(I thought I'd start a new thread on this in case it got lost in
t'other)

Neighbour offered me his GPz550 cheap yesterday. We were passing up
the town so didn't have long to talk but I wanted some advice here
before I even went to look at it please.

It's been standing for about 3 years (possibly outside, probably
covered). It needs a new battery and has had a new tyre (I think he
said front).

It possibly needs a new headset (he asked me to do it for him ages
ago) and "the carbs looking at". Apparently one of the local mobile
guys looked at it for him but either couldn't find the fault or did
and it was going to cost too much, don't know yet (or if I ever will
till I strip it myself). I believe it runs but possibly not 'well'. As
long as I don't need too many special tools to work on this thing (and
even if I do I can probably borrow them), are most jobs pretty
straightforward? Like, stripping / cleaning the carbs for example?

Also, could the panel tell me what to look out for on any particular
models please, specifically the bits that could be a deal breaker
(it's not the money to buy it's the money then needed to spend and the
time).

Like, do I understand the early models were dual shock, then went
Uni-track then mono-shock (or are the last two the same thing)?

Can you still get new bits for them and if so are they more expensive
pro-rata than Yam / Honda?

Over what mileage should I walk away or have these been known to go
round the clock?

Are all the consumables available from after-market suppliers
(cheaper)?

I'm 6'2". Will it fit me ok (even if only bearable rather than ideal)?
I like the riding position I get from my R100RT or even this little
Two Fifty if that helps (although my legs are a little cramped with
both).

If they are running ok are they reasonably (or at least typically for
their age etc) economical (I'm a fairly smooth rider).

I presume being only 550 and not a modern power house it should be
reasonably cheap to insure (for an old git with a clean licence)?

All the best and thanks for your time in any case.

T i m

T i m <news@spaced.me.uk> wrote:

> (I thought I'd start a new thread on this in case it got lost in
> t'other)

Jesus. I've just replied to t'other, you twonk.
>
<snip>

See my reply to your earlier posting
>
> Also, could the panel tell me what to look out for on any particular
> models please, specifically the bits that could be a deal breaker
> (it's not the money to buy it's the money then needed to spend and the
> time).

Rear suspension bushes and bearings,
>
> Like, do I understand the early models were dual shock, then went
> Uni-track then mono-shock (or are the last two the same thing)?

First model was twin shock, little bar-mounted bikini fairing, very
short run. Second model was the H1, very early rising-rate monoshock,
handlear-mounted bikini fairing. In late 1983 it metamorphosed into the
ZX model: swoopy styling like the bigger GPzs, and a bigger
frame-mounted fairing. This is the one to have.
>
> Can you still get new bits for them and if so are they more expensive
> pro-rata than Yam / Honda?

You can get all sorts of new engine stuff. The same lump was used in
(deep breath): the Z550, Z550F, GT550, Z550 Customer and others. Trim
etc will be hard to find new, ditto exhausts, but trim is available used
and everyone makes exhausts for the bike.
>
> Over what mileage should I walk away or have these been known to go
> round the clock?

The one I bought had done 47k and was still sweet. They can do 100k
miles. Very strong. As long as it sounds sweet and is revvy, and the
camchain isn't rattling away, buy it.
>
> Are all the consumables available from after-market suppliers
> (cheaper)?

Yes
>
> I'm 6'2". Will it fit me ok (even if only bearable rather than ideal)?
> I like the riding position I get from my R100RT or even this little
> Two Fifty if that helps (although my legs are a little cramped with
> both).

Yes
>
> If they are running ok are they reasonably (or at least typically for
> their age etc) economical (I'm a fairly smooth rider).

Very
>
> I presume being only 550 and not a modern power house it should be
> reasonably cheap to insure (for an old git with a clean licence)?

Classic: Carole Nash is your friend here. £100 FC is my guess.


--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Yamaha XT600E Honda CB400F
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
"What you're proposing to do will involve a lot of time
and hassle for no tangible benefit."

T i m <news@spaced.me.uk> wrote:

> Neighbour offered me his GPz550 cheap yesterday. We were passing up
> the town so didn't have long to talk but I wanted some advice here
> before I even went to look at it please.

I'm not sure it would be a good buy at anything over £100.
If you have got loads of time to sort it out, and willing to buy stuff
from Breakers and ebay, then it may be worth getting if you want to
spend time on it.

I bought a CB500/4 for £200 last year as cheap transport - it had been
standing for 6 months or so, engine ran etc, but it looked a mess.

It cost me another £350ish to get it back on the road (excl. ins.), and
many hours swearing at it in the garage.That was without any major
expense such as chain/sprockets/tyres. It looked reasonable, but nothing
special, just an old unrestored bike.
Then, when back on the road, I realised what crap bikes they are
compared to modern stuff (for modern read post 1995).
It braked,handled and accelerated terribly. It went on ebay within 2
weeks of being MOT'd.
GPz550s were reasonable bikes 20 years ago, but the world has moved on a
lot in the meantime, and I wouldnt like to go back to one after having a
'modern' bike.
Alan.
--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.

On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:11:18 +0100, totallydeadmailbox@yahoo.co.uk
(The Older Gentleman) wrote:

>T i m <news@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
>
>> (I thought I'd start a new thread on this in case it got lost in
>> t'other)
>
>Jesus. I've just replied to t'other, you twonk.

Well you should have waited for this one then shouldn't you! <ducks>
;-)

(but no, thanks for that as well TOG ... and 'twonk', I like it but
not heard it for a while! <g>)
>>
><snip>
>
>See my reply to your earlier posting

Ta
>>
>> Also, could the panel tell me what to look out for on any particular
>> models please, specifically the bits that could be a deal breaker
>> (it's not the money to buy it's the money then needed to spend and the
>> time).
>
>Rear suspension bushes and bearings,

Ok. even if things need pressing in/out I'm ok there (10 tonne
hydraulic press and a lathe to turn mandrels).
>>
>> Like, do I understand the early models were dual shock, then went
>> Uni-track then mono-shock (or are the last two the same thing)?
>
>First model was twin shock, little bar-mounted bikini fairing, very
>short run. Second model was the H1, very early rising-rate monoshock,
>handlear-mounted bikini fairing. In late 1983 it metamorphosed into the
>ZX model: swoopy styling like the bigger GPzs, and a bigger
>frame-mounted fairing. This is the one to have.

Ok, well fingers crossed then.
>>
>> Can you still get new bits for them and if so are they more expensive
>> pro-rata than Yam / Honda?
>
>You can get all sorts of new engine stuff. The same lump was used in
>(deep breath): the Z550, Z550F, GT550, Z550 Customer and others.

Handy list to have (thanks).

> Trim
>etc will be hard to find new, ditto exhausts, but trim is available used
>and everyone makes exhausts for the bike.

Ok ..
>>
>> Over what mileage should I walk away or have these been known to go
>> round the clock?
>
>The one I bought had done 47k and was still sweet. They can do 100k
>miles. Very strong. As long as it sounds sweet and is revvy, and the
>camchain isn't rattling away, buy it.

K.
<snip yes's> Ta

>> I presume being only 550 and not a modern power house it should be
>> reasonably cheap to insure (for an old git with a clean licence)?
>
>Classic: Carole Nash is your friend here. £100 FC is my guess.

So, they stopped making them in 85 so the latest one will be over 20
years old (is that right)?

All the best and thanks muchly TOG. At least if it get's the general
thumbs up (for what it is etc) then I'm happy to give it a look.

All the best ..

T i m

On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:18:27 +0100, alan@darkroom.+.com (A.Lee) wrote:

>T i m <news@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
>
>> Neighbour offered me his GPz550 cheap yesterday. We were passing up
>> the town so didn't have long to talk but I wanted some advice here
>> before I even went to look at it please.
>
>I'm not sure it would be a good buy at anything over £100.

Well he mumbled summat about 'a drink' so it's that or less hopefully.
;-)


>If you have got loads of time to sort it out, and willing to buy stuff
>from Breakers and ebay, then it may be worth getting if you want to
>spend time on it.

Ok. Well I can make the time and 'she' won't mind as long as it
actually makes sense to do so and doesn't distract me from stuff like
'the house', too much or too long. The initial target would be to get
it running and basically safe / tidy, see how it goes then *maybe*
spend more time on it later. I predict it's only going to be
transport. I think for our sort of use (camping trips mainly) the
R100RT still holds it for me. [1]
>
>I bought a CB500/4 for £200 last year as cheap transport - it had been
>standing for 6 months or so, engine ran etc, but it looked a mess.

Ok ..
>
>It cost me another £350ish to get it back on the road (excl. ins.), and
>many hours swearing at it in the garage.That was without any major
>expense such as chain/sprockets/tyres. It looked reasonable, but nothing
>special, just an old unrestored bike.

Ok. And I think they are still better than something someone has had a
go at and bolloxed up?

>Then, when back on the road, I realised what crap bikes they are
>compared to modern stuff (for modern read post 1995).

;-)

>It braked,handled and accelerated terribly. It went on ebay within 2
>weeks of being MOT'd.

Oh dear.

>GPz550s were reasonable bikes 20 years ago, but the world has moved on a
>lot in the meantime, and I wouldnt like to go back to one after having a
>'modern' bike.

Understood Alan. I guess it's horses for courses. If you like every
corner to be accompanied by a shower of sparks from yer sliders and a
drag run off every set of lights then such probably isn't for you (and
I'm not suggesting that's your style here <g>). If like me you are
just happy to potter along at the speed limit (plus a bit sometimes),
enjoy the twisties now and again and just to be on *a bike* for a
change then pretty well anything that works reasonably well and is
basically safe (when being used sensibly) will do. The only thing that
would pi$$ me off big time would be poor reliability and the only bike
that hasn't got me home so far is the BM (towed in once by her on the
XV750 and AA relayed back to London from Leek with stripped clutch
splines). Even the MZ got me home every time (once only just but it
still did it)!

I commuted on a Lambretta SX150 for 2 years and it did just what it
had to perfectly, even in the snow! [2]

All the best ..

T i m

[1] I borrowed a 900 Divvy for a week and although it was everything
good that the BM wasn't it was utterly soulless (and that's not
something I thought I'd ever say).

[2] I rode it down the road (sometimes sideways) past a couple of
matching leather clad bikers who were pushing something big along in
the gutter. :-(

T i m wrote:


> I commuted on a Lambretta SX150 for 2 years and it did just what it
> had to perfectly, even in the snow! [2]

<files Timmmaaaay alongside Auvache in the 'old gits who admit to
riding scooters' bin>

NEXT!

--
Lozzo

On 24 Aug 2008 09:02:18 GMT, "Lozzo" <lozzo@lozzo.org.uk> wrote:

>T i m wrote:
>
>
>> I commuted on a Lambretta SX150 for 2 years and it did just what it
>> had to perfectly, even in the snow! [2]
>
><files Timmmaaaay alongside Auvache in the 'old gits who admit to
>riding scooters' bin>
>
>NEXT!

Ok, do you have a Messerschmitt KR200 bin? ;-)

All the best ..

T i m

T i m wrote:

> On 24 Aug 2008 09:02:18 GMT, "Lozzo" <lozzo@lozzo.org.uk> wrote:
>
> > T i m wrote:
> >
> >
> >> I commuted on a Lambretta SX150 for 2 years and it did just what it
> >> had to perfectly, even in the snow! [2]
> >
> > <files Timmmaaaay alongside Auvache in the 'old gits who admit to
> > riding scooters' bin>
> >
> > NEXT!
>
> Ok, do you have a Messerschmitt KR200 bin? ;-)

When you're driving one of those is it customary to engage in a mock
dog-fight with any Triumph Spitfire you encounter?


--
Lozzo

On 24 Aug 2008 09:26:16 GMT, "Lozzo" <lozzo@lozzo.org.uk> wrote:

>T i m wrote:
>
>> On 24 Aug 2008 09:02:18 GMT, "Lozzo" <lozzo@lozzo.org.uk> wrote:
>>
>> > T i m wrote:
>> >
>> >
>> >> I commuted on a Lambretta SX150 for 2 years and it did just what it
>> >> had to perfectly, even in the snow! [2]
>> >
>> > <files Timmmaaaay alongside Auvache in the 'old gits who admit to
>> > riding scooters' bin>
>> >
>> > NEXT!
>>
>> Ok, do you have a Messerschmitt KR200 bin? ;-)
>
>When you're driving one of those is it customary to engage in a mock
>dog-fight with any Triumph Spitfire you encounter?

Of course?

If he happens to get on your tail you just head for some
slightly_narrower_than_a_standard_car bollards and watch just how
removable their bonnet is! ;-)

All the best ..

T i m

T i m <news@spaced.me.uk> wrote:

> So, they stopped making them in 85 so the latest one will be over 20
> years old (is that right)?

No, wrong. They were on sale in Kawasaki's line-up until the early
1990s, believe it or not. Last model was the A6, in about 1992.


--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Yamaha XT600E Honda CB400F
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
"What you're proposing to do will involve a lot of time
and hassle for no tangible benefit."

T i m wrote:

> On 24 Aug 2008 09:26:16 GMT, "Lozzo" <lozzo@lozzo.org.uk> wrote:
>
> > T i m wrote:

> >> Ok, do you have a Messerschmitt KR200 bin? ;-)
> >
> > When you're driving one of those is it customary to engage in a mock
> > dog-fight with any Triumph Spitfire you encounter?
>
> Of course?
>
> If he happens to get on your tail you just head for some
> slightly_narrower_than_a_standard_car bollards and watch just how
> removable their bonnet is! ;-)

In my youth we all used to use a short cut on our bikes over a little
footbridge at The Slipe in Queens Park, Bedford. A police Mini was just
able to make it between the bollards and over the footbridge.

One day some mates of mine were 3 up on a FS1E with only one helmet
between them and were being chased by a Police Metro panda car, this
was just after our local force swopped from Minis to the all new model.
The rider decided to take the Slipe footbridge, dump the others off and
then piss off towards the village we came from. They crossed the bridge
and on the other side, out of sight, my two mates hopped off the back
and off the rider went. When we all met up in the pub that night the
pillions told us they heard a crash and walked back a bit to see the
Police Metro wedged between the bollards because it was just that
little bit wider than the old shaped Mini.

--
Lozzo

A.Lee <alan@darkroom.+.com> wrote:

> I bought a CB500/4 for £200 last year as cheap transport - it had been
> standing for 6 months or so, engine ran etc, but it looked a mess.

You're talking chalk and cheese. The 500 Four went out of production a
decade before the ZX550 was launched.
>
> It cost me another £350ish to get it back on the road (excl. ins.), and
> many hours swearing at it in the garage.That was without any major
> expense such as chain/sprockets/tyres. It looked reasonable, but nothing
> special, just an old unrestored bike.
> Then, when back on the road, I realised what crap bikes they are
> compared to modern stuff (for modern read post 1995).
> It braked,handled and accelerated terribly.

Well, yes, by today's standards they were crap. Especially the brakes.

> GPz550s were reasonable bikes 20 years ago

No: 20 years ago, they were *excellent*. They were the sports
middleweights to have. And they stayed in the line-up for a decade, like
I said. I mean, it outlasted the GPZ600R *and* the GPX600R. It really
was very, very good.

>, but the world has moved on a
> lot in the meantime, and I wouldnt like to go back to one after having a
> 'modern' bike.

You're being a tad unfair here. The original GPz550 was one of those
bikes that changed things: it went as well as a contemporary 750 and
outhandled a lot of other stuff. And the 550 was very well braked
indeed. Sure, it feels dated compared with (say) a modern CBR600, but a
good one will still do 125+ (genuine), handle reasonably well bytoday's
standards, return 50mpg overall, be reliable, and cost bugger all to
run.

As a cheap fun hack, it takes a lot of beating.

--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Yamaha XT600E Honda CB400F
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
"What you're proposing to do will involve a lot of time
and hassle for no tangible benefit."

On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 11:04:20 +0100, totallydeadmailbox@yahoo.co.uk
(The Older Gentleman) wrote:

>T i m <news@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
>
>> So, they stopped making them in 85 so the latest one will be over 20
>> years old (is that right)?
>
>No, wrong. They were on sale in Kawasaki's line-up until the early
>1990s, believe it or not.

Oh.

>Last model was the A6, in about 1992.

Ok, could that work both ways for me then, if it was a 92 (which I
doubt) would it still count as a classic insurance wise?

All the best ..

T i m

Lozzo <lozzo@lozzo.org.uk> wrote:

> One day some mates of mine were 3 up on a FS1E with only one helmet
> between them

Well done them. Ah, kids, eh?

>and were being chased by a Police Metro panda car, this
> was just after our local force swopped from Minis to the all new model.
> The rider decided to take the Slipe footbridge, dump the others off and
> then piss off towards the village we came from. They crossed the bridge
> and on the other side, out of sight, my two mates hopped off the back
> and off the rider went. When we all met up in the pub that night the
> pillions told us they heard a crash and walked back a bit to see the
> Police Metro wedged between the bollards because it was just that
> little bit wider than the old shaped Mini.

LOL. Splendid stuff.

--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Yamaha XT600E Honda CB400F
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
"What you're proposing to do will involve a lot of time
and hassle for no tangible benefit."

On 24 Aug 2008 10:05:12 GMT, "Lozzo" <lozzo@lozzo.org.uk> wrote:

> When we all met up in the pub that night the
>pillions told us they heard a crash and walked back a bit to see the
>Police Metro wedged between the bollards because it was just that
>little bit wider than the old shaped Mini.

Hehe.

I've just fitted Metro GT sets in the kit car (replacing the
Recaro's), quite comfy. ;-)

All the best ..

T i m

T i m <news@spaced.me.uk> wrote:

> Ok, could that work both ways for me then, if it was a 92 (which I
> doubt) would it still count as a classic insurance wise?

Yes

--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Yamaha XT600E Honda CB400F
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
"What you're proposing to do will involve a lot of time
and hassle for no tangible benefit."

On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 11:10:47 +0100, totallydeadmailbox@yahoo.co.uk
(The Older Gentleman) wrote:


>
>As a cheap fun hack, it takes a lot of beating.

And that info pleases my muchly. Noting like getting something that
was known by everyone (else) as a pos!

All the best ..

T i m

On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 11:22:22 +0100, totallydeadmailbox@yahoo.co.uk
(The Older Gentleman) wrote:

>T i m <news@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
>
>> Ok, could that work both ways for me then, if it was a 92 (which I
>> doubt) would it still count as a classic insurance wise?
>
>Yes

Result!

All the best ..

T i m

On Aug 24, 9:53*am, T i m <n...@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
> On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:18:27 +0100, a...@darkroom.+.com (A.Lee) wrote:
> >T i m <n...@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
>
> >> Neighbour offered me his GPz550 cheap yesterday. We were passing up
> >> the town so didn't have long to talk but I wanted some advice here
> >> before I even went to look at it please.
>
>
> >I bought a CB500/4 for £200 last year as cheap transport - it had been
> >standing for 6 months or so, engine ran etc, but it looked a mess.
>
> Ok ..
>
>
> >It cost me another £350ish to get it back on the road (excl. ins.), and
> >many hours swearing at it in the garage.That was without any major
> >expense such as chain/sprockets/tyres. It looked reasonable, but nothing
> >special, just an old unrestored bike.
>

They're shafties are GPz550s. And it's a "new"
tyre you say.

Be aware that a new tyre fitted three years ago
is likely to have perished so as to be unsafe.

A competent tyre specialist should be able to
read the tyrewall and tell you if it's still within
its useful life.

G DAEB
COPYRIGHT (C) 2008 SIPSTON
--

FCS <sipston_777@my-deja.com> writes:

> On Aug 24, 9:53*am, T i m <n...@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
>> On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:18:27 +0100, a...@darkroom.+.com (A.Lee) wrote:
>> >T i m <n...@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
>> >It cost me another £350ish to get it back on the road (excl. ins.), and
>> >many hours swearing at it in the garage.That was without any major
>> >expense such as chain/sprockets/tyres. It looked reasonable, but nothing
>> >special, just an old unrestored bike.
>>
>
> They're shafties are GPz550s. And it's a "new"
> tyre you say.

Like bollocks they are.

> Be aware that a new tyre fitted three years ago
> is likely to have perished so as to be unsafe.

Like bollocks they are.

> A competent tyre specialist should be able to
> read the tyrewall and tell you if it's still within
> its useful life.

Like bollocks they are.

Spot a pattern yet?

--
Morini Corsaro 125 | CB450K4 | XL250 Motosport | 900SSD | R1150RT
Laverda SF2 | Harley FXD BOTAFOF #33 TWA#10
The UKRM FAQ: http://www.ukrm.net/faq/index.html
"Je profite du paysage" - Joe Bar

On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:12:47 -0700 (PDT), FCS
<sipston_777@my-deja.com> wrote:


>> >It cost me another £350ish to get it back on the road (excl. ins.), and
>> >many hours swearing at it in the garage.That was without any major
>> >expense such as chain/sprockets/tyres. It looked reasonable, but nothing
>> >special, just an old unrestored bike.
>>
>
>They're shafties are GPz550s.

Hmm, that was one of the things I thought to ask said neighbour and he
said "chain"? (I asked as I was hoping it was a shaftie .. R100RT is
and XV750 for her are). ;-)

> And it's a "new"
>tyre you say.

One of the things I normally do when I get a bike is put a fresh pair
of new (and as grippy as I can find) vfm tyres on it. We don't do
enough miles to worry about wear but we do like to stay the right way
up. ;-)

>
>Be aware that a new tyre fitted three years ago
>is likely to have perished so as to be unsafe.

I thought they say 6 years (depending on how it's stored ... out of
the sun etc)?
>
>A competent tyre specialist should be able to
>read the tyrewall and tell you if it's still within
>its useful life.

Like I said, I'll probably change them in any case (as I get them
trade + a bit).

All the best ..

T i m

On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:12:47 -0700 (PDT), FCS
<sipston_777@my-deja.com> wrote:

>They're shafties are GPz550s.

Really?

>And it's a "new" tyre you say.
>
>Be aware that a new tyre fitted three years ago
>is likely to have perished so as to be unsafe.

You what? Thirty years, perhaps, but three years is fine.

>A competent tyre specialist should be able to
>read the tyrewall and tell you if it's still within
>its useful life.

How would they do that then? They don't have a "best before" date on
them you know.

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (b.rogers at ifrance.com)
\`\ | /`/
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10
`\|/`
`

FCS wrote:

> Be aware that a new tyre fitted three years ago
> is likely to have perished so as to be unsafe.
>
> A competent tyre specialist should be able to
> read the tyrewall and tell you if it's still within
> its useful life.

You don't need a degree in tyre fitting from a former polytechnic
to read the MMYY date code after the DOT number on a sidewall.

--
Eiron.

FCS <sipston_777@my-deja.com> wrote:

> They're shafties are GPz550s.

Wrong!
>
> Be aware that a new tyre fitted three years ago
> is likely to have perished so as to be unsafe.

Wrong!

--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Yamaha XT600E Honda CB400F
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
"What you're proposing to do will involve a lot of time
and hassle for no tangible benefit."

FCS wrote:

> On Aug 24, 9:53*am, T i m <n...@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
> > On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:18:27 +0100, a...@darkroom.+.com (A.Lee)
> > wrote: >T i m <n...@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
> >
> > >> Neighbour offered me his GPz550 cheap yesterday. We were passing
> > up >> the town so didn't have long to talk but I wanted some advice
> > here >> before I even went to look at it please.
> >
> >
> > > I bought a CB500/4 for £200 last year as cheap transport - it had
> > > been standing for 6 months or so, engine ran etc, but it looked a
> > > mess.
> >
> > Ok ..
> >
> >
> > > It cost me another £350ish to get it back on the road (excl.
> > > ins.), and many hours swearing at it in the garage.That was
> > > without any major expense such as chain/sprockets/tyres. It
> > > looked reasonable, but nothing special, just an old unrestored
> > > bike.
> >
>
> They're shafties are GPz550s. And it's a "new"
> tyre you say.

Wrong, You really are a clueless cunt.

> Be aware that a new tyre fitted three years ago
> is likely to have perished so as to be unsafe.

Wrong, if it is stored correctly it could last a lot longer and still
be safe

> A competent tyre specialist should be able to
> read the tyrewall and tell you if it's still within
> its useful life.

Wrong, even an incompetent one can read a tyre manufacturing date -
hell, even I know how to. The date a tyre is made bears no relation to
its roadworthyness. Tyres do not have a defined shelf life or lifespan.
The tyre could have been made last week and be starting to perish if
subjected to certain chemicals, or it could last years if stored
correctly.

Next time you post do your homework first. I'm no tyre expert, but on
ukrm there is an expert on everything and they will show you up for
being the total cock that you are.



--
Lozzo

T i m <news@spaced.me.uk> wrote:

> >They're shafties are GPz550s.
>
> Hmm, that was one of the things I thought to ask said neighbour and he
> said "chain"?

He's right. The wally to whom you replied is wrong.


--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Yamaha XT600E Honda CB400F
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
"What you're proposing to do will involve a lot of time
and hassle for no tangible benefit."

On Aug 24, 12:35*pm, "Lozzo" <lo...@lozzo.org.uk> wrote:
> FCS wrote:
> > On Aug 24, 9:53*am, T i m <n...@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
> > > On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 09:18:27 +0100, a...@darkroom.+.com (A.Lee)
> > > wrote: *>T i m <n...@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
>
> > > >> Neighbour offered me his GPz550 cheap yesterday. We were passing
> > > up >> the town so didn't have long to talk but I wanted some advice
> > > here >> before I even went to look at it please.
>
> > > > I bought a CB500/4 for £200 last year as cheap transport - it had
> > > > been standing for 6 months or so, engine ran etc, but it looked a
> > > > mess.
>
> > > Ok ..
>
> > > > It cost me another £350ish to get it back on the road (excl.
> > > > ins.), and many hours swearing at it in the garage.That was
> > > > without any major expense such as chain/sprockets/tyres. It
> > > > looked reasonable, but nothing special, just an old unrestored
> > > > bike.
>
> > They're shafties are GPz550s. And it's a "new"
> > tyre you say.
>
> Wrong, You really are a clueless cunt.
>
> > Be aware that a new tyre fitted three years ago
> > is likely to have perished so as to be unsafe.
>
> Wrong, if it is stored correctly it could last a lot longer and still
> be safe
>
> > A competent tyre specialist should be able to
> > read the tyrewall and tell you if it's still within
> > its useful life.
>
> Wrong, even an incompetent one can read a tyre manufacturing date -
> hell, even I know how to.

Yes, I should have said "reputable" rather than
"competent"--the difference being that a reputable
one won't try to sell you a new set anyway...

The date a tyre is made bears no relation to
> its roadworthyness. Tyres do not have a defined shelf life or lifespan.
> The tyre could have been made last week and be starting to perish if
> subjected to certain chemicals, or it could last years if stored
> correctly.
>
> Next time you post do your homework first. I'm no tyre expert, but on
> ukrm there is an expert on everything and they will show you up for
> being the total cock that you are.

As though I'm the only poster in the thread who's been wrong...

> --
> Lozzo- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

G DAEB
COPYRIGHT (C) 2008 SIPSTON
--

FCS wrote:


> As though I'm the only poster in the thread who's been wrong...

The difference is that you are wrong about absolutely everything. Ukrm
accept that people make mistakes, but they do not accept those who are
consistently stupid enough to post misinformed bollocks, like you do.

--
Lozzo

On Aug 24, 12:25*pm, T i m <n...@spaced.me.uk> wrote:
> On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:12:47 -0700 (PDT), FCS
>
> <sipston_...@my-deja.com> wrote:
> >> >It cost me another £350ish to get it back on the road (excl. ins.),and
> >> >many hours swearing at it in the garage.That was without any major
> >> >expense such as chain/sprockets/tyres. It looked reasonable, but nothing
> >> >special, just an old unrestored bike.
>
> >They're shafties are GPz550s.
>
> Hmm, that was one of the things I thought to ask said neighbour and he
> said "chain"? (I asked as I was hoping it was a shaftie .. R100RT is
> and XV750 for her are). ;-)

Nope that was indeed my mistake: the GT550 and 750
are the shafties, though none of the follow-up posters
so far has observed this. It is nice to know I'm not the
only one who was thinking "weren't the GPzs shafties"?

> > And it's a "new"
> >tyre you say.
>
> One of the things I normally do when I get a bike is put a fresh pair
> of new (and as grippy as I can find) vfm tyres on it. We don't do
> enough miles to worry about wear but we do like to stay the right way
> up. ;-)
>

I haven't found Continentals to be as good as other
reviewers have claimed.

>
> >Be aware that a new tyre fitted three years ago
> >is likely to have perished so as to be unsafe.
>
> I thought they say 6 years (depending on how it's stored ... out of
> the sun etc)?

Could be, I was posting in the knowledge that
athletic shoes and tennis balls do have a life of
all of 6 months once out of their airtight packaging
because of the way the rubber degrades.

As it's 5-6 years safely as a rule of thumb and this
has been reasonably concurred I at least can now
take this knowledge with me.

>
>
> >A competent tyre specialist should be able to
> >read the tyrewall and tell you if it's still within
> >its useful life.
>
> Like I said, I'll probably change them in any case (as I get them
> trade + a bit).
>
> All the best ..

Likewise, may many years of fatality-free riding be
your destiny.

> T i m

G DAEB
COPYRIGHT (C) 2008 SIPSTON
--

Ace wrote:
> On Sun, 24 Aug 2008 04:12:47 -0700 (PDT), FCS
> <sipston_777@my-deja.com> wrote:
>
>> They're shafties are GPz550s.
>
> Really?
>
>> And it's a "new" tyre you say.
>>
>> Be aware that a new tyre fitted three years ago
>> is likely to have perished so as to be unsafe.
>
> You what? Thirty years, perhaps, but three years is fine.

Looking at the various tyres in the shed and on bikes,
I think it's time for a clear-out.
BT45s at 11 years old are fine.
Dunlop racing tyres at over 20 years have very cracked sidewalls.
Michelin Hi-Sports at 21 years old are starting to crack on the
sidewalls. I'll use them for a bit longer until the MOT is due.

Of course the greatest danger on the road isn't old tyres but
queues of caravans on the A423 trying to overtake a twat on a CD185.

--
Eiron.