living with the kawasaki w800


so its a few months on now since my test ride / purchase of the w800 back in july. i have stuck about 4000 miles on it now [its mainly my dryish weather bike]

thought id just add a catch up on living with it

its a really gentle almost clasic feeling bike to potter round the back roads or it will pick its skirt up and hammer motorway miles if need be too without a problem. perfect size for nipping in and out of traffic and sits more than happy at 70+ on the motorway whilst still feeling sure footed. the motor is really flexible so you arent stomping up and down the box in town traffic

mpg wise, im seeing around high 40s / low 50s to the gal. which i think is pretty good considering im not exactly gentle on the throttle nor am i 8 stone...

the classic styled tyres are well up to the job even in dodgy weather on greasy roads. its not a race bike but it goes well at any legal speeds. drum brake out back and disk front is a nice combination for this bike nothing too aggressive required its not a heavy bike. they bring it to a stop nicely

i have fitted a w650 rack and it is a direct fit no messing about. i am now just after a screen that will make it more useable on rainy days so i dont have to use the bmw as much

build quality is as i thought - very nice.

so yea - its mainly the lack of extras that is the down i can see, and im not all that into bolt on styling anyway. a rack would be nice but the w650 fits perfect [so why dont they tell you that or just put a different sticker on it instead of me having to buy one and take a chance?] keeping the kick start would have been nice too, and for me the slightly taller bars of the 650 appeal, but with all the wiring etc it would be a real pain in the arse to change them out.

all in all - great little bike that i enjoy riding, go get a test ride if you can, they are a fun alternative to a classic bike when you dont want the bother of hopeing it will start or wondering if you will break down etc. [but not a replacement for]

Mobile blogging test

Nothing of great interest. Just checking the blogging app out. But here's a pic of the proposed head steady brackets I've sent out for laser profiling.

bars done


new bars done for the captain

courtesy of zombie performance fingers crossed should work well for it

Twin Engine Tuesday

33 motor into the captain


been having a ponder and decided to combine the 2 panther builds into the 1

the captain will be the basis of chopperdom, and the '33 motor will go in there along with the invaders and a couple of other choice parts

im thinking the motor is looking pretty damn sweet in there - i LOVE this motors looks

leopard - its the future


i knew leopard print seats would be all the rage as soon as i said i was thinking of one - ahh the life of someone so on the pulse of fashion....

pic from mooneyes - stolen from the great http://sakeracers.blogspot.com

STD panhead cases for sale


selling my STD panhead cases, great condition

im looking for £400 for them

get in touch - vintagechop@gmail.com

paradise lost


popped down to conrads show last night - of course i didnt remember to take and pics but the a lot of the same faces and a decent line of bikes outside - always fun to see the posh folk mingling with scrubber bikers.

nice to see some faces again, and great artwork by the man himself. if you are close by pop on down for a look - well worth a visit, oh i met stirling moss there too - thats pretty cool...

Running for 4 weeks at

The Gauntlett Gallery
90-92 Pimlico Road
London SW1W 8PL
Opens 14th October 2011.

PARADISE LOST ... Being about the time of pioneers and honour.

eddies triumph for sale


eddie has seen the light and is selling his triumph - i think he's hankering after a panther you see - it happens to us all eventually....

help him get a mosheen with the optimum number of cylinders set at a jaunty angle by buying his current bike - as seen in BSH a month or 2 back

1962 triumph t100a, 500cc 5ta engine, sludgetrap up engine rebuild, MOT, ready to ride

offers to eddie but dont waste his time please

more info / pics get in touch with him - eddie@reddice.co.uk

not a bad days work























not a bad day considering i picked up the roller at bennys on saturday afternoon and now have it all in 1 piece in appropriate colours - dark pics at 8pm sunday night - not too bad of a turn round... it is an internet paint job though - looks ok in low res. when the bike comes down again for chrome / polish it will get stripped and done right

Twin Engine Tuesday




dont know who built it but michael lichter did the shots