¡InvictaMoto!

So after the first supplier cancelled from Germany, I went back to eBay and found another. This one from the Czech Republic. All of the ads are very much the same. This makes me think that in reality they are all the same Chinese company... The rads are all made in China!  The ČR version was a little cheaper and was free delivery. I ordered it. Next morning. eBay email to say it couldn't be delivered to UK as they had closed the Czech warehouse. Another refund to my PayPal. Back to Google and eBay. Others available from China so I ordered one. Thinking that it would be posted rather than use a flakey courier service. A longish wait for the order to be confirmed. This morning an eBay update. Dispatched. No firm delivery date as we are in the hands of post offices around the globe. And the container ship making good progress....

Firstly had an email to say that the radiator had been delivered. Apparently last night. I messaged Phil and he said nothing had been delivered at all. Logging into eBay I found a message from the company to say that due to Brexit and the current closing of the borders by the French, that it had been brought back to them and the order cancelled. Great news. It seems no one in UK has them. 

'Wishing you all a Happy (and safe) MAG Christmas’ The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), the UK’s leading voice for riders’  rights , ends 2020 by offering an enormous ‘thank you’ to all of its  members  for their support during a difficult year, and hopes that 2021  is  a much better one. MAG Chair, Selina Lavender, commented “This year has been both  extraordinary  and extraordinarily difficult; not just for MAG, but for  the  entire world due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.  Since March, we  have  had Lockdown and Lockdown2.0; restrictions on travel and gatherings; and countless cancelled social and fundraising events. At the outset, MAG tasked its Executive Officer with a close scrutiny of funds to ensure that the organisation could continue fighting for riders’ rights during a time when all the major fundraising events had  to  be cancelled.” Selina continued “Fortunately, MAG runs a tight ship financially at ...

So if you have a large collection of cassette tapes covering everywhere from late 1960's to whenever it was that you bought a CD player.... What do you do? Like many people of my age I have a large box of tapes. Some bought and some where you, or usually a mate, has recorded or copied one for you. The latter was the way I got a lot of music. A work mate Nigel had a state of the art piece of kit that could copy tape to tape seemlessly and also rip CD's.  It even faded a track towards the end of the side of the tape and faded it back in as it reversed. Now that was magic. Of course it could record from vinyl as well. We had one of those mini getto blasters. They CD player gave up and whilst it played cassettes the sound wasn't that good. Whatever the problem was it was terminal. So it went to the dump. I had a look on Amazon. Where else? It's nearly Christmas. My birthday is on Wednesday too. Enter stage right. A kind of "Walkman" with the added abil...

Coming together now. Needs the new radiator fitted and of course the fuel tank ..

Phil has done a full run up with everything attached and the rad not flowing much liquid. Flow test shows only 60% flow. It has been cleaned to get that low level. Bit like my heart! Pumps at 45%!!! Checking online found a place that does re-coring. Phil called and it was £400. An eBay search found some new ones in Germany for £110. Not original parts but Phil says buy. So I have.  Maybe the exchange rate changed slightly as it came out to be £109! A whole £1 saved.  I thought it best to get it done and dusted now before the UK leaves the EU and they start putting tariffs on imported good from an EU country.  At least begore the end of 31st December it should be tariff free. I hope if goes on without too much faffing about.  It might need a spray over with some black paint to make it "fit" the classic bike look. Hopefully it won't get held up in the problems between the UK and France and the borders being closed due to France making a snap decision.

Cambridgeshire has launched a trial of motorcycle access to bus lanes. The County Council want to encourage people to buy and use motorcycles. The Council opened the Elizabeth Way bus lane to motorcyclists and full electric cars on 14th  December 2020.  Local MAG activists campaigned for  motorcycle access for many years.  Importantly, local MP, Daniel  Zeichner, supports calls for motorcycle access.  Finally, the lobbying  has been rewarded with the start of this new trial. The trial is being implemented on an experimental basis and will be  reviewed after six months.  The Council will consider whether access  should be made permanent after the trial period.  Under the trial,  access for full electric cars will also be tested. A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said:  “We’re keen to improve air quality and encourage people to travel more  sustainably. With this in mind, we have started a trial which allows...

A small set back in the build today.  In a full "wet run" there is a problem with the radiator. It looks as though there is a blockage somewhere and the water/liquid isn't getting around the system. It's  matter for Phil to see if he can clear it. Worst case is that we need to source another one or get this one recored. Hopefully, he can clear the blockage and it won't cost me too much dinero!  

First impressions good. Comes nicely boxed with the charging USB, the handlebar mount, carry case, angled mount I guess for a windscreen, and the laccy bands to affix the mount to the bars. It does look a little smaller than I had imagined from the pictures. I have charged it and paired it my phone. The phone app can import GPX routes created in other apps. I use MyRouteApp. The app also has a Google Maps interface where you choose a destination and it works it out. You then send it to the Beeline. This might be strange but when I have a TomTom but when the GT comes back I don't want it's looks marred by all the satnav gubbins. More to follow.   https://www.flatoutmag.co.uk/gear/beeline-moto-review/

London transport bosses have agreed to review threats to rider safety.  Transport for London (TfL) will carry out a series of site visits at critical points across London that The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) says are threatening riders' safety. Motorcyclist fatalities in London have risen by more than 40% over the  past two years, from 22 in 2018 to 31 in 2019.  Provisional figures for  2020 show no decline despite vastly reduced traffic levels during the  pandemic.  MAG claims that poor road design is partly to blame. Heidi Alexander, Deputy Mayor for Transport, agreed a series of site  meetings with MAG. TfL will meet riders at locations which, MAG says, are typical of many  potential accident blackspots around the capital. Sites include Hyde  Park Corner, Farringdon Road, and Old Street. MAG is finalising a  schedule and the visits will go ahead as soon as possible. Lembit Opik, MAG's Director of Communications, said:...

Whilst the bike was simply festering in the garage I didn't have it insured recently.  It was on my multi-bike  policy until about 4 years ago though. As it couldn't be ridden I let it lapse.  If any thief wanted to break in and ignore the Rocket to get to it, and then try to try and find neutral and then push it on flat tyres, then they could have it!  It wasn't worth very much (so I thought) in that condition. So that Phil can road test it, the bike needed to be insured for the frog and toad.  A phone call to Carole Nash today and it is covered from midnight tonight. Mind you it cost as much as the Rocket to insure!   When the summer comes and I decide whether to keep the Rocket as well as the Kettle, then maybe I'll shop around.   Currently, I don't ride as much as I like. Those holidays that both Claire and I have enjoyed over the years have faded and it is years since Claire went on the back at all. Maybe time to get rid of the long dist...

It runs -  https://projectkettlerenaissance.blogspot.com/2020/12/it-runs.html

A video from Phil showing that it is coming along nicely.  Engine in and running. It was fantastic to see it running, even for just a few moments. It is so long since I last heard it running.  After all these years of neglect.   

Unlike my Dad and brother when it comes to giving blood, whether at Blood Donors or for tests, my veins are closed!! So today's blood letting required the phlebotomist to go in through through the back of my hand.  With Covid all normal health functions are taking a bit of a back seat. My test is relatively minor as it's for Diabetes. I just crept across the boundary for Type 2 in the summer. I am hoping that I have slipped back and no longer T2.  For others it has been harder and worse endings for people with life threatening ailments like cancer. Missing appointments due to cancellations.  I should be grateful that even though this test is three months late, that it has happened. Others are less fortunate.

After the lockdown we seemed to be getting somewhere. Locally Covid cases has dropped. Instead the weather was appalling. My shoulder still not good. Even with the exercises I can't reach back to get something out of my right ass jeans pocket. The pain, good pain, as Shaun the physio calls it when exercising is terrible. So another month has passed. It's now cold and wet most of the time. I doubt Pepé will want to start...

Phil has started the rebuild. I hadn't expected it back until later next year but it looks like I will have to go and get it sooner than expected.

Merry Christmas.

The date for the event has been revealed today - 11th & 12th September 2021. That rules me out for 2021 as I expect still to be at work and that will be in term time. Working in a school environment isn't good for that kind of date.  Now August. That would have been perfect. Maybe try again in 2022?

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) has offered to help Camden Borough  Council grasp the benefits of motorcycles.  The Borough Council is  missing a key aid to achieving its goals. MAG wrote to the leader of Camden Borough Council this week with a  proposal.  The offer is to share knowledge and evidence about the  positive impact that motorcycling can deliver. MAG’s Greater London members have raised concerns about changes to  parking permits and charges.  The Council want to be a zero-carbon  borough by 2030 and plan to reduce pollution and improve local air  quality by reducing the number of high carbon emission and diesel  vehicles in the borough.  They also encourage residents to use more  sustainable ways of travel. The parking proposals will treat motorcycles the same as cars, but MAG  claims that the actual impacts of cars and motorcycles are very  different.  Thus the Council’s blanket approach to par...

Always the underdogs against a side that are a division and 7 places above us in the league but we played well. Took the lead but a couple of what could be called "schoolboy" errors meant we go out of the cup at the first knock-out hurdle. Not too worried. we were never going to win it.

In memory of John Lennon.  Murdered on this day 40 years ago.  Not "killed" as the press and TV keep saying. Killed could be walking under a bus or falling down stairs.  He was shot by a psycho that travelled from Hawaii.  That's murdered. May you continue to rest in peace John.

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), the UK’s leading voice for riders’  rights, is offering a chance for members to win a pair of tyres in their  Christmas Prize Draw. MAG Chair, Selina Lavender, said “The Prize Draw is open to all current  MAG members so we would encourage you to check that your membership is  still live and will not have run out before our Prize Draw takes place  just before Christmas.  So long as you are a paid-up member as at 09:00  on Thursday 24th December, you will be entered into the Draw, which will  take place at 10:00 that same day”. Selina continued: “Our members have been extraordinary during an  extraordinary year: they have risen to the challenge and helped to  support MAG financially despite possibly being in difficult  circumstances themselves.  This Prize Draw, kindly donated by Cumbria  Region, is a way of giving something back.” Full details regarding the Draw, including Terms & Cond...

With Brexit about to hit us in the backside with a shovel, I thought maybe one last shop in €'s was on the cards. This time I was in e-Spain. More accurately Mallorca by the wonder of the internet - Fet a Sóller. All the things we buy when we are in Spain on vacation are there and so with a few clicks another order is formed. This is will come via DPD before Christmas. I hope so. Yum. https://www.fetasoller.com/en/mallorca-shop.php

With us being in Tier 3, the most severe  lockdown, most shopping is being done online this year. I have been looking at online shops and one that I have wanted to visit but haven't yet is Halušky in Mortlake, SW London. It sells Czech and Slovak food and all kinds of needs including beer. I made an order. Czech and Slovak beers plus some food to have over Christmas. Can't wait. https://www.halusky.co.uk/czech-slovak-foods/ Next online adventure was to Montezuma's website. Artisan chocolate. Another order. https://www.montezumas.co.uk

In the loft this morning to get down the eight or nine boxes of Christmas decorations. To me it is far too early but there you go. SWMBO had said it is time. The tree arrives on Friday. In these Covid days simply going a choosing a 🎄 from a lot is so 2019. It's from the same supplier as previously so I expect it will be good. Bah humbug! As someone once said. This Christmas with all the travel restrictions will be different in 2020 for many people.  Not really for us though. For many years it's been Claire, me and the animals. Upto 2014 🐈 and since then Reggie the 🐕. This year I expect it will be the same as all the other years. And that's how we like it.

Another away game at a club near the top of the division. Cambridge playing at home for the second game in a row, and after being in Tier 2 lockdown they were able to have upto 2000 fans in the Abbey Stadium. Maybe after this defeat, they will want to play to an empty one next time. The game as far as I could see on iFollow was about 50/50. Latics had the more clear cut chances that they spurned in both halves. An offside robbed them of a lead at halftime.  From the replay the linesman was only about 25% right with his flag. A second half penalty for Cambridge was harsh. A loose ball in the Latics penalty area was asking for a big boot upfield. Harry Clarke obliged and their foreward went over his foot. Harsh. It was taken by Mullen, the division's top scorer but Lawlor saved it well and it was cleared. Two quick goals from Latics turned the game on its head and it was looking pretty comfortable. Once the substitutions were being made, adding five minutes to the end of th...

All our Christmas favourites, remastered and packaged in one place. Buy the double LP or CD today!

The Coalition of Motorcycling Organisations (COMO) says that good  judgement and a quick check of the restrictions and guidance that apply  in your part of the UK ensures that motorcycling remains an excellent  choice for travel, whatever tier you are in. Following the latest changes to COVID regulations COMO has updated its  guidance for motorcyclists.  COMO emphasise that motorcycling offers a  more COVID secure way to undertake essential and permitted journeys than  public transport or car sharing. They advise that in England’s Tiers 1  and 2 up to six person, short group rides, can be undertaken. In Tier 3  riding is restricted to a solo experience, or with one other person. In  tandem with wider national guidelines, travelling between tiers is  discouraged unless there’s a specific reason to do so. There is detail to consider, and COMO point out that all necessary COVID  security measures should be observed. The updated ad...

Found the WiFi adapter and decided to put it back in the camera and see if it was working. It is currently fitted with a 64gb micro-sd card.  I took a test shot and then connected. It creates its own WiFi and before opening the app you have to go to WiFi and connect to WiFi@SDCF and then open the app  From there it is pretty easy to work out what to do. See how well it works with the Canon. Mind you after the SanDisk Eye-Fi I bought a few years ago that wasn't WIN10 compatible and whose support was poor, not let's tell the truth, appalling, I might have learned my lesson. http://invictamoto.blogspot.com/2013/02/sandisk-eye-fi-4gb-sd-card.html

A very cold day today. The sunset tonight has become very red and purple. I took a couple of pictures on the Sony Cybershot.

Maybe this is an extravagance when I already have a TomTom satnav. But with a second bike coming back online in the next few months, I began looking around for a way to incorporate a route tool.  I didn't want all the paraphanalia of mounts and the TomTom stuff cluttering up the bars on the Kettle. The Beeline Moto isn't cheap but it looks good and easily fitted to the bike's handlebar and easily removable to keep it safe from theft. It's not due to arrive for another couple of weeks so I have plenty of time to do more research. https://beeline.co/pages/beeline-moto If anyone has got one of these doohickies and wants to comment, now is a good time!

My new Sennheiser headphones, that came with my work laptop, have the USB-C type plug fitted.  My Dell personal laptop has the old style USB-A female sockets. Enter the Cabletime adapter. For £2 it has been very useful. Cabletime adapter Blurry C-type pic! Now I can use them to listen to music on the old Dell where my iTunes library is installed.

Writing to Grant Shapps, The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) clarifies a  need to speak directly to ministers.  Selina Lavender, MAG Chair, wrote  to the Secretary of State again on Monday this week. Selina welcomes the Department for Transport's (DfT) increased engagement.  However, she believes there is still a pressing need for a meeting with the Minister. MAG has explained to the DfT that motorcycles offer ways to solve transport challenges.  More people choosing two wheels will reduce congestion, improve air quality, and reduce CO2 emissions.  Motorcycles can help deliver a Covid-safe transport recovery. The letter accepts policy makers' concerns over safety, but notes delays in bringing forward legislation to allow changes to motorcycle training. Selina says these delays look bad when compared with time made to bring forward e-scooter trials. Commenting on the decision to contact the Secretary of State again, Selina said: “I kno...

Just when we were all hoping to be back to some normality in 2021, and then this happens. I wasn't hoping to go as I will still be employed in the education field and it is in term time. Maybe 2022? https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/2021-isle-of-man-tt-races-cancelled/