Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2010 15:24:47 GMT -5
As promised, here's a photo of my recent acquisition. Anyone recognise the location (it's in Fife)?
I got the bike through a Gumtree ad - there was a bloke wanting to swap his NTV for a van, and I was wanting rid of my van. The deal was done within four hours of me reading his ad!
The bike is in great condition for its 16 years, and came with panniers and a topbox. The previous owner had been storing the bike and it didn't start easily, but I stuck the battery on an Optimate when I got home and then spent the next two weekends cleaning the bike up.
I didn't mean to spend that long! The fuel pump was hanging loose (broken bracket) so I had to take the airbox off, and you know what it's like - one thing leads to another. Couldn't fit the airbox back on top of the carbs, so took the carbs off too and cleaned them. Had to do this twice as a piece of fluff got into the main jet. It's a long story! No, it didn't fall out of my navel, it came from (ahem) the big bicycle pump I was using to blow out the jets. I don't have compressed air you see. Unfortunately the pump nozzle had picked up lint over time. Silly me. So when I rode the bike that day the max speed was 65 mph.
Groan. I spotted the clogged pump and took the bike apart again...
Btw I find the only way to get things back together is fit the airbox to the carbs and then fit them back on together. Anyone else find this?
I have always liked the NTV styling, right from when the Revere was introduced. I love the exhaust pipe contours on the right, the frame, wheels and swingarm. To me the NTV is something of a work of art. The colour, a deep turquoise, is okay but seems a little garish and would not have been my first choice (the burgundy and white finishes are my favourites). The Powerbronze upper fairing is a little unattractive, and I will probably sell it and revert to the naked headlight. If anyone knows where I can get the headlamp brackets ...?
Handling is something I will need to get used to. Years ago I remember a review of a Suzuki GSX-1100G shaftie, and the words of the reviewer seem to apply well to the NTV:
Hope that doesn't sound too unkind! I really like the bike and expect I'll get used to it, maybe I can adjust the handlebars, gear lever etc.
Since getting the bike on the road again I've wired up the Givi topbox brake light (the PO had not connected the wires anywhere) and changed the locks on all panniers so that only one key is needed instead of three. The heated grip switch has been relocated and I've fitted an old pair of mirrors I had lying about which clear the screen without needing ugly extenders.
Safe biking everyone.
I got the bike through a Gumtree ad - there was a bloke wanting to swap his NTV for a van, and I was wanting rid of my van. The deal was done within four hours of me reading his ad!
The bike is in great condition for its 16 years, and came with panniers and a topbox. The previous owner had been storing the bike and it didn't start easily, but I stuck the battery on an Optimate when I got home and then spent the next two weekends cleaning the bike up.
I didn't mean to spend that long! The fuel pump was hanging loose (broken bracket) so I had to take the airbox off, and you know what it's like - one thing leads to another. Couldn't fit the airbox back on top of the carbs, so took the carbs off too and cleaned them. Had to do this twice as a piece of fluff got into the main jet. It's a long story! No, it didn't fall out of my navel, it came from (ahem) the big bicycle pump I was using to blow out the jets. I don't have compressed air you see. Unfortunately the pump nozzle had picked up lint over time. Silly me. So when I rode the bike that day the max speed was 65 mph.
Groan. I spotted the clogged pump and took the bike apart again...
Btw I find the only way to get things back together is fit the airbox to the carbs and then fit them back on together. Anyone else find this?
I have always liked the NTV styling, right from when the Revere was introduced. I love the exhaust pipe contours on the right, the frame, wheels and swingarm. To me the NTV is something of a work of art. The colour, a deep turquoise, is okay but seems a little garish and would not have been my first choice (the burgundy and white finishes are my favourites). The Powerbronze upper fairing is a little unattractive, and I will probably sell it and revert to the naked headlight. If anyone knows where I can get the headlamp brackets ...?
Handling is something I will need to get used to. Years ago I remember a review of a Suzuki GSX-1100G shaftie, and the words of the reviewer seem to apply well to the NTV:
- "Book your line into the next corner well in advance."
- "Flops into corners like a rheumatic walrus."
Hope that doesn't sound too unkind! I really like the bike and expect I'll get used to it, maybe I can adjust the handlebars, gear lever etc.
Since getting the bike on the road again I've wired up the Givi topbox brake light (the PO had not connected the wires anywhere) and changed the locks on all panniers so that only one key is needed instead of three. The heated grip switch has been relocated and I've fitted an old pair of mirrors I had lying about which clear the screen without needing ugly extenders.
Safe biking everyone.