Dave

R65LS-Float Replacement

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Fuel is sucked through the jets by virtue of the vacuum in the manifold (for the pilot jet) and in the volume behind the butterfly valve for the main jet (modified by the needle). Vacuum levels are of the order of half an atmosphere or around 3 metres of water. Plainly, the pressure of a few centimetres of petrol will have no virtually no effect. As long as the level is high enough to keep the jets covered and low enough to not slosh out of the breather, when the bike is running and vibrating, that’s all that is important. The actual height doesn’t matter a damn.

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R65LS-Minor Mods

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I have done a few minor mods to the old girl to make her a bit more comfortable.
Not really a modification, but I do like to know the time. I’ve had a watch on the keyfob ever since I got the bike.

The orginal handlebars are quite low.  I prefer a more “sit up” position on the bike, especially as I (my hips really) get older. So I have fitted some different handlebars. I think they are for a non LS R65.
I have also fitted Oxford heated grips – my circulation is not what it was either. Read more

R65LS-On the road again

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I got the old girl MOT’d and taxed today. I had to stop on the way to the MOT station to do the “Bing Dance”. This happens when some dirt gets stuck in the needle valve and petrol starts dripping out.  You don’t notice until you slow down and the bike does not idle properly as one side is too rich.
So, turn off the petrol, bike on centre stand, remove float chamber, empty into petrol tank, wiggle float up and down, replace float chamber, turn on petrol and away we go. Read more

Managing photos on a Macbook

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I am very used to managing my photos on a Windows computer using my old Photoshop CS2. I’ve been using it for over 15 years.  I used to use actions in Photoshop to batch edit hundred of photos at a time when I did wedding and nursery shoots. But CS2 doesn’t work on my MacBook air, and I do not shoot professionally now, so I can make do with less power.  But it’s a relearning exercise. All of this is probably very elementary for a seasoned MacBook user but it’s all new to me. Read more

Music on Apples

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When I got the iphone I thought I’d try out Apple Music.  It seemed OK, and it’s free for three months. Then it’s £9.99 a month. (Let’s say £10. I will round up everything by 1p to show the sensible price.) That is £120 per year.

Now I have quite a selection of CDs available already, and they are mostly what I listen to.  I am very unlikely to spend £120 on new albums in a year. But I would like to but the odd track or maybe album. Albums on itunes are normally £8 or 80p for tracks (regardless of the number of tracks on the album)  So if I buy less than 15 albums a year I am winning… 
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Back ups

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I used to work as a photographer and I accumulated huge number of pictures, all of which needed be securely backed up. Losing a customers wedding pictures was unthinkable. I ensured there was always at least two copies of everything (including websites) in different locations, i.e. the pc hard drive and external hard drives. This worked well. It was a manual process but I had it off to a fine art. I used it for many years. Those pictures are now stored away on their hard drives. Read more

Honda SH300i Sold

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I bought the SH300i in March 2021 for I wanted a reliable scooter that I would ultimately become my only bike.
But that would mean selling my beloved BMW R65LS which I’ve had for twenty five years. I just can’t do it, and space dictates that the Honda has to go. Read more

Parking a Motorhome

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The UK in general and England in particular seem to have a problem with motorhomes. The general feeling is that we should all be on campsites.

A typical campsite for a motorhome an two adults is around £30 a night in England. We do not need a hookup, or water, or showers, or a loo if we are only staying for a day or two. So we would be paying £30 a night just to park. We often park in pub car parks. It is usually free, but we still spend around £30 on food and drink… Read more

Videos – Videopad

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While browsing the web I found Video Pad. It seemed like a good alternative to Movie Maker and works in a similar way.
There is a free version which I have, a home version and a masters version. The latter are paid for, but they come with a free trial. It is unclear what the limitations of the free version are.
You really have to look for the free version though and there seem to be many disgruntled users who have assummed the home version was the free version then found it was only a trial. Read more

Videos – Youtube

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My first video made with Moviemaker was 600Mb and 3m 38s long. I tried to upload it via the home broadband and after 5 mins it still estimated an hour and 12 mins to go.
I gave up and transferred it to my phone, switched its wifi off and I uploaded it via the 4G network in around 11 minutes. So my estimated figures were not far off… Read more