Adventures With Rosie
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Hi
Well the following nonsense is coming out of something Marcel said last week “You could post a forum journal on the front page, incase we make threaded replies to follow your outings or garage workings”. I can’t see where or how I do that exactly – hey I’m 62 years old, we didn’t have social media in the seventies, no internet, just great music and lots of fun, so if Marcel wants to move my bloggy blatherings somewhere more appropriate he is very welcome to do so.
So this is Rosie, my 2016 GV250 EFi, that had just 2,785 on the clock when I bought her 17th December last year, and is now showing 3,190 so she’s done 3 times the mileage in the last three months than she did on the previous 3 years. And you know, I think she rather likes it.
A little more bling As with any new girlfriend you have to start spending money on presents, so the boring black air filter covers have been replaced with chrome and, more practically, a centre stand has been fitted. I was pleasantly surprised that the 5 minute job as demonstrated on YouTube (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzljlX9CyHI ) took just that although my garage floor was a lot more cramped, and very much colder, than lucky old Two Wheel Exploits in Melbourne. With shipping the stand cost about £70* from South Korea, and I’ve seen these on eBay for £115 – £125 so I’m happy with the deal.
I think I’ll probably recoup that cost the first time I do my own oil change, plus I can fill the tank on the level without risking a crotch full of Ethanol.
Next bit of bling was replacements for the missing front fork top covers. Now it annoyed me that I hadn’t noticed that these were missing when I inspected the bike, the headlamp has been replaced with a unit held on by two clamps attached to the fork tubes. Now these clamps are either stopping the front forks from working, or are scratching the tubes any time the forks depress, and they are certainly stopping the refitting of the chrome covers.
Front forks with the offending headlamp bracketsSo when it became apparent that the headlamp couldn’t be refitted with these clamps gripping the fork covers rather than the forks an order had to go back to South Korea for a proper headlamp mounting unit, which fits into the lower fork brace. Oh, and a new headlamp housing to fit on the mounting. What’s the betting I then need a replacement headlamp lamp unit to fit in the housing that goes on the mounting?
“And the foot bone’s connected to the leg bone.
The leg bone’s connected to the knee bone.
The knee bone’s connected to the thigh bone.
An’ that’s the word of the Lawd.”Just in case anyone’s thinking “you’re wasting money on bling! What about brake pads and tyres and…??” rest assured they have all been checked and are perfectly in order for a bike with just 3,000 miles on the clock.
BTW: If anyone knows of a really cool looking and powerful LED headlight unit that fits into the standard GV250 EFi 7.6″ headlamp housing, then I’d be much obliged.
Once these geegaws have been fitted that will probably be it for bling. For a while. Although I’d love to fit a lamp rack with a pair of fog lights. And of course I do need some saddle bags for the gear I have to tote too and from the office.
Meanwhile I’ve been trying out my ‘A’ roads route to Northampton that misses out the M1. Although hampered by a light spot of rain I had a very enjoyable blast along the A6 today that certainly exceeded 60mph and may have reached the dizzy figure of 70+mph. Rosie certainly seemed to be enjoying herself.
Why have I called her ‘Rosie‘. That’s in honour of Bon Scott, Malcolm Young and of course surviving brother Angus, who on the 16th May 1978 blew my ears off with one of the loudest sets I ever heard. Like I say, we had a pretty good time in the seventies. For a 250cc bike there’s a ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’, and she’s quite a ride. Although at 27 stones she’s a bit heavier than the original
“Doin’ all the things
Doin’ all the things you do
Ain’t no fairy story
Ain’t no skin and bones
But you give it all you got
Weighin’ in at nineteen stone”‘ave a gud ‘un
Zigger Zag -
Hi Zigger Zag,
Rosie is beautiful, I have her rusty dirty twin.
Here is a link to “Whole lotta Rosie” live in 1978 for anyone who does not know the tune. AC/DC rocked.
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Hey Rosie looks good! – I see you have took my advise so we can feast our eyes on your bike.
Hey , i don’t really socialize too much on FB unless answering queries , i am getting old myself , but i know half the members on here don’t even use facebook to chat about bikes (in this case doing journals) or posting pictures of their outings & excursions with the bikes, this site may just be about the “closest” thing to some kind of “social network” should we say!
Tom , i dare not show my age but i have vague memories about hearing that song at one point as a much younger man lol.
@Zigger – “As with any new girlfriend you have to start spending money on presents, ” —- You said it right there, either its a woman or a bike, once our eyes go left , so does our wallet and we usually don’t think to get it “right” till way later haha! –
Tyres do take a lot of my budget every year as i usually spend best of the best (michelins) i guess but i do a lot of miles each year , so its unavoidable. Just as is pads are always going to get change probably twice or thrice a year!
Some modifications = spend once, smile later, now those i can live with.
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A sunny weekend, so out on the road again on Saturday (sunny and quite warm) and Sunday (less sunny and quite cold). Not uneventful miles I’m afraid, as one of the bolts holding the left side foot peg decided to abandon ship somewhere along the B66. Fortunately I carry a small adjustable spanner and was able to rig a repair using one of the right hand foot peg bolts – the foot brake getting less work than the gear shift.
MORAL: With a bike that vibrates as much as a GV250, and on road as beat-up as the B roads of England, then a regular check around the nuts, bolts and screws is an important thing to remember.
I am certainly getting used to Rosie now. I had forgotten how high you need to rev a 250cc to keep momentum going, too many years driving a 2,000cc car that cruises along at 70 with about 1,700rpm on the clock.
MARCEL: You mention tyres, and Michelins in particular. The only manufacturer I can find who sell the rather odd sizes from the GV250 (F-110/90 R16 and R – 150/80 R15) are Bridgestones – do you have a link for your supplier? I was disappointed that it seems I can’t source these tyres from AVON, or rather I can find a front tyre but not a rear.
When the new bolts turn-up I’ll try and take some pictures of the heel gear shift arrangement, which may have been a factor in that damned bolt going AWOL. I find that the heel shift is really useful when going from 1st to 2nd gear when my big boots won’t easily position themselves under the gear shift arm. But as I say, spring washers and Loctite would appear to be the order of the day.
All the best
Zigger Zag -
A sunny weekend, so out on the road again on Saturday (sunny and quite warm) and Sunday (less sunny and quite cold). Not uneventful miles I’m afraid, as one of the bolts holding the left side foot peg decided to abandon ship somewhere along the B664. Fortunately I carry a small adjustable spanner and was able to rig a repair using one of the right hand foot peg bolts – the foot brake getting less work than the gear shift.
MORAL: With a bike that vibrates as much as a GV250, and on roads as beat-up as the B roads of England, then a regular check around the nuts, bolts and screws is an important thing to remember.
I am certainly getting used to Rosie now. I had forgotten how high you need to rev a 250cc to keep momentum going, too many years driving a 2,000cc car that cruises along at 70 with about 1,700rpm on the clock.
MARCEL: You mention tyres, and Michelins in particular. The only manufacturer I can find who sell the rather odd sizes from the GV250 (F-110/90 R16 and R – 150/80 R15) are Bridgestones – do you have a link for your supplier? I was disappointed that it seems I can’t source these tyres from AVON, or rather I can find a front tyre but not a rear.
When the new bolts turn-up I’ll try and take some pictures of the heel gear shift arrangement, which may have been a factor in that damned bolt going AWOL. I find that the heel shift is really useful when going from 1st to 2nd gear when my big boots won’t easily position themselves under the gear shift arm. But as I say, spring washers and Loctite would appear to be the order of the day.
All the best
Zigger Zag -
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Hey, even Korea says to check bolts every now and then, it seems like they knew about this. While you at, you can be OCD like me and make it mission to replace every bolt with stainless steel except the axles and shocks.
Coppa slip is good in certain places such as panels that hide the coils and batteries.
Michelins i usually get them from Demon Tweaks, trade supplier but also open to the public, you may know them already, so give them a quick ring otherwise i don’t mind brigestones. Jap tyre! – I have some bridges on my donor GT bikes. They are okay.
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It’s been quite an exciting week for Rosie. On Wednesday we rode down to the office in Northampton, okay it was only about 90 miles round trip, but that’s further than she’s gone in some years. However, today she was reunited with some upper fork covers having had the replacement headlamp restored to ‘original’ (actually it’s from a GV125 but identical parts) so I could get rid of those awful brackets and the black plastic headlamp. See pic above for the old Rosie.
While not exactly a very big job it’s not a single handed job to drop out the forks, and persuade the rubber seals to stay in place while the fork is reinserted to the top yoke. Even with the benefit of a YouTube How-To video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZJn4kXlrdc. My thanks go to Geoff, the chief spanners wrangler at Fosse Riders MCA, and his mate (sorry, I didn’t quite catch the name). I’m pretty sure if I had attempted this on my own then tonight Rosie would still be in pieces on the garage floor. Again I would recommend that joining a local motorcycling club pays dividends in finding contact with people who can help with jobs like this one, as well as being a source of encouragement and advice.
Just reviewed the video and I note that Zorba’s only did the offside cover – to do the nearside/disc brake side it was necessary to take the caliper off the fork leg to allow it to drop down the 8-9″ necessary to fit the cover in place. Altogether this took about an hour to do, but that was with quite an extensive workshop at the Fosse Riders MCA.
So here she is now, nicely blinged-up with shiny air filter covers, an Hyosung original headlamp, and complete fork covers in place. Ready for a summer of riding with hopefully a lot more sunny weather just like we had today.
Whether the windscreen will go back on is debatable. I think Rosie looks better without it and I don’t mind a bit of wind in my face.
Meanwhile, I’m considering getting one of those 360 degree video cameras. Watch this space.
All the best
Zigger Zag -
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I have done about 50 miles in this barcelonian style heatwave until the country cooled down again to 7c! – It has been really nice, so i can imagine you and Rosie made a nice picnic style trips out of it. April is around, so we shall expect some consistence 15c weather as it rises up to the summer 20s.
It was nice to know there is a garage out there that isnt going to treat the bike like its chinese and take silly shortcuts , sometimes its what other clients tell me and their bikes behave worse due to mechanic errors. So well done on you for being hands on , i suppose working on a “hyosung” will make you a bike wizard that’s for sure haha!
I have a GV myself and i’ve been thinking to make it a bobber style similar to the upcoming GV300SA 2022 , but ofcourse it means no screens. I wouldn’t mind the wind in the summer! – Winter time, means i will have to wear some kind of heated vest. Function/Practicality vs Looks is a debate i have with myself each day. However , short screens aint too bad , similar to the GT250P model hyosungs, i might do that , if i have a batwing , i wouldn’t be any faster as there isnt much aerodynamics vs the wind, then again im not a racer.
The bike looks good without the screen sir! Nice photo
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See Rosie on YOUTUBE – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qTW2vRxu2Q
More videos to follow. I realise this isn’t great quality, especially the sound track, but hopefully as I gain more experience with the hardware and software I can present better productions starring the GV250
All the best
Zigger Zag AKA Fat Bloke on a Motorbike
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Good to see you’re keeping well 🙂
Any seaside trip plans ? now that the weather is warming up ? I suppose some hard bags is all you need for a little picnic getaway trip
My GT will be soon going on a hiatus and i’ll be taking out the GV as i may carry a passenger with me , at the moment , i have been heavily inspired by the GV300SA that hyosung is bringing out soon.
I’m a carb guy so i like the older GVs engines wise , doesn’t matter what CC it is, however i do want to steal the looks of the GV300SA. What do you think 😉
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Just looked up the GV300SA. I love it! Want one! €5250 new – incredible! I can dream!
We have to win Lotto lol
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