Bonneville Issues and a Desperate Last Minute Motorbike Hunt
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 พ.ย. 2024
- The Bonneville issues continue days before I head off to Scotland, so I attempt to make a back up plan with a different motorcycle.
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It is time Freddie, the Enfield calls you...
How will he feel going down from 1200cc to 350 or 500 ... not very nice. If I was him I would consider other options.
@@arbaaz360 if you think in numbers, then there's always one higher than the other. Motorcycling at its heart is about convenience and the sheer joy of riding. Freddie himself said the 350 Meteor would be perfect for the trip he has in mind, smiles per miles never goes out of fashion :)
Super Meteor 650 might actually be perfect for him.
@@arbaaz360 it would feel more ligth and less stressfull
@@ethantrunnell9790 If he were to buy a more permanent secondary bike then Super Meteor for sure! But if he is after something temporary just for the trip and maybe sell it after this riding season is over, the smaller Meteor can be enough I think.
Hey Fred, Alan Millyard would have cut out a new gasket with his penknife by now! Good luck Bro!
Maybe he could borrow the viper bike🤔🫣
And get a cupcake in passing. Nice.
@simoncollier6982 yes, my late friend Steve would do that. Just one of the many tricks that he would utilise to keep a bike on the road.
As a mechanic, for 30-plus years. you dont want the bike back.! So do it right first time, HAVING said that, on some bikes, you can do without removing the head, the bonnie may be difficult to get the thread cutters in square, I think I would have removed the head!
The parts issue is one I see daily. I work in a Complaints Department for a huge motor insurer. I tried to get a commercial vehicle into one of our repairers last week, because a customer had fallen out with his current repairer over the endless parts delays on a Citroen. On calling our own, branded repairer, they advised in a 60 bay bodyshop, they have 32 cars sat awaiting parts on back order.
And once that gasket's off it needs renewal. If it was an old knacker, a sub £1k bike, then helicoil. But thatTrumpet, no, leave it to be done properly. A tiny fragment of metal scoring the bores will ruin it and you wont get any change out of £2k-3k for an engine rebuild, after honing the bores and fitting new pistons.
And I guess your parts are coming from Thailand? I mean, Triumphs are as British as a green tofu curry with noodles these days.
Hi Freddie, I have a BMW K1600GT that you can use if you don't get sorted. I am in Horsham, so you would have to get down here. I will then add you to my insurance.
British brand yes but manufactured in Thailand. I remember on the old days we made head gaskets out of cardboard. Give it a go - you never know……
much better off just reusing the old factory gasket. cardboard would never work
You can make your own gaskets, but cardboard? asking for a fire.
@@matthewbufton131 ..Probably the best outcome for a Triumph !!
My daughter has an SV650 which I rode from the Isle of Wight to Ipswich for her when she left home. Got to say, what an eye opener it was for me. Just superb! I’ve been riding for over 40 years and have had some lovely bikes and I must say, I would love one of these in my shed. Try one Freddie, I honestly think you’d love it too 👍
I bought one new in 99 , and did 31k miles in 5 years , great bikes .
@@qtronicqilt8898 Yeah , for me the first model is the best looking , I had the naked version , they still don’t look 24 years old .
@@qtronicqilt8898 Nope , I borrowed a Enfield bullet off my dad a while back , it was fun but I wouldn’t buy one .
*Are there motorcycle rentals in the UK?*
I think the 650cc Bikes are perfect for Uk
Roads ,I had an SV650 for aFew
Years. Great Bikes , Also I think
a Kawasaki ER6 is a really great
Every Day Ride. & they can be
Picked up Cheaper than an SV
Both well Proven Engines...
Love my z900 rs, such a killer retro bike.
The beast💪🏼💪🏼
Toured Scotland quite a few times and tried loads of anti-midge sprays….none worked. Most effective thing I was told about (and it worked) was Avon Skin-So-Soft…..no idea what’s in it but much better than Deet etc. I found Midges were far worse on the west coast….never an issue in Edinburgh (well, not for me anyway)…….great channel by the way 👍
I've just spent a night wild camping in the woods. I wore a head net, because I knew the mosquitoes would be out in force, but the blighters still managed to get through, or if not them, then something just as blood thirsty. I've now got a matching pair of small lumps; one below my left eye and one above. Maybe I'll wear two nets in future! 🤕 Hope you managed to find a bike and have a great trip. Looking forward to finding out.
Sounds like it's Transalp time😎🥃
I like your channel so much, that If you were doing a trip here in the United States, I would totally ship one of my bikes to you.
I would lend him mine also, many American people offered. What's up with his British Subs, not one offer?
I like your videos..nice videos
Depends where in Scotland you are going, no midges in Edinburgh. Good luck with the net lol!
Fred hope RE come through for you and get something sorted buddy asap. The old Bonnie will live on again I'm sure! Hope you get up there and have a great time in Scotland!
The Triumph Scrambler 900 is the bike for you. It’s time.
You could have tried a second hand engine and made a good engine out of two. Or drop the old engine and fit the new one if it’s in better condition.
If you’re recutting a thread it’s worth going up a thread side I don’t know if there’s a bigger spark plug though, but never cut a thread with the head still on. The bore will be be knackered before Lincoln
not helicoil, TIMESERT, and if you have an extra 30 minutes make a head gasket out of copper sheeting. if you end up buying a new cylinder head it would be like the mechanic ringing you up to ask if you can come in to pick up the wrench he dropped next to his foot
At least you’re finally going to get your valve clearances checked. Best of luck with the bike search. As a Himalayan owner currently, I’d vote for buying a used Himalayan, assuming it’s already had the break-in service and isn’t due a major service soon.
Hi Freddie - It would be nice if RE could loan you a Meteor 650 :) It is after all a touring bike and would be a brilliant way to do the review. Coupled with your cinematic skills along and all the other RE's you expect to see there, it would be a wonderful promotion for them too.
Want to barrow my bike? Interceptor 650 and I got side bags
Sorry to hear that Freddie. I have a RE Meteor 350 and a Classic 350 I’d love to loan one to you for your trip, but I’m across the pond in USA. Looking forward to the trip!
PS. It would great to follow your trip on the Himalayan!!
Really appreciate it, thank you🙂🙌🏻 I’m now in Scotland and interestingly, there are four riders from the US here!🤘🏼
As an engineer there's only one way to do this repair and that's the right way your mechanic is right
Swarf dropping into the cylinder head would be a disaster
RE guys are very supportive in general. I reached out to them regarding modification of my Classic 500 in India to make it UK compliant. They redirected me to one of their service centre in Gurugram and got everything sorted at earliest.
You do know that they are taking to piss about to Scottish flying wild life, please wear that net for the comedy factor. All the best fae Ayrshie😮
We're all commenting on what Freddie should do but the Highland Scramble's Island Traverse started yesterday.
There was of course, Option 3, rent either a Himalayan or an Interceptor from the Highland Scramble themselves, complete with luggage.
Wonder what he did?
I picked up a beautiful stock 2002 Honda CB 500S with 14k miles from an elderly gentleman. The bike was immaculate condition, new tyres, new brakes,new honda battery, Givi box, full service history and MOTD to September. I paid £2000 and rode home delighted 😊
I love older bikes, new bikes look like Jetskis but l knew all about the CB 500S it's reliable, cheap to run, light, handles perfectly, it's a Honda and it's Black ⚫️ my favourite motorcycle colour.
Tons of good second hand bikes out there Freddie, good luck in Scotland.
Thread repair Is my day job and I can tell you there is no need to strip the engine.
I would do a thread repair with a Wurth Time Sert, with the seat and tank off, it only takes 10 minutes to fit a Time Sert and costs £100.00
So sad that parts are hard to get for English bikes in the UK Over here in Vancouver Canada it's at least 4 times as difficult to obtain even basic maintenance parts for British bikes and 10 times worse for Italian bike parts. German Marques are on par with the Brits. We seldom have issues with Japanese brands. Good luck and God bless.
You can Heli-coil it yourself but if you do it with the head on the engine you'd run the risk of getting aluminum into the cylinders...which would be bad. So either way (DIY or have it done) you'd be waiting for a head gasket.
I think the R.E. 500 would be a wheezer. Get an Interceptor!
Gasket paper ? Surely the garage has some, just need to copy and cut one out like in school
Tapped and heli-coiled in place! Greased up tap to retain most of the swarf and hoover out bore, compressed air into bore through plug hole to clean out! Scope to check it's clean!
Hi Freddie, I found your channel just yesterday and then binged on you Africa trip (whilst not getting enough work done). I am really enjoying seeing the freedom that motorbikes give and it makes me really want one again. I am not far up the road from you, in Saxmundham and we really do have the best part of the country to enjoy. Ipswich is a lovely town but most people don't take the time look up; it' good to see you doing so in your videos.
Hi Freddie! Espero que sua Bonnie fique bem. Como te falei uma vez, tenho uma T100 2013 e sou apaixonado por ela!😍
If you were to ask this guy he could get you straightened out in a few hours, two words "Allen Millyard ".
Hoping to see Allen at the Prescott festival this Sunday. He's riding the hill climb on some his bikes. You're correct of course 👍👍
The Mossie's in Scotland are a pain but the Midges are unbelieveable.
They make the mossie's feel like a big cuddly fur ball old Labrador.
And those nets usually need to be treated with repellant before you use them. It's very unusual to find them for sale Pre-Treated.
Keep up the good work Freddie, you always keep it interesting. You have probably sorted your bike by now but with regards to re-threading the head, most people recommend using the TimeSert instead of a helicoil when doing a sparkplug thread and once it's in, it's never coming out again. It can still be fitted without taking the head off, as you cover the drill and tap with grease so it catches all the swarf that is created but because it is only aluminium swarf, it's not too much of a hazard. Anyway, good luck with it and hope you sort out a bike for your trip.
Hi Freddie. I feel your pain. See my previous messages to you, with the same problems you are having with your trumpet. My mechanic has just phoned me, and my bike will be another two weeks. Not because of parts, but because his dad is ill, and he has to fly to cypress. I am loyal to him and my 44 year old XS650. I know it is killing you, but I think you are doing the right thing grt a second hand enfield, will keep you on the road, but also keep your bank balance on the right side. Good luck Freddie Kind Regards Andrew
Funny thing you need a head gasket, me too . I got the last one in Nova Scotia I was told..... I rode out to the Triumph dealership last week.
You can figure it out Freddie! Good luck 😊
A proper cliffhanger 😉👌👍
Laughing so much at the thought of you walking round Edinburgh with the midgie net on. Yes the midgie is a horrible wee beastie especially in the north west coast and western Isles but the whole of Scotland isn't infested with them.
As a local, when’s best to do a midge free nc500 do you think? Cheers from Isle of Man
@@philipTOMPSETT October to March, so winter really haha
Freddie buy the himalayan and KEEP it , sell the Bonnie and have a ponder over the winter wether you want a bigger bike or which one , or take Bonny of road and give it a good going over or customise it a bit to suit you taste and use , the Himalayan would be great as a allrounder /winter bike ,
I have seem to have acquired a himmie, and as well As it being a great winter bike, it makes the interceptor feel like a superbike! If you're bikes too slow, buy a slower one!
Love watching your videos, will have no doubt ridden passed you on Suffolks roads as I live in BSE and ride my Harley every day. Your vlogs are so refreshing to watch to see local areas.
Sooooo Hope RE comes up with a bike for you Freddie would be great doing a trip to & around Scotland on a Himalayan Oh a good luck with the dreaded midge’s 👍🏻😎
Helicoil is fine if its a fit and forget, not for something that needs to be removed etc for servicing. Plus swarf would fall into the bore if it's done in situ.
Hi Freddie. They may have what you're looking for at Manhattan motorcycles, Abbydale Road, Sheffield 👍
The black Royal Enfield Classic 500 you saw at the dealership, I think was a 'Tribute Black' limited edition Freddie. The final 500 or 1000 Classic 500's ever made were these special editions. Royal Enfield threw their entire optional extras catalogue at these last of the line bikes. I think they are numbered and £5,300 is a darn good price for one I reckon.
Having a Bonneville myself the access to the spark plug hole is quite restrictive by its location and the frame so taking the head off even to helicoil it was probably the only option. good luck with the bike substitute.
Could this be the beginning of "two bikes Freddie" 😉 It is nice to have that option open to you owning more than one. All the best on your travels up north, I hope the weather keeps dry for you 👍
That’s so dumb, why don’t they just get some gasket sheet, trace and cut. That’s what I always do and never have to wait around for some obscure gasket.
The speed twin 1200 would be a good bike to review
Skin-so-soft from that home selling beauty range who’s name escapes me is excellent for midges. No deet or similar but it’s mystical in its effectiveness.
Checking out some of your older films, wondering about your triumph woes. Somebody has been yanking your chain about the midges.😀Best to just ignore em. find a pub for the early evening when the wind dies and they come out in force. By closing time they are usual all gone.
Hope you sorted your bike problem and I will have to watch your Scottish adventure, to see if you visit my home turf. PS I'd ha been on the phone calling triumph dealers looking for a used Street Twin. I was very much in love with mine.
I feel your pain Freddie, im currently stuck at Bayonne in Southern France with a snapped chain on my Triumph speed four, struggling to get a replacement locally. The local Triumph dealers isn't particularly helpful 😢
Given your influence you would think it a good move from re to hand you a brand new bike press bike or no press bike
I'm looking at a 2nd hand Meteor as a temporary bike (waiting for the Classic 650), so a longer distance ride on the Meteor would be of interest to me as I need this for continental touring 😮
kinda sad that RE will probably release the Himalayan 450 before the Classic 650. Literally my most anticipated bike
Wear a cricket type sun hat underneath the midge net to keep the net away from your face…I had the misfortune of being overwhelmed by a swarm of midges and it’s not a pleasant thing ..especially up your nose ..but usually worse in morn and eve ..and a breeze puts them down ..
I would like to point out ( as a Scotsman ) that we have tarmac ( tar McAdam ) in Scotland and is possible to traverse on a thirty year old C90 .
This a common issue with Triumph, unfortunately. Similar to the level of support Triumph provided in the 60s&70s
No problem with midges in Edinburgh or the lowlands but keep all skin covered when you go further afield, they’re just teeth with wings 😱😱😱😱😱
Just read below that a number of readers are offering you the loan of their bike, now that's a cool gesture.
Ultimate Twin Performance in the UK have the base gasket in stock. As well as other gaskets. They don't list them on the site but they do have them.
Well a memory flashback for me while you were inside that motorcycle dealership...It went like this..I was in Utah and stopped by a huge Harley Davidson shop in Lindon , Utah..My childhood sweetheart was with me she had flown over from the Netherlands and was helping me with elderly Father he was napping in the car right then return trip from the doctors . She said I needed a new pair of tighter fitting levis so we went into a dressing room with several pairs to try. The shop was very slow with nearly no one there....well we were in the changing booth with the curtain closed just laughing and playing grab and tickle and trying on pants. We walked out of the booth and much to our surprise there sitting at a large table were about 20 people male and female including the Harley shop owner ! They were close enough to hear every word we had spoken while playing in the change booth , A few chuckled most looked down at the table.. the owner spoke right up...Well those look good on you ! Hahahaha we all had a good laugh my girlfriend was turning several different shades of red...lol..she dragged me into a far corner of the Timpanogos Harley Davidson shop and tried to catch her breath....Oh what fun that was..maybe 10 years ago now..we had nearly 12 years back together after a 40 year break..I miss her still always will I guess but she is doing what she wants in the Netherlands so that is that . We were sweethearts at 15 & 17 years old here in Calif when her family decided to move back to the Netherlands...I just turned 70 a few days ago...I need another motorcycle badly...Freddie you might consider working on you Triumph yourself...great videos it would make and you get to learn more about your Triumph and we get to laugh at you....Buy one of those RE !
Hey Freddie. I have an Intercepter I’m happy to lend you but I’m in Barcelona at the mo… not back till Tuesday
We were lucky - spent last June in the highland s- bought all the midgee gear - but then never saw any
I can't help but think about the Triumph van which picked up the Thruxton from you just earlier in the week. How fortunate would it have been to carry that needed gasket..
But good the mosquito preparation is going well :)
Excited to see what you decide
Freddie why don’t you hire a Royal Enfield from the Highland Scramble?Its £100-£125 for an Interceptor or Himalayan.
If you lived near me in Canada, I would gladly of lent you either of my Triumphs Freddie !!!
Thank you Colin🙂🙌🏻🇨🇦
The dash could be better, but quite simply the best bike I have ever ridden. Cheers Tim.
I used to run a mobile thread repair business and I did not come across one car or motorcyle I could not repair the thread without removing th cyclinder head and I literally repaired dozens upon dozens of them, mostly for the motor trade although I do not know what they told their customers or how much they charged them!
Great guys at Orwell mc's, recently bought a bike from them..that Z900rs you saw in candytone Brown and Orange colours was what i traded in lol..
The stripped plug thread can be repaired with a helicoil I have used them in the past for stripped plug threads on some single cylinder engines without issue....unless there are other issues with the engine.
Parts availability for bonneville's is horrible right now. I needed a TPS sensor for my Scrambler, none in the US, no eta on backorder. I was able to find one in the UK. We just picked up a 411 Scrambler for my wife,she loves it. I do miss my 20 Himalayan, though..
Love your channel, so I hope beyond hope that you buy anything other than a Royal Enfield!
I like Himalayans, but dont get an early carbureted model. Make sure you get the fuel injected version. Early models also suffered some SERIOUS frame failures where the whole front end has literally snapped off. Absolutely deadly. Check what year models are affected and choose accordingly.
I own both a Himmy and a interceptor.The Himmy is good but the Interceptor is better by far.A int.can easily be turned into a scrambler or ADV bike .
Freddie if you are looking to invest in a Royal Enfield, please keep an eye on the test mules that are often spotted in India. Royal Enfield offerings are only going to broaden worldwide and it will have more 350s, 650s and a few in between. Maybe you can expect a Classic on the 650 platform which will be more futureproof than the 500, even though according to me the Classic's soul lies in its single.
Dave Bickers established what became Orwells.
He was twice European scrambling champion.
He was friends with Bud Elkin and Steve McQueen.
Dave went on to start a film and TV stunt firm. Which is still going near Ipswich.
Bickers Action now run by his son Paul
Don't worry about the midges, the weather will determine whether they are a problem or not. Windy conditions mean no problem. Take some Avon Skin so Soft as a repellant, as used by the Royal Marines and most of the army. Google it, it works.
The Poor Bonneville plus the labor sounds the wallet alarm bells 🫣 Hopefully it’s back on the road soon and safe roads in Wee bonnie Scotland with the stand in bike until then ✊🏻
Dont forget to make sure you spray round your ankles and try to keep trousers tucked into boots or socks , they like legs as well as faces.
As the pressure from the cylinder is blowing the spark plug out, it would seem that the cylinder head material is faulty because it it not strong enough to withstand the pressure. Triumph should replace the head free of charge including labor. I'm sure that because of your reviews, Triumph have sold loads of bikes, so as a token of thanks they should do this. Enjoy Scotland the Great , it has magnificent countryside.
Also, surely Triumph can overnight ship a cylinder head.. they're in England ,and so are you. Call 'em up yourself Freddie .
How did you damage the spark plug hole thread? You got to be gentle putting them in. The spark plug is steel (hard), the thread hole is aluminum (soft). Always gently thread the spark plug back in by hand until it bottoms, then tighten it with a socket.
Not a bad idea to tighten the spark plug back down periodically, too. Like every spring. The metals expand and contract at different rates + vibration = spark plugs could come loose. Especially with new plugs. When you put new spark plugs in, tighten them again after 100 miles or so, so it seats well on the new washer. p.s. taking the head off is the RIGHT way to fix it
Freddie while you waiting try to order wiseco pistons high comp 1:10,25 , and fit them, you wont recognize your Bonnie they are so goooood
Yes Freddy, the Himalayan would give you a lot of Possibilities of exploring roads, especially off-road. You could have nice travels in North Africa again . Would be nice to see yo on the Himalayan 👍👍👍 it’s a nice “ All you can go” bike. I own one. And go to Bosnia in some weeks.
Brilliant Freddie, rocking the 70s bank robber look, better watch out for the sweeney!
I traded my BMW R1200R for a Moto Guzzi v7 850 Special 6 weeks ago and have 1500 miles on it with no problems. I am really enjoying riding it and have left my Sportster Roadster 1200 that I love sitting in my garage!
Seriously though matey, I wish you the best of luck!
Looking at the longer range weather charts for the next 10 days (I follow the weather and charts religiously and am very much a meteorologist fanboy) it looks showery in Scotland, with the odd longer spell of rain, but there will be some good dry periods too.
Temps will be between 15'c to 20'c and the wind will be light to moderate every now and then.
There will be good spells of sunshine in between the showers and rain bands, the winds will be mainly from the west.
You certainly put a lot of pressure on yourself.
You need a bike with panniers. Does it have to be a Himalayan? RE does other suitable bikes as you identified.
If you don't go, you don't go, It's not the end of the world Freddie.
Anyway good luck trying to make it work.
With the midge net I think you are supposed to wear it over a wide brimmed hat, to keep the mesh away from your face otherwise the midges, the female, just bites you through it? With a hat it is more like a bee keeper set up and not so uncomfortable and more bearable. Alternatively don't take your helmet off and wear a buff! You need lots of Smidge as well. I hope you are not camping otherwise it will be midgemageddon, like Hitchcock to Stephen King film, the stuff of nightmares. The West coast is the worst. No bare flesh!
Oh Freddie, if only you were back in south London my dealer would've sorted you out I'm sure.
Best of luck mate. 👍
Been there, done that 😀 Shop didn´t come through with the repairs when we had a 1500+ mile trip to the northern part of Sweden planned. Ended up with a lovely Aprilia CapoNord (very fitting) for about £2000.
To bad your countrymen never understood the greatness of the Transalp, otherwise you´d know what to get ;-)
Hope you can find a bike soon enough! Have you looked into renting? (or is it even an option?)
I'll be studying in England over autumn and would love to hire a bike and explore the island for a few days, but I only managed to find a few places online.
Anyway, best of luck! And fingers crossed so the Bonneville is back in working order soon.
Get a Soda can and cut out another head gasket.Or better yet, a thin sheet of copper and cut one out. Bolt it on.. And Enjoy the ride. :)
I was hoping for the hunter 350!!
Lover your Videos Freddie, greetings from Austria ❤
You are lucky you are getting such a great response from Royal Enfield over there. Back in India where they sell an insane number of bikes customer service, service quality and response in showrooms in general is just never a pleasant experience.
Hi Freddie. Interesting what you said about the Royal Enfield classic 500's. I have a 2017 Redditch edition. I'm looking at getting an adventure/touring bike probably a Triumph tiger. The prices dealers are selling the Classics for is around 4k. I've been offered 2.2k to 2.8k which is abit disheartening. Especially Superbike factory which was 2k. Absolutely shocking. Oh by the way Skin so soft moisturiser is a great midgey deterrent 😊
i think u should do a scrambler 1200xc the more road focused or a triumph speed twin for bonneville comforts but whippier performance