FREE
magazine
spring 2017 UK edition
JURBY the event which is now one of the largest single day attractions on the Isle of Man.
NEW PRODUCTS
Slinky Glide’s cable repair kit
Couriers
Then And Now
MOTORCYCLE
PARTS &
OTHER THINGS
NEW OFFICIAL
SERVICE CENTRE 2017
www.wemoto.com sales@wemoto.com 01273 597072
“Sometimes it’s a little better to travel than to arrive” Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
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keeping motorcyclists on the road since 1978
Motorcycle parts, That’s us! With four warehouses on the south coast of England and seven franchises around the world, we hold plenty of stock so we can respond to your order quickly no matter where you are. We are proud to be one of the largest online motorcycle parts websites out there. We like talking to people too and have a forty strong UK work force ready to take your order or help if you just need advice. Just give us a call.
wemoto.com
Unit 7 Grange Road Ind Est Albion Street, Southwick, West Sussex BN42 4EN Phone: 01273 597072 www.wemoto.com sales@wemoto.com3 wemoto - motorcycle parts - winter - spring 2017
3 wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring wemoto 2017 - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 3
Spring 2017
51 16 36 Articles 17 Year Olds Unrestricted ? Should 17-year-olds be able to ride unrestricted motorcycles? 12. Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club The good old boys 16. Jurby Festival This event has grown to be one of the largest single day attractions on the Isle of Man 26. Cafe Society Who’s for a belly busting blow out? 33. Exorcising The Crash Ghost John goes all Mallory Park 40. The Inappropriate Road Bike Club Get down and dirty 48. Strange But True If Harleys are tractors what is this? 49. The Bike That Jerry Built The kill switch is a hand over the air filter... 51. Motorcycle Couriers You want me to go straight there ? 8.
Imformation 50. ACF50 Get it covered 20. Helpful Hints Save time and money 24. Bulb Information We shed light on bulb types 45. Mirror Adapters Know your clockwise to anti- clockwise 59. Company History The year is 1978.........
26
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24
49 40
38
Parts 7. 10. 13.
22. 29.
30. 38. 42.
Slinky Glide The high quaility cable made in Europe Winter Products Get some ideas, get some deals Braking Products Brenta top brake pads made in Italy + seals and pistons Lighting and Electrical Ammeters to starter relays Charging From Lithium Ion batteries to the new BC charger Simota Performance air filters YSS A shockingly good shock Marving Classic exhaust from Italy
44. Replacements Mirrors and levers 46. Bearings Over 150 different linkage kits for many models 56. Nuts, Bolts & Fasteners 57. Tools 58. Engine Parts to keep it turning
33 wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 5
Slinky Glide’s
cable repair kit fits into the smallest
cavity
Slinky Glide’s cable repair kit comes in a handy travel-size container suitable for most clutch and throttle cables.
only
£5.60 Part No. 181-101
6 wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017
Control Cables
Value
We sell Slinky Glide cables for Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Ducati and other motorcycles, from just £9.95
Quality
Slinky Glide cables are a highquality cable made in Europe to the same specifications, or better, than the original cables. They have a polyamide coating to minimize friction on the inner cable and extend wear life. They also all come pre-oiled with a freeze and seize resistant compound for precise, smooth operation and many have stainless steel fittings. What riders say about Slinky “Having ridden a CX500 with a Slinky Glide cable it's the lightest smoothest clutch pull I've felt” - cx500forum.com
STAR BUY
“I fitted one today, quality is good, fitment is perfect and the price little more than 1/3rd of the OEM part” - triumphrat.net “After nearly passing out at the £150 quid price of a new pair of cables, I bought 'Slinky Glide' pattern cables and fitted them a couple of weeks ago. Worked like a charm” - foc-u.co.uk “Feels brilliant, lighter, smooth as silk” 600riders.com “Once you have used a Slinky Glide you won't want to use a standard cable. I can't wait for some of my cables to get tired.”cx500forum.com “Excellent bit of kit and recommended.” ex-500.com
personally
wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 7
NEWS
www.wemoto.com/news
Should 17-year-olds be able to ride unrestricted motorcycles?
She may be a new driver, but 17-year-old Lucy can get any car she wants - regardless of its engine size - now that she's passed her test. James, on the other hand, does not have those privileges. He has to wait till he's 21 to have his vehicle of choice. 'Why?', you ask. Because his vehicle of choice is a motorcycle. Currently, you must be at least 21 to ride an unrestricted motorcycle. And that's after passing not one but three practical tests. A1 at 17; A2 at 19; and A3 at 21, but only if you've had your A2 for two years. For those who haven't, it'll need to be achieved through a direct access course, which you'll have to wait till you're 24 to take. 24!
The rules of motorcycling are indeed confusing. And they've got tougher since 2013. Before January that year, you would've been able to ride any capacity bike you wanted at 19, providing you'd been riding for two years. Those seeking direct access could do so at 21.
It hasn't been long since we've had these new rules. Yet, the National Motorcycle Dealers Association is pushing to have them changed. Again. In a letter to the Secretary of State for Transport, the NMDA claims that age restrictions for motorcyclists are "complicated" and "inconsistent" with the simpler licence system for driving cars. 8 wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017
For young adults, obtaining a full motorcycle licence is a difficult affair. And clearly, the government must believe there are reasons for this, having only recently changed the rules. But if the rules were revised, and if 17-year-olds were able to take just one test and ride any motorcycle they wanted to, what would happen then? Talk to some experienced riders and they'll tell you that being a good motorcyclist takes time. 'Go easy in your first few years', they might warn new riders. 'Get a little bike first; gain some experience.' That sounds like good advice for first-time riders. But should it be advice, rather than being mandatory? Should bikers have equal rights to car drivers, or is it better for everyone's safety if they don't? We'd love to know what you think
News site feedback 08/09/16 - My point is that any road user should be restricted in the power/speed of their vehicles for a couple of years from passing their test. 21 is too arbitrary but it would be safer if Lucy was restricted to a 1 litre car or 5060bhp for a couple of years to build road craft and driving skills. 09/09/16 - Darwin was winning big time with LCs and X7s so 'something' had to be done. In the long run though Darwin will always win.
09/09/16 - the 250 ban came in after manufacturers started making seriously fast 2 stroke 250 bikes , kwak kr1s , deathtrap suzuki x7 and Many others , they should have moderated what the bike manufacturers could sell in this country rather than a blanket ban that hit much slower 250s as well !! 08/09/16 - I agree with this, stop with the discrimination of bikers and stop discriminating on age. Statistically you're most likely to die on a bike between 50 and 60 I read somewhere. NOT 19 - 24 as they'd like us to think. 1 to 2 years restricted for EVERYONE when they first pass. Would be much better system, but the uproar from the car drivers would be too much for them I think. Daisy Cordell for Wemoto News
wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 9
Cold weather offers-plus tips
Save money with our motorcycle winter protection kit contains: • acf-50 formula 13oz spray • cleaning brush set • cable oiler clamp • gt85 maintenance spray 400ml
Save money and make life easier for your self with winter rider kit • Visor Rain Repellent Spray 75ML • Visor Anti-Fog Spray 75ml • Pair Foam Lever Sleeves Black • Litter Bag black • GT85 Maintenance Spray 200ml • Pair Crystal Heat Pads • Thermal Under Gloves • Cable Oiler Clamp • Neck Tube Black
Part No. WK-WINTER-PROTECT
Part No. WK-WINTER-RIDER1
RRP £37.62, our price just £29.45
RRP £43.62, our price just £27.55
wemoto facebook feedback on cold weather riding John Hudghton If you are riding anywhere near Buxton Derbyshire, take a shovel with you! Martin Webster Get a cover for your saddle if you are parking your bike outside. Don't rush to set off so the oil and water can warm up a bit. Don't put all your gear on inside and arrive at the bike sweaty since that'll all go clammy in a nano-second. Buy a new, clear visor and a pinlock. Invest in a visor-wipe. look for a reliable winter-hack to preserve your good bike. No bike will survive salt unscathed. Get good layered clothing and especially gloves that are warm but not too bulky. Steve Weatherly if you dont own a garage buy a decent cover for a start Adrian Walker SORN it until April.
Paul Burgess Just one. Dont touch the front brake in ice and snow. Dan Slim Weston never tell the boss you also have a car, that way you have good reasons to not ride to work if it snows. winner Glenn Ashby ACF 50 everything that is prone to getting covered in Crap. Applyif you wash the bike. Dan Richard Fantham Newspaper down your jacket is a brilliant and cheap insulator. Fit plastic handguards if possible and learn to breath downwards to avoid misting your visor. If you ride in winter then summer becomes so much more special John McGeehan Heated grips and handlebar muffs - yes they look stupid but they keep the cold off your hands
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Keeping warm The care and maintenance of the rider is just as important as the bike, and a low body temperature leads to a lack of concentration and mistakes – ask any mountain climber. Choose good quality clothing for the cold, especially for the hands and feet as the extremities suffer most when the temperature is low. Heated grips or heated gloves are a good investment and foam lever sleeves are a great cheap way to protect your fingers as they insulate your hands from the cold metal of the levers. Heated body warmers are available too, even heated insoles to keep those toes operating Good quality under layers next to the skin are great for preserving body heat as are lots of tea stops! However you choose to treat yourself and your bike during the winter period here’s hoping for some trouble free cold months and don’t worry...the clocks go forward again on March 26th!
Lever sleeves £1.99
Initially designed for comfort and grip but have the added bonus of insulating your fingers from the cold lever. Dispatch riders found that if you rode for long periods of time with your finger tips resting on the levers, the cold would penetrate from the lever through your gloves into your fingers. They tried to solve this problem with sticky tape, bits of foam or even racing bicycle tape, but we have a better solution! Our lever sleeves are a modern day equivalent, more effective and much easier to fit. £1.99 Part no. SC-2290-83-1109
Hand Muffs & Guards from £9.90
Handelbar muffs are great for keeping your hands dry and warm. The guards are less cumbersome and reduce wind chill.
HOT GRIPS FROM VICMA
Vicma heated grips from Wemoto are made from high-quality synthetic materials to resist the cracking and deformation that cheaper rubber grips may suffer through repeated heating and cooling. Vicma heated grips fit all standard 7/8 inch (22mm) handlebars with a choice of digital or dial temperature control. Only £34.97 Part No. VM-13784
Sign up to our monthly news letter and get more deals need email address
wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 11
CLUB CORNER Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club The VJMC has now been in existence for more than thirty four years and continues to promote the use, repair, restoration and, most importantly, the riding of any Japanese motorcycle over 15 years old. This very decision means we’re a broad church club without any other specific criteria. Two strokes, four strokes, singles, twins, triples, four and sixes are all standard fare for us. Air cooled or water cooled, road, trail, track…it’s all respected and loved. Running shows, participating in track days, working with the CRMC we’re there at grass roots and at the top of the tree. Members tend to own diverse machinery and many a member will own a bike from the sixties, a couple of seventies machines, possibly an eighties big bike and maybe even a more modern machine. We work with several insurance providers to provide exclusive discounts for members. Understand that first off Yamaha R1s or Suzuki Hayabusas now qualify for classic insurance and you can see just how beneficial membership can be! With local sections around the UK there’s a VJMC team somewhere just a decent ride away. If you fancy finding out more about us visit www.vjmc.com or call 01454 501 310 to join. Steve Cooper
images Steve Cooper
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Brakes
BRAKING POWER
Quality and range
It's important that you have confidence in your stopping power - so we only stock proven quality brakes and brake parts. This is what you can find listed for your bike on our website:
* * * * * * * * * *
Brake pads Brake discs Brake shoes Stainless steel brake lines Brake fluid & bleed tools Master cylinders & kits Brake pistons & seals Brake caliper rebuild kits Brake fittings Brake cleaner
wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 13
Brake - Brenta Pads
Great Value
Brenta brake pads, tested and TUV approved, are a high quality, sensibly priced replacement brake pad for a wide range of motorcycles and scooters. Engineered in Italy, they meet the highest technical specs and are tested in the lab and on the track so you can trust their stopping power. HH pads are high performance
Brenta - outstanding value for braking BRENTA NUMBER
COMPOUND
RRP INC VAT
POPULAR FITMENT
EBC REFERENCE
FT4072
Sintered
£17.32
Numerous Japanese
FA174HH
FT4062
Sintered
£17.32
Kawasaki & Suzuki
FA158HH
FT3072
Organic
£9.98
Numerous Japanese
FT4094
Sintered
£18.5
Yamaha
FA252HH
FT4023B
Sintered
£19.84
Honda
FA261HH
FT3094
Organic
£13.6
FT4060
Sintered
£21.19
FT3152
Organic
£8.99
FT3140
Organic
£12.98
FT4140
Sintered
£20.84
FT3014
Organic
£9.98
FT4127
Sintered
£21.66
FT3052
Organic
£9.98
Suzuki
FA063
FT3059
Organic
£9.98
Numerous
FA226
FT4059
Sintered
£17.32
Numerous
FA226HH
FT3071
Organic
£9.98
Numerous
FA196
FT4090
Sintered
£21.19
Numerous
FA209/2HH
FT3091/3092
Organic
£13.79
Kawasaki & Suzuki
FA231/229
Yamaha Kawasaki & Suzuki Yamaha
FA174
FA252 FA188HH SFA464
Numerous
FA142
Numerous
FA142HH
Many Scooters Triumph
ONLY £9.95
SFA260 FA236HH
Easy bleed brake kit enter part number 2290-21-1021 in “search for part” on our front page
We stock EBC brake parts and budget brake pads too. All our brake parts are listed to the bike.
More Choice
BUDGET BRAKE PADS FROM
14 wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017
£5.50
Brake Lines - Hel
Hel Brake Lines made on-site for FAST turnaround Pad Pins
Bleed Nipples Mastercylinder repair kits
Brake Pistons Our stainless steel and OE style brake pistons are made in the UK. Most come with seals and red rubber grease. We have a huge selection.
Brake Seals We stock full caliper rebuild kits containing all the seals and fittings you need. Seals and fittings can also be bought separately.
We have a full, comprehensive range saving you money when compared to OE parts.
Save money with our comprehensive caliper seal kits
Our selection includes brake seals from 22mm to 45mm for booted and non booted pistons and shaft boots and caliper seals. wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 15
The wemoto festival of
In late August the Isle of Man returns to motorcycling life following the TT in June. The Manx Grand Prix has long been a late summer race series over the mountain course for riders who have held an ACU racing licence for a least six months - it began in 1923 as the Manx Amateur Road Races. Developing alongside the race programme is the Jurby Festival, organised by the Isle of Man section of the Vintage Motorcycle Club (VMCC), and sponsored by Wemoto. It's the biggest event of our year, and it draws thousands to the Jurby airfield on the north west corner of the island. Jurby is also a club race course, where the Andreas racing association holds regular meetings; a handy space too for race teams to carry out testing over both the TT and Classic TT race programmes. I had a simple task, fly in from Manchester, take some pictures to capture the festival atmosphere, and prepare some words for Wemoto News etc. Unlike my colleagues Romain, Sarah and Pete, who between them had to set up the marquee displays, string our banners across the site, and sort out the Jurby Festival T-shirts we sell to raise funds for the Manx Grand Prix helicopter fund. The Isle of Man Government pays for the TT helicopter but the Manx copter is funded from voluntary contributions. The spectators not only come to see and hear the 'famous' bikes and riders, but also to mingle in the paddock where motorcyclists from all over Europe have brought their bikes to ride in the parade laps. After they've paid the very reasonable five pound entrance fee, they are straight into the rows of bikes and vans with all kinds of two wheel exotica and interest brought by their owners.
There's engine sound interest here too. I listened to a beautiful looking BSA Gold Star being warmed up, then a Walmsley Matchless, a perfect replica of the G50 racer that vied with Manx Nortons for honours on UK short circuits and in Grand Prix races. Then there's the sound and captivating aroma of racing two strokes. People thronged the marshalling area to watch an unparalled collection of working historic motorcycles. The racing exotica brought everyone to the trackside fences: Freddie Spencer, and Graeme Crosby fired up their race winning bikes; Frankie Chilli was on board the Kevin Schwantz Lucky Strike Suzuki GP bike, and three times TT winner Alex George rode the Norton Rotary. Multiple “the event has grown TT winner John McGuinness was on a Honda RC45, and Conor to be one of the largest Cummins took a Suzuki RG500 single day attractions in out for a gallop.
the Isle of Man.�
As I returned from snapping the exquisite machinery, my three colleagues were trying to cope with large numbers of people thronging the Wemoto marquee; so it was time to pitch in and help Sarah with the T-shirt sales. As it came near my time to leave for the airport there were just a handful to tee shirts left, and the posters had all been given away.
Another great day for all those who came to support the festival, and for the VMCC organisers and the 'Wemoto three' who must have been out on their feet at the end of the day. Onward to 2017 Jurby Festival, and the Classic TT. John Newman for Wemoto News
T
OU D L SO
BRAKE SEAL WOES Caliper Body
When replacing brake seals watch out for salt deposits in the recess where the seal sits. If not removed it can push the new seal out, make fitting harder and resulting in sticky brakes leaking fluid. The recesses can be cleaned by sonic bath, hard plastic pick or dentist’s pick but be careful not to score the caliper body.
Seal Salt Build Up Brake Piston
BROKEN NIPPLES, OUCH!
If you don’t have the inclination or time to fix it, a quick and easy solution is our banjo bolt with bleed nipple. Just leave the seized or broken nipple where it is and replace the banjo on the caliper with one of these babies. RRP £4.13 including VAT.
Research
Clymer manual Haynes manual Google You Tube
Preparation Clean rags Correct tools Latex gloves
Patience
Mindfulness book Whale song
ONE INSTEAD OF FOUR I never knew they you could get multihead circlip pliers! I always struggled to find the pliers I needed. Here’s the solution, this brilliant multi-headed tool will cover most of your circlip needs, and works out cheaper and saves on space.
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FITTING A PISTON RING (AND WHAT NOT TO DO ) Piston rings are hard and brittle and break easily. Using engine oil or transmission fluid, lubricate the new rings. This will aid you during the installation process. There are many different styles and types of rings. Make sure the ring is the correct way up. Note that some pistons have a locating pin in the ring recess. Gently push one side of the ring down into the groove, then gently feed the ring round into the recess. PLEASE DO NOT PULL RING APART this will apply pressure to one part and the ring will snap.
DO NOT PULL
PUTTING THE BOOT IN
A customer tip - If you have to put leggings or trousers on but already have your boots on (in other words need to add wet weather waterproof trousers perhaps) instead of having to take your boots off, you can put a plastic bag over your boots and then your trousers will slide on over them, old uncle Tom Cobley, the mud, bag and all, and you won’t need to take your boots off. wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 21
Indicators
REPLACEMENT INDICATORS CUSTOM OR ORIGINAL - OVER 8000 LISTED
22 wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017
Electrics for most motorcycles & scooters ammeters cleaning sprays coils, points and condensers electrical wire and connectors flasher relays fuses and holders handlebar switchgear horns ignition switches spark plug caps and leads spark plugs starter relays
New In Reg/Recs for Harleys
wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 23
Bulbs for classic & modern machines Bulbs - Headlight 6v & 12v 12-volt BA20D Bosch Type
12-volt H4 Halogen
12-volt H7 Halogen
available in 25/25w 35/35w 45/40w a wide range of fitments from Honda CB740K2 to Vespa ET4s
available in 35/35w 60/55w most widely used bulb for motorcycles
single filament available in 55w most modern day motorcycles
12-volt P15D
6-volt P15D
6-volt APF
also known as 3 lug available in 25/25w 35/35w 45/40w Honda CGs to Suzuki GS
available in 15/15w 18/18w 25/25w early Honda & Yamaha
available in 25/25ww 35/35w early Yamaha
Bulbs - Stop & Tail 6v & 12v 12-volt Bay 15D
available in 18/5w 21/5w 21/5w LED
12-volt Capless
12-volt Small
available in 21/5w
available in 23/8w same as Bay 15d with small glass
6-volt Bay 15D
6-volt Small
available in 21/5w
available in 23/8w same as Bay 15d with small glass
24 wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017
Our Top selling bulbs Bulbs - Indicator 6v & 12v 12-volt BA15
12-volt BA9S
12-volt Capless
available in 23w Clear or amber glass
available in 16w 21w Clear or amber glass 10mm & 16mm fitting
12-volt BAX9-Offset Pins
12-volt BAX15-Offset pins
6-volt BA15
available in 6w 21w Clear or amber glass
available in 10w 21w Clear or amber glass BAX15S for small glass
available in 15w 18w 21w Clear or amber glass BA15S small glass 5w, 10w,
available in 15w 18w 21w Clear or amber glass BA15S small glass
Bulbs - Instrument 6v & 12v 12-volt BA9
available in 2w BA9S 3.4w 4w Clear or amber glass
12-volt Capless
available in 10mm 2w, 3w & 5w 5mm 2w & 3w 5mm 1.2 mini glas
6-volt BA9
6-volt Capless
available in 2w, 3w, 4w & 7.5w
available in 10mm 3w
This is a selection of some of the common motorcycle bulbs we stock. We also list over 100 strange and wonderful bulbs which manufacturers have felt the need to put on their motorcycles over the last 80 years! image TBS wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 25
The Whistle Stop, Whitby YO21 1YN
Whitby is Jamie Whitham's favourite seaside resort, and why not. It's an enticing mix of traditional seaside town, a historic old quarter and an interesting harbour. And the Whistle Stop occupies part of the attractive sandstone rail station building. This is a proper cafe with an extensive menu including 'old fashioned' dishes like Shepherds Pie as well as the bacon and burger fare consumed by many bikers. Their bike nights are on Thursday, but there are designated bike spaces outside if you stop by at other times. There's great riding in the area, with the A174 coast road to Scarborough being a favourite. And the A169 to Pickering provides a spectacular moorland panorama.
Manor Bikers Cafe, Bellerby DL8 5QH
Located just a couple of minutes outside the attractive Yorkshire Dales town of Leyburn on the A6108, this would make a good stop and diversion if you're travelling on the A1. It's located in the large yard of Manor Farm, which also hosts the Wensleydale Brewery and Auto Moto Racing a bike service, repair and spares shop. You could live here as the three staples of life are all around:, food, beer and bike services. And it's set in another area where the roads provide great riding.
John Newman for Wemoto News
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The Ponderosa LL20 8DR
his is not your regular cafe. It's a T cafeteria and tourist complex sitting atop the Horseshoe Pass, about four miles from Llangollen on the A5. On a sunny day, the superb twisting road that takes you there is reminiscent of the Alps. And it's the gateway to many good routes across N. Wales and Snowdonia. A large car park and lots of outside seating make this a good place to gather. And the car tourists are always interested in the bikes.
The Chalet Cafe RH13 8DU
The place to go for a fry up that's filling yet fresh. There's lots of car parking space and loads of bikes to see, plus outdoor seating for those sunny says. It's a popular cafe and can get quite busy. But the staff and atmosphere are warm and welcoming, making it worth the occasional small wait.
WORTHY MENTIONS
Cafe Kothel Glasgow G11 7HS A favourite of Vmcc Glasgow
ontford Bridge Cafe M SY4 1EB
his is a delightful 'proper' cafe in the T Montford Picnic Area off the A5, just north of Shrewsbury. As well as bright sparkling clean interior, they have a sun terrace too. Bike nights are every Wednesday, and because it's situated in a large picnic area, there's lots of space and parking. The Green Welly Stop, Tyndrum FK20 8RY Not just your regular cafe and bike park, this one. It also has an outdoor shop and a whisky shop The Airport Cafe, Ashford, TN25 6DA The outdoor seating area makes it great for a visit in the summer
Reca Community Biker Cafe, Maidstone, ME16 OST enjoy a Sunday roast. And all in very good company
wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 27
10,000 batteries stocked in our Sussex warehouse! • • • •
Pattern - economical, great value Nitro - Great quality & value Yuasa - Long lasting & reliable MotoBatt - with AGM technology • Lithium Ion Batteries
LITHIUM ION BATTERIES 1. size and weight – amazingly lighter than the lead acid equivalent also can be smaller, handy for custom builds 2. acid free - non-toxic 3. very high cranking power 4.very low self-discharge rate (about 3% every month) means no trickle charging over winter when storing your bike 5. very fast charging times typically a discharged battery can be fully recharged in 1-2 hours 28 wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017
Battery Chargers
NEW from BC chargers
is an all-in-one battery charger, maintainer and reconditioner. It’s suitable for Traditional/Wet, Gel, MF, VRLA, and AGM type 6/12V lead-acid batteries.
As tested by MCN
Prime jacket ants
k // RRP: £419 and £299 // Black, Ivory/Black, Army/Black //
lity
sulate when d
r is ws, tional h HIce the xtile ive ere’s uality ite
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BC K612
The main zip is chunky and easy to use, with the storm flap sealing extremely neatly every time thanks to the wellpositioned Velcro and a powerful magnet at the top. This is echoed in the main pockets, which zip shut with a magnetic closure on the flap. While the pockets don’t quite manage to keep every last drop of water out in prolonged riding during very heavy storms (though they do a very good job), the Prime – and Prince – most certainly keep your body dry. The Prime also comes with a one-piece fluorescent bib that quickly zips to the front and back of the jacket – it’s small enough to keep in the rear map pocket, and easy enough to just pop on when you Simply to the required want to useset it, only covering the upper voltage and awhen fully-automatic two front pockets in use. The trousersalgorithm (which are available in short, charging will execute: standard and long, as well as a more round D size) have a removable Outlast lining • Initialisation (without Thinsulate), so are a very good fit, • that lack Recovery but of extra insulation has never • me feel Soft made coldCharge when I’ve got all-season boots trousers are easy to • on. Again, Bulkthe Charge fit• and adjust, while nice details like waist Desulfation / Absorption fastening clips for varying paunches, belt • Battery Analysis loops and a pair of supplied braces give you • Maintenance every option. • Equalisation I can’t recommend this kit enough, and being priced around the middle of the market, it should be considered a very shrewd investment for anyone who Ptn:toBF-700BCK612UK expects encounter all weathers on their journeys.
Only £28.99
BC K612 battery charger Tested by: Mikko Nieminen // RRP: £28.99 // Info: www.wemoto.com Anyone with a bike that has seen a few winters with little riding knows the value of a good trickle charger. Keeping the bike’s battery charged and maintained while it’s off the road is the simplest thing to do, and having the confidence in the bike firing up when you want to go out is priceless. The BC K612 all-in-one 6/12v lead-acid battery charger is about as simple to use as possible: just attach the crocodile clips to the positive battery terminal and the chassis (if charging without removing the battery from the bike), plug the charger in the wall and voila, it starts doing its thing. The charger runs through a fully-automated eight-cycle programme, with battery analysis, recovery and reconditioning, recharging, desulfation and long-term maintenance. According to BC, the charger can be left for indefinite
periods of time, doesn’t produce sparks, and is protected against short circuit, reverse polarity, overcharging, and overheating. I left the charger to work its magic on the battery of my old Yamaha Fazer 1000 for about 24 hours, and when I came back to check the situation, the LED light on the controller showed that the cycle had been completed and the battery was now just in the long-term maintenance mode. Since using the BC K612, my old battery, which had given me problems before, has performed without a hitch for a good while. Next time the bike goes in the garage for a while it will definitely be plugged in to this device. The BC K612 is suitable for Acid, MF, Gel, AGM and VRLA type 6v and 12v batteries. It’s supplied with a UK plug, crocodile clips, full instructions, and a three-year warranty.
wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 29
• TUV certified • Improved fuel consumption • Up to 7 BHP released! (dependent on model) 30 wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017
Performance Reusable Filters
und o p r e p ies n o p e s! r d n Mo a r b l a than riv wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 31
wemoto visitor
We had another interesting visitor come by on Tuesday - this very clean, very shiny, very beautiful 1959 Triton, gleaming in the sunshine.
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EXORCISING THE CRASH GHOST
During the recent TT races ITV4 showed the remarkable documentary about Ian Hutchinson's recovery from a horrendous crash at the September 2010 Silverstone round of the British Superbike championship. Surgeons wanted to amputate his leg, but he refused and insisted that it be re-constructed. Other very experienced racers who had been through their
“It appears the Mallory Park season has started� own crashes and had witnessed others down the years, were convinced 'Hutchy' would never race again and perhaps never even ride a bike. Watch any top real road or track race and the ability of racers to seemingly shrug off the effects of hitting and bouncing along the Tarmac at very
high speed is phenomenal. Other motorcycle racers crash too. Those who ride at club and national level, and those who enjoy track days can come to grief, and road riders, being susceptible to all kinds of dodgy road surfaces and dodgy driving, are arguably more at risk. More years ago than I care to remember, I owned a bright yellow Suzuki SV650. A great little mid-range sports bike, but they don't produce much power, and if you push them along the handling is stodgy. My answer to these 'problems' was to convert the engine to 750cc, fit an Akrapovic pipe, and install WP suspension units. Even though the engine set up was flexible enough to ride the roads, I had the notion that the best performance results for the money spent and power gained would be on the track. I borrowed a set of leathers from a good mate, signed up for a Mallory Park track day, and set off too early one morning to ride the hundred miles to the circuit.
wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 33
At 1.41 miles Mallory Park is one of the shorter circuits in the UK, for track days it's fine and you have to work hard through the two chicanes and the hair pin. The start/finish Kirby Straight leads into Gerards Bend a long, long right hander. The bike was running well, I'd completed just a handful of laps and as I came onto Kirby I saw a couple riders that I was sure I could catch by the entrance to Gerards.
Suspension
anaesthetist who were to work on my leg, had a good line in dark humour as they explained the procedure that would insert a couple of titanium supports and screws into my limb. After a number of weeks of sports
I was going too fast for my reactions, I wouldn't make the bend. I locked up the rear wheel, and became target fixated on the tyre wall. That's how I remember it, before sliding across the grass and finishing in a big heap with the bike resting on my right leg. The ambulance was there very quickly, and I was in the medical centre where the paramedics prepared to wield the scissors: 'You can't do that, they're my mate’s leathers!' 'It'll be painful if I pull them off'
“You can’t do that, they’re my mates leathers” It was painful, but before too long we were on the road to Leicester Royal Infirmary. The A&E, X-ray and plaster cast procedures were a blur, and I was admitted to a men’s medical ward. It was a bad break and would require surgical attention. In the meantime I was on a ward with some properly sick old geezers. The following day I had a visitation from the Consultant. She wasn't impressed, glowered and proceeded to dictate her notes with the introduction: 'It appears the Mallory Park season has started'. Fortunately the surgeon and the
physiotherapy. I told myself there would be no more track days. A couple of years ago at an event assisting my Wemoto colleagues with some promotion I admired a little FZR Yamaha import that was for sale. It turned out to be a 250cc of around 1988, a bit tatty round the edges, but it had possibilities. I got the engine sorted and new paint work, plus new Brdigestone rubber. I was ready to go, but where? The across the frame four cylinder engine had no power below six thousand revs, and only really pulled from eight thousand, peaking out around fourteen. I gave it a few outings on the road, and also entered a couple of hill climbs; but my instincts were urging me to break my 'no more track days' pledge. I signed up for one at Snetterton in April. It's a circuit I knew with plenty of space to keep out of the way of other bikes that would be leaving the little Yam behind. I developed a
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different approach and philosophy. I was there to enjoy the performance of the bike in a relatively safe environment, and not be racing myself or anyone else. All went well aside from low temperatures and frequent cold showers; but the enjoyment was enough for me to seek out another date. The next time I had free coincided with a track day date for Mallory Park. Should I return to the place where I'd come to grief before? How would I respond to the fast approach to Gerards Bend? Ease right back on the speed, or treat it like any other bend, focus, concentrate, look through the bend? I'd transported the bike by van. The track was damp but the clouds were moving higher. I'd signed up for the novice group, as the FZR250 is slow in comparison to the other bikes. As we lined up in pit lane I repeated my no racing mantra: relax' enjoy the ride', keep out of way of the faster bikes and riders. It all seemed to work. The bike screamed along. I found the right gears for the different parts of the circuit, but didn't always get them right.
The old adage tells you to get straight case the nag had gone missing for a good back on track.
back on the horse. In my few years but it was good to be
John Newman for Wemoto News
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OVER 100,000 FUEL RELATED PARTS Carburettor Cleaning Products Complete Carburettors Main Jets Dell Orto Gurtner Keihin Mikuni
Pilot Jets Repair kits Fuel Parts and Accessories Filters Fuel Additives Fuel Caps Fuel Tank Cleaning and Sealing Fuel Tanks
Fuel Tap Repair Kits Hose, Fittings and Filters Pumps Taps British Bikes Taps Complete
Filters
ROAD - SPORT - SCOOTER - CRUISER - ADVENTURE - ROAD - SPORT - SCOOTER - CRUISER - ADVENTURE
wemoto the new official service centre for YSS 2017 • Premium Quality Replacement Shock Absorbers • Largest stockist in UK • Ever Expanding Range • 2 Year Warranty
Aprilia • BMW • Buell • Cagiva • Derbi • Ducati • Honda
Eco Series Emulsion Gas Shocks – Twinshock Only. Threaded preload adjustment only. Perfect for many modern Triumphs and Japanese 70’s classics.
G and X Series Reservoir Gas Shocks – Monoshock and Twinshock versions. Compression and rebound adjustment, threaded preload, external reservoir (remote where needed), remote preload adjustment on some models.
Z Series Emulsion Gas Shocks Monoshock and Twinshock versions. Rebound adjustable and threaded preload. THE BEST VALUE, HIGH QUALITY REPLACEMENT SHOCK.
Other Products: PD Valves, Steering Dampers, Front Forks
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ROAD - SPORT - SCOOTER - CRUISER - ADVENTURE - ROAD - SPORT - SCOOTER - CRUISER - ADVENTURE
World Class Suspension
The Inappropriate Road Bike Club If you live in the Lincolnshire area and you like to race, there's a new group which might interest you, the Inappropriate Road Bike Club.
It was formed by Jon Lawson, who's from the workshop Bikes and Bits. After racing in the annual DirtQuake, at Kings Lynn Stadium, he decided he wanted to race more. Monthly, even. So the Scunthorpe Speedway club and its practice coordinator, Richard Hollingsworth, came in to help.
What's different about this club is the type of racing it does. Not only do these guys race road bikes on a speedway track, they also take part in grass track, grass hill climbs and motocross. Events where you normally wouldn't find a road bike, chopper, or big adventure bike. Sounds crazy, and it is a bit.
when it left the factory, although a few little modifications are acceptable. The club will welcome you, however, if you have a chopper or bobber which is based on a road bike, or anything just really interesting. Jon's done a Grass hill climb on a Triumph Bonneville, not what most folks would think of as a competition machine. And he's used his Honda in speedway, grass track, motocross , and has ridden it to London and back to raise money for
charity. It's a bit 'race on Sunday, ride to work on Monday'. Anyone should be able to buy a cheap bike and compete with little funds. The entry fee is £30 per race. Insurance is included, with the rest of the money going towards supporting the speedway club. The main series runs inside, along with speedway and flat track bikes at the Eddie Wright Stadium. This season is the club's first, with six races over the summer months. The club will then do six more throughout the winter, weather permitting. Each racer gets six races in the day and the three riders who come first at each event win a trophy. Spectators can attend for free, but are encouraged to support the food outlets.
The club is perfect for those who want to race but don't have much of a budget. You can use any road bike from 125cc up, as long as it's near to what it looked like
The winter series started in November, you can find dates of the Scunthorpe Amateur Speedway Facebook page.
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Daisy Cordell for Wemoto News
“Anyone should be able to buy a cheap bike and compete with little funds.�
special thanks to Miss P for the photos
Classic
100% Italian styling
Original Type Replacement Parts – MASTER Silencers
MASTER Original Type silencers are designed to appeal to classic bike enthusiasts. They are semi-conical, with a maximum diameter of 115mm, and come in either chromium plate or black steel to give them that authentic original look. They are available for bikes from the 1970s all the way up to the present day.
These 4-in-1 original type exhaust systems come in four different versions: • RACING – cylindrical end mufflers, 70 mm diameter • SUPER ENDURANCE – 100mm diameter, cylindrical aluminium mufflers • CYLINDRICAL – 114mm diameter steel mufflers • MASTER – semi-conical end mufflers, maximum 115mm diameter
AMACAL line end mufflers are designed to personalise enduro bikes without the need for modifications. They are cylindrical and made of white chromium plated steel with an aluminium cover and the whole range is homologated.
Off-Road
Classic Off-Road - Amacal & EDR
EDR line mufflers recreate the classic exhaust system look without affecting performance, and give first generation enduro bikes a unique personalised look. They are made of black or white chromium plated steel with a mechanical silencer.
Marving QUAD mufflers and systems are designed to deliver that one-off individual look combined with great performance. They are made of AISI 304 stainless steel with TIG ad MIG weldings and an aluminium outer casing. wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 43
Replacement Levers
Over 10,000 Applications To Models
Replacement Mirrors •
Custom Or Original - Over 10,000 Stock
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•
Brake, Clutch & Gear Levers
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Mirrors
Helpful hint when replacing your broken mirror always check the adaptor is not still attached before throwing it away. Also - will I be able to see past my elbows?
Mirror Adaptors -
These are for handelbar mounted mirrors and should give you the ablity to use any style of mirror with any style of bike. From £1.94 LHIT = Left Hand Internal Thread RHIT = Right Hand Internal Thread
LHET = Left Hand External Thread RHET = Right Hand External Thread
Part No.
Part No.
Part No.
8mm LHIT to 8mm RHET
8mm LHIT to 10mm LHET
8mm LHIT to 10mm RHET
Part No.
Part No.
Part No.
8mm RHIT to 10mm RHET
10mm RHIT to 8mm LHET
10mm RHIT to 8mm RHET
Part No.
Part No.
Part No.
10mm RHIT to 10mm LHET
8mm RHIT to 8mm LHET
10mm LHIT to 10mm RHET
Part No. VM-RT10NR
Part No. VM-RT11NR
Part No. VM-RT12NR
8mm RHIT to 8mm RHET
10mm RHIT to 10mm RHET
10mm LHIT to 8mm RHET
VM-RT1
VM-RT4
VM-RT7
VM-RT2
VM-RT5
VM-RT8
VM-RT3
VM-RT6
VM-RT9
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Bearings
Tapered Headrace Bearings Top sellers: Honda VFR750 £24.36 Triumph Bonneville £24.36 Yamaha XT660R £24.36
Crank Bearings Front Wheel Bearing Kits Suzuki GSX1200 £16.80 Honda CBR600 £15.67 KTM EXC525 £15.60 Starter Clutch Bearings
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Bearings
BEARING KITS THE ECONOMICAL WAY TO BUY BEARINGS
Rear Wheel Bearing Kits Honda CB125S £9.58 Kawasaki ZX-12R £16.98 KTM LC4 £20.84
Swingarm Bearing Kit Kawasaki ZZR600 £48.52 Yamaha DT125R £24.80
Suspension Linkage Bearings With over 150 different linkage kits we have lots of models covered
Our top selling suspension bearing linkage kits MAKE
MODEL
PRICE
MLK-SUZGS500
PART No
Suzuki
GS500 GSF1200
£63.82
MLK-SV650-2
Suzuki
SV650
£72.50
MLK-GSXR1000
Suzuki
GSXR 600/750/1000
£67.80
BANDITLINKKIT
Suzuki
RG125/GSF600/1200
£58.90
Kawasaki
ZZR1100
£39.50
Honda
XRV750
£57.64
MLK-ZZR1100 XRV75090/92LINKIT
wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 47
Strange But True
Ploughing On, A Bullet With A Difference We’ve all done it: made a remark about particular makes of motorcycle being ‘agricultural’. Jawa, Ural and other eastern bloc products, Harleys and Buells; and Royal Enfield. Except for the latter, that has been thrown back in the most useful way imaginable. In 1994, Mansukh Jagani, a farmer in Gujarat, India, converted a Royal Enfield Bullet to a plough. In 2002, his invention was given a prestigious award which brought Mansukh’s invention to the attention of India and the rest of the world. It’s The Bullet Saanti, or Suja, as it is known. It caught the attention of NGO’s (Non-Government Organisations) and Universities. One of which was the Jomo Kenyata
“No matter where in the world or what we own we have pride in our machines”
University in Kenya. They invited Mr Jagani to the country with a view to manufacturing the machine to help their farmers. Four years later the launch is ready with 75 already sold and a further 2,000 orders. The Suja uses the Bullet front end, with the plough attachment at the rear and a rack for farmers tools. Invaluable in those countries where animals are still used for turning over the land and sowing. Cost-effective in countries with small farms that find it difficult to buy agricultural machinery. John Newman for Wemoto News
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Nuts ‘N’ Bolts
Apart from having over a million parts for motorcycles we also stock a large range of: Nuts: • Castellated Nuts • Dome Nuts • Flanged Nuts • Metric Nuts • Nyloc Metric Nuts • Sprocket Nuts
Fasteners: • Circlips • R Clips • P Clips • Fairing Screws • Washers
Bolts & Screws: • Allen Bolts • Allen Bolts Countersunk • Bolts for Brake Discs • Engine Drain Plugs • Hexagon Bolts • Number Plate Bolts • ProBolt Kits • Screws Pan Head • Stainless Steel Bolts
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ACF-50 (Anti-Corrosion Formula) was originally designed to protect aircraft from corrosion and is now available to motorcyclists. Aviation products have to meet rigorously high standards and ACF-50 not only meets these but has been awarded Aviation approvals - MIL-SPEC 81309 types II and III. It works perfectly in the harsh environment of aviation, so
'approved for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, electrical systems and electronic components'
imagine how well it’s going to protect your bike! ACF-50 has the ability to ‘chemically neutralise road salt’ and water will bead on contact and literally bounce off. Ideal for the bike that is used all year round in all weathers. A superb service spray, ACF-50 is also a lubricant and penetrant (without loosening structural attachments) and if you put your bike away for the winter, applying ACF-50 will ensure that moisture will not cause any damage! One application of ACF 50 goes a long way.
When sprayed on to the surface it creeps to where it is needed. You can work into hard to get places with a paint brush or tooth brush
Keep away from brake discs and pads. Add a ACF50 to a dry cloth and rub onto the surface you want to protect
It’s also good for protecting electronics and dispersing moisture
Motorcycle Couriers Then And Now
From bike enthusiasts making more than city gents, to marginalised workers, duped into debt and struggling to earn a living wage. “Back in the day, being a courier was a licence to print money and have fun,” dispatcher Mike Webb* said, tracking pick ups, deliveries, and riders across a computer screen. Webb runs a small courier company tucked inside a north London business estate. He worked as a dispatch rider in London throughout the 80s and 90s.
Some names and identifying details have been changed cheap; everything was cheap then; insurance was cheap. And it was just a really good laugh.” Motorcycle couriers used to be part of a distinct subculture. They were an eclectic mix of bike enthusiasts, including artists, musicians and “real public schoolboys”, who loved to ride, and, one advert alleged, made more money than a “city gent”. It is not like that anymore. “That central culture has kind of dissolved, or became spread thin,” said Peter Bulman, from behind another desk in the busy office. What has changed, the two men agree, “is that it hasn’t changed”. The money, that is.
if it moved it got dispatched Loadsa money! “We used to drink stupid quantities of alcohol, ride our motorbikes, and make loads of money,” he said. “And life was
While the cost of living has soared since Webb started riding in 1979, the average courier wage has stayed nominally still: dispatch riders now literally do not take home many more pounds than dispatch riders did back then, he said. Of course this means the real wage, when you adjust it for inflation, has plummeted.
wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 51
Tyres
Tyres We stock a wide selection of tyres for a large range of motorcycles from Maxxis for sports bikes, to Vee Rubber for both road and off road motorcycles. * Maxxis for sport, street and touring * Vee Rubber - A lot of grip at a great price all the way from sunny (but it rains a lot!)
Thailand
Tyre SIze Conversion Table
FRONT ROAD
REAR ROAD
Metric 80/90 90/90 100/90 110/90 120/80 120/90 130/90
Inch 2.50/2.75 2.75/3.00 3.25/3.50 3.75/4.00 4.25/4.50 4.25/4.50 5.00/5.10
60/100 70/100 80/100
OFFROAD 2.50/2.75 2.75/3.00 3.00/3.25
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Metric 110/90 120/90 130/80 130/90 140/80 140/90 150/80 150/90
Inch 4.50/4.75 4.50/4.75 5.00/5.10 5.00/5.10 5.50/6.00 5.50/6.00 6.00/6.25 6.00/6.25 OFFROAD 80/100 2.50/3.60 90/100 3.60/4.10 100/100 4.00/4.10 110/100 4.00/4.50 120/100 5.00/5.10
Mo
to
rc
yc
le
Co
ur
i
er Webb s, estimated th en the average an motorcycle courier d makes about £500 no each week. But dispatch w riders are self-employed contractors, which means they have to pay all their own expenses. Even after they have invested in a im bike, weatherproof clothing, and Wages age co other kit, they still have to pay out ur have te sy for petrol, insurance, repairs to their stagnated, of vehicle, and the occasional speeding Th Webb said, eR ticket or parking fine. Webb said he because of big ide r’s reckons when you take all this into companies becoming Di ge involved, with an st exploitative “supermarket mentality”. His firm is one of very few small couriers companies left in London. Most others have been bought up by industry giants like CitySprint and eCourier, Webb said.
“One company’s hard line approach against Prius drivers” account, take home is about £350 a week. In the 80s, it was more like £500, minus £40 or £50 for expenses, and in real terms that was a hell of a lot more money back then.
“Management still make some money out of [the industry], but the riders are the ones who suffer,” Webb said. The lived experience of couriers seems to back him up. “I was offered a job at CitySprint working from Birmingham,” said Tom Freed, a dispatch rider I spoke to online. “It was £400 guaranteed a week, but that was with your own bike, insurance, petrol, and he reckoned you’d need to do over 1000 miles a week to get more than £400.
wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 53
Motorcycle Couriers, then and now
So take home would be abysmal.” He added: “It’s very risky. It will have you soaking wet and freezing for half of the year, and probably kill your interest in bikes”. Webb said his drivers do take home about London living wage — he pays a retainer to make sure of this — but he agrees it is still a hard way to make a living.
companies even tend to pay riders a fuel allowance.
“Dave sportting the lates Green Flash armoured footwear”
“One of the things I do when we get a new rider, is I tell them all the worst things,” he said. “I paint a really, really bad picture, I tell them how everyone is against you, you get rained on all day, you get shitty receptionists shouting at you… I go on and on and on and then I say ‘if you’re still interested I’ll tell you the good bits’. “A lot of people go ‘oh thanks’ and run away.” Big companies tend to do the opposite, he said. They advertise heavily to lure in people who have never been dispatch riders before. When newbies phone up, they are promised big earnings. It is very common, Webb said, to see people borrow money “to buy a motorbike, get insurance, and get all the gear, only to realise after a week they do not have the right aptitude for the job, so they leave, terribly in debt.” Iain Rickman used to be a courier with one of the big firms based in London. “You’ll spend weeks, months, years getting yourself into debt,” he said. “I spent two years trying to make a living out of it and failed.” He added the job put a strain on his relationship, because he was always on call and frequently exhausted and “grouchy”. “In all honesty, you will probably earn more delivering for Dominoes pizza in a rich area,” he said, adding that pizza
image courtesy of The Rider’s Digest
On the bright side! A single good thing about couriering nowadays, Webb said, is the bikes are much more reliable. But despite this, he said he had seen couriers’ enthusiasm for their vehicles wane. “There’s less of that real enthusiasm for being on two wheels,” he said. “You used to get in the past more biker people, now most couriers at the end of the day get home and don’t touch their bikes. It’s just a tool. Whereas in the old days, most bikers would play with their bikes at weekends because they were just really into bikes.” There are still a lot of old bikes out there, he added, in addition to new scooters, but that could be about to change too, with the introduction of a daily emissions charge to reduce pollution in central London next year.
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Motorcycle Couriers, then and now Couriers have always been selfemployed, so in a way they are not newcomers to the so-called “gig economy” (if you are not familiar with the term, it is exactly what it sounds like, a model in which workers are contracted job by job — gig by gig — rather than hired as employees with robust workers’ rights). But in the past dispatch riders were
But it is difficult to get couriers — perhaps motorcycle couriers especially — to organise, Webb and Bulman said: it is not in their nature. “The thing about couriers is they’re all very independent,” Webb said. “They’re all loners. They’re all individuals. If you think, they’re spending days riding around on a bike on their own. To actually get them all together is like herding cats, basically.” But it could happen, Webb said. He is sure there will always be demand for people to take things quickly from A to B. “When the drivers stop working for peanuts the customers will have to pay more,” he said. “If you think about it, there will always always be demand for couriers.” Charlotte England for Wemoto News
“Yep goods in round the back about half mile detour” adequately financially compensated for not being pay as you earn (PAYE) staff; job security and a safety net matter a lot more when you are scraping by hand to mouth, than when you are rolling in it.
some of the more popular courier bikes
“I looked into if I can afford to have PAYE riders, and I can’t,” Webb said, adding that it is something he would like to pioneer, but unlike the big firms he simply does not have the capacity. Herding cats Recently, cycle couriers at Citysprint unionised, went on strike, protested and won concessions. On average, they now make the living wage. wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 55
wemoto visitor
The Bike That Jerry Built Some interesting bikes turn up at Wemoto - here's 'the bike that Jerry built'...“Nobody has ever really made my dream moped - so I decided to build my own...
The story starts with a beach cruiser pushbike with lovely cream tyres, then I bought a pair of alloy MTB girder forks. Slowly a big wheeled retro moped plan
emerged...old Raleighs have pushbike front brakes and others use pushbike rims. I thought, why not? I used a Puch E50 engine, due to parts availability and the discovery that there is a world of tuning goodies out there. I built the frame up from bicycle parts at the front, and a homemade rear end and swing arm. The steering head angle, wheelbase etc I copied from my CG125. The biggest headaches of the
“The kill switch is a hand over the air filter” build were the throttle cable and gearing - a matter of guesswork which involved the only outsourced bit of work, a rear sprocket carrier. Then came the first start-up which was underwhelming due to a clapped out small end and leaky carb and a reluctance to rev cleanly! So a new crank/con rod assembly went in, and while inside I matched the transfer ports and replaced a broken top ring. Keep it simple ; the bike has one wire to the coil, then an HT lead to the plug. The kill switch is a hand over the air filter. Discovering that the bike weighs 35kg wet was brilliant. Lucy England for Wemoto News
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For Measuring & Testing
Multimeter • Pitch Gauge • Tread & Fluid Gauge • Vacuum & Compression • Vernier
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H el p i ng H a n d s • S o l d e r • Cr i m p ing • I ron
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wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 57
Engine Parts
Engine Parts •
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Rocker Arms
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Lubrication
58 wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017
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Valves, Stem Seals & Collets
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History
wemoto.com this is who we are and what we do... Wemoto started life in 1978 as World’s End Couriers based in south west London. In 1999 we changed our focus to spare parts, as the demand for low price, quality replacement motorcycle parts grew.
Wemoto went digital Moving forward and with a new name, Wemoto.com went online, developing a massive range of easy to buy spare parts for a huge range of motorcycles, and moving down to near Brighton on the south coast of England.
How did that work out? Today Wemoto has staff and premises in 6 countries and stocks more than a million quality replacement aftermarket parts for over 10,000 models of motorcycle in over 50,000 sq ft of UK warehouses. These are all ready to be sent out to you so give us a try.
Arthur 1930
wemoto - motorcycle parts - spring 2017 59
Not sure what to order ? Just prefer to speak to someone ? We have a great customer care team at wemoto with years of motorcycle experience here to help you. Either go to our website or just give us a call
wemoto.com email: sales@wemoto.com Phone 01273 597072
Prices, part numbers & availability correct at time of printing but may vary