OK here is a summary of the first weekend on the road with the Rex.
Sat morning finished putting it back together – nothing like last min work to focus the mind
Post office to put some rent in the round window
Checked and set the tyre pressures as well as put the front forks to 7.5 psi and the rear shock to 20 psi – chucked a few obvious tools as well as pressure gauge and bicycle pump into the tank bag just in case.
Then met up with a mate Ed (he has a very modern GSXR 1000) and his mate (with an equally modern GSXR 750) and a “gentle” run through the Norfolk countryside to visit two motorcycle dealers – 2nd dealer being Seastar Superbikes who were having an open day and also had some parts ready for me - so I got to play “tail end Charlie” (well let’s face it I needed to get used to the Rex and it’s not going to keep up with modern sports bikes is it)
First stop was a petrol station (as my company on the run both needed fuel) I filled up (£7.25 to brim the tank) so should be able to see what mpg it does on mixed riding by the end of the weekend, I know it won’t be as good as the GPZ600 which is frankly brilliant (even when wringing it’s neck to keep up with bigger bikes)
The Rex did very well to keep a reasonable pace up but it quickly became pretty clear that it was way too hard so dropped the rear shock to 11.5 psi and the fronts to 3.5 psi for the journey back from Seastar – still too hard at the front but the rear end was much better. I adjusted the gear change so that I didn’t need to lift my foot off the pegs to up change. Unfortunately this had a downside....
Also bought a can of chain lube and gave the chain a decent soaking.
Niggles to resolve
- Gear change lever position is now sweet for up changes but for down changes the lever fouls the side stand spring – bit too much play in the pivot point so I think I’ll get the lever reamed out and a brass bush made up to take up the clearance – might have to get a new shaft made up that pushes it further out if a sleeve arrangement doesn’t work.
- Rear shock damping adjustment doesn’t seem to be doing anything so I need to investigate that
- Front end still too hard – I wonder if the springs have been packed out with washers/spacers so I’ll look at that and also see about changing the fork oil and checking the level
- The wind from the front screen is being directed direct to the bottom of my helmet – way worse than the GPZ600 and making my AGV helmet really noisy (flip up/taller screen really required)
My left boot sole decided to part with the leather uppers during the course of the day so I broke out the evostick and fixed that – right boot was fine (they are 25 year old frank Thomas boots so they’ve not done badly).
Not much older stuff was at the open day but this lovely old Yamaha had to be snapped to share.
Not even tax exempt
Oh and Ed’s Bike on the Dyno
Sunday was BMF day for me.
Set off at 9.30 ish after a few tweaks, dropped the front forks down to zero Psi for the journey - to be honest it made no difference at all so I really need to sort this out.
By the time I got to Peterborough (11am) I was in the red on the fuel gauge but not onto reserve tank – 153 miles. I filled up £20.31 to brim it again 15.17 litres (3.33 Gal)
Quick Calculation means ~45mpg - That’s not too bad and means the Rex can keep a place as the best mpg vehicle I have (once I’ve sold the GPZ600).
After filling up it was the BMF. I guess arriving at 11.15 I was later than most as I got the bike park space furthest from the entrance – last year I was a row from the front - It was busy but not silly busy.
First task to look round the auto-jumble for “rex” parts – I was disappointed nothing at all – in fact pretty poor for any bike to be honest.
I had a shopping list (stops me buying things I don’t need that are just cheap – it’s not cheap if you buy them and don’t use or need them)
- Removable Top box (yeah I know - not a good look for any bike - but practical for my needs)
- Boots (in case my repair didn’t work so well – walk round the show would be a good test
- Gloves (my “summer” ones don’t overlap the jacket sleeves so wanted a pair which did)
- Visor bag (in black so I can wear over my leathers rather than under for the obvious reasons)
- Tank protector (to hide some of the marks on the tank)
- Flip up/taller screen
I managed to find some XXL Gloves (£15) and got a bargain on the top box front £30 for a 48 L box (lockable and removable) – by this time it was warming up nicely and so was I (in full leathers) so I found a bargain motorcycle sized tool kit for £8 which meant I had what I needed to fit the box.
Back to the furthest part of the car park to the rex and fitted the Box – I got my leathers and gloves and helmet in the top box so I was free and much cooler walking round the show in the afternoon – I need to take the rack off and weld some proper plates to locate the base plate properly as I don’t like universal clamps and fixings but it was on well enough for the journey home.
Powerbronze were at the show and I got a quote of ~£40 for a flip up or taller screen – 10 day turnaround from order placement
I had a walk around the club tents and stands – as always Yamaha Air Cooled stand had some great examples of my favourite ring a ding ding bikes
Don’t feel so bad about fitting a 48L box on the back of the rex now
Initially I thought RD400 engine in LC frame and then I realised twin shocks so now I’m thinking later tank and seat unit
Moving on also spotted a rare but lightly modified Kat (I like cats)
A Morini 3 1/2
And a very nice std CB750
The best in show (cow shed) had a few bikes that I liked and some which I took pictures of to share rather than I liked them if you see what I mean
Paint – Can I have a flake with that – seriously this wasn’t flake it was engineering swarf under laquer
More paint
Even more Paint
And finally
Patina in paint
Less is more
Technically its predecessor
Didn’t like em much when they were new but I like the effort put in to this one
Bob’s yer uncle
Quite nice in execution
Neons are us
Fat
Would prefer to see the Bike
Eventually I did (I had to wait a while)
Err think it’s a Kwacker
My right boot sole started to part company with the leather, the left one repair was holding up perfectly. So I had a look for a new pair of boots – it seems my taste in boots is no longer in vogue with the biking massive – I had the following clear choices
A. An “Extra” from “judge dread”
B. Refuge from a Motocross track with a million different colours on each boot
C. Deep sea diving alternative
So loads of boots that are cheap just nothing like I wanted - black on black lightweight touring boots (the need to be comfortable walking round a show or race meeting and not be heavy) nothing it appeared was going to fit the bill – more evostick it is then.
I did find a stand doing custom moulded ear plugs at a better price than I’d seen before so as I’d had a pretty good day but not managed to find boots I liked I decided to get a fitting for a set which should be with me in 14 days (foam ear plugs just aren’t doing enough to kill the wind noise)
That was it apart from eating a little lunch watching the motoball in the arena.
The ride home was at a steady pace just the odd squirt here and there where it was safe to do so.
Overall I’m quite happy with the rex – it handles quite well for a lardy lump – suspension needs a bit of work to get a ride quality that I’m happy with and I realise that might compromise it’s cornering abilities but I no longer ride everywhere like my ar5e is on fire (that would have been 30 years ago and I’m a bit less brave/stupid and a lot more cautious these days) I’ll see how the rest of the year goes (and if I can address the little niggles) before I make a decision on its future.