks! I think we stopped pretty much in that sport last summer!
Click to expand...

I've done the Alps many times skiing over the years but never in summer until this trip. It was incredible, we all wondered why the hell we had done it before. 10 days of twisty heaven. Started off at the Black Forest and the B500, into Switzerland and then jumping between Switzerland, Italy and France for a 7 days ending in Grenoble and then the slog north for the tunnel. I know we did many of the best roads but we didn't even scratch the surface of what the Alps offer. It was damned hot though, many days 35c even in the mountains.

A few pics

462562435-1279977646528006-4522262328548725579-n.jpg


462547910-1217764556159512-6867455759441621051-n.jpg



462269415-587886676897319-4832760290146385665-n.jpg


462413072-8220246414764841-1050982899501759944-n.jpg


462270684-1123445316164814-6095466442675200798-n.jpg


462541039-1590740951525113-2003349866691184762-n.jpg


462565139-523272873887549-4409873021724764022-n.jpg



462549321-842807628018589-4710819055947886097-n.jpg


462292297-502837882566410-8587851705405756850-n.jpg
 
If you want something for next year, may I suggest the Pyrenees! We went this year and I/we generally found the roads preferable to the alps and dolomites the year previous. Although we did do way too many hairpins last year. Pyrenees were more flowing. Subjective of course!
 
Griffo said:
If you want something for next year, may I suggest the Pyrenees! We went this year and I/we generally found the roads preferable to the alps and dolomites the year previous. Although we did do way too many hairpins last year. Pyrenees were more flowing. Subjective of course!
Click to expand...

Did the Pyrenees 10 years ago, though we went a bit early and had a few rainy days. Roads were amazing though and a lot lot cheaper than the Alps. Haven't done the Dolomites but heard they are great as well. Doing the Cannonball 1000 next year for a giggle, only 4 days but if its good fun will look to do the full Cannonball in 2026, a mate does it every year and loves it.
 
Rode it! For the first time in, what felt like aaaaaaages!

Few greasy looking backroads, covered in a load of mud and gravel from all the farming going on recently, but other than that, a jolly enjoyable ride.

Nice blowing off the cobwebs, gotta make the most of it before I have my collar bone operated on, as it didn't heal :mad:
 
Well after having 5th gear stop working on me, I'm now back to the point where the engine is back in the frame, ready for the nose to go back on and then fluids and test. It's been a long road, for sure. One issue is that the bike has been at my dad's garage, so I can't just rock up and work on her, I have to make an appointment, so that's really dragged the whole thing out.

Another setback was last week - engine had been buttoned up, ready to go back in the frame. Said to my dad, just pop the spark plugs in there whilst it's up on the bench, it'll be easier. Tiredness, hamfistedness or previous owner bodge = stuck plug -.- Had to order a 10x1mm tap as we didn't have one, so that was another delay, along with a head gasket and other assorted bits (head gasket alone was £85 :eek:) Bits arrived during the week, went over Sunday and proceeded to remove the head to check the damage. Managed to extract the plug, complete with a shiteload of swarf

:( Ran the tap through from the cylinder side, ran a known good old plug in - fine! Happy days. So, head (plus new chain guides) reinstalled, and then engine moved and put back into the frame. Almost there - I am so ready to ride her again, it's been almost 3 months.

Also I've replaced the rad - the fins on the old one were pretty boned, and I've got a new chain and sprocket set arriving tomorrow as well. Parts list so far:

Engine Frame Removal Tool/Nut
Clutch Basket Removal Tool
Extra Deep 30mm socket
10x1mm Tap
Replacement input and output gear clusters, forks, drum and selector shafts (From a 2005 Z1000)
Clutch cover gasket
Alternator cover gasket
4x Spark plugs - NGK Iridium
Head Gasket
Timing chain guides
Sprocket and chain kit
Radiator
Oil (Castrol Power 1 4T)
Coolant
Oil Filter
Output Shaft oil seal
Clutch Selector Shaft oil seal
Exhaust Crush gaskets (Copper)
Sump Gasket
Clutch Nut

I *think* that's all the bits I've ordered. I suppose the good thing about the length of time is spreading the cost too lol!

Almost there!
sLjYdAx.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Forgot what a hooligan machine it is in town. Most will scoff at 30hp but honestly in London nothing else is faster. Being permanently in the right gear without having to change gears or squeeze a clutch means just twisting and going, regardless of the circumstances. The immediacy of the transmission and the way it squeezes the most out of the engine at any speed is genuinely impressive.

Until I get above 50mph, then it's a slowly accelerating flaccid penis of a machine :D
 
Booked it in for its yearly service, thought I'd have a quick blast out to get the dust off too. I've probably done less that 1k miles this year, really need to make more effort in 2025.

cAaOE9T.jpeg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom