Syncro-less but not idle!

[SyncroSwede]

I may have sold my 16" Syncro (yes, I am missing it!) but I have not been idle.

I've got a T5 as a daily drive and all round work horse/camper and as it came as a ply-lined panel van I have spent the winter sorting it out. About 90% done now.

I have a thread running over on the B-Y if you're vaguely interested!

Mal's T5 "conversion"

Also have plenty to do maintaining my motorbikes. Here's an old pic of the beast (my old Syncro in the background!), a KTM 950 Supermoto…



I removed the exhaust a couple of weeks back to replace the graphite gaskets and generally clean it up. I decided that a couple of the joints hadn't sealed too well so removed the cans today to put a little paste in. I then got the tank off to balance the carbs and noticed the headers were glowing nicely. Got some pics for you…



Hot stuff eh?

I have plans to get a single cab Syncro in the future. A slightly rough one I won't mind dinging down the lanes and something to chuck logs etc in. I can't have it where I live currently due to space so it won't be anytime soon sadly. Still, I'm sure I'll catch up with the Southwest regulars when I ride shotgun with (Syncro)Simon.

Hope everyone's year is picking up with the weather!

[HarryMann]

Thanks Mal, info post and yes, of course we like to see glowing pipes (headers, sorry, still running fast and failing to bat away all these pervasive americunisms). Have done a bit of work on a KTM 350 Moto recently, beautiful design and build, but Oops! Came across two where they'd trapped the rubber moulded gasket when assembling water pump - both leaked from new, lucky engines didn't seize... Tut tut, Austrians not perfect either, nice to know!

Some good insulation and detail finish refs in that BY T5 article. If they sold small enough quantities (they don't) I'd be using this 1mm SDS for the initial panel deadening. I have some self adhesive samples but would need 2 or 3 others to come in on a bulk order as they don't stock or retail much less than £200 worth, shame.

http://www.sounddeadsteel.com/

[syncrosimon]

Shiny Shiny!

Good work Mal.

Getting a regular 70mpg from my son's little bike. Cant knock that now-a-days.

[HarryMann]

Just looked up SuperMoto..

Seems it's just a reinvented Speedway ? Nothing new under the sun then...

[SyncroSwede]

Just looked up SuperMoto..

Seems it's just a reinvented Speedway ? Nothing new under the sun then...

I think the French 'invented' the idea, calling it supermotard. It was for stadium racing for TV where the surfaces were tarmac and hard-packed dirt with a few whoops & jumps. The originals were just dirt bikes with 17" wheels and cut road tyres. A lot of the smaller capacity supermotos these days are just the same but the 950 is designed from the ground up as a SM. It's the best all-round bike I've ever owned and happily tours with luggage (you can see the rack in the pic), commutes and eats crappy Devon roads with ease on a blast. Still as awesome (another little Americanism for you!) today as when I bought it 3 odd years ago.

[HarryMann]

Right, ta, shades of 1970's rallycross I feel. Didn't know it existed, but until the other day didn't realise how developed the indoor arena trials are now... climbing staright up 2m walls after only backing away about 18" - quite incredible! Vive la miniature 2-strokes, Bultacos, TM s ?
Can imagine the 900 would be an awesome general mount

Update on KTM 350 Moto... What is up with KTM design and production control..

Same two bikes (unbeknownst to each owner) BOTH found with one broken handlebar clamp (yoke top). KTM aware with thickened part in stores, but not chasing down current owners (waiting for a bad accident) ?

Inspection shows cross-section at break woefully small, probably calculated within a sensible range, but you don't make parts like handlebar yokes exactly to a calculated CSA, do you, esp in cast alloy... Oh Dear!

[torchy]

Hi Mal, Come on get "syncronised". I've now got an iphone 4. If you are looking to ride shotgun any time, I need some teaching on that map thingy.

.....and the bike? get an Enduro......more fun, good for syncro scouting

[SyncroSwede]

Update on KTM 350 Moto... What is up with KTM design and production control..

What year(s) are your 350s? My 400 is a 2000 and the 950 a 2007 and as far as I can see from pulling both apart to varying degrees, they are really solid and well engineered. I have no experience of the older KTMs or any of the current rage of sx and exc bikes. Like the look of the 250 exc-f though, mmm!

Hi Mal, Come on get "syncronised". I've now got an iphone 4. If you are looking to ride shotgun any time, I need some teaching on that map thingy.

.....and the bike? get an Enduro......more fun, good for syncro scouting

The 400 I have is an enduro and I have been around all of those lanes we did on the Syncro as well as some interesting single track lanes I would think twice about walking down! (All legal I am assured by my TRF friend.) I have thought about joining a Syncro day out on the 400 but riding shotgun with you would also be cool! Did you get the pay version of MotionX GPS? (about £1.89 I think) as that seems to work best for me. I have used it in Europe and further afield and found the mapping really useful for driving and walking. You just have to remember to download all you need (and in sufficient detail, level 16 is good) when at home first!

I have tried sleeping in the the van out on Dartmoor and found it to be a really cosy environment. Having no windows takes away that fish-in-a-bowl feeling I had before. However, the sleeping bag I had was only just up to the job and I could have been a little warmer! I also want to get a three cushion mattress made up in vinyl like you would have for a rock 'n' roll bed rather than the airbed I used so I could have a nice little sofa set-up in the back when not sleeping. Anyone recommend a custom foam mattress maker for not insane money?

[HarryMann]

Anyone recommend a custom foam mattress maker for not insane money?

Yes they're down near you,The Pluss Organisation, Exeter, from the Wiki... https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/In ... _suppliers

and quite a few 80-90 club members have used their services.

V-Lux: Cushions/mattresses supplied and made to order (quickly!) Devon. You will be supporting the employment of the disabled and the finished products are highly specified and everyone so far is delighted. https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=24201 See 80-90 thread and pictures here:

http://www.pluss.org.uk/index.php?id=1 The Pluss Organisation Exeter

Ermie571: Re: Pluss organisation
It might be easier if you get any further enquiries to get them to email the company direct, the website is fine, but it would be a quicker response to further customer's inquiries. So eMail: pam.curtis@pluss.org.uk

Memory foam type material isn't a bad idea these days.

===========================
===========================

Those 350 KTM Moto bikes are the latest, electric start Moto 350s, last year models I think. Think they are just getting sloppy! Hubris/arrogance ?

[SyncroSwede]

Anyone recommend a custom foam mattress maker for not insane money?

Yes they're down near you,The Pluss Organisation, Exeter, from the Wiki... https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/In ... _suppliers

Perfect, just what I was looking for. I'll call them & ask if I can visit to pick material out etc. Thanks.

[SyncroSwede]

Was bidding for this last night but it slipped past what I could afford at the moment…

Steyr Puch Haflinger

Could have been fun!

[Aidan]

Was bidding for this last night but it slipped past what I could afford at the moment…

Steyr Puch Haflinger

Could have been fun!

wow that was a bit strong on the bidding - that's half a syncro for nearly syncro money

perhaps you should get one of these next time
http://www.taylorsgardenbuildings.co.uk ... ctid=18988

[SyncroSwede]

NICE!

I was hoping for a windscreen though, even if there are no wiper blades!

[syncrosimon]

I still think a single cab syncro would be fun, you could learn to weld on it. Hours of fun. That haflinger might have been tax exempt though.

[axeman]

Was bidding for this last night but it slipped past what I could afford at the moment…

Steyr Puch Haflinger

Could have been fun!

shame that you did not win that as it is only half an hour away from us. they dont half look like fun. if not a little drafty. but then look at what baxter has,

neil