New tyres (Brrrr!)

The picture says it all really. The dashboard thermometer says -1c as I park the bike up after having new tyres fitted. And that thermometer tends to run about 2c warmer than the real temperature. So I was more cautious than usual while running on fresh rubber.

For a variety of personal reasons I've not had the time or inclination to drive the bike. It's still a good machine, but circumstrances beyond our control etc.
In other news, I think we've nearly raised enough to buy a second bike for Riders for Health. Woo Hoo!!!

1000th visitor

Congratulations to the person from France who was my 1000th visitor. It happened on the 1st July. It makes me feel loved.

Although according to the site figures, the majority of people visiting this site are looking for advice on what to do when they drop their bike. Quick answer. Swear a lot then get a friend to help.

And put the side stand down first, or you'll throw it over on the other side...

Riders for Health

This year I've been helping to raise funds for Riders for Health (see link in sidebar) along with the members of the Young Church at Linktown in Kirkcaldy. Our aim for the year was to raise enough money so that riders could buy a motorbike for use by a health worker in the developing world. People within the church have really latched onto this project, as it's such an effective way of saving lives.

After a surprisingly successful fundraising effort, we sent a cheque for £1450 to Riders, being the sum equivalent to that needed to purchase a bike.

Now we have bought a bike, we need to keep it running, so we have launched the "Spanner Fund" to send them some money to maintain their fleet. The campaign ends at Christmas, and It's looking good so far.

Pan miles so far 007726

Pan Clan at the bike show.

Wet and windy!

Riders for health book sale

This is a big plug for our book sale in aid of Riders for Health. To be held at Linktown Church, Nicol Street, Kirkcaldy on

Saturday 23^rd February from 10.30am to 2.30pm

Tea and coffee will be served.

Oxford Heated Grips

Disclaimer - following these instructions may damage you or your bike. If in doubt, speak to a genuine mechanic.

The Honda grips at the front are great, especially over the past month, but Mr Honda hasn't sold a method of keeping the pillions hands warm. So I purchased a set of Oxford Hot Hands, which are supposed to velcro around the bike grips. The packet contains a pair of grips, attached to a switch assembly, and a lead that is supposed to be connected to the power supply somewhere on the bike. I have used Oxford grips on previous bikes, so I'm confident that they will be up to the job.

The kit can be connected to the battery, although there is a risk that you will forget to switch them off and run the battery flat. There is enough cable supplied with the kit to run the power wire all the way forward to attach to the Quartet accessory harness, where the front heated grips plug in. As pictured below, I obtained a couple of the Hitachi style plugs so I could attach to the quartet harness without cutting. One green plug goes into the socket that the OEM grips attach, the other green component is the new socket for the OEM grips. The bundle of black wire was then fed back to the rear left of the bike. The white plug attaches to the switch assembly for the Oxford Grips.

I had decided to fit the switch in the rear fairing, so the first step was to prise apart the switch for the Oxford grips. Inside there’s a waterproofed switch, a green LED, and a little resistor. Be careful not to break the resistor or the LED. The LED slides out of the holder if you are careful.

Before cutting a hole in your Pan for the switch, you need to find a location that is not only accessible for your pillion, but also does not foul the rear sub-frame A bit of trial and error is required, although on my version, the switch sits just below the left grab rail. You must make sure you have enough stretch in your power supply cable to reach the location of the switch. Once you have marked the location for the switch and the LED, your life will be easier if you remove the rear fairing to drill and position the switch assembly.

Once the switch is installed, carefully replace the fairing, wrap the grip heaters around the rear grab rail and pass the grip heater wires under the seat to attach to the switch assembly. You may wish to cut a small notch in the fairing, just under the seat to pass the heater wires through. Once I was happy with the installation I used the supplied cable ties to attach the loose wire to the bike frame.

A wee bit less than an afternoon’s work, resulting in one happy pillion.

Links
Oxford heated grips - http://www.oxprod.com/
Plugs for quartet harness - http://www.inter-bike.co.uk/inter-bikeshop/default.asp?categoryid=461

Pan miles so far - 005688