Rusty Spanner – Member

Cheers for the thoughts everyone, time for a think and a good few test rides over winter.

Bike’s going to be used for Euro jaunts two up, UK tours and weekend trips.

So far, I think the VFR’s winning.

Mrs Spanner, my co conspirator wants a Pan.
I’ve told her that’s fine as long as she picks it up every time I drop it at the lights.

Just out of interest, how tall (short) are you?

Pan’s aren’t really tall, it’s just getting used to the weight.

My 1200GSA has got a seat height of 890mm and I can get both balls of my feet down at only 5ft7. I think an ST1100 has only got a seat height of 800mm.

Edit – Even VFR is no mean feat to pick up by yourself.

jimw – Member
It’s definitely worth contacting them first as they were very helpful and quick to reply. They might just sell you the individual part.

I did get a quick reply to the question, but no, I have to buy the whole kit. Oh well, an easy way to spend $100 (plus import duties)
Thanks for the replies

Great that you got a quick reply :D

Not great that you have to buy a full kit :(

Maybe as a last resort e-mail a few of European dealers listed on the Litespeed site on the off chance they might have the part. Even if you still need to buy the full kit, you’ll avoid any import charges etc.

Really hope you get it sorted anyway.

Andy

The Kingdom Legion is listed as being suitable for 100mm to 140mm.

I’d be having a think on how far you want to go on it and how often you will be carrying a pillion.

If most of your riding is going to be two up over a big distance, then IMHO you need something large and roomy like a Pan, FJR or 1200GS/RT to make it enjoyable for you and your passenger.

Don’t necessarily be put off larger bikes as it’s just what you’re used to and getting the confidence. It might be worth getting a long test ride on something big and getting the feel for it.

I’m a big fan of Boxer’s, but if long mostly two up long trips are planned; then a cherished ST1100 Pan would be ideal for you

For reference, I’m riding a 1200GS Adventure on the standard seat height and I’m only 5ft7.

cinnamon_girl – Member
Nice to see that they’ve gone back to a proper head badge and got rid of the sticker.
Much better! Seriously tempted, have you actually seen it in the flesh? Presumably there’s import duty to pay on these items?

Thanks.

I’ve not seen a newer Litespeed in the flesh, but my previous Obed frame was lovely. The matt finish on it was great and the stickers were really understated.

I’m pretty sure that they don’t have anyone in UK so unless they have a distributor elsewhere in the EU you’d get stung for the import duty.

Wiggle is selling a couple of frames off cheaper, but they’re no longer involved with Litespeed.

curiousyellow – Member
It’s a winter, and winter races only bike (4-6 races at the most) so I’d not want to spend over £100 on it. There are a couple of other things it needs too (new front rotor) which are eating into the budget.

So, budget wise it looks like the Eriksen ones are out. Thanks for taking a look though!

That’s cool.

I think you’d pretty much be looking at probably £100+ for any titanium post.

Lynskey are £169.99 at CRC less any voucher codes etc.

Fatbirds are doing a Van Nicholas ti post for £131.99.

Depending on how much you want to spend and if you definitely need / want a ti post, Eriksen[/url] are pretty much where it’s at. IMHO.

jimw – Member
Thanks for that. I am after a small part in one of the kits they are advertising but was hoping not to have to buy the whole thing- especially considering the $40 postage fee. Looks like I’ll have to bite the bullet

It’s definitely worth contacting them first as they were very helpful and quick to reply. They might just sell you the individual part.

cinnamon_girl – Member
Do wish you hadn’t posted that link amplebrew! I’ve just been drooling over a stem.

Always a pleasure :D

Nice to see that they’ve gone back to a proper head badge and got rid of the sticker.

You can deal with ABG direct.

They also have an online shop[/url] depending on what you want.

I contacted Litespeed a few years ago over a head tube badge and all the contact I had came from an @americanbicyclegroup.com e-mail address.

They were very helpful and quick to respond back then.

Town & Country[/url] covers are really great.

I’ve had a few sets on different vehicles and whilst there not the cheapest, they fit well and are comfortable* to sit on.

*not slippy or hot.

guitarhero – Member
That’ll do for me amplebrew, thanks.
I’ll probably be running a Geax Gato 2.3 which has a freakishly tall profile on a Flow EX

That’s cool.

Just for reference a 2.25RR measures up to be 60mm, so 2.36 inches on a 45mm Dually.

I’ve not got 50mm rims, but for what its worth; I’m running a 2.25 RR on a 45mm rim with no problems.

That Husky is really really nice…..

The R1 would look better with a black engine, collector and less silver paint on the side.

I would easily mistake the S1000XR for a Multistrada at first glance.

That Trail Husky is really nice.

I think the road version of the Kwak is getting launched this morning at EICMA.

There are some lovely pictures of that RCV on HRC FB page 8)

amplebrew – Member
The new 1k bikes are on a completely different level compared to the early R1’s and Blades. Not just in horsepower, but also in being so easy to ride.

Having said that, I did very a very brief flirt (6 months) with a 2006 ZX10R which was possibly one of the worst bikes I’ve ever owned. The engine was amazing, but the handling wasn’t good.

You could take the same corner twice at the same speed and get 2 different reactions from the bike. One day it would be relaxed, smooth and effortless; then the next it would try and kill me with a tankslapper.

The new 1k bikes are on a completely different level compared to the early R1’s and Blades. Not just in horsepower, but also in being so easy to ride.

I used to commute in all weathers on a 2008 Blade which was claimed to be putting out over 150hp at the wheel; yet it was as easy as riding a 125.

The new R1 should be a really great bike, especially if they’ve listened to Rossi’s input. I’m always pretty cynical though as Rossi might well have had a ride on it, but the person signing off the final design is probably just looking at costs.

Whilst the R1 doesn’t seem to be a looker, it could be worse ……..

They got Rossi to bring out the standard R1 first, then Lorenzo brought out the ‘whizz bang’ R1M which probably costs a fortune.

I’m not sure on the styling of the bike, but they often look much better in the flesh.

Bike Active do full builds on Transitions.

They list free postage to UK and £60 postage to mainland Europe on their site for full bikes.

Just to let him know when you’re getting near…….

I’ve been happy with my 200, the only thing which I don’t like is the lack of clock on the information display.

I know it sounds like such a small thing, but I really miss not knowing the time; especially when I’m cycling to be somewhere rather than just being out on a ride.

The Canfield Bros Balance is nice.

Cool head badge as well.

jameswilliams54 – Member

Cheers ample,
eds even have a small for me £50 for a 2 hour guided demo, that’s spot on

Cool, that’s great news :D

Eds might be worth a shout; they’re based in Snainton.

I use Mr Sheen and a microfibre cloth to clean my bikes.

I then just wash the cloth and use it the next time the bike needs cleaning.

Use a bit of GT85 to clean the gears and then lube up the chain.

I also use a cloth and run it been the cassette to clean it out.

Can you force in a slightly larger Torx socket and then undo it?

honourablegeorge – Member

Seesm I was wrong about Trek – they’re back to 5 years on wingarms,.

They did go to one year a while back – after a spate fo cracks on Remedy frames too. Good to see they’ve improved it.

You were right when you said some were less than 5 years. Trek only warranty the swing arms on aluminium Session, Scratch, Slash and Ticket model frames and swing arms for 3 years and 2 years on the carbon Session frames and swing arms.

I think Trek are the same, lifetime warranty of frame and 5 years on swingarms.

Try the customer service e-mail below and see how you get on.

SPECIALIZED UK, LTD.
29 Barwell Business Park
Leatherhead Road, Chessington Surrey
KT9 2NY
Great Britain
Tel: +44 (0)20 8391 3500
Fax: +44 (0)20 8391 3501
E-mail: salesuk@specialized.com
E-mail: customerserviceuk@specialized.com

Edit – too slow :oops:

Specialized lists pivot points, bushings, shock units, front suspension forks, stays, plates, fastener as being under a 5 year warranty.

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY ON FRAMES AND FRAMESETS

Also subject to the following limitations, terms and conditions, Specialized warrants to the original owner of this bicycle that this Specialized bicycle’s frame or frameset when new is free of defective materials and workmanship. The lifetime limited warranty is conditioned upon the bicycle being operated under normal conditions and use, and properly maintained. This limited warranty does not apply to paint/finish or components attached to the bicycle frame/frameset such as front forks (unless Specialized branded non-suspension forks forming part of the frameset), wheels, drivetrain, brakes, seatpost, handlebar and stem or any suspension related parts or components. Paint/finish, components attached to the bicycle frame/frameset such as front forks (to the extent not covered by this limited warranty), wheels, drivetrain, brakes, seatpost, handlebar and stem or any suspension related parts or components are covered under the limited two (2) year warranty (above). Certain suspension related parts or components may also be covered under the limited five (5) year warranty (below). This warranty is void if the bicycle or frameset was not assembled by an authorised Specialized dealer in accordance with Specialized’s instructions and does not transfer to subsequent owners of this bicycle.

LIMITED FIVE (5) YEAR WARRANTY ON SUSPENSION ATTACHMENTS AND SUSPENSION RELATED EQUIPMENT

Also subject to the following limitations, terms and conditions, Specialized warrants to the original owner of this bicycle that any Specialized branded suspension attachment points, and any Specialized branded suspension related equipment (including pivot points, bushings, shock units, front suspension forks, stays, plates, fasteners) when new are free of defective materials or workmanship. This warranty shall expire five (5) years from the date of the original purchase from an authorised Specialized dealer and is conditioned upon the bicycle being operated under normal conditions and use, properly maintained and set up correctly for the rider’s weight. This warranty is void if the bicycle was not assembled by an authorised Specialized dealer in accordance with Specialized’s instructions and does not transfer to subsequent owners of the bicycle. This warranty does not apply to attachments and equipment which are unbranded or branded otherwise than with the Specialized brand, however, suspension equipment which is branded otherwise than with the Specialized brand may have warranty coverage offered by the specific manufacturer. Please check in your owner’s manual pack for information regarding these warranties or check with your authorised Specialized dealer for details.

I think its a case of reducing the exercise as well.

I don’t run my Springer as much as I used to, purely because of he gets sore back legs after a really long walk.

I’m really careful as he would just keep going and going unless I reign him in and its only hours later that he starts to suffer with stiffness.

I very occasionally use Metacam on my 10yr old Springer, but I don’t use it regularly.

Metacam is very good, but I would say that it only masks the problem rather than dealing with it.

I give my Springer Synoquin [/url] on a daily basis though and it seems to have made a difference.

Our Metacam has always been prescribed through the vet.

I’ve never had to produce my driving licence for car insurance, but I’ve have had to produce it a number of times for my motorbike insurance.

I had to produce a copy for my first motorbike policy way way way back in 1996 and then every year since and it was only when moving to Carole Nash at the beginning of last year that it stopped.

Another fan of JRA[/url] here.

I don’t think they’re necessarily the cheapest, but the wheels they built for me have been faultless and required no truing.

Their customer service and communication is great as well.

They’ve built me a couple of pairs on Dually’s and a pair on P35’s all on Paul Comp hubs.

I don’t know if this stem comparison site would be any use.

It works out the differences in height and reach for you.

A Boulder maybe.

@ Boba Fatt

Are you looking at 125’s because that’s all you can ride with your licence?

I’ve had mine a while and that’s to an non mainland address.

Edit – From the top of my head, I think it was the mid to end of last week.